Hooray!!!!!

To say I'm excited would be the understatement of the century!  I got a call from Mayo Clinic this morning and I finally got my appointment!  I will be going to sunny Arizona in the middle of April!  Yay for sun!  The above picture is one I took in our yard a couple of winters ago.  It's a reminder of how sudden and severe North Dakota winters can be!  Usually, by April our temperatures are much more mild, but we can still get some extreme snow storms!  A break will be surely welcomed (even if it means days of medical tests)!

I'm not sure yet what kind of testing they have planned for me.  I'll know more once I get the packet in the mail.  The scheduling receptionist told me to plan on being there for the entire week so I think they'll be running me through the ringer!  Bring it on!  What are a few more pokes?  I just want answers!

So now I wait and plan and educate.  Waiting for appointments can be torturous!  In this case, it's probably just as well.  I'll need to plan for a place for my girls to stay for a week, book flights, find motels...  I also intend to keep educating.  I like going to these appointments armed with information and questions.  I normally have a list of conditions to discuss, medications to try, and tests to run.  We have to advocate for ourselves!  Why does healthcare have to be such a battle?!  I'm also going to start putting together a page filled with advice on how to have successful doctor appointments.  It will be a good reminder for me.  Lord knows I've had plenty of disappointing appointments!  There is no sure way to have a good appointment.  You can be completely prepared and still leave in tears, but there are ways to make them go smoother.  The worst feeling is leaving an appointment feeling like it would have gone better if only you had been more prepared!

In the mean time, I'll keep you updated on how I'm feeling.  Hopefully, I continue to do well!  I'll also fill you in once I know the types of tests they intend to run me through!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

Amy

P.S.
   My Potsie Pet Peeve of the day: Fixing my hair!  I'm half tempted to just chop it off!  Holding my hands above my head makes me extremely light-headed!  Look out G.I. Jane buzz cut, here I come!  Just kidding!  My head is too lumpy for that, but it would be nice!  :-)