bravo!!

About four months ago I started feeling like I was swallowing over something in my throat, like a lump or a pill that had gotten stuck. I saw my primary care who referred me out for CT scan, which came back clear. They've also prescribed Prilosec--didn't work; and Nexium--didn't work.

The ENT PA and ENT physician, and gastroenterologist (GI doc) I have seen all think it is reflux. Aside from the lump in throat sensation I am not having the classic symptoms of acid indigestion.

The GI doc is going to install what is called the BRAVO pH Monitoring System. It is a little clip that will be inserted into the wall of my esophagus to monitor for acid. If there's acid, it's reflux, if not it's globus or something else. He will also do endoscopy to check out the local area while he's visiting. haha Along with the insertion of the clip I will be wearing a pager-like device that will record the results. I am also to keep a diary.

If it is globus, it is more than likely due to stress (I dunno, I am a nursing student) and will be diagnosed as globus hystericus. It is an anxiety, stress-related disorder.

For me, the worst part is it is scheduled September 8th. I have class that day, but since they don't schedule procedures on Mondays (which would be incredibly, monstrously bad) or Fridays my only choice is to miss a day of class. Tuesdays are the best for this. (no stress here...)

ring around the posey

Today I had my visit with the OBGYN, we'll call him Dr. B. First let me say it was kind of odd, because in the military OBGYN clinics/offices I've been to children are not allowed, but today moms strolled in with their wee ones in tow.

Anyway.

I sat there reading about the nervous system, you know that unit, the one I'll be lucky to test out of with a C! Then it was my turn and Dr. B took me back and I proceeded to fill him in on my woes of late. Long story, short: he's prescribed Ambien CR and NuvaRing, which I inserted and now I wont be taking OCPs. He gave it to me to insert on my own and then returned. He gloved his left hand telling me his left hand was for his GYN patients and his right is for his OB patients. Why yes, you better use your left hand then!!! Dr. B also wrote an order for a FSH test, so after my blood was drawn I promptly paid my co-pay and skeedaddled.

I'm quite proud to say I headed straight home. This might not seem to be quite a big deal, but let me fill you in on why it really is. Dr. B's office is amidst every store you could possibly want to spend money in, and I didn't want to spend money, so I left the area PDQ! It only took a little bit of effort.

I also wanted to share our latest addition to our backyard landscaping. It's coming along slowly, but surely. The mulch pile on the driveway still exists, but it is getting smaller. We planted in one side and Big B mulched it to his heart's contentment. The other side still has a couple of open spots, so it has yet to be completed with mulch. Big B was quite proud of his mulching job, as it was his first time throwing the woody bits. He did a mighty fine job!







The day lillies, salvia, achillea, coneflower and jacob's ladder were all brought around from the front yard, so they're in shock, and will hopefully make it through the transplant process ok. The larger day lillies are the ones that look the worst, although the salvia are just lying on the dirt rather than standing tall and proud as usual. I can't wait for the crape myrtle to bloom as it is a beautiful color, called "dynamite"! It's a brilliant, firecracker red.

Ho hum. It's time I get back to working on that C! The exam this time is in two parts. One is for lecture and the other is for lab. The lab exam is nothing more than labeling, which sounds easy, until you remember you are not that nervous system savvy! You know, there are some systems you get and some you don't get as much!

I did get approval for my community college to proctor my exams for A&P, so I don't have to drive up north, which wastes a lot of time. The exams are this Thursday. Wish me luck! Cs get the degrees! C=RN!

i can see for miles and miles and...

I've made my appointments for the otolaryngologist (ENT), OBGYN and gastroenterology and I must say, along with the traveling involved with American Legion baseball (yep, that's started up now), I am going to be seeing many, many miles over the next month!

June 8th, I see the ENT, in case I've caught you unaware, for my lump in throat feeling I've been experiencing for nearly 3 months now. According to Mapquest, it will take me an hour and 3 minutes to travel the 48.74 miles from home.

June 15th, I see the OBGYN, to get my OCPs/menstrual migraines/PMS under control. This trip will take 42 minutes, with a distance of 34 miles.

June 23rd, (if the ENT can't figure it out) I'll be seeing the GI doc. Thirty minutes, 24 miles.

blurry world

This morning I had planned on going to take Exam 1 for A&PII.

Let's back up a bit first, before I get on with my day. Last January we replaced one of the tires on our Chevy, because it had a hole in it. This January we replaced two others because of wear and tear. The other day Big B notices that the remaining tire, from when we bought the car in late 2007, was really low on air. He suspects there is a slow leak in it.

