Enduring the process, pinpricks and all

The results are in...So last time I had JUST found out that my blood test (costing 800.00 with the lab pre-insurance) came out positive. I saw a "specialist" in the field on a rainy Friday (yet another rainy day within a rainy week) where I had to endure a whole plethora of testing. First it started with about 25 health history related questions, luckily the nurse responded to my request of getting these tests done ias quickly as possible. I should have watched my words. (Typically, I am the person in the room that walks faster and processes information quickly. As a result, for the mundane things in life, I rush, or at minimum I tend to aim to get certain non-essential things done quickly...more of this in another blog entry) Anyway, the nurse happily acquiesced and I found myself being rushed through Q&A about my health history, and at the same time, I had another nurse stuff nasal sprays in each nostril to providing numbing on the nostrils for an exploratory adventure through my nose with some sort of nose-scope apparatus with a camera on tne end of it.

Following the nasal sprays, I had been asked to raise up my sleeves and the testing of allergy reaction to my skin would shortly begin. As the needle pricked various points along my forearm, it initially felt rather non-intrusive, just slightly uncomfortable... until a searing burning sensation eroded on each individual pin-prick, (did I mention there were about 15 on each arm?) leading to a reddish welt that throbbed with itchiness and heat for a duration of at least 18 hours, meanwhile, I was still answering health questions dating back to when I had eye surgery as a toddler, and then commenced breathing exercises where I had to exhale into a tube and breath all the air out of me while the nurse said loudly (breath and exhale good, 1....2....3....4....5.....6...)the purpose of which was to measure lung capacity stuff (hey I am a lawyer, not a doctor...).

So finally, at the end of all these testing, I was kind of (well not kind of...) annoyed at the burning on my arm. See I have had two children, delivered my first daughter in a 48 hour labor intensive natural birth process which I felt a lot of pain. However, it was expected, it coincided with a miraculous arrival of my daughter, I had preparation for that, prayers, thoughts, expectations, blessings, lots of love and support. Well, for this little test, I was not expecting the reaction I had. Frankly, the nurses were a bit surprised at 2 things, one: that their 6 yr old patients were better behaved than I was and two: that I had such a bad reaction to the skin tests.

Okay, so very long long story, made only slightly shorter, I was told that based on my profile, allergic reaction etc. that I should recieve allergy shots to provide me with hope to battle my weed, grass, tree enemies. Apparently, like many medical answers, the solution is not guaranteed, it could take a long time, and they need to monitor me each time I get injected with this "grassy cocktail" since they want to prevent any bad allergic reaction to the shots. Apart from daily bits of medication (nasal spray, eye drops etc.) the shots so far seem to be my best alternative.

So, I will be deciding in the next week or so whether to commit to receiving the shots etc. I am leaning towards yes, but something tells me to wait a little longer before launching into this allergy offensive.

Just a quick note, peanut was the worst of my food allergies, wheat, soybean and walnut only created a slight reaction. Nevertheless, I am steering away from donuts and crossants (until my trip to Paris) since avoiding those foods in the last week or so has been an interesting creative learning experience. (Has anyone tried Ryvita crackers? Awesome for rye flour...)

Also a quick response to the comments:

Hey...to my pioneering brother...Leif: I do expect we will have more diverse desserts at our Spiritual Cafe gatherings, but I will refrain from making spelt brownies...!Please bring some new recipes when you get back from St. Kitts!!!

To my dear friend Muni, thanks for your input and continued concern. It is so cool to know someone who is close at heart is in the Doctor-hood profession and who has an uncanny bedside manner...offering a much needed healing touch to those around her. You are unique, and I love you for it...