So I was told to see a few more doctors who could possibly help me. Dr. Park at Envision really wants me to go see a Neuro Opthamologist in Oklahoma City for my vision and Dr. Reddy at St. Francis wants me to go see a Hematologist in Wichita for my blood.
Well I met Dr. Cannon who is a Hematologist in Wichita at the Cancer Center of Kansas today and he wants to do some tests to check my blood for different clotting disorders. He has taken me off of my blood thinner medication so that he is able to test my blood coumadin free. He wants me to watch closely to make sure I don't notice anything out of the ordinary while off of it for 10 days. I will then return after the 10 days and have their lab check out a few things. He was very nice and I enjoyed some good laughs with him.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Double is not always better
Double cheeseburger, double dipped chocolate ice cream cone, double rainbow...some things are great with the "double" factor, but not double vision.
My double vision started out in the beginning when looking at things up close and then started getting worse and ended up becoming double near and far. Today I am noticing that the double vision is becoming even worse while the two objects are moving farther apart and the object to the right is lower. I have talked with the doctors about this and they tell me that this is harder to try and fix. So not only do I have 2 of everything, but they are about 4 inches apart horizontally and about 1/2 in lower on the right vertically. I continue to pray for patience during this time because thing are getting really weird looking.
My double vision started out in the beginning when looking at things up close and then started getting worse and ended up becoming double near and far. Today I am noticing that the double vision is becoming even worse while the two objects are moving farther apart and the object to the right is lower. I have talked with the doctors about this and they tell me that this is harder to try and fix. So not only do I have 2 of everything, but they are about 4 inches apart horizontally and about 1/2 in lower on the right vertically. I continue to pray for patience during this time because thing are getting really weird looking.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Good News!
Dr. Reddy called from St. Francis and he said the MRI looked good. He can definitely say it was a Venous Infarct Stroke. (sp?) He wants me to get another MRI a year from now for follow up, as well as, another one in 2014. He noted that he could see the spinal fluid cystic area where the blood leaked out and along the side of the brain. This shouldn't cause any problems, but worst case scenario would be seizures. He wanted me to make sure that I if I ever have another MRI in the next 20 or so years to let them know about this because the iron deposit pattern is very unusual and they may think it was a tumor when there really is no tumor there. I asked about getting off blood thinners and he wants me to see a hematologist due to the clotting disorder that came up in my blood while n the hospital. He encouraged me to see the Dr. in Oklahoma for eyes as he could see why I was having trouble.
This was all great news for me since we have waited 6 months now to get the all clear that there was nothing behind the blood clot causing the bleed. God had his work cut out and once again He wins! Thank you once again for your faithfulness in prayer. To God be the be the glory and we can rest assured we will be safe in His arms.
This was all great news for me since we have waited 6 months now to get the all clear that there was nothing behind the blood clot causing the bleed. God had his work cut out and once again He wins! Thank you once again for your faithfulness in prayer. To God be the be the glory and we can rest assured we will be safe in His arms.
A Visit Down Memory Lane
Today my mom and I met with Dr. Reddy who is a radiologist at St. Francis Hospital where I had most of my stay. This man is so wise and he remembers everything and does an amazing job of explaining things so that we can understand them. He was such a big part of my situation in finding what was going on in my head and what needed to be done. We visited with him for about 30 minutes straight and he showed us the images from April when everything happened and what they did during the 2 angiograms. He showed me where the two veins in the back of your head split off and how the one side was sending blood up to the brain, but it wasn't sending blood back down. Therefore they did the angiograms to see what was blocking the blood from moving back down. They were never able to actually reach the area that was stopping the blood due to it being to far and to dangerous. They came to the agreement that it must be a clot, but they couldn't be 100% sure since they couldn't see under the blood that was there at the time. They did tell me the body would absorb the blood and then they would be able to see if there was anything underlying under the blood. He also showed us where he is confused why there was blood that leaked out from the vein area along the side of my brain to the front of my brain which caused a intraparenchymal hematoma. We took a look at the images from the MRA and he said things for the most part looked good, but he wasn't able to see everything well enough to diagnosis it as a true blood clot and that there wasn't something underneath. The MRA images did show where the blood was by leaving the iron deposits that will remain there the rest of my life since the body leaves them there. He recommended me get a full MRI with contrast injected and another one without contrast, along with a MRV which shows some more images for him to review. I trust this genius and said " sign me up!" He called over to the imaging department and they worked me in for about the 1:00 time. He took us over there to fill out paperwork and get things ordered. We did also talk about my vision and my right leg and he mentioned the name of the Neuro Opthamologist down in Oklahoma...the same one that Dr. Park is going to refer me onto. He highly recommended the man as well and said he himself had trained with him and he had sent his own son down to him to train as well. This was encouraging news as I can't wait to meet the guy.
