I will keep this brief...

Had my thoracic MRI with and without contrast, according to the techs it was only supposed to take about forty minutes, but it took nearly an hour.

Our Number One Son called Hubby's cell phone with the thought possibly of creating a surprise for Mother's Day,( he always calls mine when we go out and he can't reach us at home) but we were in Advance Imaging's waiting room, and it is the same place I called Advantage Imaging by mistake, and apparently with all the equipment there, there was static on his phone, never happens at home, any-who he couldn't hear so well. I sort of think that Number One didn't want me to know, but Hubby yelled his name rather loud and told him where we were and said that is great and told me and asked Number One to call back tomorrow, since we will be home all day, oh well, so much for surprises! The more important fact is that he and his gal are coming for a visit, and that is a gigunda yay!

The MRI tech was from Point Pleasant NJ and that is where our younger son was born and her name was the same as our daughter-in-laws, how about that for coincidence?

We picked up dinner at Bob Evans, me, flounder and Hubby, turkey.
This time I lost the back to my earring in the car and Hubby has not yet given up looking, but it is stainless and oh so small!

On that note of Hubby's perseverance and so now allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a very happy good night and ask you to kindly count all your blessings and share those overages and we will too! 

 And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

PS I suppose I should leave my earrings home, hmm?

Turmoil, exasperation and triumph!

As anyone knows who has been keeping up with 'the Tobi', my  pseudonym, these last few weeks I have been going through tests that apparently will inform my new neuro with 'the how', to proceed.

I held up my end of the process by conforming to the concept of making the arrangements to get the required tests, blood work and MRI's.
Unfortunately, as usual with me, there was a glitch.
Apparently, the medical transcribers were not telling all of the reasoning for the two additional MRI's, with that reasoning being due to me in pain and the new doc looking for the cause via more lesions and once established how to treat me.
Once I was able to tell the approval department, the one who contacts, MY insurance with the why, which seemed to be NOT completely to be specified in my transcripts, and that is why the cervical MRI was delayed and I am now fully scheduled for my two remaining MRI's, one tomorrow and the last one, the cervical, on Monday that is unless there is a cancellation to move it up earlier!

I did have concerned decent people working with me; the first woman Diana deals with the approval from the insurance companies and is responsible for listening to me on the reason of my why and how long this had been an issue, two weeks today! Georgia is the scheduler who is willing to move me up if there is a cancellation before Monday, decent compassionate people.

They both work at the MRI center, Advantage Imaging here in Port Charlotte, just up the road a piece it has what is known as a 3 Tesla open MRI machine, my last few years the other place I was going to was only 1.5 or 2.0 Tesla.I found this info that explains the difference: http://www.3timaging.com/why-3-tesla-mri-ct-xray-mri-imaging-center-morton-grove-riverside-chicago-illinois.htm

And so I guess the final notable thing that we know to be true, except when shopping for clothes, outlets and thrift shops are good too, medical wise is you get what you pay for...this machine is twice the accuracy as the one that I was examined by previously.

On that note of delayed hopefulness, allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a very happy good night and kindly count all your blessings and share those overages and we will too!


Next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

"Telling someone the truth is a loving act."

Tonight we picked up our Chinese dinner together at China City after we called it in, in transit just past our home from my two MRI's.

We have been home for a little over an hour.
And my last fortune cookie had the only message that made any desired now sense to either of us, and so I made it tonight's title, thus the quotes and my how it expresses my always sentiment, as many know.

I took my jewelry in a Zip-Lock to be held safe in Hubby's pocket, to put on after I went through the MRI machine, feel funny not wearing wedding bands and such, but a BIG mistake putting earrings on in a moving car, and sure enough one dropped somewhere in the car...
No fear Hubby Super Finder Man Extraordinaire is here! He once found my diamond that fell out of my engagement ring in our busy restaurant behind the counter and another time prior to that in our sons' toy box!  Of course each time the ring had to be reset.
And many other items over the years too, too many to recount!
Today, a little while ago, an hour after we arrived  back, he found my ancient black onyx earring    from college that matched our class ring, black onyx with LIM embedded in the stone with gold band it was eventually placed on my charm bracelet as a remembrance.

