Good News / Bad News

Good news first.

I finally spoke with my neurologist today. My MRI comparisons actually showed no significant changes in the progress of my disease. There are still some active lesions going on, but nothing new. This was great news! And it gave me the confirmation I needed to go forward with the treatment plan I was leaning towards.

I did a lot of research on the new medication she suggested for me. I read forty different patient experiences on this drug and spoke to five people I know personally who are currently taking it or have taken it. I got very little positive feedback. Most people experienced side effects that were bad enough to hinder daily function. Of those who chose to stay on the treatment, they had been in much worse shape prior to starting the treatment (some were struggling to walk) and this drug made a significant improvement in their ability to move and function. They felt the trade off on the side effects was worth it. And I would be inclined to agree.

However, I am not quite so progressed. While I definitely struggle with certain physical activities, the side effects, I feel, have the potential to put me in a worse state than I'm in now. I simply can't justify making myself feel worse and I want to feel as good as I can for as long as I can.

As such, Nick and I felt we wanted to give the treatment I was originally on another try. Our research found that the reactions I was having were not uncommon and they seemed to be innocuous. My doctor agreed that there was most likely no harm in giving it another go. If I have more problems, it's time to move on. But I feel it's worth a shot. So we're moving ahead. Whew!

Okay, now the bad news.

As I'd mentioned previously, I was torn over the decision to take a new job. The new job would mean some sacrifices, most notably a huge cut in pay. But it would get me off my feet and offered amazing benefits. After much agonizing, praying, and even a tarot reading, I decided I would accept the job were it offered to me. And it was looking good. They asked me in for an interview, after which they gave me a tour of the building and even the benefits packet which contained all the options available and their costs. They called all of my references over the last few days, and it was sounding like they were definitely interested. I was getting excited for this new venture.

Today, however, I received their form letter in my email explaining that they did not feel I was right for the position at this time. Bugger. Seemed odd to me that they would go to all that effort if I wasn't right for the job. But...the job market is saturated right now. There may very well have been someone else more qualified. Or more in need. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't awfully disappointed, but perhaps it just wasn't meant to be right now.

Still, all things considered, I'm feeling pretty good. My energy levels have been inexplicably up the last few weeks, which has also significantly buoyed my spirits. It's been a long time since I could adequately make it through the day at work, and I've been able to make it up the stairs without help once I get home. I've even had the energy to cook dinner. Talk about the little things. But it's been a long time since I've felt this good, and I'm going to appreciate every little bit.

Cake or Death

Decisions.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

I'm not a fan of decisions. Ask anyone who knows me, they'll tell you. I don't care to be put in charge of deciding anything. Lunch? You pick. Movie? Whatever tickles your fancy. Blue or pink? Why choose...get both.

So it should come as little surprise that I am having a dickens of a time with two major decisions that lay before me.

I'm still up in the air on the results of my recent MRI, which is subsequently delaying my treatment decision. Whether or not the results will sway my choice, I don't really know, but it probably couldn't hurt.

I don't like having to choose, let alone having to choose between the lesser of two, or in this case, three evils, which are as follows:

- Go back on my original treatment and hope that the sudden onslaught of reactions was a fluke or the result of a poor batch of medicine

- Try a new treatment that may stave off disability but at the cost of potentially rendering me non-functional due to the severe side effects

- Do nothing and hope for the best.

If only it could be a bit more cut and dry...



I also have a job interview coming up this Friday. It's with a highly acclaimed and stable company and offers much better hours, affordable benefits, and will be much less physically demanding. The one downside is that it's a significant cut in pay. Our medical expenses have already been much higher than last year, and we're only in February. And a new insurance brings with it fresh new deductibles. So taking this job would mean more expenses on less income. But it has the serious potential to stave off the loony bin much longer than my current job.

Maybe I could run some computer simulations...



One thing is clear, however. Eventually, I'll make a choice. And I know that, even if the outcome is not ideal, my head probably won't fall off. We'll find a way to manage.

But can't I just have cake?

Damn...

Over 71, 400 jobs lost in one day.

My heart goes out to all the families this recession is affecting. I'm counting my blessings for sure. As much as I hate my soul-sucking job, at least I still have one.

Sniff This

I was sitting at the front desk at work today when a customer approached. I recognized him immediately. He is a very nice, older gentleman and a long-time customer with whom we are all very familiar. I greeted him by name and asked how he was doing and what I could do for him. He explained he needed to reorder some contacts, so I proceeded to look up his records in the computer.

