And finally....

And it really can when you are feeling like there is HOPE! And I can finally say that I feel like there is. I basically was given a clinical diagnosis of Mitochondrial Disease. When I had my appointment with Dr. P this morning, I flat out asked him if what I had been suspecting all this time seemed like the answer. He answered, "yes." I finally feel like I am being heard. I should have asked Dr. P ages ago when I started going to him. Of course, I didn't know him that well then and I trust him now more than I did then. Actually, the whole reason I decided to make him my PCP was a) I was frustrated with other doctors affiliated with the clinic here in town, run by Mayo and b) I saw the way he interacted with my adopted Grandma, whom I cared for at my workplace for about three years. He was very patient with Grandma, even though it was very difficult to be patient with her for me and her daughter, who were two of her favorite people. She even called him a "god damn Spaniaird" to which he laughed and Deb and I still call him to this day. Grandma passed away this last October, and Deb said that he was there when she died and even shed some tears. That sold me. Seeing a doctor with some shred of humanity in them is a big deal for me. I see caring and compassion as two very important things in the medical field. There are some that simply don't. Dr. P belongs to the group that I do and as such does his very best to advocate for his patients.

So now he has started me on what is called a "Mitochondrial Renewal Kit". It costs over $200 and I'm not sold on it just yet. But my thought is, if it can give me more comfort, energy, and quality of life it's worth a try. If after 60 days I don't feel it's working then I won't buy it again. I have to try something. Something has to work for all of this pain and fatigue. I just finished taking the Renewal pack along with my Vitamin C, which Dr. P wants me to increase along with one of my other routine meds. Maybe we are on our way to more comfort. I realize I have to do a lot more than most people to acheive this, but I am a young adult with a chronic illness. This is to be expected for someone like me. I belong to a very small group of people. There is strength that comes with being limited. I am a firm believer that a lot of times people with chronic illnesses have a very real spiritual awareness that others simply can not possess. When I am thinking more clearly I am sure I can explain it more fully. For now, I have some homework and cleaning to do after I take my shower. I am continuing to be in prayer about this situation, and I am praising God that finally there seems to be some sort of answer.