I should have been counting them this year - how many times I've been over there! I get bloodwork every other Tuesday, regularly. For the next month or so I have multiple appointments.
I am having a repeat echocardiogram on August 25 - this is to see if the pressures in my heart have improved at all. I pray they have - I feel better but that's not really an indicator. If the meds and weight loss have not helped them to improve, I am in worse trouble that I thought and pretty big trouble.
The next week I will see a cardiologist, for the first time. The one I'm seeing is also on the transplant team. While those words have not come up, I know enough to know that if things are not any better, a heart/lung transplant would be the best option for a longer life. But, I've already decided that I will not do that. Between the history of having a wet body (easy to retain fluid) and the blood clots, I doubt the transplant team would approve me and I'd really question them if they did - I mean I'm not about to be another science experiment!!
I see the GYN again September 24 and between now and then will have a mammogram and bone density scan. Those seem a little mute on point to me, if my heart is going to give out in a year or two, who cares if I have cancer or brittle bones???
I don't mean to sound ugly - I just won't go thru massive rounds of treatment for things that won't make a lot of difference.
I do hope for at least 3-5 more years - so that I can see Renee finish college and get into her field of work. Maybe in that period of time I will see Lynn get himself together and be a productive citizen.
It is humbling in more ways than one to realize that your life is closer to being over - I mean everyday after 40 we are all over 1/2 of the way done, but, this feels a little different to me. And, after all of the feelings after the divorce, etc. I want to love again. No expectations this time, no children to raise, just me and a special someone doting on each other daily, making each day the best it can be.
If I sound like I'm in a pity party, I'm really not, I've just realized even a few more things than I already knew.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wasted Time and Money
So, you want to know how to waste $17,000.00 and a few hours? Implant an IUD into Lisa! Yep, after all that I've been thru with the 60 day cycle, the pain, etc. I had an ultrasound last Thursday only to be told that the IUD is gone. Where the hell did it go? No one knows - except the theory is that when I passed the gallons of blood and clots in the office, it must have been there.
Yesterday the doctor's office called - to tell me that they were calling in a prescription for progesterone (again!) to try and prevent me from bleeding at all and I'll see the doctor again on Sept. 24. Since I'm still opting for the hysterectomy, maybe we can see that in the near future.
I have lost about 40 of the 100 pounds she had said needed to go before surgery, last Tuesday I was down to 435. Lowest weight in 10 years for me!!
I am hoping to be below 400 when I see her on 9/24 - BUT - if I can't have surgery before November - it will have to wait until February 15. We get too busy in the shop from Thanksgiving thru Valentine's Day for me to be off. Of course, surgery on February 15 gives me time to heal good before I go to Costa Rica in the late spring. I'm so excited about that trip I can hardly contain myself! The weather is perfect - 60 degrees at night, only 80 during the day! I may never come back!!
Yesterday the doctor's office called - to tell me that they were calling in a prescription for progesterone (again!) to try and prevent me from bleeding at all and I'll see the doctor again on Sept. 24. Since I'm still opting for the hysterectomy, maybe we can see that in the near future.
I have lost about 40 of the 100 pounds she had said needed to go before surgery, last Tuesday I was down to 435. Lowest weight in 10 years for me!!
I am hoping to be below 400 when I see her on 9/24 - BUT - if I can't have surgery before November - it will have to wait until February 15. We get too busy in the shop from Thanksgiving thru Valentine's Day for me to be off. Of course, surgery on February 15 gives me time to heal good before I go to Costa Rica in the late spring. I'm so excited about that trip I can hardly contain myself! The weather is perfect - 60 degrees at night, only 80 during the day! I may never come back!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
New Numbers
So, after the last post I had a really bad couple of days with the first cycle after having an IUD implanted. Alas, though, that seems to be the norm with the first one and I'm looking forward to better days. Although it might have been horrible for a couple of days, it was only a total of 6 days!! 6 days - after my episode lasting more than 60 days I am relieved!
