Saturday, August 29, 2009

Finally getting some forward motion








So we finally have some progress. Not towards a diagnosis but to the next level of diagnostic care. My PCP (who is wonderful and listens to me and Mom all the time and even lets us e-mail him)is referring me to the Mayo Clinic Diagnostic Division in Jacksonville Florida! Everyone in my family has heard nothing but wonderful things about them and the wonderful ladies on the Pets board I frequently shared some of their Mayo Clinic success stories with me. We really hope that this is the place that can figure me out so I can get back to life!
Dixie is doing absolutely wonderful in her training. We had a break through and are now planning on doing her certification test/performance in 2-3 weeks! She has been going with me to most places (all places if Dad or my Aunt Kay takes me) and I haven't had an attack in a few weeks! My physical therapist thinks it is because Dixie knows when I start getting too painful and will get agitated which alerts me that I need to stop before and attack is even set off. She also says I am much more relaxed when I have Dixie with me. CHeck out Dixie's blog to read more about her training.
I'm also "in class" now and I'm really enjoying it. I'm learning a lot of new things and it will be really useful in the future.
I've touched on this before, but I think one of the best things to come out of this illness is me figuring out what my calling really is. I was never 100% happy being a vet tech in a regular vet practice. Don't get me wrong, I loved the work but there was always something that was a little off when I sat down and thought about it. I realized that what I really truly love is behavior and training. Not tooting my own horn, but I have always been able to read animals and help them calm down. There were clients that would ask that I help with their "problem" dogs because they didn't get so stressed. Now that I know more, I know why that was. I want to help people work with their dogs that have behavior issues rather than dump them at a shelter or euthanize them.












Sunday, August 16, 2009

Yea, its been a long time

So since I last updated, I saw a new pain doctor, which was the worst experience I've had witha doctor in a very long time (maybe ever!). He was condescending (no, the piercings on my chest do not imply I am an idiot), unprofessional and he didn't listen to what I said about my health, which results in me getting a medication that really screws with asthmatics that almost put me in the hospital (and would have if I had taken the full dose he prescibed!). So I'm going back to my first pain doctor that I trust.
I started physical therapy and it went really well! My therapist was wonderful and worked with my pain limitations. I have exercises I can do in the pool to make it less painful. They even asked me to bring Dixie when I come so they will know if we are pushing too hard and so I will be more relaxed.
Dixie's training is going really well. I've kind of slacked off the past 2 weeks, but we are getting back in to things.
I also start school (via distance ed) on Wednesday. I'm taking 6 classes and will have mostly completed my business and psychology majors.
I promise I will try to update more.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

This is why I don't get my hopes up about doctors

Thursday Dixie was unable to go with us to my father's graduation. Unfortunately I had 2 separate attacks and severe heat exhaustion from trying to sleep off the attacks in the car with no A/C for a few hours. I now know how animals left in cars feel like and I can't imagine someone treating their dog that cruelly.

Friday I had an appointment with the orthopedic specialist who we all thought would be the one to figure me out. He didn't and gave up on me after an hour (a record). So we are seeing another doctor, but they can't get me in until October 13th!

It is really frustrating. I also realized that this upcoming week will mark 6 months since I first got sick. I certainly didn't think that this is how a seriously sore and swollen arm would work out.

This week is also going to be an intense training week for Dixie and I. I really need to get her certified sooner rather than later and I know she is up to a quicker pace. She also has a blog if anyone is interested in her journey to become a service dog.

Dixie's Blog