DOCTOR #6

June 25th was my brain MRI. Side note: I never thought I was claustrophobic before but when they slid me in that tube, I couldn't think straight.They pulled me out and gave me a minute. Talk about sucking it up. In the end, I closed my eyes and tried to go to my happy place. Interesting enough, I imagined making jewelry again that I hadn't done in years. The whole creative thinking was putting me in my happy place. It's odd what you think of under duress. They also blasted Toby Keith on my headphones. Brilliant. All was well and on June 28th, 2007, I had my appointment with Dr. Rau, the Neurologist. It went very well. He was very thorough and didn't seem to find me crazy at all. He did act a little shocked when my mother asked him about Sarcoidosis. He wouldn't really address it. I would later learn that he's the kind of doctor that would gather all the information before forming 'what if's'. I like that about him now. And although he didn't tell me then, he recommended to Quackadoodle #5, a spinal tap, a gallium scan and a bronchial biopsy. All which are standard tests for Sarcoidosis. Even I could google that. At the time, I didn't know how important those tests would have been. His exam revealed nothing other than my gait was off and the MRI results were negative. There was not much he could do for me. He was insistent that I see his recommended Opthamologist which later on I would be forever grateful. An Opthamologist can give more acute care than an Optometrist. I learn something new everyday. She was to see me as soon as I left his office. He also referred me to the one Pulmonologist on the island. Why not, I was 4 for 6 and feeling lucky. Being a little naive, I thought I would not see Dr. Rau again, but I would soon learn that I underestimated what was happening to me...