AND, on that note, I had lost 6 more pounds - I'm now down to 437!! That is unbelievable to me - I am 38 pounds from being under 400 for the first time in about 15 years!! And that 38 doesn't scare me at all!!
I see the doctor August 11 - I am hoping to be down to at least 425 and I'd love to break 400 by Labor Day! Don't know if I can, but I'm trying!
The increased energy and desire to move about is creating some problems - my left hip is still driving me insane. I am going to have to see an orthopaedic - which I swore off years ago - but I really think the bone loss in my right ankle has shortened that leg and the compensation I make in walking is causing the left hip pain. Now, I don't have MD after my name, but I live in this body. I think a little build up under my right heal, even with an insert, may change things. I could try that couldn't I?
Another updated after next Tuesday!!
AND, on that note, I had lost 6 more pounds - I'm now down to 437!! That is unbelievable to me - I am 38 pounds from being under 400 for the first time in about 15 years!! And that 38 doesn't scare me at all!!
I see the doctor August 11 - I am hoping to be down to at least 425 and I'd love to break 400 by Labor Day! Don't know if I can, but I'm trying!
The increased energy and desire to move about is creating some problems - my left hip is still driving me insane. I am going to have to see an orthopaedic - which I swore off years ago - but I really think the bone loss in my right ankle has shortened that leg and the compensation I make in walking is causing the left hip pain. Now, I don't have MD after my name, but I live in this body. I think a little build up under my right heal, even with an insert, may change things. I could try that couldn't I?
Another updated after next Tuesday!!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
More Good News
SO - let me tell you that having the IUD implanted was the best idea anybody ever had! I've not had any more problems at all AND I am feeling stronger every day. Of course, that has to be from all the iron I'm taking and the fact that I'm not getting more anemic each and every day.
So my blood work is looking good, I'm feeling great, I've been told my eyes are bright again and my color is better than it had been in months. The best thing is I weighed at the doctor yesterday and I'd lost 22 more pounds!!
Now, this is 22 net, the 17 I'd regained from being off the meds is gone to. As of today, my net weight loss is 158 pounds!!! That is a whole person - in fact - my aunt in Bowling Green weighs exactly that amount!!
I am going to go shopping after Labor Day for some new clothes. Right now, everything I have hangs on me and I can barely keep my pants up - but I have a numeric goal in my mind before I buy anything. I only have one dress and one skirt I can wear right now - everything else falls off my shoulders so bad I can't keep it on! That's pretty exciting to me!!
Renee says I am smaller than she is - and I think she's right!
Fresh fruit and veggies rock!! I'm eating almost no meat, lots of veggies and fruit, and yes, I even had McDonalds a couple of times. BUT, instead of getting the big combo, etc. I get the happy meal. Satifies my craving with 1/2 the food and I'm just as happy with it!
Remember my promise to myself - when I go below 300 pounds I'm buying a new Camaro!!!
So my blood work is looking good, I'm feeling great, I've been told my eyes are bright again and my color is better than it had been in months. The best thing is I weighed at the doctor yesterday and I'd lost 22 more pounds!!
Now, this is 22 net, the 17 I'd regained from being off the meds is gone to. As of today, my net weight loss is 158 pounds!!! That is a whole person - in fact - my aunt in Bowling Green weighs exactly that amount!!
I am going to go shopping after Labor Day for some new clothes. Right now, everything I have hangs on me and I can barely keep my pants up - but I have a numeric goal in my mind before I buy anything. I only have one dress and one skirt I can wear right now - everything else falls off my shoulders so bad I can't keep it on! That's pretty exciting to me!!
Renee says I am smaller than she is - and I think she's right!
Fresh fruit and veggies rock!! I'm eating almost no meat, lots of veggies and fruit, and yes, I even had McDonalds a couple of times. BUT, instead of getting the big combo, etc. I get the happy meal. Satifies my craving with 1/2 the food and I'm just as happy with it!
