Sunday, November 2, 2014

The results are in...

Please bear with me while I TRY to keep my sense of humor here.

As you know, I had to have an emergency colonoscopy on the 23rd. The prep for the test was miserable, horrible, unbearable, cruel & gruesome! Especially since I needed NO help at all in THAT department.

I guess you could say that I'm thankful the Gastro Doctor that I saw the day before realized there was a problem and it was not just an intestinal virus.

The Doctor called me Friday night with the test results. At least now I have answers on why I'm schnizzling my brains out all day and night. It also explains the "pregnant abdomen" look that I'm sporting.

I've been diagnosed with a disease called Lymphocytic Colitis. The only way to find this disease is through the many tissue samples they took during the colonoscopy. They don't know what causes it and there is no cure. From my online research, it's one of those diseases that they just can't figure out too well.

The Doctor is going to start me on a medicine regimen tomorrow morning. He will give me a 7 day sample of the medicine to see if I tolerate it before giving me a prescription. My wonderful health insurance plan does NOT cover this medicine and there is no generic for it. The cheapest I can find it is at KMart for $917.00. This makes me cry..... We're all praying that this medicine will help calm the Colitis down.

I don't know how I'm going to pay for the med's yet. We are on a payment plan with the hospital to pay off Rolf's surgery and that will take a long, long time. I haven't worked at a paying job in almost 7 years since I quit to take care of my dying Mother and take care of Grandpa Bob. And, with Rolf now retired we just don't have the income like the old days. I try to always look at the bright side of life, but right now I can honestly say life sucks at the moment! I know it could be worse, and for that I'm very thankful.

I'm exhausted from being so sick and have no energy. Everything on me and in me aches. I even have a hard time trying to lift up the girls. The Doctor wants me to start eating yogurt (yuck!) and drinking Gatorade (double yuck!!) I'm so damn tired of this already and to think I may have to spend the remainder of my life like this, I just can't wrap my ahead around it all quite yet.

So there ya have it. I should have titled my post Shitty Sunday (no pun intended.)

To all of you, my Blogville family, once again I say THANK YOU so much for all your love, support, phone calls, texts, e-mails, greeting cards, comments, etc. You have all given me the beautiful gift of your friendship and for that I am very blessed!

Love you all,
Kim
aka The Charmin Queen

18 comments:

  1. DEAR ONE,
    I am GLAD that you have ANSWERS. THAT is better than the mind racing off to the WILD and Unknown...not to mention SCARY places that it tends to go when not given FOCUS.
    I am very sorry that this has no know (YET) cure and CERTAINLY sorry that the medicine is so horridly expensive.
    I will certainly PRAY that someone will have a suggestion for a location where the medicine can be found at a SENSIBLE rate.
    You are in our hearts and thoughts as you being to recover from this ordeal...
    NOW, since you are trying to get your sense of humor back... let me say this... perhaps CHARMIN will give you a FREQUENT WIPER Rate.
    You know that I am NOT making light of this... just trying to lighten your mood... Laughter IS a good medicine and it (THANKFULLY) is FREE.
    GENTLE and LOVING HUGS Coming your way.

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  2. That is awful and expensive news. At least you know what's causing the problem. Hopefully, something will turn up and you can find the medicine at a cheaper rate and a diet you can live with! You've been through the wars recently, that's for sure....

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  3. Glad to hear you know what is wrong but sad to hear about the bad news part. We have our paws crossed that the medicine works so you can feel better or you can find a more cost effective solution.

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  4. Sheesh, we are sick just reading this. We hope the medicine works and you don't need it for a long time. We can always pray the diagnosis is wrong and you will somehow be better soon. It is so hard for us to imagine how one person can be put through so much. We hold you and your family in our paws and hearts and we will pray for life to deal you a better hand like right now.

    Hugs and Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning and Mom Kathie

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  5. Our mommy had a colonoscopy before. She agrees that the prep fur that procedure is horrible. The prep should say to put your running shoes on. We are sorry they diagnosed u with that ouchie. We hope the medicine works. Sorry to hear it is so expensive. We will keep positive thoughts for u. Hope u get well soon on the medicines.

