I hadn't posted a message in here in a bit, so I thought
I'd give a brief health update.

A week ago, I had a colonoscopy done. For the second time
since I started having these done, polyps were found. This
time, they were 5 small polyps, which the GI doctor "burned
off". Otherwise, there was no sign of colon cancer, or any
other abnormalities...although I still have to deal with the
other digestive tract conditions of GERD, IBS, diverticulitis,
and hemorrhoids. Too bad there isn't an easier way to get rid
of hemorrhoids...I understand with the hemorrhoidectomy, YOU
LOSE A LOT OF BLOOD.

Colon cancer is the second greatest killer, right behind
heart disease and breast cancer...and yet, is the easiest
to prevent, if detection is done early...especially once
you hit 50 years of age...or have a family history of cancer.
My next colonoscopy is set for 2015. I lost an uncle (my
Dad's brother) to colon cancer...my Dad and an aunt (his
sister) to pancreatic cancer...and my grandmother to lung
cancer. I don't think any family is immune to this scourge.

I did have a bit of a bad reaction after no solid food in
96 hours. After eating a sandwich at Arby's, it was too much
for the digestive tract to handle. I got abdominal cramps,
fever, nausea, and diarrhea. I was unable to expel the gas
from the procedure on Friday (even though most of the air was
removed to prevent cramping), and that might have been part
of the bad reaction. That situation recitified itself Saturday
night, and I was OK on Sunday. The GI doctor had never heard
of such a post procedure reaction, though.

They also did a liver ultrasound, and found that I have a
"fatty liver"...which in time, could lead to cirrohsis. The
doctor recommended a diet change, and more exercise. I've
been eating mainly salads, and adding some lunch meat to
them, to where I have a bit more than lettuce, carrots,
radishes, etc. I also add "cherry tomatoes", and Thousand
Island LITE dressing...washing it all down with flavored
water. I can NOT handle just "plain water"...it's too bland
and boring. But, I can easily drink a couple of liters of
flavored water a day.

I've lost about 15 pounds in about 3 weeks, and am trying
to lose a good bit more. However, I want to lose the weight
slowly...losing the weight too fast can be dangerous.

Daryl

... A Steak Sandwich: A Porterhouse between 2 Ribeyes.
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to All:

I hadn't posted a message in here in a bit, so
I thought I'd give a brief health update.

I hadn't either, but I'm glad to see you're still here. I intend to get back in the swing of things soon. Meanwhile, thanks for the update. :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Just when I had all the medical bills caught up,
my body figured it was time for another visit to
the Emergency Room. :(

The good news was that the cost for the x-rays of
the leg, pelvic region, and MRI of the left leg
(which showed severe arthritis) was under $100...
much less than expected...and the cost of the brain
CT scan (which showed no blood clots, brain tumors,
or anuerysms), was around $50. I had to quit taking
pain medications, due to constant migraines...
basically "rebound headaches".

Two weeks ago, I came down with what first started
as a head and chest cold. Then, I added chills, fever,
and nausea (thankfully, only one bout of that). Then,
the tight chest and chest pain this morning, make me
go to the Emergency Room. I had taken a flu shot last
Septemeber, but was worried that I was going into
pneumonia.

But, I don't have pneumonia, the flu swab was negative,
and the EKG was normal. However, I was diagnosed with
severe bronchitis.

They gave me antibiotics for that, along with a cream
to treat a severe yeast infection in the groin area...
I've been worn out trying to treat the bronchitis, and
hacking like a 50 pack a day smoker...that I ignored
the other area. With the wild temperature swings around
here, weather wise, lately...no wonder my body is out
of kilter!!

I'm heading off to my PCP in a little bit, then to the
pharmacy to get the medicines...and also to purchase a
vaporizer. I used to have one of the Vicks vaporizers,
but it had set for so long, there was so much dirt and
sediment in it (even though it was inside the apartment),
that I felt it best to just discard it.

Being ill leaves little time or desire to work with the
BBS, or much else.

Daryl

... Are cranberries healthy?? I never heard one complain.
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to ARDITH HINTON:

I am glad to report, however, that the message you posted
to "All" on January 15th has finally made its way to
Vancouver.... ;-)

That's like the joke about the carrier pigeon who took
weeks to deliver a piece of mail. When confronted by the
handler at the destination to explain the delay, the bird
replied "It was such a nice day, that I decided to walk". <G>

Yeah, I figure it might easily take about that long to walk from where
you are to where I am... [chuckle].

Ah, well. Only twenty years ago it took two days to get Fidomail from
a suburb we could drive to in an hour. We could use a bridge whereas the phone
company rate structure made it cheaper to send messages via Oregon, in the USA.
I remember as a child opening Christmas gifts from the UK at Easter... and I've
heard stories about snail mail which took even longer 'way back when.

Better late than never, I say! I do appreciate your retyping all this
stuff meanwhile, though, because I can take longer to think on our system. :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith...

Better late than never, I say! I do appreciate your retyping all this AH>stuff meanwhile, though, because I can take longer to think on our system.

That's why I like the QWK Mail feature on the BBS. I can download
messages and reply at my leisure.

On another note, I went to the E.R. again 2 weeks ago, with moderate
chest discomfort.

The good news is that it apparently is NOT cardiovascular
related...the heart enzymes in the blood were OK, the EKG was normal,
and there was no evidence of problems on the chest X-Ray, or blood clots
on the CT Scan.

The bad news is that it may be digestive tract (stomach and esophagus) related. I'm going in for an EGD (upper GI) procedure on Wednesday.
They'll put me to sleep for it, but the only prep work is that I'll have
to not eat or drink anything after midnight...but I might go on clear
liquids the day before. However, unlike prep for a colonoscopy, I don't
have to purge the colon this time...and I don't have to get naked for
this procedure.

They will spray the back of my mouth with a medicine to numb the gag
reflex, then put anti-nausea medicine in the I.V. (I've never done well
with anesthesia), then administer the anesthesia. The procedure itself
should only last about 20 minutes, and they'll inspect my mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the upper part of the small
intestine). I may have a sore throat afterwards, but otherwise, should
be OK.

To play it safe, I'll spend the night at my Mom's place, then come
back here the next day. I just hope no additional surgery is required. I
had just one more payment from an Emergency Room trip in
February...looks like I'll have a lot more now. I may end up with around
$3000 in medical expenses this year...and while that'll help when the
rent recertification is due again, it ruins any chance of other
activities either inside or outside the Little Rock (Pulaski County)
area. Even though the National Square Dance Convention is in Little Rock
next week, I can't go...not only for that procedure, but I don't have
the extra money to spend.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Bad Restaurant: Hospital map on the back of the menu.

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* ORIGIN: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to ARDITH HINTON:

I do appreciate your retyping all this stuff meanwhile,
though, because I can take longer to think on our system.

That's why I like the QWK Mail feature on the BBS. I can
download messages and reply at my leisure.

Precisely my point. I can copy echomail from our BBS into a writing
area which doesn't scan out. When I've finished a reply I then move or copy it
into the echo area, which *does* scan out.... :-)

I had just one more payment from an Emergency Room trip
in February...looks like I'll have a lot more now.

I may end up with around $3000 in medical expenses this
year...and while that'll help when the rent recertification
is due again, it ruins any chance of other activities either
inside or outside the Little Rock (Pulaski County) area. Even
though the National Square Dance Convention is in Little Rock
next week, I can't go...

I hear you. There are a lot of medical expenses in our household as
well. Too bad you had to miss the convention... I think it's important that we
include some "fun" activities in our lives. And music & dancing are especially
helpful because they can give both the body & the brain a good workout.

Now, what... if anything... came to light as a result? :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

I got a call from my doctor today...there were some elevated deals on the blood
work...including liver enzymes, A1C, cholesterol and triglycerides. I'm to go back in for blood work on November 16, but the doctor wants me to stop taking the cholesterol and triglyceride medicine for now. I think they're going to put
me on a "south beach diet"...never heard of that, but I doubt it means going to Coconut Grove, Florida to eat. :P

As for the liver enzymes, I've had that problem over the years, as well as with cholesterol and triglycerides...my Mom has the same problems. But, with the A1C elevation, it may mean I'm becoming a Type 2 diabetic. I've had the potential to become such, and I think that Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with diet, exercise, and medication, and shots aren't needed. From what I understand, type 1 is juvenile diabetes (you get that when you're young), and type 2 is adult diabetes (you get that later in life).

I also am due for my next colonoscopy on October 23...which means 3 days of clear liquids beforehand, followed by the purgatives the day before, and an enema that morning. If they find nothing, or just polyps (which they've found twice before), I'll celebrate. But, if cancer is found, it has only been just over 2 years since my last colonoscopy, so it should be in its early stages (0
or 1), meaning I'd have greater than a 90% chance of survival. But, I won't know that until after the procedure is done.

I'll give another update when I get a chance.

