Journal entry by Karen Sibbett —
Hi Family and Friends. It's been a week since I updated CB. Things have slowed down but there are some updates to report.
After 2 weeks of deliberations by various doctors, my Infectious Disease doctor reported what was seen on MRI #2 of my Psoas muscle issue (deep muscle in left leg near to pelvic). Seems there is an abscess there that hasn't resolved itself and this may be what is causing my inflammation blood test markers high. An abscess would keep the IV meds from getting in and killing bacteria. Doc referred me to neurosurgeon to discuss doing a needle aspiration to sample what's inside the abscess. An appt to discuss this w/ neurosurgeon is set for tomorrow (5/6). Stay tuned.
New blood pressure med and lower salt diet have lowered my BP out of the scary range but not quite as low as I'd like. Continuing to collect and report data to my primary doctor. Hoping BP keeps trending down.
I finished with my physical therapy on a high note. I asked PT when I might be able to stop using the cane and he did some "tests" where I get up from a chair w/ out using my hands, walk a distance, turn around and sit down. I did considerable better than needed on that one. Then he had me walk the halls and make quick 180 u-turns upon command a bunch of times. No wobbling or listing :-) So he said I was ready to go w/out the cane. So now I'm walking pretty normally although always conscious of trip hazards, especially on my left side.
Final appt w/ my retinal ophthalmologist this week. Unfortunately, the sight loss in my left eye looks to be permanent. We discussed if further surgery might help and the benefit/risk ratio seems low. It's still hard to get my hands around having reduced vision but I came so close to losing vision in both eyes that I can only be grateful for what I do have.
I'm up and about much more. Made my first full dinner for Scott and me yesterday. Another milestone. Enjoyed a lovely visit from college roommate Deb. Enjoyed catching up then took a long nap.
Will update when we know more about what neurosurgeon says. Thank you for your continuing prayers and good wishes.
Karen
After 2 weeks of deliberations by various doctors, my Infectious Disease doctor reported what was seen on MRI #2 of my Psoas muscle issue (deep muscle in left leg near to pelvic). Seems there is an abscess there that hasn't resolved itself and this may be what is causing my inflammation blood test markers high. An abscess would keep the IV meds from getting in and killing bacteria. Doc referred me to neurosurgeon to discuss doing a needle aspiration to sample what's inside the abscess. An appt to discuss this w/ neurosurgeon is set for tomorrow (5/6). Stay tuned.
New blood pressure med and lower salt diet have lowered my BP out of the scary range but not quite as low as I'd like. Continuing to collect and report data to my primary doctor. Hoping BP keeps trending down.
I finished with my physical therapy on a high note. I asked PT when I might be able to stop using the cane and he did some "tests" where I get up from a chair w/ out using my hands, walk a distance, turn around and sit down. I did considerable better than needed on that one. Then he had me walk the halls and make quick 180 u-turns upon command a bunch of times. No wobbling or listing :-) So he said I was ready to go w/out the cane. So now I'm walking pretty normally although always conscious of trip hazards, especially on my left side.
Final appt w/ my retinal ophthalmologist this week. Unfortunately, the sight loss in my left eye looks to be permanent. We discussed if further surgery might help and the benefit/risk ratio seems low. It's still hard to get my hands around having reduced vision but I came so close to losing vision in both eyes that I can only be grateful for what I do have.
I'm up and about much more. Made my first full dinner for Scott and me yesterday. Another milestone. Enjoyed a lovely visit from college roommate Deb. Enjoyed catching up then took a long nap.
Will update when we know more about what neurosurgeon says. Thank you for your continuing prayers and good wishes.
Karen
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