It seems that just when things are settling down with my health, something has to crop up.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the treatments and for my doctors, but I want a new body.

I've been battling nausea like crazy the past two or three weeks and between me and my pain doc, we think we've sorted out that I'm not eating enough and the extended release pain pills make my stomach upset so I now have to carry snacks like gummy bears and jelly beans around with me.  That I can handle and so far, so good.

Last week, I went to see a new orthopedic doc regarding my knees and actually saw the surgeon (and not some slacky)!  The last orthopedic clinic I went to, I couldn't see the surgeon until I got Synvisc injections (which I found out later that I should NEVER have had due to the types of arthritis I have and how severe my knee issues are) which gave me nothing but more pain.  The next step was something else but I was fed up by then and wanted another opinion. 

Anyway, this new doc was really great; he spent about 30 minutes with me talking, listening, examining, and answering questions.  However, with all my very high risk health situations (blood clots and auto-immune disease complications), he can't help me, but at least I know more than I did before!  The Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteo-Arthritis, bone spurs (on both sides of my knee caps), and other issues, there's no hope of having a scope done to buy me some time before I have to get two shiny new knees. Yep - I'm 42 and there's no way I'm making it to the standard age of 50 before getting my knees replaced. 

The doc said he'd be surprised if I'd last another year or two before having them done.  I could - in theory - get them done now but honestly, after what he told me about the risks and complications with the auto-immune stuff, scares the shit out of me and I'm not ready to face it yet.

He referred me to one of his colleagues in Salt Lake who does knee replacements, when I'm ready.  I definitely have to have the BEST and the most qualified with all my issues.  

I barely finished telling my mom about the doctor appointment when she said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you that a scooter/motorized wheelchair sales person called for you on my phoneline today but I told her she had the wrong number and I wouldn't give her yours."  After I picked myself off the floor, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, I decided to have a good laugh.  Bloody hell, honestly.

Perhaps the next time a scooter sales person calls, I'll ask Mom to take down their phone number and I'll call them back.  I can picture myself speeding along the side of the street on my scooter with the horn blaring and me yelling at people to get out of my way.  Ohhhh... I'd have SO much fun at stores like Wal-Mart and run the rude people down for a change.

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Onto another, definitely more happy subject, it's Ms. Vickie's birthday today and I'd like to wish her the happiest of all days.  I love you, girlfriend!  I'll fly down to sit on your porch with you this afternoon and we'll have some of that special lemonade ;-)

Here's a poem I wrote for her a couple of years ago and it still holds true:

Vickie is a rainbow,
Each color and layer filled to the brim
With beauty and goodness.

Red is the love she possesses,
And her heart that she shares
With anyone she meets.

Orange is the flame
Of her courage and strength
To battle Missy and take each day as it comes.

Green is her warmth,
Drawing others in to warm their hearts
And make them feel loved.

Blue is her calmness,
Making others feel at home,
Whether it is on the Porch or at the Crossroads.

Purple is her passion,
The base for all the other colors
And is an attraction for us all.

Vickie is a rainbow like no other,
For she doesn’t just appear after the storm
But is there during the rain
And when there are no clouds.

Vickie makes me believe
That I can be a rainbow
And I can catch the rainbow too.

All my love,
Karen