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    

Chapter 22

Good morning,

Sorry, I haven’t written in so long.  I don’t have any big excuses, just not feeling like doing anything I don’t have to.

We ended up leaving at 3:30 am for my trip to St. Louis.  Now that’s too early to be up and on a long drive not to have any fun.  Six Flags wasn’t open yet, or I’d have tried to go there instead of the hospital.  We got there with a little time to spare.  So, we didn’t have to jump through hoops to get to radiology.  There was no prep for the MRI.  They said I could eat and drink and it wouldn’t affect the test.  So, after putting my sister in charge of protecting my diet coke I went off to have some pictures made.  The results were supposed to be ready in time for my appointment so the doctor could give me the results.  It wasn’t of course.  My sister had fun (not really) telling this doctor that I wasn’t thinking clearly.  Always a problem with ammonia building up in the intestines and the residual problem shows up as being terribly forgetful, and saying one thing when meaning to say something else.  I hate the medication for that.  It’s almost like drinking honey.  I like sweets, but this is ludicrous.  The pharmacy told me I could add something to help the taste.  First I added a package of crystal light that absolutely was the wrong thing to do—in that just made it even sweeter.  I finally realized that the plain unsweetened Kool-Aid  that I grew up with would flavor that stuff, and help shut down some of the sweet.  It’s still something I have to force myself to take.  I’m afraid I’ll be on it until I have a transplant or until I die-ugh!!!  My coordinator, Valorie, called and let me know the results of my tests. My meld score is 8, it’s slowly working its way up.  The lower it is the better.  If I understood her correctly, my MRI didn’t show any cancer and the spot on the back side of my liver is gone.  Like I said, if I understood her.  I have an appointment with Dr Ng, and I want him to explain some things for me.

The next round of Doctor appointments have already started.  Dr. Ng, Dr. Lyons and Dr. Paulk.  Sure hope no more get on my schedule.

My sister, Leslie, had to go to St. Louis for a procedure.  She had a mass on her kidney, and they were able to go thru a vein up to the mass and stop the blood flow to it.  She’ll have to have another MRI to make sure it worked.  Her Doctors seem to be really knowledgeable and compassionate.  So now that that issue hopefully has been taken care of, she gets to move on for her liver issues.  They did a biopsy last week and she’s waiting for results.  It might not even be cirrhosis!!!  If it is, they think it might be one of the many types of cirrhosis that medication can slow down, or even cure.  No, I don’t have that type, but if one of us had to have the kind I have, I’m glad it’s me.  She’s got a husband and 2 kids.  Michaela is almost 20, and Loren is almost 28.  I just have to worry about Jerry, my mom, and our puppies.

It’s Mother’s Day.  So to all you moms, step-moms, and those to Mother anyone in need—HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!  I hope you get to spend the day with family, lots of good food, and…  Sorry, forgot what I wanted to finish off with.

CYA,

Arlynda  

Chapter 21

Good Morning,

Here in Missouri, we’re in the deep freeze like so many of you.  I’m most certainly not comparing us to the east coast.  We’re in the beginning stage of the winter storm.  It was supposed to bring in rain yesterday and then turn to snow.  I don’t remember if it rained or not, but woke up this morning to it snowing like there is no tomorrow.  We measured about 5 inches last week.  We just dug the car out (we’re old and slow-tee hee) made a run to Wal-Mart (ughhh) and got home before it started.  This time we’re to get snow and sleet.  They explained that sleet will bounce off the tree limbs and power lines so we shouldn’t have any outages. 

Thanks to the weather, I had to cancel my appointment in St. Louis. 

Wait 6 months for an appointment and a billion little frozen crystals put a stop to that.  They were able to get me another appointment in 6 weeks.  So we’ll leave about 4 a.m. to get a MRI done, and then see the doctor at 10:30.  Then I’ll be totally wiped out for a couple days.  You wouldn’t think a car drive would wear you out like that.

 

Our critters around here are just full of mischievous energy.  I don’t know if it’s the cold creeping into the house or if they’ve just went crazy.  They are sure fun to watch.  Tee hee. 

Starting to need a nap.  So, I’d better shut down before I start typing in my sleep.  I’ve done that before and then wake up to a page full of zzzzzzzzzzzzzs.

CYA,

Arlynda

Chapter 20

Good Morning,

Hope everyone are planning on having a great Super Bowl Sunday—perhaps even do a little partying?  We will be staying home out of the wet cold (like we had so many invites).  Considering this winter, I’m very thankful we don’t have 3 feet of snow (or more) and our electricity, gas and other items that have spoiled us rotten are still spoiling us rotten. Just a few hours of no electricity really did about drive us insane this last time it went out.

Now, back to the Super Bowl!  We really don’t care who wins.  Jerry is waiting for the Cowboys to make a comeback, and well, I can’t narrow it down to just one team as my favorite.  I like several, including the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.  So, since none of our teams are in this year, we’ll be cheering for offense, and if the score is 77 to 70, we will be really happy.  :-)

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, and around here, he almost always sees his shadow.  So, I don’t imagine we’ll see spring until after it has sprung. 

I really don’t have much to say.  I’m trying to keep from having an intense pity party for myself.  I know that can (and probably will) bring on another bout of the blues.  My latest round of doctor appointments start again this week.  Then another one the week after while saving the best for in March, which includes another MRI, and another trip to St. Louis.  Gotta luv it !!!

CYA,

Arlynda

Chapter 19

Good Morning,

I’ve been trying to go to sleep for over 5 hours.  Haven’t succeeded yet.  Almost everyone is asleep, except for me, Grayson, and a tom cat that just won’t quit teasing Grayson.  I tell Grayson it’s not his fault that cat weighs almost twice as the little dog, but I can see the effects of the bully tom cat.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and many Blessings for the New Year.  We were blessed that we managed to get everyone together.  It did make it easier that the kids all had Christmas Day off.  So, a good time was had by all.  Of course the kids made off like bandits.  I’m gonna see if Leslie and Jim will adopt me-haha.

Concerned about our neighbors.  A while back, the ambulance came and got her, but she wasn’t in the hospital very long.  Last week, here they came again and she was back home the next day.  We don’t really know them except for what they drive.  So, Mama called the neighborhood know-it-all and found out that she has cancer in most of all her organs.  Praying for them.

Well, today the little artificial tree is still there.  Looking sad, :-(.  Can’t really take it down ‘til Mama’s birthday, which is in January.  At least it’s before Spring thaw!!!  Our streets are covered with a mix of sleet, and maybe some snow.  Can’t tell the difference.  They both make me cold.

Short and sweet.

CYA,

Arlynda