August 5, 2010
Good morning everyone, thank you for the well wishes on my negative spine biopsy. I couldn't tell you how relieved I was when I found out, so was the oncologist. I went to the nephrologist the next day, seemed pretty nice but didn't have the greatest bedside manner. I did manage to crack a smile off him. He seemed pretty professional, which put me at ease. I am glad that my kidney function is 53% instead of 43%. My creatinine level is 1.3 so it still is relatively normal. If my level was over 2-3% then there is cause for concern. That could be years from now. Until then, live life the way I need to. he gave me 3 scripts for some 24 hour urine tests. the 1st one is the dreaded brown bottle urine test (I am on it as we speak), I have to collect all my urine for 24 hours, then go back for some additional blood work, CMP, Uric Acid, Phosphate and CBC w/diff first thing tomorrow morning. No fasting but I will be drinking a lot of water all day long. That will be my drink of choice for the rest of the day until tomorrow morning. Fun! Thank god my office is right next to the bathroom. Kinda hate it because I can hear everyone go to the bathroom and there are some sounds that no one wants to hear. Yuck....LOL!!! I have a script for lisinopril BP 10mg to start probably in a few weeks (I will wait until our PCA classes are overwith so they can test me with my higher than normal blood pressure - as a guinea pig. I bet they all get me wrong...LOL!!). 10 days after that I have another blood tests, I don't think it will be 24 hour urine that time so it might be a little better. The last test, is a 24 hour urine with fasting - so I might have to take a PTO day inorder to do this (too difficult to do during the weekend - that would ruin it and at work, god knows what they will bring in for food, not good to fast during work hours). So I am kinda stuck on that one. Thats ok. I plan on doing that around the 10th of October, which will be approximately 2 1/2 weeks before my next appt. I am about to have fun today....
My sister comes in tomorrow from Denver CO for a week. Its our 25th reunion (more about that soon!). As I stated in a previous journal many months ago - I was held back in the 1st grade so I ended up going to school with my sister. Funny, everyone thought we were twins. I don't look anything like my sister. All my school years, all I have heard was "you don't look anything like your sister". I am not kidding you, we do not look anything a like. I was always Kelly's sister. My identity was different in my school years. I was always the quiet, shy, conservative sister and she was always the goodie too shoes, student counsel president, etc. I almost feel that they associated me because of her. I didn't feel like I had an identity until after high school when she went off to college and I stayed home to go to a community college which I never graduated from. I wound up graduating from "social" and just coasted at that community college. I made friends, lots of them but they are not good friends like I wanted them to be. Its like they don't even want to even get together for a reunion or anything - just live life and not reconnect. Pretty sad. I did reconnect with a few of them over the years but it never lasted. I think I remember a posting about this a day or two ago in the depression support group. Its often hard to reach out to friends but they don't want to reciprocate. I don't want to be a pest either. Also, friends come and go so often in our lives. I hate hearing about people who have friends they stay with since HS, sure they are friends but they have remained close to them. To me they are closed off and too afraid to take chances in life to meet new people.
when I was involved with John about 20 years ago, I always wanted to go back to school to do something. He was so discouraging and told me that it wasn't worth it for me to go back. It was like he was holding me back and did so for 6 years. I will explain about him in a future journal. Probably longer because after I broke it off with him in 1997, I felt really discouraged and felt that I didn't have the courage to go back. It took an additional 7 years before I decided to go back, this time to a private 2 year school that had smaller classes. I thrived at Bryant and Stratton College, started to get my A's and B's which made me love going to classes, doing the projects, papers (that took a while to get the hang of but eventually I got my "A" term paper at my last semester). It took me 9 semesters, taking 2-3 classes at a time. I wouldn't dare go full time even though it would take me next to nothing to pick up a 4th class. I started off really easy - basic math (noncredit) and beginning typing (cake class). Then basic english (noncredit - teacher thought I didn't belong in the class - was a better writer than she thought I was) and 2nd semester typing (cake class). It went up from there. When we went to the new college where it stands today I got into my curriculum classes - all my medical classes. I graduated magna caum laude with a 3.7 gpa. If I decide to go for my bachelors degree, it might be healthcare administration or go farther for my coding certificate and go for healthcare information management. I went to school for medical coding a few years ago, took the CPC exam but failed it twice. It was a difficult exam. The 2nd time I almost passed it but I missed the mark on 2 sections. I want to decide by the end of this year so I can start in the Fall 2011. It might be online. I also thought of Occupational Therapy too. Not sure if I want to be a glorified Administrative Assistant all my life. I have been doing this sort of job for 20 years (give or take a home health aide for a year inbetween). I just got my student loans straightened out so I will continue to pay the American Student Association for at least another year (they are the government student loans, where everyone who gets a federal stafford loan will get their loans from - banks are getting out of the business). Then a possible inschool deferrment to get the bachelors degree. I will be paying this off for the next 25 or so years - hopefully I will last that long with this PKD (lets cross our fingers on that one, you never know!). We shall see what I decide in the next 6 months. The thought of getting a bachelors degree is a really good thing. I will then be the same degree level as my sister (not my cousin Debbie, she is the only masters degree holder in the family) and ahead of my other cousins who all have their associates degree (except for my brother and cousin John who do not have degrees and are book smart workers and are very successful).
