24. November 22, 2008

the trip to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida was long and exhausting. We arrived in Jacksonville around 2:25am on Monday night. I had to be at Mayo at 6:30am Tuesday. We were there through Thursday afternoon.

I went through three days of appointments and tests (some extremely painful and some that were just annoying). I'll spare you all of the details of the various tests and procedures and just give you a brief run-down on what we know so far from each of the doctors I saw.

- the primary neurologist I saw says he does NOT believe I have neurosarcoidosis. PRAISE THE LORD!!! We didn't get much more information from him because he was the very first doctor we saw on Tuesday and he wanted to review the results from all the tests I was having done and the notes from the other doctors I would see on Tuesday and Wednesday before he gave us any more opinions, etc.

- the pulmonologist (lung doc) says I have some abnormalities around the lining of my lungs, most likely due to damage from asthma and recurring pneumonia. He put me through some lung function tests (one of which was a Methacholine Challenge Test...they gave me methacholine to induce an asthma attack...NOT FUN!!!) which went ok, other than my normal limitations from asthma. He also heard a heart murmur....says this could be nothing....but just to be on the safe side he ordered an echocardiogram for Thursday morning (which is why we had to stay a third day.)

- the neuro-ophthamologist I saw was very concerned about my vision and the damage that my pseudo tumor cerebri has done. Although everything was basically the same as it has been for years, he said that Philip and I were "too cavalier" about it and needed to be more pro-active and aggressive preserving what little vision I have left since my optic nerves have "really taken such a big hit" and are so damaged. He recommends me going to Emory to see my neuro-opthamologist every 3 to 4 months.

All in all, I feel like we got some encouraging news!! I have to go back to Mayo on Monday, December 1st to see my primary neurologist to discuss all of the results and to see where we go from here.

Thanks again for your many prayers and sweet encouraging words!
Love and blessings to you all!