I have to share an answer to prayer:
A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that one of my teeth seemed to have a crack in it. A tooth that I've had filled already and that my dentist mentioned that it might need a root canal someday. So, needless to say, I started to get worried. I told my dentist about it at church and he said he'd look at it when I got my crown.
Well, he looked at it last night, and it's just a groove in my tooth! A natural shape of my tooth that I hadn't noticed until I started to get nervous about my teeth. He said that cracks occasionally will happen along natural grooves, but there's no sign of that happening with me. And he said "If you want to pay me more money, you're going to have to try harder than that."
PRAISE THE LORD! He is watching over our finances and my health, and I am so thankful for this answer to prayer. A miracle!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Important date (for me)
May 17 at 11am.
That's when the wisdom teeth are outta here.
Thanks for your prayers!
That's when the wisdom teeth are outta here.
Thanks for your prayers!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Legs, legs, legs
Well, I could use prayer about my legs.
I did get the compression stockings, and they worked great for the first couple of days, but Sunday and Monday and today my legs (BOTH of them) were so sore and achy. I'm going back to the doc to see what I should do. I worry again that it's a blood clot in my left leg, for which compression stockings are not advised. In the meantime, while I await my doc appointment on Thursday, I'm supposed to elevate my legs and put warm and wet things on them. I think I'll take them off for awhile today and see what happens.
This painful mystery illness is really plugging into my anxiety. I worry a lot about what's going on with my legs: did I get a misdiagnosis? Why did the pain and aching set in so quickly? Do I actually have a blood clot? What is wrong with me? I try to exercise more, then when the legs hurt, I try to rest more. Arg!
I'm used to having medical problems, but they always relate back to Crohn's; I haven't had unexplainable symptoms for quite awhile now. So, I'm anxious. Please pray for me, as I continue on this journey of suffering. Please pray that while I wait some wisdom from my doctor, I learn from any redemptive suffering that God may have for me during this time.
I did get the compression stockings, and they worked great for the first couple of days, but Sunday and Monday and today my legs (BOTH of them) were so sore and achy. I'm going back to the doc to see what I should do. I worry again that it's a blood clot in my left leg, for which compression stockings are not advised. In the meantime, while I await my doc appointment on Thursday, I'm supposed to elevate my legs and put warm and wet things on them. I think I'll take them off for awhile today and see what happens.
This painful mystery illness is really plugging into my anxiety. I worry a lot about what's going on with my legs: did I get a misdiagnosis? Why did the pain and aching set in so quickly? Do I actually have a blood clot? What is wrong with me? I try to exercise more, then when the legs hurt, I try to rest more. Arg!
I'm used to having medical problems, but they always relate back to Crohn's; I haven't had unexplainable symptoms for quite awhile now. So, I'm anxious. Please pray for me, as I continue on this journey of suffering. Please pray that while I wait some wisdom from my doctor, I learn from any redemptive suffering that God may have for me during this time.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Legs
Well, I'm recovering from Holy Week. While it wasn't as stressful as last year, it still had its challenges, and I'm weary from late nights and hurried meals and anxiety about performing, etc. Not to mention the positive stress: beloved houseguests, and celebration and dancing about the risen Lord!
I am experiencing this stress in my legs, mainly, which is new for me. They are swollen and the veins are painful: varicose veins. My doctor diagnosed them yesterday, when I was nervous that I might have a blood clot in my leg, something that Crohn's patients are more prone to. He said that the dangerous blood clots are in the large vein along the bottom of your leg, and all my pain was on the top of my leg.
Varicose veins run in my family, and I already have some, so it wasn't too suprising to receive that diagnosis. It's just that the ones I already have on my legs haven't been painful. These are painful and make my leg swell up. I've been prescribed compression stockings for when my legs are hurting or when I'm going to be imobile for awhile (like on a plane or car trip), and I'm less than excited about that experience and the price of it. Oh well.
So, I'm off to buy compression stockings so I can get some relief. Please keep praying that I will be able to exercise and work out any other stress that may be planning to hit me next week.
I am experiencing this stress in my legs, mainly, which is new for me. They are swollen and the veins are painful: varicose veins. My doctor diagnosed them yesterday, when I was nervous that I might have a blood clot in my leg, something that Crohn's patients are more prone to. He said that the dangerous blood clots are in the large vein along the bottom of your leg, and all my pain was on the top of my leg.
Varicose veins run in my family, and I already have some, so it wasn't too suprising to receive that diagnosis. It's just that the ones I already have on my legs haven't been painful. These are painful and make my leg swell up. I've been prescribed compression stockings for when my legs are hurting or when I'm going to be imobile for awhile (like on a plane or car trip), and I'm less than excited about that experience and the price of it. Oh well.
So, I'm off to buy compression stockings so I can get some relief. Please keep praying that I will be able to exercise and work out any other stress that may be planning to hit me next week.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Wisdom Teeth
I can't believe you're all still reading this blog. Thank you for your love and concern.
