Friday, January 13, 2006

Friday the 13th: How appropriate

I'm feeling a little down these last couple of days, since learning Monday that my blood calcium level had risen again (from 11.8 to 12.7). Though this increase wasn't unexpected, the implications nonetheless prey on my mind.
The dosage of my oral medication was increased from twice to three times daily, which also wasn't unexpected.
Physically, I feel OK and am continuing with my routine: karate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, weight training Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Psychologically, the roller coaster ride continues. These alternating periods of depression and elation never last, just as they wouldn't if I were perfectly healthy. They're just a little more intense given what's at stake.
I feel wrapped in a thin film of sadness and foreboding, but I'm leaning toward optimism because I recognize the cyclical nature of these ups and downs.
I haven't heard from my endocrinologist except for her e-mail Monday informing me of my blood test results and suggesting that I have a retest in one to two weeks to see what effect the increase in medication has on the calcium level. I don't know if the Sloan-Kettering surgeon shared with her his assessment of my situation. Nor do I know if she has any more thoughts on the experimental medication that I wrote about in my previous blog post.
The good news is, tomorrow's another day. Better still, it's the weekend and I've got a little cash in my pocket.
The phrase "keep the faith" never meant so much to me as now.

10 comments:

Michael said...

Hi Greensleeves,
Yes, this is quite frustrating. I'm going to e-mail my doctor over the weekend and hopefully get a better idea of what's going on.
Thanks for your message!

Michael said...

My Dear, Dear Beachy,
It's so great to hear from you! I left a message on your blog.

oxeye said...

hi michael, like you say, tomorrow is another day. things will go up and down. i hope things seem better tomorrow for us.

Kim said...

michael, this is discouraging news. i'm hoping that the increased medication gets this under control. all the best. keep the faith!!!!!

Michael said...

Oxeye, Kim,
Thanks for your good wishes!

Michael said...

Thank you, Anu!

LBseahag said...

Hello.
I'm sorry to hear that about your calcium levels. I am so glad you are on top of it, though, and taking the necessary steps. Tomorrow is another day...
BTW...i just read the most awesome book, Tuesdays With Morrie...by Mitch Albom...you may have heard of it...I tell ya, it really is a great read...it puts life in perspective by a man in his 8os with Lou Gehrig's disease...
Keep your chin up. And know you are never alone :)

Michael said...

Hello Anu,
Thanks so much for your message! Yes, I understand it perfectly, and thanks.

Hello g,
From what I've been told, the link between the level of calcium in my blood and dietary calcium is negligible. Of course, I can't go overboard on products high in calcium, and I don't, but there's not a very strong link involved.

Anonymous said...

Michel,Yukkuri Ganbarou! Kokoro kara ouen shiteimasu.

Michael said...

Miki-san,

Arigatou gozamiashita!
Bad times and good times are temporary. Everything moves in a circle.
Thank you for writing!