So now I have accomplished my with and without contrast brain and lumbar MRI's still waiting on the cervical, the thoracic was approved...should be Thursday. The new neuro did get back my day before the hospital blood work, I checked.
I suppose my new doc will be seeing me or talking to me when all my tests he ordered are a faits accomplis, and so this impatient patient will be on hold in the days to come, not so easy its been over two weeks for this latest problem! 

On that note that I cannot quote, allow me to be  the very first to wish you all a very happy good night and ask you to kindly count all your blessings and share those overages and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

PS the restaurant gave us three fortune cookies again with a rather small order... and I bet you have been hanging on the edge of your seats wondering what those other two others said that I felt were not that understandable, the sort of things that make you shake your head...Well, maybe you will get them and so here they are,"The usefulness in a cup is in its emptiness." Okay, its no good full, unless it has what you want in it, so empty is better? "Look for someone's strength instead of weakness." But of course in parenting and as well as in management!

My life and how it goes...

Dizziness and nausea prevail as well as bi-lateral shoulder, arm, and back pain, legs are taking a short respite. My nose has been running and sniffling appears to be back on a timely course of additional medication of Mucinex once again, started Saturday, and just for fun I had a slight fever when it had been taken at the internist's office as of today, of 100.1 F degrees, oddly enough I was wearing my cooling vest at the time, from home to there and outside again, did not take it off and I found myself sweating. The nurse suggested I start wearing a mask whenever I go out, since I seem to be so susceptible  to others' germs and illness, with my immune system appearing to not be functioning so well.
But my hospital blood work was, "good", even my highs and  lows were nothing to write home about...
My doctor wanted to know why I didn't have the day before the hospital blood work, neuro one, done at her facility or why my MRI's weren't scheduled using theirs...I had no answer, it appears there could be a turf war with my docs over me and my tests!
She kept saying that she IS my primary, and she has been seeing me longer and asked how many times that I had seen my new neuro, two times, I divulged, most recently, not counting years ago...
It got a bit scary when she said he better not be checking my cholesterol; that's hers!
Actually, its mine!

I just want to know what's going on and get better, ya know?
This neuro needs to see every test before he designs a plan to fix this!

So I called the MRI place to verify all my MRI's and three have been approved, but one is still being waited on for approval...brain, lumbar tomorrow and the thoracic region already A OK, but my cervical is on hold, waiting...all with and without lighting up my reasoning for being treated for my pains in numbness, burning, twisting etc. must I go on... I sound like a broken record to myself, G-d what I must sound like to all of you! FORGIVE PLEASE!

At least I didn't fall forty feet from hanging from my hair as a professional in that field! OMG help those aerialists; I understand some are in critical condition, pray!  Wonder how it was able to happen?

On that note of putting things in a bit more perspective, allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a  very happy good night and ask you to kindly count all your blessings and share your overages with so many in this world who really could use them and we will too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

PS Amy Adams definitely deserved her Oscar, she was great in American Hustle!

I am so happy to see that many found ...

...what I copied and pasted last night of interest, but it was a small part of the whole story, as so much in life is...
Unfortunately, my problems of the previous week and since prior to my momentous hospital visit have not been alleviated by my consumption of the Gabapentin at 1200 MG. and 40 MG. of the Baclofen daily that had done the job previously in the pain department.

Tomorrow, I go to the GP/Internist due to the hospital visit's recommended follow-up.
This week I also have been scheduled for four MRI's prior to the 'vertigo', diagnosis.
Odd how discontinuing those prescribed, by the hospital meds, I felt considerably better that is nausea, dizziness and vomiting wise.
It is true that I am slightly dizzy and still have a tiny weeny bit of nausea, but those meds amplified what I had going on.
I am currently experiencing a back spasm and burning twisting bi-lateral leg pain!

Ugh and so although I just took my second dose of Gabapentin 300MG. it has not had time to respond I do believe!

