Happy Birthday to me....October 4, 2013

So, four months since the last entry. I have to admit its been a busy summer and early fall. I have traveled more in the past four months than I can remember. But in a lot of ways that is good. It means I am feeling better. Peripheral neuropathy is still a challenge in the feet, but I have been able to cope with any pain without prescription painkillers. OTC Aleve does the trick. I quit the 'scripts in April. If you remember in my previous blog, I tried going cold turkey. What a mistake. Anyway, that's done. I think I wrote about my puzzling liver thing. Its been pretty depressing thinking I might be going from one success to a new challenge. In April I had ANOTHER biopsy on the same spot on the liver. Like the last time, non-carcenogenic. Took a lot of blood tests and nothing definitive about anything. So my oncologist refered me to a liver specialist. I put off seeing the specialist since May. I was traveling alot and just could not (did not want) find the time.

Thursday, September 26, 2013 - So I decided to go see the specialist. I took all my liver paper work to him. "Hmmm....so you have had two CAT scans..." yes. "two PET scans...." yes. "None cancerous....full blood work for hepatitis A, B and C..." yes "all results negative...." yes. "So, why did you come to see me?" Really? Then, the reason the US health care system is so expensive: "Hmmm....have you had your liver MRI'd?" no. "Why don't we have you get an MRI on the liver and then we will have looked at it completely." So, I go in on Oct 6 (Sunday) for the procedure.

Monday, September 30 - I went for my six-month physical with my GP. It wasn't so good last time. Blood work done and numbers are on the edge, so over the edge. He wants me to see a urologist (you guys out there will know why). Well I didn't go see the urologist. Anyway, go in and the PA gives me a copy of my lab results....dread comes over me...then I read EVERYTHING is within acceptabel ranges...bad chlorestorol is down, good is up, PSA in the normal range, all the numbers looked great! It turned out to be a pretty good day that Monday.

Friday, October 4 - My birthday...Tommy was at work today in my office and took me to lunch, his treat. Came home to McKenzie's Bar-B-Que, which is a special occasion dinner for us. Deanna called from Plano, so it was good day.

Depression and anxiety lurk in the shadows. I feel restless. Just tired...mentally. That was one of the good things about one of the prescribed meds. Without it now I have to work at it all day, every day.

So, MRI this Sunday, follow up with the liver guy on Thursday. We'll see what the tests tell me. Went to Plano last weekend to see the grandson. What a joy. My kids don't remember my Dad much at all. They were so young when he passed.

If anything is worth reporting after my liver follow up this week I'll add to the blog. Take care