The plug has been pulled

"I agree it's over"

News, news and more news...

Ok, so here's the situation (and you'll have to forgive the 'history' lesson, but I'm learning it's easier to tell the whole story so I don't have to go back and fill in the 'have you done this yet' questions.  Last January I got insurance w/ Wallace & Graham after being out of work for about 10 months.  I immediately made appointments for all the "maintenance" (dentist, physical, mammogram, etc.) things I hadn't been able to do since Epixtar closed.  I expected to be told the diabetes was out of control (which it was) but I didn't expect the abnormal pap smear (indications of HPV; should clear up on it's own - very common she says).  My doc insisted it was probably nothing but wanted to do a colposcopy just to be sure.  Two long weeks of waiting but it came back clear; I had instructions to come back in 6 months to repeat the pap.  

Unfortunately 2 weeks later I was let go & that was the end of my insurance.  Fast forward another 8 months of unemployment & DSS "suggests" I apply for the charity program sponsored by NorthEast (I "made" too much in unemployment to qualify for any other programs - go figure).  Again I'm going in with the intention of getting the diabetic meds back on track & my doc reminds me that I never came back in for the pap.  Hey while you have this coverage (pays for office visits but I have to pay for the tests - which aren't exactly cheap either) might as well do a full work up while you can she says.  

...and wouldn't you know it, this pap comes back abnormal as well.  Since it's the second one she wanted me to go see a GYN specialist (never had a specialist in my life).  This doc is really nice, reassuring, answers all the questions... but she's still a specialist you know?  Last Thurs (24th) she did another colpo & biopsy and Friday am I got the phone call - it wasn't as she would have liked.  Today I met with her to go over the results & what's next.  She's diagnosed me with mild dysplasia and wants me to go to NorthEast (Evidently I didn't "handle the pain/discomfort" of the colpo & biopsy as well as most (LOL - told you guys I don't DO pain) so she wants me to be more relaxed - mentioned Valium???) for a LEEP procedure.   Penny has graciously agreed to take me next Thursday (2/14) and make sure I get home in one piece. The plan is to go in, remove the abnormal cells, send them to pathology and hope they don't come back cancerous.  Yes she said those words, she's looking for cancer this time.

While I'm at it...let me fill you in on Dad.  Wednesday morning (6:42) I received a phone call from Dad's LifeStation Alert System that he'd been taken to the hospital.  He didn't fall this time, but couldn't get out of bed & stand even with the use of his walker.  He did the right thing by pressing the button and going to the hospital. I spent part of the day trying to find out what was up with him, but he didn't answer his cell as much as I called.  I finally goth through to the ER later that afternoon & was told by the ER charge nurse that she could not give me any information about him (even though I have both a POAs (business & medical)  and I have been on his record for the past 5 years as being the only one to be able to receive information on the phone & I gave the code word) because the EMTs filed a report with Adult Protective Services. She informed me I needed to show up in person (he lives in Norfolk, VA) to receive any information.  I left work, packed a bag and headed home.

I got to DePaul about 10:30 PM, walked in through ER, was given his room number and had no problem going up to see him.  He was surprised to see me, had no idea of the APS filing (or any reason anyone would do it).  I stayed for another 30 minutes and we talked about what info he had on his condition ("they're trying to get the swelling down").   When I got home it took me about 20 seconds to realize why the EMTs felt the need to file the report; it's going to take an act of god to be able to clean this house & make it livable again.  (That's another story and I don't have the time or energy to type it out now.)

Thursday morning's visit was more informative.  He hasn't been taking his meds as prescribed (or at all of that matter).  Since the fall a few months ago he's been in cardiac heart and kidney failure and not taking the diuretics and or the ones that keep his heart beating have caused the fluid around both organs to move to his feet, legs (so much so that he can't stand) and stomach (he looks about 7 months pregnant).  They are doing a cardiac cath tomorrow morning (the same operation the doctor said he wouldn't do unless he stopped drinking ... well we know how that worked out) & of course tons of tests.  I'm probably going to have to at the very least put him in a physical therapy/skilled nursing facility once he's strong enough to leave the hospital and at worse an assisted living facility for the long term. 

The cardiac catherization went as well as could be expected (although for some reason they couldn't go through his wrist as they hoped and had to instead go through his groin).  The good news is that there is no blockage around the valves, etc.  The bad news is that his heart is beating at 25% efficiency & its all because of lifestyle choices.  The cardiologist in no uncertain terms said 1. stop drinking 1. stop using salt 3. take the diuretics & heart meds as prescribed or he will end up back in the hospital sooner than later.  He is basically drowning in his own fluids.  The ICU nurse while he was in recovery said the next thing to look for is "weeping".  The skin can only stretch so far & then the fluid starts seeping out of your skin; looks like little drops of moisture all over your body. 

Unless something else happens (and please don't I can't handle any more) I'm heading back home Sunday morning.  As selfish as it sounds I need to make sure I have a job & get my mind right for this LEEP procedure.  I'm also so far behind with my classes I'm not sure I'm ever going to be able to catch up.