northwest2's Journal

Well, the 16th of July is my last day at work.  I'm taking a 3 month unpaid leave of absence because I already had one "paid" leave of absence in the winter.  At least I'm still in the company and I get to keep this insurance a bit longer.  If I don't get a layoff notice in September, then I'm out of there for good.  I hated to do that, but I had an episode in the hospital about 3 weeks ago.  It was determined that it was the medication that was causing the abdominal pain and it wasn't heart problems ( thank goodness for that).  It made me realize that his job is not for me any more.  I'm just going to have to go down to something  with less pay, but if it improves the quality of life, then that's what has to be done.  I just don't tolerate stress anymore.  I'm going to look for contract work; I just don't want anything permanent - that way when I don't feel up to it, I don't have to work.  I am fortunate enough to have health insurance through the hubby so I don't have to work about that - Thank you Lord!

I'm a bit nervous about trying to find new friends.  You lose contact with most of your "friends" that you have at work and I don't see it being any different for me.  I'm hoping to find new ones at quilt classes or clubs - even my quilt club is affiliated with my work and I don't think I can be a member unless I am somehow affiliated.  The bad thing is that everything costs money up here.  You don't use a facility for free for ANYTHING unless you pay a fee for a class or a meeting.  Talk about the pitts

I do have a new toy that I purchased - a quilting machine and a frame for a very good price.  I found it on Craig's list. At least I will have my toys paid for since I willI have the time.  Fabric enough I have - I've been such a hamster with that stuff these last few years, I didn't realize how much I had until I tried to stash more that I found from a shop that was closing.  I've got my work cut out for me.  A lot of that is fabric for clothing too.  I will have to relearn how to alter patterns for the "more mature" body and the "somewhat" smaller body after the surgery.

Well, have no clue how my IGF-1 level is doing for the last few months.  The last blood sample didn't return for about 3 weeks.  When I called the doctor to check on it, they found out that the lab had bad reagents.  The samples are all frozen and they are experimenting with the new reagents (go figure that one!) and the earliest they will have results will be mid July.  I will have my next one then.  Wonder how long it will take to get the new one back.

Cholesterol meds have been added to the mix and they seem to be aggravating the pain.  I have to stagger all the different medications that I am on in order to not have one hinder the other. Get this - no calcium supplements with the thyroid medication. It will keep the thyroid medication from being effective.  I don't like to take the cholesterold medication around time for the shot either.  I made that mistake the first day I took the cholesterol med and then gave myself a shot.  I had so much pain!   I also asked to cut  the cholesterol med dosage to start with, because Somavert can affect the liver as can the cholesterol med.  I just want to make sure they play nice with each other.

Gee you have to be your own patient advocate and medical specialist rolled into one.  Gee maybe that will be my next new career - patient advisor. We would be good at that you know.  We all have so much experience with it.

Cioa for now.

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