An Optimist Is Never Pleasantly Surprised

 I admit it. I just cannot help myself from getting some of my unfounded hopes to flare to life like something is actually happening. I've talked about the days since I saw the Liver Specialist, and he adjusted a couple of my prescriptions. I have days I wake up feeling actually good, then others that I just roll over and give up. The negative days outweighed the positive ones in the beginning, but now they seem to be evening out somewhat, and that makes me leery of my hope.

I had this year's first scheduled paracentesis this morning. I say scheduled, because I claimed all the Mondays January for this weekly event. Normally in and out after about an hour or so, whereas the ER entry, I'm there for a good 5-7 hours, depending on who the doctor is, and if they even read my chart. So, I have the paracentesis scheduled for 9am. Plenty of rush hour time (hospital is only about 10 minutes away), plenty of time for the valet parking (so I don't have to walk as far - dang construction). At 9am I am still at admitting. I asked if there was a hold-up, so, yes, of course there is. Seems my medical insurance company lists me and the Wife as our policies termed 12/31/25. Wait ... What?!? I just got a confirmation of my appointment yesterday, why hasn't this been checked and approved yet? Wait, termed? I was at a blank (my excuse is it was early and I was at the hospital, trying to figure out what I could do) so the Wife called member services. One of those alleged weird glitches. Seems they printed off our new cards, mailed them to us, have been accepting them at the Doctor's appointments (because terms in 2025), and all without some kind of verification, the correct information was going out. In other words, our new member numbers were not on our cards, so are getting denied now. 

Either way, got the correct member number, and finally sent down to ultrasound. Out before noon. Some background now... last week, during the paracentesis, the tech mentioned something about the needle for the catheter/drain, and how this was a shorter one. It needed to be repositioned, but because it was short, they would have to "re-stick" me to complete it. They had drained 9.1 Liters at that point, so I said, based on previous weeks of there being like 14 L to be drained, to just stop, and we'd get the extra fluid this week (with a longer needle). Today, longer needle, longer time on the table, as we shifted that hospital bed in everyway it was meant to be torqued (that just sounds so sexual). Head up, had down, diagonal all four ways, even had me roll to the side the needle was at for fluid to 'drain that way'. The tech felt confident that we got all the fluid this week around, and the total drained: 10 liters.

Now back to the top... see my hopes? After a week of medicine changes, I started having some better days (feeling like living). After two weeks and a bit, this is the first time the draining has been this low, and my hopes fall that it is just time the medicines needed to get working. This last week has brought on increased urination times and frequency (bonus for losing fluid). Still dealing with nausea at any given time. in public, in private, around food, people with strong cologne/perfume/body smell. Heck, even sitting at the Post, talking to the guys, the smell of the beer off their breath gets me at times. But it has never tempted me to drink. Nothing has as of this time, and I plan on trying to keep it that way.

Still have another paracentesis next Monday, followed by the Liver Specialist appointment on Wednesday. Looking for good news and results. Depending on the frequency of the para's, he may let me back off of them. But for now, another para the following Monday, with a PCP visit as well (to get her up to date). Most after that are Para's (may or not need) and the occasional blood draw (at this time).

Tuesday is going to be fun. I mentioned this whole Disability thing. Tomorrow is when I will drive over to the SSN office to discuss with someone where to get started, etc., and what extra paperwork I need to submit. No idea how long that may last, but I figure a good 1-2 hours (for the first appointment). As I wrap this up, I am trying to get together what medical records I was able to print, and other info they will need (birth cert, etc.,).

PeacE