do you hear what I hear?
I hear doctors going blah, blah, duh, blah. Blah.
Let's recall the timeline here:
Dramatically increased pain and fatigue. I went to the family doctor, who sent me to the podiatrist (because of the poor condition of my left foot - untouchable), who sent me to a pain specialist, who said he couldn't do anything for me. Back to the family doctor. Who orders me off work for at least a month and decides to run a bunch of blood tests and decides to send me to a rheumatologist.
My family doctor's office finally called with my rheumatology appointment and my blood tests results. My blood tests (ANA, sediment rate, and others - it was all 'letters') revealed I do have inflammation and muscle damage occurring. My thyroid levels have dropped even more so they upped that med. The only test that wasn't positive was the actual RA test. But doc said that was meaningless; more than likely I do have rheumatoid arthritis. Even according to the RA websites at least 25% of RA patients never have a positive RA test. They prefer to trust the combination of tests and little things like the "presence of joint pain". According to all the blood tests they did, and the outcomes, and entering said information into medical websites; the main two crossed reference possibilities are: rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Lupus has for ever been popping up - most of my adult life. Every 10 years or so they do a DNA test which says I don't have the genetic markers for Lupus. Then in 10 years they say the DNA tests have improved dramatically and they do it again. With the same results. But then tests like an ANA (and others) suggest I do have a systematic disorder.
So today was my Rheumetologist appointment. He said my tests were only slightly positive and didn't mean anything. (Personally I think a positive is a positive - otherwise it would be like being only slightly pregnant or you could argue in traffic court you were only a little drunk) I was not flared up at the time of my appointment. Being off work has helped, but I am still very sore and I do have multiple "flare ups" every day. He stated when you have RA you're joints are always red and inflamed. (News to me and I sure most of the family that have it as well) He said if my RSD were re-occurring I would be all red from that as well. RSD info states those are symptoms occur the first 6 - 12 months. The burning and the pain stays. I wasn't red much after 1992. Then I started turning mostly blue - due to circulatory problems and then the atrophy started.
The RA doc then suggested a pain specialist might be able to help with my "aches and pains".
That's when I got a little mouthy.
He decided to run a huge pile of new and additional blood tests and I have to go back to him in 3 weeks. He didn't even have the guts to tell me I had to come back. The front desk did.

I'm getting nothing for Christmas
My immediate concerns:
We have to get the pain under control to get the RSD back in remission.
If it is RA, the sooner you get on meds, the more likely your joints might not get the crippling damage. Every time you have a flare up, permanent damage is being done. There is no moving the clock backwards. You can only hope to slow it - or possibly even stop it. With some of the newer drugs, if caught early enough RA can go into remission as well. But you got to take care of yourself. (Apparently I'm the only one concerned.)
I'm not working. Okay - I am a little, but 8 hours a week is No Money. But yet - there are doctor bills and they want paid for doing nothing, yet I don't get paid for doing nothing. It is a quandry.
When I do work - the pain is blinding and all consuming. No life. And I have the all consuming miracle of Lilly on the way and I want to be able to hold her and play and stuff.
blah, blah, ba-humbug.

Willie got ran over by a reindeer
Okay, it wasn't a reindeer, it was a girl. And he didn't get "run over", she backed into his car. School parking lot lunch incident. (sounds like an Adam Sandler song) (*Rob's already singing it*) Both were leaving for lunch. She got out of her car, but Will fully skilled at the art of being Will, explained to her he didn't have time to handle this now. He had to eat. So rather than discuss the accident with the other driver, who according to Will was at fault, he came home for lunch. His car is basically okay. Willie will always be hungry.

five golden rings
Really - just one ring and it wasn't gold. It was itchy, red, and flakey. A little 'pet' Sandra picked up at daycare. The daycare refuses no child for any reason. She has decided to take maternity leave now so she can avoid having anything contagious by the time BooBoo gets here.

may all your Christmases be white
white, sterile, clean
Yes, that's right I'm using my new steam cleaner and loving it! I've done a lot of testing and cleaning. It has never been easier. The stove, the microwave, bathroom, countertops, and small appliances - the grime is just blown away. Saves my poor, sore hands from excessive scrubbing and no cleaning agents required. The burst of steam cleans things you can't ever physically reach. My faucets haven't been this clean since the day they were installed. Will was watching me clean and eating red jello. He left. Later I noticed he had dropped a couple of pieces onto my beige carpet. I just hit it with the steam and it came right out - no stain.
You have about 15 - 20 minutes of cleaning time with each fill. Then you must let it cool for at least 5 minutes, refill and let it heat to boiling again - about 6 minutes. So I clean a little and then I'm forced into almost equal amount of break. How nice for me!
I do miss the smell of bleach a little. They should make that an air freshener smell.

say hello to friends you know
Russ & Bec now have internet and email!
Pastor Uncle Rod thinks he does, but he is mistaken. He's working on it. Again.
The only snail mail Christmas cards I have received are from businesses.
I got to work today (4 hours, of course). Nice to see friends again. Glad to leave when I did. OW!

What Randy wants for Christmas. Yesterday. Her name is Chic and she was a regular camper at the KOA.