May 23, 2017

Looking back

            As we began the process of going on to Medical Leave of Absence so we could apply for Disability under the Conference insurance I had a diagnosis of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.  Since this is long term and while treatable there is not a cure at this time we felt we had a good chance.  So we went to a Rheumatologist and he said that while I was in great pain and could not work I did not have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and he believed my problem was Neurological.

            I tried to get to see my Neurologist in Chattanooga but office politics made that impossible so I was sent to a local Neurologist.  Before this I had seen a doctor who had me go for an EMG and they said I had Neuropathy.  My new Neurologist said I didn’t have Neuropathy and seemed to believe I didn’t have anything.  But in his words, “To give me the benefit of the doubt he would do a skin biopsy and see me in six weeks.  About 10 days after the biopsy we called and found out that I had Small Fiber Neuropathy which is considered very painful.

Monday May 22

            This was a better day.  My eyes were not too bad and responded to the tea bag treatment.  The pain factor was lower and even my toes were better. 

            But even after a good nights sleep I feel very tired and drained.  I realize that the medicine helps me not feel the pain but my body is still drained because the nerves are still acting up.

            It is getting harder to walk and at the same time my hands are getting weaker.  I noticed I could not do the finger exercise where I put my fingers of both hands together and push and flex them.  They would not stay together.  My left hand seems to respond a little slower than my right.

            A new pain is a stabbing pain in my right side that doubles me over. But God is good and I feel His grace and love even as so much slips away.  We have had to step back from the Board of Renovatus but will still support it as we can.