Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Well it was a long day today. Karin was up at 6:00 this morning to go over and fight with the business office at 7:00. She was finally able to get everything straightened out. By the time she got back to the hotel Makayla and I were up and getting ready for the day. We had to be back on the 16th floor for blood work and urine tests by 8:00. It was a real stuggle because she doesn't like the needles. After holding her down and the tech getting the blood we were able to go eat breakfast. The next appointment was at 9:30 with a Neurologist. His name is Dr. Mack. He was a vey awesome man. He talked to Makayla for about 15 or 20 minutes and then filled in the holes with Karin and I for about another 15 to 20 minutes. He then examined Makayla and and then sat us all down to talk to us. He was amazing because he went through my history with Migraines and then told us he believed Makayla has what is called Chronic Daily Headaches. Which is a form of migraines. He laid everything out in front of us on a wipeboard and made sure we understood what he was trying to tell us. It was very impressive. We finished with that at about 10:45 and our next appointment wasnt until 12:45 so we went back to our hotel for a rest. Our 12:45 appointment was with a pain management Doctor. She was very nice. She talked to us about a TENS unit. Which is like a mini electro-shock therapy device. She also talked to us about different exercises that Makayla can do to help strengthen he different muscles and gain endurance. She then sat up and appointment with a physical therapist to demonstrate the TENS unit and the different exercises. The TENS unit is like the machines that Chiropractors have that deliver electric pulses to the muscles and have been found to help with pain management. She was very helpful. We were lucky enough to get a call from the Ronald McDonald House telling us that they had a room for us if we still wanted it. We were very happy to get out of our 10 X 10 cell. Makayla was complaining that she was hungry and that she wanted Taco Bell. So we went and she was able to to have a cheese quesadilla. She was in HOG HEAVEN!!!! We then went to the Ronald McDonald house and checked in. It is a very nice place. Our room has a queen bed and a twin bed, a TV and DVD player, and a bathroom. It is very nice. We have our own pantries in the kitchen area and a spot in one of the fridges. Its pretty cool. We are also able to leave our car here and take a shuttle to the Mayo Clinic. No more paying for parking... YAY!!!! Well our first appointment is at 8:00 in the morning, so we are headed to bed. Hope all is well with all of you. We miss you all!!! Love Mike Karin and Makayla.... Joseph too.... He is having fun with Grandma and Grandpa Westwood and the Youngs...