Sleep all day, work some of the night

Adulting, Blog, Buffalo, Graduate, I Sleep on Sundays, MSW, Perpetual Studenthood, Places I've Called Home, Travels, True Life, Updates, Wellness, West Ave, Zappy the Wonder Walker

So I slept all day (with minor breaks to get up and use the facilities, shove food in my mouth, take pills, and make a Skype call). I could easily go back to bed now. This isn’t fibro fatigue though, I don’t think. I am relatively sure this is just my usual reaction to antibiotics which for some reason usually make me tired. But if this somehow handles the IBS it’s worth it.

Anyway, going to do dishes, finish (I hope unpacking and organizing/cleaning the lady of my home office), do the one grad school assignment that has to get done this weekend (an introduction/about myself post) so I can watch the lectures on for addictions and the family tomorrow, so I can greet Monday mostly non-grumpy like.

Part of my long term/dealing with this shit strategy is super vigilance on keeping my house clean and organized, because if it’s done constantly as I go, and it’s never a thing I have to do as one big chore, that’s just one more spoon I get to save for something else.

From a mobility standpoint of course it makes things easier too. This isn’t to say the place had been a wreck, we’ve just been in the throes of unpacking for the past several months and now it *has* to get done.

Quick Update Before Passover

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Wow! What a whirlwind of an academic year it’s been! My last post was in October 2016, and here we are in April 2017 getting ready to wrap up our Field Education experience!

I’m in the process of creating an end of Field portfolio to share with everyone, in the hopes that you can get a real sense of what the field experience has been like. Right now it’s very much a work in progress, but it’s my hope to have it done by the end of the week.

Additionally, I really am trying to get back into regular blogging! It’s been a busy and meaningful semester (which is incredible), it just means that it’s been a bit difficult to find time to sit down and write.

Fortunately, my home office is finally setup after November’s move, so I think that will help a great deal!

Anyway, wishing everyone a meaningful Passover! Time to finish a reflection piece, grab some lunch, and prepare for class!

#Journey #MSW #UBSSW #FieldPlacement #UB

Our friend Bob went on an adventure a few weeks ago where he learned about safe decision making, tec

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Our friend Bob went on an adventure a few weeks ago where he learned about safe decision making, techniques he can use when he’s angry or stressed, and who he can ask for help when things get too big for him #GradSchool #UB #SocialWork #SchoolOfSocialwork #MSWStudent #Training #RoadToMSW #SchoolSocialWork #Portfolio #FieldPlacement #NarrativeTherapy #ArtTherapy #Theraplay #SchoolSocialWork @UBSSW

#socialwork #portfolio #schoolsocialwork #narrativetherapy #training #fieldplacement #mswstudent #schoolofsocialwork #Instagram #arttherapy #UB #Image #gradschool #theraplay #roadtomsw

Like Losing a Superpower

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My entire life, I have had ADHD, OCD, and TS (collectively TS+). My ADHD has been kept in check by my OCD, giving me just infinite amounts of energy; which I now find drained, and randomly sucked out of me during the day. It’s like having a power cord pulled out of me, randomly. I almost fell asleep while doing counseling with a client the other day…and I have to say it’s like losing a superpower. I’ve always had more energy than everyone else, and I mean a lot more energy…and if this is going to be my new reality (and we’re waiting to do the muscle biopsy, and then of course, find out the results of all of these tests) then I’ll learn to navigate it…but right now, I don’t know how, and I’m having to learn how to readjust…everything…how much I can get done in a day, how much I can do before I have to stop, how much I can do before I have to nap…

It’s giving me a world of insight into some of my client’s lives…and that’s the positive I’ll take from it; but it’s also scary as fuck, and answers can’t come soon enough. Friday I get a giant needle in my leg, and then next Tuesday I better have some answers.

#neurology

Updates from the Neurologist, Cardiologist & The Lab (By Way of Letters & Numbers)

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-=LAB PART THE FIRST 1/30/2017=-

A) I went and got my HIDA Scan with CCK. I didn’t realize that’s one of the ones they irradiate you and make your organ light up…that was pretty neat…until they injected me with the enzyme that made my gallbladder fill up and empty, repeatedly…and I really wanted to just shit the table…but I did not, because I am…sort of…adult-ish…at times…but like 99.99% that fucking gallbladder is getting evicted.

B) I don’t think they’ll let me keep it in a glass jar on my desk

C) I did not get bitten by a spider, and – despite cuddling next to Akiva all night – I did not wake up with cat-like reflexes, or any kind of cat-like superpowers…I am just as clumsy as ever, and sadly, will not be joining #TeamCap anytime soon (#FuckTonyStark)

-=NEUROLOGIST 1/31/2017=-

1) I explained I was feeling a bit tired, going up and down stairs etc, and wheezing. Her husband shares her practice and has his cardiology practice there, so I was sent right in (after I was done with my neuro) for an echocardiogram of my heart, and arteries. I’ll get results of that…when I get results of that…maybe a week-ish. I also explained that I did army, two NCO courses, world travel, hiking, etc. while fat, so I don’t think it has something to do with my weight…because I’ve been active at between this weight range and another, for years.

