an update of sorts
I’m so far behind in posting here but will try breaking down updates into separate installments. Today’s topic … health. Trust me, it’s best to get this one out of the way first. Then we can move on to travel, home projects, E. coli, dating and all that fun stuff.
Last week was loaded with medical appts. for my family, more so than usual: oral surgery & mammogram (me), podiatrist & MRI (dad), dentist & cardiologist (mom), orthodontist (nephew), post swine flu check-up (niece), quarterly annual check-up (brother). I now realize I had just as many dr. appointments last week as my parents. I think I’m officially old.
I have been doing a blitz of medical appts lately, trying to be proactive and hopefully manage to start feeling better. It’s mostly been sinus issues. I haven’t missed any work from it, except for dr. appts., but I honestly can’t remember the last day I haven’t had a headache. It’s just time to take charge and get some relief. So far, I’ve had my annual exam, dental cleaning (which led to the endodontist appt), eye exam (need new glasses/contacts, but I’m seriously considering Lasik surgery), conferring with allergist because after 15 months of weekly allergy shots, I haven’t seen any improvement. I’ve been on 13 rounds of antibiotics already this year, most being 14 to 20 day rounds since it’s now diagnosed as chronic sinusitis. Example: in a 2-1/2 month stretch, I had been on antibiotics 55 of the 75 days for a sinus infection that evidently couldn’t be cured. The sinus pressure/headache and face pain have been consistent and persistent.
When I went to the dentist to get a filling replaced in a back molar (which had fallen out the day of a family reunion), he discovered the molar had roots growing up into the sinus cavity. It was abscessed and had been for … possibly 3 years (which coincides with the time it was filled by my former dentist whom I discovered the DMD after his name meant Dr. Marquis deSade - I would also like to add SOB to his string of initials). The pocket of infection was quite possibly the culprit in necessitating so many rounds of antibiotics for sinus issues which never helped. This most likely was also responsible for the two occurrences of TMJ this year in my left jaw. A fistula had worked its way through my gums which allowed the infection to drain when it became too full. *gags* He recommended extraction because a root canal would still leave me a compromised tooth and most likely a reoccurring problem. Since I’ve never had any wisdom teeth, this one was so far back there it was basically the equivalent. He referred me to an endodontist.
I’ve never had any wisdom teeth and never had any reason for an extraction. I’ve never had anesthesia before either so I had a lot of questions about the procedure. My family and friends cringed when I decided local anesthetic should be sufficient. My sister had a wisdom tooth extracted the month before and she was wiped out for two days. She and everyone else kept urging me to call back and request sedation for the day of my appt. I did discuss it with the oral surgeon who said his first choice was IV sedation, then local anesthetic with nitrous oxide and finally only the Novacaine injections. I don’t have a problem with needles and procedures so I only took the local anesthetic and it went fine. The doctor was impressed my heart rate and blood pressure didn’t elevate during the procedure. I was doing some deep breathing and the zen thing, mind over matter. The extraction did leave a gaping hole; the tooth was 7/8” long with 5/8 of it being roots and as expected the passage to my sinus cavity was badly infected. He prescribed seven days of Penicillin, 500 mg. four times a day. Prior to the extraction, I had been on Keflex for ten days, 750 mg. twice a day. I have been on a ridiculous amount of antibiotics and I hope this procedure makes a change for the better. The doctor prescribed Percocet but I never took any because Motrin handled the pain well enough. I called my mother and sister after the procedure; both were surprised I could talk and still planned to go to work. I did only work seven and a half hours though since I didn’t get to work until after lunch time. Speaking of lunch, I also ate about an hour after the procedure. I really was just going to have mashed potatoes but rationalized potato wedges were soft, too. So I had potato wedges, macaroni & cheese, a biscuit and also ate one of the beaufriend’s chicken strips. Evidently nothing seems to affect my appetite. The guys at work couldn't believe I had bold buffalo wings for lunch the next day. I think I’m just fortunate I have a high tolerance for pain. My mom and brother do too; it’s my dad and sister who hyperventilate in the waiting room prior to medical procedures.
