Finally….I go back to work next week, and we’re starting to get somewhere at KU Med. He had an appointment today, and because he had been feeling nauseous when we left this morning, had not eaten anything. Since he was not feeling well at the appointment and complaining of pain and discomfort, they were able to schedule and conduct a CT scan while we were there. After such a long wait the last time we were there, it was nice that this clicked along the way it did. He was able to go from the doctor’s appointment straight to radiology for the test.
Happy Anniversary??
This is one of those days that I’m not sure how to handle. Today is the 10th anniversary of Terry’s heart attack, and the event that changed our lives forever. I know that on more than one level I’m surprised we have made it to this point, because I’m not sure I really ever believed he’d still be here for Molly’s high school graduation. And while we’re not technically there, we’re close enough that she knows her dad has always been there for her, and has seen her major moments in life so far.
Am I Making a Difference?
The time I’ve taken off from work was to help focus on Terry’s health and get it straightened out. After more than five years of vomiting and forcing limitations regarding what we can plan to do and what we can actually do, we need to get this resolved…for all of our sakes.
Full of Pee, and Nowhere to Go…
One of the tests ordered after the initial appointment at KU was a 24 hour collection of urine in a large, orange jug. Once it was filled at 24 hours, the idea was to take it back to the lab at KU Med. Unfortunately, Terry did not plan for more snow with planning to take his urine jug in.
Let the Games Begin!!
So today was the initial consultation with the docs at KU Med. It’s literally been months we’ve been waiting to get this started, and today was the day…I have to say we were both pleased with the physicians with whom we met. They seemed to understand the significance of getting this figured out…on some levels, just being heard was a difference.
Change of Focus…and Back
This is a big week…we begin with KU Med on Wednesday with an internist….I have my file folder of test results, and biopsy results, and other relevant info….our neighbor, Cat, has even seen an episode of a show about medical mysteries that may prove to be an option to pursue in the way of diagnosis….I have no doubt we will learn what’s been dragging Terry down, but I am equally confident it will become because of the work we do to figure it out…at least this is a fresh start, and my reason for taking a leave from work.
Togetherness is togetherness
At one point, not long ago, Terry thought we should spend more time together….before I took a break from work, we spent time in the morning watching news and chatting before I went to work…if I’m in my office for the day and in town, I come home for lunch with him…if I don’t have a community commitment or something else family related, I’m at home….with him….I thought we spent pa-lenty of time together…
What’s my problem?
When I went to bed last night, Terry was sitting up on the sofa after getting sick in the bathroom…I fully expected it to be “one of THOSE days’ when he’s sick all day when I got up in the morning…imagine my surprise when it wasn’t…..
Customer service
I am a big proponent of quality customer service…how you begin the interaction with whomever you’re dealing with often influences your opinion and perspective of them…or in fewer words, you can never make another first impression….I called KU Med today in an effort to move Terry’s Feb. 16 appt. with them a few weeks earlier, and feel like it was a Herculean task to express myself…
How’s the weather?
Weather in Kansas can always be an adventure…it takes on new significance when you’re living with someone with compromised health…when you need to get to the hospital or appointments, you need to get there…we had major snowfall with blowing and drifting winds, and our driveway is snowed close…the average person may look at their driveway and be glad they have nowhere in particular to go, but I look at it and wonder what the prospects are of even the ambulance getting through if necessary…how would I get him over the high drifts between the house and the driveway, even if they could get down the driveway enough to get closer to the house?

