Tomorrow I have an appointment with the rheumy as a sort of "check up" and another ordeal with the blood sucking vampires that live in the lab below his office (how convenient, right?). Mom has surgery next Monday and I'll be her primary care taker for that week (sometimes it sucks being the medical person in the family :P). That Tuesday I have to run to my GP for a PPD/TB test for school. Then, after vacation, I have a dentist appointment on a Friday, and the dreaded ob/gyn on that following Monday. Yuck! It's the summer of doctor appointments.
Doctors, doctors, labs and more labs…I remember those days. GP, rheumatologist, ophthalmologist, urologist, gynecologist, labs, CAT scans, pyelogram, cystoscopy, on and on and on. That’s life with lupus. I’m glad those days have slowed down for me. Hang in there, take a deep breath and don’t forget to exhale. 
Don't even remind me about the ophthalmologist every 6 months! I see him in October, but I like him so that's ok. plus, he doesn't stick me with needles. I don't mind needles, but when I get a bad sticker and they blow the vein, I tend to have an issue. And I have good veins so I don't know what their problem is!
wait i heard the word vacation... let's hear about that!
Vacation sounds much deserved! And yes, breathe.
As for the vampires (thought I was the only one who called them that) my time on blood thinners taught me well to NEVER let a student have at me, and if the person making a stick mucks it up the first time, I ask for whoever is good with someone who has to have labs often. "Rolly veins" they say I have, even though good and easy to find. Please run if they ask you to remove your shoes. Fair warning.
Your mom is lucky to have you to help her. Remember to take care of yourself too.
I've been there. It's frustrating and exhausting. Thankfully it eventually got manageable again. Hope it does for you too. Meanwhile... here's a humorous song about all those ologists.
Hi!!, I know what you are feeling(been there)! Now since my doctor has the Lupus under control my appointments are not so close together, thank goodness, but yes I know how you feel…Beverly L.
That was funny!!! I laughed myself silly, played it 3times. Thanks for the laugh…Beverly L.
And that is for real …
Carla Ulbrich said:
I’ve been there. It’s frustrating and exhausting. Thankfully it eventually got manageable again. Hope it does for you too. Meanwhile… here’s a humorous song about all those ologists.
That was cute!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!
And Ballerina, we're keeping them in business!
Carla Ulbrich said:
I've been there. It's frustrating and exhausting. Thankfully it eventually got manageable again. Hope it does for you too. Meanwhile... here's a humorous song about all those ologists.
Let's see, 1 Rheumatologist, 2 Pulmonologists, 2 Hematologists, 2 PCPs, 2 Dermatologists, 3 Opthalmologists, 2 Gastroenterologists, 1 Cardiologist, 1 Podiatrist, 1 Dentist, 1 Dietician, and the Psychiatrist is the only one who tries to keep me sane...The list does not include Labs, x-rays, nor procedures. Yikes!
Hahaha. Thanks for the video. We sure do keep them all in business!
This is my second appointment with the rheumy, but he's done stuff for me over the phone when I had a textbook case of pericarditis (for once, something easily diagnosable!). He works with my school schedule and will help me if I can't make it up there. Awesome! But now I'm nervous and I still have 5 hours before the appointment! I need to make a list of my problems since I've last seen him. He makes me fill out this checklist and questionnaire, but I like to do my own with the dates things happened and how long they last. I'm the overly prepared patient. Haha
Vacation... it's a family vacation to the Outer Banks, NC. I love the beach, just have to be careful in the sun. Thankfully I don't get rashes or symptoms after being in the sun, but I still try to take it easy and keep myself covered. And I looooove walking on the beach in the evening as the sun's going down and collect seashells.
that's great your doctor is so available to you.
i agree, i keep my own daily journal of symptoms (right now I'm working on mood and sleep disorder and fibro, as my lupus is totally under control). helps me see patterns, triggers, and trends. i have a free app on my iphone that i keep track of my blood pressure with (i'm finally off my BP meds! but i keep an eye on it), and another app that i use to track my weight (loseit!).
I know i'll never remember everything when i go in, so i have to write it down.
love the outer banks. so peaceful and natural.
Ballerina8876 said:
Hahaha. Thanks for the video. We sure do keep them all in business!
This is my second appointment with the rheumy, but he's done stuff for me over the phone when I had a textbook case of pericarditis (for once, something easily diagnosable!). He works with my school schedule and will help me if I can't make it up there. Awesome! But now I'm nervous and I still have 5 hours before the appointment! I need to make a list of my problems since I've last seen him. He makes me fill out this checklist and questionnaire, but I like to do my own with the dates things happened and how long they last. I'm the overly prepared patient. Haha
Vacation... it's a family vacation to the Outer Banks, NC. I love the beach, just have to be careful in the sun. Thankfully I don't get rashes or symptoms after being in the sun, but I still try to take it easy and keep myself covered. And I looooove walking on the beach in the evening as the sun's going down and collect seashells.
yeah when i've had flares and had to go to that many drs, it felt like a full time job!
Latina said:
Let's see, 1 Rheumatologist, 2 Pulmonologists, 2 Hematologists, 2 PCPs, 2 Dermatologists, 3 Opthalmologists, 2 Gastroenterologists, 1 Cardiologist, 1 Podiatrist, 1 Dentist, 1 Dietician, and the Psychiatrist is the only one who tries to keep me sane...The list does not include Labs, x-rays, nor procedures. Yikes!
This was my list , How did you get it??? After having these doctors work my nerves up every time I go , they all wanted to give me meds., and all of them had different advice , I narrowed it down to the two that showed the most understanding and that didn't give me so many meds! They also would say words of encouragement- even from the very first day, and still do!! I am not going to change them for no one not even for myself..LOL....Beverly L. Latina said:
Let's see, 1 Rheumatologist, 2 Pulmonologists, 2 Hematologists, 2 PCPs, 2 Dermatologists, 3 Opthalmologists, 2 Gastroenterologists, 1 Cardiologist, 1 Podiatrist, 1 Dentist, 1 Dietician, and the Psychiatrist is the only one who tries to keep me sane...The list does not include Labs, x-rays, nor procedures. Yikes!
It is a full time job for me!