It Has A Name
I’m quick tempered handed down from my father. I’m not necessarily proud of this characteristic, but it pushes me to take ownership of my space in this world. When I feel behavior towards me is disrespectful or unwarranted, my temper propels me to confront the issue head on. My medical challenges were no different. After my emotional breakdown, I was angry. I was not going to accept a limited quality of life, mediocre doctors, or constant pain, without a fight. I needed to own my health.
My first step was finding another doctor. Enter Dr. S. I was referred to Dr. S by a friend and she quickly earned my trust. During the exam, she immediately noticed my discomfort and prescribed a large dose of Prednisone. Dr. S’s investigative rigor was impressive. She managed to listen intently, ask questions and review medical journals simultaneously.
After agreeing to get blood work, I left the office feeling better than I had in months. I was hopeful she would provide an accurate diagnosis and help me conquer my disease.
Fast forward two weeks.
Prednisone lessened my pain considerably but had side effects. My weight gain was #ridiculous, especially my face. I’ve always had chubby cheeks, but they were taken to a whole new level. When I visited my family, they attempted to hide their concern about my appearance, but we all knew I was barely recognizable. However, purchasing pants in a significantly larger size was a small price to pay, from my perspective. I no longer had to ask co-workers to pick up copies from the printer or take several breaks on my 15 minute walk to work.
The Day Arrives.
I was at work, feverishly trying to fix a mistake I made when Dr. S called. She calmly explained my serio-negative rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and referred me to a Rheumatologist. I managed to quell my emotions so I could absorb as much information as possible. I finally had a name for my condition. Its easier to handle a problem when you know what you are up against. I was grateful. But, now it was real. I was not going to wake up from a nightmare. This was my reality.