Pain and Hassles

Yesterday I spent the whole day in pain...I was out of pain meds and the doctors were giving me a run around. I had switched getting the prescription from the neurosurgeon to my PCP since I have a hard enough time trying to get to the PCP's office no less the neurosurgeon's office...I guess that was a mistake?!

This is the 3rd time I've tried to get my pain meds through my PCP and she was out of the office. I sent an email at 5:30 AM and at 8:30 AM I called them to follow up. I got the "you just filled it on the 10th and 19th" and you shouldn't be out...Ok...once again I explain the neurosurgeon said (and I have it in writing) that I should be taking 2 every 4 hours...which means I am going through 12 a day...yes the pain still wakes me up in the middle of the night so yes, I am still taking them every 4 hours because the pain is still bad enough to wake me. I directed the nurse to the neurosurgeon's email which clearly states that he is recommending that I take the 2 every 4 hours...which means when they give me 60 pills, it's only a 5 day supply....Of course, I am still paying $15 for a 5 day supply when my policy outlines I should be paying $15 for a 30-day supply...there's "nothing they can do" because they are only allowed to prescribe up to 60 at a time anyhow. That's fine, I just need enough to get me through til I can talk to my PCP herself anyhow....3:30 rolls around and I have still heard nothing about my meds...I am in tears and pain and feeling pretty darned edgy!

Finally I get a call back from the nurse (a different nurse than who I have been speaking to and emailing with all day) and she says one of the 'partners' have agreed to refill my pain meds BUT that she is suggesting I take only 1 every 4 hours since it can cause liver damage and I need to be weaning myself off of them. Trust me I AM trying to wean myself off of them...I explained that even when taking 2 every 4 hours it only takes the edge off the pain, but I have been trying to extend the time to 5 to 6 hours in between. One does nothing for me...might as well be taking tylenol. Well this doctor takes it upon herself to go ahead and change my prescription to read that I should take 1 every 4 hours....which means I will not be able to fill it for 10 days...even though the neurosurgeon clearly said elsewise....I told the nurse that I had BRAIN surgery 4 weeks ago and yes, I am in pain...I'm not being addicted, trust me, I would rather be off them and able to drive...and not in pain!! The nurse said she was not aware I had brain surgery...GIMME A BREAK!!

So after this phone call, I call back the neurosurgeon's office, in tears and pain still...and explained that this doctor won't give me the full prescription and is giving me 60 and expects that to last 10 days...I went on to explain what they said about the liver damage, which the nurse at the neurosurgeon's office went over with me...it's not the percocet that would cause that but the tylenol...I cannot exceed 4000mg of tylenol a day. Theref0re, I should not be taking tylenol INSTEAD of my pain meds since the pain meds contain tylenol. At my current dosage, I am taking 3900mg a day and they feel that is safe for now. There is nothing else they will give me for pain.

The nurse at the neurosurgeon's office totally understood my frustration and said that she would make a note and flag my file that I had this surgery and that the doctor is suggesting 2 every 4 hours until at least I see him on the 8th. We'll see what happens when I finally get through to my PCP.

I also found out that I need to be on prednisone for another month still...yuck! I do not like this stuff, it makes me shake and unable to sit, no matter how much pain or how tired I am...I am to continue on predinisone until the doctor tells me I can stop taking it and that could be up to SIX months?! I am having so much swelling and it does help with the swelling...I am still not able to take ibuprofen or aleve or any product like that...I am not able to take benadryl or anything other than what's been prescribed (I double checked with the surgeon's office yesterday!).

Ok, I guess this all sounds like I am complaining...It started as a complaint about how the doctors were giving me the run around with my pain meds...but I have to at least be thankful I have health insurance....at least for now....I hope the dr returns me to work as of the 9th or I don't know what I'll do to pay the $400 a month in premiums ....

oh yeah, and....I forgot to mention

that the antibiotics seem to finally be doing their job ... no more itching! I'm nearly done with the ones I have though and kind of worried it might come back...no, we won't do that....positive thoughts only! LOL

Kerri and Kate and Andrew ...and.....oh my!

