Friday, January 6, 2023

Friday Face OFF 1/6/23

 Hi Everyone!

First you must forgive me for not having a new face for FFO. I wasn't going to say anything until I saw some sort of medical provider but that is not going to happen until  next week. OK, real quick. When I was diagnosed with lupus some 25 years ago. 2 small, slow growing benign tumors were found on my brain. I used to get a brain MRI every 6 months, then every year until Covid. Also at that time a syrnix (Syringomyelia) was found. This is indicative of lupus. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a cyst within the spinal cord that fills with spinal fluid. I have been very fortunate that mine has been stable all of these year and has not grown. 
More recent. I had a shoulder problem in Oct. and against all of my beliefs agreed to physical therapy. In the process one of the exercises included something that hurt my neck. I woke up in Nov. completely numb on my right side including my face. I called 911 to make sure it wasn't a stroke. It was NOT. I refused going to the ER and just spoke to my PT. She said it was a pinched nerve and started massage on my neck. That didn't really help but the numbness just came and went. PT ended in Dec. But over the weeks something has changed. My face, lips, tongue, right side of my neck, and arm are completely numb. I have tried for weeks to get a  hold of my spine doctor but they are not even answering their phones. I have left several messages. My PC doesn't have an apt until the end of April. So the other day I went to the ER. OMG! what a mess. They got me right into a room but then 2 hours waiting for the doctor to come in. 2 minutes of speaking to me and he had to leave to get a phone call. Another 2 hours to have the nurse come in and tell me he couldn't get me an MRI and to call my PC. WTF???? I was so upset. I did call and my PC is out sick so I got an apt with some new just out of school PA on Tuesday.
I know what I need and I hope she listens and agrees. With all of that, I was just unable to make any new faces for today. 
How about old pieces?  
These are pieces I started with when I started drawing. So glad I have improved. LOL

 


 


 


 


 


 


 
My featured artist today from the number generator is,
Stop by to see what else she has on her blog.
I am also linking with Gillena
 

Now it's  your turn to show me your face. 
Be sure to link back to me, link up with MR Linky, leave a comment and then go see all the other faces.
Nicole

37 comments:

Gene Black said...

What a medical nightmare! I hope that this can be treated, although I know there is no cure for lupus.

I wish I could be consistently as good at drawing as you were when you started.

Tom said...

...oh what a situation! Nicole, I hope that this all gets sorted PTQ. You will be in my thoughts.

My name is Erika. said...

This whole numbness issue sounds like a disaster Nicole. I will say that once I couldn't see my PC so I saw the "new" nurse practitioner (since my issues were not as serious as yours sound) and I loved her. It's a toss up with new doctors. They either don't get something because they're too young or they are really more helpful and know lots of new things. I can't believe with so much numbness they can't get you in sooner. These faces might not be new but are great to see. Are any of them family members because on of them looks a bit like one of your granddaughters or great-granddaughters? Hope the next week goes well. hugs-Erika

Mae Travels said...

Your experiences with absent and uncaring medical “professionals” is appalling. I hope you soon get the attention you need for these very serious symptoms! I am thinking of you and worrying that you are so badly abused by people who should take more. responsibility!

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Iris Flavia said...

NO!
Even worse than here with the medical "situation" :-(
That sounds all so scary. And so... I would be so angry, too. Oh, my. You cannot (can! Obviously) treat people like this. What a shame.

I had migraine for years and then tried acupuncture. Did you go for that? My doc said he has no idea how it works but he went to Chine (pre 1994) and it worked!

Wow to your faces - they are all beautiful, I cannot even pick a fav (not that you asked for that).

Hope all gets well and very soon - hugs from here!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I hope your Tuesday appointment can get you the medical attention you need -- good luck!

sirkkis said...

Dear Nicole,

What a horrible story of unsuccessful medical care you've got. I really hope you get better treatment and you recover soon from your illness.
Thank you a lot for informing me about all.
Your drawings are really good and the every face has a great expression.
Take a rest and take time to recover, my friend xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I can truly empathize, Nicole. I was also diagnosed with lupus in 1989. Unlike you, since moving to Wichita, I have not seen a single medical doctor. After reading the mess you have been put through, I suspect I don't want to, either. My thoughts are with you today, dear. I hope they fond and correctly diagnose your problem. Old faces are still FACES!!

NatureFootstep said...

Hallo Nicole. Old faces are totally OK. You can even use an old photo. :)

I am really upset of how you are treated. But is seem to be a habit all over the world. My siblings have bad experiences too. But, so far, not as bad as yours. The problem with the worlds goverments is they promise too much but never have fundings to match it with. If the system needs five doctors they can only pay for two.

I hope you will manage and finally get it right and get well.
Hygs
Monica

Rostrose said...