Daryl


--- GTMail 1.26
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS, Little Rock, Arkansas (1:19/33.0)

06 Oct 15 14:33, you wrote to All:

I think they're going to put me on a "south beach diet"...never heard
of that, but I doubt it means going to Coconut Grove, Florida to eat.
:P

really??

start here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Beach_Diet and then follow up from here https://www.google.com/search?q=south+beach+diet

;)


)\/(ark

... I generally prefer normal late-19th century cuisine. ML
---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

Hi & welcome, Mark! Recently you wrote in a message to Daryl Stout:

I think they're going to put me on a "south beach diet"...
never heard of that, but I doubt it means going to Coconut
Grove, Florida to eat. :P

really??

I'd heard of it because a nearby pharmacy carries a bunch of "lower glycemic index" treats & keeps them where they are very difficult to ignore if you're waiting at the cash desk. Although I wasn't sure where South Beach is, the Wiki article explains how the diet got its name.

I turned intuitively to a low-carb diet as soon as I was old enough to decide for myself what to put on my plate. In layman's terms, my diagnosis is "you have weird kidneys" and in those days all the GP could do was instruct me to memorize the name of a condition which rated at best only a few lines in medical dictionaries so other doctors wouldn't go looking for Bright's Disease or diabetes or something when I was otherwise in good health.

I suppose I'm more fortunate than many others in that when I try to eat what doesn't work for me, my body usually lets me know within a few hours. Years ago I mentioned to a nurse, who was a friend of a friend, that I had the same condition one of her patients had just been hospitalized for & asked what she knew about it. She promised she'd get back to me but never did. I wasn't too surprised because I realized, from the look on her face, that she couldn't understand why I was still alive & kicking although I'd broken the rules. ;-)

start here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Beach_Diet and then
follow up from here https://www.google.com/search?q=south+beach+diet

Thankyou. Briefly, my take on the situation here is that the South Beach diet &/or a low-carb diet might help Daryl keep his blood sugar level on an even keel... and thus postpone or avoid taking "diabetic" drugs later. :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

06 Oct 15 14:33, you wrote to All:

I think they're going to put me on a "south beach diet"...never heard
of that, but I doubt it means going to Coconut Grove, Florida to eat.
:P

really??

start here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Beach_Diet and then follow up from here https://www.google.com/search?q=south+beach+diet

Mark,

They sent me paperwork in the mail, but with all the prep last week for a colonoscopy, I didn't even look at it. I might look at it this next week,
but I'm drained (in more ways than one), so, I'm just doing minimal BBS work today.

Daryl


--- GTMail 1.26
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org - GT Power 20 (1:19/33.0)

Thankyou. Briefly, my take on the situation here is that the Sout Beach diet &/or a low-carb diet might help Daryl keep his blood sugar level o an even keel... and thus postpone or avoid taking "diabetic" drugs later. :-

I won't know until after follow-up blood work next month. But, after all the
stress this past week for the colonoscopy, I'm just doing minimal BBS work today, and going back to bed shortly.

Daryl


--- GTMail 1.26
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org - GT Power 20 (1:19/33.0)

I haven't been in the FIDONet echoes in awhile, but am back now...
and I wanted to give a health update.

First, my 90 year old Mom was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation
and congestive heart failure earlier this year...and she had a
pacemaker implanted in early February. They finally stabilized her
on the Lasix, where it didn't "dry her out", or "not enough", which
meant breathing problems when she laid down, due to fluid building
up in her trachea.

Second, after a 4 1/2 year hiatus, I'm producing kidney stones
again. I took myself to the Emergency Room, due to pulsating,
moderate to severe testicular pain. They first checked to see if
it was torsio of the testicle, which is a medical emergency. I
noted to them that I was going to have a CT Scan done at Arkansas
Urology in the coming days, so they did one there.

They discovered 2 stones, 1 in each ureter, just above the urinary
bladder. They have since dropped into the bladder, and have grown in
size to at least 16 millimeters each (they likely are larger now).
These are NOT passable, and have to be removed by emergency surgery.

At the moment, I'm not in that much pain, and can still urinate. I
don't want it to get to where I do get into pain, nausea, vomiting,
and where I can't urinate...that means an ambulance run to the
hospital, and surgery.

I have yet to hear from the scheduler at the urologists office, but
I hope it can be done outpatient. Apparently, they'll first put me to
sleep (I sure hope so!!), then insert a catheter into the penis,
urethra, and bladder, then the cystoscope. With that, they can see
into the bladder, where they can break up the stones, then irrigate
the bladder to wash out the debris, and remove both the catheter and cystoscope.

If it's outpatient, I can spend one night at my elderly Mom's place,
before driving home the next day...unless they decide to put me in the
hospital overnight for observation.

I'll post an update when I know something else.

Daryl

... If you're consonated, maybe you need a vowel movement.
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.50

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Never mind "doing things bigger in Texas" <G> -- I'm in Little Rock, Arkansas, and I've got a story to tell you. :)

I originally produced kidney stones from June, 2010 to August, 2012...
then went on a 4 1/2 year hiatus. Unfortunately, the stones are back as
of February, 2017.

But, 3 of them have descended into the urinary bladder, and are
growing. So much so, that emergency surgery has been set up on April
13 at the Baptist Day Surgery (outpatient) center at Baptist Medical
Center in west Little Rock.

Two of the stones are just over 2 centimeters (nearly an inch) in
diameter, while a third stone is just over 2 millimeters (nearly 1/10
of an inch) in diameter.

With the surgery next week, and also a forecast of thunderstorms for
much of the week, the BBS will be OFFLINE from April 9-15...so, there
may be a delay in my replying.

I'll spend the night after surgery at my elderly Mom's place. She is
90, and was recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and congestive
heart failure...and also had a pacemaker implanted 2 months ago. They
have her stabilized on the Lasix, so the fluid doesn't build up in her
trachea, which gave her breathing problems.

I try to make ginger ale as my beverage of choice, as it'll settle
my stomach without the caffeine...and it's the only beverage that will
not send my colon into diarrhea (large amounts of any other liquid,
including water, will do that)...and spending all day on the toilet is
not my idea of a good time...unless I'm preparing for a colonoscopy.

Daryl

... Press any key to continue...no, no, no, NOT THAT ONE!
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.50

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to All:

Hi, Ardith...

I hadn't either, but I'm glad to see you're still here. I intend to
get back in the swing of things soon. Meanwhile, thanks for the update. :-

It's good to see you back in here as well.

Daryl

===
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Win32
* Origin: FIDONet: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to ARDITH HINTON:

Hi, Ardith...

I suspected Janis might be your hub... and now that I've just got a AH>recent message from you on our system I can see it from the PATH line.

I switched to Marc Lewis in Hunstville, Alabama...he gets the same
stuff Janis does on the backbone.

As a user on somebody else's BBS I'm not privy to such information.
When I have reason to believe we may have missed something, however, I often AH>find it there. In this case, I checked because the traffic report in the Z1 AH>edition of FIDONEWS obviously included dupes... which sometimes include lost AH>messages appearing for the first time AFAIC. Thankyou, Jon & Janis.... :-)

Every so often, a batchfile that I wrote for autoposting of things
like weather, ham radio, and other items, posts out an old
message...because "dum dum here" <G> forgot to change a parameter
(blush!).

Go for it! That will make it easier for me to reply as well. :-))

I also have several messages that I did with research from WebMd, in a
local area called "The Doctor Is In". Not to replace advice from ones
own PCP, but there are around 90 topics on various conditions. I can
email or netmail them to you, if you wish.

If I remember right, the FIDONet "Ask A Nurse" echo went offline a
long time ago.

Daryl
===
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Why give the airport weather?? No one lives there.
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Win32
* Origin: FIDONet: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to ARDITH HINTON:

Hi, Ardith....

Thanks for the info. Dallas & I thought somebody must have done a
rescan because three or four old SURVIVOR messages landed in our DUPES area.

I have my message limit set to 30 days, as I don't consider anything
older than that as being "timely" anymore.

I am glad to report, however, that the message you posted to "All"
on January 15th has finally made its way to Vancouver.... ;-)

Good deal...but why I'm getting your reply on March 3 is confusing.

Daryl
===
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Win32
* Origin: FIDONet: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to ARDITH HINTON:

Hi, Ardith...

Yeah, I figure it might easily take about that long to walk from where AH>you are to where I am... [chuckle].

Some days, I'm lucky to walk from the bedroom to the bathroom...in
this "960 square foot dollhouse (apartment)". :P

Ah, well. Only twenty years ago it took two days to get Fidomail from
a suburb we could drive to in an hour. We could use a bridge whereas the ph AH>company rate structure made it cheaper to send messages via Oregon, in the U AH>I remember as a child opening Christmas gifts from the UK at Easter... and I AH>heard stories about snail mail which took even longer 'way back when.

The Postal Service around here has been notorious for losing mail
to/from me...especially medical bills and payments. So now, I make an
over the phone payment with my debit card (no more credit cards since
having been in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy several years ago)...and tell them
"if they won't take an over the phone payment, they won't get paid".

