Thursday, March 11, 2010

Day 2: First REAL visit to the doctor

Finally today I went to go see a specialist in Auburn. Her name is Dr. Massey, and I love her! She is from Puerto Rico and has the most amazing accent, and she graduated from Duke so I'm pretty sure she knows what she is doing haha! When we first arrived there we weren't real sure about everything because we waited a good two hours to see her. We think that's because her nurses didn't exactly tell her I was there though because I was a work-in appointment. She walked in the room and asked me why i was there and I told her my symptoms. She then told me to undress and put on this lovely paper gown with an open back. My mom took a picture of it, but i'm not about to post it haha! She then came in and first looked at my extremely swollen and red fingers. She then pushed all of my joints to see if they hurt. A lot of them actually hurt that I didn't realize! My hands (of course), my elbows, my shoulders, my neck, my knees, my feet, and my ankles are all in pain. She informed me that I have fluid on my right knee, which kind of shocked me because it doesn't hurt that bad. The only real scary thing she told me that I didn't already know was that I have fluid around my lungs. I'm honestly not sure what that means, but it doesn't sound good. I know with lupus, people often get fluid build-up around their lungs and heart. After her evaluation she told me to get dressed, and went to go get a light to check and see if my capillaries were dilated in my fingers. Of course they were, and I'm not sure what that really means but apparently it is a lupus thing as well! She decided to start me on some steroids and told me to monitor my blood sugars and if they stay below 250 i can stay on them for two weeks and hopefully that will start to make me feel a little better. The doctor said it will help my fatigue, swelling, pain, and fluid build-up. She then took about 14 tubes of blood (no exaggeration) and I felt pretty sick after that, but I finally got out of there with some answers and some medicine! When walking out I did see something that scared me. There was a living room area with about five women hooked up to IVs. They all looked really frail and sick, but I don't know if it's from lupus or what. I really really really hope that is not what my life is going to end up being.
I just want to thank everyone for the prayers! A few of them have already been answered (seeing a doctor, medicine), but I really need for everyone to continue to pray for not just me, but my friends and family.

5 comments:

  1. I am so glad that you were able to find a doctor. And liking her is a definite plus. I am praying for you. Take care and God bless.

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  2. I am definitely praying for you! I'm glad you created this blog to keep everyone posted on whats going on-plus its really cute. haha :)
    I'm glad the visit went well, and hope the medicine works for you!
    Praying for you,
    ~Hannah~
    (cope-ha!)

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  3. Mary and Kellie: thank you so much! that means a lot :)

    Hannah: Hey girl! I don't think I've seen you since I was like 5 or 6 haha, but thanks so much :)!

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  5. Elizabeth, just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you everyday. I love looking at your pictures on FB. You are a beautiful young lady! I am sorry we haven't been in touch for so long. Hopefully we can get together soon. I love you.
    Aunt Joan

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