Medical mystery tour - part 2

If you've been around a while, you know my body has been rebelling against me and I've been living with chronic stomach pain for years. Here's the first post regarding this loveliness. The good news is that I've felt better recently than I have felt in years. I'm taking medicine that actually has made a difference in my quality of life and I'm sure being physically active and healthier hasn't hurt either. But we are still on a mission to find the cause and I sincerely hope we can fix it completely somehow. Because no one likes taking a bunch of pills. Or I don't anyway.

So this past Thursday we embarked on another little exploratory procedure, once again without any interesting results. But the good news is this time we got video of post procedure silliness. I got what Brendon called the "Michael Jackson special", they knocked me out for just a little bit (like 15 minutes? Who knows, I was snoozin'). I've gone through this before (see above mentioned post), but this time for some reason the anesthesia had a stronger effect on me. It took me way longer to get back to normal. I felt a little wild for while. But in the meantime it was funny, and although I don't remember much of it, thankfully Brendon was extra sneaky and got video footage.

The videos are here and here. I tried to actually post the videos here but for some reason (technology hates me), I couldn't get it to work so whatever. They're minorly funny and embarrassing (in the first one I sound high as a kite) so check them out if you want to see me trippin' on anesthesia.

And here is the picture I requested Brendon take of me at the end of the second video. Me and my juice:

Needless to say, I love apple juice and was very excited about getting some. In a can no less.

And I have to give a shout out to all the lovely people at this place. They are always so nice, friendly, and generally laid back. And they let me keep my extra fancy and super thick medical socks.

There are more steps to be taken in solving this medical mystery but we are running out of things to try. In some ways I'll be relieved (no more tests!) but it's also scary running out of options, I might just be like this forever. Weird how bodies work isn't it? So complex!

Medical mystery tour

First off, I apologize if this post is a little buzzkillington. I debated back and forth about posting it but whatev, you guys can suck it up. Jk, jk, it's not that bad.

I'm sure many of you, who have had to deal with me for any long period of time, are aware of this nonsense. I may have talked about this on here before, but long story short I've been having problems with this mysterious stomach pain. And by problems I mean every. single. day. for years. I cannot remember the last time I went a whole day without pain. About a year ago, with a lot of encouragement from Brendon, I starting seeing a GI specialist. I had lots of lovely tests done, tried lots of medicines with fun side effects, and spent lotsss of money, but we still didn't (and don't) know what was wrong. I am seeing a new doctor here in Austin and just had the most fun of all my tests so far done (sarcasm y'all).

Obviously that's me, I think right after taking out that thing they give you oxygen up the nose with. Post-procedure trippin' on some anesthesia. I wanted Brendon to get a video of me coming out of it, because duh everyone says funny stuff, but he only got this picture because apparently photos/videos are not allowed. The last thing I remember before being fully awake is dreaming about working while on a gurney that one of my fellow employees was pushing me around on. I'm assuming that was when they were wheeling me back to the room. I told everyone I was making lattes?

So that was how I spent my days off this week. Prep was the worst part (aside from the iv, dear god I hate needles), I couldn't eat or drink anything but clear liquids FOR A WHOLE DAY. I was starving and feeling real terrible. And then when I finally was all finished and Brendon took me to Cracker Barrel so I could stuff my face with some "home cooked" goodness (aka mac and cheeeese) I could barely eat anything. Such a let down.

And guess what? They didn't find anything abnormal or even remotely interesting! SO it was basically a waste of time, food I could have eaten, and a whoooole lotta moola. Really, I'm just being bitter. It's good news that everything was normal and I should be happy. But at this point, I could really care less what's wrong with me as long as we figure it out and there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Because in the mean time I still have to live with this nonsense everyday.

BUT, I'm being a baby and need to man up. It isn't that bad. I'm a happy camper and for the most part I am able to ignore it. Some days are way better than others, although I have my weak moments, sorry Brendon. Speaking of Mr. H, let's talk about how great he is. About how supportive he has been through all of this for all these years. How many movies he watched with me these past few days (A LOT). How when I lose my cool and can't hang he's solid as a rock. I can't say it enough, I married a winner. Thanks boo.

So sorry for this post. But it's my blog and my life, and unfortunately this is a big part of it. Thank you for dealing with my little rant, we'll be back to the usual broadcast of sunshine and rainbows shortly!

Pyrex and blood

DANG look at these beauties! I snagged both of these today. We were picking up take out at this Chinese place near us (so classy, I know), and there's a thrift store next door so I ran in to check if there was any potential pyrex steals. I had been there before and they didn't have anything so I wasn't optimistic, but these two babies were there waiting for me! Brendon actually spotted them first, I was so proud. Two big ol' casserole dishes with lids! Woodland and Autumn Harvest patterns which are perfect for fall! It was a match made in heaven. Too bad I'm not cooking for Thanksgiving this year, I'd totally utilize the hell out of these.

 

I went to the doctor again yesterday and they stole some blood from me. I can't handle needles or blood. At all. Every time I tell myself that I'm not going to be a weenie but I always lose my cool. I freaked out the poor phlebotomist (such a fancy word), she kept asking if I was going to be okay. It's just such a terrible feeling, I feel like I can't breathe, I'm going to pass out/combust into a million pieces, and I want to run for my life. Plus I learned this time that I go pale which Brendon said is why the lady was freaking out. It's totally embarrassing, I'm such a wuss. But I got this cool thing on my arm that looked like I donated blood. Psyche! The only way I'd be able to donate blood is if I were unconscious.

