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
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.
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