I am getting tired of doctor visits.
This long recovery is beginning to wear very thin/
So besides the main issue - the vision, where i go down to New York to see a Head Trauma Specialist/optomitrist, I have my regular doctor who follows up with me doing blood tests and monitoring my general physical health.
March is the month for a physical, blood work and a stress test.
I also am going to a Orthopedic doctor for the fall i had hurting my shoulder and that involves physical therapy twice a week, then a visit to the doctor, then an MRI, then more physical therapy.
It just seems like my life revolves around doctors.
I could go to the gastroenterologist to see how my swallowing is doing, but I already know that the esophagus (which helps push food down) still is not working well, but it is better.
I wanted to go to a neurologist because i do not understand my brain at all. It works better than ever, it is more creative, has better perception, but then it goes blank, like a circuit popped for a few seconds. I will wait on that.
Also coming up is a visit to the neurosurgeon to insure that the tumor is not coming back.
I actually get exhausted thinking about all of this.
Such is the life of long term recovery.
5 comments:
The brain seems okay to me. If it wants to click off every now and then...well that's not so bad, as long as it does good things for you when it wants to.
I have three appointments this week alone. Plus my benevolent employers have decided that I'm not allowed to have any unscheduled breaks due to illness, so I'm working seven days a week to cover the missed time. But at least I don't live in one of those awful socialist nations.
Interesting thing about the esophagus. When my late husband had throat cancer, they explained that is was a muscle that if you didn't use it, you actually had to relearn how to swallow. You are healing and yeah, the doctors are a pain in the ass. The end will justify the means... Have faith...
Dear Joey: One really simple, 'little' trick I use in cases of difficulty in swallowing is the following: Dip the tip of a toothpick in some oil of Anise (healthfood store quality) and put it in the mouth. Anise oil relaxes the esophageal sphincter, believe it or not. I guess gazillions of Italians throughout the ages knew a good deal with their 'anisette' after dinner! My benevolent Italian landlady during grad school practically kept me alive with her soup, meatball and Anisette dinners...(Of course she needed a 'partner in drinking' to sneak a sip herself and I was glad to oblige!) That generous Mrs. M kept me from starving!
And YOU, dear Joey, can email me anytime for more detailed, confidential assistance (pro bono for a colleague, of course) if you'd like. I still can't believe I know you from work like...30 yrs ago, is it? I don't believe this is just a coincidence at all, no way. You are in my prayers for complete and total recovery and judging from how you are doing, I'd say you are right on track, so keep the faith,Joey.
God's Blessing to you,
Rev Barb
Barbara - I keep forgetting about anise and the beautiful liquor component. I have on hand, not the Italian version, but the Greek version and will have to try it!
Lori - much of the first 5 weeks I spent in the hospital was for that very reason, still it is not easy!
Grant - shall we play one upmanship on who has more doctor appointments? I think you would win easily. On the other hand, I still think you should apply for a job as a secret shopper for health care.
Bruce - thanks! I have to reminded that it is okay!~
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