Really?!?

We we went to the doctor today and was hit up side the head with some news.  First, Andy almost didn't even make it to the apt.  He had a fever last night and this morning and was feeling terrible.  But, he mustard up the energy and went.

We saw Bishop Richardson who is an optomitris (eye doctor).  We went to see him because apparently they can see if he has a leak in his brain through the optic nerve (it would be swollen).  Well, the optic nerve is normal but everything else is not.  Andy has been telling me that his eye sight has gotten worse but I didn't realize it was as bad as it is.  He could not even read the largest letters with his left eye.  More test were done and he hit us with the news, GLAUCOMA.  Really?!?.  So, Andy's cornea is suppose to be round and it is shaped like a football, he has a astigmatism that tested off the charts that Dr Richardson said he sees in only 1 of 4000 patients, and it looks like he has some optic nerve damage that looks like it is showing the signs of glaucoma.

We could not believe it.  Isn't glaucoma for old people not a 39  year old?  Then to top it off, he asks us if Andy has been tested for Lyme Disease.  I had to laugh (that's what I do when I am nervous).  Three times, we told him and considering that we were in Northern California when his symptoms appeared makes things too coincidental.  He mentioned to us that all they symptoms he shows suggests Lyme Disease.  Lyme tests can give you a false negative.  We asked if glaucoma could be caused by Lyme and he wasn't sure.  Of course we rushed home to check google and sure enough, it can be.

So here is where we are: doctor's apt next Thursday with infectious disease to double check for Lyme or any other illness, eye doctor apt the following Monday to confirm glaucoma and check the optic nerve, and follow up with neurologist to go over everything.

I'm tired.  So is my poor husband.  Needless to say, next time he says something is wrong, I won't doubt him. 

Frustration is setting in...

It has been nearly 1 year and 9 months since Andy came home from work complaining of a head ache.  My husband is sick.  With what?  That we don't know the answer to that yet.  You name it and he has had it done.  2 MRI's, spinal tap, CT scan, chiropractic adjustments, shots in the back of his neck, vestibular therapy, every medicine you can think of, and countless visits to the "best doctors".  Our local pharmacist and phlebotomist knows us by name.  That is what we have been up to.

Needless to say, frustration is setting in.  What do you do when even the doctors are stumped?  Who do you believe?  My poor husband is not only frustrated but I sense loosing hope.  Not only is he not working but he pretty much can't do anything that might raise his blood pressure which causes him to get dizzy.

He has yet another appointment this Thursday but I hate to get my hopes up (be there, done that).  What do you when your spouse is sick?  I have done it all.  Gotten mad, become hopeful, shown sympathy, even given up myself. 

Although, I feel the blessings.  We had a ward fast this last Sunday for Andy and 2 other men in the ward who are going through medical challenges themselves.  I know the spirit is strong in our ward.   I feel a sense of peace knowing that we have so many family and friends praying for us.  Our prayers will be answered and what ever we discover I know we are ready to deal with it.

So, we keep moving on.  Everyday is different in our house but if we keep the Spirit alive, we will overcome this.