The brain scans took a little more than 2 hours and they gave me some noise canceling headphones that I could wear the entire time that would play the radio station of my choice. I picked 99.1 and right when the lady put the headphones on my head a new song started and sang...You will be safe in His arms! I just closed my eyes and had a time of worship in the hospitals expensive MRI machine. You never know where your going to have some "God Time" and my time was there in that tube for a couple of hours. The hardest thing was to keep from singing and dancing since I had to hold still and they did tape my head down.
Once we left the imaging department we did walk past the Neuro Critical Care Unit where I spent the most of my time and money at $9,000.00 a day for 14 days. I just wanted to see if there were any of the nurses or doctors that I had at that time. I did see one nurse and one doctor and I got to thank them for everything and they remembered me as "the young one."
I am to call Dr. Reddy tomorrow around 10:00 after 2 radiologists have read the images.
My prayer is that there will be nothing there, but as usual God is in control no matter what. I will have more of a plan after we see what the images show as to whether or not more action is going to be needed including another angiogram where they run the wires and tubes up to my brain.
Thank you for your prayers and may God continue to bless you during your time with Him.
The brain scans took a little more than 2 hours and they gave me some noise canceling headphones that I could wear the entire time that would play the radio station of my choice. I picked 99.1 and right when the lady put the headphones on my head a new song started and sang...You will be safe in His arms! I just closed my eyes and had a time of worship in the hospitals expensive MRI machine. You never know where your going to have some "God Time" and my time was there in that tube for a couple of hours. The hardest thing was to keep from singing and dancing since I had to hold still and they did tape my head down.
Once we left the imaging department we did walk past the Neuro Critical Care Unit where I spent the most of my time and money at $9,000.00 a day for 14 days. I just wanted to see if there were any of the nurses or doctors that I had at that time. I did see one nurse and one doctor and I got to thank them for everything and they remembered me as "the young one."
I am to call Dr. Reddy tomorrow around 10:00 after 2 radiologists have read the images.
My prayer is that there will be nothing there, but as usual God is in control no matter what. I will have more of a plan after we see what the images show as to whether or not more action is going to be needed including another angiogram where they run the wires and tubes up to my brain.
Thank you for your prayers and may God continue to bless you during your time with Him.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
MRA Results
I picked up a copy of my MRA brain scans so that I will have them with me when I go to Oklahoma. I took a look at them when I got home and have no clue as to what I saw. LOL! If you ask me it looked like a bunch of gummy worms for my brain and no comments please.
I talked with the doctor's nurse and they reported to me that there were no new bleeds which is great news. They also said that in the area of the left occipital lobe it appears to be likely an area of encephalomalacia which measures approximately 2.3 X 1.3 cm which is slightly bigger from the scan in June at 1.5 X 1.2 cm. This big long word they told me pretty much means scar tissue left from where the bleed was. They said it wasn't a bad thing, but similar to a bruise that we get when we hit something.
This news I felt was good, but wasn't enough and the family still had questions. My mom decided to call St. Francis Hospital Radiology department and try to track down Dr. Reddy who worked my case and did quite a few studies on me while there. She spoke with his secretary and he said he would be happy to see me and to bring the images that I had done. My appointment was scheduled for Wednesday, November 10 at 10:00 am.
