missed you guys this past week

[Karla83401]

Hi Everyone,

Was out of touch last week. Darn headaches made using the computor a nightmare. Between that and trying to keep up with school made me rather isolated. Hope that all is well with everyone.

I am so sorry that I missed the chance to tell Pearl good luck. I will say an extra prayer for her today.

I will write more later....hope that all is well with everyone,

Karla

[Gennysmom]

Karla,

Glad to hear from you!  I kept meaning to write you last week because you went missing and I'm so sorry I never got to it.  I hope you feel better this week and hope that you can join us on the conference call Friday!  I know there was a thread where I was talking to you about where you live and I lost track of it...but do remember we're both Pacific Northwesterners...you in Idaho Falls, and I'm in Seattle area (Puyallup actually).  I was a little out of it last week too.  Anything further on what you're doing and where?  Has House gotten back to you?

[lmurray69]

karla, Glad to see ya back,,I too have headaches they can be really hard on us.. Gkad your better..Linda

[Karla83401]

Hi Gennysmom and Linda,

It is good to be somewhat back...working on the computor really seems to reck havac with my headaches.

I liive in southeast Idaho in a rural setting. I thought that the neurosurgeon that I went to was pretty good but now I am upset. After the question about hearing from the House, I decided to call the them directly to find out why I have not heard from them. I was surprised to learn that they had not received the records that my doctor's nurse had promised me were sent. After numerous calls I found out that somebody had dropped the ball and the record are still here in Idaho Falls. The doctor's office faxed them out today and the facility where I had my MRI done sent the films overnight delivery.

I am really frustrated because I have been calling the doctors office because of the increasing pain and headaches. I was told that I needed to wait to hear from the House so that they give me guidance on what to do next. The pain in my ear and on the left side has certainly increased. At first I was wondering if I was just imagining it but now it is starting to wake me up at night.

I will follow up with the House tommorow to make sure that they have all the records and then wait to hear from them.

Thanks for letting me vent and let me know how you are all doing.

Karla

[Battyp]

Karla...I'm so sorry I thought I posted when I first read this. I must have gotten distracted again.  I've been trying for about 4 hours to answer a letter from social security.  Hopefully I'll remember to finish!

I went through the same frustration with records.  It's not important to the secretaries they send the stuff out but it is to us!  Hopefully they'll get it straight.  After my first go round I got a second copy which I keep in a folder so I have what I need when I see someone.

I heard from Phyllis today and she sounded tired but good.  Said they had three good zaps.  Trying to remember what she related it too but right now it's not coming to mind.  Made sense at the time thgough ) 

The first doctor I saw gave me tylenol w/ codiene for my headachs which didn't do much good.  The second surgeon I saw put me on decadron.  I hate the stuff but...I did finally have no headaches which helped me cope tremendously.  Of course it does make you think there is nothing wrong but...It at least eliminated the pressure and allowed me to get things done before my surgery. 

I don't think you are imagining the pain.  I think you are more intune to what is happening with your symptoms.  When I laid down at night the tinitus was more prevelant.  I wonder if it's because the rest of the house is so quiet or if it's a change in position.

Know I'm thinking about you and have you in my prayers.  Even if I do forget to reply to your posts!

Michelle

[Karla83401]

Hey Michelle,

That is okay about forgetting,...it seems I start one thing and then I am off doing something else. I am pretty sure that is not tumor related for me, it is just that I have too darn much stuff to get done everyday. That and my brain works much faster than this body of mine does.

I am going to follow up with the House today and see if I can talk to a doctor there before the end of the week. I am so darn angry at the mess with the local "specialists" office. I know that mistakes happen but as often as I was assured that things had been taken care of, you would think that somebody would have made sure that it did happen.

Besides the pain and discomfort, I am frustrated that it will be even longer until the surgery, therefore putting off the recovery process. I was really needing and hoping to be back at school full time this fall. I was going to take as many "easy' classes as possible but the good Lord knows I am not getting any younger here.

I was so glad to hear that Phyliss is doing good. Everytime there is a good outcome on the over side of treatment, I feel so relieved.

Sorry to hear about the social security paperwork. I was a case manager for adults with disabilities and helped them with social security paperwork. What a nightmare. It often seemed like we simply kept filling out the same paperwork over and over again. The questions were just in a different order. And then some of the information they wanted, it was like who ever has that information on hand. I often felt that there was somebody working at social security whose job it was to frustrate those who were applying to see if they really want/need the money.

Anyways keep smiling and let me know if I can help with anything,

Karla

[Battyp]

Yes, it sounds like pearly girly is doing ok..either that or she's hiding it pretty darn well.  She actually sounded good just tired on the phone yesterday.

Thanks for the offer.  I seem to be completely the same form with a varied version of question on it but am determined to do this myself without an attorney.  I know they say you don't have to pay the attn  However, you do pay from the amount you are awarded so I figure I'd rather put it in my pocket not theirs if I can.  When I get to crunh time I might have a different attitude.