While I was typing away, he leaned over the desk and, with a slight swagger in his voice, said: "Boy, you smell really good. Don't mind if I just lean in and have another whiff.".

Why, yes...I DO mind as a matter of fact. Seriously, did this guy just smell me? Did he really just lean over the desk and ask if he could "have a whiff"? As if to confirm the uncomfortable reality of the situation, he followed up with: "Mmm, yeah...that is quite nice.".

Insert "Side Show Bob" shudder here.

So I know I've known this guy for ten some-odd years and we're all on a first name basis and everything, but I'm just not sure how he felt his comments were a) in any way appropriate and b) not creepy as shit.

Oddly enough, this is not the first event of it's kind. If I had a dollar for every man with an AARP card who made a creepy and/or innapropriate comment to me, I could finally make that trip to Europe. So what's this all about?

Perhaps these men are just trying to relive their youths in some feeble way, or maybe they just get a kick out of flirting with younger women. Conceivably, they are just plain dirty old bastards. Sorry, fellas...but it's gonna take a bit more than your senior citizen discount for Denny's Grand Slam breakfast and a tube of aspercreme to win me over. How about a time machine for starters?

In all reality, I'm not sincerely offended by any of these off-color gentlemen. Mostly I'm just baffled by their motivation and tastelessness. And I wonder what their wives would say if they were caught, for example, sniffing pretty young girls at the eye doctors office like a kindergartner sniffs glue.

Still, perhaps I should start keeping track. I'll put a dollar in a jar for every dirty old dude to cross my path and we'll see how soon I can get to Europe.

Traveling Freak Show

Know what this is?

Like to wager a guess?

I found it sitting on the front desk when I came into work this morning.

Give up? It's a vial of human hair.

No one knows where it came from. It was just sitting there, in all it's creepy glory. None of us are quite sure what to do with it, either. We should probably just chuck it in the trash, but we couldn't help but hang onto it all day and pass it around to fellow co-workers who were similarly baffled by it.

It's creepy as shit, but honestly....without these bizarre occurrences, what else would we entertain ourselves with? The world is a traveling freak show, and each day a new exhibit rolls into our little town to frighten and amuse us.

Time for Another Episode of Stupid Questions with your Friendly Neighborhood Optician!

In today's episode, we hear an excerpt from a conversation with a patient while collecting insurance information:

Me: Do you have your insurance card with you?

Patient: Oh, yes *hands me insurance card*

Me: *typing* So you work for Jordan School District, is that correct?

Patient: Yes. *pause* Do you?

Me: Um.....well....no I, uh....I work here.

Service With A Smile

Nataliedee.com

I *twitch* just love *twitch* my job.

Hello, Mr. Penis.

A gentleman approached me at work today inquiring about sunglass clip ons. He was wearing mirrored sunglasses so I could not see his eyes, but he was quite cheerful and friendly.

He was also wearing what looked like men's pajama pants, the thin kind with the opening in the front.

He was not, however, wearing any underwear.

He also had a huge erection.

He spoke to me for ten whole minutes as if nothing was out of the ordinary...as if his genitalia wasn't swinging back and forth in the open air.

I attempted to walk away several times, but he had many questions. Many stupid, repetitive questions. Which leads me to believe that perhaps he was not ignorant to the situation and was trying to keep me hanging around (no pun intended). And the glasses....the dark glasses that completely concealed his eyes. He never removed them during our whole conversation. Just creepy. Perhaps he had no idea of his protruding insult, but I doubt it.

I eventually just walked away, and alerted the other optician in the office to the situation. We shared some horrified giggles and then he was gone.

He wouldn't be the first creep I've encountered in the work place, and he most certainly won't be the last. But hey, we gotta fill up our days somehow. At least we have some stories to tell.

Stupid Questions With Your Friendly Neighborhood Optician

In todays episode, we feature a conversation between me (your friendly neighborhood optician) and a patient who came into the office to purchase a pair of glasses:

Patient: So how tall are you?

Me: Uh.....well, 5'3"

Patient: *laughing* Oh, well that's okay. We like the little people.

Me: Oh. Um. That's good, I guess.

Patient: I bet your husband is, what, 6'4" right? *more laughing*

Me: Um. So did you want to go with that glare free lens doctor recommended?

Patient: Oh, um, no I don't need anything fancy. So how tall is your husband then?

Me: Your total is $181.54.