Another Issue?

Results of the MRI on my lower back...

According to my pseudo doc's (PD's) interpretation of my MRI, I have a case of spinal stenosis - (a narrowing of the spinal cord canal). My PD's nurse (or receptionist - more likely), relayed information that I am to undergo therapy and take some pain killers and / or anti-inflammatory medication to control my pain. I asked her if he or she was aware that I have Chiari... When she asked me what Chiari was and then how to spell it...I instructed her to never mind and that I was going to have a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic analyze my MRI's and offer recommendations.

Who the hell knows!? My appointment in Cleveland is on Tuesday, September 29th. We shall see what they have to say!

Kristi

The Pseudo Doctor

So ... I visited my "PCP" (Primary Care Physician) at the beginning of last week in order to get him to order an MRI on my lower back...I sat in the waiting room for approximately 45 minutes, was herded into the examination room and waited for another 25 minutes...Listened to my VERY LOUD doctor talk to his patients in the 2 rooms adjacent to mine and ask the same questions as if he were reading from a script. And, although the answers being given were different, he did not deviate from this script! When he entered the room I was in, he began with the SAME first question. But really, it was not a question...it was more of a statement with the end syllables raised in order to make it a pseudo question. "Drugs or Alcohol?" I asked him what he had...he wasn't amused - AND - he still did not deviate! So, after I allowed him to robotically move through his list of questions as I responded flatly with one word answers, I dove into my brain issues! I explained my migraines as they related to my back and he offered to prescribe drugs to alleviate my pain. I told him I was not interested in masking my symptoms, that I was more interested in finding the cause and elevating them! Again, he was not amused...He then offered to give me a "nerve conduction" test in order to determine the extent of nerve damage (if any at all). I explained to him that they were in NO way going to electrocute me again and that he should look through my chart because they had already done this barbaric electrical shock treatment to me 3 other times! It was apparent to both of us that I needed to get out of there. My goal for this visit was to get him to order an MRI for my lower back and I succeeded!

Stay tuned!
Kristi

Food Memories

I have been fairly laxxed in my blogging duties. School started and I feel like I am SWAMPED! That happens to be a good thing for me. I no longer find myself mindlessly staring into the pantry or refrigerator. AND, I have lost some more pounds. That put's me below the 160 mark. I am currently 158.6 pounds. Well, at least I was until I went to Kristina's house and ravaged her olive tray! It was all her fault...she had black, green and GIANT blue cheese stuffed greenies. She also had these cheese and herb filled pastries that were irresistible and melted in my mouth. I had 2 of those, but countless olives, 1 Michelob Ultra and 2 NA Beck's. It is possible that I jumped back into the 160's, but we will never know! My elliptical will call on me in the a.m. and all food memories from this evening will be forgotten!

RIP Patrick Swayze

You will be missed!

I am bad, bad girl!

Well, I slipped yesterday. After holding strong at Gino's Pizza with my entire field hockey team - inhaling those wonderfully aromatic smell particles while drinking my water - Emily and I went to Panera...and, I caved! I ordered a half of a roasted turkey and artichoke panini and I ate a little over half of the half! It did taste SO yummy - but, was it worth it? Hmmm...I have to say...YES! Not to mention I was actually full and totally satisfied. I also had one (just one) kettle chip and approximately 12 goldfish crackers! The crackers were totally unnecessary and I feel more guilty about those than I do the panini. But, I am not going to beat myself up about it. Kim can do that!

Kristi

SOBE 0 Cal Lifewater!

I finally found it (thanks to my mom)! After years and years of searching, I finally found a flavored water that I can drink and not be scared to death of what the ingredients are doing to me! It is the 0 Cal Sobe Lifewater. And it achieves the impossible – it’s a naturally sweetened, full-flavored drink, and it has zero calories per serving. Zilch. Zip. Because it’s created with a new ALL-NATURAL sweetener called PureVia™, made from the extract of the stevia plant. And it comes in three glorious flavors: Fuji Apple Pear, Yumberry Pomegranate, and Black and Blue Berry. Not to mention, they have a really cool bottle! I have tried and love the Yumberry and the Black and Blue Berry flavors, however, I haven't been able to find the Fuji Apple Pear. But, I will!

I am just tickled to have flavor in my beverage again! Check it out....yummy!

Kristi

On a Lighter Note

Today is another work-out at with Kim. I find that I truly look forward to them. AND I will NOT forget my measurements this time....hopefully! TTYS

Kristi

Okay....I have calmed down!

Sorry about my rant. But I was so frustrated! So, here is what I am going to do. I am making another appointment at the Cleveland Clinic (which I do not think will be until the end of November), AND - I am keeping my appointment with my family Dr. right in in Sylvania next week. I am still going to get a referral from him to (hopefully) the University of Michigan and go from there. Whichever appointment comes first....I am keeping!

I have my conclusion as to what I THINK my problem is. All of my issues (the headaches, the Chiari and everything that it entails) presented themselves after the birth of my daughter. And for those of you who do not know....that was an incredible ordeal. I had a FEW epidurals (NONE of which worked) leading to an emergency C-section (and a "saddle block"). All of which caused a gaping hole the size of a dime (maybe even a quarter) in my spinal cord area leaking what I consider to be, boat loads of spinal fluid! After 2 weeks of unstoppable (all too familiar now) pain and headaches, I had to return to the hospital for yet another epidural. This time of my own blood. It was to create a "patch" (or a scab, if you will) over the hole THEY created! Then I was on my merry way.

WELL...here is my philosophy....I ABSOLUTELY believe that the prolonged leakage of spinal fluid CAUSED my Chiari (proven by research). AND, I ABSOLUTELY believe that it is totally possible that the "hole" in my spinal cord area was never COMPLETELY sealed and is gradually growing with every squat, lunge and twist that my back is involved in! Now, if I can ONLY get the doctors to listen to me. I actually brought this scenario up to them in the past and it was quickly poo-pooed! OH, the protection! LISTEN...I am not looking to SUE anyone! I just want my body and brain FIXED! I do not think that is too much to ask!

Kristi

@*!#$*!@*! -bleepity, bleep, bleep, bleep!

What a FLIPPIN' waste of a day! 8 hours and $24 later...I will be sending my MRI's to my doc at the Cleveland Clinic after all - or I will be getting a neurologist to help me closer to home!

I got to Cleveland 30 minutes before my MRI apt. was scheduled - got right in, had them done in record time - went up to my docs clinic to check in and let them know I was there and was told that he was running HOURS behind! HOURS! So, I left! Insanity. They didn't seem to care that I came from Toledo. They didn't seem to care that I had my daughter with me. And, they especially didn't seem to care that my dogs' bladder's were going to explode if I waited there for HOURS! Whatever....

I already made an appointment for next Tuesday with my family doctor and will get a referral locally! Here's a funny side note...I had to spell "Chiari" to the person taking my appointment. This should be good! I just want this taken care of. Man oh Man!

Kristi