Hotel California
Wow. It has been a while since I have posted here. It isn’t because it hasn’t been on my mind though. I have actually been wresting with writing a post, but it isn’t for the reasons you might imagine. I feel I need to be honest with you guys, and at this point I have left almost everyone here totally in the dark. Let me think . . . How do I go about this . . . Okay, I am just going to tell the story.
On April 17, 2012, I begin noticing I was having trouble speaking. It was as if I couldn’t get the words out all the time. On April 21, 2012 I began noticing a constant dizziness and a slight headache. It was below a 1/10, but it was there. The headache has went away for the most part, but the dizziness is present daily. On April 23, 2012 I began noticing trouble typing and handwriting. It isn’t present all the time, but when it hits I am unable to type fast (read: VERY SLOW), and I can’t handwrite at all. This typically lasts for less than a minute, but it happens frequently. Sometime after that I began to notice that I was having more trouble shaving. It was like I had just removed a weight from my arm – I just couldn’t control it well. The dizziness gradually began increasing to a 3/10, and now it stays there most of the time. While the speaking and typing have gotten better, the writing is a little worse. In the last week or two I have begun to notice severe fatigue. I am exhausted by the end of the day, and in fact, I take a nap after work many days.
My GP ordered an MRI, which came back clean. I have been to a neurologist, who ordered a CTA and advanced bloodwork, which didn’t seem to point to any problems to him (note: I disagree with his thoughts on this, as it showed a positive ANA, high cortisol, a past infection of West Nile Virus, and a past infection of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever). The CTA came back clean He has since referred me to a Neurotologist at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. This takes place on the 13th.
On top of these issues, I have also developed a problem with my ankle. At first I thought I had Achilles Tendonitis, but now I am not sure. It appears to have at least been partially gout, but since it hasn’t cleared up for a month, I am afraid something else is going on. Tomorrow I expect I will have an MRI performed on my foot.
I named this post Hotel California at the advice of a very good friend. My last post was Peaceful, Easy Feeling, and right now I am quite the opposite of that. Those who are fans of the Eagles will know that Hotel California is anything but a Peaceful, Easy Feeling. That is somewhat how I feel right now.
There is actually some good news in all of this, which I will not get to tonight. I suspect this will be a two or maybe even three part post, and in one of those coming posts I will tell more. The point of this tonight it to remind everyone that life is short and we aren’t promised tomorrow. Even if we get there, we aren’t promised it will be easy.
If you are a believer who prays, I would appreciate the prayers. If you have thoughts or suggestions, those are welcome too, although as I already indicated, I have some other thoughts coming on exactly what is going on soon.
Geez Steve – I was actually just thinking about you the other day when I was looking at a blog post from a year ago and a comment from you was in there.
I hope you get the issue figured out. Go to as many different specialists as you can. If you feel there is something the doctor is missing, definitely talk to someone else.
The high cortisol is obviously inflammation of some type. Have you been tested for Lyme?
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I will be praying Steve.
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Releasing prayers on your behalf, Steve.
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So glad to hear from you again – I’ve missed your good vibes and good common sense. Take care, Steve, and let’s hope the health problems are identified and treatable a.s.a.p.
I’m not much of a praying soul, but my positive thoughts and good wishes are definitely with you. In the meantime, a Celtic blessing sounds like it makes sense in the circumstances:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.
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Sorry to hear you’re having a rough patch. I just said a prayer for you.
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Hey Steve…so glad to see a post from you. I won’t even speculate on what could be going on with you, but I certainly hope you find out exactly what is going on and that you can get help for whatever it is. Many, many positive thoughts and blessings headed your way.
Hugs to you Steve!
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Steve, I said a prayer for you. I hope and trust this is nothing very serious. Looking forward to your good news.
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Oh Steve!!! I am praying for you hard!!!
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Just saw this – YIKES Steve! So hoping you get answers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HUGS!
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I hope you are doing much better now!
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Hey what’s the updates? How are you now?
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Hope to hear from you soon Steve! Reading your blog for a year along with others got me through a rough patch awhile back. My sister had an aneurysm burst on her and survived by the skin of her little teeth. She was in icu for one month and survived three separate procedures! Even serious things can be miraculously handled now. Her team was the Dallas Baylor Neurology Center, just in case anyones looking for a wonderful clinical team. Prayers to you and yours….
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MISS YOU STEVE!!!
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Steve,
Thinking of you and hope you and your family are well. I miss doing the Hot 100 this year, and didn’t think of it early enough to do one myself.
But I wanted you to know I’m still focusing on finishing this year strong, in the spirit of Hot 100. Today I’m going to blog about that.
Take care,
Leah
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I am very very sorry to hear about these troubling issues. Hope these problems reverse and you continue in pursuit of health.
May the Grace of your God go with you.
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Hey Stevo! In case you’re reading from time to time, just want you to know that even though you have a very high bar set for your online presence, none of us would mind a very brief or not so involved update. Im sure youre caught up with life and family, but the hilodays sure would feel complete with a quick note from you. If not hope you and yours are doing better. MAKE IT A GREAT DAY STEVE!!!!! Oxoxoxox
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Sending hugs your way Steve – hope you are doing well and had a nice Thanksgiving!!
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Just wondering how you are doing Steve!
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Yep, Steve you touched a lot of lives in such a positive, compassionate way. Stopping by your blog and watching a video or two is still a real pick me up for me. Your energy and enthusiasm keep on in this inter webs world. Don’t know where you are or what you’re up to this holiday season, but your hours and hours of work and sharing are still here emitting the spirit of drive and empathy you always offered to us blogger types. Life has obviously taken you to different things and we just want you to know we appreciated the wonderful blogged journey you documented. Where ever and what ever ,,,we know you’re MAKING IT A GREAT DAY!!!!!
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