So yesterday, I went back to Duke for another test and appointment with my neurosurgeon. We figured that the test would come back normal considering the CT and X-ray did, but it was worth a shot and our peace of mind to make sure it was. It actually showed something - even though the pressure on my shunt valve is set to 100, it registered at 150. That's still within the "normal" range, but could explain at least part of the constant pain I'm experiencing. So we dialed the pressure down from 100 to 80, but I have to give it two weeks to see if that does anything. My doctor also said that my weight might be contributing to the whole problem with my shunt pressure, so it's looking more and more like I really need to have gastric bypass this summer.
That took from 9:30 to about 12:00, and then my sweet mama treated me to Olive Garden for lunch even though she doesn't have much money to spare this month. I haven't been there in ages, and it was delicious.
After that, we drove to Raleigh and back to my neurologist. We were actually about 45 minutes early, but we didn't have anything else to do, so we waited and I took a quick nap as I usually like to do when I want to escape the pain. Plus, I'm not sleeping much anymore, and that test this morning just added to the pain, so I needed it more than usual.
I love, love, LOVE my neurologist. She absolutely refuses to give up on me, nearly 10 months after I started realizing the medicine I was on had stopped controlling my migraines. She had a lot of new ideas, as well. Starting at the beginning of next month, after I'm done with this semester, I'm starting a Botox treatment (only once every 3 months) there at the office, which she said is literally the last and most extreme thing they can do for me. Because that's all there is left, she's also sending a referral to a specialty clinic that focuses on chronic headaches called The Carolina Headache Institute. I won't get to see them for about 3 months because there are some steps I have to go through first and they just have that long of a waiting list because they're so good at what they do. My doc called them "the specialists of the specialists." She also ordered me to start back on a medicine I was on back when my migraines were controlled and taking me off a bunch of the ones that clearly aren't working. And she gave me a set of four shots, Demerol, Phenergan, Toradol, and Decadron, so that I could at least have a few hours where I wasn't registering an 8 or higher on the pain scale.
I was so happy and so relieved by the time we left that office. No, it's not answers exactly, but it's progress. It's something new to try. It's a new doctor to see. It's another chance to find out what is wrong with my head. I felt like my hope was completely and totally renewed, and I was reminded just how faithful God is at showing up when He knows that I'm feeling doubtful. I was smiling again. And I loved the responses I got from my "prayer team". They may have just been texts, but I could feel them rejoicing with me. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such a faithful group of friends. I know I say that a lot, but it's so true.
And all of this happened on the anniversary of my baptism. Coincidence? I think not. :)
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