Epiphany

After a really rough day and doing my darndest to push my boyfriend out of my life I recovered from the latest emotional break down!

The day started off well until all of 8:00 am, then it went downhill, Jose’s school called and blah, blah, blah. Found out a very good possibility for employment fell through, went to my farewell luncheon (and felt loved!), Cuervo’s school call and he got suspended for two days, the pressure of everything hit me (again), I tried pushing my boyfriend out of my life but the stubborn fool won’t budge (which I am VERY grateful for!).

As I was driving home fighting back the tears I thought about the last six and a half years.  I can honestly say this chapter of my life has been full of accomplishments.  This chapter of my life is the chapter that has shown me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.  I quit smoking, I started long distance running, and I have completed a multitude of races. I am a triathlete, I am a marathoner. I have not only started obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I am so close I can see the end of the tunnel.  I have taken the time to get to know me and learn my likes and dislikes and most likely found my prince charming.  I have learned that no matter how many times I trip, I have an amazing group of people around me ready to catch me.  I have learned that the worse the news the bigger the hugs. I have learned how not to admit defeat but to come out swinging. 

I am cautiously excited to see where the next chapter of my life brings me!  

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

New Rheumy, to much homework and Elephant Rock

Well, yesterday afternoon was my appointment with my new Rheumy.  I have to admit I was really hoping he would tell me he did not agree with the previous diagnosis.  I got there and it was a nice little office, but couldn’t help complaining to myself that I am just to damn young to be sitting in a doctor’s office like that.  I finally got to the back and the doc came in and introduced himself and first thing I noticed was his bed side manner was a lot better than rheumy.  He actually talked to me not at me, he asked me questions, listened to what I had to say before jumping to conclusions.  He looked over my records did a physical exam and then told me I do have lupus but he isn’t so sure about the RA (I was happy to at least possibly have one knocked off the list).  I had to have even MORE blood drawn and got to pee in a cup again!  I got back in a month, but I can say, happily, I think this doc is a lot better than the other one. 

I did not make it to my run this morning, I just have WAY to much homework to get done.  I am about half way done, sort of.  Tomorrow I am still planning on the bike festival.  Baby (my bike) went into the bike shop today so they could readjust my thingy (I have no idea what it is called, but it is the track thing for the chain on the front), he also did a quick over to make sure everything was good.  I am only doing the 34-miler tomorrow but I am looking forward to it.  I will be wearing my Sam I am shirt!!!!!!  LOTS of sunscreen and I will be prepared to pay the price for being in the sun that much.  I don’t care, I will have fun! 

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

 Last week after getting back from Fort Collins I had a certified letter postcard on my door.  I put it in my car and forgot about it until yesterday.  I figured I would swing by the post office on my way home from work, I stopped in had a good joke with the mail person and she gave me my letter, it was from my rheumy’s office.  Ok, must be a bill.  I got to my car opened it up to read…

Excuse me? No reason why, nothing just not going to treat you anymore.  I went home and took some pain pills (my shoulder is hurting something fierce). While laying on my bed (allegedly calling everyone mommy) I googled her and found…

VITALS Comments

Apr 7, 2011

THis is one of the worst doctors I have ever seen. She never looked up from her computer, typed the entire time I was in the room, and gave me an extremely poor and depressing outlook for my diagnosis. When I went to another rheumatologist I could not believe how positive and uplifting he was. He gave me hope that I could manage my disease. I would NEVER refer anyone to this doctor or this practice.

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Feb 20, 2011

EXCELLENT STATE-OF-THE-ART CARE; WONDERFUL PERSON

I could not have asked for better rheumatoid arthritis care than I have received from Megan McNeil. She is very intelligent and follows state-of-the-art protocols. In addition, her manner is courteous and warm. I would not change doctors-- I have the best care in the world with Dr. MacNeil.

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Nov 23, 2010

VERY BAD EXPERIENCE

I saw Dr MacNeil and it was a bad experience. The Dr had already made up her mind before listening to my story. She typed continuously in her computer and didn't look at me during that time. She didn't show any emotion or caring toward me and my problem. She snapped at me and my husband when she diagnosed me as having Fibromyalgia and told us "It's a real disease" - which we knew. She never smiled the entire time. I let her know that I'd not be coming back to see her and provided constructive critism, but what I received was a certified letter stating that she would not longer see me and that I needed to find a new doctor to provide me care. It was a strange letter, but I guess we were in agreement that this relationship wasn't going to work.