2) She explained she was sending me to get the muscle biopsy because of the high CPK/Aldolase numbers, which is what I guessed.

3) I asked her what she expected to find/not find; she as honest and said mostly that she didn’t know, she really just needs to see what’s there, and the reason for this surgeon is that his samples are always good, especially around nerves, and don’t need to be redone.

-=CARDIOLOGIST 1/31/2017=-
4) I was then sent for the cardio stuff, it was cool to see my heart on a screen; I love when science and creation (like, humanity, like, does my heart know I can see it on screen, not the Jesus made the dinosaurs in school kind of science-creation) mix, and you get to see your body work…totally awesome, and because I was interested, the tech explained everything I was looking at, and the sounds and videos she was recording and why.

5) I had a good nap when I had to lay on my other side for the other artery and couldn’t see the screen.

-=LAB PART THE SECOND 1/31/2017=-
6) I was sent for more bloodwork (Fucking. Vampires). Me and Catholic Health System are now BFF. I’m getting signed up for their Patient Portal tomorrow, or Thursday; but until then, I have copies of everything sent to my neuro, and my primary…I have it sent to my primary because he has it set so that all tests automatically just post to the patient’s portal, whereas my neuro only posts what she’s reviewed (and I wanna see what’s going on).

7) They did a bunch more tests than they have done before

8 ) They ran CPK, Aldolase, Esr, RF, Ssa, SSB at the lab when they drew blood. I’m now waiting on results (though a few have come back).

9) One of the tests that have come back is the CPK (Muscle Enzyme) which today (on a day where my legs have been bothering me) is, surprise to no one at all, except me a bit, because you know, everything that’s non-visible is all in our heads: CPK today is 477. (Max range, of course being 174. Worst score to date, 627; Best 250). Bookies are now taking over/under bets for two weeks from today (see below).

-=BACK TO THE NEUROLOGIST (Still 1/31/2017)=-
10) I learned that the Aldolase thing she looks for is what makes the CPK relevant to muscles, and not for instance, heart muscles, or lung muscles. This is why the surgeon’s going to take a piece from my leg, or my upper thigh/hip/booty. MY UNCLE THE DOCTOR says that it’s less painful than some of my tattoos, and that the neuro is handling this the best way (in steps) rather than scattershot (more accurate differential diagnosis).

11) The neurologist was about as concerned as I was that Aldolase, on good/bad days has been pushing the upper limit of 8.1

12) I reminded her she was going to speak to my Nurse Practitioner, and she said she would also call the surgeon to move things along.

13) She must have at least called the Surgeon, because I have the date for my muscle biopsy: next Friday, February 10th.

If you want to start collecting stats for over/under the 174 max threshold :
Date CPK
1/31/17 477
1/17/17 250
1/3/17 627
$10.00 minmum bet, Vincent’s handling the pool.

-=2/2/2017 Updates=-
i) My gallbladder results came back; looks like it is coming out (I’ve been called in to discuss the results); but we’ll see. My appointment for that is on 2/13 (a couple of days after the Muscle Biopsy).

Lab results are as follows:

#neurology

Neurodiversity

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So I woke up on New Years Day unable (or barely able) to move/ambulate. I wasn’t able to push myself up easily, I was barely able to sit up; I had low to no use of my hands, and I had to use my cane (with great difficulty) to make my way slowly to the bathroom…sitting down on the toilet and getting up was hard…later, when sitting on the couch, I didn’t have enough muscle strength to push the footrest down, I had to wait for a friend to help me…it was like being a very large, very shaky, very weak toddler.

I went to my Neurologist two days later (I had an appointment already scheduled), and I was immediately sent for blood tests. I had my follow up appointment today. Two days after the incident (when my blood was drawn) my body showed elevated muscle enzymes. The max boundary according to the labor report is 174. The enzymes in my body were at 627.

They took more blood today (a good day, where moving is easier) to compare it to (important for a differential diagnosis), and according to the lab results which came in tonight (since they were sent in with a big ole STAT written across the bottom) my levels today (on a good day) was 250…still much hasher than 174, though better than 627.

So I may (actually, most likely will) have to have a muscle biopsy (which is good, because it can rule out/in definitely something terrifying, like Muscular Dystrophy, which can be a potential diagnosis); but I have been told by my uncle (a very competent physician, who I called to discuss my results with) that there’s no chance this is related to my ever-soon-to-be-evicted gallbladder…so wishful thinking is more-or-less off the table.

This is, sadly, one of those things where there is going to be a battery of tests, done in steps, there are no easy answers, things have to be ruled in/ruled out; more tests have to be done, etc. until it’s figured out.

However, this (or fear of this, when I first started noticing symptoms) is also why I decided to apply to the MSW program…because I can do case management now, and my plan is to go into counseling…and I can sit down on a chair and talk to people who sit down on a chair or couch, and provide counseling (and do notes using adaptive software) if things get really bad…and if things get extra bad (like, requiring breathing equipment that scares clients) I can always transition into Macro Social Work, and do data analysis, etc.