Better late than never, I say! I do appreciate your retyping all this AH>stuff meanwhile, though, because I can take longer to think on our system.

I do all my BBS messaging via QWK Mail...it saves time online, and I
don't have to worry about the online editor crashing on me. It's
obviously very frustrating when you've entered a long reply, and the
system then barfs on it, and it's gone.

Daryl
===
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Win32
* Origin: FIDONet: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to ARDITH HINTON:

Hi, Ardith...

Precisely my point. I can copy echomail from our BBS into a writing
area which doesn't scan out. When I've finished a reply I then move or copy AH>into the echo area, which *does* scan out.... :-)

Interesting.

I hear you. There are a lot of medical expenses in our household as AH>well. Too bad you had to miss the convention... I think it's important that AH>include some "fun" activities in our lives. And music & dancing are especia AH>helpful because they can give both the body & the brain a good workout.

With my propensity for developing kidney stones again...plus now
taking care of my elderly Mom, I have ended travel outside of Arkansas.
I rarely drive outside of Pulaski County anymore...anything longer than
a 90 minute drive is too much for me to handle.

I'm supposed to go up to Batesville on April 14 for a square dance
related meeting, but all the hotels in town are already sold out that
weekend. I really don't want to make that 2 hour drive up there, stay
for 2 meetings in the afternoon, then drive back. At least Daylight
Savings Time will mean an extra hour of daylight in the evening. But, my
car is almost 20 years ago (which would qualify it as an antique). Plus,
if the weather is bad...or if my Mom needs me, all bets are off.

I'm hoping my combination upper and lower GI will be done on Friday,
April 13 -- it'll be lucky for me, as I can tell them "I'm recovering
from 2 medical procedures, and can't make the drive". But, I won't see
the gastrointerologist until Monday.

Daryl

===
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Win32
* Origin: FIDONet: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)

I'm to get the results of the colonoscopy/EGD biopsy sometime
on Wednesday...I pray it's negative. Besides, I was naked-tive
for the procedures. <G>

I went to the urologist today, and the KUB showed no new
kidney stones (I may still have a very small one in the left
kidney, but it's not moving or growing). But, I may have low
testosterone (low T). So, I'm going in Friday morning to get
blood drawn...then again on Monday if the level is low. If
it's still low, they'll have to do an MRI on my head, to be
sure there are no tumors. If not, then I can possibly start
therapy, and I chose the cream instead of the foam or the
injection.

I'll post an update when I know something.

Also, for Ardith Hinton, I've been so busy with being
caregiver for my elderly Mom (and dodging thunderstorms), that
I've had little time for the BBS, and to get you those "medical
posts" I have from a local area, "The Doctor Is In", that I
recycle once a month. There are over 100 textfiles, but some
are "split messages" on the same topic, as some topics have
quite a bit of information.

Daryl
--- SBBSecho 3.04-Win32
* Origin: FIDONet: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)

I'm to have a COVID-19 nasal swab on June 1, in preparation
for outpatient laparoscopic hernia surgery on June 4. I'll
post a message after the surgery.

Daryl

... Computer Hacker wanted. Must have own axe.
=== MultiMail/Win32 v0.50
--- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)

Good news on the health front...

I had laparoscopic hernia surgery 2 weeks ago, and today, I
had a follow-up exam with the surgeon.

The surgery went very well, and the pain was relatively
minor...far less than expected. So much so, that I only
needed Tylenol and Ibuprofen to take care of things. I
am wearing a girdle/binder for support, and while I can
drive again, I'm still using the girdle/binder when lifting
things, but I'm still being careful...as I don't want to
undo the surgery.

The surgeon was very pleased with the recovery. Plus, I
wanted to take care of the hernia (I got to keep the navel),
before it worked toward the colon or the groin.

Daryl

... How many of you believe in telekinesis? Raise my hand...
=== MultiMail/Win32 v0.50
--- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (1:19/33)

I had laparoscopic hernia surgery 2 weeks ago, and today, I
had a follow-up exam with the surgeon.
The surgery went very well, and the pain was relatively
minor...far less than expected. So much so, that I only
needed Tylenol and Ibuprofen to take care of things. I
am wearing a girdle/binder for support, and while I can
drive again, I'm still using the girdle/binder when lifting

Take it very easy...even after getting rid of the girdle. Am glad to hear it went well without all the drama & such.

Even had to take a colon test a couple of months ago. At 58...they said I was normal. Hearing that...I cried for joy. The reason...have had the "truck driver's syndrome" since my early 20's & didn't want anything causing more
pain than what I feel through the years.

ACME BBS-Member of fsxNet/WWIVNet/SciNet/AmigaNet/VKRadio/FidoNet/MicroNet.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/04/21 (Windows/32)
* Origin: ACME BBS-W.Coyote & D.Brown are our best users. (1:340/1000)

Don,

am wearing a girdle/binder for support, and while I can
drive again, I'm still using the girdle/binder when lifting

Take it very easy...even after getting rid of the girdle. Am glad to
hear it went well without all the drama & such.

I hate to see the overnight hospital bill...but with no family member
to stay with me, and all our friends working with families, it's nearly impossible to get someone to stay with us overnight...even if we could
get a driver to and from the facility. With being on a fixed income, I
likely can get that written off.

My brother is in worse physical shape than I am, having nearly been
killed in a freak motorcycle wreck not 3 months after my wife died of
a heart attack over 13 years ago, not 3 months after I lost my Dad to pancreatic cancer. We have no other family in the local area (we are
the last of our line, as it were)...the other relatives are out of
state, and there's no way they can come here to take care of us, or
vice versa.

I am taking it easy...I surely don't want to undo the surgery.

Even had to take a colon test a couple of months ago. At 58...they said
I was normal. Hearing that...I cried for joy. The reason...have had the "truck driver's syndrome" since my early 20's & didn't want anything causing more pain than what I feel through the years.

I've had several colonoscopies over the years...some have had nothing,
and others had benign polyps...but no cancer. I doubt any family has
escaped that scourge. I lost an uncle to colon cancer...my Dad and his
sister to pancreatic cancer...and my grandmother to lung cancer.

While the prep work for the colonoscopy is a PITA (especially with hemorrhoids), unlike most other cancers...colon cancer is one of the
most preventable. But, it is the second greatest killer of men and
women, right behind (no pun intended) heart disease and breast cancer.

It's too bad we can't use the gas afterwards in our vehicles.
Otherwise, I'd get a pallet of Bush's Baked Beans, ask Duke for
the secret formula, and tell OPEC what they can do with their gas
prices. <G>

But, the abdominal pain from diverticulitis is worse than a woman's
monthly cycle.

Just before my wife and I got married, she had to have a colonoscopy
done. When I went to pick her up, they thought her married name was
what her maiden name was, and when they addressed me as that, I said
"Not quite". When she talked to her Mom (who's black, and her Dad is white...but they're both a couple of nuts <G>), she said "I'll bet you
didn't think you had a son that looked like him!!" <BG>.

Daryl

... Home Alone is when you can poop with the door open.
=== MultiMail/Win32 v0.50
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Daryl Stout wrote to Don Lowery <=-

Even had to take a colon test a couple of months ago. At 58...they said
I was normal. Hearing that...I cried for joy. The reason...have had the "truck driver's syndrome" since my early 20's & didn't want anything causing more pain than what I feel through the years.

I've had several colonoscopies over the years...some have had
nothing, and others had benign polyps...but no cancer. I doubt any
family has escaped that scourge. I lost an uncle to colon cancer...my
Dad and his sister to pancreatic cancer...and my grandmother to lung cancer.

Colon cancer runs in my family on my mom's side - 2 great uncles died
from it, and my mother was successfully treated years ago. I've been
getting regular colonoscopies since I was 40. I'm 54 now.

The laxative prep is a pain, but given that beer is OK beforehand,
living on jello, broth and beer is an interesting experience.




... Twist the spine
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I hate to see the overnight hospital bill...but with no family member
to stay with me, and all our friends working with families, it's nearly

Having been alone for decades...this never bothered me. What surprised me was when co-workers/friends came to visit me.

I am taking it easy...I surely don't want to undo the surgery.

Good to hear!

While the prep work for the colonoscopy is a PITA (especially with hemorrhoids), unlike most other cancers...colon cancer is one of the
most preventable. But, it is the second greatest killer of men and
women, right behind (no pun intended) heart disease and breast cancer.

The last 1 you mentioned was something else men should be tested for as well.

But, the abdominal pain from diverticulitis is worse than a woman's monthly cycle.

Had friends with this & it's worse. My kidney stones the 1st time would beat both of these.

"Not quite". When she talked to her Mom (who's black, and her Dad is white...but they're both a couple of nuts <G>), she said "I'll bet you didn't think you had a son that looked like him!!" <BG>.

;)

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Kurt,

Colon cancer runs in my family on my mom's side - 2 great uncles died
from it, and my mother was successfully treated years ago. I've been
getting regular colonoscopies since I was 40. I'm 54 now.