Taking care of the tooth though still might not have taken care of the problem. The panoramic x-rays taken by the endodontist showed abnormalities in the maxillary sinus cavities on both sides of my face. The shadows could possibly be mucosal cysts and the doctor mentioned the possible need for a biopsy and surgery. So, the next step is a CT scan of the sinuses and we’ll go from there.
Speaking of extractions, I also went to a laboratory the morning of the tooth extraction and had six vials of blood drawn. That was done for the National Marrow Donor Program. A few weeks ago I was contacted by the NMDP and told I was a match for a patient with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in need of a bone marrow transplant. I’m now in the Confirmatory Typing stage of testing where HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) typing is repeated using a DNA method to determine compatibility between unrelated donors and recipients. This stage of testing could take up to 8 weeks at the transplant center so I should know something by Thanksgiving. Now I’m not exactly turning cartwheels about this opportunity, but there’s no way I could in good conscience have a knee jerk reaction of saying no. My family and friends have reservations about me doing this but I know they are just concerned for my well being. I feel I have been blessed with good health (wretched sinuses aside) and, as noted above, what just might be a freakishly high tolerance for pain. I already donate blood regularly and have also planned to be an organ donor. I look at this as simply another way of helping someone. I just know how I’d feel if it were someone in my life who needed this.
~*~
This weekend writersblock76 has come to hang out with me at my house and we’re having a True Blood marathon as well as role playing at Bloodlines. Just noticed the ‘Blood’ theme there. :P
After donning our pjs, dinner this evening was chicken pasta salad, cheeseball/crackers, roasted red pepper hummus/pita chips, cherry Diet Dr. Pepper and rocky road fudge. Breakfast tomorrow will be Paula Deen’s Ultimate Coffee Cake. I need to assemble that tonight so in the morning all I have to do is pop the pan in the oven, grind the coffee beans and patiently wait. :D I already have a casserole dish in the refrigerator so we can bake some Hot Chicken Salad for lunch tomorrow and will also be making/baking penelope78’s recipe for Tuscan bread. Nom!
Okay, back to True Blood and Bloodlines.
Hope everyone is doing well. :)
Last week was loaded with medical appts. for my family, more so than usual: oral surgery & mammogram (me), podiatrist & MRI (dad), dentist & cardiologist (mom), orthodontist (nephew), post swine flu check-up (niece), quarterly annual check-up (brother). I now realize I had just as many dr. appointments last week as my parents. I think I’m officially old.
I have been doing a blitz of medical appts lately, trying to be proactive and hopefully manage to start feeling better. It’s mostly been sinus issues. I haven’t missed any work from it, except for dr. appts., but I honestly can’t remember the last day I haven’t had a headache. It’s just time to take charge and get some relief. So far, I’ve had my annual exam, dental cleaning (which led to the endodontist appt), eye exam (need new glasses/contacts, but I’m seriously considering Lasik surgery), conferring with allergist because after 15 months of weekly allergy shots, I haven’t seen any improvement. I’ve been on 13 rounds of antibiotics already this year, most being 14 to 20 day rounds since it’s now diagnosed as chronic sinusitis. Example: in a 2-1/2 month stretch, I had been on antibiotics 55 of the 75 days for a sinus infection that evidently couldn’t be cured. The sinus pressure/headache and face pain have been consistent and persistent.
When I went to the dentist to get a filling replaced in a back molar (which had fallen out the day of a family reunion), he discovered the molar had roots growing up into the sinus cavity. It was abscessed and had been for … possibly 3 years (which coincides with the time it was filled by my former dentist whom I discovered the DMD after his name meant Dr. Marquis deSade - I would also like to add SOB to his string of initials). The pocket of infection was quite possibly the culprit in necessitating so many rounds of antibiotics for sinus issues which never helped. This most likely was also responsible for the two occurrences of TMJ this year in my left jaw. A fistula had worked its way through my gums which allowed the infection to drain when it became too full. *gags* He recommended extraction because a root canal would still leave me a compromised tooth and most likely a reoccurring problem. Since I’ve never had any wisdom teeth, this one was so far back there it was basically the equivalent. He referred me to an endodontist.
