Chapter 24

Good Morning,

The sun is up already, and I’m fairly sure it’s going to be hot and humid.  Oh well, just another summer in Missouri.  It usually stays hot through September.  At least most of the schools are air conditioned so the kids aren’t suffering.  In 1980, (I was barely legal) when my first husband and I got married, it held the record for the highest temperature on that date since records started being kept.  The shoe factory (where I worked later on) had ambulances all over the place taking people to the hospital for heat exhaustion, while the factory manager sat in his air conditioned office.  These employees stood over machines that heated up all around you.  Mine did, though I know other machines got much hotter than mine.

Well, the doctor appointments have started again.  Last Friday, I saw my endocrinologist, and this Friday, I see my primary care doctor.  In August, I see the G.I. and the dermatologist.  Last but not least,  we get to go back to St. Louis in September or October.  Yippee!!  Well, if you can’t beat them, join them. 

I’m absolutely exhausted after watching Ann’s little Gibbs run the house over.  It’s a good thing there weren’t any cats around or they'd wish they were in a rocking chair factory, just for the rest!!!  Tee hee.

CYA

Arlynda 

Chapter 23

Good Morning,

It’s 2:30 a.m. here.  We made the great drive to St. Louis, again.  We left here about 3:30 a.m., and it was another safe trip.  We arrived in plenty of time.  Talk about an efficient department.  Springfield could take a lesson.  They got me in, the MRI made me start to glow green (of course not, but having a MRI every 6 months or so makes you wonder) and I was done.  Made it to my doctor’s appointment.  He was supposed to go over the results with me, but the radiologist hadn’t read it yet.  My coordinator called a day or 2 later with the results.  Everything looked good.  My meld score was 8, which is wonderful.  It dawned on me just how good I am doing.  Two and a half years ago, Dr.Halsey told me I had 2-5 years to live.  I’m still ahead of the game.  Leslie, (my sister) reminded me that there are some procedures I will have to undergo to help stave off the transplant or death.  I’m not going to candy-coat this, there is a lot of pain and invasive procedures I’ll have to undergo.  However, I need to stay positive. 

I have to stay strong.  Mom and Jerry need me.  Of course, my puppies need me.  They love me and stay right at my side protecting me whenever someone comes anywhere close to me.  It really is funny to watch, but I am fairly confident they would snap at them.

Next appointment in St. Louis is in October (something to look forward to).  Leslie got the results from her liver biopsy.  She has been waiting for 3 weeks!!!  It was driving me totally insane.  From her blood tests, they were sure it wasn’t cirrhosis like mine.  It was a type of liver disease that is treated and possibly even curable.  Now it turns out that it is the same as mine.  Pretty good, my sister and I never really drank.  Daddy drank enough for all of us.  Anyway, Leslie and I can schedule our appointments together.  Isn’t that a great way for sisters to “paint the town red.”  Best quit for now.

CYA

Arlynda