I got you beat by 6 years. <G> A few years back, when I was having one
done, there was an 85 year old woman, getting her first one. My GI doctor,
a nice black man, was very annoyed with her for waiting so long.

The laxative prep is a pain, but given that beer is OK beforehand,
living on jello, broth and beer is an interesting experience.

Now, I know beer is a diurectic, but I thought that any alcoholic
beverage would dehydrate you in a big way...never mind you're losing
all that fluid with repeated (but needed) bouts of diarrhea...never
mind setting your butt on fire. :P As noted, one woman thought vodka
was "a clear liquid", but her heart stopped during the procedure. They
had to forget about the colonoscopy and get "the crash cart" to get
her back to life. Then, she had to do the prep work again, and then
pay the full fee the second time.

... Twist the spine

I already have degenerative disk disease there, and my neck bones
are severely kinked...and the neck pain was bothering me overnight.

Daryl

... Error: Keyboard not attached. Press <F1> to continue.
=== MultiMail/Win32 v0.50
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Don,

Having been alone for decades...this never bothered me. What surprised
me was when co-workers/friends came to visit me.

What was strange is that before I got married, I was happy being single. Then, when I got married over 17 years ago, I was happy. But, after being
a widower over 13 years, while I'm busier than I was when I was married,
some days, it does get awfully lonely. At this stage of life, so many
folks have "too much baggage and drama" to deal with...and I don't want,
or need that.

Good to hear!

I'm hoping to get the one night stay written off. Since I basically
have no family locally (my brother is in worse physical shape than I
am, and I nearly suffocate around him, as he smokes and drinks), and
all my friends work, and have families, it's difficult to get a ride
to and from the facility, but impossible to get someone to stay with
me overnight at the house. Both parents are dead and gone now.

The last 1 you mentioned was something else men should be tested for as well.

I know a male ham radio operator who is a breast cancer survivor.
While not as common as breast cancer in women, it does occur in men.

Had friends with this & it's worse. My kidney stones the 1st time would beat both of these.

One woman told me that she would rather have quintuplets (5 at once),
in hard labor, with no anesthesia or epidural...than 1 kidney stone.
That pretty much sums it up.

Another woman told me "If we women can pass a kid, you men can pass
a kidney stone". I told her "But, unlike the female cervix, the male
penis can NOT dialate".

"Not quite". When she talked to her Mom (who's black, and her Dad is white...but they're both a couple of nuts <G>), she said "I'll bet you didn't think you had a son that looked like him!!" <BG>.

;)

When talking to her Mom nowadays, and I make a real bad pun, etc.,
I'm told "Go to your room!!" <BG>.

Daryl

... Don't raise the bar!! It's too hard to get the drinks!!
=== MultiMail/Win32 v0.50
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Having been alone for decades...this never bothered me. What surprise

What was strange is that before I got married, I was happy being
single. Then, when I got married over 17 years ago, I was happy. But, after being a widower over 13 years, while I'm busier than I was when I was married, some days, it does get awfully lonely. At this stage of
life, so many folks have "too much baggage and drama" to deal with...and
I don't want, or need that.

In my case...back in the 80's...it was endless marriage this...marriage that. Just bothering with that was enough to drive anyone crazy.

Know fully well about the loneliness. Am by myself & have no one to talk to...except for on here. Add on all the garbage from someone else...that
Mystic Rat was right...don't marry or sleep with anyone else with more
problems than you have.

all my friends work, and have families, it's difficult to get a ride
to and from the facility, but impossible to get someone to stay with
me overnight at the house. Both parents are dead and gone now.

Yep! It's almost to the point that you better hope you have a taxi there & back. In terms of parents...been estranged from those Klan scumbags others
call family for 30 years & am better for it. Don't even know who's still
alive or dead or care. They are not part of my life or even want them to be part of any type of my life.

One woman told me that she would rather have quintuplets (5 at once),
in hard labor, with no anesthesia or epidural...than 1 kidney stone.
That pretty much sums it up.
Another woman told me "If we women can pass a kid, you men can pass
a kidney stone". I told her "But, unlike the female cervix, the male
penis can NOT dialate".

1st time with stones was the only time I've been given morphine. Even 30
years later...never had another shot...since it's the greatest stuff in the world & I would abuse it like crazy.

When talking to her Mom nowadays, and I make a real bad pun, etc.,
I'm told "Go to your room!!" <BG>.

At least 1 good thing...we have our toys there & can't get them taken away. Even have a half bag of fake corn chips beside me on the desk...so I have
food. ;D

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Don,

In my case...back in the 80's...it was endless marriage this...marriage that. Just bothering with that was enough to drive anyone crazy.

It's like the taglines "Marriage is SAME SEX -- the same sex all over again!!", and "Sex is a Misdemeanor. The more ya miss, da meaner ya get". <G>

Know fully well about the loneliness. Am by myself & have no one to
talk to...except for on here. Add on all the garbage from someone else...that Mystic Rat was right...don't marry or sleep with anyone
else with more problems than you have.

I have my ham radio, square dance, and BBS friends, but that's it. I
talk to a lady friend who lives with her boyfriend. I keep them informed
about bad weather, as their dachshund (who is spoiled rotten, and thinks
of me as "his uncle"), doesn't like thunder crashes, gunfire, firecrackers, etc. -- can't say that I blame him. I took the BBS down overnight just after nightly maintenance, due to approaching thunderstorms...and they were all
over the region today. There were several severe thunderstorm warnings, numerous flash flood warnings, and even a tornado warning for a storm that
was 40 miles to my southwest, moving northeast. The thunder didn't end here until 6pm local time.

Yep! It's almost to the point that you better hope you have a taxi
there & back. In terms of parents...been estranged from those Klan scumbags others call family for 30 years & am better for it. Don't even know who's still alive or dead or care. They are not part of my life or even want them to be part of any type of my life.

The facilities here will NOT let you take public transportation, because
of the liability issues. You have to have an individual bring you there,
stay there while you're in prep, surgery, and recovery, then take you home,
and stay with you overnight. Otherwise, you have to do as I do...spend the night in the hospital...which the insurance companies don't like to pay for...but they refuse to consider that "I basically have no family left".

My brother is in worse physical shape than I am, from a freak motorcycle wreck not 3 months after my wife died over 13 years ago, that nearly killed him. He was impatient, went to pass a car that was going too slow for his liking, and a mailbox on the side of the road caught the handlebar of his motorcycle. It stopped...he didn't...flying off it onto the pavement. He
had shorts on, but nothing else...not even a helmet. He broke his shoulder, ankle, and elbow, plus fractured his hip. He's lucky to be alive...and is
so bummed up now with arthritis, that the pain meds don't even work for
him, anymore.

1st time with stones was the only time I've been given morphine. Even
30 years later...never had another shot...since it's the greatest stuff
in the world & I would abuse it like crazy.

They gave me that morphine, and it shut my colon down. It was a bear to "clear the plumbing" as it were. :P

At least 1 good thing...we have our toys there & can't get them taken away. Even have a half bag of fake corn chips beside me on the
desk...so I have food. ;D

As long as I can do my hobbies at the computer, I'm content. Of course,
when the weather is bad, like it was today...I try to catch up on sleep.
Of course, when the weather radio alarm is constantly going off, that
kind of squelches that idea. The thing is, if it's a possible tornado
to my southwest, I'm going to stay awake for it.

Daryl

... Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
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It's like the taglines "Marriage is SAME SEX -- the same sex all over again!!", and "Sex is a Misdemeanor. The more ya miss, da meaner ya
get". <G>

Very true. The 1st question I asked myself when I got served was who am I
going to have sex with now?

take you home, and stay with you overnight. Otherwise, you have to do as
I do...spend the night in the hospital...which the insurance companies don't like to pay for...but they refuse to consider that "I basically
have no family left".

There is 1 more option...wonder how the hospital/insurance companies would
like to have reporters bringing this on the nightly news?

They gave me that morphine, and it shut my colon down. It was a bear to "clear the plumbing" as it were. :P

I can tell you that the walls are not naturally that color...because
originally being white or something close to that doesn't match what you should've ended up with at that time. ;D

kind of squelches that idea. The thing is, if it's a possible tornado
to my southwest, I'm going to stay awake for it.

That is something I never missed all these years.

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Don,

It's like the taglines "Marriage is SAME SEX -- the same sex all over again!!", and "Sex is a Misdemeanor. The more ya miss, da meaner ya
get". <G>

Very true. The 1st question I asked myself when I got served was who am
I going to have sex with now?

Well, aside from masturbation, abstinence, being with a faithful partner,
and "one safe humping another", that's the only "safe sex" available. :P

Or as ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's dummy, Walter noted...in describing
"oral sex". Walter's wife said "screw you", and he replied "bite me". :P

There is 1 more option...wonder how the hospital/insurance companies
would like to have reporters bringing this on the nightly news?

