Being the last post of the year, this is where I would reflect on the past year. For me 2010 will go down as, as the blog title suggests, the lost year.
I spent the year learning things about a virus called Epstein Barr virus. I say I spent the year doing this because when I was diagnosed as having it, no one thought it warranted an explanation and my google searches didn't offer up much more help. And since I also had mono, that's what the doctors focused on - so I did too. Only it seemed to be dragging on for so long and no one seemed to understand why. That is until I went to see a new doctor. Roughly six months into my illness, she was the first one to tell me that what I was experiencing was consistent with the Epstein Barr virus - which I still had (and still have). However, she offered no solutions for relief.
A few months later I went to yet another doctor who did offer relief in the way of drugs. Personally I'm not a fan of taking anything that I don't absolutely have to and since this virus is temporary (although I've discovered that "temporary" can be up to two years), I was reluctant to go this route. But I did. And I'm pleased to say that this is the first week I've actually felt good for more than one or two days in a row for a good nine months - and I even went to the gym yesterday . . . the first time since April 21 (I asked).
So, my top take-aways from this year are:
1. If your doctor tells you that you have something but doesn't fully explain the possibilities of the illness, get a new doctor - even if you've gone to the same one for 15 years.
2. If you ask explicit questions about your illness and your doctor won't answer the questions to your satisfaction, see #1.
3. The friend who offers to go to the doctor with you so you can get answers is a better friend than the one who can only focus on when the last time you saw each other and how long it takes for symptoms to appear.
To sum up, 2010 basically sucked for me but I did learn some valuable things - like who my real friends are. And you know what? That's never a bad thing!
3 comments:
Happy New Year! May 2011 be much much healthier than 2010 for you. I did like all your advice. xo
It sucks that you spent so much time not knowing how to tackle this illness. But you are right on about the medical advice. No one cares more about you than YOU. If you're not satisfied with your care, then you have to find better care.
Here's hoping that 2011 is a stellar year for you!
Hugs!
Maria
I'm late coming by here and am sorry for that. I wish I'd seen this back when you posted.
My mom suffered problems stemming from a disease called, "Celiac" for years - decades - and her doctors kept misdiagnosing (and treating) her. Fortunately she, like you, was finally given the right diagnosis and is able to function like a real person for the first time in what feels like a lifetime.
I'm sorry you've had such a difficult time of it but I am very happy to hear you're feeling better now. I hope that good feeling lasts and you'll never have to look back at another 'lost year'.
~Debbie
Post a Comment