Tests....tests...tests

Lots of testing going on here for your update today....

I finally made it to the hospital early in the morning, early in the week for my special blood work to test for IBM.  This is the test I had  to have drawn here (at a hospital that was willing to mail it overnight) and sent to the specialty lab in Missouri.  I spent almost 2 weeks calling around to see how it can be done and if they will even do it.  Some labs weren't set up to do it but my favorite Murray hospital could.  So I took care of that last Tuesday.  It will be 2-3 weeks before I hear any more. And I have no idea who or how I will hear about it since the lab is out of town.

I also got my CK pulled yesterday at my regular lab.  CK is still coming down which is thrilling.  We are down to 126 which is fantastic.  Especially considering I am back in the gym and pounding my muscles (injury in theory) on a regular basis.  So that is a good sign and I am so  happy I could take the time to get my CK down without Prednisone!

I had my Mammogram a few weeks ago.  Take care of your boobs people.  Mine was fine.  Good for another year.

I'm going to count the gym as a test too.  Because it is for me.  I've been going steady for 2 weeks now.  I am mainly focused on cardio because that is the biggest issue for me right now.  I need to be a more stable walker.  So I am doing the bike every time.  Because I was feeling pretty good with that, I decided to add a little more.  Arms one day....hip flexors another.  Yesterday, I finally had the nerve to get in the "dipper".  It is triceps machine.  Basically you sit on a seat and there are handles sort of by your arm pits.  You push them down with the appropriate weight.  I started with the lightest weight....10 lbs.  It was embarrassingly easy.  So I ramped up to 25....then 35.  Easy right?  Well today, my arms aren't doing shit.  They are very tired.  I guess I won't be picking anything up today.  Haha.  The real interesting thing about this muscle disease is I can do lots.  The gym feels good while I am doing it.  I feel accomplished.  I can push myself to do so much more.  But the truth is how I feel in the morning and the next day.  That is when I can tell if I did too much.  So I keep trying little adjustments to push myself but not too far.  I have given myself permission to even go for 20 minutes to just do the bike.  Anything else is bonus.

Philip is testing too.  He is doing AP tests.  He had his Environmental Science test this past Monday.  He said it was a piece of cake.  Yesterday he had Physics.  It took almost 5 hours for him to take it because they were so slow administering it.  And it was almost disqualified because someone's phone rang during the test.  When that happens, the test is closed and can't be retaken by any students sitting for the test!  He didn't feel as good about that test.  The teacher was not a great teacher and there were many things on the test Philip said they never learned.  That is a huge disappointment.  Next Monday is his final AP test for Stats.  He thinks that one will be easy too.

So lots going on here.  But all is good.  Hope you are doing well too!