Set In Stone

Yes, steal is a mineral and minerals are considered stones. My blog, I win.
I got the tag for my bracelet in about two weeks ago, but the bracelet I had wouldn't work so I had to order a new one. It came in yesterday. So I re-sized it (thanks Mom!) and put it together. I decided to start wearing it just to get used to it. I didn't want it bugging me while weaning. But as I put it together, the road ahead seems more solidified. It also seems long and arduous, but at least it is more clear than it was before. I have much more to go, but the crest looks to be neigh. IN 13 days, I will have my pituitary gland sliced, minced, prodded, poked at, sucked and snipped. I am ready. Lets DO EHT!

I just hope while up there, my marbles don't come out. I need those.

And Yes, my name is on my tag. Photoshop took care of that.

The Weary Zebra

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Nightmares

Not all Cushies I have talked to have experienced this, but many have. It seems that in some Cushing's patients, when cortisol is high and the patient is able to sleep deep enough to dream, they can have horrible nightmares. These nightmares are fueled by the cortisol and what it does to your mind and emotions. It already wreaks havoc on your body and daily emotions, and one's ability to sleep soundly. But these nightmares can border on real. I had one last night that was so real, I was actually depressed most of the morning. Most of the time, I don't dream. When I do, it usually is a nightmare. And when I have them, I usually wake up screaming or crying.
The saving grace is that even though I wake up just as or more stressed than when I laid down, my wonderful wife is there to greet me on the other side. If you know a Cushie, today give them a hug. Not too hard, but hard enough. We don't want any bruising.

The Weary Zebra

Posted via email from The weary Zebra: Zebra Snippets

Official Diagnosis and Surgery

Well, I got the call today....

I knew it was important when they called Mrs. Zebra first, and conferenced me in. Kind of like when you are called into the principal's office and your mom is standing there when you walk in the door... yea, that kind of stomach turning nervousness... but I knew what he was going to say. Why so nervous...

I went to the back and Dr. Ludlum got on the line.

His pauses as SOOOO long...

He starts off by asking me how I felt toward the end of the week. Truth be told, I don't remember. Its been a week, and I didn't sleep that week... but I remember it wasn't great, and I was up late against my will, red face, stripes, etc. Apparently, my tumor turned off about Thursday. My dex reaction was high normal. My UFCs from Monday through Wed were 150, 180, 190 (take that OLD PCP DOC!) but my IPSS didnt show anything. Except..

long pause

The tech said he wouldn't trust the numbers if they came out normal. He said my left sinus cavity is way to large, and will throw the numbers off, lowering them. And it did. Made them normal.
Long pause

Then he said that the UFCs should be enough to officially diagnose me. His exact words were, "You have The Cushing's" And my world stopped. My journey for a cure only really started this year and already I have a diagnosis. It is elating, but t the same time I feel guilty that so many others fight for years for it. But he wasn't done. He said he needs a bit more proof. My CT of lungs and abdomen look good, and he wants another Dex test, but wants an Octreotide scan to show any tumors. Kind of proving that it isn't anywhere else!
Now the problem is financing. Our savings is blown, tax return gone. I will get a bit of cash when we go to the convention in early June from our hotel mates, but we might need more. And... Mrs. Zebra cant come that first week. If she did, she would miss surgery because she would have to go back to work. And the Inn, while less expensive than a hotel, costs us more in rent for two weeks. So we ask for prayers and if you have any donations you would like to give, I will be attaching a paypal button on the blog. Its easy and you can use a credit card or checking account. Anything is appreciated.

So, here we go again....

Posted via email from The weary Zebra: Zebra Snippets

Zebra Snippet 3: Brain Fog

I can barely think today. I cant remember what was going on 10 min ago, and I need to. My ADHD meds are not helping today at all. I need to sleep. I cant think straight, It's hard to put together sentences for this post. I was very high on cortisol last night, and I think today, I am paying for it. Really hard to think, and I don't wanna. Well, I do, but its really hard. I can't brain today, I have teh dumb.

The Weary Zebra

Posted via email from The weary Zebra: Zebra Snippets