So, I had an appointment with my new gastroenterologist today. (I realise that many people really don't want to hear about my ulcers, but tough. They have such an impact on my daily life that it's kind of hard to not mention them. Sample conversation:
Kind classmate: "D'you want some gum?"
Me: "Er, no thanks."
Classmate: "It's sugar-free."
Me: "Okay, thanks, but it's actually the mint that's the problem."
Classmate: "Oh, are you allergic?"
Me: "No, I've got two nonbacterial duodenal ulcers and the mint inflames them."
Classmate: "..."
Me: "Right. Sorry. TMI.")
Anyhow, he was thoroughly baffled by my condition. His first words to me were, "You are way too young to be here." The interview afterward involved a furrowed brow and several cases of the use of the word "bizarre". He left promising to think this over, and in the meantime, I'll be giving blood to be tested for gastrin (???) and signing up for a Bravo pH test. (Look it up. It's truly amazing.)
And once again, I am truly thankful for such amazing friends who go out of their way to help me. Last Tuesday, when I mentioned at devotional group that I didn't have a ride to my appointment, I got three offers of rides within about two minutes. It bowled me over. I will never stop thanking God for all of the wonderful people He has placed in my life. Every time I think I'm all alone and have nowhere else to turn, He leads me to someone or something that shows me His love again.
L'chaim,
~'Cello Girl
19 May 2009
21 April 2009
Erythrocyte Liberation
They didn't want my blood today.
I went into the blood drive feeling rather - it must be said - cocky, and when the first finger-stick showed an iron level of 12.1 (it must be 12.5 or over), I said to myself, "Ha! The second one will be higher. That's what happened last time." So I gave my other hand to the next nurse and was poked again, with a result of 11.2.
So, I didn't donate today. Pity. I was rather looking forward to it. We had a whole bunch of Honours College Writing II people there - we called ourselves the Erythrocyte Liberation Front - and the weather was perfect for donating (nice and warm, since you're cold afterwards anyway). However, I got to walk around the donation area and talk to people, checking morales, monitoring for pallor, coming up with totally random metaphors for various situations, and generally getting in the doctors' ways. I also got two gauze pads for my finger boo-boos and a sticker that says, "I tried."
Oh well. Maybe next time.
I went into the blood drive feeling rather - it must be said - cocky, and when the first finger-stick showed an iron level of 12.1 (it must be 12.5 or over), I said to myself, "Ha! The second one will be higher. That's what happened last time." So I gave my other hand to the next nurse and was poked again, with a result of 11.2.
So, I didn't donate today. Pity. I was rather looking forward to it. We had a whole bunch of Honours College Writing II people there - we called ourselves the Erythrocyte Liberation Front - and the weather was perfect for donating (nice and warm, since you're cold afterwards anyway). However, I got to walk around the donation area and talk to people, checking morales, monitoring for pallor, coming up with totally random metaphors for various situations, and generally getting in the doctors' ways. I also got two gauze pads for my finger boo-boos and a sticker that says, "I tried."
Oh well. Maybe next time.
01 March 2009
Three months later ...
Well, folks, I've got good news and bad news.
Good news: My readership has doubled. (1 x 2 = 2)
Bad news: I don't have a whole lot to say.
Good news: The passive periphrastic (a fascinating Latin construction) isn't giving me too much trouble.
Bad news: That was my one piece of interesting news.
Good news: I thought of something else.
Bad news: Shoot ... what was it?
...
Good news: Okay okay, I remembered. This weekend has been amazing. We had another "Three Cups of Tea" meeting on Friday night, complete with homemade Pakistani food (chapattis, basmati rice, dal, fruit soup, yoghurt sauce, and chopped vegetables) and cinnamon rolls (I must confess that I ate two before it was time to leave for Vespers). Then the orchestra played for church on Sabbath morning, and, as my stand partner would say, I think we faked it better than usual. (Plus, we swapped bows.) Then I was invited to her almost-grandma's house for lunch, where we ate casserole, did a puzzle, walked around the neighbourhood, saw the new puppy, and left in time for supper and Young Artists' Night. (One of the featured pieces was "Arm, Arm, Ye Brave," an aria from Handel's Judas Maccabeus. It's a peaceful little song, with just one baritone and one pianist. I was especially struck by the irony of such a peaceful medium describing such a horrific situation.) Today I'll be heading to a senior piano recital and the next Malawi Project fundraiser (contra dancing, chili & cheesecake cook-off, and silent auction). I planned on donating something for the silent auction, but the date snuck up on me, so here I am, donation-less but for the $6 in hosting money that I put in the collection jar last night. Oh yes, and I'll also be studying. I only have one paper due this week (!!!!), and that collection project for Honours College Writing I looks like it's going to be a lot of fun.
Anyhow, I'd best let you get back to your studying or room-cleaning or staple-shooting or whatever you're doing, but happy Sunday and merry pre-Dead Week!
L'chaim,
~`Cello Girl
Good news: My readership has doubled. (1 x 2 = 2)
Bad news: I don't have a whole lot to say.
Good news: The passive periphrastic (a fascinating Latin construction) isn't giving me too much trouble.
Bad news: That was my one piece of interesting news.
Good news: I thought of something else.
Bad news: Shoot ... what was it?
...
Good news: Okay okay, I remembered. This weekend has been amazing. We had another "Three Cups of Tea" meeting on Friday night, complete with homemade Pakistani food (chapattis, basmati rice, dal, fruit soup, yoghurt sauce, and chopped vegetables) and cinnamon rolls (I must confess that I ate two before it was time to leave for Vespers). Then the orchestra played for church on Sabbath morning, and, as my stand partner would say, I think we faked it better than usual. (Plus, we swapped bows.) Then I was invited to her almost-grandma's house for lunch, where we ate casserole, did a puzzle, walked around the neighbourhood, saw the new puppy, and left in time for supper and Young Artists' Night. (One of the featured pieces was "Arm, Arm, Ye Brave," an aria from Handel's Judas Maccabeus. It's a peaceful little song, with just one baritone and one pianist. I was especially struck by the irony of such a peaceful medium describing such a horrific situation.) Today I'll be heading to a senior piano recital and the next Malawi Project fundraiser (contra dancing, chili & cheesecake cook-off, and silent auction). I planned on donating something for the silent auction, but the date snuck up on me, so here I am, donation-less but for the $6 in hosting money that I put in the collection jar last night. Oh yes, and I'll also be studying. I only have one paper due this week (!!!!), and that collection project for Honours College Writing I looks like it's going to be a lot of fun.
Anyhow, I'd best let you get back to your studying or room-cleaning or staple-shooting or whatever you're doing, but happy Sunday and merry pre-Dead Week!
L'chaim,
~`Cello Girl
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
