Gift of RA

At the beginning of the week I thought I had things well in hand – not so much at the end of it.  I was beat when I finished up the last of the moving out of kitchen stuff, I figured I could relax.  But it wasn’t to be.  I went to see my chiropractor Monday morning for my regular appointment, glad to be there because I was stiff and sore.  She really helped me with that and my shoulder, so I figured I would be able to sleep better.  So I came home and wrote about Day 1 and decided to create a new blog just for the  remodel.   I was really tired after that, so I just relaxed.

Dinner was an adventure – we still have the stove so we cooked the artichokes.  I filled the pot from the shower, then later washed all the plates, etc. there as well.  That was something because I was bending over to do it and my back wasn’t happy.  I decided the bathroom sink would work better.  A little awkward but it does the job.  We are planning on very simple meals while this is going on – sometimes we have to go to different rooms to collect what we need.

Unfortunately I didn’t sleep all that well Monday night, not sure if I was still too tired to sleep.  I started working on the new blog, then had to leave because I had to do a medical day on Tuesday.  I first went to Radiology for my Dexa Scan, I only had to take off my shoes and unhook my bra and unzip my slacks because they were also doing my spine as well.  I didn’t know that, they did it the last time, I thought it was only my right hip.  They could do my right because of the broken bone, they can’t get a match to the 2005 one – yep, it’s been that long!   I got up on the table and she positioned me, then had to reposition – telling me not to move, she would move me.  It didn’t work as well, so back she slid me to the first position.

It was a little hard for her to put me in place because of the RA, but she was very friendly, just all business.  She printed pages out for me to take to Dr. Sheets, my rheumatologist.  I found out my numbers are higher than what is normal – 28 instead of 20 or below, 4.2 instead of 3.6, no idea what they all mean but according to her I am at great risk.  Hmmmm, is it as bad as that or is that medical overanalyzing?  Of course the doc wants to put me on Fosemax-type med – been there, done that, no desire to repeat.  I will see my primary care doc on the 18th and will discuss it with him.  Otherwise, she is pleased with results of Orencia.  My blood work was done when I had the infusion, so she probably has them by now.

Up to the Infusion Center where I was able to relax, read and enjoy the view from the other corner suite – not quite the view but very nice and quiet in the corner.  The Mt. Ranier was out and I could look south to see it and the freeway – we have been having warm sunny days this week.  Everything went smoothly so I was finished by about 2:30 and home by 3.  I didn’t plan to visit Mom because it would be late when I got there.  So I said I would come Wednesday morning.

Didn’t sleep very well, something was off but I didn’t know what it was.  I went to Breakfast Club and forgot it wasn’t at the usual place – the place was dark, which gave me a clue.  We were meeting at Dr. Rob’s vet clinic, he finished the remodel and it is really wonderful,  he put an addition on that increased the size to twice the space.  I also took Vickie aside and apologized for not getting her order on the day she wanted it.  I haven’t been as diligent as I needed and I had trouble getting answers from Kristen.  That is the first one that didn’t make it to the starting gate – really bothers me.

I went to have coffee and read for a bit before seeing Mom, it was 8:30 and I usually don’t go until around 10 or 10:30.  She was sitting at the dining room table, alert and with it.  We talked a bit and then ran out of things to say.  It is hard because I don’t know about telling her about the house, she would want to come and see it.  The things foremost on my mind I am not sure about telling her – would it just confuse her or make her agitated?  I don’t want to stir the pot.  Yes, just call me chicken!  She has an appointment with the oncologist on June 21st at 2p.m. – we’ll see what this doc has to say.  Then it will be talking to Dr. Myre to decided the best course of action for Mom.

Eddie had a dentist appointment in the afternoon so I stayed for when the 1 800 Junk guys came to finish up clearing the end of the basement.  I went down to see how it looked  after they came Saturday and stayed down to check out where my pictures were – don’t know where all of them are but I did find the one with my flower-pot lady.  I made it when I was in Fort Wayne but left her because I didn’t think she would make it through moving.

 Well, I will have to see where they are when we move the furniture upstairs.  They even took the old In Britain magazines my Dad kept – Center for Wooden Boats took the  Wooden Boat mags and ones about live steam.

Eddie came back from the dentist – good report – just as they were preparing the bill.  Now the area is clean and ready for the plumber and electrician.  I was feeling tired again – it’s like watching the movers packing or loading, I watch them work and I am exhausted.  What I really appreciated was how  well I slept that night.

The electrician is here and will be shutting of power shortly – not possible to do things on my desk top Mac with no power.  I will have to finish this later.