I've been able to get a payment plan set up, or it written off...
especially when I show my disability letter from Social Security.

I can tell you that the walls are not naturally that color...because originally being white or something close to that doesn't match what
you should've ended up with at that time. ;D

Actually, the color of ones [poop] can be an indicator of something
more serious. If it's black, it means internal bleeding...and if it's
another color, it's a bile issue with the liver. There are other things
in a thread I have on the BBS called "The Scoop On Poop"...but I moved
the QWK Mail and my terminal client to the laptop computer in my room.
The BBS is in my late parents bedroom.

kind of squelches that idea. The thing is, if it's a possible tornado
to my southwest, I'm going to stay awake for it.

That is something I never missed all these years.

Well, sometimes you can't stay awake...but hearing loud hail, a loud
roar, or tornado sirens, tends to get your attention.

Daryl

... I'm not speeding...I'm chasing tornadoes!
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Very true. The 1st question I asked myself when I got served was who I going to have sex with now?

Well, aside from masturbation, abstinence, being with a faithful partner, and "one safe humping another", that's the only "safe sex" available. :P

Took me a few minutes to figure this one out. ;)

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Hi & welcome, Kurt! I recognized your name from other echoes but don't recall seeing it here before. Recently you wrote in a message to Daryl Stout:

The laxative prep is a pain,

Yeah. I didn't find the stuff tasted too bad if it was well chilled beforehand, but it took me 5 1/2 hours to get through 4 litres (about a gallon in US measurements) of it. I was glad I had hung in there when another person who said he'd finished most but not all of it was informed he'd have to repeat the whole process because his innards weren't clean enough... [wry grin].

but given that beer is OK beforehand,

It seems to me a lot depends on who you ask. My impression was that alcoholic beverages are OK until you start drinking the laxative prep.... :-)

living on jello, broth and beer is an interesting
experience.

Uh-huh. I often found myself tempted to grab a morsel of real food. But I see you neglected apple juice, which contains a good balance of minerals and which seemed to help me while I was in the process of doing the prep. ;-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith Hinton wrote to Kurt Weiske <=-

Hi & welcome, Kurt! I recognized your name from other echoes but don't recall seeing it here before. Recently you wrote in a message to Daryl Stout:

I think this was my first post here, been on Fidonet since 1991. :)

Yeah. I didn't find the stuff tasted too bad if it was well chilled beforehand, but it took me 5 1/2 hours to get through 4 litres (about a gallon in US measurements) of it.

Argh - yes. The older prep, which apparently had some bad side
effects was much easier - I think it was 32 oz?

Uh-huh. I often found myself tempted to grab a morsel of
real food. But I see you neglected apple juice, which contains a good balance of minerals and which seemed to help me while I was in the
process of doing the prep.

I don't recall apple juice being on the recommended list where I
went. The prohibited foods were mostly anything dark or red. I'll
need to try apple juice, as I'm about due for another one.

I recover well from the anaesthesia, so always look forward to the
first meal afterwards. Last was a San Francisco-style Carne Asada
burrito. Gotta have something to look forward to...

--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

... When in doubt, predict that the trend will continue.
--- MultiMail/XT v0.52
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Kurt,

Argh - yes. The older prep, which apparently had some bad side
effects was much easier - I think it was 32 oz?

That My-Lytely was NASTY. The lemon flavoring was so acidic and
tart, that it reacted violently with the stomach acid I had, and I
could not finish the prep work...as my throat and esophagus were
burning.

The next time I have one done, I'm doing 2 citrate of magnesia
(Clear), 8 hours apart...with 2 Ducolax on the first one, and 1
Ducolax on the second one. After the first one, it only takes 10
minutes before...as Jeff Foxworthy noted..."the underwear taps you
on the shoulder, and says RUN!!" <G>.

I don't recall apple juice being on the recommended list where I
went. The prohibited foods were mostly anything dark or red. I'll
need to try apple juice, as I'm about due for another one.

Apple Juice is like prune juice to me. I've heard that as well, to
avoid anything red or brown.

I recover well from the anaesthesia, so always look forward to the
first meal afterwards. Last was a San Francisco-style Carne Asada
burrito. Gotta have something to look forward to...

I have to have Zofran beforehand, to prevent vomiting...and Pepcid beforehand, to deal with the stomach acid.

Now, if I could convert the flatulence afterwards for use in my car,
I'd buy a truckload of Bush's Baked Beans, ask Duke for the secret
formula, and tell OPEC what they could do with their gas prices!! <G>
I didn't get any when I was at the store, as I forgot them, plus the
budget this month is tighter than a frog's [butt] under water. :P

My next one is next April.

Daryl

... Bad Sign: Fortune Cookie warns of salmonella poisoning.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Hi & welcome, Kurt! I recognized your name from other
echoes but don't recall seeing it here before.

I think this was my first post here,

Ah. So I'm not losing my mind... or at least not completely. :-Q

been on Fidonet since 1991. :)

1988 in Dallas's case, 1990 in mine. We started this echo in 1990 while our daughter was in treatment for leukemia & I noticed many people were returning home from the hospital to small communities where they had a lot of well-wishers who crowded the local airport to welcome them back, but where it might be difficult to find anybody with related knowledge or experience. Our focus changes as various people bring up various issues. IMHO SURVIVOR is an attitude inspired by the work of an oncologist, not a medical diagnosis. :-)

I didn't find the stuff tasted too bad if it was well
chilled beforehand, but it took me 5 1/2 hours to get
through 4 litres (about a gallon in US measurements)
of it.

Argh - yes. The older prep, which apparently had some
bad side effects was much easier - I think it was 32 oz?

IOW, about 1/4 of the amount. I imagine that may be what a friend was using when she told me she'd spent three days on the toilet & said "Never again!" She had a second colonoscopy a few months ago, however, and reported that the newer prep was a considerable improvement.... :-)

I don't recall apple juice being on the recommended
list where I went. The prohibited foods were mostly
anything dark or red.

In my case the instructions from the hospital were rather sketchy, but Uncle Google provided further details. ;-)

I'll need to try apple juice, as I'm about due for
another one.

I found it very helpful when... roughly 3/4 of the way through the prep... I began shaking uncontrollably. My self-diagnosis of low blood sugar was confirmed within minutes after Dallas brought me some apple juice.

Another thing which both Dallas & I found helpful, although he was using a split dose & I wasn't, was decanting the prep into empty soda bottles ... appropriately labelled, of course. That way it's easier to fit the stuff into the fridge & to keep the next installment cold.... :-)

I recover well from the anaesthesia, so always
look forward to the first meal afterwards. Last
was a San Francisco-style Carne Asada burrito.

Because I was aware that a person may need to start slowly after a long fast &/or an anesthetic, and because I was released from the hospital at lunch time, I cautiously ingested more apple juice & half of a tuna sandwich. When all seemed to be well I took advantage of the special on halibut & chips ... French fries, to our neighbours who live south of the 49th parallel... at one of our local restaurants. Although I love halibut the season is limited, and although the fries could easily have been replaced by a salad I had a yen for them. The fat content was risky... but I'm alive to tell the tale. :-))

Gotta have something to look forward to...

Yes, I think it is quite important. I noticed that when my father was in hospital he couldn't wait to get out of the place & go home. I'm much the same way in that regard & I encouraged our daughter to follow suit. Each time we visited the outpatient clinic, e.g., we'd also visit a nearby park on the way back so she could feed the ducks. If you believe life is still worth living despite your medical problems I reckon we're on the same page.... :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith,

Ah. So I'm not losing my mind... or at least not
completely. :-Q

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. <G>

1988 in Dallas's case, 1990 in mine. We started this echo
in 1990 while our daughter was in treatment for leukemia & I noticed
many people were returning home from the hospital to small communities where they had a lot of well-wishers who crowded the local airport to welcome them back, but where it might be difficult to find anybody with related knowledge or experience. Our focus changes as various people bring up various issues. IMHO SURVIVOR is an attitude inspired by the work of an oncologist, not a medical diagnosis. :-)

One has to be proactive. There is a campaign right now from Arkansas Urology...noting while women tend to take care of their personal health
issues (breast self exam, etc. -- but men do get breast cancer), men
tend to be "brutes", thinking they're invincible, and not getting things
like their prostate or testosterone levels checked). Admittedly, the
prostate check is not the most pleasant feeling, but it's a walk in the
park, compared to the COVID-19 nasal swabs!! :P

IOW, about 1/4 of the amount. I imagine that may be what a friend was using when she told me she'd spent three days on the toilet
& said "Never again!" She had a second colonoscopy a few months ago, however, and reported that the newer prep was a considerable improvement.... :-)

I'm going back to the clear citrate of magnesia and Ducolax next time.
My late wife termed it "Sprite With A Kick". <G> While tart, and best
served chilled, it was much better than that MY-LYTELY. The Go-Lytely
was like tepid salt water <urk!>.

