Tag: blood work

Not all coughs are pneumonia

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So the epidemic continues. After having Madison home sick from school Friday and through the weekend, she was even worse on Monday.  We had been to the doctor on Friday and at that point he determined it was a virus that needed to run its course.  By Monday her once harmless yet annoying hacking cough had become a wet and somewhat alarming cough.  Her fever had once again spiked over 101 degrees.

We got an appointment for 4:30 so poor Megan had to tag along with us.  We walked into a room FULL of people.  We did not get called back until close to 5:30.  We received apologies from everyone which honestly were not needed.  I have never called the pediatrician and not been able to bring the girls over same day.  With all of the sickness in the area right now I was happy to be seen!  I was caught off guard when the doctor said that she could hear a little fluid in the lungs and would like to have a chest X-ray done.  She started antibiotic in the meantime and off we went.

I dropped Megan at home, by now it was 6pm and Frank was home from work.  Madison and I rushed over to the radiologists since they were due to close at 7pm.  We were there for just under and hour.  By the time we got home my poor 6 year old was exhausted and starving since she had not had dinner.  Frank thankfully had something ready when we walked in.

We received the call today, no pneumonia!  I am continuing the antibiotic because there has been good improvement in Madison since they were started.  Maybe it is just coincidence but I am not risking it!  I hope to have Madi back to school tomorrow!

I also received a call from my doctor.  The CA-125 blood work returned and it was normal.  The biopsy will not be back until next week.  I guess if we were keeping score, this day could be filed as a good one.

More doctor’s appointments

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So now that we are able to stream with Netflix, I have been watching the show Madmen.  I had heard good things about the show but had never seen it.  It is so funny to watch, set in the 60’s, everyone smokes, drinks and the women are all in pretty dresses all day long.  I feel like I have a cough by the end of an episode with all of the cigarette smoking!  The amount of alcohol consumed all day long, at work, after work, at diner, after diner and then into the car they go just blows the mind.

We have come a long way!  In New Jersey there is no smoking anywhere in doors.  I remember when I was a smoker feeling that my rights were being infringed upon as the world began to crack down on the nasty habit.  I have not had a cigarette in 8 years and could not imagine smoking.  I dread the cloud that you sometimes have to walk through at doorways of different stores or restaurants.

So, had my follow-up with the Plastic surgeon and indeed we are looking at another procedure.  I am frustrated about the entire situation.  I told him of the lingering ache especially after wearing a bra.  He says don’t wear a bra.  I said well sure if things were symmetrical that would be an option but one newpple points north while the other has a southward slant and is twice the size of the other.  Makes for an interesting braless image.  Now they have to go back to the insurance company to get approval and I wait.  This needs to be done before the end of the year!

On a better than expected note, my cholesterol numbers were not too bad.  They are elevated but not bad enough to be medicated.  Doctors says keep up the exercise, watch what I eat and we will redo blood work after the holidays. Guess that is not too bad.

Gynecologist tomorrow..now that’s something to look forward to!

Doctors, and Dentists and blood work oh my!

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As I was recovering from my surgery and the bills were coming in, I wrote a post that we all needed to get to the doctors since we had reached our out-of-pocket maximums.  Last night I was “refocused” by my daughters pediatrician to get back on track on this goal.  Years ago, I was  on meds for high triglycerides, another trait passed on from my mother.  When Frank and I decided to have another child I went off of the medication.  I also have made dietary and lifestyle changes.

Last year both of my daughters had blood work done and both came back with elevated levels of triglycerides.  I was so upset.  We reduced their fat and carb intake, went to skim milks and low-fat cheeses, and made sure to increase their physical activity.   Last night was Megan’s yearly well visit.  The doctor suggested that we had her checked to see if there has been improvement.  She then asked me if I was currently on medications.  So, here I am so proud of myself for having a Bilateral Prophylactic MAstectomy to hopefully avoid cancer and I had to look this doctor in the eye and admit that I had not even had my levels checked in a few years.  Sounds stupid right?  I am like a stroke risk just wandering through the day.

I took Megan for her blood work this morning and came right home and scheduled myself an appointment for next week.  I will have my blood work completed before the end of the week!

I have an appointment with the Gyn the second week of October, one day after my follow-up with Dr. Liu (my plastic surgeon). I am getting a cavity filled tomorrow.  Madison is scheduled for her yearly well visit in November and Frank had already been.

So back on track.  I am tired of doctors offices!