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Jun 7, 2009

AMAZED

The other reviewers seem to have seen a very different Dr, than my experience has been! My experiences were a Dr. that didn't even look up from her laptop while talking to me. Was so eager to take an exact time frame, that even when called out of the exam room by another Dr. came back with only a couple minutes left for me & didn't change, in spite of being out of the room much of my appointments. Did not take the symptoms & side effects seriously on meds that were not working after almost a year. Treated me like I was overly dramatic, had zero bedside manner, and gave me the feeling she didn't think I was worth the effort. As a result I felt I was getting worse, finally after being treated with NO compassion & NOT being listened to, or changed on my regime once again, I left for another Dr. & practice that has validated my concerns, gotten me on an agressive treatment & I am now doing better than the year plus I was seeing her.

Read more: http://www.vitals.com/doctor/profile/1437107869/reviews/1437107869#ixzz1M9L4rcs3

Good news is, this morning I called one of the docs on her list (who just so happens to be in the same building as my normal doc) and I have an appointment with him in less than a month.  The office staff is a whole lot nicer and I think this will be a good move.  I am not sure about Dr. MacNeil though!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Ranting

I realize today’s rant is going to make me sound like I am out of my ever loving mind, but for the record it is finals week and my brain is fried!

A near and dear friend found out that her nephew has lymphoblastic lymphoma and has been put on a bone marrow list. My friend asked her friends if they would be willing to see if they are a match. Now, I am an organ donor. I am of the firm belief that when I am dead and gone I am not going to need my organs (not to mention I want to be cremated) and if someone else can put a few more miles on them, go for it! I realize donating bone marrow can be VERY painful, I understand that and I accept that. So I told my blood type (I’m pretty sure they need that) and told her I would be more than happy to see if I am a match. Then I went to my good ol’ friend Google. In the past I have not been able to donate blood (for reason other than lupus/RA) looks like I might be able to know, who knows! I found out that I cannot be on the bone marrow donor registry either. But I did find out that I still might be able to donate my organs.

As a volunteer donor, you will be asked a series of health history questions to determine whether or not you are suitable to be a marrow or blood stem cell donor. These guidelines were established to protect the health of both the volunteer donor and the transplant recipient.

Please read over the following Eligibility Guidelines and consult with the Bone Marrow Donor Program to determine if you are suitable to donate. The Bone Marrow Donor Program may be reached at 206-292-1897, 1-800-366-2831 ext. 1897, or bonemarrow@psbc.org.

AGE: All donors must be between the ages of 18-60 and in good health.

