Thursday, July 1, 2010
Thursday Morning
I have a busy day planned for the day before surgery. I need to pick out family pictures, pack for myself and the kids, and my school is coming by. The doctor increased my meds, so I also need to see about getting a refill. Then early morning MRI with spots before surgery. I will call this evening to find out what time my surgery actually is. I bet it is is earlier since it is supposed to be so long. If I don't sleep well tonight, I can sleep all day tomorrow!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Katrina's Religious Views
Actually, this post may go against some of the religious teachings I have received.
First, I believe in miracles. However, I also realize that I am a realist. I believe a majority of the miracles were just things that couldn't be explained before. Technology and medicine are far more advanced now and can take care of many health issues. I also have an easier time believing in messed up lab work or notes put in the wrong folder. When looking at an MRI of my brain tumor, I have a hard time believing that it could just disappear. It's only the size of a golf ball!! Especially with the nose I have. My siblings and cousins should be checked if the tumor leaves my head! Really though, I was relieved to find out something was wrong with me. I was beginning to think I was just crazy! All my symptoms match that of the tumor in the place it is. Otherwise, the doctors still wouldn't know what was wrong.
Second, I do believe in priesthood blessings. I have a hard time with expecting a blessing to take away what is there, though. They can help the people involved in a situation, but not take that situation away. I had a blessing before my MRI to check for spreading. That was after I knew about the tumor, though. I also plan on getting a blessing before the surgery to help those who have to wait and to help guide the doctors. However, I am calm and relaxed about the surgery. I am worried about what will happen after, but I have never second guessed my physician or the treatment procedure. I was ready for this.
Overall, I will be okay. Whatever happens, it won't be me who suffers. Unfortunately, it will be everyone else. I will be happy with the outcome and hope that everyone else will be able to be happy with it as well. Mostly, I just want everything to go away, though!
First, I believe in miracles. However, I also realize that I am a realist. I believe a majority of the miracles were just things that couldn't be explained before. Technology and medicine are far more advanced now and can take care of many health issues. I also have an easier time believing in messed up lab work or notes put in the wrong folder. When looking at an MRI of my brain tumor, I have a hard time believing that it could just disappear. It's only the size of a golf ball!! Especially with the nose I have. My siblings and cousins should be checked if the tumor leaves my head! Really though, I was relieved to find out something was wrong with me. I was beginning to think I was just crazy! All my symptoms match that of the tumor in the place it is. Otherwise, the doctors still wouldn't know what was wrong.
Second, I do believe in priesthood blessings. I have a hard time with expecting a blessing to take away what is there, though. They can help the people involved in a situation, but not take that situation away. I had a blessing before my MRI to check for spreading. That was after I knew about the tumor, though. I also plan on getting a blessing before the surgery to help those who have to wait and to help guide the doctors. However, I am calm and relaxed about the surgery. I am worried about what will happen after, but I have never second guessed my physician or the treatment procedure. I was ready for this.
Overall, I will be okay. Whatever happens, it won't be me who suffers. Unfortunately, it will be everyone else. I will be happy with the outcome and hope that everyone else will be able to be happy with it as well. Mostly, I just want everything to go away, though!
Symptoms
The nurses, radiology technicians, and doctors all want to know how the tumor was found, so here is my story.
I believe it all started about 2 years ago when I was pregnant with my baby boy. July 2008, I was eight months pregnant. I arched my back and leaned over my husband to become dizzy to the point the room was spinning. I sat up quickly contributing it all to be pregnant. I then had Chantry August 2008. Six weeks later, I was supposed to return to Church, but got the dizzy flu. I was so sick and couldn't get off the floor. My husband took care of me and I slept. I was okay by the next day. I was okay for the rest of that year, I think.
In 2009, the dizzy and vomiting episodes increased to about once a month and then became more often. (Mostly caused when I would lean back.) I gradually lost weight even though I tried to eat more. I became sick in the mornings and couldn't eat until about 9 or 10 (up and going 3-4 hours).
In 2010, I was constantly dizzy and sick. Mondays would be the worst. As the week went on, I felt better, but got tired. I had a hard time getting up in the morning and keeping food down.
Throughout all this time I had been going to the doctor. I was diagnosed by my primary care physician with sinus infections, labyrinth infections, and BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). I received medication (antibiotics) and the treatments (Epley Maneuver) associated. It would work for a time, and then everything would return. So I was then referred to an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor). He said I had received the correct treatments, and since they didn't work he would pursue it. The sinus CT scan wasn't enough, so he also ordered a brain MRI. Most of my symptoms fit with migraines (minus the headache). So I was also put on medication for that. The MRI showed a tumor. He referred me to a neurosurgeon who is now on vacation, so he referred me on to Salt Lake. I have since been receiving treatment from Richard Schmidt. And that is how I got to where I am today!
