Keeping Going For My Furbabies

StartingAgainAt29

Thanks everyone, I'm still here - they told me I wouldn't get the scan before Monday (I had a huge tantrum inside and a good cry). Everyone seemed to tell me something different. I've just had it though as they made the effort to get me seen. Will speak to neuro tomorrow and hopefully get a plan for me to leave. Looks like it is optic neuritis but they need to confirm it and then see if there's any signs of MS at this stage. Will need steroids regardless. No guarantee my vision will go back completely to normal but hopefully I will get most of it back. Got two roommates that are hilarious and it's helping pass the time!

[Deleted User]

Thanks for popping on and updating us! Will continue to keep fingers and paws crossed for you and hope you get home tomorrow with a game plan 🤞

astrocytic_kitten

I hope you get some answers and hope for treatment. The boys will be glad to see you once you’re home!

horseeatsallmymoney

I've just caught up with your diary- sorry to hear you're not well. I bet the boys will be glad to see you when you get home!

Happy_Monday

Been thinking about you, hope you are doing ok x

Happy_Monday

Hope you are doing ok xxxx

StartingAgainAt29

Hello everyone, I am typing this from my laptop because.....I AM HOME!!!

Sunday I had the MRI, which was pretty daunting especially as I was under strict instructions not to open my eyes because of the magnets above them. When someone tells me not to open my eyes, that's the first thing I want to do! It was loud and shook me around but I'm so glad that's all over.

Monday I spoke to neuro, they've confirmed my eye issue is definitely optic neuritis, which they are treating with 5 days of steroids. They also found 2 white spots on my brain which can indicate MS, so I need to have a lumbar puncture done as a day patient Friday next week. She said the swelling was quite far into my optic nerve which is why I got different variations on the same answer - it usually presents as the middle being gone, not one half like mine. It is improving slightly though as the top periphary is coming back, which is a good sign for me getting back to almost 100% in 6 months. Neuro wanted me home asap as the steroids reduce your immune response, but she also wanted me to see the opthamologist before I left. The eye clinic closes at 5, so I didn't have enough time, and I was really upset to have to stay another night. But, I did it.

Went to the eye clinic quite early this morning but was there for 3 hours as they were busy (I'm assuming). There is a worry that my right eye might also go as I've had flashing lights, but with the tests they did today, and the fact my colour vision hasn't gone etc, the opthamologist thinks it's unlikely. The steroids should stop the worsening in any case. I finally went back upstairs, had lunch, then got discharged at 2:30. My mum works on Tuesdays but she was able to get the day off to come pick me up. I had flowers sent to me from the bookclub girls, which really surprised considering how I'd felt about them not even a couple of weeks ago but I was really touched. Ex has messaged asking if I've had my MRI, he knows I'm home as he's still part of our building whatsapp and it was our neighbour who messaged me to let me know I had flowers delivered. He's not a bad person, but he's not asking because he cares about me - he wants to know if it's safe to push me about the flat. I don't think I mentioned it but I had phoned him on Thursday essentially to say look, I can't do any of the flat sale admin right now, I've been told I might have a brain tumour so I need to focus on myself. The convo in itself was fine but he's really not a great person to talk to about those things as he has no real empathy. My mum had messaged him on Saturday to say I'm in hospital. I haven't replied to him today as I don't want this to be an open invitation for him to pile stress onto me. I told him on Thursday, you phone the EA, you get the quotes, and we'll go from there.

Anyway. I'm so glad to be back home. The boys were both a bit stroppy with me and Cat2 made the point of being all over my mum she said he hadn't been like that when I wasn't there so it was clearly for show, a way of getting me back!! They're funny aren't they. I'm home, I've had a sushi takeaway which was £19 because EFF IT the food in hospital was rubbish (last night I was meant to get cod fingers, they gave my meal to the woman next door and I got 6 chips, some peas and a bread roll because they'd messed up the ordering. That's a great diet to get you well!) My mum's got me loads of treats, and tomorrow I'll get back onto the smoothies and try to eat better again. I've been told the steroids might make me hungry so I need to be mindful, but I've had 2 doses so far and it hasn't made much difference so maybe I won't experience it. I do feel like I'm losing my voice, I felt a bit cold-y in there I think just being run down with stress and no sleep. I need to isolate until at least the course is over. My mum is happy to drop in anything I might need.

I've been really touched with how many people, both IRL and online, have reached out to me while I've been ill, it really shows who cares. If this has shown me anything is that life is too short for the petty stuff, I need to live as healthy a lifestyle as I can and that means eliminating unnecessary stress. And that includes whatever career/job I decide to do next (which won't be for at least a month or so but we'll see). There were a few women in my room (as people came and went) that were ever so poorly, including a woman having chemo palliatively. If that doesn't make me think I'm not sure what will.

I'll stop rambling now, I am home, I am happy, and cat2 is asleep on my foot (it's quite uncomfortable actually ) Have a good evening everyone!

astrocytic_kitten

So glad you’re home! What a scary time of it - thanks for keeping us all updated. I know it’s not over yet but I’m really in awe of how upbeat you are through such tough times, you’ve shown so much resilience over such an awful year. 

And yes, have the sushi! Hospitals are such a nightmare for rest and food, get as much as you can of both now you’re home. I hope ex leaves you alone and you get a good sleep with lots of kitty cuddles x

Chrystal

Glad to hear things seem to be under control.  Just switch off from everything other than you and your furry friends and take care of yourself.  (((hugs))) X

Happy_Monday

So glad you are home, and thank you for keeping us posted. Take care and look after yourself xx