Saturday, June 19, 2010

So, to sum up the week best. Monday morning was the CT with a followup with Dr. Jondahl at 1 p.m. The CT showed nothing. The organs are all fine. My blood just doesn't process the fat correctly/efficiently. Another blood draw in a month to see what happens. Friday morning appointment with the rheumatologist, Dr. Prashant Kaushik. He reviewed my chart, my symptoms, my vitals, my history, asking many pointed questions. Then he notices my last name and asks what heritage I am. I tell him full-blooded Norwegian. He gives me this "Ah-Ha!" look. He tells me from all my symptoms and history, he can be pretty sure that it's this specific type of arthritis that can be in young men of Scandinavian lineage. With over twenty years in the specialty, he's quite confident it should be spondylitis, which symptoms and manifestations can include stiff back pain, neck pain, colitis, aches and pains, neuropathy, and liver issues. But since I have that elevated rheumatoid factor, he wanted to draw more blood (seven vials) and urine to send to Mayo and a specialty clinic in Utah to check for other rheumatoid/arthritis and/or auto-immune issues. So, it was nice to have a doc finally have a pointed direction to follow. Thank You Lord! I have a follow-up in a month to find out what the blood work can show. And of course, I am involved in a Northern Plains Dance production tonight which has been stirring up the aches. For the love of theatre, of course!