Some people in the blogging community are really good at remembering to follow up on things. I am not one of those people. It feels like I owe you (or Future Me, I suppose?) a few updates and I am in the mood to try to recall some of the many (many) things I have brought up/fretted about/whined about in this space and never mentioned again.
- Brief Doctor Follow Up: Since my post, I have had two appointments with my new PCP and one appointment with my OB/GYN and two rounds of bloodwork. A.) I took everyone’s advice and brought a very short and tidy list with me to my appointment last month. B.) Despite The List, I suck a being a patient and an adequate advocate for myself. C.) All my bloodwork shows I am normal and healthy, which is fantastic. D.) It seems like the reason I am tired all the time boils down to “being a human” and the treatment is “suck it up.” (This is my interpretation, not my doctor’s actual words or demeanor.) My doctor did refer me to get a sleep study (scheduled for a few months out) so we’ll see if that shows anything, but I’m not holding my breath. (That was a sleep apnea pun.) (Sleep apnea is not funny.)
- Brief Gift Follow Up: You were so encouraging about my gift idea for my friend’s big birthday, I decided to rail against my tendency to continue fretting until it’s too late to do anything about it… and order the painting I had in mind. First, I asked my mom if she would be interested in painting the landscape for my friend (she is a very talented painter) and she declined, which I was sort of expecting. But I found an artist who hand-paints lovely landscapes (apparently lots of other people produce digital artworks, so the hand painting is clearly stated on her Etsy profile), sent her my reference photos, and the gift is ORDERED.
- Brief Cat Follow Up: I spoke to the cat breeder I met two years ago at a cat show and she is going to put us on the list for the next litter.
- Brief To-Do List Follow Up: I have scheduled my mammogram and sleep study. I have scheduled and attended an appointment with our accountant. A car service appointment is on the books. Yesterday morning, I made a phone call I have been dreading making since mid-December and instead of going the way I thought it would, it went just fine. I sent a boring email that was stressing me out. I finished reviewing a manual I am editing. Today, I need to make a new phone call, but I am going to do it today instead of four months from now.
- Brief Poinsettia / Vacuum Follow Up: My monstrous poinsettia continues to flourish and continues to drip leaves all over my living room floor. Rocky continues to uncomplainingly do the work of one reluctant eleven-year-old and one irritated middle-aged woman and I continue to love him/it with my whole being. (I will say goodbye to the poinsettia before the kitten joins my household.)
- Brief Gallery Wall Follow Up: There is still no gallery on the wall.
That’s all that comes to mind at the moment. Is there anything you’re waiting on tenterhooks to hear about? Do you have any updates for ME?
Yay that you are the waiting list for little Craig (your hypothetical cat name)! And yes yay for good bloodwork but boo to “suck it up”.
My updates are that I needed to make three phone calls about mundane things, and I actually sat my butt down and adulted. The result was that the three phones calls led to having to make three more phone calls which lead to more phone calls/paperwork. Gah universe what are you trying to tell me! The current status is that one of the three things is complete.
I am still lobbying for Craig, but my kid and husband are no longer on board. Sigh.
Your phone experience is exactly why I hate making calls. They never seem to RESOLVE anything. Maddening.
I did make the call I needed to make today, and it wasn’t resolved, but the next step is on them, so I don’t have to make any additional calls. That’s something.
I was actually very curious to hear your doctor follow up and feel glad/sad that being tired is just to be expected at our age. That plant is seriously thriving!! Happy weekend!
Yes, it is totally a glad/sad thing. Glad it is not Something, sad that it is just the way things are because it sucks. Happy weekend to you too!
I’m always equal parts relieved and depressed when blood work comes back normal and my exhaustion is because…LIFE. Hang in there, friend <3
A kitten!!! How exciting. Also, that is the most beautiful poinsettia I have ever seen! (All my life I thought there was a “t” after “poin” and apparently there is NOT.)
I hope you post a picture of the painting. What a perfect gift for a dear friend. I’m proud of you. It takes time and effort and then the commitment of ordering something that will be custom done. Gold stars galore!
Also, phone calls. Oh how I dread so many phone calls. It is one of the worst parts of being an adult.
Elisabeth, I am pretty sure I have been typing POINTsettia all this time, and autocorrect has been quietly editing out the first T.
I am so glad the painting is ordered! And now I wait, and fret about what to do if I hate it. (Based on her samples, I think it should be lovely, but who knows.)
OOOOOH!!!!! I remembered your post about a cat, but went back and read it again. So this is a special kind of cat that you’re not allergic to? How exciting!!! I can’t wait. You guys are going to be so happy.
I am pretty excited about this cat possibility.
You are very good to make so many hard phone calls and arrange so many appointments and landscapes!!
I am not excited about the idea that “being tired all the time” is something a normal and healthy person can expect.
I am pretty excited for the cat possibility too. My kid’s excitement level is SKY HIGH and it’s all she can talk about, which is both delightful and wearying. We have been reading up on What to Do Before You Get a Cat and How to Own a Cat types of things, and it’s kind of stressing me out. One of the appealing things about cats is that they don’t need a whole lot, but the internet seems to think they need A WHOLE LOT.
Wow! Look at that Poinsettia! I’d say it’s very happy at your house! I’m happy your bloodwork was all good. That’s always a relief. And good job bringing your list! It’s a good start to advocating for yourself. I do better at some appointments than others, and a lot of it depends on if the doctor seems rushed or more relaxed. Why does it have to be so nerve-wracking?
It is SO nerve-wracking, isn’t it? And yes, it’s definitely more difficult when the doctor seems rushed, but I have a hard time even when she seems very attentive and unhurried.