I wanted to make sure I posted here too how very grateful and lucky I am to have to met Kerri and Kate and the rest of their family!! They have brought me so much joy in knowing I could help even when I was just sitting here...feeling like there's nothing I can do....

They have been most amazing, coming and keeping me company...we have had SOOOO much fun...it's so nice to have friends!! Then they came down and brought me a HUGE tv...(from my wish list...oh I gotta update that!). I can read the closed captioning now! I am so happy! This is a beautiful TV...I can't remember, but I think she said it was a 27" TV...which is the biggest TV I've ever had in my life.

I can't wait to be able to do the Wii Fit again...OMG I learned today that I can upgrade to the Wii Fit Plus for only $20 because I already have the Wii Fit! WHOOT...I hope I can get that for my birthday next month...If I get it now I might be tempted to use it...and I can't even do yoga right now :(

Anyways, I wanted to give huge (((((((((HUGS))))))))) to Kerri and Katie for bailing me out when it came time to do the TV interview as I am just too nervous to be on camera and I know I would've just cried....besides to me I think my eyes still look a little blackened and I didn't think of putting on makeup....

Oh I'm gonna put a link here...then y'all can see Kerri and Lindsay....and learn about Santa Swap....It's been a lot of fun and we hope that we can make this a year round, nationwide community effort!! Well, here's a link to the FOX article, not sure how to access the video? Here's the link to the Channel 9 video
and there was a feature article in the Columbine Courier yesterday

Dinner was delicious....and more.....

do you know what that title means? I actually tasted my dinner last night!! WHOOT WHOOT...I could breathe through both sides of my nose last night and I think that helped. I can't taste everything I eat, but I tasted my salad (and I added ALL the fixings!!). It's so exciting to taste again! I ate some of Lindsay's Scotch Krispies (recipe here)...they are soooo delicious too!! LOL

I thought I'd be able to sleep in bed last night...but that lasted about 10 minutes before I felt like relaxing....and my pile O' pillows fell off the side of my bed and made me lay too flat...so back to the couch...Maybe for Christmas I'll get to sleep in bed again?! I can't wait. But I'm making amazing progress and am so happy to be feeling so well!

Of course, I am taking it a little easier than last week so far as doing chores around the house. It helps that the children are home from school to help with chores. Harley's been "in training" to do laundry. I go down and guide him verbally and he does the laundry. Yesterday he started it all on his own!! I just have to make sure he doesn't overload it and that he remembers to set the temperature. He's enjoying helping out so much!! The other day he asks me "mom is the dishwaher clean or dirty". I tell him it's clean...thinking he was looking for cup?...it brought me to tears to realize that he was actually unloading the dishwasher without even being asked or prompted. No, he didn't get the right lids on the right sippy cups, no he didn't get the plates in the right place BUT that doesn't matter...I waited til he was in his room watching a movie and put them where they belong...I was SOOOO proud that he did that!! I still cry just thinking about it! < < < oh I should put that 'story' on my Harley blog too....so you may see it there C&P'd

Well, it's still quiet here, everyone is asleep so I'm going to relax for a little while longer...

Mom seems to think this is hilarious....

It's Kelly

WATCH THAT NOSE!!!!!!
I think its the percocet... but i dont know...

Maybe it's the percocet, or maybe the saline went into her brain... I dont know. She seems to think its hilarious-- but you tell her. Comment!

Yes I realize it's 4 AM...

and it's awful that I am up....but I got woken up with pain and itching...I guess I am going to have to call my doctor and get in frist thing Monday. Seems even with the antibiotics the cellulitis is spreading...I now have it on a couple of my toes, a couple of my fingers, my upper left arm and my face!! The spot that started it all looks pretty good and only itches when the antibiotics are nearly out of my system (that is how I know that I need to take more!)....unfortunately it looks like I'm going to need something stronger in the way of antibiotics. This stuff itches to the BONE! I could scratch til it bleeds (which I won't do) and it would still itch. The only thing I found to relieve it is ice packs.

Once this itching starts, I cannot sleep or do anything else...that is why I am sitting here typing at 4AM...to try to ignore the itch until the antibiotics take effect.

I know that sounds like I'm whining...I guess I am...

