When It Rain's, It Pours
Today I came to the realization that I have a choice to continue dealing with my medical issues in my head (which isn't working) or reach out to a support group. I have been advised by many professionals to join a support group, but I just couldn't. I'm not even sure why. Today, everything wrong with me decided to "Have a party" and it left me just laying on my couch, staring at the wall, wondering how I was going to do this. I finally decided that since I never joined a support group, even though I was strongly advised to, it certainly was worth a shot. So this is my first day, on my first support group, entering my first page of my journal.
I have had RA for a couple of years. After a few trial and errors, I began taking a medicine that made a world of difference! At this time last year I was diagnosed with interstitial Cystitis. But before I could digest this, I had a planned rectal surgery in March. Unfortunately, while I was in the operating room, the surgeon decided to change one of the two procedures. I was never made aware of this and was sent home a few days later, none the wiser. Within less than a week, my medical journey began. I ended up in the ER. Long story short, I've had 13 surgeries in the past 11 months. The last 12 surgeries have been to try and correct the damage the first surgery caused. There was a reason I was not told about the change in procedure while I was in the OR, because the 2 procedures actually done are procedures that should NEVER be done simultaneously due to the high risk factor. My last surgery was February 25, 2016. I've spent way too much time in recovery mode over the past year. I am a proud teacher of 23 years, but had to be put on disability retirement that began this month because my body just isn't able to handle the job requirement. I believe all of this lengthy recovery has made my RA worse. I can't exercise and be active like I want and this is a vital part of helping RA. That has me frustrated! I want to get up and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Spring is coming and even if I can only walk to the end of my driveway and back, I'm going to do it everyday (at least that's my goal). I have no intention of being on disability retirement for an extended period of time. I'm determined to get back to my passion, teaching! I would love to start next school year, but I think I better keep an open mind that it might not be then. But I'm going back!
I guess why I let today get to me more than ever is because my RA is really hurting and I can't seem to get any relief. My IC is flaring up in full force, which means the next few days are not going to be pleasant. My last surgery involved having an Interstim Neurostimulor implanted in my lower back, with the lead covering my Sacral Nerve, so this is taking my body some serious time to get used to. Also, a new thing started about a little over a week ago and it has joined into today's laundry list of issues. My stomach keeps getting very bloated to where I look like I'm about to give birth to triplets and I am having a hard time breathing. The last three days has been really bad and it has nothing to do with food because I haven't been able to eat. So adding all of this together has lead me to here. My husband has asked me to call the doctor for the last 3 days, especially since I started running a low grade fever today. But I'm so tired of doctor appointments. I just keep thinking "This Too Shall Pass"!
I have had RA for a couple of years. After a few trial and errors, I began taking a medicine that made a world of difference! At this time last year I was diagnosed with interstitial Cystitis. But before I could digest this, I had a planned rectal surgery in March. Unfortunately, while I was in the operating room, the surgeon decided to change one of the two procedures. I was never made aware of this and was sent home a few days later, none the wiser. Within less than a week, my medical journey began. I ended up in the ER. Long story short, I've had 13 surgeries in the past 11 months. The last 12 surgeries have been to try and correct the damage the first surgery caused. There was a reason I was not told about the change in procedure while I was in the OR, because the 2 procedures actually done are procedures that should NEVER be done simultaneously due to the high risk factor. My last surgery was February 25, 2016. I've spent way too much time in recovery mode over the past year. I am a proud teacher of 23 years, but had to be put on disability retirement that began this month because my body just isn't able to handle the job requirement. I believe all of this lengthy recovery has made my RA worse. I can't exercise and be active like I want and this is a vital part of helping RA. That has me frustrated! I want to get up and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Spring is coming and even if I can only walk to the end of my driveway and back, I'm going to do it everyday (at least that's my goal). I have no intention of being on disability retirement for an extended period of time. I'm determined to get back to my passion, teaching! I would love to start next school year, but I think I better keep an open mind that it might not be then. But I'm going back!
I guess why I let today get to me more than ever is because my RA is really hurting and I can't seem to get any relief. My IC is flaring up in full force, which means the next few days are not going to be pleasant. My last surgery involved having an Interstim Neurostimulor implanted in my lower back, with the lead covering my Sacral Nerve, so this is taking my body some serious time to get used to. Also, a new thing started about a little over a week ago and it has joined into today's laundry list of issues. My stomach keeps getting very bloated to where I look like I'm about to give birth to triplets and I am having a hard time breathing. The last three days has been really bad and it has nothing to do with food because I haven't been able to eat. So adding all of this together has lead me to here. My husband has asked me to call the doctor for the last 3 days, especially since I started running a low grade fever today. But I'm so tired of doctor appointments. I just keep thinking "This Too Shall Pass"!
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