In my case the instructions from the hospital were rather sketchy, but Uncle Google provided further details. ;-)

I saw a picture, where this guy has a T-shirt on. It noted "I don't
need Google. My wife knows everything". <G>

I found it very helpful when... roughly 3/4 of the way
through the prep... I began shaking uncontrollably. My self-diagnosis
of low blood sugar was confirmed within minutes after Dallas brought me some apple juice.

Thankfully, I'm not yet diabetic...but am Pre-Type 2. The Hemoglobin A1C
has been holding steady at 6.1, but the threshold is 6.4 for a type 2 diagnosis. I get full blood work every 6 months, with them done in both September and March.

Another thing which both Dallas & I found helpful, although
he was using a split dose & I wasn't, was decanting the prep into empty soda bottles ... appropriately labelled, of course. That way it's
easier to fit the stuff into the fridge & to keep the next installment cold.... :-)

As noted, the stomach acid I had, reacted with the citric acid from the
prep, and it felt like my esophagus and throat were burning...where I
couldn't finish the prep.

Although I love halibut the season is limited, and although the fries could easily have been replaced by a salad I had a yen for them. The
fat content was risky... but I'm alive to tell the tale. :-))

After fasting for bloodwork, I tend to go order a double or triple cheeseburger...I figure I've earned it. <G> Lately though, I'm on a
diet of lunch meat sandwiches and diet green tea. Finances are tighter
than a frog's butt underwater right now.

If you believe life is still worth living despite your medical problems
I reckon we're on the same page.... :-)

Same here.

Because of COVID-19, the testapel (testosterone implant pellets) are
back ordered for another 6 weeks. My urologist noted that my level (390)
is at the low end of the medium range...and he felt that if we waited
until August, the levels would crash, and I'd likely be in trouble with cardiovascular and diabetes issues. So, I am getting weekly shots in
the hip/gleute/butt cheek, every Wednesday...then, on the first Wednesday,
I also get a B-12 shot in the same area.

My shoulders are so sore from arthritis, that if I get a shot in there,
it's hard to sleep, or work at the computer, for all the pain. I joke
that "I get cheeky with the nurses" <G>...but nudity means nothing to them...as they've seen it all before. While there's a time and a place
for everything, when it comes to medical stuff, folks need to throw
all modesty out the window. Yet, I know folks who won't go to the doctor
for the fact they don't want to be seen naked, or discuss about "The 3
P's -- peeing, pooping, and procreation".

Daryl

... Darn it!! I forgot all about the Amnesia Conference!!
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Hi & welcome, Don! Recently you wrote in a message to Daryl Stout:

Even had to take a colon test a couple of months ago.

Seems to me you're in good company... [wry grin].

they said I was normal. Hearing that...I cried for joy.

Uh-huh. Although I didn't think it was likely I had colon cancer I was quite relieved when my gastroenterologist found no evidence of it.... :-)

The reason...have had the "truck driver's syndrome"
since my early 20's & didn't want anything causing
more pain than what I feel through the years.

Hmm....

Uncle Google says very little about it, except that it affects many people who spend a lot of time in a seated position. If you're a truck driver who has to eat & sleep whenever the opportunity becomes available I understand how these things can interfere with one's digestion etc. because I'm in a very similar situation. What made the matter more urgent in recent months was that I'd developed chronic diarrhea... beginning around the time people who used to eat out a lot started remaining at home & learning to bake bread. The grocery stores (for this & other reasons) often couldn't meet the unprecedented demand for so many things I won't try to list them. I reckon the situation in the US was probably much the same. I saw no complaint in this echo WRT how difficult it was to obtain xxx, yyy, or zzz for quite awhile. But I remember what Daryl said about joking with his nurses & AFAIC we're on the same wave length there.

It was easier years ago to cross the Canada/US border than it is to get into a hospital nowadays. I remain patient while security guards ask me a bunch of questions about where I've been recently, whether I have any symptoms of COVID-19, and what my business is with the hospital. When I finally get to the outpatient clinic I have to answer the same questions all over again... so the moment I can be sure I'm talking to a nurse I let it all hang out & add to the simplistic responses other people expect. Do I have blah blah? Yes, I've had it for xxx months... that's why I'm here. The nurse who interviewed me in the gastroenterology clinic didn't miss a beat & we got along very well. :-))




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith,

Even had to take a colon test a couple of months ago.

Seems to me you're in good company... [wry grin].

My next one is in April. But, I'm going to do the Citrate Of
Magnesia, and the Ducolax. That My-Lytely stuff sucks...the acid
reflux I had reacted so with it, it felt like my esophagus and
throat were on fire...so I couldn't finish the prep work.

they said I was normal. Hearing that...I cried for joy.

Uh-huh. Although I didn't think it was likely I had colon
cancer I was quite relieved when my gastroenterologist found no
evidence of it.... :-)

That's what I'm hoping for. When I had my last one nearly 3 years
ago, there was a woman in her mid-80's getting her first one. My gastrointerologist, a black guy with a great sense of humor (but
very cordial and informative) was very annoyed with this woman for
waiting so long.

Uncle Google says very little about it, except that it
affects many people who spend a lot of time in a seated position. If you're a truck driver who has to eat & sleep whenever the opportunity becomes available I understand how these things can interfere with
one's digestion etc. because I'm in a very similar situation. What
made the matter more urgent in recent months was that I'd developed chronic diarrhea... beginning around the time people who used to eat
out a lot started remaining at home & learning to bake bread. The
grocery stores (for this & other reasons) often couldn't meet the unprecedented demand for so many things I won't try to list them. I reckon the situation in the US was probably much the same. I saw no complaint in this echo WRT how difficult it was to obtain xxx, yyy, or
zzz for quite awhile. But I remember what Daryl said about joking with his nurses & AFAIC we're on the same wave length there.

When I first had the rectal bleeding (red), I thought it was cancer.
But, if it's red, it's hemorrhoids. When my doctor said "you've got
the same thing women get from having babies", I growled "I'm not a
woman, and men can't have babies". When he did a flexsigmoidoscopy
on me (I was not sedated for that, and the cramping was awful), he
said "Look!! Your colon on TV!!". I growled "I want to change the
channel!! Where are the dancing girls??".

This was also the same one who had a poster on his exam room door,
that said "Ask Me About Viagra" (this was around the time it first
came out). My wife was in there with me, as I was having "male
problems". So, I said to him, "OK, Doc...I'll bite...what about it??".
Grinning like the cat who just swallowed the canary, he said "I've
had 8 men ask...2 women ask...and I personally don't give a [crap]".

It was easier years ago to cross the Canada/US border than
it is to get into a hospital nowadays. I remain patient while security guards ask me a bunch of questions about where I've been recently,
whether I have any symptoms of COVID-19, and what my business is with
the hospital. When I finally get to the outpatient clinic I have to answer the same questions all over again... so the moment I can be sure I'm talking to a nurse I let it all hang out & add to the simplistic responses other people expect. Do I have blah blah? Yes, I've had it
for xxx months... that's why I'm here. The nurse who interviewed me in the gastroenterology clinic didn't miss a beat & we got along very
well. :-))

I have a 13 page med list of all my surgeries, conditions, medicines, doctors, specialists, etc. The only thing it doesn't have is a full
front and full back nude photo of me. Then, it would be "Everything
you wanted to know about me medically...but were afraid to ask". <G>
If I'm going for a full physical, a procedure, or an emergency room
visit, I print the full med list. When the nurse asked about my
medical history, I handed it to her, and said "Read this!!" <G>.

I thought she was going to kiss me!! She said "This makes it so
much easier for us"...and I replied "Then, I don't have to remember
all of it!!".

Daryl

... WARNING!! I'm naked under these clothes!!
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Hi, Daryl! Early last month you wrote in a message to Don Lowery:

Actually, the color of ones [poop] can be an indicator
of something more serious.

Makes sense to me.... :-)

If it's black, it means internal bleeding...

Or it may be a side effect of the type of iron supplement people are often given on the understanding that +/- 200 mg will go down the toilet. :-Q

and if it's another color, it's a bile issue with the
liver.

Yes, an off-white or pale yellow shade may indicate liver damage. I read that somewhere & noticed it a month before it showed up on our daughter's liver function tests while she was in treatment for leukemia. IIRC this was a side effect of methotrexate which is usually reversible. I mention it because Dallas & I knew a guy years ago who was prescribed the same drug for arthritis and I suspect it may be used WRT various other medical conditions too.... :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith,

Actually, the color of ones [poop] can be an indicator
of something more serious.

Makes sense to me.... :-)

There's an article that I have from WebMD, that I'll post (along
with other items every few days, recycling every 90 days), on that.
I just wanted to get permission to do such. The majority of the
information is what I've captured from WebMD, and I'm giving credit
to them for it...the same way when citing a reference in a research paper...so, I'm not plagiarizling (sp?).

