I am so glad June is over, for a variety of reasons. Various occurrences have kept me mum; I haven't wanted to see/hear the news nor have any contact with people other than those closest to me. I can't keep my head in the sand forever. That being said, I am finally 'here'.
As far as everything medically is concerned, I am still trying to deal with the Medtronic failure situation. I thought I was getting by okay, however, the actual implant is becoming extremely uncomfortable. I unfortunately KNOW (chronic) pain, and this isn't pain so much as it is a major annoyance: the battery continues to protrude more and more from my abdomen. I feel like Sigourney Weaver from the movie 'Alien' - in my case, I keep waiting for this piece of electronic junk to rip through my skin, out of my stomach. Dramatic, yes; possible, yes. I just want it out! Is this what women in the last days of pregnancy feel like? Yuck.
I did meet with a new pain specialist doctor who confirmed that the battery has in fact expired. Previously my spouse and I traveled 141 miles round trip, to the doctor who implanted the medical device only to find that he couldn't work the monitoring device and opted not to have a Medtronic representative present for my appointment. The doctor further stated that the other patient had cancelled, so 'he decided not to have the [Medtronic] rep. come in'). Gee, thanks. Next, he asked me to come back in two days (another 140 miles) following a blatant insult regarding the myocardial infarction I previously suffered. I have no problem traveling for competent health care, but there was no way I was going back to him. An office staff member at the new doctor office was able to operate/read the monitoring device. What a joke that my former doctor couldn't do the same; what a worthless 'pain management' physician.
Decisions, decisions. I am so sick of hospitals and surgeries. It could be worse though. It easily could be worse, and that is what I remind myself every time the 'alien' causes me discomfort or I feel frustrated about the medical device failure.