Remember my promise to myself - when I go below 300 pounds I'm buying a new Camaro!!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Update #2 on June 24
So after seeing Dr. Kropski on June 9, I woke up June 11 to a raw, scratchy, burny throat and upper chest. By Friday morning, I was in really bad shape and had to go in ASAP. I had bronchitis and the doctor said she could hear some pneumonia crackling. Needless to say, it was not a good weekend. But, I took all of my meds, etc. and I'm feeling much better now.
I had scheduled a minor surgery for yesterday, June 23. It was still up in the air through last Friday, my breathing had to be pretty clear, etc. I had an IUD implanted.
Now, my tubes were tied 18 years ago. The purpose of this device is to regulate my cycle, and the brand that she uses releases a small amount of hormone so that my cycle will be very light. After the last 11 weeks that sounds like a great plan to me!!
Everything went well with the surgery and I got to leave the hospital yesterday about 3:00. I am at work today - no discomfort at all, no pain, and no bleeding!! Can you see me doing a jig? Not really, but I would if I could!!!
AND, on Friday I had lost 10 of the 17 pounds I'd gained, so I am almost back to where I was. Now that I can plan on getting in the pool to walk, and get back on my regular medicine schedule, and keep getting the CSA box, well, I'm optimistic that I can restart losing weight. I would love to be under 400 pounds by Christmas. I haven't been under 400 pounds since 1999!
That means 56 pounds in 6 months - which is not impossible at all. Keep your fingers crossed and keep me in your prayers. I can do pretty good as long as I ignore the yellow arches! They have to become invisible to me like Hardees did on February 3 - I haven't been back there!!
I had scheduled a minor surgery for yesterday, June 23. It was still up in the air through last Friday, my breathing had to be pretty clear, etc. I had an IUD implanted.
Now, my tubes were tied 18 years ago. The purpose of this device is to regulate my cycle, and the brand that she uses releases a small amount of hormone so that my cycle will be very light. After the last 11 weeks that sounds like a great plan to me!!
Everything went well with the surgery and I got to leave the hospital yesterday about 3:00. I am at work today - no discomfort at all, no pain, and no bleeding!! Can you see me doing a jig? Not really, but I would if I could!!!
AND, on Friday I had lost 10 of the 17 pounds I'd gained, so I am almost back to where I was. Now that I can plan on getting in the pool to walk, and get back on my regular medicine schedule, and keep getting the CSA box, well, I'm optimistic that I can restart losing weight. I would love to be under 400 pounds by Christmas. I haven't been under 400 pounds since 1999!
That means 56 pounds in 6 months - which is not impossible at all. Keep your fingers crossed and keep me in your prayers. I can do pretty good as long as I ignore the yellow arches! They have to become invisible to me like Hardees did on February 3 - I haven't been back there!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Moved In and Settled
I've got to do better about updating this blog!!
I got moved into my new apartment the weekend of May 1. My brother and friend from high school, Jimbo, got all of my stuff in about 2 hours - then it took me about three weeks to get completely unpacked and decorated. That might not have taken so long, but the week of May 4 I worked everyday at the florist because of the upcoming Mother's Day weekend. And, I'm still recuperating from severe anemia.
I'm loving my apartment!! It is really nice, my walls had been redone, repainted, and I've got new carpet. There is a nice size kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bath. Also, a 6 ft by 9 ft storage closet I've turned into a craft room. I'm so excited about the chance to do the projects I've accumulated with the "one day I'll have time" attitude. I've got quilts, wreathes, purses, and cross stitch projects to keep me busy at least 5 years. Not to mention all the books I haven't had time to read and movies to watch. It's being good for me, I can tell that the stress level is much lower. I still worry about the kids tremendously and watching Lynn go thru some hard days for him is tough, but I believe he's going to make it.
As far as my health goes, it's been a tough month. While in the hospital, they took me off everything except the Pepcid , Progesterone and Prozac. I came home with Lovenox injections twice a day - now that they are finished I about to start on Coumadin again.