A fellow ham radio operator told of his daughter and new grandbaby
(with the expected diaper changes)...and after about a week or two,
his daughter said "God put the stink in it". <G> From what I read,
a newborn's stool is "golden yellow" with "a fairly sweetish odor"...
but as noted above, that apparently doesn't last long. :P

I heard of an experience at a restaurant, where Momma had her 2
young kids there, and it kept smelling like her son had pooped in
his pants. So, as discreetely as she could, she was asking him "are
you sure you don't need to go potty??". With that, he finally stood
up, dropped his pants and underwear, mooned her, and "spread his butt cheeks"...then said "See, Mom?? It's just farts!!" :P

But the stench of the methane is an indication of that the bacteria
in your colon are doing their job in digesting the food. Plus, what
you eat can increase it...such as certain beans and other legumes. I
personally like baked beans (I hear that the Bush's Baked Beans are
quite good, but I've never tried them...I always liked the "Beanie
Weenies" (baked beans and hot dogs). But, I think it's one thing I'm
not supposed to eat much of, due to oxylates.

I'm reminded of the commercial years ago (I want to say that it was
from Tractor Supply Company, but I'm not sure. The family is at the
dinner table, asking The Good Lord to bless the food before the meal,
and the dog is there under the table. Well, apparently, the dog knew
what they were eating (Beano was apparently not even considered at
the table <G>), so as soon as he heard "Amen!!", he was off like a shot...heading upstairs to the bedroom. He "opens" the chest of drawers,
and starts digging through items, trying to find a certain item. On the
third drawer, he finds his quarry...a gas mask!!

So, the next shot, you see the dog, with the mask on, bounding down
the stairs, and gets back under the table...the family didn't even
notice he was gone, as they were "feeding their faces".

Then, you hear the announcers voice "We have what you want!!" <BG>.

If it's black, it means internal bleeding...

Or it may be a side effect of the type of iron supplement
people are often given on the understanding that +/- 200 mg will go
down the toilet. :-Q

Pepto Bismol apparently will do that. I might have taken that once.
Right now, the prescription strength Prilosec is taking care of the acid reflux...the OTC version isn't strong enough, and they only let you take
that for 2 weeks. But, once you have acid reflux, it lasts far longer
than 2 weeks.

and if it's another color, it's a bile issue with the
liver.

Yes, an off-white or pale yellow shade may indicate liver damage. I read that somewhere & noticed it a month before it showed up
on our daughter's liver function tests while she was in treatment for leukemia. IIRC this was a side effect of methotrexate which is usually reversible. I mention it because Dallas & I knew a guy years ago who
was prescribed the same drug for arthritis and I suspect it may be used WRT various other medical conditions too.... :-)

I used to have problems with a fatty liver...but the blood work this past March only showed a very low B-12 and testosterone count. The Hemoglobin
A1C was steady at 6.1, and everything else (cholesterol, triglycerides,
liver enzymes, blood sugar, etc.) were all within "normal limits".

I know that they can't really treat arthritis, and I have it all through
my body (confirmed by X-Ray). It's in the shoulders, spine (degenerative
disk disease), hips (radiating across the groin and buttocks), legs,
knees, and feet. The bones in my neck are so kinked (confirmed by X-Ray),
yet, it's rare I'm bothered by it. My PCP couldn't believe I'm not in more
pain than I am. I take a cane wherever I go, but have the walker next to
the bed.

To me, the only "golden" thing about "The Golden Years" is the color
of ones urine. :P And, that's also another subject as well.

Briefly, if it's clear, you're likely overhydrated, drinking too much
water, or you may be on Lasix (been there, done that). After they removed
a bladder stone earlier this year, I had to spend the night in the
hospital (I had no one to stay with me at home), and they gave me 10
pitchers of ice water, and a big Lasix tablet. I was filling up the
urinal bottles in 5 minutes time!! It made no sense to go back and forth
to the toilet. I thought I was going to pee my member off!! :P

Golden yellow is the ideal color, sort of like apple juice (more on that
in a minute). If it seems bright as a neon sign, I want to say it's due
to a certain vitamin or something else. If it's brown, it's concentrated,
but one could be getting dehydrated (that can also lead to kidney stone formation). If it's red, it's either hematuria (blood in the urine), or
one has eaten beets (those who like these, can have my portion <G>).

As for the apple juice, there was a story of this man who was in the hospital, and this one nurse kept "baby talking to him", and he was
highly offended by it. Well, revenge is a dish best served cold <G>, so
he ordered a thing of apple juice, but he let it sit and warm up. The
"baby talking nurse" came in, asking for a urine sample...then she
stepped out while he could void into the specimen up. Unknown to her,
he poured the apple juice in it instead. When she came back in, she
lamented "Ooooo....a bit dark". To which, the man grabbed the specimen
cup from her, with the warm apple juice in it, and he said "That's OK.
I'll run it through again", and swigged it down.

The nurse fainted dead away...and never bothered him again. <G>

Several years ago, quite a few of the ladies I square danced with
(one of my other hobbies) were nurses on my ward. They gave me loads
of grief <BG>. Of course, nudity means nothing to them, but if they
were going to pull my chain and have fun with me, I might as well do
likewise <G>.

Daryl

... "Farfrompoopin'" - German word for constipation.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Hi, Daryl -- on Aug 20 2020 at 09:39, you wrote:

There's an article that I have from WebMD, that I'll post (along
with other items every few days, recycling every 90 days), on that.
I just wanted to get permission to do such. The majority of the

Regretfully, permission denied. Survivor echo is not a place for
regurgitation of published (or unpublished!) articles; it is a place for
people to discuss their issues and to offer support to others. There are
other places to get detailed medical information. WebMD is very good for
that, but frankly, the gruesome details of someone's illness aren't what
we're here for.

Thanks for asking!


Cheers... Dallas

--- timEd/NT 1.30+
* Origin: The BandMaster, Vancouver, CANADA (1:153/7715)

Dallas,

Regretfully, permission denied. Survivor echo is not a place for regurgitation of published (or unpublished!) articles; it is a place
for people to discuss their issues and to offer support to others.
There are other places to get detailed medical information. WebMD is
very good for that, but frankly, the gruesome details of someone's
illness aren't what we're here for.

Thanks for asking!

I decided not to do it after all...and that was before I saw the post
you made.

Daryl

... Sign on a Maternity Room Door: Push!! Push!! Push!!
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Hi, Daryl -- on Aug 22 2020 at 20:31, you wrote:

I decided not to do it after all...and that was before I saw the post
you made.

Super - a wise decision, I think. Thanks!


Cheers... Dallas

--- timEd/NT 1.30+
* Origin: The BandMaster, Vancouver, CANADA (1:153/7715)

Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

Even had to take a colon test a couple of months ago.

Seems to me you're in good company... [wry grin].

My next one is in April. But, I'm going to do the Citrate
of Magnesia, and the Ducolax. That My-Lytely stuff sucks
...the acid reflux I had reacted so with it, it felt like
my esophagus throat were on fire...so I couldn't finish
the prep work.

Dallas & I both used Colyte, because that's what the local pharmacy had, and found it reasonably tolerable. I could ask our friend again what she was so impressed by... but I guess you've established what works for you. :-)

When I first had the rectal bleeding (red), I thought it
was cancer. But, if it's red, it's hemorrhoids.

Or skin tags, which are also close to the surface & may be found in both males & females. What matters here AFAIK is that blood looks red when it has been exposed to oxygen but hasn't gone through the digestive system. When you have a stool test for occult ("hidden") blood the idea is that it can't be seen by the naked eye & is identified by chemical tests. If the specimens one provides are contaminated with blood from the rectum a colonoscopy may be next on the agenda because there's no other way to be sure what's going on.... :-)

When my doctor said "you've got the same thing women get
from having babies", I growled "I'm not a woman, and men
can't have babies".

No... but they can strain at stool, as some folks put it, and I was instructed to reproduce this action during the final stage of childbirth. :-)

When he did a flexsigmoidoscopy on me (I was not sedated
for that, and the cramping was awful), he said "Look!!
Your colon on TV!!". I growled "I want to change the
channel!! Where are the dancing girls??".

Very good. Stay as sweet as you are... [ROFL].

I have a 13 page med list of all my surgeries, conditions,
medicines, doctors, specialists, etc. The only thing it
doesn't have is a full front and full back nude photo of me.
Then, it would be "Everything you wanted to know about me
medically...but were afraid to ask". <G> If I'm going for a
full physical, a procedure, or an emergency room visit, I
print the full med list.

Dallas & do likewise. It saves all concerned time & effort, and it helps ensure the junior Dr. assigned to taking the history gets it right. :-Q




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Dallas,

I decided not to do it after all...and that was before I saw the post you made.

Super - a wise decision, I think. Thanks!

At least I did ask the moderator beforehand. :)

On another note, the testapel (testosterone pellets) for Low-T
(basically male menopause) are STILL back ordered, due to COVID-19,
and Arkansas Urology has no idea when they'll get them in. So, I
have to get weekly shots in the gleute. I quipped that "I think they
use barbed wire for the needles" (that first stick really stings),
and the nurse sarcastically said "We dip them in rust beforehand" <G>.