Yesterday Melissa and Frank came by for a while and visited. They are such wonderful people! Frank and Andrew get along so nicely...I think we're going to try to find a way for them to meet up and become closer friends...It was funny...he was talking about the boat Andrew gave him and how he's already taken it out on the water...and I was commenting on how they are so much alike...Somehow camping came up ... which Andrew has been wanting to do for YEARS (since he and I have been together he has not been camping once!)...Almost at the same time Melissa and I said "gimme an RV" LOL...Harley can't even handle sleeping in the backyard and Zac can't sleep anywhere but his own bed at this point...so...It looks like we may have to send our men out camping sometime this summer! They both seemed pretty excited at the concept.

I also met Gerry yesterday...she travelled quite a ways to come out and pick up some small gifts for her children as well...and a neighbor boy. She is a really nice young lady. I am so blessed to be able to help her out this year.

I am looking forward to today...I have my new friend Kerriann and her children coming to visit for a while. The last of the families we adopted is coming to pick up their gifts. Tricia will be coming for a while...that is nice too. I am hoping to make a scrapblog page for the grandparents' Christmas gift this year...I think they would really enjoy that...but we gotta get the pictures scanned in and she is going to help me with that.

We also have to go to Haven's Hope this morning. They have been so helpful and I am thankful that I have made friends at that program as well. I hope someday I can repay them! At this point I am hoping Andrew allows me to go with him to see them...I'd really like to go and thank them in person and give them my update.

Oh and Lindsay called...Channel 9 news wants to interview her to do a story on Santa Swap!! I told her fine, but to please leave my name out of it...I look like hell (especially with this 'new' rash on my face!). The Columbine Courier is running a story next week as well. We are going to be so busy trying to make sure every child has a gift under the tree this year!

Ok, now I am babbling so I bet my pain killers are starting to set in :D I won't be able to go back to sleep at this point...I'm not sure what to do? I guess I could start scanning the pictures in for the scrapbook pages I want to make for the grandparents...

Nope, Lesson NOT learned

I overdid it yesterday too...too much stress going on too to relax...Had to get the letter from my surgeon so that I could reschedule the mediation and they gave me the run around...But finally got me the letter (via fax)...now today I have to get it to the courthouse and copies to the mediator and his attorney. Hopefully the judge will respond quickly so I don't have to pay the $240 fine and possibly be charged with contempt of court.

I'm ready to get my lights on the house...trying to see if someone will swap something for jumping up on my roof....hope so...I'm ready to be in the mood! LOL

With Tricia's help...lots of her help...We got the packages together for the families we've adopted this holiday season...Now to get the stockings done...

Anyways, yeah, lesson not learned....Did 3 loads of laundry, finished going through toyboxes, did the dishes...paying for it today! Trying to wean myself back to one percocet every 4 hours rather than 2 (although I think my body is adjusting to 2 now)...I ran myself into the ground yesterday I was so darned tired by the time 10pm rolled around I didn't even get my ambien in and out I went...Woke up at 3:30 with pain and itching .... found that ice packs will slow down the itch while I wait for the antibiotics to take effect. It's just awful itching!!

Gotta get going so I can find something in the freezer for dinner tonight...Sure wish I had more energy!

Lesson Learned? Ya think? Probably not!!

Well just got up and feeling like spit today...of course having a 4 sneeze in a row fit probably didn't help that...I'll probably be "out of sorts" all day...sneezes tweak my brain I swear...

Anyways...I'm pretty sure I completely and totally overdid it yesterday...and I didn't get half of the stuff done that was on my "to do list"...I never made it to the store to get the last gift that one of the adopted families asked for (just a small gift but still)...I just didn't have the energy after doing all that walking at the doctors (es)LOL offices...I hope I have time to get up there today (Walgreens is about my limit for walking and shopping and I have a $5 off on anything in the store coupon!! WHOOT)....I gotta get my bearings and figure what time the mom is coming to pick up the gifts and finish getting her box of goodies together.

I'm having a hard time standing up straight today though...I haven't taken any meds yet...I'm not looking forward to feeling even worse once I drop my meds :((

Sorry that sounds like I'm whining...well I guess I kind of am...At least I won't be overdoing it today...My body just won't let me...

Update on my long day (arm news at the end!)

