A JOYFUL NOISE

This week has been absolutely horrible. The pain in my lower right stomach was increasing in pain, I was more nauseated than usual, and more tired. The thing is that the pain was extremely sharp and stabbing---not pressure pain like I usually have. I started out the week by trying to call my GI doctor, but of course, he was out of town this week. I tried to get through the week and finally decided to call my primary care doctor and she wanted to see me. That visit on Friday was a waste of my time. All she did was listen to my stomach with her stethoscope and sent me on my way with pain medication and diagnosis of chronic stomach pain. She ran no test....NOTHING. I was so upset. By Friday (and I told my pcp this), I had already gone 2 days not eating much at all and whenever I did eat I would have extreme pain and nausea. The one thing that "helped" was pain meds and laying on my bed resting/trying to sleep. By Saturday, the pain got worse throughout the d...

Over the past few weeks---in fact ever since my colonoscopy and flu, I haven't felt well at all. I've been in so much pain and been very nauseated. This affects me physically as it wears me out very much and sometimes I don't have the energy to do daily tasks. I often look back to last year and how I was able to hold a full time job and still come home and do what was required of me. Those days seems behind me and I miss those days. I feel guilty not helping financially with the house and other things. I know I shouldn't and I know it can't be helped, but it's very frustrating to not be able to hold a full time job and having to be dependent on my parents. I pay for my hospital bills with what money I do have in my savings account. (sideline: just a suggestion, always save money for rainy days---you never know when you'll be unemployed). I'm grateful for the days I can work as, a substitute teacher at the school or day care I'm part...

Last week was a busy one for me. I had two therapy appointments and two UVA hospital/doctor's appointments. Last Wednesday, I had to see my neuro-ophthalmologist. Everything went well and I'm happy to report that the tumors in the back of my right eye is stable; and the vision in my left eye (which I have nystagmus) has actually improved! There were some minor issues that he saw but he didn't feel it was necessary to operate just yet. Last Thursday, I underwent another colonoscopy (this time I was out like a light...completely asleep) My own doctor, Dr. Cerefice, was able to perform the procedure which helped my anxiety a lot. I came into my prep room and talked with me before the procedure and had me sign consent forms. I guess every one is more comfortable with their own doctor performing any kind of tests/procedures; it's not that I don't trust any other UVA docs, but at least my own doctor knows what to look for in my stomach/intestines. What he sa...