Tag Archives: health

mission aborted

12 Wednesday Apr 2023

Posted by in health, hospitals, sevilla

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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

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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! 🤞

betrayal

03 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in health, home

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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?

vegging up

14 Wednesday Dec 2022

Posted by in casa azahar, cooking, homecooking

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veggies

I have to say that I have never met a vegetable I didn’t like. And while I may not always fit in Five A Day my diet is pretty balanced veg-wise (not so much with fruit, but that’s another story). However, I have been getting into a bit of a rut with my vegetable dishes, in part because since flatmate Peter moved back in (I do the cooking – he cleans) I’m a bit more limited because he won’t eat this or that veg. Well that’s all about to change because recently we both had our annual check ups and both of us have issues with cholesterol and BP, and our blood sugar is “borderline”.

So it’s time to switch up and start focusing on getting more veg in our lives. And although I love salads and veggie stir-fries, omg it takes so much time to wash and chop and prep everything. So my plan is to come up with veggie dishes I can make “in bulk” (enough to last 2-3 days) and just have them on hand in the fridge ready to either heat up or eat cold. This way I can get more variety (not just one veg as a side dish) and it will also be fun. And since it’s winter, rather than salads, these will probably be marinated, sautéed or roasted veggies. If you have a favourite recipe I’m all ears.

the pressure’s on!

23 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by in health, health & happiness, sevilla

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pressure

After the initial check over with my GP two weeks ago I was sent for blood tests and an ECG a couple of days later, and while checking my BP, the nurse said it was a “little bit high” but then immediately sent me upstairs to talk to a doctor, who told me to go back downstairs and get a pill from the nurse, sit there for 30 minutes, then get my BP taken again and come back to see him. After which he told me to take my BP regularly (morning and evening) until my next GP appointment (today). This meant getting on Amazon to find a reliable but not too expensive arm-band machine which would arrive quickly. That done I spent the next ten days keeping track of my BP and got Peter to do the same. He was overdue for a check up and had actually been prescribed BP meds a few years ago, but then stopped taking them and also stopped seeing the doctor. Turns out his BP is even higher than mine!

Anyhow, went back to the GP today and my blood test results were normal other than a highish cholesterol level. Not diabetic, no serious thyroid issues, everything else looking fine. But Doc Silvia wants me to take this medication, while taking and recording my BP at home twice a week, and then see her again after 90 days. With another blood test six months from now. Anyone have any experience taking this? Enalapril-Hydrochlorothiazide seems to be a pretty normal BP med without too many side effects, but I’m always a bit cautious about taking drugs, especially if they are meant to me longish term. This getting older biz kind of sucks sometimes, but I still think it beats the alternative.