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  6. Oh you poor thing. You get the shit end of the stick (no pun intended) so often. :( I'm here if you want to talk!!!
    Amanda

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  7. A diagnosis is a good thing, takes the guess work out of treatment (somewhat anyway). I wonder if there is any sort of a program you can get on in order to afford the medicine? I would start by asking the doctor and the pharmacy. I would also contact the company that makes the medicine and see if they can point you in the direction of cost savings. I know some meds do have programs. Does the doctor have any free samples? We know than colonoscopies are horrible. Well, not the procedure but the prep. But at least now it is behind you. Take a deep breath . . . and another . . .

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  8. I am so, so, sorry your are in this position. I wish I could offer suggestions for the cost of meds but the Canadian health care system is just too different. Sending all good thoughts that this will all work out. Hugs.

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  9. Oh my gosh. Yes, thank goodness you do have answers. We will continue to keep all our paws crossed for you
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  10. We too are so sorry to read things are not great for you. Things are so unfair. We send gentle hugs and POTP to you. We continue to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
    Best wishes Molly

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  11. I'm so sorry the news wasn't better. We'll keep our paws crossed that you are able to feel better soon.

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  12. Dear Charmin Queen, I am both sad and relieved. I am sad that you have to go through all of this but relieved it can be treated. Just a little personal info that may help. When I first lost my health insurance during a lay off I was on a med that cost $500 per month. I contacted the pharmaceutical company and with the help of my doctors I was able to obtain the prescription for less than $10 per month. Hopefully you can get help that way. I know you are a fighter and a get the job done sort of person so do not give up. If you really hate the yogurt maybe you can buy the over the counter digestive aide acidophilus. Hang in there. Hope you will feel better soon

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  13. We are so sorry to read this. I agree with Herbie, followup with the pharmaceutical company explain your situation and they should be able to get that figure to something that is more manageable. Talk to your dr. about that also...good luck.deb

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  14. Hang in there. It sounds like you've had a super tough road, and I truly hope that you feel better soon. You have lots of people and dogs pulling for you.

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  15. Kim
    I'm so sorry to read all that you have been through and had to go through to get here...at least you have a diagnosis. Charmin Queen...bless your heart...your mom would be proud of your sense of humor... They say it takes less muscles to smile than frown...so at least you aren't using extra energy frowning.
    As for yogurt I like any and all. May I suggest you try the Yoplait Whipped first? It has the consistency that might be more pleasing to you in the beginning.
    Once you find yogurt ok I like Cobani Greek the best. I'm not a fan of Gatorade but if I have to drink it I go for grape....

    I hope now that you know what you are dealing with the stress will be a little less. I have a friend with colitis so I know how much pain you have had. Remember you are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Hugs all around
    Cecilia

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  16. Damn, girl...I feel so very sorry that you are going through so much right now...and have for some time now. I ended up having to go off many of my meds when my husband retired. As you stated...finances change when that happens. I do the best I can...and should probably own stock in Immodium. Rheumatoid Arthritis and IBS cause many of the symptoms you have talked about...and I just do the best I can. Some of the meds were in the thousands per MONTH. C'mon...how many people can really afford that?? So, I took it into my own hands...and just tapered off my asthma meds...and some of the others. Like I said, I do the best I can and continue to take the ones I can afford. We all do what we have to. The Docs don't particularly like it...but I told them if they would like to pay for it, I would be happy to go back on it! Please know that we are all thinking of you and praying that things get better!! Your sense of humor thoughout all of this is amazing. Love you girl!! Hang in there!! xo Jeanne

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  17. Ah, Kim. Duck. I mean with an "f." Damn! I do not know what to say except we are sending you love. And more love. You are such a wonderful, wonderful person. We are sending you love. We are so very sorry you have to go through this. Not fair. Thank you so much for telling us the update. We've been so worried about you.

    Love love love.
    Renee & Tootsie

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  18. So sorry you're going through all of this! Definitely ask the Dr. if there is any way to get additional samples or substitute a different medication that insurance will cover. The Mr. wasn't a fan of yogurt but really likes Chobani, especially the vanilla, lemon, black cherry, apple cinnamon and coconut flavors. Gatorade, not so much. Good luck with everything, hope you're all feeling better soon. :)

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