Yes, I called the doctor. Of course "we can't diagnose over the phone" as I expected they would say...so in I went for a 1:30 apppointment...Dropped the kids off at Tricia's (see my Family/Harley blog) about the time I was supposed to be at my appointment.

Got seen anyways (*whew*). By now my arm is swollen to twice it's size but not as red and hot as it was earlier in the day. Doctor says I think it's cellulitis (which I thought meant fat, but no, it means skin infection?!?)....I recall no cuts, scrapes or anything else so I'm confused...she was concerned because my heart rate was fast, my lungs were sounding "tight" and my blood pressure was a little high compared to what it typically is...so they want to do an ultrasound to make sure it's not BOTH an infection and a clot...Sit and wait for them to make a stat appointment.

Asked if they could make the appointment at the local clinic (where I already was) or the Ken Caryl one which is 10 minutes from my house...nope, they don't do arm ultrasounds there so I had to head to downtown Denver...for an appointment at 4:15. (it was only 2:30). I was starving (yeah!) and realized I hadn't eaten all day...ate but didn't taste it of course...but still it filled the space in my belly.

The ultrasound showed no clots -- another YAY! I had no idea that prednisone weakens your immune system (in fact I thought it would do the opposite!). I was given a 10 day supply of antibiotics so I told her she may as well give me something for the yeast infection now. I went ahead and refilled the Ambien too...so meds alone today came to $42 and then the $25 for the appointment...at least I didn't have to pay for the ultrasound!! I can be thankful for the fact I have good health insurance (even though I pay for it, I am one of the lucky few with a stable job and get paid well enough to afford health insurance for myself and my husband).

Oh yeah, my hubby is back on his crutches because he's overdone it and put too much strain on his knees again (when will they learn that wives KNOW these things and they need to listen?!)...so he's hobbling through the hospital...I'm dizzy and he looks at me and says wow, you look like you're almost dead and about to drop...Thanks honey...I tried real hard to look good just for you! :))

Stopped to pick up Harley, Tyler and Zac at Tricia's house...Finally got to meet her husband Travis too...he and Andrew are gonna be friends too!! Kelly decided to stay and hang with the girls and David wanted Robert to stay too, but Robert decided to come home and help us out.

I reminded Robert, and will be reminding Kelly that I will be able to stop going to the dr for emergency appointments and NOT end up back in the hospital if they just pick up a little more slack and quit giving me so much slack! LOL....

It's my own fault I keep overdoing it...I really need to open my mouth and not simply write it on the board since they seem to have forgotten how to read...

There's more updates on my day on the other blog but figured you didn't need to read all that here because it's not really surgery/recovery related...

I still have to come back and upload some pics of the birthday party yesterday. I had so much fun (well the kids did too! LOL) and we got some really good pics!!

But right now it's time to say nightnight to my boys and get them down for the night...I may just have to turn in a little earlier than midnight myself...Crap, forgot to take my afternoon prednisone...guess I won't be sleeping any time soon!

Arm Update...

It's strange, the swelling went down.. but Andrew says it looks like a sunburn now and takes up my whole upper arm. I think it warrants a trip to the doctor but this being Monday I would sit on hold with the appointment line for at least an hour...so I emailed my PCP's office with a link to the post with the picture.

it was very itchy too so I am not sure that a clot would be itchy? The itchiness has subsided but it's still red and follows the vein to my armpit. last night a new 'lump of hot red skin" formed near my elbow, but since the swelling has gone down. I am so confused...I'm guessing it could be a bug bite...but would a bug bite move down your arm as the day goes on?

Well at least today is Monday and I can contact a dr with only a $25 copay instead of a $150 copay for going to ER.

What could it be?

Excuse the picture of my fat arm...I had this 'develop' last night...Andrew's worried it looks and feels like a blood clot...I'm not so sure...could it be a spider bite? (I was in the basement yesterday)...I don't really want to go to the ER...It is hot to the touch and last night it travelled down my arm but doesn't look so bad on the lower part of my arm today.
What do you think? Leave me a note? (click comment below) Should I have it looked at today or do you think it can wait til tomorrow?

I really hope anyone reading this and leaving comment says it can wait til tomorrow because I have 15 children coming (and 5 adult women to help!) with Zachary's birthday party!!

