Updates, updates, updates:
First of all, a Dad update: He has a moderate leak in his mitral valve. The doctors are going to monitor it, since they don't know if the surgery or the accident caused it. Apparently some people live with these kinds of leaks, some people heal on their own and others need surgery to fix it.
We also got some interesting news from the doctors on 26 July. I'm sure all of you, my faithful readers, remember the car wreck my dad got in a while ago. Well, we have found YET ANOTHER injury. He fractured his tibia. This is a tibia for those who didn't pay attention during science class. We need a consult from an orthopedic surgeon to see what we're going to do about it--while he's there, he'll also check out his sternum (yep, still broken!). On 10 Aug, he's going to see a cardiologist about his leaky heart valve.
Now I have medical updates, too! I possibly have an auto-immune disorder.
Since not a lot of people know about autoimmune diseases I figured I should inform you guys about 'em. Here is a helpful link from the NIH explaining what an autoimmune disease is in simple terms. Don't trust those quacks at WebMD. I'm currently taking an anti-inflammatory drug to help my joints and a vitamin D3 supplement. It's really only very slightly alleviating my symptoms (pain and stiffness) but I have to give it 3 weeks before I can try something else. I have to start working out in the new academic year so I don't lose function and range of motion in my joints. Joy. I get the one disease where I HAVE to go to the gym.
The good news is that I have an appointment with a rheumatologist on 6 September, so I ought to get a real diagnosis within a week or two of then.
My man came to visit from 22 July til 31 July. I love him so much, it was amazing to be with him again. We got him all registered at the community college here (he's taking one online class--"College Success" which is mandatory). Unfortunately, that class is costing him $562 out of pocket because of out-of-state tuition and because UPS is pretty stingy about its scholarship. Not to mention that he's having a hard time qualifying for financial aid.
He was filling out his FAFSA and found out that even though he will be 400mi away from his home, paying for himself and completely independent of his parents he still has to include their financial information. It's completely ridiculous. It isn't like he's going to be benefiting from their income and they make too much on paper for him to get any help from the government. It's so stupid. We're looking into Pell Grants and scholarships to help him out.
While he was here we took a trip to the coast for 2 days. It was so much fun :) We both got sunburns, though. Mine worse than his (I made sure he reapplied his sunscreen and kind of forgot about myself).
I miss him so much. I can't wait until he's down here. I know he'll be working and going to class, but a 2h drive and a work/school schedule is way more manageable than a $200+ plane ticket and 400mi.
In other news, my parents are trading in my Chevy and giving their '03 Honda Accord to me. My car is terrible on gas and my mother wants me to have an economical car so I don't have to worry as much at the pump. I'm really so blessed that things are all falling so neatly into place right now.
On 19 Aug I'm going to Caitee's wedding reception :) I'm so excited! I can't wait to see her again and meet her hubby. I wish I had been at the wedding, but the photos were so gorgeous. She made a beautiful bride.
Speaking of weddings, I've changed my vision for mine. Instead of a winter wedding--since snow is hard to come by and I don't want any of my bridal party catching a cold--I was thinking of getting married...
wait for it...
in an aquarium.
As in, renting an aquarium and getting married in the jellyfish room or something equally awesome and then having my reception either in another room of the aquarium or in a restaurant on the beach.
I have lots of time to plan and save up for it ;)
Let's see, what else?
Oh, I'm leaving for school on 20 August. I have a freshman for a roomie, but she seems like a total sweetheart so hopefully we'll get along. My uni finally approved of us having the option of a loft, but since I've had some car issues this summer I can no longer afford it. The only company we can rent from charges like $200/yr for a lofting kit. It's so ridiculous since there are a LOT of other reliable companies that are a hell of a lot more affordable.
I have a CLS orientation all day on 22 August and classes start 23 August. I'll also be blogging for my uni 4-5 times a month.
Phew! I think that's all. Expect more frequent updates in the upcoming weeks :)
Oh, and one more thing...
THIS BLOG IS NOW 20% COOLER.
Stay safe,
That⊗neChick
