A Baby Shower, Christmas, And Doctors Appointments Have Kept Me Busy

December 16 was a happy day. That’s when my daughter Emily, was honored with a baby shower for my new grandson, Parker, who is due to arrive on January 31. She received lots of cute stuff, and lots of practical stuff as well. That’s her in the red and  white striped shirt. The shower was about 45 miles away from my house. I haven’t been very social lately, but this is something that I couldn’t miss, you know, I couldn’t not go. So we made the trip, I hung out with the girls for about three hours, then went back home. I spent the entire next day in my recliner recuperating.

On December 19, I had my first appointment with the new gastroenterologist. He seems to be ok as far as doctors go. I hand carried my records from Arizona with me to his office, so he would have them that day. He spent a good amount of time reading over them, shaking his head every so often as if he couldn’t believe how I was treated. When I asked him if there was  a medically necessary reason for waiting 13 days to do surgery, he didn’t answer the question.  He did, however, give me an answer when I asked him how long I could expect my pain to last: He said “It could be a few more months, or it could be forever, we just don’t know.”

He said the pain is probably caused by scar tissue from numerous abdominal surgeries over the course of my life. The main thing I wanted to accomplish from this visit was to establish a doctor-patient relationship, so that if I have any gastrointestinal problems in the future, I can say my doctor is Dr. XXXX. The secondary goal was to get another RX for pain meds so I don’t run out. He wrote the prescription for me and told me to continue taking it as I have been, and if anything changes to call him. I have another appointment in four months. And yes, he says I am healing as expected, as far as the incision goes, and there is nothing to worry about there. And yes, the pain I am experiencing is also considered normal in my circumstances, so it is also not something I should worry about. At least that much of my worries have been relieved by going to this doctor.

Next, on December 20 I had an appointment with the M.D. who is associated with the mental health clinic. The did an extensive, intensive interview that included many many questions about my medical, mental, and emotional background. It was THE most in depth doctor interview I have ever had, and that in itself makes me feel a lot better about going to them, because they ARE taking the time to ask me what is going on with me, and listening to me when I tell them. I have been to doctors over the years who have acted like I was a pain in their behind to be dealt with in a little time as possible. Not so with this group. At the end of the interview, they decided to leave me on Celexa 40 mg once a day, and gave me a prescription for something to help me sleep. I haven’t had to take it every night, but on the nights when I do need it, it has helped a lot. I have spent many nights laying there all night with my eyes wide open, unable to sleep, unable to stop thinking about the bills, the pain, the fear, the boogey men.

While we were in Rome for the doctor appointment, we saw a Honey Baked Ham store on the way to the office. So, we stopped on the way home to buy a ham for our family Christmas get together.

Our girls, Becky and Emily, and their families, came on Saturday before Christmas for a late lunch. We had the ham, sweet potato casserole, potato salad, and green beans. I made Death By Chocolate for dessert, and Becky brought a pecan pie and a key lime pie. Of course, the best part was the conversation and laughter, sitting around the table with the now grown kids, and just enjoying the day with them.

The next day, Sunday, was spent in the recliner again all day, resting up from the company. Fabgrandpa and I ate ham for breakfast, lunch and dinner for about 4 days. Lots of sandwiches, and plain sliced ham. Christmas day, we didn’t do much. The day after Christmas, my younger brother, who lives in south Georgia, came to see me and my new house. He had been to my mother’s for Christmas, but I just didn’t feel like going. It was so good to see him!

That just about covers it, except that both Fabgrandpa and I are sick with colds. I have been miserable–just blowing my nose or sneezing makes me hurt! My ears feel stopped up, and my throat hurts. If I’m not better by 1/2, I’m going to the urgent care place in Cedartown.