I know I'm not keeping up

Recuperation-wise I have not been doing well...I've been pushing...being up on my feet too much...Doing dishes and laundry, lifting...I wrote to the doctor today asking for something to control the pain better. I was complaining that I am having issues with vision in my right eye again as well as pain...and that my teeth are hurting so badly I can't even eat...I explained I can't take 2 percocets because then I can't even keep my head up...this is the response?!

"Tracy,The pain in your face and teeth is to be expected due to your surgery. The dizziness is most likely related to the surgery and the medication. Extreme fatigue is also to be expected for months. This is a difficult surgery to recover from. 1 percocet is probably not enough and Dr. C reccomends taking 2 every four hours to give you adequate relief. If it makes you extremely tired this is fine as you should be resting anyhow. This will allow you to heal and is what your body needs at this point. The steroid (prednisone) should also help with your symptoms. If the increase in percocet does not help, your symptoms progressively worsen, you develop a fever greater than 100.5, drainage from your incision, nausea or vomitting, please call so a nurse can assess you."

So of course I need to refill my percocet in this case...well since it's a narcotic I have to pick up the written prescription from them or my PCP...

Then I asked about the mediation, which is finally scheduled for the 12th of January. My ex's attorney has been...inpatient and could care less that I just had brain surgery. He knows I'm on narcotics and needing to reduce my stress levels and he's still pushing hard. Well, now my doctors office tells me... "I'd move your mediation based on how you feel now. Stress is never a good thing in the healing process." If I try to change it now, he will probably try to file contempt charges against me!

Ok, i know it's a big whine..sorry...I am having a hard time staying down...I just can't do it!

Santa Swappers

I'm not sure how many Santa Swap members read here...I felt a need to explain why, although we are giving away things for the holidays, our house is not decorated in anyway...
First off because of my surgery...it's too hard to keep the cat and the toddlers out of the decorations when I'm on "light duty"
Secondly...don't want to run up my electric bill :D
Third...Harley!! As soon as he sees the tree go up he thinks it's supposed to have presents under it daily. Gotta love his working mind right?
oh and fourth...Zachary's 2nd birthday is this Friday...I don't want him to associate his birthday party with the holidays...

There...I feel better explaining it...I really AM in the spirit of the holidays.

Those that aren't on Santa Swap and want information please let me know. We have expanded the program to Oklahoma and Florida as well! I am so excited! Two local radio stations have responded to the press releases--I am hoping they can get the information added to their community calendar soon!

I keep eating things - lab results and more

hoping I will taste it...and all I can taste is salt....*sigh* soon, patience momma, soon!!

In other news I got my lab results by email today...the clotting tests? Well she only told me they were borderline...well they are 6 pts OVER the high end of normal...my leg still hurts...AND the lab flagged them for further attention.

Then my labs came in from my post op appointment too...nothing flagged by the lab but my phosphorus and chorline are high again...one other thing too...Can't remember...Hope the dr calls to follow up...WITHOUT requiring another in person appointment and thereby ANOTHER copay...Just last week alone we paid...$95 in copays between meds and appointments...

I bet our out of pocket maximum restarts at the 1st of January too...otherwise, we'd be copay free ($2500 a year)...hopefully though (I know I need to check into it) the copay maximum resets in August when it's actually a year!

Hope I can go to my office Christmas Party tomorrow...at least make a token appearance to get my bonus gift card they give out...we don't get that bonus unless we show up...

Ok, Off to take an ambien and try to sleep

Fringe Benefits I guess?

I have discovered benefits of not being able to smell or taste!! I have lost 4 pounds this week! (since discharge from the hospital).

Although I think I would rather have my smell and taste back...ocassionally I get them..but they only last maybe 10 seconds before I lose them again. The doctor said I can expect them back within a year...but it could be permanent.

We will just wait and see....or should I say smell and taste?

Finally Good news!

After spending the last 5 hours at doctors and waiting for doctors and nurses and ultrasounds I finally have some good news!