I talked with the doctor's nurse and they reported to me that there were no new bleeds which is great news. They also said that in the area of the left occipital lobe it appears to be likely an area of encephalomalacia which measures approximately 2.3 X 1.3 cm which is slightly bigger from the scan in June at 1.5 X 1.2 cm. This big long word they told me pretty much means scar tissue left from where the bleed was. They said it wasn't a bad thing, but similar to a bruise that we get when we hit something.
This news I felt was good, but wasn't enough and the family still had questions. My mom decided to call St. Francis Hospital Radiology department and try to track down Dr. Reddy who worked my case and did quite a few studies on me while there. She spoke with his secretary and he said he would be happy to see me and to bring the images that I had done. My appointment was scheduled for Wednesday, November 10 at 10:00 am.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Doc gave me a black eye!
Dr. Park at Envision called me and was getting ready to leave the country, but wanted to get with me to try a lens that he had. My mother-in-law took me over and they showed me how to put in a lens that looks like a contact but is clear on the outside edge, but black in the middle. This will block out my eyesight depending on which I eye I have it in. They would like me to try it out for a couple of weeks by alternating eyes each day to build up the muscles and to give me a break from double vision. I am to see Dr. Park in a couple of weeks and he will check it out at that time. We are still working with Dr. Park on going down to Oklahoma City for the Neuro Opthamologist that is located down there since I am unable to get in until January 3rd.
So far it is very different only being able to see out of one eye and the depth perception is just not there. On the brighter side I do just see one of everything, but I haven't decided which way is preferred...double vision Vs. one eye. At home things aren't too bad with one eye since I know where things are and how to get around, but when I visit new places that I haven't been to it is a little slower to avoid stumbles.
I'll have to get back with you on what they decide to do with the old black eye!
So far it is very different only being able to see out of one eye and the depth perception is just not there. On the brighter side I do just see one of everything, but I haven't decided which way is preferred...double vision Vs. one eye. At home things aren't too bad with one eye since I know where things are and how to get around, but when I visit new places that I haven't been to it is a little slower to avoid stumbles.
I'll have to get back with you on what they decide to do with the old black eye!
MRA Day
Today I had a PT evaluation and she told me that we would go a minimum of 4 more weeks as she did find some weak areas that she would like to focus on a little more regarding my right leg and balance. I guess my vestibular system is off and it is relying on my eyes for balance which is not the best thing to rely on at this point. I also had my MRA done today and it went well. When I am stuck in that machine with some squishy ear plugs in it seems like it is the best time to sing some songs. The song that came to mind today was...I will praise you in this storm...I just am reminded that what control God has upon me and how I wouldn't want it any other way. I was told that the images would be available for pick up on a CD tomorrow and the doctor would call me once the radiologist checks them out. I am not sure when I will get the results but I will just have to be patient.
Dr. Park called me this afternoon and wanted to check on some paperwork and if I had made an appointment with Dr. Farris down in Oklahoma for my eyes. I had called down there and they said the earliest would be Jan. 3. Dr. Park said he would email Dr. Farris and see if they could get me in earlier. Dr. Park also wants to try some kind of black contact lens in one eye to see if it helps with functioning a little more temporarily. I will let you know more when I hear it. Thanks again for all the prayers and just give yourself a little hug from me today as you may be sitting there reading this. I know it may sound crazy but just know that I truly appreciate everything.
Dr. Park called me this afternoon and wanted to check on some paperwork and if I had made an appointment with Dr. Farris down in Oklahoma for my eyes. I had called down there and they said the earliest would be Jan. 3. Dr. Park said he would email Dr. Farris and see if they could get me in earlier. Dr. Park also wants to try some kind of black contact lens in one eye to see if it helps with functioning a little more temporarily. I will let you know more when I hear it. Thanks again for all the prayers and just give yourself a little hug from me today as you may be sitting there reading this. I know it may sound crazy but just know that I truly appreciate everything.
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