My good friend Jodi who is a coder is trying to encourage me to retake the exam at the end of this year so I can start bidding on some coding jobs when the new facility goes up in our hospital sites. My issue isn't the test its gathering the $$ for the exam. I have to enroll in the AAPC (american professional coders association), thats $150.00 then the books (CPT-4, ICD 9 and HICPCS books) all cost a total of $250.00, then the exam is $300.00 (for AACP members)for 2 additional tries - without the membership the cost shoots up to $450.00. Thats a lot to put down and $$ that I don't have at this moment.
I want to hit myself in the head - I forgot to call my friend Debbie to cancel out of Sunday and Tuesday. She is so mad at me for doing that. She is that kind of friend who will tell you right away if something isn't right. That could be good but it could be bad. She's got her foot in her mouth a few times (not by me, but a few other people). I was house sitting for my cousin Debbie again with the 2 cats for several days. Hope she can forgive me. I might have to send her some flowers to her house in the next day or two to appologize. Do you think that might be a good thing? I feel downright terrible about that. I try and be a good friend but I think I am allowed some slip ups from time to time. I know...I should have called her. So, I was wrong. I will let her cool off for another day or two. I think I am human.
Have a wonderful day everyone. Love you all....
My sister comes in tomorrow from Denver CO for a week. Its our 25th reunion (more about that soon!). As I stated in a previous journal many months ago - I was held back in the 1st grade so I ended up going to school with my sister. Funny, everyone thought we were twins. I don't look anything like my sister. All my school years, all I have heard was "you don't look anything like your sister". I am not kidding you, we do not look anything a like. I was always Kelly's sister. My identity was different in my school years. I was always the quiet, shy, conservative sister and she was always the goodie too shoes, student counsel president, etc. I almost feel that they associated me because of her. I didn't feel like I had an identity until after high school when she went off to college and I stayed home to go to a community college which I never graduated from. I wound up graduating from "social" and just coasted at that community college. I made friends, lots of them but they are not good friends like I wanted them to be. Its like they don't even want to even get together for a reunion or anything - just live life and not reconnect. Pretty sad. I did reconnect with a few of them over the years but it never lasted. I think I remember a posting about this a day or two ago in the depression support group. Its often hard to reach out to friends but they don't want to reciprocate. I don't want to be a pest either. Also, friends come and go so often in our lives. I hate hearing about people who have friends they stay with since HS, sure they are friends but they have remained close to them. To me they are closed off and too afraid to take chances in life to meet new people.
when I was involved with John about 20 years ago, I always wanted to go back to school to do something. He was so discouraging and told me that it wasn't worth it for me to go back. It was like he was holding me back and did so for 6 years. I will explain about him in a future journal. Probably longer because after I broke it off with him in 1997, I felt really discouraged and felt that I didn't have the courage to go back. It took an additional 7 years before I decided to go back, this time to a private 2 year school that had smaller classes. I thrived at Bryant and Stratton College, started to get my A's and B's which made me love going to classes, doing the projects, papers (that took a while to get the hang of but eventually I got my "A" term paper at my last semester). It took me 9 semesters, taking 2-3 classes at a time. I wouldn't dare go full time even though it would take me next to nothing to pick up a 4th class. I started off really easy - basic math (noncredit) and beginning typing (cake class). Then basic english (noncredit - teacher thought I didn't belong in the class - was a better writer than she thought I was) and 2nd semester typing (cake class). It went up from there. When we went to the new college where it stands today I got into my curriculum classes - all my medical classes. I graduated magna caum laude with a 3.7 gpa. If I decide to go for my bachelors degree, it might be healthcare administration or go farther for my coding certificate and go for healthcare information management. I went to school for medical coding a few years ago, took the CPC exam but failed it twice. It was a difficult exam. The 2nd time I almost passed it but I missed the mark on 2 sections. I want to decide by the end of this year so I can start in the Fall 2011. It might be online. I also thought of Occupational Therapy too. Not sure if I want to be a glorified Administrative Assistant all my life. I have been doing this sort of job for 20 years (give or take a home health aide for a year inbetween). I just got my student loans straightened out so I will continue to pay the American Student Association for at least another year (they are the government student loans, where everyone who gets a federal stafford loan will get their loans from - banks are getting out of the business). Then a possible inschool deferrment to get the bachelors degree. I will be paying this off for the next 25 or so years - hopefully I will last that long with this PKD (lets cross our fingers on that one, you never know!). We shall see what I decide in the next 6 months. The thought of getting a bachelors degree is a really good thing. I will then be the same degree level as my sister (not my cousin Debbie, she is the only masters degree holder in the family) and ahead of my other cousins who all have their associates degree (except for my brother and cousin John who do not have degrees and are book smart workers and are very successful).