And that will do it for me tonight I suspect, and so allow me to say that while all this has been going on we, Hubby and I have been watching American Hustle and in my opinion it is a hand wiggle from side to side...I'll explain better tomorrow,okay?
Also allow me to wish you all a very happy good night and kindly count all your blessings andwe will too!

Next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

Diagnosis as per hospital, forgot to tell you...

No, I am not in a great Alfred Hitchcock directed movie, circa 1958, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertigo_%28film%29
Vertigo! 

Below is what I went through and why that was; the best explanation anyway...

http://ms.about.com/od/signssymptoms/a/bppv.htm

"About 20% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience vertigo at some point in their lives, as compare to multiple sclerosis (MS) experience vertigo at some point in their lives, as compare to 
about 10% of the general population. When someone with MS complains to their neurologist that they are experiencing the symptoms of vertigo, it is likely that many docs will assume that it is caused by a lesion on a cranial nerve (CN VIII) in the cerebellum, since lesions and inflammation are the primary causes of most MS symptoms. This may result in a trip to the MRI or a prescription for a variety of drugs to control the symptoms (or even a course of corticosteroids to bring down the presumed inflammation).
Hold on a minute.
Research indicates that up to 60% of the vertigo in people with MS is actually something called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), rather than due to a demyelinating lesion. Why is this important (and exciting)? This is great news, because BPPV can often be treated without medications. It also does not indicate a relapse or increased disease activity. Hooray. Read on.

What Does It Feel Like?

BPPV feels like severe vertigo that occurs upon movement of the head, especially when rolling over in bed, getting out of bed or tipping the head back to look up. It feels like you (or your surroundings) are spinning or tilting when you are not. It usually lasts just a couple of minutes.

What Causes It?

BPPV is caused by debris that has collected in a specific part (semicircular canals) of the inner ear, which is part of the vestibular system. The debris, called otoconia or canaliths, are actually small calcium carbonate crystals that we all have. They are usually attached to the tiny hairs in your inner ear that detect movement, but can become dislodged and float around. When a person with BPPV moves his or her head, these crystals shift and stimulate these tiny hairs, sending false signals to the brain. The vertigo happens because of the confusion caused by these signals and other systems controlling proprioception. Since many people with MS already have difficulty with proprioception, this may make them feel BPPV even more acutely.

How Severe Can It Get?

It is usually pretty mild, but can be severe enough to cause vomiting. It can also interfere with balance to the extent that it is difficult to stand or walk. BPPV typically goes away in a couple of weeks, but can recur intermittently.

Additional Points/Information

Suspect BPPV First: I’ll say it again –- make sure that you are evaluated for BPPV if you have vertigo and MS. There are many things that can be done to treat BPPV that do NOT require medication, which usually consist of painless maneuvers done in the doctor’s office or exercises to do at home to move the crystals to another part of the ear.
Otolaryngologist: This is a fancy name for an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT). Ideally, you would see one of these for your evaluation (and treatment) for BPPV. Really ideally, if you live in a place with access to such a specialist, you would be seen by an otoneurologist or a neurotologist (specialists in both matters of the inner ear and neurology) for any cases of MS-related vertigo.
Careful With The Meds: If you have BPPV (or other MS-related vertigo) that is severe or causing vomiting, you may be prescribed medications to help you feel better until other treatments can start working and symptoms remit. These drugs include: the scopolamine patch (Transderm-Scop); antihistamines (like Dramamine or Benadryl) or even a sedative like Valium. All of these drugs can make you drowsy, which can greatly contribute to the fatigue many people with MS experience. They can also make you feel disoriented and cause problems with balance, so exercise extreme caution when taking them, especially if you already are unsteady on your feet."
_Sources:
Frohman EM, Kramer PD, Dewey RB, Kramer L, Frohman TC. Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo in multiple sclerosis: diagnosis, pathophysiology and therapeutic techniques. Multiple Sclerosis. 2003 Jun;9(3):250-5.
Frohman EM, Zhang H, Dewey RB, Hawker KS, Racke MK, Frohman TC. Vertigo in MS: utility of positional and particle repositioning maneuvers. Neurology. 2000 Nov 28;55(10):1566-9.

