A Tale of Change...
Hello my fellow readers! Trevor here, with our monthly tale. It was to be last week, but Brenda was feeling under the weather and since she dictates what to share, that wasn't happening. BOL
Brenda has been dealing with a lot, these past few months. Change is never easy for any of us. That is why we are going to tackle this subject, in our latest blog post.
Brenda has been dealing with eye irritation on and off now, for about a month. It started with eye pain and a terrible headache. It ended up being keratoconjunctivitis. Thankfully, not considered an infection, so it was not contagious. Brenda thinks she knows what started it and hopes it has been solved. The ophthalmologist put her on some steroid drops for a short time. Her eyes were not red, but oh, did they hurt. She has also been checked closely for glaucoma, as this can be something that can pop up, as a result of living with RA. She needs to be checked on a yearly basis, but at this time, there are no signs present.
Brenda also recently got a new rheumatologist, which turned out to be a great move. It can be hard to change doctors, when you're established with a specialist. There was no choice, as her last rheumy moved out of state and she would have to get a new one. This was a big change for Brenda, but circumstances made it possible for several reasons. Her insurance now allows Brenda to see anyone at any facility in the United States, as long as they are a Blue Cross/Blue Shield provider. Since her specialty pharmacy was kind enough to help in making this appointment for Brenda, and this new rheumy agreed to see Brenda, once he heard that she did not have a current rheumatologist, this seemed liked a good sign.
It turned out that Brenda could see him in early February. Her next appointment was scheduled for June with a locum, which Brenda was not comfortable in being seen by a different specialist each time. She wanted to get established and also to be able to have her biologic prescription written in a timely manner. It had been approved but this new rheumy wanted to see her and then run some extensive tests to see if she was still able to take it.
Brenda came prepared with documentations of her past surgeries and her RA history. He seemed impressed and even asked if he could make copies. That said a lot right there. He valued Brenda's time and effort that she put into documenting all this information. I might add, that it was all handwritten and from memory. She only managed to forget one surgery, big surprise!
Brenda liked this new rheumy and they came to an agreement that seeing him every six months, would be reasonable. Her labs will be done every 4 months, with 3 specific tests each time.
Her next big change was losing her ophthalmologist, that she has known since 1981. You see, Brenda used to work with him. This was at her last full-time job. He came to town that year and Brenda enjoyed working with him so much. She transcribed his letters, from when he went to satellite clinics. It was challenging at times, because he liked to have the radio on while he was dictating and Brenda would sometimes hear the song, instead of what he was trying to say. BOL
Brenda was able to work it out and he turned the radio down, which made it much easier. They never had a problem, his words when she recently had her last appointment with him. They talked about the old days. She contacted him soon after she was diagnosed with RA, as she needed some advice. She again contacted him, when she was thinking of starting her biologic. She thought a lot of him and the feeling was mutual. She never has had a working relationship, as enjoyable as that one. He even wrote a reference letter on her behalf. Brenda had to resign because of her health, but she was going to try and find work, when she felt better. Little did anyone know, that this was actually the early stages of her RA cooking up.
On that last visit with him, she got to share, how much she enjoyed working with him. He told her that she was a young whippersnapper back then and now you're 60. How did that happen? So much has happened. Brenda was 21 years old and 10 years later, her world would change once again, with being diagnosed with RA.
He told her she was a miracle. You see again in 2008, Brenda faced another challenge. She became a brain tumor survivor. That truly changed her life.
Change is nothing new for Brenda. We are again facing big changes in our lives. This time with the coronavirus. Brenda is trying to do all she needs to, to remain safe. Change has been implemented at her place of employment. While this may be inconvenient, she realizes that it is for the safety and well being of everyone. She is limiting her time out of socializing and only going to work and home. She hopes she will be able to walk and not have to use taxi service at this time. She has stocked up on her items and food.
No hugging or shaking hands. Keeping social distances, even at work. If you feel sick, don't come to work. Brenda deals with a weakened immune system, but she knows what to do, so she is trying not to panic.
