Hey, doc

My daughter was supposed to go with me to see my internist yesterday so she could meet him. She still hasn't followed up on getting the tests she needs, but I was upset with her after asking her to watch my dogs for one night, maybe two, so I didn't remind her of the doctor visit. She can find a new doctor of her own, or go meet him when she feels like it.

Some day this child of mine is going to have a dog, or a child, or even her current cat, and is going to want to go away and need someone responsible to watch them and  keep them happy while she is gone, so she doesn't need to ruin her vacation time worrying about her babies. I hope she keeps that thought in mind next time I ask for help. I had to cancel all thought of going out of town this week. Molly's shot is due Friday, and while she was overdosed last time and can probably go a few extra days, she is a vulnerable dog who is more vulnerable at this time of the month than any other, and I just don't feel the child was likely to give Molly the extra loving care she needs right now.

I could have had a very nice Valentine's Day treat, just one day late.

Child does not know that the reason I asked twice regarding her work days this week was because I wanted to bake her some Valentine cookies and take them to her at work. I envisioned heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink frosting and red sprinkles.

First, she (Child, not Molly) tried to demand holiday pay. Last I knew, neither Wednesday or Thursday are holidays. Then she told me she was off work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and had to work Thursday, plus she had school on Wednesday evening. I see no conflict here at all. She got whiney and rude. She really started pushing on the money aspect.

Oh, is she planning to pay me when she has children and wants me to babysit? I think not. She owes me a lot of money, and I reduce her debt a little when she sits. Otherwise, I would never, ever see any reduction in the debt. She should be pleased to be able to reduce her debt to me. I would personally be happy to reduce debt, if I had any.

First thing yesterday morning the gyn nurse called to tell me that the ultrasound showed a 7 mm cyst in my left breast, but it appears to be benign and we are going to ignore it at this time. I was not disappointed that I do not have to have another cyst aspiration right now. I might need it next year, or the cyst may go away on its own. So I studied well and passed the yearly breast exams.

Then I went to the internist, alone, as usual. I inherited a very high propensity for outrageous cholesterol levels. Diet doesn't do much for me. Exercise helps a little, but I need statins. I don't like to take them, but I guess I should be grateful that I am the only member of my family who can produce a cholesterol level below 300 without medication. My current level is 172, I think. I have this unusually high level of the good kind, over 100, and the way the doctor explains it to me, I have scrubbing bubbles in my veins. So isn't that good enough so I don't have to take the statins and have blood tests every 3 months? Apparently not. Currently I take Vytorin. I didn't like Zocor and would go off it now and then, and my levels would go way up. I am not unhappy with Vytorin, so far.

Other than that, my blood was perfect. Good. On to the weird stuff. We talked about the molds. He said I was allergic to them and had an allergic reaction. Well, duh. I guess I don't need to worry about it. The rash, well, he agreed, it does resemble poison ivy, but is clearly an allergic dermatitis. Well, duh, again. I asked him how an allergic dermatitis manages to spread. He said it gets into the system - and I asked how we treat a systemic infection. He gave me a prescription for a tube of some cream or another, and said if it doesn't clear up in a few days - I said yes, Medrol. I have some in case I get poison ivy really bad.

Medrol is a cortisone preparation. It's given in a dose pak, starting with I think 5 tablets a day and going down by 1 a day until they are gone. He surprised me by cautioning me against prednisone (cortisone) unless I really need it. He said, "Prednisone can make people insane."

OK. But my dog takes it every day. If she doesn't, she will die.

I went through my drawer of poison ivy and rash creams and ointments and grabbed the newest one. It seems to be working.

The lump in my calf is what I thought it was, a vein issue. It's not a problem, doesn't need any intervention, but I don't like lumps after having had cancer twice, so I wanted him to check it out. It took me two years to get around to asking about it, so it's a good thing it was nothing to be concerned about.

It seems I am good for another 10,000 miles. I still don't like taking statins, but it beats a heart attack from gunked up veins. I always get a picture in my head of peanut butter in a garden hose.

I also told him that I have trouble concentrating, I can't focus well, and I can't hold a conversation thread for two sentences. I reminded him that I had that awful reaction to the pneumonia vaccine and was not even able to read for two months. I couldn't pay my bills, use the computer, or even watch television. I tried almost an hour of TV and gave up. I had what felt like a very severe case of ADD for two months. I lost 10 pounds very fast, was nauseous to a high degree, had a rash to beat all rashes, and was miserable. It never really totally went away. I said that I have had focus problems all my life, but felt that it was worse than it used to be. I can hyperfocus, so I can get an A in almost any class and am an excellent employee, but can't seem to do it in any other aspect of my life. It is probably why I have to set a timer to work on The Project or I will walk away from it.

I asked him to write Adderall for me, in a low dose, to see if it helps me at all. He agreed, after mentioning all the other brand names of ADD medications. So I am trying it, starting today. In a way, I hope it doesn't help.