Sure enough!

This morning I get in to make my journey up north, about 40 minutes, to go take my test. (I had it planned just right--so that I'd be able to test and then head over to my ophthalmologist appointment.) As soon as I turn on the ignition the computer tells me to "check the RR tire". So I complied. It was at 12 psi. 12 psi!?!?!

Without panicking I headed to our local gas station (think Mayberry). I attempt to add air, but it's been a while since I've had to do that. I go in to find out what I'm doing wrong, and the lady who works there comes out and fills the tire to 35 psi. By this time I don't have time to go take the test first.

I really wanted to take that test first, before getting my eyes poked and prodded and my pupils dilated!!

There's a reason I named my blog Order and Chaos!

Ever had your pupils dilated? Ever attempted to take an exam, via computer after said pupils have been dilated? This is all not to mention how Dr. Poke and Prod had to manipulate my eyeball and skin around it, to inspect for any retinal tears. And this is all after getting the yellow dye dropped in. Final diagnosis is that I do indeed have a floater, and to live with it for another 2-3 months to see if gravity will take care of it. Otherwise, or if it worsens, I'm supposed to see Dr. Poke and Prod again.

As it was I didn't walk into the community college--the one I've never been to, but had to go to because it's where I'm taking A&PII from--with eyes that looked as jaundiced as a cirrhosis patient's! I did walk in with a left eye surrounded by reddened skin!

I did take that exam with blurry vision. If I didn't live so far away, and hadn't arranged to take it today whilst being in the same area for my appointment, I wouldn't have taken it.

not just another manic monday

Lately I've been dealing with this feeling as if I'm swallowing over a pill that has become lodged in my throat. It's been going on for about a month now. Last week I went and saw a physician who then referred me out for a barium swallow. (As if I have time.) Friday I started feeling somewhat crummy and have since developed a nice little spring cold. So that's what that chapter was talking about as far as stress and its effect on the body! As if I didn't already have full understanding of that concept. This morning at about 3 I awakened with an excruciating pain in my head. You know the type, as if an icepick is being poked in and TWISTED! I took some Dayquil and was able to return to my slumber. I awakened at the usual time for the day and was still in a bit of pain. At this point routine ensues when I take the dogs downstairs for their morning kibble, and relief. Then I awaken the boys to shower and get ready for their day. I climbed back into bed and was able to get a little more rest. Off to class I went and sat like a zombie through lecture. Promptly as lecture ended I arose and left for the doctor's office. I was not seen until about 2:50 p.m. I had checked in at 12:12 p.m. I have a sinus infection and the workings of an ear infection.

While sitting in the exam room I witness this old, white oldsmobile pulls up. (I can see this from the window in the exam room.) Now, please take a moment to envision Randy Quaid and his family in the Vacation movies. The people that stepped out of this car made Randy and his movie family look like the Hiltons or the Trumps. I wouldn't usually think twice, as I wouldn't usually have needed to even pay attention to the people, but....the woman gets out of the car and she is screaming at the top of her lungs at whomever she was on her cell phone with. I could hear her through the window!

The man gets out and is, I don't know what, but then he goes to the passenger side and is speaking with whomeever is sitting there. It seems as if he's trying to persuade said individual into getting out of the car and into the wheelchair he's brought around. The second person, a man, gets out with some struggle and stands up and it looks like he refuses to get into the wheelchair. He ends up back in the car. A few minutes later everyone has climbed back into the car and they take off.

You have now entered the Twilight Zone.

Next I go to Rite Aid, after finally being seen, to pick-up my antibiotics and Prilosec. The physician didn't write a script for the Priolsec since it's now offered OTC. She's told me to take it to see if it will relieve what is possibly GERD, aka the lump in my throat. I'd read on the 'net that it was possibly due to GERD, and a friend's husband had the same problem. I'm hoping the Prilosec does the job and I can cancel the barium swallow. (I really don't have time for it anyway.)

As the pharmacy tech tries to ring up my sale the electronic keypad I'm paying on with my debit card starts to act up. Meanwhile there's this woman pestering the pharmacists about her prescriptions. Evidently she's a frequent flyer and makes whenever she comes in.

Ever have one of those days where you wished you would've just stayed in bed? If this makes no sense whatsoever it's because my head feels like it's filled with cottonballs and my nose is running a marathon.