Day after Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We did. Theresa invited her sisters family over and we had dinner at our house.

It was nice to not go anywhere. The dinner was fantastic! She had an idea to cook the turkey on my new Bar-b-que. I was very very nervous about it but it worked out great. It was by far the best turkey I have had in a very long time.

I LOVE MY NEW GRILL!!!

The stuffing she made was awesome also. After dinner we played cards and a little Guitar Hero. It was fun.

I even had a glass of Pinot.

Today, we didn't do a whole lot. My leg was on fire today for some reason. It felt like a pinched nerve? So, I laid on the couch most of the day and the Vicodin seemed to help some. Its not working as well as it used to but it does take the edge off.

At 3:30 I took the boys to go see the new Bond movie! Bond Rocks!! Go and see it!!!
It was a great idea by Theresa. I am glad we did. I have not done a whole lot with them lately so its nice to spend time with them.

Aaron said something when we were getting snacks which shows just how thoughtful he is. I asked him if he wanted to share a soda and said "Dad I think I am getting a cold. With your weak immune system I am afraid I would make you really sick, so I don't think that would be a good idea"..

Sweetiest kid on the planet!! I am blessed to have two of the most special boys in the world. Not sure what I did to deserve it but I am not going to question it, just count my blessings every day..

For the rest of the night I think I am just going to watch the rest of the college football games for night and maybe play a little PS3. I have not played a game in quite awhile. There is one new game I have not even touched.

I want to try to get some Christmas lights up this weekend if possible, but we will have to see. It all depends on how I feel.

I also need to get some Christmas shopping done very soon.

Very, very nervous about the Civil War game tomorrow. I hope the Ducks don't throw away a pretty good season by chocking!! I would hate to see the Beavers go to the Rose Bowl.

All is well so far.... Its getting very close to my consultation. I am both excited and scared. Not sure what he is going to say or do. I just want to get this over with and get on with my life..It is effecting everyone in the family and its not fair. I guess this is a look into the lives of those with mobility issues. When you have to make yourself get out of bed, get out the house and constantly worry about if your movements are going hurt a lot, it is difficult to enjoy life....

I am certainly not anyone who is able to live with chronic pain or a disability. I have a new found respect for those that do and keep it invisible. I CANT and I wish I could.....

Well vicodin affecting me so I guess its time to stop typing!!! Have a good night.

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

Spent Saturday cleaning the house. I did as much as I could.Mom and Dad came over and took us to lunch. I Was exhausted by 2:30pm.

However, went with Theresa to Eddie Bauer to get some new shirts. I need some more decent work shirts. The mall was a joke. Very busy. I think I was cut off like eight times. People could care less if you can walk or not. Its all about hurry up!!!

Went to bed about 9:30 last night!!PARTY ANIMAL...

Today, we skipped church and went to Winco. That place was packed. Got most of the stuff we needed but it takes a lot out of me to do all that shopping. Got home at about 3:00, took my pain medication and crashed until about 5:00pm. I had to take Cam to a youth group party. I need to pick him up in about an hour. Then BED TIME!! I swear, the more I sleep the more tired I get.

However, I am looking forward to Thanksgiving it is always fun. I am looking forward to a short week this week and a long weekend. Got invited to a wine party at the neighbors. That will be fun. I don't get out and socialize very much so I am looking forward to it. I am hoping my leg does not hurt and I can have some wine. Don't think I will be very social on Vicodin.

I have less than two weeks to go before my appointment in Seattle. I am excited and nervous.

Not sure what to expect and I am not looking forward to him me my surgery wont be scheduled until after the new year. I have a feeling that is coming. I seriously doubt they can get in before Christmas, which totally sucks. It means I can not turn the page on this nightmare at Midnight on 1-1-09!! Also, it means more bills in 2009.

It just seems like this stuff will never go away. Yet, it has to end sometime.

Here's hoping sooner rather then later!!!!

Got a Better Consultation

Great news!! I got an appointment in Seattle for 12-4. The doctor is Phillip Downer. He has a good reputation and is familiar with Labral Tears.

Very very happy and cant wait. The appointment is at 9:30 am so I have to get up really early and drive up but I don't care. This is hopefully the beginning of the end.

Considering today was a bad Monday its nice to have something go right.

Talk to you later.

Finally Got A Consultation!!

I am jumping up and down......Well not really.............since I cant (Ha Ha Ha)


I finally got a consultation At UCSF!! Unfortunately, its not until 12-29. Yes you heard me right 12-29!!!! I have to wait a F*&^%^ MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!

What ever, I just don't understand. You go to a highly trained Specialist because you have a serious problem that usually needs immediate attention. Yet they are the ones who are "too busy" to see you right away. THAT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME WHAT SO EVER...

It is a complete joke. I guess I am experiencing our wonderful Health care system. I find it kind of STUPID that I could have a diagnosis in my hand, I know what the treatment is and all I need is a Surgeon to fix it. Oh yea, I cant find one. No one knows of one either, so I have to look for one myself and when I finally get one he is too busy to see me right away.

