Thursday, August 25, 2005

A Whirlwind...

I have just finished typing an email to a friend of mine which I began typing at 2:15 this afternoon. It is now 9:00. Since yesterday I feel like I have been on a roller coaster (which for me is VERY unpleasant) ride. Not thrilling and exhilarating but rushed without time to process my thoughts.

Yesterday I had my "nerve test", the one where they use electrical stimulus to shock you. They tested the sensory nerves and the motor nerves in my legs and feet. They did 250 shocks, some small, some much larger. After the 'shock' test the doctor then uses an acupuncture type needle to poke into certain spots and then gives it a little 'juice' to stimulate the muscle etc. Not pleasant! It didn't answer the one question which I had gone in for, involving some painful problems that happen to my feet and shins when I am sleeping at night, but it did answer my doctor's question of whether I have peripheral neuropathy. I do. Why? Because I am diabetic. Now the good news, if there is good news about peripheral neuropathy, is that it is primarily demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. That means that the covering of the nerves are more affected than the actual nerve itself. This is encouraging, somewhat, because there are more possibilities which can be tried to stop the progress so more of the nerves themselves will not be affected. However, being diabetic doesn't really lend itself to stopping it....because you have to keep tight control over your diabetes and, that in turn, would help slow down the damage process. Except we (diabetics) know that sometimes you can do everything right and dreadful things still go wrong.... My next step is to go back and see my internist and see what he thinks the next step should be. I fell into bed last night feeling like a human pin cushion!

Today I got up and went to my light treatment, came home and showered quickly, then left for my chiropractor appointment. He is a neurological chiropractor which just deals with the first 5 or 6 vertabrae in your neck. The doctor who I saw yesterday for the nerve testing was pleased that I was seeing this type of chiropractor. He isn't one of the 'bone crunching' types. There is hardly any pressure, which he applies right on your cheek, very close to your ear.

We had a phone call from James, which of course, ALWAYS makes our day. He sounds so contented and happy! He flew today and will fly again tomorrow and then he is ready for his 1st check ride in this plane! Yea!!!

I wish I had something fun to write about like my niece, Claire. She wrote about their visit to VA beach but alas, my summer has not been quite so glamorous! :) That's okay, we did have sunshine and cooler weather...in the upper 80's...I don't think it made it into the 90's. So that is a welcome relief. And I got to visit with 3 friends today, one by email, one over the phone and one in person! How blessed can one be?!!! I am privileged indeed!

Thank you, Lord, for friends, for beautiful weather and for being a faithful God even through the difficult times. Give me grace to meet each day with the joy that comes only from You!

12 comments:

Bob and Claire said...

You know, I tried to find a chiropractor like yours, but there are none here in Northern Virginia! I was so surprised (and sad). I guess it's more of a midwest/west thing. : (

Pilot Mom said...

I don't know about that because your Dad is going to one there in Ohio. And the schooling is back there in Iowa, I think. I'll do some checking too and see what I can find out.

Corry said...

I am sorry you had to endure the test. It is good to know that God gives so many blessings we can rejoyce in:-) My prayers are with you.

God's Grace.

Pilot Mom said...

Thank you, Corry. Blessings to you!

Bob and Claire said...

Well, Aunt Claire--Ohio and Iowa are in the midwest! LOL! Mom sent me the website and I looked up VA. There was no one even remotely close to here, and only I think 3 in the whole state. Oh well.

Pilot Mom said...

*laughing* Well, Claire, you are absolutely correct! I guess I just focused in on the west thing. I did something like that a few days ago when Melinda commented on my blog. I was so excited, I didn't really register that she mentions "visiting us" toward the end of her comment. So when I was talking with Dan about it HE says something about coming out and I had to go re-read her comment because I was just being to ditzy...or something (no comments from you, James!). :)
I am sad...maybe you should check Huntsville before deciding on where to retire...a thought! :)

Refreshment in Refuge said...

Oh, Claire, I am so sorry about all this! Whenever I hear this, it never fails, I think of just how temporary all this really is. I know. I doesn't help much, but oh how exciting to be with Jesus, eh? I shall be praying for you, my dear sister in Christ!

Pilot Mom said...

Thank you, Gina. And, it IS all temporary...Praise God!!! May my focus not be here but an eternal perspective always. It's that 'always' that trips me up...but I 'press on' for the 'goal set before me!' :)

Saija said...

did i ever tell you that 3 of my half-sisters are diabetics? they have what they used to call "juvenile diabetics" ... so the neuropathy talk was a familiar language ...

we all have our fronts of warfare with disease, don't we? ... one day all of that will be so far in the past, it won't even be a memory - as we sit at our Lord's feet - just singing praises to Him!

G~ said...

Aw, Claire. I'm so sorry about what you endured w/the test. I haven't had one quite to intense, but similar.

You know that I understand about neuropathy. *sigh* I have no clue about how involved my nerves are, etc. though. Since I have the other problems with my tendons and ligaments down there, it's all kinda intermingled w/any neuropathy treatments.

OH! I have some good news about that med that you sent me.

Well, for one, I ran out of it Monday. That wasn't so good, BUT I went online and printed out all the info about the type of 'Rx Assistance' card I have and how it SHOULD have paid for the Neur*ntin...I highlighted all the pertinent info & everything...took it all into the pharmacy, spread the pages out and pointed to the info....and got my FULL Rx for $15 like I was supposed to have been able to several months ago.

Infuriating that I went w/o and all, but I got to experience God's blessing in seeing me through that time AND now to have my full dose finally (instead of half) at an affordable price! God IS good!

Sorry to ramble, but I wanted to let you know about that.

Keep us posted about what is happening. I'm very curious to know how they treat your feet.

Praying for you!

~hugs~

Pilot Mom said...

Saija, we do have our 'fronts', yes indeed. And, I cannot wait for it to no longer be a factor but until then, may He find me faithful. Thanks for dropping in.

Pilot Mom said...

Geannie, I am so GLAD for you! Hallelujah for His faithfulness in His provision to you and your family. I love it, absolutely love it when I see God work on such a PERSONAL level with His children. Having been on both sides of not having money/to having some money/then not having money again, I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart, I would rather not have the money so I see provisions on a regular daily basis. That has brought me such joy as I see Him faithfully provide. I'll email you a story or two which have happened along the way that I think you will be encouraged by....{{{hugs dear friend}}}