Category: Doctor

Test and Test Results

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Today I was given the results of my CT scan that I had of my sinuses the other day and all looked good. I’m thankful nothing serious showed up, but disappointed there wasn’t something there that had been causing me all those sinus issues for year. Plan B I guess.

I also received the call on my angiogram appointment. It’s next Thursday! I was thinking maybe two or three weeks out, so I’d have time to prepare (worry!) about it, but not next week. And it’s very early in the morning at 7 a.m. so we’ll need to leave very early to get there. Traffic shouldn’t be a problem at that hour hopefully.

Of course I’m already nervous about the test, even though I have been reassured by other annie survivors that it’s not as bad as one thinks it will be. I hope that is the case.

Then wanting to get the results will be the next thing I worry about. Chances are, things will look fine around my annie, but there ARE chances thing won’t be and I’m trying not to think about that. Trying is the operative word there! How could one NOT think about the good & the bad. Human nature I think. But I’ll try to concentrate on NOT worrying about something I have no control over. Wish me luck!

I have to go in for some blood work and will do that here in Augusta since it’s far closer. I haven’t found out yet when that will be.

I have been feeling good, other than the sinus stuff and being extremely tired after working longer hours, so I should have nothing to be concerned about. Right?

Finally!

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I finally have an appointment set up with a neurologist up in my area. I’ll be seeing Dr. Jennifer Yanoschak on April 9th in Oakland. I have to get all my X-rays though, so that should be fun! From Maine Med, from Dr. Kwan, and from Maine General. At least I have a month to get them.

I’m looking forward to at least asking someone about the nerves on my right hand and why my fingers still go numb sometimes and why my eyes still bother me some times and how long sneezing will hurt me. Questions my neuroradiologist couldn’t not answer and my regular PCP didn’t answer.

I hope she’s nice and patient and takes the time to really listen to me and answer my questions…if she can!

Bills, Bills, and More Bills

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I have been receiving medical bills since before I ever got home from the hospital. I’ve been instructed by many different parties to “hold off” on paying any of them due to an
insurance company switch at work and people not billing the correct insurance agencies among other things.

I don’t understand a lot of it and it’s very frustrating. I’m not used to setting bills aside (especially big bills) and not paying them. There’s such a sense of responsibility in me that it’s makes me very uncomfortable and uneasy. A few have informed me they were sending the bills to collection agencies and some how we’ve been able to hold that off, but it’s all so involved and confusing that I feel very inadequate because I don’t understand it and that it’s completely out of my control. I don’t enjoy having my financial status in limbo with all these agencies and medical operations. I’m used to paying my bills on time and getting things taken care of in the alloted amount of time. Just frustrating.

My 4-Month Anniversary

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On this, the 4-month anniversary (or “annie”-versary) of my ruptured aneurysm and coiling surgery, I am trying to reflect on what I HAVE been able to accomplish during my recovery, instead of what I still can’t do. It goes something like this

Four months from the time of my ruptured aneurysm, I am able to:

    Bend over without getting dizzy.
    Lift things heavier than a breakfast tray.
    Fill and unload the dishwasher without the aid of sitting down.
    Go downstairs to the basement.
    Do laundry.
    Go downstairs to feed the cats.
    Shower and bath unaided by a seat.
    Dry my hair standing up.
    Make meals.
    Sit at the computer for a few hours.
    Lay down without my head pounding.
    Control most head pain I have without Vicodin, but with Tylenol.
    Go into a store, albeit smaller ones still.
    Drive!
    Go to work part-time.
    Sneeze without fear of my coils exploding.
    Go to a movie.
    Fill the bird feeders.
    Walk without the aid of a cane.
    Laugh and not get too exhausted.
    See my psychologist.
    Read a little bit more and it doesn’t bother me.
    Make the bed.
    Make love. (it’s gotta be said for those other survivors who are reading this and are nervous about themselves.)
    Bake a cake.
    Clean the house a little bit more.
    Speak to other annie survivors.
    Plan my future!
    LIVE!

I’m sure there are more things I’m forgetting, but those are the biggies that I’m recalling needing so much assistance with during those first few weeks when I arrived home after 20 days in the hospital. There are still downsides to my recovery, but today I choose to acknowledge the things I CAN do now, that I wasn’t able to before. ‘nuff said.