leaving here tomorrow

I'm not sure that we actually learned much here this week other than there are lots of other things that could explain away some of his symptoms and he doesn't have any of those.

Meanwhile we'll be following up with his Chicago doctor when we get home. I wish I could say that our experience here at the Mayo was a good one but I'm afraid we all found it rather frustrating and dismissive.

More tests...

Neurology added a few more tests to the schedule; more blood yesterday, an EMG today and then a return visit to Neurology this afternoon.

I've been taking photos during some of the many many hours spent in waiting rooms. You can see them all at http://sheri.smugmug.com/gallery/4497512_xiEDb#264981001.

Too tired to eat...

What a fun day - started by me waking Shawn up with drinks in bed - the second round of the stuff he had to drink, along with the lemon chaser. (I bet none of his friends are getting drinks served in bed during their spring break).

They couldn't put him to sleep today for the colonoscopy because his blood pressure was too high - so they gave him drugs instead. Free drinks AND free drugs, what better way to enjoy spring break?

The drugs may not have put him completely to sleep but they certainly made him loopy - came back to the room and ordered dinner, but he didn't get a chance to eat much before he fell asleep.

The Search for Lemons

Tonight and tomorrow morning, Shawn gets to drink lots and lots of fun medicine to prepare for the colonoscopy. In the instructions, it mentions that sucking on a lemon before drinking it will make it taste a little better. So just before he had to start the medicine tonight at 6, I went in search of lemons.

The cafeteria was just closing, but also I don't think I saw lemons there earlier today. Found nothing at the drugstore I found the next building over, nor any of the fast food places nearby. went back to the hotel with a few bottles of Sierra Mist for him, but no lemons.

As he took the first of tonight's 4 doses, my foggy brain finally came up with the perfect place to get lemons - in a bar! We're staying at the Kahler Inn and Suites, which has no bar, but the Kahler Grand Hotel a block away does - so off I went in search of lemons.

A kind bartender at the bar handed me a few lemons. Shawn informs me that it does make the medicine taste slightly better. I think finding lemons may have been the highlight of my day.

Day One at the Mayo

Pretty busy day so far. Started with checkin at 7:15; then Shawn saw his primary doctor and got his schedule.

Today:

• primary doctor
• 9:20 blood tests
• 10:00 allergy tests
• 1:00 pulmonary function with methacholine
• 2:20 electrocardiogram

Tuesday:

• 2:30 colonoscopy (unfortunately, this means that as of 2:30 today, he's on a clear liquid diet until this is over)

Wednesday:

• 7:15 6 hour blood pressure
• 10:00 pulmonary function lab for a home overnight test
• 1:15 endocrinology consultation
• 2:45 neurology consultation

Thursday:

• 8:15 ear/nose/throat consultation

Friday:

• 2:15 asthma/allergy clinic

Final consultation for allergy/asthma is for the moment scheduled for next Tuesday and then a final appointment with his primary doctor also on Tuesday.

However, they have a system here where if you have at least two free hours, you can try to go to an appointment early; if he can do that Thursday and Friday, he may be able to get finished by the end of this week instead of having to wait till next Tuesday.

His doctor here commented on the write-up that he got from his Chicago doctor - said it was great and he wished all doctors would do something like that.

Nice wheels!

We'll be traveling to Minnesota tomorrow in style - Shawn is the proud
owner of a brand new 2008 silver Prius! At least the drive will be fun.

"Made it Through Today"

As some of you may know, one of my all time favorite artists is Keith Urban.  I was going through some old songs and playing guitar and found myself playing this song tonight and after thinking about it, realized that it's the perfect sentiment for my life at the moment.  Constantly I'm asked how I'm doing.  When I think about it, there's really not a good answer.  The replies that run through my mind are usually a little less than polite because my frustration with this entire situation is getting to me.  However, the real answer each day is that I'm grateful to God for getting me through the day which is truly a blessing.  Here are a few passages from the song:

As I turn out the lights

And bow my head to pray

The answered prayer I'm thankful for

Is I made it though today

Now I'm not trying to change the world

I'm just trying to find my way

And I stumble now and then

But I made it through today

The deep and honest truth is that my life at this point consists of understanding and perseverance.  Understanding that while my life at the current moment consists of pain and trouble doing the everyday activities, I still have a life worth being thankful for.  I have a girlfriend who is a rock in my life and without her, I wouldn't be as strong and happy.  She's made me realize that no matter how bad some parts of life can get, there's always something else that can keep a smile on my face.  I thank God for her everyday.  My students who have worked incredibly hard and have come from a group of fighting individuals to become a community.  They have all pushed themselves and continue to push themselves to do better which is all that I ask.   I ask them to be the best they can be and they've helped me apply that to my life.  My family who has been here through it all and I can't be grateful enough for them either.   

I may stumble now and again and I'm certainly going to have my moments of pure anger and frustration but I will always thank God that "I made it through today".

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mIDiCoRkDel