Sorry this update is a little late but, seems like such a whirlwind. I’m exhausted. Can’t wait to be on my way home. Should be there by late Friday. I just can’t get over how efficient the Clinic is.
We were up at 6:20, well I was up several times during the night but that’s normal. Our first appmt is at 8:15 and Ralph is already pressuring me to leave. It’s only 7:13.
We got to cardiology at 7:40 and waited till 8:30 to get in, waited in the cubical till 9:00 and walked out after the appmt at 9:30. Good thing we got there early.
So…
· No heart disease! All the tests and reports for the heart and it’s function are all NORMAL! No sarcoid involvement. I could jump up and down for joy.
· No asthma! No more inhalers except the albuterol if I need it and maybe no more thrush and no more antibiotics.
· Yes, sarcoidosis, which pretty much has exploded in my right lung compared with 2004’s ct scan. The left is worse too but not as bad. The lungs are functioning well enough to keep my blood oxygen level in the high 90”s.
· Yes on an antibiotic as precaution against a certain type of pneumonia when put on steroids.
· Yes high blood pressure but staying on the same meds.
· No high cholesterol
· Yes arthritis in my left hand
· Yes anxiety and on an anti-depression medication.
· Yes on prednisone, high doses for long time.
· Yes I have cataracts in both eyes from the prednisone use. Don’t worry Mom, it’s not hereditary because it’s a different kind of cataract. Haziness, blurriness, halo’s, starbursts around lights at night…all cataract’s fault. My prescription got better in the left eye and a new bifocal so I can see up closer for work.
· No bad reports on the endoscopy other that the confirmation of the hiatal hernia and gastritis in the lining of the stomach. Really bad GERD and reflux.
· Yes I have to take something for my stomach to help stop the regurgitation.
· No I don’t have a restriction in my throat. They say the sounds and wheezing is from a combination of things. Anxiety plays a part in it but mainly it’s from damage to the throat from the reflux that can reverse itself if the stomach is fixed with the help of nexuim, which I am already on, and a new one called Zantacs. Which in turn will help my horrible voice. Trio, beware!
· Balance mechanisms are working like they are supposed to. Dizziness and weakness is more than likely related to stress, anxiety, drugs, pain from bursitis.
· No neurological issues. I do have a working brain. I thought maybe the dizziness and blurriness and weakness was a symptom of brain sarc. or something but not so. That’s a good thing.
I will be getting all my reports in about 2 weeks and they are going to be scheduling me again for 3 month and to see 4 departments with all new tests to see the progress the medications may have on me. I almost can’t wait to start the prednisone just to feel better. I know in the long run that the side effects will get to me again.
All in all it’s better to be informed even if it is not the best news in the world so things don’t progress into something that can’t be fixed. In hindsight I wish I had not wasted my time and health by pussyfooting around with U of M when in my heart I know they were on their own agenda. They did not listen to me when I told them what I was feeling but just shrugged it off to work on what they had already worked up before they talked to me. At Mayo, every PA, nurse, doctor and supervisor asked my history. I really got tired of repeating myself. When I went in for my eye appmt. They wanted to know everything. Even about my thumb pain and sleeping habits. Every doctor wanted to know everything. I am so impressed with that place that I would recommend everyone go there for whatever reason. Long trip though.
All I gotta say is: THANK GOD FOR THE MAYO CLINIC!