Had my appointment today for the one-week follow-up on the blood pressure medication. BP was 128/82 and doc was very happy with where I was at. (Considering a week ago it was 160/100.)
He also did just a simple external pressing on my abdomen to see how the tumors felt and he was impressed with the progress so far. Just in a simple exam like that he could feel a good amount of shrinkage has occurred so far. He wants me back in there in a month (appointment is 8/16 @ 1pm) for an ultrasound to really look at how I’ve progressed at that time. He feels we may even be able to plan and schedule the surgery if we see the shrinkage he hopes for on the next appointment. (Putting surgery most likely in that case in September.) Of course, it depends on the results of the ultrasound.
I asked him about the random, sharp, localized pains I sometimes get and asked if that could be the tumors shrinking and he said that was very likely the case. So hey, as long as that’s what it is, I’ll keep dealing with it. Gladly. *chuckles* He also said it makes sense that first thing in the morning I’m most sore and have stronger pain in my abdomen just as a result of all the hours overnight and the length of time since my last pill. He suggested I cut the Mobic (meloxicam) in half and try a 7.5mg dosage instead of the full 15mg to see if that’s enough to take the edge off but not exasperate the side effects of the BP med (Labetalol.)
Speaking of the BP med (Labetalol), I told him how miserable it is; how weak, exhausted, tired, and out of it I feel on it. How limp and mentally hazy it makes me. How I have to stop halfway up the stairs to my 3rd floor apartment because I’m just overwhelmed. And we said, “you’re on a lot of medication.” Well, no shit, doc! That’s what I said last week! He said just stick with it until August 1st when I should hopefully have the PCIP insurance plan in effect (still waiting on the paperwork) and can see a primary doctor to get a physical and let him tinker around with what BP med is best for me. As an OB/GYN he doesn’t want to get into long-term blood pressure maintenance drugs and such (which I so understand.) He just wants to ensure I don’t stroke between now and then. (Which I also understand.)
But damn, this medication sucks. Driving the 30 minutes to the office today was horrible. It was the first time I’d really driven since I started it last week and the whole drive was me fighting to stay aware, focused and alert. I just felt like I was over medicated, foggy and drifting all over the place mentally. Just terrifying. I don’t think I ate enough when I took the pill or something. I tell you though, I hate Labetalol. I will take it because I agree the risks of uncontrolled hypertension right now are bad but come August 1st if I get the insurance like I am hoping, I will be at the primary doctor’s office asking for something else, that’s for damned sure.
But, aside from the miserable side effects of the BP med that are making my life a miserable fog, today was good news at the appointment. And hey, I get a whole month off of appointments, so that’s a plus too! Heh. Now it’s just a matter of raising the rest of the money between now and then. Which is a HUGE worry and concern seeing as things have kinda stalled out recently. It’s not happening quite yet but we’re making progress and it will be here before we know it.
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