waiting for pumpkins and falling leaves

Today was our first taste of Fall.  The high today was 67 but it was accompanied by rain.  It's been raining for two days and that has brought us autumn weather.  Too bad it isn't going to last.  It gets back up in the 90's by the weekend.  

My daughter has been having one test after another.  She had an endoscopy today looking for an ulcer but didn't find one.  She's had an MRI and a CT scan plus an ultrasound.  The only thing that was found was a cyst on her liver which they say is benign.  Unfortunately she continues to have stomach pain, occasional vomiting and diarrhea.  She also has a lot of abdominal gas and heartburn.  So the mystery continues.

Ron and I were planning a trip to Tennessee in October and we were taking Mike with us but I just got called to Federal jury duty.  It starts October 8th and I have to be on call for five weeks.  They did say I was to check online on October 6th and if my name is not on the list it means I am excused from duty.  I've got my fingers crossed that I won't be needed.  Since my eyes are giving me so much trouble and I can't drive at night Ron will have to take me to the city every day I'm called for jury duty.  This is the first time I've been called for Federal jury.

Several years ago I served as a juror on county jury duty.  I was on two cases, a manslaughter case and a rape case.  It was a learning experience for sure.  I think everyone should be a juror if they get the chance.  It is important to see how our judicial system works.  It was my experience that people take their job very seriously when deciding the fate of another human being.  You learn what it means innocent until PROVEN guilty.  In the manslaughter case all 12 jurors felt the man was guilty but we all agreed that the prosecution did not prove their case.  It was hard to give a not guilty verdict when a 7 year old child died because of drinking and driving.  But there was no evidence that put the man behind the wheel.  There were two people in the car but no witness as to who was driving.  The two men blamed each other  so there was nothing we could do to convict anyone.  After the trial I  learned that the child who died was the granddaughter of one of my co-workers.

I'm about ready to call it a day.  I think I'll get into bed with a good book.



 

Day 2

I was able to drop the inhaler down to 1 puff twice a day.  No wheezing.  

My daughter and I were out and about today.  I purchased some paints so I can start painting rocks.  When we were at the airport in June I found a painted rock and I've been wanting to paint some ever since.  I guess the painted rock craze is all over.  You paint them and then leave them all over town for people to find.

My total weight loss as of today is 77 pounds.  These last 15 pounds are the hardest to lose.  I keep losing and gaining the same 2 pounds.  Eventually I'll lose it.  I'm just proud that I have continually lost weight for the past two years and kept it off.  That's an accomplishment for me.  Over the years I've gained and lost so many times I lost count.

My husband has restless leg syndrome.  Only it affects his entire body.  He twitches and jerks his legs violently.  Sometimes he kicks so hard he sends Bella flying off the bed.  If I'm not deep asleep before he comes to bed I can't go to sleep.  Last night he woke me up about 2 am and I could never get back to sleep.  I finally gave up at 4 am and just got up.  It's 7 pm now and I'm about to crash.  I'm trying to stay up until 9 so I don't wake up too early in the morning.

All in all I'm feeling better every day!

My daughter is having an MRI on Tuesday.  Trying to figure out why she is having recurring stomach pains accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.  She had to return to the ER last Wednesday to get IV fluids.  This time the ER doctor said it is something but he doesn't know what.  Maybe the MRI will tell them something.  She seemed fine today but it could hit again tomorrow.

Well I think I will get ready for bed and just veg out for awhile.  Ron is with Mike watching a football game so I have the house to myself!

Results

Well I got the results of my tests yesterday.  The pulmonary function test I scored higher than normal.  The CT scan didn't show anything abnormal other than some scarring from an old bout of pneumonia.  They did see a spot (sclerotic focus at the T5 vertebrae that may represent atypical hemangioma.  The doctor said to follow-up with another specialist.  

I was supposed to reduce my inhaler to one puff twice a day.  I tried it this morning and within an hour I had a slight wheeze.  Just took another puff on the inhaler and the wheeze is gone.

The doctor wanted to wean me off the meds to see if the bronchitis would come back.  I think I got my answer this morning. 

I'll try again tomorrow and see what happens.  If I start wheezing I'll call the doctor's office to see what I'm supposed to do.

 

Human Pin Cushion

Had my CT scan and pulmonary function tests today.  It took 7 sticks to get the IV started.  They had a nurse come down from radiology with an ultrasound machine so she could locate a vein.  My arms look like a pin cushion.  Fortunately none of it hurt but it just took forever.

The respiratory therapists said I did very well on the pulmonary tests.  For the last 2 days I've had no wheezing or coughing.  Thank goodness.  I'm beginning to feel better about everything.  I see the doctor next week and will get the results of the CT scan.

This weekend is the county fair.  It is at the fairgrounds just down the street from out house.   We always like to walk to the fair and just walk around.  The weather is unusually cool right now so it will be a perfect time to go.  I'm hoping James, Miranda and Piper will go with us.

Well, I'm looking forward to another day!

 

911

Wild day yesterday!  My son-in-law called me about 10:30 in the morning saying my daughter was sick.  She had vomiting and diarrhea and he wanted to know what to give her.  While he was on the phone she passed out and he couldn't revive her.  We called 911 and then headed to the house.  By the time we got there the ambulance was there and they transported her to the hospital.  We spent 7 hours waiting in the waiting area.  After a lot of tests including CT scan of the abdomen they released her saying they thought it was a virus.  Duh....

However her CT showed what they think is a cyst on her liver so she will need to see her primary care doctor. 

While this was going on twin #2 ended up in the minor emergency because she woke up with her eyes swollen shut.  It was all quite a day!

Never a dull moment!

Side Effects

I think I am having every side effect attributed to Albuterol.  My hands shake, my throat is irritated and causing it to be hoarse.  I'm jittery as all get out.  The other thing is I'm so fatigued.  I just can't go much longer than 3:30 before I'm just exhausted.  

My CT scan is scheduled for the 6th along with the pulmonary function test.  I'm hoping that we when see the doctor again he will adjust the Albuterol.  I'm sure going to tell him how it is making me feel.  I tried to explain it to Ron and said I just don't feel like myself.  When I get too tired I just want to cry.  Emotions right on the surface.  That may also be due to the steroids I'm taking too.

Anyway, today was kind of rough.  I met my daughters at a shopping mall and tried to keep up with all of them but it wore me out.  I did go home with them so I could see Piper and she was like of shot of adrenaline.  Oh my, I now know what I've been missing all these years.  There is nothing like being greeted by the smile of a one year old!  She just ran straight into my arms!

I know this is going to get better and I feel guilty for complaining but I'll admit, I am struggling.