“I don’t know.” That was the answer I received when I asked my eye doctor what was causing my continued vision erosion.  That was Monday. Now, let me back up a few days. 

·         Sunday the 10^th: I started having a painful toothache. I think it was a sinus condition as several of my teeth would hurt on the right side of my head. This got worse and could not sleep that night, but the paint went away the next day.

·         Monday the 11^th: Went to diabetes clinic with symptoms of tingling in the hands and decreased vision, common problems in diabetics, but they said I was fine. Vision continued to get worse. Diabetic docs changed my drug, Avandia to Actos. Avandia had been thought to lead to heart conditions. That night the tooth pain continued to get worse and I could not sleep.

·         Tuesday the 12^th: Vision actually holding steady, but tooth pain much worse.  Called regular doctor to get referred to dental clinic. Was scheduled for a checkup within two weeks. That night pain worse, cannot sleep.

·         Wednesday the 13^th: Three nights without sleep. Went to emergency dentist. Doctor prescribed Darvocet for pain. She was hesitant to do so as I also take Xanax (Alprazolam, .25 mgs 3 x a day). The pain was so bad I took ½ Darvocet that afternoon around 4:30 to take off the edge. That evening my big toe went numb. Took Alprazolam at 6:30. Three hours after that I take Darvocet for the night. Slept four hours.

·         Thursday the 14th: Eyes worse, but toothache better. Took regular doses of Alprazolam, waited 6 hours before taking Darvocet. That night my stomach went numb, (where I had surgical scars) and pain in muscles. Felt faint, could have been a panic attack as I am prone.

·         Friday the 15^th: Tooth pain subsided, almost gone. Very groggy and staid in bed all day. Eyes only slightly worse. That night numbness in stomach increased more muscle pain. Also last dose of Darvocet.

·         Saturday the 16^th: Same as Friday, but much groggier and flushing each time I took an Alprazolam. Both arms and legs felt like the circulation was being cut off. Groggy all day. Started having abdominal discomfort. That night I get only one hour of sleep.

·         Sunday the 17^th: That morning right eye much worse than before. Flushing and grogginess continue to get worse every time I take a dose of Alprazolam. That evening I feel extremely flushed, tingling everywhere, parents take me to ER in Chapel Hill. Wait 6 1/2 hours to find out nothing. Meanwhile I had cut my Alprazolam dose in half and that is affecting me. My arm feels like it is going numb. Feel tense, very nervous and brain turning to mush from not enough sleep. Take Tylenol PM that night, slept 7 hours straight.

·         Monday the 18^th: Started back on Alprazolam, but still tired, tense and agitated. Went back to ER, waited 2 1/2 hours, did not see anyone. Back felt like a stick about to break.  Came home, extremely tired. Came close to writing farewell message for COTC readers, but something held me back. Felt close to a nervous breakdown. Had long talk with parents, which helped.  Slept four hours that night. Numbness in stomach increased.

·         Tuesday the 19^th: Much calmer. Went to eye doctor, eyes were the same as they were a month ago, but doc does not know why vision is getting worse. Grogginess continued until evening and got better at night. Increased size of font on computer and internet. Drew Sebo comic strip that evening. Numbness in stomach increased.

·         Wednesday the 20^th: Went to UNC Hospitals to see Kidney doctor, explained symptoms. Both are very good people, caring, known them for over 13 years. However they do not see any immediate causation of symptoms, but will refer me to neurologist just to be safe. Grogginess persists.  (I took Darvocet once before for a small outpatient surgery and it took a couple of weeks to get out of my system). Eye problems continue to worsen a little at a time. Currently I am having some difficulty reading and I cannot draw unless I use reading glasses on top of my regular glasses.  Yes, I’m sure that is a sight.  Currently my eye problems are not dire, but what worries me and all my doctors is that the problem is not stabilizing.  It only continues to get worse, bit by bit, like the tide eroding the coral reef.

So, that is why I haven’t given any updates lately.  Just too much crap to deal with as well as extremely being depressed. Tomorrow, providing things haven’t changed drastically, I take the day off with a good friend and begin to assess my life. I will get back to drawing and my life and “endeavor to persevere.”  

Finally, I want to give a big thank you to Mike Moon, a very dear friend, who has been playing

chauffer

Take care,

Jamie