Saturday, February 4, 2012

Mayo Clinic Days 1 and 2

We arrived in Arizona Wednesday evening... it was dry... Honestly... that has been my main complaint... my skin is dry... my mouth is dry... my nose is dry... Coming from the ocean to the desert really makes a girl feel like a fish out of water.

Our friends had a lovely meal cooked for us for dinner... We have been so blessed. That night we stayed up chatting... then the next morning We headed off to the Mayo for our first appointment.

The campus was beautiful. I'm starting to really love all of the cacti around... it's absolutely breath taking. My mom, Lilly the walker and I made our way into the building. Immediately, we were greeted by Mayo volunteers and staff. And the Cruise ship atmosphere began. (this whole time I've been calling the Mayo a cruise ship for sick people... seriously every need is met). I checked in on the proper level and waited for my name to be called. I loved all the handicapped door activators... there is nothing more difficult than trying to open a door with a walker...

My hands were sweaty... I was nervous. After 10 minutes, that felt like an eternity, I was called back before my scheduled appointment time. I met my coordinating doctor... and spent about an hour and a half with him... explaining everything. My hand reached out to his with my "folder of gold", all my medical records that had been so carefully collected.

He explained that he would be looking over them that evening and would have it back for me the next day.

The hardest part of this appointment... when he looked at me and said

"You are not an easy case."

Seriously... disappointed... You don't want the best doctors in the world to say that.

I was then sent to Scheduling... seriously... cruise ship...

They handed me a beeper as they finalized my "itinerary".

My mom and I went down to the cafe and she ate lunch... I was told not to eat in case they were able to get me in for fasting tests.

I sat... using their free wifi... playing scramble... while everyone ate around me... not the best decision I've ever made.

We went back up to retrieve my Itinerary... 14 pages... They scheduled every appointment... with all the specialists my doctor wanted me to see... I didn't need to make any calls... or plea with anyone to get me in... everything was scheduled within a week.... huge blessing.  I could be told by some of the specialists that I need to have further tests (or see more specialists) which will make it longer... but we are getting all the initial assessments done in a week.

Immediately I was sent to radiology to have some x-rays done (they did some weird ones)... and then I was free to go home...

Now... it's late in the day and I haven't eaten since breakfast...

If you know me... you know I don't do well with lack of food. My poor mom had to deal with a "starving, tired and grumpy Rachel" for quite some time... really not my best emotional time.

I had food restrictions for the next day... and I had to fast after seven.

SERIOUSLY!!! I haven't eaten all day and now you are telling me I can't eat after seven... or breakfast!!! not fair.

And on top of that... I wasn't allowed to eat cheese...

I'm sorry... just like Elf I have 4 food groups... mine are a little different...

Gouda
Sharp Cheddar
Brie
and Parmesan.

So... knowing that we needed some good protein... and I was about to die of "the grumps"... We headed to Chipotle... they had Gluten free for my mom... and protein for me...

I've never eaten a whole burrito there... typically I can't even eat half.

I ATE THE WHOLE THING!

Seriously. I was starving... So I got my burrito with chicken, rice, corn salsa, avocado, lettuce and black beans.... so good.

And boy was I glad that I ate the whole thing... it totally tied me over till the morning.

I got up at 5:30 AZ time.... 4:30 CA time...  We call that nighttime...

Mom and I drove over for my early early appointment. Seriously... way too early...

The sunrise was gorgeous... and almost made the earliness worth it... almost.

My first appointment was labs... I explained my bad veins... The first guy stuck me a few times... then he told me I was going to be looked at by someone else. She looked for quite some time... and stuck a couple times... and finally got a good one... Praise God. She was able to fill up all twelve of the bottles with one vein.

I then had 5 minutes that I could eat... Because I had to be fasting for 2 hours before a pulmonary test... So... I gobbled down a fiber one bar and a box of apple juice.

My mom and I decided at this point it was time to explore the Mayo between appointments... We found the patient lounge... and the best part of all... the sleeping room... They have recliners... and blankets and pillows... it's dark and cool... and I'm pretty sure I'll be spending a lot of time there... it's wonderful between really awful tests.

After my nap... we went out and watched the piano player who plays daily from 9 to 11. It was wonderful.

Then it was time for more testing... They tested my lungs... put me in a really weird capsule thingy and had me breathe helium... that was quite a surprise when I opened my mouth to speak...

We then went to get lunch... I got a really nice egg salad sandwich, salad with blu cheese dressing, and tapioca pudding... mmm. Mom got a huge salad, yogurt and Gluten free brownie.

After lunch we found the puzzle room... seriously... cruise ship.

Then it was time for my icky electro-stimulation test. The one where they push needles filled with electricity into your muscles... sounds fun right?

After that... I was exhausted. And so thankful that I got to go "home"...  we got in the car... and my poor mom had to now deal with... overly exhausted Rachel. I was a mess... I put my eye mask on and went to sleep for most of the drive... till she woke me up... remembering I needed to call my insurance... I balled as I tried to dial the number...

"I'm soooo tired"

Thankfully they had finally gotten everything taken care of... and were "reviewing"

We got home... and I don't remember much else... I went to bed and slept for 3 hours. My mom went out to dinner with our friends... and I slept.

After I woke up she took me to get some dinner... and I had a wonderful chicken sandwich from Red Robbin. And a really good Strawberry lemonade!

Now... we have two days off... and next week is booked solid.

Please pray that my case wouldn't be too difficult.

I need treatment.

Thanks for coming with me on this journey... feel free to share with your friends... I need all the prayer I can get.

xoxo- me

3 comments:

Kathleen said...

Wow, I'm impressed with the Mayo Clinic...they are truly organized. I'm praying for you and have my bible study group praying for you. Praying for an answer.

Hang in there, you can do anything through Christ.

Love you.

Sheila said...

It sounds like you are at the right place! Praying for you...

Crysti & Jerome said...

I'm praying for miraculous intervention and healing. I'm anxious for the next update but get your need for processing. Just wanted you to know the prayer cover hasn't stopped! Love you!