Okay, here’s the latest update for all of you following my saga.

In a little over a month, this new doctor has managed to do more than the previous two doctors did in two years.

Last night, my new doctor spent over an hour explaining the findings, answering both my husband’s and my questions, and discussing the treatment plan.

*No surgery as of right now!!

*Lumbar spinal injections and physical therapy after the holidays.  Endoscopy and colonoscopy also after the holidays.

*Continued prednisone while I start methotrexate this weekend for what she is calling “atypical Rheumatoid Arthritis.”

*Morning and nightly stretching routine.

I already struggle with hair loss due to my PCOS, so when she told me that may be a side effect of the methotrexate, I of course began to worry.  Don’t get me wrong.  Kidney damage and changes to my bone marrow are scary, but losing my hair is my greatest fear.  I have been taking a testosterone blocker for the past 2 years to help with my hormonal problems, and this has helped to slow down my hair loss. Now, I’m faced with it again. Why do so many medications have hair loss as a side effect? It’s super annoying!!

This isn’t an issue of vanity. Being a ginger has been a big part of who I am.  I have embraced my red hair, being the girl who stuck out. When you struggle with your body image you tend to focus on the parts of yourself that you actually like. I more than like my hair, even the stark white patches that are coming in around my temples. Will I still be me without my hair? Of course I will, but I feel like a part of me will be missing.

I guess I could always invest in some super cool wigs.