MM's "Health-And-Stuff" update

MonorailMan · Jun 30, 2009

Hey guys,

I just wanted to make a post about how things have been going lately. This isn't going to be pretty, so if you're not in the mood to tolerate a downer of a topic, you might want to move on.

A couple weeks ago I was put on some strong antibiotics (a "Z-pack") for the pleurisy as well as some Prednisone to stop the pain. (I loved that stuff. I was able to sleep for the first time in weeks. :cutie:

) My right eye is still not opening all the way. When I was on the 5-days of prednisone, my eye wasn't quite as swollen. I'm currently taking antibiotic drops for it, but doesn't seem to be doing much good so far......but it's only been a week since I started taking them. For the chest pains I was then given some kind of anti-inflammatory medication that seems to be helping a little bit with the pain. The last doctor I went to wanted me to wait for the "Z-pack" to go through my system for a while before he gave me any more, which I guess was a good call. At the moment, my eye is my biggest concern. I've been to 3 different doctors and each one has diagnosed my eye problem as something different. :rolleyes:

And where have I been seeing these doctors, you ask? At shelters and missions. You know.....the free clinics. :guilty:

Despite them being "free" the second doctor I went to was more concerned about me being a diabetic than my intense chest pains and eye problems, so he ordered a bunch of lab work which I'll be getting a bill for.....which I can't afford. :sad2:

I won't be going back to him.

The kicker? I weighed 218 in March, and now weigh 176. Some of the loss had to do with me doing color guard. Some of it had to do with me just not being hungry due to the pleurisy. And some of it just had to do with me only being able to afford one meal a day.

I've easily applied to over 100 jobs over the last several months, and I'm afraid I just can't continue doing this any more. I'm currently waiting on a response for a job where I'd be shooting clothing/models for The Gap and Banana Republic's web sites. A friend of mine is trying his best to get me in the door, and I'll owe him a ton if I get this job. Luckily the studio will provide all of the photo equipment, because I've had to sell most of mine to survive. :sad2:

Ya know.....I thought I was doing a good thing when I put my career on hold for a year to help a friend of mine start his new business. When I came back to doing commercial photography the economy had tanked and everyone was going to the local art school for interns so they could get their commercial images for free.

Needless to say, this has easily been the worst year of my life so far. If I don't get this job, I'm going to have to move back in with my parents.....and all I can say is growing up in that house was not exactly a pleasant experience for me.

Sorry for rambling.

rpmdfw · Jun 30, 2009

MM!

I wish I could help!

I know things are really hard for you right now, but at least you're doing the right thing and not ignoring your health! That's very important, and you're very wise to keep going to whatever doctors you can go to.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and send you happy thoughts on the job.

Please take care of yourself!

kingLouiethe1 · Jun 30, 2009

jlewisinsyr · Jun 30, 2009

I know people in various roles at local and more regional marketing companies, but they are all struggling right now so I can feel for you.

zeitzeuge · Jun 30, 2009

I hate hearing how bad things are. I'm still thinking of you.

I worry about the health problems more then anything. I hope they find out what the issues are and can correct them as soon as possible, with little or no cost. I know the thoughts of moving home aren't a pleasant one, but if it's something that has to be done for you to get back on you feet, then I hope it works out at least for a while. One of those grin and bear it sort of things I guess.

Just remember, we're here and if you need to call and vent, please do. We're some good listeners.

wallyb · Jun 30, 2009

MM - you know how I feel.
I've told you enough times.
Here's a big kitty hug to go with the others.

DVC~OKW~96 · Jun 30, 2009

rosiep · Jun 30, 2009

Geez MM!!

That sucks...and not in a good way at all!

My daughter had to go through the "free" clinics when she was in L.A. It was the worse year of her life too.

Wish I had more to give than just hugs-

-R

f86sabjf · Jun 30, 2009

MM

I 'll be sending out positive vibes your way. We all go thru seasons in life and you'll get thru this.keep your chin up :grouphug:

DVCajun · Jun 30, 2009

Wow, MM, if I had an extra room, you'd have an invite right now. I hate to think of you moving in with your parents (sure wouldn't want to move back in with mine, feel your pain there) .... I'm so sorry things are sucking like a vacuum cleaner for you right now. :guilty:

HUGS

in the meantime .....

jackskellingtonsgirl · Jun 30, 2009

MM - I am so sorry! :hug:

I hope things turn around for you soon!
What do the Dr's THINK is wrong with your eye? :confused:

I am currently on Day 12 of a stye. Which the internet will gloss over as a minor thing that will clear up without medical intervention in 2 - 3 days. Or NOT. The whole side of my face was swollen - Quasimodo at his finest. :rolleyes:

I don't just get one stye - I get clusters of them, one on top of the other. These are on the bottom lid. The ones I had in Feb. were on the top lid - it swelled and turned purple up to my brow bone. :scared:

I NEVER would have thought it was "just" styes. I still have 2 little cyst things on the top lid and it appears that the bottom one is heading that way.

