Abba Father, it's me again. I need your comfort something crazy like. Thank you for your ever presence!
So. I did some brief internet browsing on this radon stuff. Scary paranoia type of stuff all over about lung diseases and cancers. It can't be that bad, no?
I called my primary care doc again, left a message with his nurse saying that I had some more questions. My doc himself returns the call to me, not his nurse calling back.
He reiterated once again that radon is a very serious killer and should not be messed with. He stated that he was serious about that neither of us should live in the house with the issue being untreated. He is unaware of any connection btwn radon and neuropathy, but to call my rheumatologist to verify. He also said that having lived in there for six years, I will need to start an annual chest x-ray to verify. He stated that he had re-checked my x-ray and lung test from the mold concern and did not see any concerns in those.
So. Now what? I've a call in with the rheumatologist. I'll get with my landlady Dora to see what she knows, thinks, recommends. Maybe it could be retested? Maybe the rooting around and remodeling and all just stirred the stuff up and will settle down after the remodel? Moving? Ha! Please, no?
What a fun month March has been, eh?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Well. Back when I got the tests for the mold and muck, my primary care doc advised getting the place tested for radon. I told my landlady about such recommendation. She actually had bought a kit a week before the primary care doc made mention. So she tested it, sent in the test kit, and got the results back today, and emailed them to me.
The radon level in the basement is 2.6. Average indoor radon concentration is 1.3. EPA recommended action level is 4.0. So, I telephoned my primary care doc with the news. His nurse called back and said that he said his recommendation is to get it fixed, or to move. Both my landlady and me. Said that those levels are not safe to live in. Dora definitely has walked in to a money pit.
What? I have emailed Dora with this news. What minor searching that I've done, does not show any thing in regards to neuropathy, just all about lung cancer symptom similarities. It does not appear that there really is any specific testing for radon in the human bod per se. Not sure what to do at this point, except continue living, working, acting, being.
What.
The radon level in the basement is 2.6. Average indoor radon concentration is 1.3. EPA recommended action level is 4.0. So, I telephoned my primary care doc with the news. His nurse called back and said that he said his recommendation is to get it fixed, or to move. Both my landlady and me. Said that those levels are not safe to live in. Dora definitely has walked in to a money pit.
What? I have emailed Dora with this news. What minor searching that I've done, does not show any thing in regards to neuropathy, just all about lung cancer symptom similarities. It does not appear that there really is any specific testing for radon in the human bod per se. Not sure what to do at this point, except continue living, working, acting, being.
What.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Well, heard back from the rheum doc nurse yesterday. Once again, my Vitamin D level is sub par -- in the teens when it should be above 30. Once again, yet another 50,000 unit regimen for eight weeks. Just like what both the neurologist Wongirrard and rheumatologist Kaushik both tried. And it never did anything for the tingles and jolts. The x-rays showed no concern for the hip or the sacroiliac joint. So, yet again, nothing.
Been surviving the show rather well. Not too physical of a role this time. Mostly sitting. But the exhaustion from work straight to performances is beginning to wear on me a bit. Noticing it calling out in full force in my low back and in my legs and feet something crazy like. My feet are in a constant state of tingles this week, but at least no electric jolts. I'm trying to drink above the normal amount of water to keep hydrated and all. The massage at the end of the month is not going to come fast enough!
About two weeks now staying at Nancy's place and away from The Grotto, and no change whatsoever in the body's reactions. So, can we say that it is not the apartment that was affecting me? Her hospitality has been a great, great stress relief for having not to stay in the apartment during all the disarray.
So, all this physical pain and no viable cause. Am I really going psycho? Am I losing my mind? Nah, you need a mind to lose it first, of course! Random hugs and holding my hand have been a real source of comfort lately, for sure.
Been surviving the show rather well. Not too physical of a role this time. Mostly sitting. But the exhaustion from work straight to performances is beginning to wear on me a bit. Noticing it calling out in full force in my low back and in my legs and feet something crazy like. My feet are in a constant state of tingles this week, but at least no electric jolts. I'm trying to drink above the normal amount of water to keep hydrated and all. The massage at the end of the month is not going to come fast enough!
About two weeks now staying at Nancy's place and away from The Grotto, and no change whatsoever in the body's reactions. So, can we say that it is not the apartment that was affecting me? Her hospitality has been a great, great stress relief for having not to stay in the apartment during all the disarray.
So, all this physical pain and no viable cause. Am I really going psycho? Am I losing my mind? Nah, you need a mind to lose it first, of course! Random hugs and holding my hand have been a real source of comfort lately, for sure.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Post doctor visit review. Dr. Francis seemed friendly and concerned. Vit D and liver levels are all within the normal range. Her preliminary cursory review of my records and previous doctor visits and tests did not trigger any alarms, primarily in regards to anything auto-immune related. She wants to take time after having visited with me to review my records more in-depth. She prescribed another anti-inflammatory drug.
She was surprised that no one has looked at my hips yet. So, she had a series of x-rays to examine the hips and the sacroiliac joint areas and stuff. Yes, hip issues have been a factor on Dad's side. Dad and his sister, and two of my cousins on Dad's side have had hip replacements, some multiple. She'll review the x-rays and contact me if there are any concerns. If not, then I have a follow-up with her in June.
And we wait.
She was surprised that no one has looked at my hips yet. So, she had a series of x-rays to examine the hips and the sacroiliac joint areas and stuff. Yes, hip issues have been a factor on Dad's side. Dad and his sister, and two of my cousins on Dad's side have had hip replacements, some multiple. She'll review the x-rays and contact me if there are any concerns. If not, then I have a follow-up with her in June.
And we wait.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
The blood work for the mold issues and allergies came back all negative. So, mold in the apartment, but none in my body. I've been staying with my sis gal pal Nancy in her house whilst this place is renovated and stuff. Had a massage last week, wow did THAT do wonders. See him again the end of the month after the play is over. Tomorrow, I meet with Dr. Francis, the new rheumatologist. Will she have the answer? Please?
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
So yeah, about that. Lung test and chest x-ray show no mold concern, blood sent out. And again we wait and wonder. Doc did give a strong recommendation to get the basement tested for radon. He also believes that if anyone, a rheumatologist would be the one to find any answer. He claims to full well understand my frustration of not finding the "why", and explained that neuropathy is one of the more difficult conditions to comprehend.
I'm fixing to near my end of being the semi-stoic, tough(?), stubborn Norwegian, and just want to beg, "I want my Mom"...
I'm fixing to near my end of being the semi-stoic, tough(?), stubborn Norwegian, and just want to beg, "I want my Mom"...
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