So things may be as simple (I hope) as taking a pill, or some kind of easy explanation, or some kind of continued easy accommodation like days where I need to use my cane (sadly, I’m not on a statin drug, which could have explained this)…or it might be more complicated…or more scary.

So I’m taking this as pragmatically as I can, knowing that whatever accommodations I need, I have friends (many, actually) who work with/in adaptive technology fields, I am connected as an MSW student and current Medical Case Manager, and I have friends and family who will make sure we handle whatever this turns out to be.

For now, I wait.

#neurology

Changing Leaves

MSW

Leaves at the Burrow

So we are well into the start of the Fall semester (and year two of three of the MSW Part-Time Traditional Program). Classes are going wonderful!

This past summer I took Motivational Interviewing, Psychopathology, Theories of Organizational Behavior & Leadership, Diversity & Oppression, and Professional Writing and Documentation for Social Workers.

This semester I am taking Interventions I, and History & Policy of Social Work. I am also three courses away from being able to apply for my CASAC credential, which is an incredible feeling!

I have also started my foundation year field placement in the Cheektowaga-Sloan School District. On Wednesdays I function as an MSW Intern doing School Social Work at the Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School. We do group interventions (using the Theraplay Model) for youth. I am running groups for students who need support in developing their social skills, for students with ADHD, and for students who are having problems modulating their emotions and dealing with appropriate ways to express anger. We also do observations, and provide other interventions/support to the school as necessary.

Thursdays I function as an MSW Intern in a clinical role at the Family Solutions Center at the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. Using Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy we provide team based clinical interventions and counseling for individuals, couples, families, parents and their children, and anyone else who is a resident of the school district that feels they can benefit from our services, free of charge.

It has been an absolutely incredible experience so far! If you have some time, check out some of the work that we’ve been doing to integrate Covey’s 7 Habits of Happy Children into our work!

And at the urging of my task supervisor…I will be working far more diligently to keep this website (and my portfolio) updated!

So, this one time, at changing my job, major, life and country I live in camp…

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*NOTE: This is The Friends Version of the TL;DR Post That’s Coming Next…please don’t share it, I’m sharing it here because after more than ten years, I know you guys…don’t violate that trust, okay?

Okay, so when we last left off, our adventurer was going to a wedding…that wedding was covarla‘s wedding, and it was awesome.

So I came back from the wedding, was working at the pharmacy, and Friday before Mother’s day Fred – the pharmacist – in a fit of rage that someone (a patient) would dare require counseling, threw the phone at me when I handed it to him (because he’s crazy)…at which point, I was like “oh no he didn’t” (this is the tl;dr version, btw). So, anyway, I work Mother’s Day (only because no one else on shift knew one of the back computers), and then left a note basically going “I don’t owe any of you fuckers any professional courtesy, so suck it I quit” just in slightly more professional language.

My father’s company then hired me on almost immediately to do their social media and online reputation management…three weeks into that position, my father calls me on my cell phone and asks me to come outside, having a panic attack, because his bookkeeper of 24 years was retiring, and in her position, you could steal a few million and no one would know it until the six month audit. The company, while doing fine now, had only survived recently because my father stopped taking a paycheck for more than an entire year, so he didn’t have to lay off his employees, and the thought of trusting the company finances to someone he didn’t know was unbearable. He asked me if he should just close up now and say fuck it all.

We spoke, I calmed him down, and said of course I’d help him – called my friends in Chicago, canceled my move and withdrew from school – I took on her responsibilities and quite a few more, and became the Director of HR & Accounting (I had two month of crash course bookkeeping…and everything I ever learned being a mission manager in the IDF, which trains for you pretty much anything).

So that evening, when I came home, I asked to see what was going on with our home finances (because, shits and giggles and why the fuck not)…and, lo and behold, because my father did everything in his power to not have to lay off all of his employees during the economic depression (crash?), he had been using his entire retirement savings to pay the mortgage on the house until now, and when he finally was able to take a pay check, he took one that was 1/4 of what he was getting…and now was running out of money fast (taking in 3,000.00 a month, spending 9,000 on the mortgage)…and if we didn’t do something quick, we were going to be out on the street in three months (because we owe a shit ton on our mortgage).

So, (again, the army prepares you for everything) I immediately called the family together, laid out the situation, and we started boxing up the house, I had my father give himself a raise at work (I saved the company, in three months working there, more than $62,500.00, so we could now afford to pay him more) which bought us a little time, and now we’re preparing to downsize our house and move into a condo that fits our new financial reality, while allowing my parents to replenish their retirement funds because my father did the right thing by his employees…and with what our house is worth, even in this economy, we should make enough to pay off the mortgage and flat out buy the condo.

In between all this, I started an MBA with a concentration in accounting that – after graduating and taking one more class – will let me sit for the CPA exam, which my family accountant (who’s family has been friends with my family since my grandmother was a nurse with her mother in World War II) is more than happy to help me prepare for (and of course I plan on picking stevenh‘s brain as well)…so that’s what the fuck is going on with me…helping to see my parents to their retirement, finally in grad school, on Long Island, working out, and going to Weight Watchers.

How the hell are all of you?