Stardate 2-22-24… Always wanted to start a story that way. 🙂
Where to start. First, feeling a lot better this week than I did the last three or so. Weather has been weird, but a good bit of pain from the weather changes went away with the original shoulder joints. I do feel cold changes sometimes, but it is easily (for now) managed with ibuprofen. Major weather changes still aren’t fun, but are a lot better.
If I haven’t shared this before, it is something to know if you know someone who gets hit by lightning. Keep in mind it is not just any neural/cardiac damage. There is a LOT of energy running through the person, and when you dump that much energy into a system you get lots of things going on, from the possibility of internal burns to overloading systems. For me, in addition to cardiac and neural issues, I’ve had digestive joys and other delights. I’m just glad it’s not worse given the number of rather important glands and organs that were in the path of flow in my body.
Some people seem genuinely surprised that there isn’t a magic test that can tell you yes/no you were hit by lightning and here’s the damage it did. Some of it is going to be obvious at the start, and some seems to build. I still tend to think quantum probability cascades are a thing for those of us hit by lightning, as it would explain a number of things. There are a host of things large and small that seem to pop up in the aftermath.
On the good news front, aside from feeling a bit better than I did, the cardiac referral I was after finally got done. The bad news is that the earliest I can be seen officially is July. The quiet news is that I was told what number to call, and when to start calling, to try to score a cancelled appointment. My goals for the referral are to get answers on the mystery diagnosis I still can’t get answers about; and, to get a second opinion on all current official diagnoses and medications.
I really want to rule out the mystery diagnosis for a number of reasons. Prime one being that if it is accurate, there isn’t a lot that can be done. I think there may be a way to try to force it into a live-with rather than die-from thing, but that’s another reason for the consult. Find out what is going on and what can be done.
Frankly, what I would love to do is get me where I can go camping later this summer, maybe out West. I want to get things where I can move given my current insurance will not transfer to any state in the SW. Even feeling as bad as I have I’ve been getting in some walking. It is good for me, and I enjoy it.
On the not so good front, found out my primary care doc is having medical issues of his own. Just had my next appointment pushed out almost two months. Something had told me to start looking around, so am going to step that up just in case. Have a couple of leads, going to follow-up on them.
There is a small possibility of some more tests needing to be run, will see. The Big C is something that seems to pop up with some lightning strike victims, and with my family history we are keeping a sharp eye out.
I may not be moving fast, but I’m still moving and working to do more. Getting the consult is a huge step in the right direction I think, and I’m hoping it both goes well and that I might end up with better cardiology care out of it. I hope so, and will be glad if I just get honesty. No slam intended at current cardiologist or PCP, as most of the problems seem to lie elsewhere. But it is very frustrating some days, especially since where some of the problems seem to lie can’t or won’t tell me a darn thing. More than ever wonder about fraud with some of it, but want to tread lightly on that topic for now.
That’s the high points for now. I’m happy with finally getting the consult and hope to get in much sooner than planned. As for the rest, this too shall pass. Onwards.
Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.