I paid a visit with my family doctor today. I love Dr. M. He is very compassionate, very outgoing. And he has a sometimes charming, sometime irritating sense of humor, depending on how bad you feel when you visit him.
We had a good long talk about about what I think of as low blood sugar attacks, how exhausted I am all the time, how I can't remember a time when I didn't hurt all over, how I actually have a hard time remembering anything these days. Then Dr. M said, "I have to bring this up. How are you doing grief-wise?"
I told him I thought I was doing all right most of the time. Working my way through it with the help of my friends, my family, and my faith.
I don't think Dr. M was convinced that I'm doing as well as I thought I was. The way he explained it--well, I'm not sure I can actually repeat how he explained it. But it seems that he believes that the grief has exacerbated the fibromyalgia, and the long cold winter has exacerbated them both. And then the advent of spring has some kind of effect too, according to the good doctor--but I really didn't understand that part. He gave me a sample of Lyrica and wants me to try that for a while and see if it helps. So I will.
He also had a whole bunch of my blood drained to check such things as blood sugar, thyroid, blood count, and I don't know what all. I should hear from those tests in a few days.
So after I finished my visit with Dr. M, I decided to treat myself to a Chik-Fil-A peach milkshake. A Facebook friend highly recommended them. I've always thought that Chik-Fil-A's vanilla milkshake is the best shake I've every had in my life. I still think so. Although the peach shake was quite good, it comes nowhere near its vanilla counterpart in yumminess.
Back home, I planted pink petunias in my little red wagon, Sophie and I went to happy hour for a little while, then Andy came for a short visit. We gave her some pink petunias since I had bought way too many. I must have been thinking I was going to fill a prairie schooner instead of a Radio Flyer. I still have enough pink petunia plants to fill a couple of hanging baskets or maybe three or four.
Oh yeah, I had a nice phone visit with daughter Amy last night. I had not talked to her for several weeks, so it was good to catch up on what's going on in her life. We talked about red beans and rice, the lack of southern food in Portland, her upcoming move to another apartment, the efficacy of valerian root for pain, and family news. It was a good visit.
Now I'm going to climb into bed with a good book. I still have to finish Amish Grace on the Kindle, since I stopped reading it to read Leaving Gees Bend. I'm supposed to be reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog for next months book club discussion (but I'm having a heck of a time getting into it), and I have a new book by Dan Simmons, Black Hills, that I'm dying to start. And a whole bunch more. Choices, choices.
Good night, all. :-)
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On 04/13/2010, Deb said ...
Susan, it never ceases to amaze me how things like grief, depression and many other illnesses present themselves in totally unexpected ways. It is so wonderful to hear that you have such a switched on doctor who listens and listens to you obviously very well and is knowledgeable and caring. Looking forward to positive outcomes from the tests he has done for you, there is nothing better than "answers".
hugs Deb
On 04/13/2010, Donna said ...
Susan, I had a peach shake today from Chik-Fil-A too! My husband and I had gone to Amber's gravesite and left there to go straight to get a peach milkshake. It was yummy. I think I have cried all day today. I think about you daily. Take care and God Bless.
Donna
On 04/13/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
I was about to go to bed when I popped in to see you and now I want to have a milkshake, peach or vanilla! That looks so very yummy! Sigh!
Hope all your blood tests come back normal. I think your doctor is wise to look beyond the words and symptoms. Grief can show up in all sorts of ways.
Be good to you. Perhaps another milkshake tomorrow will aid in replacing the blood that was drained for the tests?!
May we see your petunia-filled Radio Flyer? Pretty please?
Hugs!
On 04/13/2010, Pokey said ...
Sadness can do so much damage. I'm reminded of a (Bible College) required reading book, titled "None of These Diseases" and it was based on our turning things over to Him (they are His anyway), but, we are but dust, faith is a day by day (dare I say, second by second?) task. I feel very defeated, much of the time. Hope there are some health answers coming for you, soon.
On the other hand, I never really liked, craved-! a milkshake, I always preferred the cone, until, Chick-Fil-A,... oh, MAN!! For me, it is the strawberry shake that is trouble.
Now, look, you've flung a cravin' on me!!
On 04/14/2010, Diva Kreszl said ...
I'm so sorry to hear your fibromyalgia is acting up, hopefully the warmer days of summer will help! I don't see why you couldn't plant some forget-me-nots in Alabama, they are perenials and might bloom sooner in your area than they do in mine.
On 04/14/2010, Rian said ...
For what it's worth, I think you are doing amazingly well. Let's hope the Lyrica does the trick and you get a bit of your old pizzazz back.
On 04/14/2010, KAI said ...
WHAT A GREAT POST! First, I sort of agree that maybe the grieving process has taken a physical toll on you! Grief can mess with a person on SO many levels! I am glad to hear you tried the peach shake! I dislike peaches but every single time that commercial comes on, my MOUTH waters. I didn't KNOW they have VANILLA shakes! YUM. Of course I also dislike ICE CREAM (with the exception of Hagen Das - SPELLING? - lemon sorbet) but this coughing makes my throat crave cold things. I s'pose ICE WATER would be a healthier alternative in my case. I don't need more pounds on top of everything else. Sigh ...! How cool that you had visits with both Andy AND Amy! I'm GLAD! And I plan to check out Amish Grace and The Elegance of Hedgehogs! I ALSO recently bought The Black Hills! Goodness knows WHEN I'll read it, but I WILL! Let me know how YOU like it! LOVE YOU!
On 04/14/2010, Helen in Switzerland said ...
Hi Susan,
it amazes me how much you still manage to do even though you aren't feeling great. You put the rest of us to shame. I'm sure grief probably is a factor in your not feeling 100%, but when I read your blog every day, I read about a woman who understands grief, with a big support network and a strong faith who is taking one day at a time and getting through it. I actually think you are an example to us all.
Take care and hopefully when the summer comes around you will start to feel yourself a little more.
Lol, Helen
On 04/14/2010, Beverly said ...
Susan, you seem to handle life quite admirably in my opinion. You always amaze me.
I haven't tried the peach shake, but now you have me thinking about how yummy one would taste.
And, pink petunias! I've been admiring them every time I go to Home Depot.
On 04/14/2010, Sharon said ...
Susan - I have to agree with the grief theory. Grieving is hard work, and does sap your health and energy if you let it. We can sometimes find ourselves wanting to escape this with busyness - I know I have to some extent. Tears help - they are therapeutic and healing. You are fortunate to have a Dr. who really knows this, and cares.
Now I want ice cream! Maybe I'll visit Dairy Queen after my workout.
On 04/14/2010, Debra Spincic said ...
I am going with the grief theory too. I think you may be trying to be busy to keep grief at bay. It will find a way to manifest itself so until you properly deal with it, it will deal with you.
On 04/20/2010, Cammy said ...
Dr. M. has not been friendly to me, especially last year in my dire time of need. He didn't seem to want to help me. I have found a new interesting doctor that I'm going to tomorrow. Yes, nutrition has a LOT to do with everything.
On 04/22/2010, Cammy said ...
Sorry for the neg. Wasn't feeling good either. Glad your doing well, Suzy. How 'bout a mother's day party at your place?
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