Travels & tribulation
Our Thunder Bay trip has gone well…
Tuesday I met with the pain specialist. It was a short appointment which is a little frustrating having travelled all the way here, makes me wonder about Travel Grants and where money comes from for such things… Quite certain it could most often be put to better use. I can’t identify anything done during my 15 minute appointment that could not have been done by Teleconference – sigh… On the up side the Doctor was good, seemed we are on the same page; he is in agreement regarding my continuing with the status quo until I have completed the initial 1o weeks of accupuncture to see if it will offer adequate pain releif so that I might discontinue use of the stronger pain meds I am currently using (and have been for the better part of one year). He confirmed my family doctor’s suspicion of fibromialgia (as did today’s specialist) without much to-do. My only concern is that he decided that my family doctor would be doing my Rx once again and he had actually passed it off to the specialist this week (quite the stress there, because of it I had to leave the day-of my appointment, yesterday, at 7am… no easy feat with a 4 year old and a 15 year old + the dog in tow. Plus just the stress of having to chase the specialist for the Rx, it was rather frustrating and something I hope does not ever repeat itself)… Anyhow, I’m hoping that the switch back to my family doctor actually facilitates things, he is a no-nonesense type of man and prior to this week’s sort of mis-communication has always been helpful.
Today’s appointment was more of the same… I did have a review with a lady who I believe said she was a diagnostician (perhaps in training). She had a great bedside manner in spite of doing a number on me for her check-up which left me almost unable to drive for the pain in my bones (she was checking “pressure points” I believe as well as whether my joints were swollen) More good news there, as I have insisted for 3 years now – no arthritis (we actually weren’t entirely certain about the need for that appointment.. I had been referred by a doctor I had almost 3 years ago but kept it as I figured it couldn’t hurt). After her physical analysis (which could not have been done via teleheath) she, accompanied by the rheumatologist, returned. He said a few words, did some pressure checks of his own and confirmed the diagnosis of fibromialgia, suggesting – as my family doctor had – when I seemed doubtful that I research it as he believed I would find many similarities between typical case studies and my own symptoms/conditions.
So, that’s where I’m at.
This evening we went to Micheal’s (WOOHOOO) Emeraude was pretty tired but put up with my browsing for quite some time (had I been prepared to spend more money she probably would have been more patient but it is hard at 4 years old to see so many cool crafting supplies and keep hearing “No sweetie, it’s not on the list” so Lloyd brought her back out to the van for 10 minutes of a movie that I might finish up and pay). Before that we went to MacDonald’s so Emeraude could play in the play land, it took some driving but we found it. I was quite impressed when I pulled into the parking lot of the 1st and she said “this isn’t the one Mommy, it’s on the other side of town” – too cool, she was right and when we got near the other, even cooler, she told me “Yeah, it’s around here” :)!!! WOW! Lloyd also knows his way around Thunder Bay really well and helped with quite a few directions while we were in the big city.
After Micheal’s we went shoe shopping for LLoyd. Grandmaman had sponsored that as he was in need of new dress shoes before the banquet season starts again and he is called to serve (plus Christmas Mass is around the corner as well).
Hoping that Emeraude will be well soon. Sunday in Manitouwadge we had gone to the Emerg as she has had a huge, very congested cough and been complaining of sore ears, throat and other symptoms. The doctor was nice enough to write a Rx for anti-biotics as he did not think they were necessary yet but wanted to spare us the troubles of going back to the emerg in Thunder Bay. Anyways, Tuesday night in the hotel when her fever was spiking at almost 103 again, I went to the Shopper’s Drug mart to fill the Rx, unfortunately I forgot her health card back at home and so had to pay the $53 for it. She took it that night, was terribly ill afterwards and the next morning when she took it vomitted immediately again so that I (and Lloyd aggreed) was concerned she may have acquired an allergy to it (Lloyd had acquired allergies when he was young) and so am hesitant to give her it again but wondering as she is not better but perhaps just a few less hours of severe fever today… Stress. Wish I knew how to make her well.
One more shopping success, after 45 minutes of driving around with terrible directions, we finally found the ski-doo dealer Lloyd wanted to visit. He was happy to have enough of his saved ski-doo fund to buy new carbides for the MXZ. I’m happy for him, nice for him to know that saving money does pay off eventually (it can be slower at 14 without a regular part time job). I know he is now re-newed in his work/saving motivation.
Anyhow, thanks for reading, will post photos of these adventures tomorrow night hopefully. K.
