I went to bed really early last night. I’d had a bad migraine all day and had worked long enough to teach my class yesterday and then went home. Luckily, I’m feeling some better today, but I still have a migraine. I think it’s just more manageable today. We’ll see.

I hate going to the dentist. For me, it’s never a pleasant experience. My teeth have always caused me problems. I really like my dentist as a person, but I hate dental procedures. Anyway, I have a dental appointment this morning. I took all day off work. Novocaine always gives me a headache, so I rarely go back to work after a dental procedure. Since this appointment is first thing this morning, I decided to take the whole day. Besides, I have a comp day this week because I have to work Saturday.

I woke with a migraine yesterday but had a dental appointment that I had to go to. The dental work only made my headache worse, so I spent the day on my couch. I have another doctor’s appointment today, and then I have to work half a day. I’m ready for Saturday to be here.

All went well with the orthodontist yesterday. A hot x-ray tech (He was tall, handsome with curly dark hair, and a nice butt.) took some better images of my hand and wrist. The orthopedist then showed me the x-tays, having to blow up one of them to a larger image so I could see where the small fragment broke off. She put me in a brace that I can remove. She said that she’d put a cast on it if I wanted her to, and I said, “No thank you.” Apparently, this small chip will heal in about six weeks. I’m not sure if that includes the three weeks since it happened or an additional six weeks.

Regardless, she said it is going to be slightly swollen and hurt but it will eventually heal on its own. She said it shouldn’t bother me too much except that I shouldn’t do any yoga or push-ups until it’s healed because that would be painful. I told her that she didn’t have to worry about that. I told her that writing, especially signing my name hurt the most, and she said that was normal. The motions involved using that little bone I broke, but it would not damage it any further. If my wrist begins hurting worse or it’s not better in six weeks to call her back and she’d look at it again, but she didn’t foresee any problems.

When last I wrote about my arm, I was waiting to hear back from the clinic for the results of my x-ray. They never actually called me back, so I called them. As soon as I got my name out, The receptionist said, “Oh, I’m so glad you called. We didn’t have your number.” I was told that the woman I had seen the day before did not have my cell phone number and had called my office number. She apparently couldn’t find my cell phone number even though I had given it to them and they had texted me. Anyway, I was able to talk to the other PA at the clinic and he told me that I had a small fracture in my wrist. Of course this would be the day when we were getting a foot of snow. He said they needed to put a splint on it. He said if it was any other day of the week other than Friday, he would let it wait for the next day. However, he said that it could not wait until Monday. So, in the snow, I drove up to the clinic to get a splint put on my wrist. He referred me to an orthopedist to have a cast put on it. I’m hoping the orthopedist calls today. I’m not looking forward to having a cast on my wrist, and all of this is going to make it difficult to carry my bags in the airport, but I will manage.

I don’t think I realize how dependent I am on my right hand. Learning to use my left hand more has been difficult. It’s just another thing to get used to. Anyway, I wanted to give y’all an update on what was happening with the results of my fall on the ice.

…hand and neck and shoulder and hip, but mostly in my right hand.

I had to go to the clinic my university uses for worker’s comp. What a nightmare! Actually, it wasn’t too bad, but I was there for over three hours and then had to go over to the hospital for x-rays. The provider I saw at the clinic was supposed to call me yesterday afternoon with the result. She never called. However, because I use MyChart for my doctor and the hospital is part of the same network as him (all under the University of Vermont), I received the radiology report. I had to look up most of the words in the gobbledygook that was in the report, but I apparently have a small fracture in my right wrist. My other aches and pains appear to be bruises and muscle strain. Hopefully, I’ll hear from the clinic this morning. Because of the impending snowstorm, I’m not for sure if I’ll go into work today or not. It’s according to how much snow is on my car when it’s time to leave. If there is a fair amount, I won’t be able to go in because I won’t be able to clean it off one handed, or at least not one handed with my left hand. I use my right hand for most everything.

I came home from work yesterday at 11 am because I had a major migraine. I had wondered if my migraines would still be triggered by weather when we were getting snow instead of rain. Apparently, they will be. We got more snow last night. 

It was also a rough day because I was feeling depressed. It’s probably because of a number of factors, but mostly, this new migraine medication doesn’t seem to be helping much at all. It’s so disheartening because I feel like I’ll never find anything that will work. I haven’t found anything that will conquer them in nearly 45 years, but I hold out hope that the headache clinic won’t give up on trying to find a solution.

Today will be filled with medical appointments. This morning, I have my next VYEPTI infusion for my headaches at the hospital. Basically, they will hook me up to an IV, and I will sit there for 30 minutes or so while I receive the medicine. It was mildly helpful last time. It lessened my headaches for about two months, though it didn’t help much when there were weather changes. Since I’ve reached my insurance’s out-of-pocket maximum for medical expenses, this won’t cost me anything. The last treatment was over $1400. I will have to talk to my neurologist at the Headache Clinic to see if there is any assistance to pay for the treatment. Otherwise, I will have to discontinue it. I am far from wealthy and meeting my out-of-pocket expenses every year is not a feasible option.

After my infusion, I will get lunch and then head to the headache clinic, where I have a follow-up appointment with my neurologist. We will discuss how effective the VYEPTI was, and I will discuss with her the expense of the medication. The Headache Clinic I go to is well-versed in all things headache related, as it should be. If there is a solution for financial assistance, they should know what it is. I wish insurance companies in the United States weren’t able to dictate treatments instead of doctors. It’s very frustrating when there are mountains of medical bills to pay, even when you have insurance. So please vote for Democrats and Progressives in the general election next Tuesday. We are all (except for the super-wealthy among us, but I am guessing no super-wealthy person reads this little blog) fucked if Republicans gain control of even one chamber of Congress.

After my headache appointment, I will head over to Target to get a few things. I might as well go while I am in New Hampshire. I may even go by HomeGoods, which is one of my favorite stores. I’ll probably go home after that. Quite frankly, all of that is enough for one day.