I have family members who live on farms and I loved to ride horses whenever I could. This means I occasionally got bucked or fell of the horse… literally. On top of everything, I also had a seizure disorder and never knew when grand mal seizures would strike. In spite of all this – in fact largely because of it – I was never fragile. Today my husband calls me a “force of nature” and has rarely seen anything able to sideline me. I don’t like being dependent on anyone and I don’t like not being able to trust that my body will act the way it’s supposed to!

I don’t normally use this space to bitch and whine, but today is going to be an exception…

I have seen two physicians (neurologist and an endocrinologist) and a physician assistant in my PCP’s office twice since December 9th. I now have to monitor my blood sugar level, take anti-seizure medication (which I haven’t had to do in 15 years), and get nutritional counseling. All of this has happened because I had gastric bypass surgery two years ago. Ever since that surgery my blood sugar goes wonky from time to time. When it went wonky on December 9th I passed out, concussed myself, and had a grand mal seizure.

Since my incident on December 9th I’m not allowed to drive (understandable and right, but still irritating!). I get brain splitting, exhausting headaches that are nearly as bad as migraines. I have dizzy spells almost daily that range from minor spinnies to nearly knocking me over and everything in between. The meds they gave me for the dizzy spells (Miclizine) works very well except for the fact that I turn into a total space cadet, cannot focus more than five minutes ahead, and just want to go to sleep. I decided today that I will NOT continue to use the Miclizine Rx. I’d rather have the dizzy spells!!!

I guess I’m just feeling frustrated today. I had the gastric bypass surgery to avoid the pitfalls of obesity. Namely Diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and the side-affects of those healthcare issues. Instead, I have to deal with their exact opposites! Low blood sugar (opposed to high with Diabetes), lower blood pressure (it used to be 120/80 pretty regularly & was considered normal – now it averages 100/60 & is considered a bit on the low side). Also, instead of high cholesterol I’m having issues with nutritional deficiencies.

I did TONS of research prior to having my surgery. Heck, I did TONS of research before I’d ever even contacted my surgeon. The process to get a surgery date required that I went through medical testing, psychological evaluation, and that I lose 30lbs to show my commitment. I knew there were possible side effects and issues, but nobody – not my support group, surgeon, or any of my research – said anything about re-exciting my seizure disorder which I thought I had “grown out of” as my neurologists always predicted I would.

Nobody ever said that low blood sugar could be a problem. The worst side effects I heard about were vomiting and diarrhea and becoming a picky eater. I didn’t have those issues. I still don’t. The worst I’ve experienced before now was a bad reaction to spaghetti – which I love. However, I don’t love it enough to want to try eating it and feeling like I have to throw it up, so I avoid it.

Would I do the surgery again? I don’t know at this point. Yes, I like being thinner and feeling like I can climb mountains (which I’ve done since surgery). However, I’m feeling a bit low right now and having rare second thoughts. I trust (most of) my physicians and will work with them to overcome this. My surgeon and I are going to have a serious discussion about the warnings he gives patients in the future. I would just warn anyone considering weight loss surgery (WLS) to know all of the possible side effects and be sure you are willing to deal with them. WLS isn’t a magic bullet. I knew this going in and I still know this. Has it made my life better? Yes! Has it caused unforeseen side effects? Yes! Was it worth what I went through to have it and recover from it? Today, I’m not sure. Tomorrow I might have a different opinion.

Your thoughts or advice?

Image Credits:

Angel image was retrieved on January 12, 2010 from Soda Head using Google Images.

Stress Reduction Kit was retrieved on January 12, 2010 from A Round World Through Square Glasses: Pessimistic Views From An Optimistic Person using Google Images.

My PA wasn’t certain that the dizziness was caused as an after effect of the concussion, but she couldn’t rule it out either. The brain is a tricky organ that is not always easily decipherable. To deal with the dizzy spells she prescribed meclizine. We’ll see how it works.

On the bright side, my cold seems to be clearing up. My husband’s cold seems to be on the mend as well. I’m trying to look on the bright side of things. It can be hard some days, but I keep trying. Mark is wonderful and makes sure I’m not overdoing it. I’ve also been getting lots of calls from friends and family who are checking up on me. I’m going to get to spend some time with family over the 24th-26th. That will be fun. I haven’t seen some of my family in more than a year.

Image Credit: This photo was retrieved on December 22, 2009 from the Health section of Mail Online using Google Images.

The dizzy spells are what I find the most disconcerting. They happen rather suddenly and last for varying lengths of time – from a few seconds to nearly a minute – and have varying levels of severity. My neurologist says it may take anywhere from six weeks to a year before I start feeling completely normal again. I’m determined that it take less time rather than more!

More good news! My cold is starting to ease up as well. Bad news… Mark has gotten my cold. I’m hoping that because he’s been obsessive about taking Vitamin C forever, he won’t get hit as hard by this cold as I was.  Sorry Honey!

Image Credit: The image used in this post was retrieved on December 20, 2009 from http://tell.fll.purdue.edu/JapanProj/FLClipart/Medical.html using Google Images.

I went to visit my neurologist on Monday & he ordered me to be off work until January 4, 2010. As I mentioned in my earlier post, my boss has been great about this. However, I now have a TON of paperwork to fill out and submit. Along with the stuff I can fill out for myself, there is also paperwork my neurologist has to fill out too. Too bad I didn’t have this with me on Monday. Oh well…

Image Credit: Photo found on Montgomery County, PA using Google Images.

Today was my appointment with my neurologist. He’s suspended my drivers’ license for six months (because of the grand mal seizure – it’s a state law that I actually find reasonable if hugely inconvenient) and put me on anti-seizure meds for the first time in 15 years. Ah well… mass transit is currently free for me and better for the environment. Right?

The bottom line is that I’m fine. Nobody else was hurt in my little healthcare crisis and an unknown good Samaritan was able to contact my husband (using my own cell phone) and tell him what was happening (Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!).

The other things that I’m grateful for are my WONDERFUL and supportive husband, Mark who has been nothing but positive all week; my very very good and comprehensive health insurance provided to me by my employer – Sutter Health; and last, but certainly not least – my incredibly understanding boss, Kathy Lummen, who has also been amazing over the past week (including trying to contact Mark on the night of the incident when the good Samaritan called her)! I’m a very lucky woman to have such wonderfulness in my life!!!

P.S. On top of everything above… I woke up congested this morning! I’m more irritated by the stuffy nose than by everything else!

I’m sure that if I sit and think about it some more I’ll come up with other reasons, but that’s not important. What is important is what is going to fill this space going forward…

I am on my doctoral journey and have decided to get back to writing about that journey. Not everyone pursues a doctoral degree and it is an intense experience that I plan to share here with you. I will not only be talking about school. I will also talk about work, family, and my social activities. All of these are part of the journey and contribute to the experience – both good and bad.

In the meantime, please follow me on Twitter or look me up on Facebook. I’ve also been working on some new projects. Please check out Student Tech, Good-to-Great Toastmasters, and GO Speakers! Toastmasters. I’ve got some other stuff in the pipe as well and will share with you as time marches on.