You know what’s crazy, so far the only thing that brings tears to my eyes is when people are nice to me. Crazy, right?!
I walk around, eat well, and sleep enough although my hips do ache and recently the ache can run into my lower back. The only thing other than that is I have ouchy trouble with chairs and stairs but once the activity of sitting-standing-stepping is over I’m ok again. I’m ok in spirits too. I’ll keep on top of what needs doing and do my best.. me and the Stoics..
No doubt things will change any number of times before it’s over. I’ve already lost track of who I told what and some people have a higher desire for, or tolerance of, detail. I’m going to have a special ‘click’ in the upper left of the computer version of http://www.WhereTheHeckIsMom.com for a collection of updates.
The Oncologyst, Dr Kristedja, said go ahead on your trip, there’s nothing you can do to make it worse, so I’m going, leaving on the 27th, back on April 9. Pictures from Mexico forthcoming!
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Timeline (depending on your desire for detail):
2024
Sep 01-ish…….Started hip-specific TikTok exercises to strengthen myself for the trip to Chicago and went on a flurry of ‘standing on one leg’.
Oct 14 I was a little limpy in Chicago although I averaged 13,000 steps per day.
Nov 21 I decided something needed diagnosing and saw Dr Jacobsen, my Primary Care, got xrays which revealed minor osteoarthritis, she referred me to PT and offered other referrals if I wanted.
Dec 03 Started PT and continued to get worse but kept at it.
Feb 26 Finally giving up on PT, I saw Dr Horacek, Orthopedic specialist, who took xrays and ordered a LT side MRI to determine if it was bursal inflammation or gluteal tendon disease or both, neither particularly urgent. His MRI appointment was for the 19th but after a week of waiting I decided to see if I could get it done sooner, which I could, on the 13th.
Mar 14 Saw PA Adege, who ordered the RT side MRI and was able to schedule for that day since the LT side MRI was worrying.
Mar 19 Saw Dr Gerhardt, another Orthopedic specialist, who, after reviewing both MRIs referred me to Oncology, I walked across the street and made an appointment with Dr Kristedja for the next day.
Mar 20 Saw Dr Kristedja, the Oncologist, who took blood and ordered a PET scan ‘stat’. I walked up to the imaging place to make sure I could get an appointment for the next day.
Mar 21 Had the PET scan but I’m not expecting results until I get back April 9
I got the PET scan, easy-peasy, and when it was over they told me to stay away from children and pregnant women for 24 hours because for that long I would be radioactive. There’s something.
And I might as well mention the Massage Therapist I saw in early March who said my problem was a tight psoas muscle and what I needed was more massage.