After I first got him, I started back on the blood pressure medicine. It probably didn't have anything to do with it, but about a week after moving in, I started a menstral cycle! Shouldn't have happened, I was on progesterone and two weeks post D&C - but it did. And it was pretty bad for close to two weeks. Not hospitalization bad, but what little ground I had gained in the anemia field, I lost pretty quickly.
I am back to square one - at this point I am ready to begin again to add back the heart medications and see what happens. I am going to have surgery soon - probably next Tuesday - for an IUD to be implanted. The purpose of that is to make me have a regular cycle so that my uterine lining does not have time to build up. The ideal solution is for me to lose enough weight to have the hysterectomy - something I am working hard on!
I see my regular doctor on June 9 so hopefully, I will have progress to report on the weight loss. I don't think I've gained anything back and feel like I've lost a few more pounds. Being anemic, I've been supposed to eat much more, especially protein. Somedays I just don't feel like it - and somedays have eat very little.
One thing that has happened that helps me tremendously, the CSA program I joined started up again May 6. Each Wednesday I get 1/2 bushel of fresh organically grown produce. I've enjoyed lots of fresh lettuce, strawberries, and green onions. I've had lots of radishes, and I've tried - I just can't eat them - I like the crunch but not the flavor!
This week Renee and I went grocery shopping together - I did really well on my purchases and plans for menus - so I think I'm about to get back on track on the eating part.
One thing I've promised myself - if I can get down to 300 pounds or below by June 1, 2010 - my 50th birthday! - I am going to treat myself to a brand new Camaro!! Have you seen one? They are gorgeous!!
Even if I don't make it by my birthday, when I weigh less than 300 I'm buying a Camaro!!
I got moved into my new apartment the weekend of May 1. My brother and friend from high school, Jimbo, got all of my stuff in about 2 hours - then it took me about three weeks to get completely unpacked and decorated. That might not have taken so long, but the week of May 4 I worked everyday at the florist because of the upcoming Mother's Day weekend. And, I'm still recuperating from severe anemia.
I'm loving my apartment!! It is really nice, my walls had been redone, repainted, and I've got new carpet. There is a nice size kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bath. Also, a 6 ft by 9 ft storage closet I've turned into a craft room. I'm so excited about the chance to do the projects I've accumulated with the "one day I'll have time" attitude. I've got quilts, wreathes, purses, and cross stitch projects to keep me busy at least 5 years. Not to mention all the books I haven't had time to read and movies to watch. It's being good for me, I can tell that the stress level is much lower. I still worry about the kids tremendously and watching Lynn go thru some hard days for him is tough, but I believe he's going to make it.
As far as my health goes, it's been a tough month. While in the hospital, they took me off everything except the Pepcid , Progesterone and Prozac. I came home with Lovenox injections twice a day - now that they are finished I about to start on Coumadin again.
After I first got him, I started back on the blood pressure medicine. It probably didn't have anything to do with it, but about a week after moving in, I started a menstral cycle! Shouldn't have happened, I was on progesterone and two weeks post D&C - but it did. And it was pretty bad for close to two weeks. Not hospitalization bad, but what little ground I had gained in the anemia field, I lost pretty quickly.
I am back to square one - at this point I am ready to begin again to add back the heart medications and see what happens. I am going to have surgery soon - probably next Tuesday - for an IUD to be implanted. The purpose of that is to make me have a regular cycle so that my uterine lining does not have time to build up. The ideal solution is for me to lose enough weight to have the hysterectomy - something I am working hard on!
I see my regular doctor on June 9 so hopefully, I will have progress to report on the weight loss. I don't think I've gained anything back and feel like I've lost a few more pounds. Being anemic, I've been supposed to eat much more, especially protein. Somedays I just don't feel like it - and somedays have eat very little.
One thing that has happened that helps me tremendously, the CSA program I joined started up again May 6. Each Wednesday I get 1/2 bushel of fresh organically grown produce. I've enjoyed lots of fresh lettuce, strawberries, and green onions. I've had lots of radishes, and I've tried - I just can't eat them - I like the crunch but not the flavor!
