Doctors, Family and Wheel Bearings

Friday, I had yet another doctors appointment. This IS getting kind of silly, yes. On the bright side, I was able to come off of my blood pressure meds, though I started taking something else. Nothing like keeping the medication cabinet full. Dear pharmacy god, can I please be yellow medicine bottle free for at least a couple of years? I love my liver and would like to keep it. Thank you, that's all.

My neurologist gave me the green light, well the 90% green light. My GP and the neuro had mentioned MS as a possibility. So I was scared to death. I have seen both ends of the MS spectrum. A really good friend of mine's mother has lived with MS for years and remains a positive, outgoing, vivacious, active member of society. My dad's cousin however no longer has the ability to speak, is confined to her bed and also prisoner so-to-speak to all her thoughts that can not escape through her lips. My cervical spine and brain MRI was perfect. 90% of the time, patients with MS typically will have lesions in one of the scans. He wanted to do another of my lower spine and a spinal tap, but I declined. He said if I have another flare-up, we'll go from there.

HOWEVER, true to form, one problem leading to another, one road leading to the next (that would be one doctors office leading to the next)...they found a lesion on my thyroid...or parathyroid. So off I go to a general surgeon. Another cut, another slice, another scar. Another day. When can I STOP being a patient and just be a wife and a mom?

For most people, I am just some freak of nature that either causes these things or just has the worst luck. Since I can't cause a lesion, or the laundry list of other things, I go with option 2. I have had to learn that others can think what they want, and I just don't care anymore. I can't.

Could the lesion be cancer, sure, but unlikely. But if it is, I can honestly say that, "Frankly Scarlett, I just don't give a damn". Not sure if I got that one right. Cancer shmanser. My mom has beaten the beast twice and if this particular beast has chosen me, it is notoriously the weakest cancer beast alive. It'll just be a pain in the butt for everyone. I come from a long line of strength, and when it counts, my genes kick in. Worried? Nope. Annoyed? Very much so.

We went to visit the inlaws this weekend. It's funny, there are so many jokes and sympathies that comes with the "inlaw" term. I don't really have those. They are my family too. Of course we all do things differently. But who can honestly say that they do things exactly the way their own mothers, fathers, sister or brothers do things? No one can say that. It doesn't happen. Diversity is what makes a family fun, it keeps us talking and it keeps us moving. How boring would life be if each and every one of us did the same thing?

My youngest sister in law graduated from her radiology tech program. It's amazing that at 20 years old her whole world will be open for her. She will make a true living and be independent at 20. Her sister did the same thing. There is something to be said for making good choices, making great ones, and making the right ones. They made the right decisions for them and they are and will be very successful because of it. I hope she is as excited and as proud as her smile shows her to be. She has worked hard, overcome some things and has come out on the other side a beautiful young woman, ready to tackle the world. Go Ally!

My nieces and nephews are amazing. Again, so different. Payton loves them all so very much and they are all so sweet to her. Even the budding young man Chase has a soft spot in his heart for all his young, female counter parts.

I can only imagine the pride that their parents feel, let alone the grandparents. The kids are all well behaved and exhibit great manners when expected, and enough spunk when needed! They are all beautiful. So many girls, yet none of them the same. Brenna, so laid back, smart, amazing with the little ones. Avery, a bubbling little brook of beauty, curly hair and enough priss to go around. She's shy but outgoing, sensitive and gives some great hugs. Kinny and Cade - they are funny. Kinny and Payton play so well together. Cade has made so much progress in his communication and is growing and changing each time I see him.

Alyssa is a little momma and little woman in a little girls body. She of course fits right in with her peers. Her long brown hair, brown eyes and olive skin radiate each time I see her. The girls has some legs, let me tell ya. Ashlynn (did I even spell her name right? Oh boy) just turned 4. Dora, Dora, Dora. And Vera Bradley of course. Addison is getting so big. So big in fact, I believe she is now taller than Emery.

I feel like I don't see them much, but those are the things that stick out about them. They are very sweet and loving children. A pleasure.

I had the opportunity to play Vera Bradley Bingo while I was there. The misconception that Bingo was strictly for the elderly has been washed away! I had so much fun! No, I didn't win a bag much to my own disappointment, but fun it was. Watch out Bingo ladies. Next time I'm coming with my gold-plated Bingo stamper thingy!

--------

Dear Car,

While you have taken me many places, I'm not sure I appreciate you. You have rescued us at a time of financial instability, but I don't feel stable. You have suffered the wear and tear of 125,000 miles, but still I feel you owe me more. Why? Because I do not want to fix you any more. I do not want to give you money.

You protected me when Mr. Red Truck ran me off the road, but still I find no solace in your seat. Like a true American car you keep running with a tune up and some parts, and if you must die, you insist on dying with style. Though one day, all cars go to metal heavan, please prolong your stay on Earth by a few more years. Please no longer require money from our wallets aside from oil changes and food to keep you going.

Do your duty oh American car and fight the good fight.

I do not hold you responsible for bad wheel bearings that left me stranded on Sunday. You are only as good as your parts, and your parts were bad. Your brand new part was bad.