Busy With Good Things

There has been so much going on around here lately. Good things though.

Beth went for an eye test and will be getting new glasses soon. She helped me fill out the paperwork then I had her take it back to the desk. The admin thanked her and said she really appreciated her bringing it back, I couldn't hear if Beth actually said anything back to her. The tests went well and she found some new frames. It was funny to watch her expressions as she tried on different styles and colors. I suggested she look away from the mirror, then glance back at herself, she made some awful faces, "I take it you don't like those?" "Nope." And we'd laugh. The frames she ended up with are called Purple Confetti. They're due in next week.

That was last Friday, the 20th. This past Friday she had an appointment at the Dermatologist for more cortisone shots for the alopecia. Afterward she wanted to go out for frozen yogurt so we went to our favorite place: Revelations Yogurt. We were there a few weeks ago too.

After we left the yogurt place we walked around the shops for a few minutes and came across this mural. It's of the pier I often walk when I'm down by the waterfront.

Let's see, we've finally found some new dressers! We've been to so many stores, we're thankful the search is over. They'll be delivered this Friday.

They'll be delivered before we head to church to help with the Good Friday service.

Plus Beth's case worker is coming by tomorrow for the in-house assessment. Just to make sure Beth is in a good living situation. We'll take her downstairs and then Beth will show her around her apartment.

We've had a new little boy in our Sunday school class. So now there are three kids, one girl and two boys: 7, 5, and 3. They're all autistic and have many of the same behaviors. Today they did so well together, it was a really good day.

I got a framed picture sent off to my sister.

Took a bunch of stuff to Goodwill that had been taking up space in our office area.

Tomorrow we go live with our new room reservation system at work.

And next Monday Beth and I have dentist appointments.

And I think that's enough for now! :) 

I hope you all have a great week! 

Biopsies

Last Tuesday we took Beth to the dermatologist for two biopsies on her scalp. She's been on a topical medication for the scarring alopecia but it's gotten worse.

I made the appointment more than two months ago but we told Beth about it the day before. We didn't know how she would take it and didn't want her nervous for days leading up to it.

Chuck had two punch biopsies when he was going through treatment for melanoma so he explained to her exactly what would happen, and took the day off to come with us.

The morning of the appointment I believe the Holy Spirit told me to call them about a chair. When Chuck had his done he was just sitting on the table in the exam room. Beth does not like those because they're so high off the ground and there's nothing to support her and nothing to hang onto. 

So I called and asked if there was any way they could do the procedure while she sat in a chair. They put me on hold, then came back and said they absolutely could do that, and it wouldn't be a problem. I was so relieved!

When we walked into the room, there was - like a dentist chair in the middle of the room! 

It was perfect for her! They even put her feet up to really make her comfortable! They gave her the numbing medication, then got right to work. Did two biopsies and were done in less than 10 minutes. 

One thing I've learned to do when Beth is at the doctor is to watch her hands. If she's gripping the arm rest or her hands are in a fist, I know she's in pain or is really scared.

Doing the actual biopsy

Putting in the stitches

She was so chill. Even the doctor said, "You didn't even flinch! You're the first one today who didn't flinch!"

I'll add a picture of her scalp but I'll leave it small. Although the spots are pretty tiny. You can always click on it if you'd like.

So now we wait for the results. There's no cure, it will just tell us the best treatment to keep it from spreading anymore and to make sure there's nothing else going on with her scalp. 

Scarring Alopecia

(Beth just came upstairs holding her milk carton, "I got buttermilk!" We could tell she wasn't happy! She put some in her tea and she said it made it "chunky." Eeewwww! I put some of our milk into a mason jar and she took that back downstairs. She's now making herself a new cup of tea!)

On Monday she had a doctor's appointment for her alopecia. Our family doctor diagnosed it a few years ago but the meds weren't helping so we went back and she thought maybe it was an iron deficiency but that hasn't helped. She sent us to a dermatologist and he says it's definitely scarring alopecia. He said the part of her scalp that is already bald cannot be reversed but the new meds should slow the progression in the rest of it. Thankfully pulling the top of her hair back in a small pony tail hides it. Of course the medicine the dermatologist prescribed wasn't covered by her insurance so they had to find another one that they would pay for. I'll be picking that up tomorrow.

 Our view from the waiting area

The doctor had me take photos while he measured the area. We'll go back again in February to check it's progression.

 

Has It Only Been A Week??

What a crazy week.

A friend and co-worker is on vacation so I'm filling in for her, doing her job as well as my own job. Working a lot more hours than usual. It's been busy, that's for sure but the biggest issue is my back. My co-workers chair is very different from mine and I've been using both of them this week. I think that's why I've been having muscle spasms in my lower back. Over the years I've learned to be so careful about what shoes I wear, how I move, to almost eliminate all back pain and this chair thing is the only thing I can think of that would be causing these spasms.  I'm glad she'll be gone only a couple more days!

Diana is dog sitting for a friend. We now have a boxer living at our house. She trimmed his nails this morning and cut one too close so he's been bleeding all over. She's tried a four/water paste on the nail and that's helped a lot. She also put one of her blankets on the couch and we're trying to keep him there. It's not working well though. As soon as he hops down, the nail starts bleeding again. Diana's shopping right now so he wants to be with me in our office area. I finally got the bleeding stopped again after he went outside to go potty. Ugh, dogs. I'm done with having pets. For 25 years we've had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish... I'm done with pets for a while. It may be selfish but I want a break from all the work that comes with having pets.

I was out mowing the lawn last weekend and hit a rock. The rock hit the back of my van and shattered the window. I just stood there in shock as I listened to the crackling of the window as it cracked into a million tiny pieces.

 

I called one place and gave them all the info: make and model, window tinting, wiper... they gave me a quote. I called a few days later to make the appointment and was told they gave me the wrong quote. It was actually going to be more than the original quote. Fine, it's still cheaper than the other places I called. We set up the appointment. The night before they were to come out, they call and say they don't have my particular glass in stock and they have to order it. It will take longer than expected and oh yea, the price will go up. No thank you. I now have an appointment for next weekend with a different company. In the meantime I'm driving around with white plastic duct taped to my car.

We got a call from Beth's doctor telling us the biopsy results are positive for Scarring Alopecia. Her doctor is sending off tissue samples for a second opinion and I should hear from them in a few days. The Nurses Assistant for the 'second opinion doctor' calls and tells me they don't have any appointments available until 2016. Oh. "But I thought our doctor was just sending tissue samples for your opinion?" The NA was just as confused as I was. I called our doctor back (and you know how it goes, they're with a patient or have gone home for the day and will be in touch... it's never quick and easy!) So a couple days later our NA calls and says, "Yes, take the 2016 appointment." But, but I thought you were just getting an opinion on the sample. "No, doctor T does want Beth seen by the 'second opinion doctor'". And while we wait, the alopecia continues to spread and Beth continues to lose her hair. Arrgh!

So, how was your week? :)