Well, hopefully Friday April 20th is 'D' Day (Diagnosis Day) and I will finally have a clue about what is wrong with me. The big test, or the Lumbar Puncture that is supposed to reveal a myriad of secrets to my hotshot Neurologist was only done on the 6th after several delays out of my control and since this test supposedly takes 10 days to process (I'm assuming weekdays here) it is at least possible that the results will not be avaiable at the time  of said hotshot Neuro appointment. If it is not, I just may go Postal, so steer clear of the area if you know what's good for you. I only hope that the major reaming provided by the hotshot Neuro of the Radiologist who performed the procedure and who's office was responsible for the endless delays included a reaming session on the need to STAT the test results as well. If I have to wait yet another month stumbling around in this brain fog they may as well waterboard me, because I consider both to be tortureous. 

On a happier note, I took the dogs out for their 1st off leash "Hike" since I was hospitalized in early January. This was accomplished using a pair of Trekking Poles I purchased just for this pupose, and they worked out great! Why hadn't I done this earlier? I already owned a single Trekking Pole, but using a pair did the trick. Not to say it was easy, or that my body isn't paying a price for it now, but the look on Jake's face made it all worth it. He has been super patient with me the past few months even though he had become accustomed to our regular jaunts in the woods where he was able to run free and generally get his freak on, but I was feeling guilty about depiving him of what he loved most - dog freedom. And when Jake is happy, I'm happy

Just a quick observation that seems obvious to everyone but my Neurologist - You can't go around telling people that they may or may not have a brain tumor then make them wait 4 months for confirmation.

 The End.

While I continue to wait (going on 2 1/2 months now) for an 'official' diagnoses of my neurological situation, the symptom hit parade keeps on coming up roses, complete with thorns. In addition to the growing loss of balance, and increased difficulty walking I'm now feeling what it must be like to experience menopause. The best way I can describe it is hot flashes, but I'm not sure if hot Flashes feel like your skin is burning from the inside. Thankfully this sensation is not constant, but it is gaining in frequency, and needless to say, the feeling of spontaneous human combustion does not enhance one's sense of well being. Also, since I was taken off the T2 Inhibitor meds (HUMIRA) in January, the effects of my pre-existing inflammatory joint disease are returning in spades, and the only tool left to me are pain meds which are only partially effective , and do nothing to prevent the further permanent damage to my joints that happens with untreated Ankylosing Spondilitis.

And while I have been frustrated at the seemingly slow pace in resolving this matter one way or another, I much prefer having a complete set of choices in medical care to a system like Canada's where you are at the mercy of the 'system'. If ObamaCare were fully in place I would be longing for the days that I now complain about - - .

As a long time sufferer of AS, a nasty degenerative inflammatory joint disease I have become adept at hiding the daily pain and discomfort from the outside world using mind over matter and Percocet (with a prescription of course). All those years of trying to appear “normal” were thrown out the window a week ago when, after a 4 day stint in the hospital I was told I most likely am the lucky recipient of yet another fun acronym, MS.

A final determination will be made after a few more weeks of tests and brain scans where I’m told, if I’m lucky it could end up being just a run of the mill brain tumor.
No matter the diagnosis, at least for he time being, my brain has gone all whackadoodle on my hiney. Gone are the days where I could act “normal”, or at least normal for me. Now just walking without falling down is a chore, let alone not looking like I’m a drunk wobbling across the room. My motor skills are all out of sorts you see, so I have added yet another acronym to my life – BS, as in having both AS and MS is BS, OK?.

cross posted at http://thesporkness.wordpress.com/