I am a ten year breast cancer survivor; stage I, 1.7cm, no lymph node involvement, estrogen positive to me; I had as treatment 17 CMF chemotherapy, 45 Neupogen shots, 30 radiation treatments and a quadrantectomy. My balance seemed to be off during my second chemo treatment. I told my doctor, I fell often. And in 2001 I fell down stairs, broke a tib/fib, titanium rods implanted and ended up with DVT. I have been walking with a cane since then.Last year was treated for an ear infection, serous otitis media, At the emergency room the doctor said I had bubbles on my eardrum. I was admitted to the hospital, and isolated. One doctor came in and said I had MRSA. I didn’t know what that was. I was treated with many antibiotics and the only one that worked was oxacillin. I was discharged after three days. Afterwards, everything changed. I had two failed 17 year old root canals, numerous antibiotics, kidney stone,more antibiotics, ear doctor treated with more antibiotics, saw a neurologist, said I have cerebellar ataxia. Another said I didn’;t. One neurologist said I had fear of falling. One said it was peripheral neuropathy. One said it was PTSD. I was thankful last year to hear that I did not have a neuro-degenerative disease. I left the state to celebrate, with my walker, my cane and a change of clothes. The third day, I fell off a foot high porch and broke the calcaneous bone and did a 2+ sprain on the left ankle. I returned back to my home with the goal of relearning to walk. However, I again became more imbalanced, my right eye started twitching and wouldn’t stop. The eye doctor today tells me it is convergence. The eye doctor last year, told me nystagmus. I call it my scarry eye and continue to do vestibular therapy. Two months ago, I went on another journey to try and save my life and the quality of my life. A neurosurgeon told me, I have never seen that part of the brain completely gone. You need to go to a stroke center. Another doctor told me I might have a connective tissue disease. I tested positive for anti nuclear AB. Yes, I do have arthiritis. If I have something else I don’t know. Last month I made an appt. with a gastroenterologist, because of unusual bloating and unable to urinate completely. No pain at this point. A week later I end up in the Emergency Room: told you have a 2mm kidney stone; it is in the ureter and should pass into the bladder, you should see a doctor in three days. I saw a urologist, CT scan of abdomen and pelvis. He said maybe you will pass it, if not we will do a lithotripsy and place a stent. By the end of the week I ended up in the ER again. I was admitted. The 2 mm stone now was 5.8 mm and in the ureter. I was given pain meds and stayed in the hospital so my 80 year old mother didn’t have to witness me birthing a stone, Everrbody said it was nothing. I tell you it was painful. Before I was discharged from the hospital, the doctor told me a CT scan revealed it was in my bladder. That all should be okay. I have strained urine, looking for a stone, The urologist says the stone is still in the ureter, and the radiologist read the report wrong. Today, a doctor says, good news, no blood in the urine, Today, I still have problems with bloating and voiding fully. I already have problems with vestibular dysfunction and I believe that this is compromising my life. Symptoms: can’t walk or stand for very long, can’t walk forward without holding on. I do well in a swimming pool but sometimes, even it can be difficult. Is it the ear? IS it another disease? I am exhausted and need help? My eyes have a hard time focussing. I try to exercise, stationary bike and swimming every other day. I used to be a very active person who helped others. Please, someone help me. It is difficult being in this body.Every day I don’t know what it will be like when I get up, good or bad, confident or fright.
Technorati Tags: antibiotics, breast cancer, breast cancer survivor, calcaneous bone, Cerebellar Ataxia, chemo treatment, chemotherapy, Cmf, connective tissue disease, degenerative disease, ear doctor, ear infection, eardrum, emergency room, Estrogen, eye doctor, kidney stone, left ankle, lymph node involvement, neupogen, neurologist, neurosurgeon, Otitis Media, oxacillin, radiation treatments, root canals, stroke center, tib, walking with a cane