I know what you mean with trying to schedule your stuff based on the school schedule.  I'm thinking you better think on the lines of taking a half load for the fall term and then in spring you can kick some college butt!  Don't over tax yourself or you'll be sitting the corner crying with me.  It seems everytime I think I can get back to how things used to be I wind up in tears because I get so frustrated! 

I'm still trying to learn patience...

Are you going to join our friday night call? 

[Karla83401]

At long last good news. My doctor's office up here got on the ball yesterday and had reports delivered to the House this morning and the films will arrive tomorrow. The House is setting me up with Dr. Brackman and they said I should hear from him soon. They told my doctor that they could get my surgery scheduled within 1 to 2 weeks but I really want to wait until I finish this semester at school. I will go with Dr. Brackmann suggests though.

Now my doctor's office is offering to help with the pain, the only problem is that I am a cheap drunk and any pain medication has a tendency to knock me off my feet so I am going to try to get through this without medication. I delivered all my kids with nothing so maybe I can do this.

I am not sure if I can make the Friday night call or not. I will be getting ready for a pre-trial litigition hearing on my husband's death so I will be running even crazier than normal. Maybe at a later time because I would love to be able to just chat with each of you.

Take care, I must get back to homework,

Karla

[matti]

Ok! I am bowing before you, as you stand high upon the pedestal for not taking any medication during delivery. You continue to amaze me  ;D    I was demaning drugs in admitting

Glad your doctor's office got their act together. I am also a cheap drunk, I take a child's dose of benadryl and I am out for hours.

Keeping you in my prayers Karla

Take care
matti

[Battyp]

Karla instead of taking pain meds ask about decadron.  Is it a migraine you're having or just major head pressure?  I had migraines for years and as my tumor grew the migrain meds no longer worked.  They put me on decadron and my head pain went away.  I felt like my head was going to explode it hurt so bad.  After  a few days on decadron I realized my head no longer screamed at me and I was able to function.  Heck in fact I had a burst of energy and was up cleaning and organizing all night until surgery  lol

I'm with Karla..no pain meds during dellivery...piece of cake..it was the after delivery I was demanding stuff  lol

[Captain Deb]

Karla--
Good to hear from you--you are in really good hands with House Ear Clinic--as I'm sure others have told you.  They are the best in the world at this surgery. I heard from a fellow named Mark Shaffer that Dr. Brackman recommended radiosurgery for him--so if they are recommending surgery---that's probably the way to go for your particular AN. Who is your surgical consultant there? I had a woman named Chris who was great--I called her with every little question.

Feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions about House.  Study hard--I can relate as I went back to school full-time at age 40.  Keep in touch.
Capt Deb

[Battyp]

Deb did you go to school pre or post an?  I'm trying to decide if I can handle school right now...

[Karla83401]

Hi,

What is that med you are talking about Batty? I have not heard of it. The doctors here are talking about major pain meds or they say to just take 800mg Advil three times a day. I really am hoping to keep my liver healthy since my head has failed me so I am simply trying to stay away from "better living through chemistry". I just rice bags and lavander oil to try to ease the pain.

So Capt Deb the question hangs in the air, was your experience as school before or after surgery? I am really quite nervous about this fall. I am some what anal retentive about my grades and doing the best job in every class so I worry about what if my brain fails me. I have resigned as president of the non-traditional student organization and am cuttiing responsibilities where I can in an effort to ease the stress. I can only hope that will be enough.

Now if I could just stop this darn stress eating!!! Or eat carrots when I am stressed, but no candy, ice cream and chips are my comfort food. This makes me wonder does surgery effect the way foods taste?

I will stop rambling on here and try to check back tommorow.

Karla

[Gennysmom]

Goodness Karla, not only school, single parenting, the AN and screw up, but you're involved in litigation regarding your husband's death?  I hope that you can join our Friday night conversations, if not this Friday, then one soon.  I think it's very theraputic, and you would enjoy it. 

I'm glad you got it straightened out and that House is doing a consult.  I think once you know what you will be doing and when, your stress level will go down.  Mine sure did.  I'm sure it'll amp up just before the surgery, but for now I'm doing OK. 

I haven't done much in Idaho other than buzz across the pan-handle.  Need to go explore sometime...looks like a beautiful area!

[Battyp]

Decardron is a steriod that will help reduce any swelling you might have in your brain and relieve the pressure.  I had some a few weeks before my surgery due to me head feeling like it was going to explode.  I had been eating zoming (migraine meds) and exedrin migraine, advil, tylenol, tylenol w/ codiene and aleve like it was candy trying to get some relief. 

I don't know how you are handeling school with all on your plate right now.  I might be joining you this fall so we can cry together!

I don't taste food the way I used to due to my numb tongue.  I think that is part of why I'm overeating and good stuff.  I'm doing better about pacing myself.