Other Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

• Depression
• Bladder Dysfunction
• Tremor

Unusual Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

• The MS "Hug"
• Pupils of Different Sizes
• Aphasia

Tips for Dealing with Multiple Sclerosis

• MS "Hug" Tips
• Tips for Fighting Heat Intolerance
• Solu-Medrol Tips

Related Articles

• Vertigo - How to Manage Peripheral Vertigo
• Balance Disorders Vertigo Labyrinthitis Vestibular Neuronitis
• Vertigo Causes and Symptoms
• Learn what you can do today to manage your symptoms of vertigo and dizzines...
• Causes of Vertigo

Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D.
About.com Multiple Sclerosis

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Thanks to the above siteep No

In other interesting news:

http://news.yahoo.com/florida-lawmakers-approve-medical-marijuana-bill-204246320--sector.html 

Oops! Talking to Number One Son!

Sure we check up on him and him on us too.
It's more than true that he will be forty-two at the end of this month.
But it was also flooding in Tampa where he works, and so of course what is a Mom or Dad to do, but call and make sure that oxymoron, of your, adult-child, is doing OK!

And he said that they did close his place to the public.

Fortunately, I was able to get him, on his hands free, on his way home.
He has given up texting, thankfully, while driving since it is against the law here.
We discussed my plight this week, and his grandfather's plot that I have been paying off so he/my dad will have perpetual care if I should pass on... Silly that I was paying yearly since 1986!
And frustrating that the cemetery would not put all those years of payment towards it, and the fact that I gave my plot away to my father's sister when we moved to Florida; since it was a family plot and her kids all still live in NJ.
Her being the business woman that she was had legal papers drawn up saying that I was giving it to her as a gift, no charge... I'm shaking my head, this was my aunt! They live in Fort Lee and my uncle had a Rolls Royce, he was a structural engineer and my two cousins went to Smith and Lehigh!
Gift horse in the mouth?

Any-who, I spoke with one of her children, her daughter, my first cousin, after she mentioned that she had them apply the couple of years that she had paid to perpetual care and they did. So I called and requested to do the same, after all I had paid for TWENTY-SIX YEARS by then, and this was a couple of years ago, and they refused. I guess my address was not as classy?

Sure the rich find out they get more freebies than us regular folks and it angers me at times... But throwing a fit with where my parents and grand parents and aunts and uncles are all buried, seemed feudal. So I finally asked for a payment plan for a one year, and right now I have paid out five months worth at $145.17 a month, and by December Dad's plot will have perpetual care like Mom's does, stupid of me not to do that right away. This guy was an idiot. It was basically a Jewish Cemetery and he asked if my Aunt's family, my Father's sister, were Jewish due to their last name might not be. Both my cousin were more so than I having had a Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah! I said they are, but what does that have to do with anything, PS he was a Jew too, his cousins were our neighbors in Paramus and belonged to our same Synagogue!
Or maybe not, so many change their faiths today.

To me it was just another bill that I felt needed to be paid for Dad, but also not to leave it behind for Hubby and our sons, ya know?
I am also doing the best I can to pay off our mortgage by paying extra monthly toward the principle as well when we refinanced last year for the same amount of years, which really are a lot less than most and with a new fixed rate of 3.75%.
I hate to say this, but in my opinion, which is quite opinionated, whatever that's worth, he is the type that gives the rest of us (JEWS) a bad name, ya know?

Anyway, I have only seven months left, but there is light at the end of our tunnel since my $561.51 will be only until June of 2015, and then with Medicare, like Hubby they will be taking $104 out of my social security, I sure hope so anyway!

On that note of hopefully knowing that there is a brighter financial side coming? Allow me to be the very first to wish all of you a very happy good night and kindly count all your blessings and we w ill too!

And next time please be here or be square, ya hear!

 The storm is coming here by the racket its making; the news says we have about ten minutes left.... PS our son and his home was fine too, he just got a new tin roof on his home!