Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Road to Wellness

Siren is coming to visit me in a few weeks. I am excited and really nervous at the same time.

Excited to see my best friend.

Nervous because of what we will be doing while she is here.

Siren is coming to visit for the sole purpose of taking me to doctor’s appointments.

I have not felt healthy in a really long time. I always just justified all of my symptoms. I wasn’t sleeping at night because Leland snores. I was tired all the time because I wasn’t sleeping. My skin was so dry because it was wintertime and I wasn’t drinking enough water. I was bruising all the time because I wasn’t getting enough iron. I was having a really hard time losing weight because I just wasn’t trying hard enough. My stomach was always unsettled because I had a poor diet. However, even when I slept in the other bedroom and couldn’t hear the snoring, I still wasn’t able to sleep. I used lotion on my dry skin and drank a gallon of water a day and my skin was still dry and scale-like. I took iron supplements and my bruising wouldn’t go away. I altered my diet and started going to the gym and still have not seen results. Even with the altered diet I still couldn’t be far from a bathroom.

In January I fell on the ice and hit my head. After a CT scan, the doctor told me I had lumps on the left side of my thyroid. I saw a few doctors, had several rounds of blood tests, even had a Fine Needle Aspirate done on the lumps. Everything came back normal. I really hoped I had some sort of thyroid disease because that would have explained all of my symptoms. Well, all of the symptoms other than the stomach issues.

Instead of investigating further, I just gave up. I still have trouble sleeping. I’m still tired. My skin is still dry, I bruise like a peach. I still can’t lose weight and I still have stomach problems. Leland and Siren have been on my case for months to see more doctors and I haven’t done it. Again, I have plenty of reasons not to go.

We can’t afford the bills (though Leland says it doesn’t matter when it comes to my health, and insurance will be paying for most of it).

I can’t take the time off of work (which we all know is a lie. If my boss lets me drink at lunch he’ll let me take time off to see doctors).

The doctor already said nothing was wrong with me so it would be a waste of time and money (though really, just because one doctor didn’t find something doesn’t mean another would be unsuccessful).

Apparently Leland and Siren have been conspiring against me for some time. They decided to tag team the nagging and thought that I might actually listen if they both were telling me how concerned they are. Of course I was listening, but I have been too scared to do anything. Ignorance is bliss, right?

Last week Siren called and told me she was coming to take me to doctors. She even made all the appointments for me. In the 4 days she’ll be here, she is taking me to see an endocrinologist, a metabolic specialist, a hematologist and we will be going to a woman’s wellness center. It will be a whirlwind of doctors, but hopefully I will finally start to get some answers. I know there will most likely be follow up appointments that Siren will not be able to attend with me, but having her come up and drag me around to help me get better is a great way to start.

I know that if she wasn’t coming, it would be a really, really long time before I do it by myself. And since Leland lives with me, I could put him off forever, and would try like hell to actually do that.

I’m still scared and worried. I know I will be scared and worried until this is all over.

How lucky am I that I have a friend who is willing to fly 1000 miles to try and help me get healthy?

30 comments:

JennyMac said...

awesome friend!!! and you deserve it.

Intense Guy said...

You are very lucky indeed to have a friend like that -

I hope you feel all better soonest! ...and hopefully Siren scheduled Leland to see eomeone for the snoring - just to be fair you know?

Samantha said...

You are so lucky to have a friend and a hubby who care about you so much. I'll keep you in my thoughts - I hope all of the appointments go well and they can pinpoint what's been affecting you. Only then will you start feeling better. :)

It's funny that you posted this now, because I am going through something similiar. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few years back, but even after I started taking meds for it, I still felt crappy. My doctor ran a series of tests and found a problem that she wanted to send me to a specialist for, and I just didn't go. (Well, in my defense, our insurance denied some claims that I was fighting, and I didn't feel like paying full price for a specialist!) But now my hubby is MAKING me go to the doctor once we move, which I know is best, whether it's something serious or mundane.

Well, that was long, but I just can relate to how you feel! I wish you luck girl!

Cathy said...

You are very lucky to have a friend and husband who care so much about you!