Until next time, don't let change scare you, be smart and be safe!
~T Man~
Photo Credit; trainingwithellen.com
Brenda has been dealing with a lot, these past few months. Change is never easy for any of us. That is why we are going to tackle this subject, in our latest blog post.
Brenda has been dealing with eye irritation on and off now, for about a month. It started with eye pain and a terrible headache. It ended up being keratoconjunctivitis. Thankfully, not considered an infection, so it was not contagious. Brenda thinks she knows what started it and hopes it has been solved. The ophthalmologist put her on some steroid drops for a short time. Her eyes were not red, but oh, did they hurt. She has also been checked closely for glaucoma, as this can be something that can pop up, as a result of living with RA. She needs to be checked on a yearly basis, but at this time, there are no signs present.
Brenda also recently got a new rheumatologist, which turned out to be a great move. It can be hard to change doctors, when you're established with a specialist. There was no choice, as her last rheumy moved out of state and she would have to get a new one. This was a big change for Brenda, but circumstances made it possible for several reasons. Her insurance now allows Brenda to see anyone at any facility in the United States, as long as they are a Blue Cross/Blue Shield provider. Since her specialty pharmacy was kind enough to help in making this appointment for Brenda, and this new rheumy agreed to see Brenda, once he heard that she did not have a current rheumatologist, this seemed liked a good sign.
It turned out that Brenda could see him in early February. Her next appointment was scheduled for June with a locum, which Brenda was not comfortable in being seen by a different specialist each time. She wanted to get established and also to be able to have her biologic prescription written in a timely manner. It had been approved but this new rheumy wanted to see her and then run some extensive tests to see if she was still able to take it.
Brenda came prepared with documentations of her past surgeries and her RA history. He seemed impressed and even asked if he could make copies. That said a lot right there. He valued Brenda's time and effort that she put into documenting all this information. I might add, that it was all handwritten and from memory. She only managed to forget one surgery, big surprise!
Brenda liked this new rheumy and they came to an agreement that seeing him every six months, would be reasonable. Her labs will be done every 4 months, with 3 specific tests each time.
Her next big change was losing her ophthalmologist, that she has known since 1981. You see, Brenda used to work with him. This was at her last full-time job. He came to town that year and Brenda enjoyed working with him so much. She transcribed his letters, from when he went to satellite clinics. It was challenging at times, because he liked to have the radio on while he was dictating and Brenda would sometimes hear the song, instead of what he was trying to say. BOL
Brenda was able to work it out and he turned the radio down, which made it much easier. They never had a problem, his words when she recently had her last appointment with him. They talked about the old days. She contacted him soon after she was diagnosed with RA, as she needed some advice. She again contacted him, when she was thinking of starting her biologic. She thought a lot of him and the feeling was mutual. She never has had a working relationship, as enjoyable as that one. He even wrote a reference letter on her behalf. Brenda had to resign because of her health, but she was going to try and find work, when she felt better. Little did anyone know, that this was actually the early stages of her RA cooking up.
On that last visit with him, she got to share, how much she enjoyed working with him. He told her that she was a young whippersnapper back then and now you're 60. How did that happen? So much has happened. Brenda was 21 years old and 10 years later, her world would change once again, with being diagnosed with RA.
He told her she was a miracle. You see again in 2008, Brenda faced another challenge. She became a brain tumor survivor. That truly changed her life.
Change is nothing new for Brenda. We are again facing big changes in our lives. This time with the coronavirus. Brenda is trying to do all she needs to, to remain safe. Change has been implemented at her place of employment. While this may be inconvenient, she realizes that it is for the safety and well being of everyone. She is limiting her time out of socializing and only going to work and home. She hopes she will be able to walk and not have to use taxi service at this time. She has stocked up on her items and food.
No hugging or shaking hands. Keeping social distances, even at work. If you feel sick, don't come to work. Brenda deals with a weakened immune system, but she knows what to do, so she is trying not to panic.
Until next time, don't let change scare you, be smart and be safe!
~T Man~
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