Tuesday, April 08, 2008

I wonder if he wonders why

I spoke to my general doctor tonight about my CSF leak test results and headaches. The test came back clear, but it is likely that I periodically leak if I am too active, blow my nose too hard, if the wind blows in the wrong direction, or if my husband pisses me off. [I could be kidding about one of those.]

We talked about his septum surgery, neti pots, saline rinses, nose-blowing, kids. I love my doctor. :) He mostly sees Veterans at his clinic and I really appreciate him. I hope he knows it.

Oops, where was I?

Oh yeah! At some point I had to confess that I had thought about the potential for a leak and decided that no matter what the results, I do not want or need any additional surgery in that area of my body ever again. So I'll live with it, try to take it easy and have it heal up on its own.

He asked me if I wanted any pain meds. I hmm'd and haww'd because, dammit, it really does hurt. My headache, that is. You know you are not an addict when: the thought of opioid-induced constipation makes you come to your senses and say, "Uh, no. That's ok."

He either thinks I am a pain loving super freaking hero, or that I am stupid. One of those. ;)

Happy National Cushing's Disease Awareness Day

Today is National Cushing's Awareness Day.

I asked a few local papers (ok, is LA considered "local"? ) to do an article about Cushing's. Long story short, only one Cushing's article in the entire USA, that I can find.

Regardless, in doing my search I found an article about a new veterinarian in-house lab machine that will do endocrinology tests while the patients wait.

MEANWHILE, I had my post-op gallon of blood drawn on Saturday. It is Tuesday and I am checking my online fax account for the results umpteen times a day.

Allow me to repeat this, because I do not have enough swear words in my vocabulary:
VETERINARIAN IN-HOUSE LAB EQUIPMENT - PRODUCING RESULTS FOR ANIMALS AND THEIR OWNERS WHILE THEY WAIT

I give up. I give up. I give up.

I'm going to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. Canine cushing's disease: They get all the press, no one doubts them and now they can get their results in the office. WTF???