Can you believe they actually had me scheduled for February 2009 until I told them NO THAT WONT WORK FOR ME, I CANT WALK!!! Like I could sit on this for all most 4 months. Oh wait, I ALREADY HAVE. WHY NOT MAKE IT AN EVEN 8 MONTHS!! Which is not unrealistic considering my track record.

There has to be some check and balance to either push Doctors to expedite where needed or a resource to find alternatives for patients. One that can accessed by any Doctor or patient.

You would think with all of our technology this would be easy for Doctors or Hospitals or even Insurance Companies.

What if I was in my late 80S alone? I have limited my mobility and I am taking a lot of heavy medication. I bet I would not be able to get help.

If I did not have the support I have I would not be able to get things done every day and would not be able to get around on the weekends.

How many people with issues like this just give up and compromise quality of life all because they cant find the help they need.

It is frustrating and pisses me off.

ON the lighter side of life: The Ducks won!! The Blazers won!!! What a great Saturday.....

Talk to you later..

Thank God its Hump Day

No news is not good news!! I still have not heard from the doctor at UCSF!! This totally sucks! I am not sure what to do.

I will make a follow up call tomorrow, Thursday. I am starting to get that fatigue feeling. I think I mentioned that last time?? I am also having memory issues. I think its the pain meds.

I totally embarrassed myself last night talking with some people at Scouts. I flat out could not remember some of the simplest things and carry on a decent conversation. My mind just kept going blank! It is not a good feeling to struggle just to communicate.

Thank goodness I know everyone so well and they wont hold it against me. But I have to get this whole thing moving as I am sick of taking Vicodin all the time. I am almost out of my first re-fill. I might as well put them in a "Pez Dispenser".

I am also thinking about moving up my appointment with my Hematologist. I am starting to drop weight, 10 pounds in the last few weeks, and I am tired all the time. I am sure its the leg pain and medication but who knows.


Anyway, got to go.

My Trip this Week

I made it through my trip to Ohio!! It was 8 hours on a plane Wednesday, 8 hours of walking through 3 manufacturing facilities and another 6 hours on a full airplane but I made it.

I definitely was grateful to have my cane and my pain medication. Going through the security check was easier with my cane. I got to skip to the front of the line. I dropped my coat and my bag a couple of times and people were very helpful. I guess it pays to be a cripple.. ( or temporary cripple)

From some reason I was very nervous about this trip and I am glad it is over. It went very well, however. I guess because I am using a cane I was very self conscious about it . No one made a big deal about it and they seemed concerned.

One of my contacts emailed yesterday to make sure I got home OK. She said that she was very worried about me and hoped I would be getting better soon. As much as they challenge me and my company, I do work with some of the nicest people around! It really made me feel good.

I am looking forward to this weekend. It has been a rough week.

Go Ducks and Go Magic. Aaron has only a couple of soccer games left. He is an awesome goaly.

Got to go!!

Follow up on my Quest for Hip Pain Relief

Well

I met with my General Doctor on Thursday and got more pain medication and Cane. The boys think I look like Doctor House. They think the cane is cool! Cam took a picture, see below! It is helping me stop limping and hopefully clear up the left hip pain I am now experiencing due my limp.



He also sent, at my request, a referral to a Hip Specialist at UCSF. They have a great Orthopedic Group and my brother knows a Doctor there who is getting me connected.

I am also looking at alternatives in Washington.

Friday, I met with my current Ortho Doc and he was zero help. He knows no one who can perform a Hip Labrel tear repair and was not able to offer me any shots of medication to temporarily relieve my hip pain. He said the hip socket is too deep to inject pain meds into it and have it be effective. He also looked at my MRI again was very concerned about the bone around my socket. He said it did not look good and my need to be "shaved off"?? Not sure how to take that as he did not explain himself very well. So I am even more freaked out after that little side comment.

He said, Good luck and be aggressive but there is nothing I can do for you!! As you recall, his referral at OHSU is out on Medical leave and they canceled my appointment with no one else to see.

So, it is now up to me to find a doctor to fix my hip. I will let you know how this UCSF referral goes. I have a free place to stay and the flight will be cheap so its the best option if it works out.

One interesting side note, both my General Doctor and my Ortho Doc are not ruling out my Chemo as contributing to the laberal tear. They feel there is a chance the 2cda weakened the Labrum and that made is easier become damaged.

I am taking those comments with a grain of salt but its interesting. As I have said before it makes me think twice as this issue comes up only a few months after my treatment and I can not find any reason for the tear. I don't remember every injuring myself.

Anyway, I am now in limbo working hard to get this resolved but I think its going to take some time.

I am taking a lot of pain meds but its all I can do in order to get through the day. Keep your fingers crossed.

Off to Aarons Soccer Game! Go Ducks. They play Cal today and have to win to stay number 2 in the Pac Ten!

Happy late Birthday to my brothers! I hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Talk to you later!!