I'm still here ...

Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. I have been on a roller-coaster of symptoms for the last few months .. fatigue beyond belief, nausea, vomiting, weight-loss .. not a recommended diet plan .. itching, feet cramps, aching, bruising, bleeding, depression, the list goes on . . . . . . .

All and all nothing really changes .. I have good times and bum times .. but again, I'm still here.

I had my SSI interview yesterday .. turned down .. too many assets: I have a retirement plan that has $2500 in it. :-\ You are only allowed by Social Security to have $2000 in assets. So, I have to re-apply after I liquidate my assets and see if I qualify then.

New blood tests tomorrow .. checking liver function, vitamin levels, etc. Next appointment: May 23 with Kaiser Gastro (my first appointment with this group) .. lost my Providence Insurance when "administratively separated" from National College of Natural Medicine on January 8. Trying to pay out of pocket to continue seeing Dr. Jen Kearsley at Providence.

It's depressing. :-\

Hugs to you all.
Robert

An update ...

Hi everyone.

I guess I should write a little and let you all know how I am doing: yesterday was an awful day ... I had dry heaves then bile heaves ... blood pressure 181/113 ... not good at all.

Today, I feel better .. however, I am bruised around my eyes from the trauma of wretching for almost two straight hours.

I hope you are all well. I have been dealing with the loss of my job .. the loss of my energy and ability to enjoy life.

I just saw a interview with actor Kathleen Turner with Matt Lauer (MSNBC/NBC Today Show) and how she battles an autoimmune disease also.

Well .. I am off to rest .. I promise to write more very soon!

Best regards,
Robert

Sweaty palms ...

Today hasn't been the best of days thus far: I'm experiencing rolling nausea (a tiny bit o'vomiting) with sweaty palms ... a little feverish I would guess ... maybe a little bug. :-\

And of course ... throw in the aching, etc. ho hum!

Keeping my chin up,
R.


PS: I hope you stop to remember Dr. King today with a moment of peace - today is his actual birthdate (Jan. 15, 1929).

:-]

I survived the holidays ...

heh heh heh ... I hope you did too.

I was actually too sick to do anything. :-\

All the usual suspects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe aches and pains, itching, muscle cramping in my feet and legs, mouth ache (believe it or not), bruising and bleeding, and profound fatigue!!! I'm still thinking I may have to move to the first floor of the house .. the stairs are a killer!!!

:-\

I am about to receive a document (as is NCNM) from my doctor, in which, she recommends my not returning to work due to the degenerative nature of my incurable disease. This document was faxed to NCNM on October 30, however it was illegible. I did not receive a copy so I was unaware of its specifics. :-\

And, unfortunately, I (and my partner) agree that no one would be best served by my returning. I cannot work longer than 15 minutes before I am generally overcome by exhaustion / profound fatigue. Of course, lest we forget the "fuzzy brain" -- it is the weirdest thing I have ever experienced.

So ... it is with a heavy heart that I must pass the torch [**] to the new NCNM Campus Receptionist. I do hope you will continue to follow my progress here at Living with PBC dot com. Keep those emails coming. I promise to respond! :-)

All my best!
Robert


PS: Next doctor appointment: January 25 - status check; blood work


[**] I was "administratively separated" from my position by NCNM on January 8, 2007.