Today was ridiculous! I had two out-of-town appointments, which started earlier than I like. My goal is to always to get afternoon appointments, because it is so hard for me to get going in the morning.
I took this appointment because the office wanted to rearrange things because of heavy snow. Today was freezing, even though the sun shone brightly. Our snow will be melting soon, as it's going to warm up this weekend.
I had my pre-anesthesia visit. I'm glad to get that over with. Now, I must do my best and pray that I'll stay healthy prior to the surgery date. I have many pages of notes to go over. Medication changes will need to be put on the calendar, so I don't forget everything.
The bloodwork came back this afternoon, and the results were the same as usual. My kidney function didn't look as good as last time, and that always worries me a little.
My second appointment was with the wrist surgeon. He hasn't seen me in many months. He wanted to find out if the Endocronologist could find a reason for the Avascular Necrosis (AVN). I don't know if that happened, but I should find out soon. I will see that doctor next month.
My right wrist was once again x-rayed. The scaphoid and lunate were collapsed and dead. The surgeon said that when he operates he will remove three bones and cut some nerves. I'm not so sure how to describe the nerve procedure. This sounds terrible.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
He wouldn't set a date for the surgery, because he knows that I'll need my two wrists free to work through PT and recovery of the ankle joint. It might take a long while for that to happen. He thought two months of recovery sounded possible.
If we wait that long for surgery, I would be in the middle of a cross-country move. He said that means that I probably need to have the operation when I arrive at our new home. At least I've lived there before for many years. I do need to go ahead and find a doctor who can take over this case.
I'll have to also switch my insurance when I move. I have to be very careful to chose a policy that will cover all the specialists that I'll need. I can start looking for that now online. Starting a new policy means that I'll need to start over with a new deductible, because I can't carry my ACA policy from state to state.
This is going to be a very expensive year! I've never had two major surgeries in one year (on top of all the other problems). I imagine that I'll have to set up a payment plan in my new state. The hospital here is allowing that and it is a life-saver!
I now have a new wrist brace for my left wrist and got new straps for my old brace for the right hand. With those two braces and a foot boot, I look quite pitiful. Everywhere I went today, I was pushed in the wheelchair by some sweet ladies and everyone held the door open for me.
Since my weight is worse than ever, I will really try to lose as much weight as possible before the surgery. I know the heavier I am, the tougher my recovery could be. I'll focus on very low carb meals without gluten or sugar.
Cutting out the sugar will be the hardest part for me. I've resorted to eating sweets as a treat when I'm feeling horrible. I will have to replace that with a turkey slice or some other healthy food.
What diet has been the best for you? I know we all have things that work best for our specific needs. I wish that I could have done well with the injections. That would have been easier, but vomiting all the time wasn't working for me.
I feel overwhelmed today after I know how much I'm facing. Poor health overwhelms all of us, and I am so thankful that at least I was relatively healthy when I was having children.
Looking at the winter sky at dusk is such a calming sight. It fills my nervous mind with thoughts of happy, healthy days. Nature is a gift that God has given us and viewing His creation reminds me of younger years when I spent lots of time in it. God has given me so many things that bring joy.
On these cold, snowy days, I usually have this lovely poem pop into my head:
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
I don't have to dwell on the growing list of health problems, because I'm choosing the beautiful and lovely things in the present. Memories bring me feelings of warmth and love, too. Remembering trips that were not too long ago, have given me new memories spent with precious children and grandchildren.
@2025, copyright Lisa Ehrman
Disclaimer: I'm not a medical expert. This post contains my experiences and opinions, and is not meant to be taken as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please consult your personal physician.
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