The bloodwork they did showed 505 for my number. I think she said that the threshold was 495...so it was borderline. They did an ultrasound and found that my bloodflow was actually better today than it was Tuesday...they really want me on some aspirin just in case...but of course I can't take aspirin products for another four weeks.

i'm feeling super edgy and tired tonight so I probably will just turn in early (if the kids let me)....Now Andrew's gonna start complaining because I just can't stand listening to his humming and being stupid making stupid jokes about everything because I'm too far gone to understand and it's just frustrating.

More good news!! LeAnna gave me some foam wedge pillows so I might actually be able to sleep in my bed rather than on the couch tonight.

Ooooohhhh KKkkkkaaaayyyy

well at least I can go to the lab here at 1:00 and then head up to my appointment. My appointment is with a nurse, not even a doctor...I'm sure they will order ANOTHER ultrasound and then leave me hanging for the whole weekend for results...

This just sucks....

Sorry to whine so much...I can't help it...I went to the neurosurgery office YESTERDAY! I had to pay $35 to see a nurse...when I was pregnant with Zac I only had to $5 to see a nurse and $20 to see a doctor. Today I get to pay another $20 to see a nurse...geeze, wish I was pregnant...

Frustration is building higher and higher

While in the shower for my noon appointment, the doctors office called back. They want labs drawn, but not til 1:00. Then they have changed my appointment from 12:00 to 2:30 to give time for the lab results to be there. To top it off, I won't even be seen by my PCP but some other person (not sure if it's a dr or a nurse since Andrwe took the call). Their plan is to have me go to their clinic 1/2 an hour away, get my blood drawn and then sit around and wait for 1 1/2 hours for my appointment....There is a lab less than 5 minutes from the house that can draw my blood and THEN I can head to my appt so I'm not sitting in a waiting room with who knows how many sick people for such a long time!?

Of course, she didn't leave her direct dial number to call back and Kaiser will make you hold 20 minutes just to leave a message so I emailed her to ask if I could get the labs drawn at this clinic and to ask if I am seeing a dr or a nurse...

Hopefully I will get a response soon.

ETA: And I'm kind of frustrated...I sent her an email on Tuesday when the ultrasound was done...it took her THIS long to respond...and NOW it's urgent??!?!?

Going to the dr

Heading out...they want me there by noon....crap!

Update again...

I just got an email from my PCP...she of course thinks I need to be seen. She went on to put me at ease by telling me the ultrasound is not 100% accurate and there could still be a clot.

I'm not trying to be a pill but I asked if it was really necessary to be seen, pay more money (I've already racked up $1,500 in medical copays this month) just to have them tell me "don't know what's causing it". The pain in my right leg is at about a 2 of 10 so it's not that bad. The bigger issue is that my foot feels cold deep in the bone and can't warm it up...but when you touch the skin it's not that cold.

So now she responded back with "my nurse will call you and we will reevaluate that way based on that conversation and decide if you need to be seen".

Great, just as I was gonna lay down for a nap?!

Back from Post-Op appointment

I guess I'll start with news on the blood flow stuff....

Not clot or DVT or SVT but minimal blood flow in my lower right leg. They are not going to treat it and said if it continues to bother me to call my PCP and make her follow up with it. They don't know what's causing it...makes me really uneasy to not know what this is about.

Still on restrictions - no bending, driving or lifting more than 5 pounds til at least Jan 8th, 2010 when I go back to the dr. Continue to expect vision issues, pain, numb teeth, painful teeth, headaches, dizziness, fatigue and everthing else that goes along with it. Not supposed to be walking more than 30 minutes a day.

So I'm gonna try to email my PCP and see if she can follow up and figure it out so far as the blood flow in my leg thing...

Umm, had more to say but can't think...percocet and headaches make my mind cloudy!!

(haha, had to come back and change the title because I had it as Pre Op when it was my Post op!) LOL

Flowers from Pappy & Linda

My dad, (Pappy) and Linda sent me some flowers today! It was so nice...the house/baby stiter (ya know the friendly witch, Marion?) answered the door and then delivered them to me in my room (I was finally taking some time to relax).



I hope you are reading this either here, the other blog or facebook! I don't have your phone number to call and thank you!

I have not seen my dad since just before Harley was born (nearly 13 years). I'm hoping we can meet up and reacquaint very soon! I want to introduce him to all of the "tribe"!

