Update....

I just wanted to give everyone a quick update about this crazy week that has occured! I went back to the doctor's office yesterday (on Friday), because I still was not getting any better. It was a hard appointment--to say the least--but I just want to say that I am so grateful for all my doctors, nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, everyone who works at the offices, and just all of the medical personnel who help me through everything! Also, a huge thank you to Ariana for taking me to my appointment! :)
So, about my appointment...The doctor and I talked about many things--my pain levels, school, my joints in general, going to see the doctor in Seattle, and just basically my ehlers danlos in general (since that is what kind of ties all of these things together). Here were the conclusions to basically summarize the doctor's appointment:

1. No school up on-campus for Fall semester. School starts on Monday, and the doctor told me that unless I had some miraculous recovery (which he didn't find likely especially since it's a life-time/chronic thing we're dealing with) over the weekend he didn't see how it would be even be a possibility. I agreed with him and understand exactly where he's coming from. Although, I may try and see if there's a couple of online classes I could perhaps pick up--giving me something to still do, keep busy, and keep progressing towards my degree.
2. There's nothing else we can really do--because there is no cure or really any treatment (other than the anti-inflammatories, pain meds, surgery, and physical therapy) for the ehlers danlos. So, he asked if there was any chance of getting in sooner to the specialist in Washington, but I told him that I'd talked to them again but that there's no more opening (the doctor is only in the office once to twice a week) but that they'd call if something came open. So he wants me to finish the steroid pack/treatment, go back onto my old anti-inflammatories and take them (because that's already the strongest dose), continue taking my ultram (a non-narcotic pain med), and then he increased my other pain medication a little bit so I can take those as well, as needed. Then, we will wait and see what Dr. Byers, the specialist in Washington, says and if he has any ideas and/or suggestions.
3. Finally, my doctor was a bit worried about me using my crutch that I have been because of the strain it puts on my upper body. I told him that that's partly why I've just been using the one crutch--so that I wouldn't use the other with my shoulder that I just had reconstructed--that I don't use them at home, but they've wanted me to use it while I'm out, not necessarily to take the weight off but more to help stabilize me. I explained to him that it's kind of between a rock and a hard place right now--use the one crutch and put strain on my upper body to help stabilize me so that I won't trip, fall, or have any problems or don't use and risk tripping or falling and causing more damage. So, he's suggested that I don't use my crutch anymore when going out, but rather use my wheelchair (with someone else pushing me)--not because I would be wheelchair-bound but to help try and preserve my joints as long as possible. He said that my joints are just wearing out fast, it's part of the disease process, and there's nothing really that we can do. So, we'll use the wheelchair to try and help calm and slow things down.

So, that's basically my doctor's appointment in a summary. Sorry this has been such a long entry, but I thought I'd give everyone an update. Thank you so much again to all the wonderful people in my life who are continually there for me! I don't know how I'd make it through everything without my wonderful family, friends, medical personnel, and my Savior! Thank you for all the continued thoughts, prayers, phone calls, visits, and everything! I appreciate everyone! Thank you!!! :)