So, I've mentioned that I've been feeling a little defeated in the health arena lately. I have boughts of fatigue which can happen to any busy mom but mine seems to last for extended periods of time paired with blue fingers (Raynaud's Phenomenon) and a variety of other pleasant health dysfunctions. Last week, I came down with a nasty upper respiratory infection of some sort- although it felt very "flu-like." After a week of riding my bed and sofa, I finally started to feel a tad bit better on Saturday morning and yesterday I felt a little more like myself. Imagine my surprise last night when I accidentally discovered that my lymph nodes on the right side of my neck were severely swollen. The swelling was so significant that it truly freaked me out. So, this morning, bright and early at 7:15 am, I made an appointment with what will be my new family doctor here in town... but as a new patient, they can't get me in until next week. Their suggestion, due to the acute swelling, see an urgent care doctor today to start treatment. So, I did. I briefly went through my recent history and expressed my concern with the swelling in my lymph nodes. He examined me and was equally impressed with the size of my glands on the right side. His exact words were: " with as large as your lymph nodes are currently, I would expect to find a raging infection in your ear, throat, and/ or lungs. But you don't have any of those. This is a definite auto immune reaction." FANTASTIC. He went on to inform me that if I were symptomatic (complaining of sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and/or high temp) that he would've sent me on for a CAT scan... but instead, he believes that I need to start a round of steroids immediately to get this inflammation under control. FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC! His next piece of advice... STOP. He told me that I have to slow down, that if I don't, I'll end up very ill very fast. So, here we are again, almost a year later... a doctor in another state telling me that I have begun a 'flare' and has begun me on steroids for at least the next 16 days. In the meantime, I have to declutter my life and allow my body time to rest and hopefully recover. I also have to find a rheumatalogist ASAP to try and help with maintenance on this lovely condition. In the meantime, I am very frustrated with this whole ordeal.
Chris is headed back to Maryland tomorrow for the last time of this transition. He will be there for about a week... although the time line hasn't really been clearly laid out for me as far as what his plans are. I'm so over this separation and traveling/distance. So glad that its almost over. Currently, he is still looking for a job- but his current employer has asked for him to stay on until November 18th-- which is great- that gives us another month of insurance and gives him more time to land a job here in Nashville. He has several leads but the process is going way slower than we had initially anticipated. We're hoping that we won't be dealing with a lapse of employment at all... of course.
Alright, girls are home from school... mommyhood calls.
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