An update...well kinda sorta but not really...

No answer on whether or not I have a blood clot so I am guessing not or they would've gotten back to me...

Got there and got my ultrasound. The nurse I had spoke to at neurosurgery, who said we needed to order it STAT (and did) explained that we would have the results immediately and if it was a clot it could be treated right there and no hospitalization would be required...

Well, I waited 20 minutes in radiology...no answer...the tech said she paged the doctor but hadn't gotten a call back so to go to neurosurgery on the 11th floor...which we did....

Receptionist bitch questioned why they would have the results...umm, let me back up...I don't think I blogged about this...When my surgery was "postponed" on the 20th at 9:00 (when I was supposed to be there by 11) I had called at 1:45 to find out the status of when I would get a time for surgery on Monday. Receptionist ...er...person said it's "not your business and let us do our job"...although they were not even aware that I was not being operated on at that very second or that my surgery had been postponed!!

Well, little miss receptionist with an attitude came out at me today again...well this time it was in person...I hate to be the cause of anyone losing their job just before the holidays but enough is enough...if you're gonna work in a senstitive area like BRAIN SURGERY DEPT you should have some compassion and understanding, not a PMS'd all the time attitude!! Ok, that rant over...now back to the story....

So she comes out from behind her desk and stands in front of me (of course I was sitting because I'm supposed to be non weight bearing until I know if it's a clot for sure and because I am still having balance issues -- worse than before surgery!)..and tells me that my PCP will let me know and that Dr. C is not even in today...it's his day off! I told her I had spoke to the nurse, had just come from radiology and the tech said the report was there...she huffed off and checked her computer (supposedly) and said well, are you sure? the report is not here? Well, of course I am sure you stupid wench (I just thought that, didn't say it!) ... I was just there for the past hour having pain inflicted upon me with an ultrasound to my sore leg! I told her the tech had said it was in dictation and they could retrieve it from there. she went and (supposedly) spoke to the nurse I had spoke to earlier, who didn't even come out to talk to me...and said, nope, your PCP will call you with results.

I told her that my PCP pretty much won't touch my case or give me any answers and just refers me to the specialists (primarily neurosurgery) since she is not familiar with what to do or say and would have to consult with them anyways...so the dr will just refer me back to neurosurgery. She again comes out and raises her voice at me, in the waiting room and states that I should just go home and wait and if there are any results ... if there IS even a clot...I will be contacted by my PCP and not to expect a call from neurosurgery but from my PCP today. I became extremely frustrated at this point and said so this is another case of one department who doesn't know what the other is doing...just like the day I was SUPPOSED to have surgery? Ya know Friday which turned into Monday? she walked away and acted like I said nothing...or even existed!!

I am definitely gonna have to file a complaint against this woman. I'm almost afraid to do that til after my follow up appointment on Thursday though..I don't want to-- nor do I feel like I need to subject myself to--mistreatment by a person whose salary I have a part in paying (after all, I pay over $400 a month for my health insurance premiums ALONE!)...and they won't get her out of there by Thursday...but if I file the complaint today or tomorrow she will KNOW who to mistreat when I get there right? Maybe I will wait til Friday?! That way I can make sure I have her name right...and the spelling too.

Now all the supposedly's I put in there when she said she was looking at her computer or talking to the nurse...I also witnessed this first hand...She was on the phone with a patient when I arrived...she told him she would check his record and put him on hold. She checked in another person, talked to Andrew (since he was at the desk talking to her so I could sit down) and without even consulting the computer or a nurse went back on the line with this other patient and told him that she had "no record of that"....

I think someone is not doing her job...

Needless to say, after all this babbling on my part, bottom line is that my PCP never did call me back to tell me if I had a blood clot or not...nor did anyone from neurosurgery. I guess I am to assume all is fine? They would've called and treated it right away if I did right? At least I would hope so!!

Appointment at 12:15

to be evaluated for the possible blood clot. They will ultrasound it and if there is in fact a clot, they will be able to treat it there and send me home!! No hospital stay they say!

In the meantime Andrew got the afternoon off work to take me...hehehe...it's nice having him home...just gotta get him motivated.

OMG time to head off for the appointment....Beback later.