Today's Neurology Appointment

So I went to the neurologist this morning and he agreed that my "symtoms" (headache, foot numbness, exhaustion, etc) are probably a result of the surgery and not the brain tumor. Remember, the type of brain tumor that was found in me is very slow growing.

I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow morning to see how much fluid build-up there is, and what we should do about it. Chances are that is the culprit of me not feeling so hot. My MRI in March showed some fluid, but not tons of it. If tomorrow's test doesn't show much more, then we may opt to just keep an eye on it. If the test does show an increase in build-up, we will talk to my surgeon in Atlanta to see how he feels we should go about releasing some of it.

I am now on a couple new medicines, so I have to bite the bullet and get a pill box. Guess I'm like a little old lady, huh? Hopefully these new medications will help (if not stop) some of the symptoms that I'm feeling.

In addition, this nuerologist wants to see me every 6 weeks for awhile to keep a check on things. I can now add him to my growing list of doctors! HA

I think it's safe to say that not only do I hate the brain tumor, but I hate the brain surgery. I feel like they are co-conspirators in robbing me blind. They have taken my health, my sense of security, my job, my finances, etc. When I gave the lady at the desk my bank card for my co-pay today, it was declined. Figures! I don't know if I've ever been so broke before!!!! Thankfully, she was so sweet and offered to just bill me.

So I'm going to rest now and try not to feel so aggrevated...

I feel like poop. )-:

So let me just whine for a second - I feel pretty cruddy. My head is killing me. I haven't felt my left foot for weeks. And my neck and back of my head (around my scar) is so tender and sore that it hurts to move my neck.

I saw one doctor yesterday who gave me more pain killers and medicine to help me sleep. He also called and got me an appointment for tomorrow at the nuerologist. Both of them feel like my "complications" are due to the surgery and not the tumor. That's what I think too. I mean, JPA is pretty slow growing and these are not the symptoms that I felt at all before the surgery.

I've been fearful for what all this would mean: more surgery?? what if I can't make it in school?? what if I'm forever in pain?? what if I get on meds that will make me blow up when I've already gained lots of weight??

So I've been studying fear in the Bible. It's really cool, because nearly every single scripture that I found regarding fear not only instructed for us to not be afraid, but it listed a reason why. God is my shield. God is my provider. God is my savior. Etc. God is pretty great.

But I still feel like poop and yearn for the day that I won't hurt anymore...

I have enrolled in school!

I was half-way through school when my tumor hit, so I was forced to take the last two semesters off, but I will start school again August 18th. I am a nursing major (funny coincidence, huh), but I still have to take Anatomy and Physiology 2 and a PE before I am admitted. I also have to take a nursing entrance exam this fall... Fingers crossed that I'm actually accepted!

I'm a little nervous on how I'll do. My memory is really struggling and some days my head hurts so bad that I just want to curl up into a little ball and disappear...

But it's my effort to be "normal" again... We'll see how it goes!

I've finally caved...

For the last couple of weeks, I've had a persistant headache. I have also had numbness in my left foot and I'm sleepy a lot.

With some family "persuasion", I've made an appointment to see a nuerologist. This doc is here in town, so at least I won't have to drive up to Atlanta to see my surgeon.

There is no need for any panic, my symptoms are more of an aggrevation than anything and I've felt a whole lot worse! I am sure that there is just a fluid build-up where the tumor used to be (a battle that I've fought since the tumor was removed).

Right now I'm sort of on a stand-by, so I don't have any clue when my appointment is. The docs office will call me as soon as there is a cancellation.

The only thing any of us can do is just to keep my family in your prayers. I'll let you know something more when I know something more. (-:

Tomorrow marks 7 months...

And for the most part, I've come such a long way. I mean, I have come a long way, but I still feel aggrevated that I still have a ways to go. I can walk and drive and my hair has grown back to nearly cover my scar. I look "normal", which is a far cry from looking like the bride of Frankenstien! LOL

I'm still very forgettful. I still battle headaches (a lot). I still search for words or even use the wrong words without even realizing. Basically, I'm just "dumb".

For the last couple weeks my left foot has been numb again. That is scary, but I really don't want to head back to the doctor who will send me back to the hospital when I got back for my next MRI in September anyway. And I think (here's me diagnosing myself again) that I'm just tired. It's been a busy month for me and I've barely rested any.

But in 7 months I have seen some major improvements, and my doctor did say that it could take me a full year to recover, so I guess I'm on point...