Only Susie the Elf

[Guest guest]

Ra Ra Ra, Sis Boom Bah Humbug?

OK, OK, I know when to concede. It " only " took me 3 doctors, a

chiropractor, and a rheumy to find out what I have. First I was told

it was RA. Then I was told it was " only " hormones. Then I was told

it was " just " arthritis. Then RA. Finally FM. (funny, I thought

that stood for something on a radio.) And even though the rheumy

says it is FM, she is hedging her bets and says there " could

be " " some " RA there. Yeah, like being " some " pregnant. But, as you

say, bottom line is hurting is hurting. I'm sure I will get much

more information from the therapist tomorrow. When my husband, Ron,

was diagnosed with Parkinson's (after 3 doctors and a neurologist) it

was the therapist that gave him the most help. And we had to INSIST

on the therapy! He was first told it was low blood sugar (which he

does have) then " old age " (he is " only " 65) then essential tremor (I

didn't think tremors were essential to anything!) and finally PD.

The rheumy didn't believe me when I told her I had cerebral palsy,

and that I had had polio when I was a child. These doctors just make

me feel like I am some sort of hypochondriac, and that I don't know,

as you say, my own body. When I told her that I fall a lot, and that

my hand coordination is getting worse (there is a lot of weakness at

times, and I drop things becaue I can't hold on to them) she just

sort of brushed it off. But she is the only act in town, the closest

rheumy to us, and that is 40 miles away. With Ron unable to drive

more than just around town, and my daughter now on bed rest until her

triplets arrive, I may just have to wait until sometime next year

before I consider another opinion. I will give the current treatment

plan some time to work before I make up my mind.

So, friend Elf, thank you for your words of encouragement. I just

know that there are so many others who are worse off than I am, and I

have never been a complainer and don't want to start now. But I

guess sometimes you have to complain in order to get help and keep

your sanity. Now, you go back to helping Santa out, as it is ONLY 9

days until Christmas!

Hugs,

Judi