Recently in Medical Issues Category

I had thought of holding off for two more days and making it an even week without posting, but I just had to drop a note and let you all know I am alive. Barely, but still alive. I have been going steady at my novel, writing just about every morning. Most mornings for about 45 minutes. Over the weekend, I get in about two hours a day, give or take. And remember, I have three day weekends.

Anyway, this morning I woke up with a killer headache. Not quite a migraine, but a very painful sinus headache that is as much caused by the dry air as it is by my still lingering cold, which I've had for about two weeks now.

Seriously, two weeks is just too damn long to have a cold. The one redeeming factor is that it's fall, making the cold less of an insult than having it in the summer. There is just something inherently wrong with a summer cold. They feel worse. At least during the winter, you can make the claim of not going outside because of a cold. Not so in the summer. Supposedly, the warm weather should help get rid of your cold.

Yeah, right. Sell me a bridge.

So, right now I am struggling with calling in sick. More likely, I will be heading to work, despite feeling like crap. I'll just have to struggle.

There you go. Now you know I am alive, though not well. Life in Minnesota. No doubt Carl will come along and make some comment about the insanity of living in Minnesota. Thankfully, I have Sarah Palin to use as an example of where insanity truly arises. Honestly, Minnesota Nice surely trumps Alaskan PUMA age wrinkles any day of the year. Even if you have a cold.

Okay, I have pretty much reached the limit to sitting at my computer. I have at the most maybe 4 hours available to me before my side gets to uncomfortable. And that is with some extended breaks among those 4 hours. So, there is a good chance this will be my last post for today. 

I have been hesitant to post anything about my ongoing medical issue. Mostly because I have yet to learn what is wrong. So far an appendicitis has been ruled out, as has any problem with my gall bladder. After two ex-rays, all possible conditions to my digestive track have been ruled out. And finally, after two weeks of anti-biotic treatment, my prostate is still mildly inflamed, though much improved. In fact, the dull, constant ache of my balls has subsided.

Really, I just don't know how to say it any less crudely.

Unfortunately, I am now experiencing a sharp pain down in my right pelvic area. Or more accurately, just above and to the inside, alone side my crotch. In addition, there is pain radiating from this point to just behind my right kidney, down the inside of my leg, up into my lower right chest cavity, and occasionally into my right buttock. This radiating pain comes and goes, though lately more coming than going.

Now, I am not upset with my doctor. Having been involved in the health field for as long as I have, I understand that diagnosing medical issues is as much an art as it is a science. Honestly, diagnosing addiction is easier than medical conditions.

I have been consistent with my reported symptoms. However, I am starting to get worried, which means I begin to wonder about other, probably normal, transitory physical conditions. Usually muscle aches I have been able to recognize as the result of physical exercise, etc. But I have not been riding my bike since this whole issue first started becoming serious (six weeks ago) and I have been haphazard in taking walks.

Anyway, after my visit with the doctor, to inform him of my continued suffering while taking the anti-biotic, and discovering that I've developed a physical abhorrence to apples, strawberries, and honey (extreme gastric/abdominal distress), it has been decided to perform an MRI.

I am expecting a call from the clinic today about the appointment. I suspect I should exercise restraint and patience and not call them immediately, but I haven't been exercising much lately.

However, I am going to attempt just such an exercise now and go take a shower. Though sitting tends to aggravate the condition, I have to put food on the table and make the mortgage, so it's off to work I go. Before I do go, I should note the pain is not yet consistently debilitating. If I am careful, and do not eat anything acidic, such as the aforementioned apples and strawberries, or honey (why honey? I love honey!), I am able to remain at work and perform my job.

I am hopeful a diagnosis and treatment will occur before I can no longer perform my job. But to deny I am scared would be a lie. In moments of doubt, I fear the worst. Thankfully, I rarely experience those moments which are currently much more uncomfortable than the pain I am experiencing.