savoy050

GI-PA wanted me to do some stool samples.  No problem, I've done them a million times.  I'm totally not grossed out by poop.  After all, it is pretty much my whole world.  Philosophically speaking I poop, therefore I am.  So after the appointment with her I ventured to the lab where they would take my blood and give me the specimen cups.  The lab tech had the sense of humor of a rock.  I tried making one joke after another and then finally said, "You know, when you have to go through this it helps to have a sense of humor."  She agreed but still never cracked that first smile.  Off day maybe?  Then she handed me the specimen cups.  "It would help if you could go right into the container."  She said this completely straight faced. I actually managed to respond without laughing:  "Really?  Yea, I'm sorry, I'm gonna need one of those hat things please."

I've always been that weird Crohnie who could eat pretty much whatever I wanted when I wasn't having a flare up.  I could go to the movies and eat popcorn - because seriously, why go if you can't eat popcorn?  I could eat ice cream.  I could eat spaghetti and pizza and pretty much whatever fast food I wanted.  I may have pooped a little more afterwards but food never really caused me much trouble with pain or other unpleasantness.  Until now. I seem to be adding more and more foods onto my Do Not Ever Eat Again  list and that has become quite irritating to me.  Popcorn, Pizza, Spaghetti, Ice Cream, Milk, Creamy Sauces (why am I -capitalizing these???) all seem to be topping the list of un-eatable foods.  I've never been a spicy foods type of person but lately I cannot even eat homemade tacos with only using 1/2 the packet of taco seasoning per 1 pound of ground beef.  No matter what old tricks I apply to de-spice my food it just doe...

GI-PA was super cool today!  I will be having a small bowel follow through. (nailed that one didn't I?)  I also had some blood drawn and will be doing some stool samples.  My life is never complete until I get to poop in a cup.  More than likely none of the tests will show anything but the main thing is that GI-PA actually listened to me.  She also agreed that it is NOT normal for me to be pooping as much as I do regardless my resection.  I explained to her that I know several people who have had the identical surgery as me and they don't have any problems pooping as much as I do and that it didn't make sense. If we are all missing the same parts then how does it only affect me in such a bad way? She agreed, she actually honestly agreed.  That right there was worth the trip.  I'll post as the results of the tests come in.  I'm scheduled to go over everything with Dr. GI in three weeks but I don't really want to see him....

Tomorrow I am seeing Dr. GI's assistant and she shall be called GI-PA.  I've been having some ongoing belly pain that just doesn't seem to want to go away.  I have also been experiencing more episodes of what my friend Bill calls 'ninja diarrhea' because it comes out of nowhere and you are a soiled mess before you know what happened.  I decided it is time to call a professional.  Of course, Dr. GI is on vacation for the next two weeks so I could only get in with his assistant.  Whatever. I can tell you what's going to happen already.  GI-PA will want to schedule me for some stupid test - like a colonoscopy probably - and maybe a small bowel follow through or endoscopy.  None of these tests will actually show anything wrong, however.  If I'm lucky she might even give me some decent drugs, but that's highly doubtful.  She will probably also tell me to decrease my stress, eat better and get more rest. Things of which will never, ever ...

I asked for it and it's finally happened.  I am a nurse - a real nurse where I actually have a real job doing real nursing stuff.  I am working in a totally amazing assisted living center where most of the residents are pretty self sufficient.  My job is to pass out medication.  It sounds simple enough but don't be fooled - like I was.  It's 8 hours shifts, two to three med passes per shift, 3 floors, 63 residents.  I am on my feet from the time I get there to the time I leave.  And I'm only working 2 or 3 days a week so far.  I might actually die if I have to do this 5 days a week. It's wonderful and horrible all at the same time.  My feet ache, my back hurts, my body is exhausted and since I am working either first or second shift my eating schedule is a little jacked up.  Oh, and did I mention the temperature?  It is (and I swear I am not exaggerating here) 85 degrees on all three floors.  And there are ...