Hooray for a kitten! Getting Walter and Willow has been one of the best things that has happened to us this year. I recommend getting two if you can so they can be playmates for each other.
Lovely poinsettia.
I’m sorry there’s no clear answer for your fatigue.
I would LOVE two and think it’s fantastic advice… and we are getting a fancy cat to (hopefully) reduce the chance I will be allergic to it, so we are sticking with one.
We have some poinsettias going strong too, and I’m a bit embarrassed for them–I mean their show is supposedly over, they should retire demurely and let others have their turn in my garden?
But thanks for the updates, because I have to schedule some med appts for everyone and this is the first day in while I’ve had some time to do so… byeeeeeee
Hahaha – yes, these poinsettias are really overstaying their welcome. 😉 I am ready for irises and tulips, for sure, but I guess I am glad for the bright burst of red against all the grey and snow.
Good luck with your appointment scheduling!
I’m guilty of this too: I understand about not following up. I’m part of this community but forget that some of my bloggy friends would like to know the rest of the story. Mea culpa
Some years our holiday poinsettia makes it to spring and I set it outside for the summer, but not this year. *sigh*
You just… set it outside?! Does it live? If mine makes it to spring, I might try that!
Yes, I put it on the deck where it gets plenty of sunshine and water it occasionally. It reblooms throughout the summer, but by fall it’s a goner.
A KITTY!!! Your blog will become entirely photos of your cat, right? RIGHT? This is a requirement. FYI – Zelda was a JOY from the time we got her until she was about eight months old and then she was an ASSHOLE (should I swear on your blog?) until about 2.5 when she mellowed out and became the big old slobbery cuddlebug we have today. So be prepared for some teenage jerkishness from a cat.
I have a problem with frequent headaches (not migraines, but headaches aren’t pleasant) at least two or three times a week. My doctor told me that sometimes we just have to deal with these things. Ha. Do we? Is that something we have to do? So, solidarity in the “get over it” from doctors. I often wonder what would happen if my husband went to the doctor with complaints about headaches twice a month, let alone twice a week. I bet they’d do all sorts of diagnostics.
Yes, all kitties all the time. Yes, you can swear on my blog, I am not opposed to swearing.
Oooh… since my doctors are women, I never considered the I’m a Woman angle, even though I know there is medical bias in that direction. Maybe I should send my husband in to talk to them???
YOUR POINSETTIA!!
I can’t wait for your future possible kitty! I’d love to have one too, but my allergies—and my dogs—might have other plans. Not that either of those things would stop me from trying someday! I saw the name Craig mentioned in the comments, and I’m really rooting for that name.
I am really rooting for Craig, too! I don’t think it will fly with the kiddo or my husband though, sadly. Perhaps Stephen will win the day instead?
Oh, I love that name too! ❤️
You’ve accomplished a lot! I’m feeling guilty about how little I’ve gotten done except to pay bills and to go on daily walks. And watch too much TV! I’m excited about you kitty; I love cats.
Paying bills and going on daily walks is EXCELLENT, Margaret. I haven’t managed the daily walks even though I promised myself I would. Today is still young, so there’s still a chance I can get one in!
I thought of you last week when I finally scheduled my OBGYN annual appointment after putting it off. And then I scheduled an ENT consult for Taco which was originally supposed to be a standard post-tubes-falling-out check-up but now will be a discussion about whether he should get tubes again. And I re-scheduled his pre-school screening. Suzanne, that is just A FEW OF THE APPOINTMENTS I HAVE OVER THE COMING WEEKS. I also have an IV infusion, my post-surgery follow up, another OT appointment, a dentist appt, and the list goes on and on. And I still need to schedule another laser hair removal appt and a dermatology skin cancer check. ahhhhhhh!!!!!!
I am glad your blood work was normal. It will be good to have a sleep study done just to make sure it’s not anything else! 3 people in my family have sleep apnea!!
Yay for clear bloodwork! Mine keeps coming back saying that I’m low in sodium; so she sent off a urine sample which came back normal. Maybe now she’ll believe that my body is just “unique” in its low sodium state – which is what I opined in the first place.
A kitten! How did I miss this bit of news? How exciting.
As for the gallery wall – ah well. These things take time; who knows, maybe it will be done later this year?
I am glad to hear that the doctor appointment went well, right – you feel like it went well? It does suck that being tired is just part of life sometimes but I wonder if the sleep study will reveal anything. Hmm. I didn’t know that a kitty was possible. Wow, I bet Carla is over the moon about that. I’m constantly thinking of things I need to share/update on my blog and where are all the awesome scrap papers where I jot down those reminders? Thanks for the update. You seem to be really kicking as* and taking names lately. Well done, you.
OMG YOU’RE GETTING A KITTY??? AHHHHH! This is the best news ever! I need all of the kitten photos and reports please and thank you!
Also, I’m glad you’re getting a sleep study done! Are you doing it at a sleep clinic or at home? I started with an at-home one and then had to do a follow-up at a sleep clinic due to my severe sleep apnea. I hope you get some answers from the sleep study!
At first I thought, why a cat breeder? But now I see it’s for Allergy Reasons. Have you been exposed to these cats before and been okay? Also, loving the “real name” possibilities for the kitty. To me, those are the best. Who expects a dog or cat named, well, Stephen? Or Craig?
The ‘suck it up’ and ‘being human’ are not right. There’s no way it’s right! (picture me stomping my feet) I hope you find a good reason and can get through it.
Yay for a kitty! Carla would be in heaven.
I’m also terrible about following up and you inspire me, but I probably still won’t do it. HA.