Cinema

Today sucks less than yesterday! Nice.

And now for the long-awaited list of movie rec's. Peruse and enjoy. :-)

Drama: Answers to Nothing, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Blind Side, The Hours

Comedy: Madea Goes to Jail, Our Idiot Brother, Easy Virtue, Tower Heist, Twins, Kindergarten Cop

happy autumn,
et

5 Things

I'm not doing well. Fighting some kind of stomach bug that's got me nauseous 24/7. I've been super fatigued on the couch for three full days. But instead of focusing on the negative, I'm making lists of five things that make me happy.

1. My dog and her unconditional love.
2. Unexpected coupons.
3. Stamps.
4. Human trafficking victim/recovery made the front page of the Trib today!
5. My sock collection-- 150 pairs strong!

be well, and if you're not, be happy anyway.

love,
emma

To ISU

I've been taking it easy -- very easy. But even so, I had a seizure Tuesday at the gym, and a seizure Wednesday in the car. And I've been feeling increasingly fatigued. Last night I slept 12 hours straight, got up to eat breakfast, and accidentally fell asleep on the couch for another hour. I have very little energy and it's expended very quickly. Could this be the return of the fall slide?

Despite all that, I'm visiting my sister at Illinois State this weekend. HOORAY! So excited.

Full list of movie rec's to come. I've been spending a lot of quality time on the couch. :-)

autumn breezes,
emma

Waking Up Is Hard To Do

The first and last hour of my days are utterly useless. I lie in bed, eyes flitting, wondering how long my thoughts will be pea soup. But I rather like pea soup, so eventually I get up to eat and write this.

Tests came back. MRI, EEG, Holter, and Glucose: all normal. Funny enough, I had a full-on (for me) seizure in the neurologist's office after she delivered the news. She is convinced (and we agree) that my episodes are not epileptic seizures, just a manifestation of autonomic dysfunction.

Speaking of POTS, we have set up a new treatment adventure. Dallas, here we come! Here's the link again, for Dr. Mary Kyprianou at the POTS Treatment Center. I will go through a two-week regimen, from October 22 to November 2. I need to read more about exactly what I'll be doing, but it includes biofeedback treatments, about 90 minutes each day. A friend of ours said it was the best thing she's done for her POTSy daughter. Hoping for some positive results!!

Right now I'm pretty limited. Couch-bound, but saving up energy to see friends every few days. Getting out and having fun -- SO important to maintaining a good outlook. Friends keep my mind off my health issues.

Just 6 1/2 weeks until we depart. Let's do this thing!

et

A New Lead?

Mom is a super sleuth. Checking out a two-week POTS treatment in Dallas...

http://www.potstreatmentcenter.com/#!pots-treatment

Recommended documentary: Strangers No More 

love on each other, kiddos.
et

This Week

I GOT TO KEEP MY CLOTHES ON! Omigosh. No hospital gowns? Who knew! Definitely the highlight of my week. Score.

My neurologist hasn't yet looked at my test results, but here's what I thought about them:

• Brain MRI - different noises than the other two I've had, and shorter in duration, but otherwise unremarkable. Pretty standard. I'm an old pro at these.

• EEG - not my favorite exam to say the least. Yeesh! You have to come in sleep deprived (a state I am all too familiar with), and then perform some commands with 26 gooey electrodes slapped on your head. My eyes wanted to freak out, but the technician kept saying to keep them as still as I could. With much difficulty, I obliged, thus forcing my entire lower body to twitch uncontrollably throughout the test. And don't get me started on the dreaded strobe light! Yet the technician said she didn't see any evidence of seizure during the test. Hm.

• Most recent blood test - normal. 

Given that my episodes can last for up to 15 minutes and so far I've never lost consciousness, the neurologist thinks my eye episodes are not traditional seizures, but rather a sign of autonomic dysfunction. My mom hypothesized about my tendency to be somewhat hypoglycemic, and upon reading my bloodwork, Dr. S noticed my numbers were at the low end of the spectrum. She has ordered a Glucose Overload Test (Monday). I will also complete a Holter monitor test to check out my palpitations. Follow-up scheduled for next Friday.

Tip of the day: If you are a receptionist in a doctor's office, wear something slightly nicer than a t-shirt. You are, supposedly, a professional. Yet you decide to wear an ugly old t-shirt. Well as long as it's not that one-- wait, seriously? You didn't. (Ohh yes she did, Miss Thang!) You wore the t-shirt with big, black skulls on it. Haha, well it's not like you work in the healthcare industry. That would just be cruel.

What are you thinking?! What does this say about the doctors you represent? Ugh. Come on.

Also, your fancy chained pen doesn't work, you're a half hour behind, and for Pete's sake, spit out your fluorescent yellow gum! Like a cow smacking on her 80s neon cud. And get your overhead light fixed. The flickering is gonna give me a flippin' seizure! Or whatever this is!

Doctor's offices these days, bless their hearts.

Blueberries and vanilla ice cream,
emma

Medical Update

Blood tests came back a little wacky. Ran some more tests to check for high blood volume (Polycythemia vera).

Today: MRI of the brain. Tomorrow: EEG. Hospital gowns, get ready for this slice of gorgeousness right here. I am bringing my own slippers, courtesy of the wonderful Grandma Sophie. :)

Movie recommendations: In Time, For Your Consideration, and a longtime personal favorite, Mona Lisa Smile.

stay cool, cats.
emma