Day 778

Still no word from the doctor, but I did get a nurse to read the results of my pulmonary function test to me. In hindsight that was probably not the best idea. Amid all the medical gobbledygook a key phrase stood out that I did understand. So Ms. Researcher me typed that phrase into the computer and added the words rheumatoid arthritis to the search.

Shouldn't have done that. All kinds of research studies connecting the condition to rheumatoid arthritis popped up. Studies painting a gloomy picture.

I can't let my mind go there. I'll go about my day, my week, my month and wait to hear the doctor's take on it and the next steps involved. And I'm pretty sure there will be at least one or more next steps.

To prove that I am moving on, we went to Alejandra's tonight. It has been so long since we've been there I couldn't even remember what menu item we were on. So I guessed. Two combination platters, one with a tamale and the other with a zope.

Day 777

Selling on eBay has been pretty fun. I get to clean out my stuff, send it to someone who could make better use of it, and make a little money while doing it.

Except on days like today when I have several packages going out at once. With me not being able to move/walk/stand but a minute or so before I run out of air it takes a bazillion breaks for me to get just these boxes packed, loaded, and to the post office. Boy, I hope I get some answers soon. Thank goodness my mind is still sharp (so far), because my body sure isn't.

Day 776

The soap opera continues.

I got the latest test results from the rheumatologist's office today. My inflammation numbers are down, like to normal. As much pain as I'm in I'm not sure I believe it. Looks like the doctor doesn't believe it either because he wants me to retake them next week. No question about my liver function, though. It's not working right, with the bloodwork showing my liver function off significantly.

Thank goodness for my flowers. Only thing getting me through today.

Day 775

Getting closer to answers. I think.

I had another test over at the hospital today, a pulmonary function test. It's a test all about lung capacity and force and oxygen saturation and so forth. I failed. Big time. They ran several tests and every single one was abnormal.  Every single one. My lungs ranked from 40% to 71% of normal on the different tests. Not good. Even the one where they did a breathing treatment with medication, medication that opens up the airways of asthmatics? Yep, that didn't show the results it should have. (In my mind that test told me I don't have asthma - don't know if the doctor will see it that way or not.) It'll be a couple days before he gets results and then I guess we'll see where we go from here.

And if that wasn't enough fun for the day, the rheumatologist and cardiologist had a consultation about me. They both agreed I need to, despite all the terrible side effects, continue with the infusions. That means I'm up for one again this Friday. I don't know if I have the strength.

Despite all that, I did have something pleasant today. Just look at our gorgeous tree!

Day 774

My daughter keeps telling me not to leave a bunch of stuff for her to get rid of. She's talking about when I'm no longer living and she has to clean out the house. We've been working hard at downsizing, but the sewing room? Yea, I'm afraid I haven't worked on downsizing it as much as I should.

I've always told kiddo that she wouldn't have to worry about my fabric stash because I'd use it up. But now with me being so sick I'm starting to wonder if I have too much. So today was spent getting ready to put some fabric on eBay soon. Might as well sell it there since that's where most of it came from anyway!

After spending the day working on what I can let go of, the boxes of colorful fabric fat quarters aren't even close to being full.