may medical update
I was mistaken about what my next post would be about. Though I had intended to write a post about my new website and the business I’m trying to build, I got really distracted by a big trip and then with several medical appointments in the first two days of my return. So I’ll give you a brief trip recap along with a medical catch up.
The trip was a total of fifteen days and packed full of experiences. I had dinner with a couple friends the night I flew into Maryland and one of them offered me a place to sleep that night (one of two logistical details I hadn’t figured out yet). At the Primal Arts Festival I taught three classes, wrote and led Saturday night’s ritual, and was the drum lead for the event. It was a busy and exciting event but I still found time to take naps and rest. After the event I spent the night at a friend’s that I hadn’t seen for a few years and we got to catch up (hi Amanda!). Then I had some movers pack up my storage unit into a Uhaul and I drove it across the country to Portland. While I was in Portland I got to spend time with some of my favorite people and catch up after being away from them for almost a year. Some plans were discussed about me moving back to the area but nothing is set in stone yet.
I got back to AZ late in the evening and had a telehealth appointment for a psychiatric evaluation early the next morning. I wasn’t too happy with how that appointment went and later that day when the office called me to schedule a follow up appointment I requested a different provider. The person I spoke with let me know that she filled out and filed the paperwork for a provider transfer for me so I just have to wait for that to get approved. The day after that I had two appointments. Started my morning off with a brain MRI and in the afternoon I met my new neurologist.
The appointment with the neurologist went really well, I really like her. The neurologist was happy to hear that I haven’t had any new symptoms pop up but is concerned with how long I’ve been off treatment. We went over my history and getting my diagnosis. Even though I would prefer to be on the oral medication but since I’m going to have another move coming up in a few months we figured the best treatment for me would be an infusion. I will have to do a little bit of leg work to get my most recent blood work results and all my previous MRIs to my new neurologist. It’s a little annoying to have a few extra steps but thankfully because of MyChart my new neurologist is able to see all the notes and other test results from my doctors in Maryland and Washington.
Since I’m going to have to go through the whole process of getting set up with health insurance and finding new doctors in a few months we decided to go with the infusion so I won’t have the added stress of timing to make sure I can get my treatment without a lapse. I’m a bit sad that I won’t be able to make full use of the MS clinic’s resources at the hospital my neurologist works at because it all sounds amazing. They have physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, and so much more available to their patients. I don’t really want to complain about the messed up healthcare system right now (even though it is) because I’m just so relieved to finally feel like things are moving with getting care right now.
