All clear

I started my morning with an appointment with my therapist.  It was so good to share some good news with her for once.  She was happy to hear that my son is taking some positive steps forward and has went to two appointments on his own.  We have a long way to go but at least he's stepping forward.  My therapist was very encouraging but wants me to step back and let him continue to seek the help he needs on his own.  

Next I had my yearly melanoma check today at the dermatologist.  All clear.  I'm very thankful to hear that.  I had a couple of spots I was concerned about.  I guess that just comes a long with knowing there is a possibility it could come back. 

After that, I left to meet A's mom in a town half way for both of us.  (about an hour away for each of us)  On the way back I had another appointment to keep.  Mr. R.  Met with him to work on getting one or two programs working again with no unwanted areas.  I told him that for the last three weeks I decided I couldn't deal with my battery issue any more.  I'd tell my self and my husband, "tomorrow I'm calling to schedule with PM Doc to get this fixed." I have to get over having another recovery.  Then Monday would roll around and I'd feel better and change my mind.  Two days later....awful again.  Calling tomorrow.  Put off again.  This cycle has been going on for a month.  Monday I finally called after a difficult week end.  As usually he is super swamped and I couldn't get an appointment until May 7th.  

We had an in depth conversation regarding the issue with my battery.  I questioned him about the need to have to see doc again before doing something about it.  He helped me to understand that last time I saw him I told him about it but we didn't decide definitely we would do something about it.  Today Mr. R went into more detail with me what is involved.  He said first we would try to either reposition or put in the smaller battery I initially wanted.    If it's necessary for the reposition of battery my insurance shouldn't have a problem paying for that but asking for a new battery may not be so simple.  I'll need a pre-approval for that.

Then Mr. R explained that if that is not successful he will want to move the battery site.
Of course I wanted to know why don't we just do that to start? Why have to cut then cut again if it doesn't work.  He explained that just repositioning or changing to smaller battery in same site is a 30 minute procedure including closing me up.  One cut and done.  If we change locations, he will have to reopen the incision along the spine to reposition the leads in the epidural space so the leads will reach to the new area that battery is moved to.  I have a couple of options but only like one!  I'm praying for the 1st option to work.   Recovery shorter for first than second.  Two incisions and more healing time.  Pretty much like the first surgery.  Starting over....

After all that drama was over we meet Aunt B and cousin P at the movie theater right down the street to see a movie.  It was so sweet to see them hug on their own when they saw each other and held hands walking in and all the way down hall to the theater we would be in.  It was A's and also Nonna's first 3D movie.  For a kiddy movie it wasn't bad.  The grandkids seemed pretty interested and enjoyed the 3D effect.  I can tell you A and I both were pooped for sure.  It was 5:45 by then time we made it home and I'd been out since 8:15.  ( big deal for me )

A will stay a few days with us so I'll probably update when she goes home.  Mr. R encouraged me to call back and get the nurse to see if they could get me in sooner at another location possibly.  He said if we change batteries that could possibly take some time so if possible I may need to get the ball rolling.  I can't tell you how much I wish I would just wake up and it would be gone, done, all resolved.  Not that easy in real life.

sweet cousins

Ain't I cool?

Funny

GNA Good luck with your trial Janet....please let me know how you are.  One day at a time that's all we can do.  Theresa



     The things you take for granted someone else is praying for. 

New Year....more appointments

I've put off making some appointments until after the holidays passed.  I didn't do myself any favors because that just made more for this first quarter.  I've been dreading going to see my PM doctor with the troubles I've been having with my stimulator.  Why?  Because I know what he will have to say.  How?  Because my rep from St. Jude has prepared me.  I also know what I heard the day I went for the x ray back in October.  I have to do it though.  I can't continue to let this frustrate me.  I have a VERY expensive devise implanted in me that's not helping like it should and I'm not sure I'm willing to do either of the options he will give me.  Mr R is willing to try and work with me some more but I think we are beyond that point.

It was a yucky day today.  Still raining.  We all thought it was supposed to end yesterday and it's still hanging around, with more yet to come.  It was also yucky because I finally put the last of the money in the envelope to pay for the darn ticket I got in November.  Went to the bank and got the money order and sent it off in the mail.  Hated every minuted of it too!  Done get over it. lol  I made the appointment with my PM doctor.  Not until February. Ok by me I'm not in a hurry to see him.  I also scheduled my follow up appointment with the gastroenterologist.  It's on the 22nd, same day I have my monthly appointment with my psychologist.  I like that though, getting two over in one day.  

I still need to make two other appointments.  March is when I'm due for my yearly check with my dermatologist. Have to be cleared because of previous melanoma.  I'm a couple a months behind for the female one we all dread.   When I make that one I will go ahead and schedule the mammogram that I'm a couple of years past due for.  To many other things going on the past 2 years to even squeeze that in.  I put off any appointment I could.  I see my rheumatologist in March.  Three times a year.  I don't think there is any month that I don't have to see some sort of doctor.

My daughter brought me a little thank you/souvenir gift.  P had fun giving me the bag and then helping Nonna pull the tissue out.  It was a nice, larger size cup with the lid and straw.
I have one like it but much smaller that I've had a long time.  A long time considering how long people keep up with cups.  I love it.  It's bigger but the bottom is smaller so it fits in your car cup holder.  I've used it every day all week.

D finally had enough of me complaining about our dull knives.  For Christmas he got "us" some Guy Feiri knives.  They just happened to match my kitchen.  Red and black, cool.  Then he came up with a great way to keep them sharp.  He put up a magnetic strip so they don't dull in the drawer.   He's always coming up with some great idea around here.  He also got a nice sharpener to sharpen some of our better ones and place with the new ones.

Watching a news program the other day I looked up a couple of web sites they talked about.  Some of you may have seen it.  The segment was about millions of gift cards that are given at Christmas and not used.  This definitely caught my attention because I am so anti gift card.  ( I'm sure I've mentioned this before) 1 in 5 return a gift they get for Christmas.  There are 62 million dollars in unused gift cards a year.  If you get a gift card you won't use there is a web site that will buy it from you.  Really?  Isn't that crazy?  This site will buy a lot of things from you.  You can also shop there.  I checked it out briefly.  Some things are up to an 80% savings. They buy it,  have it tested, overhauled or whatever is appropriate to resale.  Secondipity.com  Maybe you've heard of it.

Another I found interesting is a site that buys clothes from you.  They have strict rules regarding what they will buy.  That's a good thing if you are the person shopping on the site.  All you have to do is go through your kids closet, your closet, dads closet.  You can even look up what they will pay you for it.  They send a bag to your house.  You fill it up with the clothes and drop off at one of the places the pre paid label allows.  That's it.  You sell some clothes and pick up a little cash to buy some new ones.  You can even just take a credit and shop there on their site.  Thredup.com 

One last one.  I didn't investigate this one.  You can do that on your own if you are interested.  It's supposed to like amazon.com. They recycle your old electronic you have laying around in your junk drawer for cash.  Old cell phones, laptops, cameras, video games etc.  Happy shopping!  Nextworth.com 

Hugs to everyone
Theresa
  
   The things you take for granted someone else is praying for.