• AIDS/HIV: If you have, or are at risk for, HIV or AIDS, you cannot join the national Registry.
• ALLERGIES: Common allergies to animals, the environment, or medications, etc. are acceptable.
• ARTHRITIS: Mild to moderate osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis are acceptable. All other forms of arthritis are not acceptable.
• ASTHMA: Serious asthma (poorly controlled, requiring hospitalization or oral steroids, etc.) is not acceptable.
• AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: Donors with multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia cannot join the national Registry.
• BACK PROBLEMS: Back problems (sprains, strains and aches) are common and may not interfere with blood stem cell donation. Serious back problems, particularly those requiring surgery, may be a cause for deferral. If you have significant back problems, consult with the Bone Marrow Donor Program.
• BLOOD PRESSURE: Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) is acceptable if well controlled by medication or diet and if there is no associated heart disease.
• CANCER: Cured localized skin cancer (only simple basal cell or squamous cell) is acceptable. Healed breast, bladder, or cervical cancer in situ is acceptable. All other forms of cancer, including melanoma, are unacceptable.
• DEPRESSION: Stable, well-controlled depression is acceptable.
• DIABETES: If your diabetes is well-controlled by oral medication or diet, you can join the national Registry. If you require insulin or have diabetes-related serious health issues such as kidney, heart, or eye disease, you cannot join the national Registry.
• EPILEPSY: More than one seizure in the past year is not acceptable. Epilepsy controlled with medication, when there have been no seizures in the past year, is acceptable.
• HEART DISEASE: Prior heart attack, history of angioplasty, bypass surgery, heart valve replacement surgery, or use of a pacemaker are not acceptable. Mitral valve prolapse that does not require medication or restrictions is acceptable. Irregular heartbeat not requiring medication is acceptable.
• HEPATITIS: Those diagnosed with, or at risk for, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C cannot join the national Registry. Hepatitis vaccine is acceptable. All other hepatitis history must be evaluated.
• HIP REPLACEMENT: Donors who have had hip replacement surgery or have fractured their hip bone cannot join the national Registry.
• IMMUNIZATIONS: Immunizations are acceptable, except investigational vaccines. Some immunizations require a waiting period before joining the Registry.
• LYME DISEASE: Asymptomatic Lyme disease is acceptable if you have been successfully treated with antibiotics. Chronic Lyme disease is unacceptable.
• MALARIA: Malaria with no symptoms more than three years ago is acceptable. All other malaria history must be evaluated.
• OBESITY: Body Mass Index is used to evaluate weight. Donors may be deferred if obesity presents donation risk.
• ORGAN or TISSUE TRANSPLANT: Heart, lung, liver, kidney, dura mater, marrow, or blood stem cell recipients cannot join the national Registry. Recipients of bone, ligaments, tendons, skin, or corneas may be allowed to join, depending on the underlying reason for the transplant.
• PIERCING/TATTOO: Donors who have received a body piercing or tattoo are acceptable, if sterile, non-shared instruments were used. If the piercing/tattoo occurred in the last 12 months, you will be able to join the national Registry, but you will not be allowed to donate blood stem cells for 12 months from the date of the piercing/tattoo.
• PREGNANCY: Blood stem cells cannot be collected at any time during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant may join the national Registry, but are not allowed to donate blood stem cells until fully recovered from the delivery of the baby.
• SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES: Any history of sexually transmitted disease must be evaluated.
• TRAVEL/RESIDENCE in MALARIAL RISK AREA or UK or EUROPE: Travel or residence in a malarial risk area or to the UK or Europe is acceptable.
• TUBERCULOSIS: Active pulmonary tuberculosis within the last two years is not acceptable.

Saturday’s race went well. I took it nice and easy (ran 3 minutes, walked 1). I forgot my inhaler, but had no issues. I wore my green plaid Running Skirt. (Actual report will come later)

	2007
17 Mar 07	St. Patrick’s 5K	0:36:45
	2008
15 Mar 08	St. Patrick’s 5K	0:36:46
	2009
14 Mar 09	St. Patrick’s 5K	0:32:38
	2010
13 Mar 10	St. Patrick’s 5K	0:38:21
	2011
12 Mar 11	St. Patrick’s 5K	0:37:11

Not getting training in like I should this week, but it is finals week and I am not trying to kill myself. Final project is due tomorrow and I am hoping to get back on a sort of schedule after that.

OH! And I did make it to the bike sale this past weekend. Got shoes, a helmet, two pairs of shorts (one tri and one regular), tri top, light and some other stuff!

Never, never, never, never give up – Winston Churchill

Months ago Run Faster Mommy was having a giveaway of Allied Running Medal Hangers. Sadly, I didn’t win. BUT I had a chance to start my shopping list; hey I need to put my medals somewhere! I had hoped to get one for my birthday, but that didn’t happen. So in January I decided I would go ahead and buy my own. Since I had just been officially diagnosed with lupus and RA I needed to get one that would remind me that I am the only one who can limit myself. So I ordered the hangar that says “Never limit your challenges, Challenge your limits” When it came in I was sick, but I still jumped out of bed to hang it up. Low and behold it got very full, very fast! So I decided to order another one. I contacted Joel at Allied and told him what I wanted (a butterfly on one end for lupus and a ribbon on the end for both lupus and RA). He sent me one image and it was a little bigger than I was looking for. So he revamped it for me. Again, sent me the image. It was perfect! At the end of February I ordered it. Well... it came in yesterday! I opened the box and the image did it no justice! I haven’t been able to hang it up yet (I had class and I wasn’t going to use a drill at 9pm at night!). I am hoping to get my new hangar up tonight and start moving some medals onto it. And yes, I have pictures of dragons swimming, biking and running hanging up on my wall! (pictures will follow when the new hangar is up and being loaded!)