My appointment with the oral surgeon went well. He's only five or six years older than me, I'd say, which is kind of odd, but he's very confident and seems to know what's he's talking about and have a lot of experience. We'll see, huh? ;)
He wants all four of my wisdom teeth out, and while one of them could wait, he said it could act up at any time and I may as well get it out at the same time. Yessir! I don't want to go through this more than once!!!
So, he's going to have me on Valium (to reduce anxiety), antibiotics (both in mouthwash form for five days prior to the surgery, and in an IV during the surgery), steroids (which they give everyone via IV during surgery), general anesthesia (PRAISE THE LORD!!!) and laughing gas (for the heck of it? I don't know, but most everyone has it, he says). And Vicodin for afterwards. Don't worry, Dad--I'll learn from Brett Favre's mistakes.
There you go. Sounds like I'll have plenty of medicinal support throughout. Now, I just pray that my Crohn's stays relatively stable.
And they have some financial planning things to help with the bill, so that's a blessing, too. All this dental work is so stressful, financially. It's so hard for me to pay money for medical/dental things--I got used to my HMO! Two of the teeth qualify for PPO coverage and the other two are the cheaper ones, so that's good.
Interesting stats that I learned:
--Only 2-3% of folks get dry sockets. And most of these folks are people who (1) smoke or (2) use straws (against their oral surgeons' orders).
--There is a small percentage of people whose minds wake up while under general anesthesia but who can't tell their doctors that they are awake, because the rest of their body is asleep. But if it happens to me, I can rest assured, because my mouth will be completely numb, so I won't be able to feel anything. (Just the kind of info I should NOT hear, huh, family?)
--There is a very, very small chance that I could suffer heart attack, stroke or death because of this surgery. (another unhelpful piece of info that his insurance probably requires him to tell me).
Despite the information overload, I feel very confident in his abilities and reassured that my teeth are not in imminent danger of falling out of my mouth or causing some awful disease if I don't get my wisdom teeth out in the next 24 hours (in my anxiety, I pictured the surgeon saying "Omigosh! You need these out tomorrow! I've never seen teeth in worse shape than this! How are you still alive? How will I figure out how to remove these complicated teeth safely and quickly! Why didn't you get these taken out in high school?"). In reality, he was calm and not terribly impressed even by my one tooth that's falling apart. He just said I should have this surgery done when I have a chance. He joked that I should wait until he's had time to recover from his Disney vacation at the end of April, if I can't come in before then.
So, it's all good. Thank you for your prayers!
My appointment with the oral surgeon went well. He's only five or six years older than me, I'd say, which is kind of odd, but he's very confident and seems to know what's he's talking about and have a lot of experience. We'll see, huh? ;)
He wants all four of my wisdom teeth out, and while one of them could wait, he said it could act up at any time and I may as well get it out at the same time. Yessir! I don't want to go through this more than once!!!
So, he's going to have me on Valium (to reduce anxiety), antibiotics (both in mouthwash form for five days prior to the surgery, and in an IV during the surgery), steroids (which they give everyone via IV during surgery), general anesthesia (PRAISE THE LORD!!!) and laughing gas (for the heck of it? I don't know, but most everyone has it, he says). And Vicodin for afterwards. Don't worry, Dad--I'll learn from Brett Favre's mistakes.
There you go. Sounds like I'll have plenty of medicinal support throughout. Now, I just pray that my Crohn's stays relatively stable.
And they have some financial planning things to help with the bill, so that's a blessing, too. All this dental work is so stressful, financially. It's so hard for me to pay money for medical/dental things--I got used to my HMO! Two of the teeth qualify for PPO coverage and the other two are the cheaper ones, so that's good.
Interesting stats that I learned:
--Only 2-3% of folks get dry sockets. And most of these folks are people who (1) smoke or (2) use straws (against their oral surgeons' orders).
--There is a small percentage of people whose minds wake up while under general anesthesia but who can't tell their doctors that they are awake, because the rest of their body is asleep. But if it happens to me, I can rest assured, because my mouth will be completely numb, so I won't be able to feel anything. (Just the kind of info I should NOT hear, huh, family?)
--There is a very, very small chance that I could suffer heart attack, stroke or death because of this surgery. (another unhelpful piece of info that his insurance probably requires him to tell me).
Despite the information overload, I feel very confident in his abilities and reassured that my teeth are not in imminent danger of falling out of my mouth or causing some awful disease if I don't get my wisdom teeth out in the next 24 hours (in my anxiety, I pictured the surgeon saying "Omigosh! You need these out tomorrow! I've never seen teeth in worse shape than this! How are you still alive? How will I figure out how to remove these complicated teeth safely and quickly! Why didn't you get these taken out in high school?"). In reality, he was calm and not terribly impressed even by my one tooth that's falling apart. He just said I should have this surgery done when I have a chance. He joked that I should wait until he's had time to recover from his Disney vacation at the end of April, if I can't come in before then.
So, it's all good. Thank you for your prayers!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Wisdom teeth
Ah, yes, the trauma continues.
I went into the dentist last night because I noticed that one of my half-in wisdom teeth was sharp, and sure enough, it's "breaking apart" and I have to get my wisdom teeth taken out right away (maybe only two, because the other two haven't grown in and might not be causing trouble).
