The saga continues...

So in the vein of "anything that can go wrong, will go wrong" something else is going wrong. Last weekend, I had a routine eye exam. I wear glasses so I go at least every other year. It was the usual routine - eyes dilated, read the chart, what's the smallest line you can read kind of exam. My prescription changed slightly so I'm getting new glasses but the doc saw something new. Of course, he did. Because 2014 is my year for every single doctor I see to "see something new" and sending me on to another doc. He said my optic nerve appeared to be swollen so I had to see an ophthalmologist. Immediately.

So, yesterday, I did. He made me do a field of vision test. Turns out whatever is making my optic nerve swell is blocking my peripheral vision in my right eye. He took a picture and showed me the nerve. Yup, its swollen! But he can't tell me what's causing it so now I have to have an MRI done on Tuesday which, he says, will show what is causing the nerve to act up.

So far this year has been a roller coaster for me. I'm happy to be attending to my health issues but I'm also seeing that side of American health care that is so frustrating and costly. I don't doubt that some of what I'm being made to do is for my own good (the MRI for example and even the colonoscopy). But I was also sent to get nutritional info from the diabetic clinic because I asked to see a nutritionist to help me with my diet. I am not diabetic. And the lady there wanted me to attend 6 sessions and get a prescription for a glucose monitor and diabetic supplies which I don't need! I think it's wrong to have my insurance pay for something that I do not need. This is why insurance costs so damn much in this country! I called my doc and I'm not going back to those sessions.

Anyway, I know it's important to take care of your health. But I'm learning it's just as important to speak up for yourself when dealing with the medical professionals because once you get in the health care loop, they will keep you going on and on and on...

Easter aftermath and moving on...

Easter is a strange holiday for we non-believers. It is mostly a day full of food and chocolate which, in itself, is a good thing. Mine was also filled with way more golf than I would have liked but being a non-golfer forced to watch the Master's Tourney I guess that's to be expected. Still, it was a nice break from the norm and, as I said, there was plenty of good food.

So, now it's another Monday. All of the same worries are still here. Still not sure what's happening with my father in law. He's not well and no one can really say why. We tossed about whether or not we needed to board a plane immediately and go to him but there is really nothing we can do so we wait. And wait. It's maddening. I think it's a very good thing that he is Sweden though. If he were here, he would have been released from the hospital far too soon and his crisis would have escalated and continued in a very bad way. As it is, there is comfort knowing he is being well taken care of and in a safe place. Yet, we worry every day and hope for the best. We are going to have to go there sometime soon. It's just in figuring out when that's the key.

Back at work and met with the usual suspects at the door at 7:00 this morning. So it goes. There's comfort in knowing somethings never change but it's also that unchanging routine that makes me long to get away. I have a vacation request on my desk but I'm not sure if I'm going to turn it in or not. It's there if I need it. I'm feeling like I need it but we'll see.

On the home front, everything is status quo. My mother, who is ailing, is holding her own. She had a good Easter for what that's worth. At least she was with family but she cannot hear and barely speaks so it's difficult to know how much of it she actually enjoyed. Maybe she enjoyed it. She was tired and looked drawn so it's hard to tell. Ah well. Life goes on.