Pen Pals

Doctors visit wasn't so bad. My new doctor seems down to earth and very interested in my situation. We talked for a good while about everything which was nice, since usually I feel like doctors want you in and out as quickly as possible. I've got a new medicine to try and another appointment in 3 weeks. Hopefully we are making progress!

No joke, last night we went to bed at 8:30. Poor Brendon was such a sleepy baby! It's been such a long and stressful week for both of us, although way more so for him than me. He has so much on his plate right now, it's insane. We got a good 12 hours of sleep and then this morning we got up and went to eat at Magnolia Cafe on South Congress. And it was amazing. I'm a sucker for good breakfast food. My dad and step mom had recommended this place and it definitely delivered. And on the weekends they have brunch mimosa specials. I'm so there.

Sooooo lets be pen pals y'all. Are you in?

A big thanks to my iPhone and the hipstamatic ap for making my supplies look all vintagey and cool. 

My sweet friend Christine got me this cute stationary as a going away present! She is the best. I received a letter from her this week, I was sooo excited. Remember when you were younger and writing letters to your friends was the norm? Let's bring it back! Seriously, lets be pen pals! Let me know if you're interested and I will write you! And you can write me! And maybe I'll draw you a picture too (no promises on anything fantastic though). Lets make it happen!

Sick and tired

Jeeze I am beat. Between my body attempting to commit mutiny and consistently getting up before the butt crack of dawn, I am physically and mentally exhausted. I love me some morning shifts but damn, I can't wait to sleep in this weekend. I open the store tomorrow and then it's sleep fest 2011 for the next few days.

Actually before I can get my sleep on, I have a doctors appointment after work tomorrow. Have I told you that I'm not a huge fan of doctors? Seriously y'all. I'm nervous. It's a new doctor and I have to give my schpeel on what's wrong with me. Again. And Brendon is not going with me. He usually accompanies me to the doctor because I'm a weenie and he's a sweetheart. He's also good at saying what I wont. He says I have a tendency to make things seem like not a big deal when they are. So tomorrow I've got to man up and tell this new doc whats up. And hopefully she'll fix me, or at least make an honest effort. And be nice to me. My last stomach specialist seemed to not give an eff about what was wrong with me, which was not cool because she was not cheap. In an effort to save moola I'm just seeing a family doctor tomorrow. I don't really have high hopes. I've been on a gazillion medicines and had bunches of tests, I seem to be unfixable. Where's Dr. House when you need him? But, let's be optimistic. Maybe she'll have the answer. Cross your fingers for me tomorrow y'all, I'm tired of feeling like poo. I want to have a normal functioning body, what's that like?

Also, I have a feeling I'm not going to see my husband much until December. Pharmacy school = your whole life. Buh. This week has been rough. I need to keep thinking positive.

Pharm life

How cute are these shelves/cabinets in the pharmacy building at UT? This beauty is just chillin' in the hallway between classrooms and offices. There are tons of old shelves and displays like these around the building, this is the biggest I've seen. They have all kinds of old apothecary jars and such all over them and are made out of the most beautiful wood. I love it! They started the pharmacy school in 1893, so neat! It is ranked as the 4th best pharmacy school in the nation by some important source, but I forgot who. Newsweek? I donno. Obviously I am living vicariously through Brendon and am pretending that I am also a student at UT. We went to a mixer thingy tonight and I got to meet some of his many friends he's already made. They are all so sweet! He knows everyone, he's such a charmer.

I am sleepy. I am tired. I am worn out. I've been having some (understatement) health issues. I'm not going to go into it (if you know me well enough you're aware of most of it) but I've been having stomach pain problems for the past few years. And today was the worst it's ever been. It's getting to the point where it is GREATLY effecting my quality of life so I guess it's time to see a doctor again. Hopefully this time it will be a bit more successful and less expensive. I seriously dislike doctors. Pharmacists are much better.

I am alive. Barely.

The never ending sickness continues! I think I have finally gotten rid of the fever today, thank god. Four days straight of a fever? I was losing it. I actually went to the doctor yesterday, alone (and if you know me and my dislike of doctors, it had to be pretty intense to come to that), I just couldn't take it anymore. When you're freezing all day and being outside in 100+ degree heat feels good, somethings wrong. Apparently it's just a virus which stinks, because you can't treat a virus, only the symptoms. Just have to wait it out. I got a z-pack and intense cough syrup to help me sleep, but it makes me nauseous, of course. The cool thing was my doctor was a D.O., which is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Just like an MD but they're more about holistic and natural approaches to healing versus prescribing drugs, drugs, drugs. Very neat. AND he graduated from UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth where our good friend Z graduated! Small world!

Anywho, I still feel like ass. And I'm very over it. But while I have been sick I have gone to three interviews and been offered a job! A very low paying job, but if worst comes to worst it's a job. Should be hearing back about the other two next week. Making progress!

This little baby has been my nurse through all my sick days. Although it may look like she's a lazy bum, she's been keeping me company in my various places of moping. We move from the office, to the couch, to the bed, back to the couch. Sophie would never admit it but she's pretty sweet. And with a fever I make a pretty warm place to chill.