My good friend Jodi who is a coder is trying to encourage me to retake the exam at the end of this year so I can start bidding on some coding jobs when the new facility goes up in our hospital sites. My issue isn't the test its gathering the $$ for the exam. I have to enroll in the AAPC (american professional coders association), thats $150.00 then the books (CPT-4, ICD 9 and HICPCS books) all cost a total of $250.00, then the exam is $300.00 (for AACP members)for 2 additional tries - without the membership the cost shoots up to $450.00. Thats a lot to put down and $$ that I don't have at this moment.
I want to hit myself in the head - I forgot to call my friend Debbie to cancel out of Sunday and Tuesday. She is so mad at me for doing that. She is that kind of friend who will tell you right away if something isn't right. That could be good but it could be bad. She's got her foot in her mouth a few times (not by me, but a few other people). I was house sitting for my cousin Debbie again with the 2 cats for several days. Hope she can forgive me. I might have to send her some flowers to her house in the next day or two to appologize. Do you think that might be a good thing? I feel downright terrible about that. I try and be a good friend but I think I am allowed some slip ups from time to time. I know...I should have called her. So, I was wrong. I will let her cool off for another day or two. I think I am human.
Have a wonderful day everyone. Love you all....
Replies
You should go for the exam and regardless of the cost because this is something you are doing for yourself and no one can take it away from you.
All the best to you sweet Jen!
Jenn,
I am so happy for you on the spine biopsy and renal function reports...I was praying for you and worrying with you too. So my premature happy dance a few days early payed off after all!! lol remember that? too funny :)
on the blood test if they begin to bother you in any way likes say: you get faint or sick for a few days after they take a large blood panel or if you just get tired of giving blood you might consider challenging them on it. Ask them why they need so much blood (they always take about 75% more than they need)....if you are comfortable with the test then no worries. ( I get real sick for about 4-7 days if I have a big blood panel when they take lots of blood. I thought once maybe they were using my blood to give someone else a transfusion!!!! I now give only so much and thats all they get. If they want more i challenge them on it and remind them its in my medical charts that iget sick from giving too much blood. I guess I am kinda weird because they don\'t know what causes me to get sick but I know I don\'t like any extra sickness so they get 1 maybe 2 vials. If they need more then 2 I make them reduce the amount they put in each one. I am getting hard headed, stubborn and even harsh (rarely if needed ) to protect my health....enough about that.
As you schooling goes. I would encourage you to continue perhaps take it easy like only a couple classes a day online.Keep your job and just take on enough classes to handle without too much stress or burn out. If you take a couple years to complete thats ok. You are going to be working the same job in 2 years most likely anyway. Once you get you Bachelors...land a better job and who knows you may decide to stay in school and go for that masters. As long as you are still attending school you don\'t have to make payments on your student loans. Its definitely smart if you do but if you have a hard month or two financially you can slide right through. By the way most community colleges and many big State colleges are 100% online now so you could pick a big school name that most companies recognize. I did a lot of research on this
about 2 years ago I was thinking about going to school and found some very interesting information. OSU which is my favorite State College here in Oregon and the local Community College are both now 100% online.
Raising money to enroll in the AAPC and pay for the books/test ...I can share some ideas too lengthy to write here. I am not able to do these things due to disability but I can sure point you in the right direction. I think that would be important for you to take the test and get that professional coders certification.
You are basically there now Jenn.
As for being human... we all are and we all make mistakes..never feels good when we do but the only success we ever have in life is because of what we have learned by our mistakes. Books, teaches, instructions, coaches, counselors, professors, business owners, parents etc...can only give a person so much instruction but what we learn the best and remember the most is what we gain from failures mistakes and mishaps. Knowledge always has a cost one way or another.
XXOO
Eltasche
sound like you have a lot going for you. Going back to school is a great thing. It\'s an accomplishment. So glad about your negative results. It sucks that you have to pee for 24 hours in a cup though. Keep up the good work!! Hugs
I survived the 24 hour in the brown jug. Just so much fun....NOT. I\'d rather have 6 viles of blood taken out of me. Too much pressure with the urine sample and work to do - all day long. I couldn\'t go anywhere last night and was craving fast food (I know--- not good for me but I wanted it).
I think I will be applying for the AAPC (professional coders association) membership this weekend. Its the 1st step in the process of applying for the CPC exam. Then I have to purchase the books - I think one at a time would be better for me and try to scrape together the $300 for the exam. I\'d like to take it in November, if possible. May not be Buffalo. I could take it elsewhere in the US.
Jen, you know I\'m all for you retaking this test...work hard at it and I\'m sure you would pass.