I wish you luck. Hopefully you get some answers and can get on the road to better health!

Dollface said...

Oh my gosh.. I hope youre ok love.. thats amazing that she is coming to take care of you... my heart goes out to you... xxxoo

Glamour Girl said...

Yes, what an amazing friend! I'll be thinking of you and saying a little prayer. Let us know how it goes. This kind of worries me as I have had the same kind of symptoms the past several years with no diagnosis. I've only gone to one doctor, though, and have all the same excuses you do. It all started when I contracted mono about 4 years ago. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

That's so great that you have a good friend and your husband to help you get through it and look out for whats best for you!! Good luck! keep us updated!!

Anonymous said...

A great friend, indeed! Please keep us all updated and let us know what you find out, I'm praying you get some answers!

Anonymous said...

I hope nothing is wrong! Good luck and keep us all updated!

Geezees Custom Canvas Art said...

Hope you fell better...what an amazing friend you have!!!

Vodka Logic said...

What a great friend and I hope you find out what is wrong. Maybe their isn't but a second opinion never hurt.

Let us know xx

Organic Meatbag said...

Sounds like you have a good friend that cares...I hope your tests go well...

Beth Dunn said...

I do hope everything turns out to be okay. I see stuff like this on tv all the time. You have a good friend xoxo

Anonymous said...

I hope you get some answers. Glad you have a great friend to care for you like that. Sometimes we just need that extra support with us. I know when I found out my dog had a heart murmur I was glad I was not alone because I bawled like a baby and she was there to help me through it.

Sassy Chica said...

What a fabulous friend you have!! I wish you all the best with each doctor and test you may have to endure!

Smooches,
Sassy Chica

Carma Sez said...

You both support each other so well. It is great that you have a friend like that.

I hope you will get some answers so you can begin to get well.

Try not to stress (easier said than done, I know!)

Mandy said...

I'm so glad to hear that you friend is dragging you to the doctors! I hope they can put you at ease or help you feel better again!

What a wonderful friend you have too. Gosh from all those needle appointments, you should ask them to prick the letters S.I.R.E.N. in her honor, ;-)

I will be thinking of you and sending you well wishes in the mean time!

Aubrey said...

I think you're incredibly lucky to have a husband and friend who care about you enough to not listen to excuses and help you get the care you need. Hopefully, this will be something easy to treat and you'll be all well again. (I would have sworn it was hyper/hypothyroidism from the symptoms. A second opinion is a very good idea.)

LC @ Old House Now said...

your friend is nothing short of amazing... i hope your appointments go well and that they're able to pinpoint and treat whatever is wrong, and give you the answers that you've been needing!

Duchess of Tea said...

Have a sweet and lovely weekend my darling.

Love & Hugs
Duchess ♥ ♥ ♥

Housewife Savant said...

This is a serious post, worthy of serious comment.
I've done the justification jig.
The steps are easy but in truth you look like a tard doing it.
Go to the doctors. Fear not. Follow their orders. Have a little bit of fun with your friend.

Stephanie Faris said...

Sounds like everything I've heard about thyroid problems...but that's fixable. Hope you get to the bottom of it. It's great you have a friend to come help you out.

yellowdoggranny said...

dont make me come up there and kick your ass..go to the dr.

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Thats what friends are for!!!

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!!


um, ok...totally off subject but I KNEW you would get a kick out of this....my word verification....hornyu
ha!

Angelica Bays, TygrLilies.blogspot.com said...

Oh, Sweetheart!
Cyberhug from a stranger...in a good way.
;o)
Prayin' 4 U in San Diego!

Intense Guy said...

Hi. Just wanted to say I was missing ya and hoping all your doctor appointments were going smoothly and that they find out whats ailing ya.

*Hugs*

Lia Dee said...

I hope you figure out whatever it is and get on your way to feeling better soon! :-) My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Surge said...

Good luck miss, prayers your way

Hit 40 said...

Did she ever get there?? I hope you had a great visit.

Duchess of Tea said...

Darling, I came by to wish you a lovely and sunny weekend.

Love & Hugs
Duchess