Oh my goodness dear Nicole, that sounds like all those horrible medical histories with incompetent medical staff.
(Incidentally, the 25-year-old daughter of my friend is experiencing something similar; she suffers from a rare connective tissue/bone disease and was botched by a PT. Since then she has suffered from extreme pain every day, has to have an operation, but has already had one medical marathon and still has one more ahead of her.)
I wish that you can be helped quickly!
Your faces are great again - very expressive!
I wish you and your loved ones good luck and health (!!!) in the new year! 🥂🍀😌
All the best from Austria, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/01/costa-rica-1-kapitel-einleitung.html

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

OMG, that is an awful story you tell ... I think you should mail that to your PCP and to the main offices of the Hospital where the ER is. That is inexcusable. I do hope you are finally able to get the treatments you need to relieve the numbness ... if it is a pinched nerve in your neck maybe a little traction would help. There are neck braces that stretch the neck that would work like traction. I am shocked and dismayed at the treatment you are getting (or should I say not getting). I will give a shout out to the man upstairs on your behalf, Nicole. I do hope you get better. Your faces are all awesome ... no improvement needed. And what fun to be this weeks chosen one :) Thank you for everything and I will be thinking of you. Please, please get better ... we so appreciate you.

Andrea @ From the Sol

Gillena Cox said...

Congrats to Andrea, featured artist today.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
Nicole thank you for linking to Art For Fun Friday

Much❤love

Christine said...

Oh Nicole so sorry to hear about your healthcare issues and your health. Your older pieces are amazing. Keep us posted as best you can.
-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

carol l mckenna said...

Sending you lots of distant reiki healing energy ~ OMG ~ is right ~ the medical world needs such improvement ~ lots hugs and love ~ Xo


Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Luiz Gomes said...

Boa tarde minha querida amiga Nicole. Obrigado por dividir conosco suas experiências na área de saúde. Prometo orar por você. Espero que você possa se recuperar e que nesse ano de 2023 tenha muita saúde.

Carola Bartz said...

Nicole, I am so sorry and also appalled about all the crap you have to go through. Where are the professionals? Why can't our health care system be more efficient? Horrible how you have been treated. A doctor's office that doesn't even answer the phone? What is going on there? It is unacceptable.
Your faces are fabulous - I wish I could draw like that. They are so expressive. Wonderful work.
I hope things will looks brighter for you soon, Nicole.

Cloudia said...

No one is happy with the medical system right now except the people profiting from it. The doctors wish they could be doctors, the nurses wish they could be nurses, and as we age we remember what it used to be like to have a relationship with a doctor and we miss that. Hang in there. Bigger forces are at play. You are on my prayer list and I'm wishing you all the best for a peaceful and happy weekend. Bless you my friend.

Giorgio said...

I would have never thought the US' health care system doesn't work as it should. Sorry for that, Nicole!
The face of the back woman (the 1st one) is my favourite :-)

kwarkito said...

these sketches are beautiful. That's great work!

Valerie-Jael said...

Sorry you are having so many problems just now, and hope that you soon get treatment. Here where I live the medical services are really good. I am in the clinic and being treated very well! Sending hugs and prayers, Valerie

Rita said...

What a horrible, horrible mess to be going through!! And so scary! I hope this young'un will listen to you. Please keep us informed. We care. *love and hugs*

roentare said...

This is so terrible for what you have gone through. ER only focuses on quick fix of simple problems. Over here, the wait time in ER is about 28 hours now. Hope things will improve over time

Mia said...

I am so sorry for these medical problems, Nicole. Medical system is exactly the same in Greece, too. Please take care of yourself and hope that soon you will feel better. Hugs, my friend.

The Happy Whisk said...

My goodness. I am so sorry that you had to and are going through all of this. Sending all the well wishes your way along with a plate of freshly baked cookies.

kathyinozarks said...

sending healing prayers and that you get the help that you need.
You are an awesome artist Nicole-no matter when you drew these. hugs from the lake

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Thinking positive vibes for you. ❤️

David M. Gascoigne, said...

This is so horrible it's almost dystopian. No one should have to go through this. I have only known one person with Lupus and I have seen the terrible consequences of it, so I wish you well in your treatment. Finding good medical care would be an important first step!

Divers and Sundry said...

Oh, dear! I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this just to access basic care :) I hope you get the help you need soon!

Cloudia said...

Wow! What a great party you have here

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Prayers of all,
including the doctors not listening! You have been through such a frightening ordeal, I expect the follow up survey on your care will make somebody notice to make changes.

Lori Anderson said...

I am in awe of people who can draw!

peppylady (Dora) said...

Our medical system is a mess.
Coffee is on and stay safe

peppylady (Dora) said...

Our medical system need help.
Coffee is on and stay safe

Debra said...

I hope you have gotten the attention you need. It is very hard and very discouraging to get doctors and other providers to listen and to do something. I'm praying for you.

Lowcarb team member said...

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to read about your medical and healthcare issues.
I hope your Tuesday appointment goes well.
Thinking of you and sending healing thoughts.

All the best Jan

PS Thank you for sharing these very nice older faces.

baili said...

Sorry can't explain my feeling after reading this post dear Nichole!

The behaviour of the medical people is really upsetting and heart breaking. It is hard to believe professional's

Professional in your part of land can either be as ignorant and heartless as here .
I think you should complain to the higher authorities so they should be aware of what they do to patients in critical times.

You are always and you will be in my thoughts and prayers my gifted and amazingly talented friend!
You are underestimating your older art.loved faces on right more.
Hugs and blessings

Luiz Gomes said...

Boa noite de segunda-feira. Obrigado pela visita e comentário. Minha querida amiga Nicole. Saiba que te considero uma querida amiga, mesmo morando em países diferentes. Muita saúde nesse ano de 2023.