This week Renee and I went grocery shopping together - I did really well on my purchases and plans for menus - so I think I'm about to get back on track on the eating part.
One thing I've promised myself - if I can get down to 300 pounds or below by June 1, 2010 - my 50th birthday! - I am going to treat myself to a brand new Camaro!! Have you seen one? They are gorgeous!!
Even if I don't make it by my birthday, when I weigh less than 300 I'm buying a Camaro!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lots of Updates
It's hard to believe it's been over two weeks since I posted. So much has happened - I will try to cover most of the health issues here.
My fatigue did not improve, in fact as the week went on it got worse and worse, in direct relation to the worsening menstral cycle. By Thursday, April 23 I could barely stand up and got dizzy when I did. Friday came and I had chest pain so I knew it was going bad. I started calling the doctor but he was out and whomever was supposed to pick up his pages wasn't. The nurse said for me to go to the ER, which I did.
Now, I have to take a sidewinder here. I got to the ER at Vanderbilt at 4:00 PM on Friday afternoon. Do I need to say anymore? It was 6:30 before they took me back to a bed. I honestly thought I would have a major accident before they took me back.
By 7:00 PM I was on a heart monitor and was told I would be admitted. My CBC was low, and on a repeat test in one hour I dropped 4 points. So, a transfusion was in store for me.
I got to a regular room at 6:00 AM on Saturday morning. I am grateful that I was on the back side of the ER and that I did not have to hear or witness any of the Friday night crazy that takes place at Vanderbilt's Emergency Department. Those folks who work there are to be applauded!
I spent four days at VUMC. I had a pap smear and biopsy on Sunday morning. Now, because of my age and symptoms, the top GYN Oncologist came in Sunday to do these procedures. Can you imagine what that is going to cost???
And, I got two units of blood. First transfusion for me - it went well and I didn't have any kind of reaction.
The preliminary lab results were negative for cancer - great news! So on Tuesday, the top GYN Benign doctor (who is married to the top oncologist!) did a D&C and another pap smear.
The great news is that there was no sign of cancer anywhere. I am doing better, still very weak and on iron, etc. with continued follow up on the anemia. I will have to have some surgical procedure soon to be sure this doesn't happen again - still trying to decide on that one.
More in next post!
My fatigue did not improve, in fact as the week went on it got worse and worse, in direct relation to the worsening menstral cycle. By Thursday, April 23 I could barely stand up and got dizzy when I did. Friday came and I had chest pain so I knew it was going bad. I started calling the doctor but he was out and whomever was supposed to pick up his pages wasn't. The nurse said for me to go to the ER, which I did.
Now, I have to take a sidewinder here. I got to the ER at Vanderbilt at 4:00 PM on Friday afternoon. Do I need to say anymore? It was 6:30 before they took me back to a bed. I honestly thought I would have a major accident before they took me back.
By 7:00 PM I was on a heart monitor and was told I would be admitted. My CBC was low, and on a repeat test in one hour I dropped 4 points. So, a transfusion was in store for me.
I got to a regular room at 6:00 AM on Saturday morning. I am grateful that I was on the back side of the ER and that I did not have to hear or witness any of the Friday night crazy that takes place at Vanderbilt's Emergency Department. Those folks who work there are to be applauded!
I spent four days at VUMC. I had a pap smear and biopsy on Sunday morning. Now, because of my age and symptoms, the top GYN Oncologist came in Sunday to do these procedures. Can you imagine what that is going to cost???
And, I got two units of blood. First transfusion for me - it went well and I didn't have any kind of reaction.
The preliminary lab results were negative for cancer - great news! So on Tuesday, the top GYN Benign doctor (who is married to the top oncologist!) did a D&C and another pap smear.
The great news is that there was no sign of cancer anywhere. I am doing better, still very weak and on iron, etc. with continued follow up on the anemia. I will have to have some surgical procedure soon to be sure this doesn't happen again - still trying to decide on that one.
More in next post!
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