Been a while, right... well yes it has, and I am here to tell you the latest, greatest, or may not so great news.
I have been thinking about changing the name of this blog. But I don't think I will... because I am sure no one will be looking at it any way... after all they haven't looked at it yet...
Ok, here is the news. I have been off work since June 26th. Two weeks of that time was spent on vacation, and and the rest of the time has been on medical leave. That Angioma, that I spoke about previously has decided to give me trouble, and to be perfectly honest, I am tired of talking about it and thinking about it. But I will again one more time. Or, a few more times if I need to.
The long and short of the whole thing is that, it grew 2.5 times it size since 2006. Now, what it was in 2006, and what it was last year is not quite clear. I believe last year it was 9 mm., and when I had my last MRI in June it was 15 mm. Not quite double in size in the last year.
I knew it was not right before I went on vacation, hence the request for an MRI. I was having problems before, however, every single time I have looked for assistance or advise when it has come to my Angioma and the medical field, I have been pushed from pillar to post. The fact that the doctor I had finally gotten back in with was no longer available to me didn't help.
But I got the MRI, and found out the results 1 day before leaving for vacation. As I had said before, I was having problems, but couldn't seem to get anyone to listen, so now with a report that shows growth to that degree, I was especially scared. But thanks to cell phones, and a lot of time on my hands, due to the 3 day drive ahead... it showed a little more promise.
I finally was able to get in with my Neurosurgeon, well the PA anyway, so I planned the appointment for last day of my vacation. The PA was able to take me off work for a month. I then went back to the doctor on month later. I told him I was not feeling well enough to drive, and he took me off for another month. However he didn't schedule another appointment so, when I called them to advise that I needed help in the way of a form filled out... and signed by the doctor, they scheduled another appointment, and gave me another 2 weeks off.
The day came for me to see the doctor, and for me to explain to him my situation... by the way which is not really a concern to anyone but myself and my family. I explained that I am required to work at 100% productivity at work. That is a requirement. Not 80% or 85%, but 100%. I am not able to do that right now. And, I am not able to drive either. I can drive, but it is very tiring.
See, what is not obvious is that I have to work very hard, all the time, to see clearly. Most of the time I see double, and not to see double is very tiring. I am fighting my eyes almost non stop. That basically exhausts you by the end of the day, and because you are tired, you aren't at your peak performance. Not to mention, then keeping a house clean, caring for my Mom, who lives with us. Laundry, cooking, all has to be done at the end of the day, and on the weekends.
I guess if I were to compare it to something... I would say, cross your eyes, and keep them crossed all the time, and only let them relax when you are watching TV, or doing something where you keep your eyes focused on one spot for prolonged periods of time. Tell me when you get tired and can't do it anymore. Don't worry, it won't take long.
Well anyway, the doctor then suggested I stay off for 3 months. So that is where we left it. Now my problem is that the form was faxed from the Dr. about a week ago. My employer was supposed to address my advised time off from work last week. I called about it Friday. I e-mailed about it Friday. I e-mailed again about it yesterday, (Monday), both the "time off group/individual" and my immediate supervisor.
I was told not to worry about it, and that it will be approved or addressed Monday or Tuesday. It is Tuesday, at 4:42 eastern time, and so far I haven't heard anything. I am getting nervous. Anything could happen right now. 1) they could approve it. 2) they could deny it. 3) they could tell me I have to see one of their (experts) (tic). I am not sure where they would get him or her from, since I have known about this thing for 10 years, and I still don't have an expert on Angiomas. My doctor is familiar. He seemingly cares. But since these things are so rare, 5% of the population knows they have one or multiples, and only 2% of that 5% have brain stem Angiomas. That is what I have.
Well I better go for now... will be back tomorrow... maybe I will have news, or maybe I won't. I guess we will find out tomorrow. Have to start dinner now. See ya!~
