First Doctor visit

I had my first visit with my doctor. I was thankful the Lord gave me several distractions to help me before the appointment. 
My sweet husband and I left early for the appointment and we ended up in Fresno a half an hour early, so we were able to grab a bite to eat before the appointment, then after I checked in I had a bunch of paperwork to fill out.  I would have had a packet sent to me ahead of time so I could fill out the paperwork at home, but since I was able to get in because of a cancellation there was no time to do that. 

I didn't wait long at all after that and then they brought me back to get my vitals and wait for the doctor. When he came in he was so gentle and kind. He spent  about 45 minutes with us asking me all kinds of questions about my medical history over my life. 
He asked several questions about my weight and how I got to the weight I am now. 
Because of the all the people who I have had the privilege to talk to about this doctor, I trusted him. If he would have said to me that I was having all these problems because I am fat and have asthma and I am out of shape, I would have believed it to be true and went home. I think secretly that is what I hoped he would say. But he did not say that. He  said that I have many factors pointing to PH. I am a woman, overweight, I have "asthma", sleep apnea and  I took Fen Phen. He said that my chest x ray showed no lung scaring, and my heart looked good (yippee). He basically threw my echo out the window. He said it was not very accurate in determining the lung pressures or clear pictures of my heart, especially with my body type (fat) and they are notorious for being wrong with to high or to low of pressures. My sleep study is outdated and I have to get another one, more blood work, PFT's (lung function tests including the 6 minute walk), and the right heart cath. which is the only way to measure the lung pressure.  He said all these tests will be done and I am to be back in his office in 8 to 10 weeks.  That works out to be end of November or mid December.  How am I gonna pay for all this? Stinking crappy insurance. I think the boys will have a very slim Christmas and birthdays for sure. I have e mailed a place PHAssociation.org has on their web site called "Caring Voices Coalition". They help people with certain chronic terminal illnesses (PH is one) sort out co pays, insurance, wills, meds. I hope they can guide me as to what to do. I am willing to purchase more insurance, I just don't know what to get. If you ever get a chance to look around on PHAssociation.org, you can learn a lot of updated info about PH.  


So many things to do over the next couple months. My daughter's birthday is tomorrow, my husbands is on Friday, my daughter is going to have my granddaughter sometime between now and end of October, my grandson and two of my boys' birthdays are in December, Thanksgiving, Christmas, our annual New Years Eve party  and now add all these tests.  

Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."