Managing the Ducks

In the wake of DxDay, I have felt like things were a little higgledy-piggledy (this synonym for "disorganized" brought to you by the thesaurus in my newly upgraded version of microsoft word) as noted in my previous entry. Over the past two days, I feel like I have taken some decent steps to get my proverbial ducks in a row—-and as such, am feeling much calmer heading into the weekend. Here are a few updates:

Tell me once, tell me twice
I did a little research online (and had a conversation with one of the employees at the Neurology specialty clinic), and found a doctor in my network who seems to have a good background with Multiple Sclerosis. I feel a little strange asking for a second opinion from the same clinic as Doctor MS, but I’m also reluctant to begin the treatment regimen without a second set of eyes reviewing my test results (particularly given the gray area—no pun intended—surrounding the correlation of my vision issues with my lesions). So I’m officially on the calendar for a second opinion the third week in May. I still have a little digging to do with regard to insurance coverage, in-network second opinions versus out-of-network consultations, etc. But for now at least I’m taking steps in a direction I’m comfortable with.

Shooting up
Doctor MS recommended that I begin the process of treatment with Rebif. I read up on the various options available to me, and I am feeling pretty comfortable with this as a treatment option. I will go into more detail about treatment in a later post, but the short story is that I have the Rebif on order, with scheduled delivery for mid-May. After I meet with Dr. Second Opinion (DSO), I’m scheduled to meet with my Needle Advisor (aka an RN who will educate me on the ins and outs--no pun intended--of self-administered injections) to launch me into my lifelong pharmaceutical follies.

Light reading
I ordered three books on the joys of MS, and they arrived earlier this week—the first is a guide to navigating the first year after being diagnosed with MS, the second is a list of FAQs for MS patients and their peeps, and the third is a book about nutrition and the impact of food choices on MS. True to form, I have read bits and pieces of each book, but have yet to devour any one of them in its entirety. By the glimpses I’ve gotten so far, I’m quite pleased with each of the books, and am anxious to take some time to read more this weekend. I am also looking forward to trying some of the recipes in the MS nutrition book. I hope to share some of the recipes (and my opinions of them) in future postings, but first I have to hone my mad cooking skilz (and identify stores that sell some of the less readily available grains, flours, and other ingredients that the book recommends).

With all of these issues falling into place (or at least into the general area of their places), I’m feeling like I have a pretty good handle on things, at least for now. Between that and the fabulous weather that has rolled into Minnesota, this has been a downright pleasant week.