The trip to the Mayo wasn’t quite what I expected but you have to remember I was only there for three days. I was scheduled for four days but was so frustrated I left early. The good is that a couple of things were ruled out. For one I don’t have cancer which was a major concern of mine, and I don’t have a bleeding disorder. They did discover I had weakness in my legs, hands, and arms but I did not stay around to meet with the Neurologist. I also found out I have several types of serious Anemia but my Immunologist doesn’t seem to care. Time for a new Immunologist. I even stopped my Antibody Infusion Treatments due to a lack of communication on his part. The Mayo for as good as they are can only handle so many areas of concern due to time constraints. They wanted me to come back for more testing but I refused. The trip cost was very high when you look at airport parking, airline tickets, a rental car, and a hotel, eating, and putting the dogs in the kennel. Not to mention my husband taking a week off work. Maybe I’ll go back at another time but for now, I’m seeking out doctors that can help me locally.
I sought out a Hand Orthopedic doctor for carpel tunnel and the pain I was experiencing. Through the process, I found out I have Osteoarthritis in my thumbs which is one reason for the severe pain. I now wear thumb braces, take low-dose pain medication for arthritis in my hands, and am having carpel tunnel surgery in both hands as well as having a wrist brace taken out that was put in when I broke my wrist in 2018. It’s moved and it causing pain. I hope to have at least the left-hand surgery done this month.
I’ve been battling one Fibromyalgia flare after another for months now. I’ll save the details for the Fibromyalgia post I’m writing.
I have also been battling low-grade depression probably caused by stress and worry. My depression is very sensitive to stress. I’m feeling better but still not my normal self.
One great action I’ve taken is to return to weekly chiropractor visits and monthly massages. This has helped me work the stress out of my body and work to align the degenerative areas. It’s a hurt-so-good stage.
Like everyone, there’s always something we are dealing with and we have to step up to the plate and deal with them. :)
Melinda
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The massages and chiropractor should relieve some pain as well as the thumb brace and pain meds. Everything that improves is a step to feeling so much better. And I know for me, everything sets fibromyalgia off. You have been through a lot of trauma with all the doctors and testing. I wish you well, my friend. Love you.
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Fibro is better today, not as much pain and no nap from the fatigue. :)
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Hope you find relief in the massages💕
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They are heavenly!
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Yessssss❣️
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I admire your courage, Melinda, and steely resolve to take personal responsibility for your overall care and well-being.
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Thank you for the kind words. What other choice is there? Blame others and cry in my cheerios? Not for me.
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Sorry to hear this, please be well…
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Thank you for the kind words. I keep looking forward doing the best I can, giving myself a break when needed and I’m always looking for joy. :)
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Melinda, I am so sorry you have so many health issues going on all at once, but your strong, resilient, and your strength is amazing, keep going, you can get through this, I am glad your writing about it. Xx
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Thank you for the kind words, it’s not the best of times but there’s always light.
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Wishing the very best on your continued journey. One thing I’ve learnt the hard way is that illness costs a lot of money, and ironically this cost comes at a time when most often one has had to either give up work or pair back their hours… it’s something I never once thought about when I was healthy and something other healthy people don’t think about until it lands on their door.
Enjoy the chiropractor and monthly massages, at least they give you some element of peace for their cost :)
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My healthcare cost are high but we have good medical insurance and my husband is good at keeping money is a rainy day fund. As I get older spending so much on healthcare is of concern but we’ll cross that when we get there. In the big scheme of things I’m doing great and I try to keep that in mind. Thank you for the kind words. :)
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You are so lucky to have health insurance and someone great at finances!! I too have health insurance and would be lost without it.
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My husband is retiring early next year and we have to get new insurance, it’s much more expensive, but we don’t have a choice.
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My mother in law stopped paying hers after the death of her husband – who had a lot of health issues – she now rues the decision as her good health is behind her and it’s been doctors and hospitals all this year for her. It’s a tough lesson to learn the hard way.
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I’ve seen to many people take their health for granted and then watch it fade. I think we know better.
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Here are my 2 questions.
You’ve published many articles, how did you get involved in writing for magazines?
How do you find joy in your day?
:)
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1) like everything in life, by accident! In early 2014 after having some poems I submit to an anthology published, the publisher of the anthology asked if I’d enough material for a solo poetry book, which I did. And after that book Observant Observings was published and some articles appeared in local media to promote it, the editor of a local magazine reached out to me and asked if I was interested in writing a regular column for them. I said why not! I wrote an article for every issue from late 2014 to 2021 when the magazine ceased trading due to the impacts of the pandemic. And while I was writing for them, I began sending off work elsewhere which too has been published. Then, in 2016, after I wrote a letter to the editor of our national newspaper, The Irish Independent, following our general election at the time, and pointing out the reasons for anger in the country, the editor of the paper reached out to me, asking if I’d follow up with a full length journalistic piece, and that was published under my own name, which gave me another feather in my cap! Life lesson: take calculated risks! Have confidence in your ability and challenge yourself!
2) Like many people living with long term illness, and being as limited as I am due to my ME, I’ve had to adapt and re-learn what living means without having a job or social life or the hobbies I once had (which included hot yoga, running with a local athletic club and horse riding). It didn’t happen overnight. But the more I sat with myself, the more I began to look outward, to see the seasons change, the light change within a day, etc. That’s where I now find joy. Watching the seasons roll in and watching how nature and her creatures react to each change. At present I have a hooded crow who for the last 3 years has showed up at my kitchen window for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Joy can be found in the smallest of places, and you don’t even have to dip into your pocket to enjoy it!
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That’s very interesting about the bird, it’s like he’s you daily companion. You are right about that, we have to have or build the confidence to keep moving forward. :)
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Baby steps is all we need, so long as it’s forward motion! Thanks again for including me in your series. Wishing you a great weekend.
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You do the same.
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Marie, I write a post every Monday called Blogger Highlight which highlights people and their blogs. There very little work on your part, just answer a few short questions. It’s all fun and introduces you and your blog to the community. It that cool with you? :)
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I’m in!!
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