I was able to make an appointment for Monday with an oral surgeon who has a dentist degree AND an MD, so he'll be good for dealing with my extra-dental medical complications, and who happens to be the cheapest guy in our county (my dentist said). He's cheap because he's new and wants to build his client base. But my dentist said he's great, with "amazing hands." My dentist sends people to him who've had bad jobs done at other oral surgeons and this guy fixes them. So, I feel pretty good about him. Plus, I'm going to ask him if I can have general anesthesia, which will make it MUCH easier on my stress level.
Now I just pray that it'll be covered by my PPO. The surgery et al can be covered if the teeth are impacted or are under the skin. I've never hoped my wisdom teeth were impacted until today. My dental insurance maximum benefit is all used up after the cavities, root canal and crown.
Gosh, you get all the gory details. ;)
Happy things:
I'm feeling good Crohn's wise. I haven't been able to exercise because I don't have time and I'm having trouble with a vein in my leg, but I feel pretty good, stress-wise. It's just SUCH a relief not to have to do Holy Week duties at my church like I had the past few years.
I went into the dentist last night because I noticed that one of my half-in wisdom teeth was sharp, and sure enough, it's "breaking apart" and I have to get my wisdom teeth taken out right away (maybe only two, because the other two haven't grown in and might not be causing trouble).
I was able to make an appointment for Monday with an oral surgeon who has a dentist degree AND an MD, so he'll be good for dealing with my extra-dental medical complications, and who happens to be the cheapest guy in our county (my dentist said). He's cheap because he's new and wants to build his client base. But my dentist said he's great, with "amazing hands." My dentist sends people to him who've had bad jobs done at other oral surgeons and this guy fixes them. So, I feel pretty good about him. Plus, I'm going to ask him if I can have general anesthesia, which will make it MUCH easier on my stress level.
Now I just pray that it'll be covered by my PPO. The surgery et al can be covered if the teeth are impacted or are under the skin. I've never hoped my wisdom teeth were impacted until today. My dental insurance maximum benefit is all used up after the cavities, root canal and crown.
Gosh, you get all the gory details. ;)
Happy things:
I'm feeling good Crohn's wise. I haven't been able to exercise because I don't have time and I'm having trouble with a vein in my leg, but I feel pretty good, stress-wise. It's just SUCH a relief not to have to do Holy Week duties at my church like I had the past few years.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Bye-bye, Entocort. Again.
I am down to two Entocort a day, down from three, starting today. I really will miss it. I feel so much better on Entocort, and it's hard to go off it. Oh well. I think it is better for me overall, though I heard that it's not so bad to be on it longterm.
So, I tried a little test yesterday: I ate an oatmeal cookie. I have heard that cooked oatmeal is generally good for Crohn's patients (assuming you can handle soluble fiber, which I can't), and I figured, since there's a small amount of oatmeal in these cookies and they look SO GOOD, I could try one. It wouldn't kill me.
Well, my husband called it my "intestines getting muscular, going to the gym," which is what fiber helps do for your intestines (helps them get stronger) but I called it pain. It hurt. Oh well. I tried.
I'm doing pretty well. Holy Week has begun, but because I'm not heading up a major ministry at my church this year, I am not feeling stressed out. My job this year is to support my husband (and participate in one of his readings). Shouldn't be too bad, if I eat cautiously and exercise and get enough sleep.
I did receive the IBD cookbook and wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped to be. A lot of her recommendations are best for those in remission, which isn't me. There are some good pointers and some great recommendations for fashioning meal plans, and some good recipes, but I can't just make whatever she recommends without worrying about the ingredients, which is what I was hoping to do, because she uses red meat and lots of fiber, which I can't do. Frustrating. A reminder that everyone's Crohn's is different.
Blessings on you this Holy Week.
So, I tried a little test yesterday: I ate an oatmeal cookie. I have heard that cooked oatmeal is generally good for Crohn's patients (assuming you can handle soluble fiber, which I can't), and I figured, since there's a small amount of oatmeal in these cookies and they look SO GOOD, I could try one. It wouldn't kill me.
Well, my husband called it my "intestines getting muscular, going to the gym," which is what fiber helps do for your intestines (helps them get stronger) but I called it pain. It hurt. Oh well. I tried.
I'm doing pretty well. Holy Week has begun, but because I'm not heading up a major ministry at my church this year, I am not feeling stressed out. My job this year is to support my husband (and participate in one of his readings). Shouldn't be too bad, if I eat cautiously and exercise and get enough sleep.
I did receive the IBD cookbook and wasn't as impressed as I'd hoped to be. A lot of her recommendations are best for those in remission, which isn't me. There are some good pointers and some great recommendations for fashioning meal plans, and some good recipes, but I can't just make whatever she recommends without worrying about the ingredients, which is what I was hoping to do, because she uses red meat and lots of fiber, which I can't do. Frustrating. A reminder that everyone's Crohn's is different.
Blessings on you this Holy Week.
"Almighty God, whose dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other that the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."