Hi all!  I'm baaaack.......

Seriously, I've been away, because I just haven't been able to sit very
long at my computer, for a number of reasons.  I'm too tired after work,
spending most of my days on the computer there; my back is very sore,
and all I want to do is lie down; I've been wiped out from painkillers
to control the pain in my back and neck, that I just go to bed early;
the list goes on....... but, I miss you all.

Anyway, I want to check in and say hello, and report in, of course.  <g>

I also saw a cardiologist last week.  He did an EKG, which was normal.  
He reviewed my stress test results, and deemed them absolutely normal.
He reviewed my cholesterol breakdown, and deemed me completely cardiac
healthy.  Halleluya!!!  Now, with the continuing chest pain I get, I can
rest assured that it's not cardiac in origin.  BTW, as it turns out, and
which my just-fired gp refused to tell me, was my cholesterol panel was
fabulous:
Total cholesterol - 219
HDL - 86
LD - 115
Trig - 94
Ratio - 2.55
As for the rest of my bloodwork, it was all within normal ranges.  

I also had my first appt with my new gp last week.  She's fabulous.  I
knew she was, because I'd seen her a number of times when she worked for
the doc I just fired.  When I walked into the office she said, "I
remember you!"  Yup, it was good to see her again.  I told her that the
last time I saw her, she was doing the pre-surg clearance exam for my
hand surgery.  I told her that the surgery was hugely successful, which
of course made her happy.

She did a very thorough intake exam, spending the better part of an hour
with me.  How rare is that?  She felt very strongly that I should see a
spine specialist, as she doesn't think the RD is the specialty to manage
my back issues, particularly the fracture.  So, I have an appt with a
spine specialist orthopod on tuesday.  Scares me a bit, because I do not
want to hear that I need invasive intervention.  But, I'm taking it one
step at a time, and just having a second opinion will be good.  She
prescribed Ultracet, which I've never taken before, and which helps
alot, but does make me pretty drowsy, another reason I don't stay up
very late in the evenings after work.  She also prescribed more Maxalt,
for my migraines, and Zithromycin for what may be an infection, because
I have little marble neck glands (lymph nodes) that HURT.  I have to see
her in two weeks to see if that right side neck pain subsided.  So far,
it has not.  

Sorry I haven't been around to offer support and well wishes to all
those who request it, to all those who don't request it, to all those
who need it regardless.  In other words, to everyone.