Category Archives: health

mission aborted

12 Wednesday Apr 2023

Posted by in health, hospitals, sevilla

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

mission aborted

Well fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck and fuck again. It all seemed to be going so smoothly. After yesterday’s prep with the SOLUCIÓN EVACUANTE I felt ready to go and so it was off to the hospital. I was quite surprised to discover they were going to totally knock me out for the procedure (on previous occasions I was just given a light sedative). But in went the needle, in went the probe and then suddenly I was awake again. At first I thought, hey that was a piece of cake. But then I got the news. That I was going to have to do it all over again. Why? Because of “poor preparation”. I tell ya, I almost cried. But the nurse was actually lovely and when I explained that I did everything I was supposed to do, followed all the instructions, just like other times, she said that sometimes it happens.

For the record. I did the low-residue diet for three days. And on the day before the procedure I stuck to only clear liquids until the evening when I started with the dread SOLUCIÓN EVACUANTE. Five hours later that was (finally) done. I had a bit more water and went to bed. Woke up parched but wasn’t allowed to drink before the procedure so I didn’t. I’m telling you I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT. So why didn’t it work this time? Honestly I felt like they were judging me, thinking I probably cheated on the diet or didn’t take all of the solution. Other than the kind nurse.

So now… I don’t know. I’ve sent an email to the oncology secretary to explain the report they will be receiving shortly. And also to ask what happens now? Not sure if they will just reschedule another colonoscopy or if I will have to go in and see the oncologist again first. I feel so deflated now. Kind nurse told me this really isn’t that unusual and most likely when I redo it they will either give me a different prep solution or have me go on liquids for 2-3 days instead of just one. Or both. None of which I am looking forward to. Has this ever happened to you?

colonoscopy prep time (again)

10 Monday Apr 2023

Posted by in health, hospitals

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

,

colonoscopy prep 23

Since I’m apparently not allowed any more scans the oncologist agreed last September that I could have another colonoscopy as my last one was five years ago. It was supposed to be in February but then I finally heard from the hospital three weeks ago and they told me the appointment was for March 22nd – the day of Morcilla’s operation! So I asked if they could reschedule and now it will be this Wednesday at noon. Eep.

I’ve been on the low residual diet since Saturday and tomorrow it will be clear liquids all day until I have to start with the dread SOLUCIÓN EVACUANTE at 6 pm. To be honest, I’m a bit worried about this one because I’ve been having a fair bit of abdominal pain and general discomfort lately but was so caught up with all the cat trauma of the past month that I couldn’t allow myself to think about it much. So I guess it’s a good thing I’m getting the test done and hopefully it will turn out fine and put my mind at rest. Fingers crossed! 🤞

new & improved river walk

04 Tuesday Apr 2023

Posted by in health, health & happiness, sevilla

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

new river walk (1)

Several years ago I started doing (what were supposed to be daily) River Walks and Park Walks, usually starting off early in the morning (okay, 9-ish) and getting in something like 10,000 steps, long before Fitbit step counting became a thing. But then this and that got in the way, then cancer, then getting old, blah blah whatever… so while I have revived the River Walk in the past couple of years after Covid lockdown, it was still a patchy activity. Until now!

The main drawback with the River Walk was that, although it’s lovely to walk down along the river bank, there is virtually NO SHADE and so unless you get out there early (in my case not likely) it’s quite brutal other than in winter. And while there was also the option to walk next to the river at street level, the Paseo del Torneo had become frankly treacherous as the paving stones were all broken and buckled. Then last year the Paseo had a makeover and just this week it was finally reopened. Okay, there are still a few “bare patches” which I assume they are going to fill in with plants growing atop the various pergolas along the way. But most of it is as you see above. A lovely canopy of leafy greenness with dappled sunshine peeking through. Loving this. It inspires me to get out there.

new river walk (2)

tweaking

13 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in health

≈ 2 Comments

changing up

Since starting on BP meds last November it does seem to have made a difference but when I went for a review last week my GP decided to tweak the prescription a bit and said I should come back in a month (while continuing to monitor my BP at home). And well… okay. Guess I’ll find out. A quick google gave me this info comparing Enalapril (my previous med) with this new one…

Enalapril is a common medication used to lower blood pressure which also has the added benefit of protecting your kidneys. Losartan is a first-choice medication used to lower blood pressure. It can also protect you against stroke and slow down the worsening of kidney problems in people with diabetes.

Is anyone else out there taking this?

betrayal

03 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in health, home

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

,

betrayal

Out of all the recurring anxiety dreams I have (and there are plenty!) the worst are the betrayal dreams. Other anxiety dreams can leave me waking up in terror, creeped out, exhausted, concerned about my sanity etc, but the fucking betrayal dreams man… they cut to the core. Maybe because I am so often “misread” by people who project their own issues onto someone they think threatens them (often who they previously admired) by making me… well, whatever they imagine me to be. I wake up from these dreams questioning everything and everyone, especially myself, and wonder how to move forward if trust isn’t actually an option. Not that trust comes easily to me, far from it. I guess mostly it’s just so incredibly sad and deflating, waking up with this awful just been stabbed in the heart feeling. Takes a lot to recover from these fuckers. What’s your worst dream?