I’ve never had any wisdom teeth and never had any reason for an extraction. I’ve never had anesthesia before either so I had a lot of questions about the procedure. My family and friends cringed when I decided local anesthetic should be sufficient. My sister had a wisdom tooth extracted the month before and she was wiped out for two days. She and everyone else kept urging me to call back and request sedation for the day of my appt. I did discuss it with the oral surgeon who said his first choice was IV sedation, then local anesthetic with nitrous oxide and finally only the Novacaine injections. I don’t have a problem with needles and procedures so I only took the local anesthetic and it went fine. The doctor was impressed my heart rate and blood pressure didn’t elevate during the procedure. I was doing some deep breathing and the zen thing, mind over matter. The extraction did leave a gaping hole; the tooth was 7/8” long with 5/8 of it being roots and as expected the passage to my sinus cavity was badly infected. He prescribed seven days of Penicillin, 500 mg. four times a day. Prior to the extraction, I had been on Keflex for ten days, 750 mg. twice a day. I have been on a ridiculous amount of antibiotics and I hope this procedure makes a change for the better. The doctor prescribed Percocet but I never took any because Motrin handled the pain well enough. I called my mother and sister after the procedure; both were surprised I could talk and still planned to go to work. I did only work seven and a half hours though since I didn’t get to work until after lunch time. Speaking of lunch, I also ate about an hour after the procedure. I really was just going to have mashed potatoes but rationalized potato wedges were soft, too. So I had potato wedges, macaroni & cheese, a biscuit and also ate one of the beaufriend’s chicken strips. Evidently nothing seems to affect my appetite. The guys at work couldn't believe I had bold buffalo wings for lunch the next day. I think I’m just fortunate I have a high tolerance for pain. My mom and brother do too; it’s my dad and sister who hyperventilate in the waiting room prior to medical procedures.
Taking care of the tooth though still might not have taken care of the problem. The panoramic x-rays taken by the endodontist showed abnormalities in the maxillary sinus cavities on both sides of my face. The shadows could possibly be mucosal cysts and the doctor mentioned the possible need for a biopsy and surgery. So, the next step is a CT scan of the sinuses and we’ll go from there.
Speaking of extractions, I also went to a laboratory the morning of the tooth extraction and had six vials of blood drawn. That was done for the National Marrow Donor Program. A few weeks ago I was contacted by the NMDP and told I was a match for a patient with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in need of a bone marrow transplant. I’m now in the Confirmatory Typing stage of testing where HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) typing is repeated using a DNA method to determine compatibility between unrelated donors and recipients. This stage of testing could take up to 8 weeks at the transplant center so I should know something by Thanksgiving. Now I’m not exactly turning cartwheels about this opportunity, but there’s no way I could in good conscience have a knee jerk reaction of saying no. My family and friends have reservations about me doing this but I know they are just concerned for my well being. I feel I have been blessed with good health (wretched sinuses aside) and, as noted above, what just might be a freakishly high tolerance for pain. I already donate blood regularly and have also planned to be an organ donor. I look at this as simply another way of helping someone. I just know how I’d feel if it were someone in my life who needed this.
~*~
This weekend writersblock76 has come to hang out with me at my house and we’re having a True Blood marathon as well as role playing at Bloodlines. Just noticed the ‘Blood’ theme there. :P
After donning our pjs, dinner this evening was chicken pasta salad, cheeseball/crackers, roasted red pepper hummus/pita chips, cherry Diet Dr. Pepper and rocky road fudge. Breakfast tomorrow will be Paula Deen’s Ultimate Coffee Cake. I need to assemble that tonight so in the morning all I have to do is pop the pan in the oven, grind the coffee beans and patiently wait. :D I already have a casserole dish in the refrigerator so we can bake some Hot Chicken Salad for lunch tomorrow and will also be making/baking penelope78’s recipe for Tuscan bread. Nom!
Okay, back to True Blood and Bloodlines.
Hope everyone is doing well. :)