I believe it all started about 2 years ago when I was pregnant with my baby boy. July 2008, I was eight months pregnant. I arched my back and leaned over my husband to become dizzy to the point the room was spinning. I sat up quickly contributing it all to be pregnant. I then had Chantry August 2008. Six weeks later, I was supposed to return to Church, but got the dizzy flu. I was so sick and couldn't get off the floor. My husband took care of me and I slept. I was okay by the next day. I was okay for the rest of that year, I think.
In 2009, the dizzy and vomiting episodes increased to about once a month and then became more often. (Mostly caused when I would lean back.) I gradually lost weight even though I tried to eat more. I became sick in the mornings and couldn't eat until about 9 or 10 (up and going 3-4 hours).
In 2010, I was constantly dizzy and sick. Mondays would be the worst. As the week went on, I felt better, but got tired. I had a hard time getting up in the morning and keeping food down.
Throughout all this time I had been going to the doctor. I was diagnosed by my primary care physician with sinus infections, labyrinth infections, and BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). I received medication (antibiotics) and the treatments (Epley Maneuver) associated. It would work for a time, and then everything would return. So I was then referred to an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor). He said I had received the correct treatments, and since they didn't work he would pursue it. The sinus CT scan wasn't enough, so he also ordered a brain MRI. Most of my symptoms fit with migraines (minus the headache). So I was also put on medication for that. The MRI showed a tumor. He referred me to a neurosurgeon who is now on vacation, so he referred me on to Salt Lake. I have since been receiving treatment from Richard Schmidt. And that is how I got to where I am today!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Tuesday Continued
What a long day!! The scans from yesterday were clean so it looks like only the tumor in my head. My blood pressure was lower than normal today, but I didn't feel like I was going to pass out and still haven't. The doctor told me to increase the amount of meds I am taking. Surgery on Friday and then recovery. There are still many unanswered questions, but it will remain that way for awhile.
Good News and quick thoughts.
-The MRI of Katrina's spine came back clear, so all we need to worry about is the one in her head. I like to tell her that her tumor is all in her head. She, of course, doesn't think that, that is very funny.
-It's amazing to me how utterly exhausting just sitting in waiting rooms for hours is.
-She got to wear the latest style in bracelets home from the hospital today. A lovely red ID bracelet.
-We are now less than 72 hours from surgery.
-It's amazing to me how utterly exhausting just sitting in waiting rooms for hours is.
-She got to wear the latest style in bracelets home from the hospital today. A lovely red ID bracelet.
-We are now less than 72 hours from surgery.
To Bus Pass or not to Bus Pass?
I'm thinking of getting a bus and train pass so I can use mass transit to get to and from the hospital. I've never liked being downtown let alone driving. With all the roads torn up like they are it's just that much worse.
I found out yesterday from the receptionist at the neuroscience building's MRI lab that there is a stop right there by the children's hospital. That means that if I catch the train from here, then transfer to the university line at the central station, it will take about the same amount of time as driving. It will also cost about the same as fuel. The question then becomes one of trading a little convenience for less stress. All things considered Mass transit sounds better all the time.
For those who might be interested in the numbers. I figure I'll spend about $150 in gas over the next couple of weeks getting to and from the hospital. A July premium pass, which includes both the train and the rest of the mass transit system, is $162. We've been taking between just over and hour, to an hour and a half to get there (which will probably get worse given that I'll be trying to dive in rush hour traffic). I can be to the hospital in just over and hour on mass transit not counting my drive to the station which should only be about 10 minutes or so.
I found out yesterday from the receptionist at the neuroscience building's MRI lab that there is a stop right there by the children's hospital. That means that if I catch the train from here, then transfer to the university line at the central station, it will take about the same amount of time as driving. It will also cost about the same as fuel. The question then becomes one of trading a little convenience for less stress. All things considered Mass transit sounds better all the time.
For those who might be interested in the numbers. I figure I'll spend about $150 in gas over the next couple of weeks getting to and from the hospital. A July premium pass, which includes both the train and the rest of the mass transit system, is $162. We've been taking between just over and hour, to an hour and a half to get there (which will probably get worse given that I'll be trying to dive in rush hour traffic). I can be to the hospital in just over and hour on mass transit not counting my drive to the station which should only be about 10 minutes or so.
Tuesday
The MRI took forever yesterday! I held really still so I could get out faster. I meet with the doctor after all the pre-op stuff to go over the MRI. I really hope nothing is in my spinal fluid! I had two veins collapse yesterday, so I need to drink more, I think!!
So time to go eat and drink!
So time to go eat and drink!
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