soundless in the sea of singing

[nematoddity]

So we now have a new (to us) computer case--it's a 'Great Quality' case (*snerk*!) that Dick is loaning us. Why is he loaning us his computer case (for the computer he's hoping to build around it)? Well, last night our power supply died. We found it burnt to a husk in the back of our old case...covered in cat fur

Comments

[nematoddity]

I know, I know. And something I didn't tell you--married to a prison guard/ SWAT trainer (he's a sweetie, and he's wrapped around her finger, but it's still a full-time relationship), plus raising three kids, plus the at-home business she'd just managed to get clearance for was a day care service, in our newly renovated former basement home.

It's a nightmare. A nightmare.

As far as getting approved for disability, I've applied and been denied twice, and essentially, I'm just counting down a year with my current doc so I can discuss my chances with her, and start the process again. There's every likelihood that I'll be denied again. Graaagh.

[litlbuddha]

No shit, now that I know who you are talking about will you do me the BIG favor of passing on a get well soon. She is a sweetheart and the kids were great when I got to hang with them. Damn, this sucks in general. I'd offer to call or something but I'm not sure that wouldn't be awkward.

[nematoddity]

I didn't know you didn't know. Yeah, I'll pass that on next time I talk with her. I've been relying on email, because she's been so weak, I don't want to burden her with yet another phone call. :)

It's just so freakish. She's still shaking her head about it, and she's got this weirdness. Neither of us entirely understand what's going on.

Ugh

[sphynxcatvp]

Perhaps your friend needs to send them a video of the physical reactions from this ailment. Someone trustworthy can set up a video camera and then send off the tape, preferrably a COPY of the tape, to the disability folks.

Also noticed on the presentation page the following:
...The onset of symptoms referable to a Chiari Malformation is typically subtle and evolve slowly. Consequently, it is not unusual for the condition to be diagnosed after months or years of problems which in retrospect are due to the malformation...

Depending on how broad an angle the MRI, Xrays or whatever are taking, it's probably easy to miss if it's not looking in the right spot. My gf's osteoarthritis they only caught a couple months ago when they got an xray pointed at her lumber instead of her hip by mistake.

After several years of "we don't see anything *here*..."

*shrugs* Just something to think about. Wish there was an easy solution to that problem.

Re: Ugh

[nematoddity]

That's what I'm wondering about. I mean, I don't know a lot about Chiari, but it seems like a lot of the symptoms--nausea, dizziness issues, migraines and headaches, slurred speech--are either symptomatic of migraines or symptomatic of lupus. Both of which she had already, and both of which just might be traceable to the Chiari. Frustrating.

[margaf]

Actually, neither MRI's *or* Ct's are necessary for diagnosing migraines or lupus. There's a blood test for lupus that's definitive, and while some neurologists *might* do MRI's for migraines, sadly many do not. So it's *possible* that she has indeed had it from birth, or at least the tendency for it. Just like people who have anurysms..they're born with that potential. Which is pretty freakin scary in and of itself.
I wish her much luck..and a *very* good neurologist.

[nematoddity]

Hmm. There used to be imaging required for lupus, but that was several years back, things could have changed. I do know that, in getting someone to finally state 'doctorally' that I had migraines--when I'd been suffering them for years--required several tests and a CT scan. So I'm only going by my own experience.

[mutaytedjoe]

Wow. . . that is a lot of suckage. I hope Dick and Jane get a clue and get out soon. With bird and laptop in tow, dammit!

[litlbuddha]

See Dick take laptop.
See Jane take birdcage.
See Dick & Jane open door.
See Dick & Jane run before finding large pointy things jutting out of their skulls.

[nematoddity]

Yeah, this would be good. I don't see it happening, though...for at least two more months past their two-months-and-then-we-move date.

Here's the thing, though--both La Roommate and the cousin are talking about not renewing their option, but...if they don't have money saved, where are they going to go? Do we get to be the asshats who turn them out to sleep in their van?

I mean, I'll find a way to cope with making divisive people homeless, but...it's still a twinge.

[nematoddity]

Dick had the bird on his shoulder while he was repairing/refitting the new comp case with the old comp parts. Twice the bird flew off--"clipped" wings and all--once landing on my hand (where he promptly shat, ARGH) and once landing on Dick's head.

Did I mention we have a new kitten? Who then desperately wanted to play with the fun feathered toy? It was a nightmare.

[nematoddity]

I'm diplomatic because you can't stab everyone all the time. I have this extreme allergy to going to jail.

We actually had this talk recently, Cat and the cousin and I, on who's worse, Jane or the male half of the WonderTwins. She didn't even think twice--she said Jane. I asked why, and she said it took Jeff more than two months to piss us off to the point of hating that he drew breath, and Jane managed to get to that point in two weeks flat. It's some kind of a record.

Last night she comes downstairs and said, hey, I can't sleep, I was told you had valerian? I said, yeah, for the pain tea I haven't blended up yet, it'll be in a large brown paper back underneath the hutch. She finds the bag, finds the valerian, and disappears upstairs with it.

Apparently it's hers now. She made some noise about going down to Peoples' Co-op to get more, but...think that was for her, too.

So now I have to get more valerian, and I'm just stunned at the imposition. If I'd honestly believed she was taking the three-ounce bag to use all of it

[nematoddity]

Really, the three ounces is nothing, it's more the hassle of booking a trip, remembering to get up, making sure I have bus fare there and back, to replace it. It's more the frustration factor. That, and the fact that she only half-assed brought up the idea of getting replacement valerian, but didn't specifically ever say either "I'll get you more to replace what I take", or "May I have this?" It was, hey, your cousin said you had some, where is it, I can't sleep.

*blinks*