Anyway, I know how annoying eye stuff can be!! I hope your eye gets better soon!

Nauf · Jun 30, 2009

Please allow me to add my best wishes to everyone elses. So weird! I was just thinking of you the other day and voila.... update! Hang in there mister. Things will get better.

TuckandStuiesMom · Jun 30, 2009

Ohhhh MM -- hugs for you.This mean old economy is kicking everybody's butt and then to be sick on top of everything else. :sad2:

FWIW -- things WILL turn around eventually.

OrlandoMike · Jun 30, 2009

Sorry to hear this! With all of the driving I did I wish you would have called me, I would have picked you up for the Toledo show! God knows you need a night out!

Hope things get better!

Saxton · Jun 30, 2009

MM -

I wish I could do more than just offer you a virtual hug. If you do have to move back in with your parents just remember it's only temporary, things will get better.

MonorailMan · Jul 1, 2009

I want to thank everyone for the well-wishes. I don't wanna cry or else my make-up will run. :rolleyes:

Seriously though.....reading everything on here made me feel so much better. Thank you. You guys are like a family to me. (Don't worry, I won't stop by at Thanksgiving.)

jackskellingtonsgirl said:
MM - I am so sorry! I hope things turn around for you soon!
What do the Dr's THINK is wrong with your eye?

I am currently on Day 12 of a stye. Which the internet will gloss over as a minor thing that will clear up without medical intervention in 2 - 3 days. Or NOT. The whole side of my face was swollen - Quasimodo at his finest. I don't just get one stye - I get clusters of them, one on top of the other. These are on the bottom lid. The ones I had in Feb. were on the top lid - it swelled and turned purple up to my brow bone. I NEVER would have thought it was "just" styes. I still have 2 little cyst things on the top lid and it appears that the bottom one is heading that way.

Anyway, I know how annoying eye stuff can be!! I hope your eye gets better soon!

Two of the doctors gave me a diagnosis that I couldn't pronounce, but it wasn't a stye. The third doctor diagnosed me from 6 feet away without even getting close to examine it and told me my eyelid wasn't swollen. :rolleyes:

His solution: "Take a cotton swab with water and baby shampoo and rub it along the underside of the lid." I did that for a few days until it started getting worse. (That was the doctor I mentioned I won't be going back to.)

I know styes can be annoying because I got one a few years ago, but it sounds like what you have is a step beyond annoying. :hug:

It actually sounds pretty serious. There's an over-the-counter drop called "Stye Eye" by a company called Similasan that comes in a brown bottle. A few years ago the only place I could find it around here was Walmart. *shudders* For $16 a bottle it's a bit pricey for something you'll more than likely only use about a 1/4 of, but it helped the pain and swelling go away. If you haven't tried it, I say give it a shot.

jamieandben · Jul 1, 2009

MM take care of yourself. :hug:

Hope you feel better soon.

jackskellingtonsgirl · Jul 1, 2009

MM - Hmm. I have been washing my eyelids with baby shampoo for the past week or so because that is supposed to prevent styes. A couple different friends had suggested it. I don't think I could swab the inside of the lid with a Q-Tip. :scared:

I am on doxycycline capsules and Zylet drops, but in all probability I will end up having to have the little cyst things lanced. Thankfully the pain has subsided and there is just minimal swelling now.

I saw those stye drops at Target! They were $7. I asked the pharmacist about them. She looked at my eye and told me those drops wouldn't do anything for me, so I saved my $7! :rotfl:

Hang in there!! :hug:

yasuern · Jul 1, 2009

MM

I am so sorry to hear of all your health and financial problems :sad1:

- I wish there was something I could say to make it better :guilty:

As others have posted - your health is the MOST important issue - I will keep you in my prayers :hug:

for a full recovery and will keep fingers crossed that your employment prospect comes through :goodvibes

Sue

jenn&nelsonrego · Jul 1, 2009

to you, MM.

Hoping that this job prospect works out for you.

MM's "Health-And-Stuff" update

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