My level is on the LOW end of the medium scale...and the doctor
said over a month ago that "if we wait, your levels will crash, and
you'll develop cardiovascular (heart and lung) and diabetes issues".
That was too big a risk for me to take.

My Hemoglobin A1C has been hovering around 6.1 -- and I keep hearing different figures of the threshold for Type 2 diabetes...with values
from 6.4 to 7.0 -- and some even lower than 6.0 -- would it be too much trouble if we could make up our minds?? I think that the American
Diabetes Association has the level at 7.0 -- if anyone can clarify that,
I'd appreciate it. I'd be most likely to develop type 2.

I don't eat that many sweets (especially candy, although I love plain M&M's), but at times, I get a craving for something sweet. Yet, I can't
eat the rich foods too often (especially cheesecake or frostings), or
it upsets my colon something fierce.

I skipped an area Train Show And Sale over the weekend. Because of
COVID-19, they weren't selling food and drink, and requiring everyone
to wear masks. While I didn't have a problem with that, I had laundry
to do instead...and along that line, clean underwear comes to mind...
although with incontinence (part of growing old), it's having to wear
Depends now.

I think of a meme that showed this woman speeding in a car, next
to an ambulance in emergency mode. Apparently, it was taking her son
to the hospital, and she holds out a pair of clean underwear, telling
the paramedics "to put those on him before they take him into the
Emergency Room". <G>

There was another cartoon where the woman's son was in the Emergency
Room, and the doctor comes out to talk to her, and says "I have good
news and bad news". The mother panics, as the doctor continues "He'll
be OK, but he didn't have clean underwear on!!". At that point, Momma
is kicking and screaming on the floor, "NO!! NO!! WHY??!! WHY??!!" <G>.

Yet, nudity and dirty underwear means nothing to the medical folks.

Also, in the restaurants, because of COVID-19, some are only doing
take-out orders only, but some are still closed. Those that are open
in the dining room (at least in Arkansas), can have 2/3 (67%) capacity.

But, in some places, even before COVID-19, they were automatically
putting a 20% gratuity on the bill, whether you were the only one in
the party, or you had more than 15. So, some folks got some business
cards created, noting that they disagreed with that policy. I do as
well, because if the food and service is going to be lousy, I don't
feel they deserve a tip. But, if the food and service is good, I will
leave a nice tip.

Back to the card, it noted "Since you want a tip, I'll give you
three"...and had these listed:

1) Plant your corn early.
2) Keep your powder dry.
3) Always have clean underwear on.

I've seriously considering doing that myself <G>...although I've
known people, who when finding out there was going to be that 20%
charge beforehand, they turned around, and walked out of the business.
In some cases, they are even charging "a COVID-19 treatment fee". Most
folks, like myself are "frugal cheapskates", and will definitely not be
going to places that have those expensive surcharges...whether for
health reasons or otherwise.

Daryl

... DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE -- FOR SYSOP USE ONLY.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Ardith,

Dallas & I both used Colyte, because that's what the local pharmacy had, and found it reasonably tolerable. I could ask our
friend again what she was so impressed by... but I guess you've established what works for you. :-)

Never heard of that brand...will have to remember that. My late wife
referred to the Citrate Of Magnesia as "sprite with a kick".

Or skin tags, which are also close to the surface & may be found in both males & females. What matters here AFAIK is that blood looks red when it has been exposed to oxygen but hasn't gone through
the digestive system. When you have a stool test for occult ("hidden") blood the idea is that it can't be seen by the naked eye & is
identified by chemical tests. If the specimens one provides are contaminated with blood from the rectum a colonoscopy may be next on
the agenda because there's no other way to be sure what's going on....
:-)

I've got those as well. The next colonoscopy is set for April...I'm
going to try to get something besides that MyLytely this next time.

No... but they can strain at stool, as some folks put it,
and I was instructed to reproduce this action during the final stage of childbirth. :-)

When they were checking for a hernia in the groin area, I was told
to bear down, and "broke wind". :P

I remember Dr. Drew Pinsky doing a show, talking to new mothers to
be (he actually got to deliver his own kids!!), and was asking them
what "advice" that their Mom, BFF, etc. gave them. In the teaser for
the show, you didn't hear "the winner", but everyone was roaring in
laughter, and he was as red as a tomato.

My wife was still alive at that time, and we were watching the show,
and they revealed "the winner"..."Don't poop on the table!!" <BG>. My
wife and I were laughing as well!! :)

Your colon on TV!!". I growled "I want to change the
channel!! Where are the dancing girls??".

Very good. Stay as sweet as you are... [ROFL].

I'm getting razzed now that Laura (the hurricane, whose remnants
are supposed to affect my area late Wednesday into at least Friday),
is "my new girlfriend". A fellow ham radio operator in the New Orleans
area quipped "she's a high maintenance female"...I told him "I don't
want to know". <G>

Dallas & do likewise. It saves all concerned time & effort, and it helps ensure the junior Dr. assigned to taking the history gets
it right. :-Q

Then, you don't have to remember all of it. I joke that the only
thing it doesn't have is a full front and full back nude photo of
my anatomy. Then, it would be "Everything You Wanted To Know About
Me, Medically...But Were Afraid To Ask" <G>.

Daryl

... I'm making chocolate chip cookies, and I have more M&M's to peel.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

...then said "See, Mom?? It's just farts!!" :P

But the stench of the methane is an indication of that
the bacteria in your colon are doing their job in
digesting the food.

According to both of my favourite dictionaries methane, despite its reputation, is odourless. However, it seems to me that whenever decomposition involves large numbers of anaerobic bacteria the smell can be pretty bad. :-)

Right now, the prescription strength Prilosec is taking
care of the acid reflux...the OTC version isn't strong
enough, and they only let you take that for 2 weeks.

With OTC drugs the manufacturers want to make sure you're not using the product on a long-term basis without seeking medical advice. When you do, your doctor may prescribe a stronger dose or tell you it's okay to go on using the stuff. Either way you're acting under supervision from a person qualified to determine what's going on. WRT some ailments symptomatic relief may be the best one can expect... OTOH, self-treatment may hide more serious issues. :-)

I know that they can't really treat arthritis, and I have
it all through my body (confirmed by X-Ray).

Archaeologists have found arthritis in the bones of humans who were in their 20's when they died, and IIRC such a person commented that anyone who lives long enough will get it eventually. Sometimes it's painful... sometimes it's not. Because the pain tends to come & go, and because different remedies may affect different people in different ways, there are no easy answers. :-)



[re urine]

If it's brown, it's concentrated, but one could be
getting dehydrated (that can also lead to kidney stone
formation).

I noticed that during a heat wave when our daughter was still using the potty & had been given an antibiotic which resulted in diarrhea. It's not hard, under such conditions, to monitor the volume of urinary output.... :-))

If it's red, it's either hematuria (blood in the urine),
or one has eaten beets (those who like these, can have
my portion <G>).

I'm told other foods can also have this effect, but my first & only experience with it occurred a few hours after I ate multi-coloured nacho chips at a restaurant I'd never visited before. Thanks to Uncle Google we were able to see that the red ones must have been dyed with beetroot juice... [chuckle].



[re the "baby talking" nurse]

The nurse fainted dead away...and never bothered him
again. <G>

Alternatively, you may be able to get rid of certain people just by telling the unvarnished truth. Years ago I was in the gynaecology ward of one of our local hospitals, i.e. a teaching hospital. Since I'd dutifully watched the required film about hysterectomy (together with most of the other patients in the ward) it wasn't difficult to guess why most were there. However, I was there for another reason... and I figured so was my roommate, who looked to be about 15 years old. When a young doctor came into the room & asked permission to do an internal exam of Yours Truly I was puzzled as to what he thought he'd be able to see, considering I was bleeding. I guess folks like him need folks like me to practise on... but I also realize teens may be very sensitive about such things. When, as an afterthought, he enquired why I was there I told him calmly & quietly that I was having a miscarriage. He immediately fled & never showed his face again. I can't help wondering who would choose gynaecology if s/he can't stand the sight of blood. Perhaps it wasn't his choice, but I hope he's now learned to read the charts before initiating various procedures. :-Q




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith,

According to both of my favourite dictionaries methane,
despite its reputation, is odourless. However, it seems to me that whenever decomposition involves large numbers of anaerobic bacteria the smell can be pretty bad. :-)

Talk about being a group of little stinkers. <G> The dogs are especially
bad at such (especially with the SBD bombs), but like anything else, it's determined on what the human or animal eats.

Before my wife died, we were on our Futon, otherwise "intimately
occupied", and the dachshund was in his bed on the floor. All of a
sudden, this horrible stench permeated my nostrils, and I started
gagging...the dog had dropped a methane bomb!! My wife was laughing uncontrollably, saying "You know he's down there, going 'Hee Hee Hee!!
Ignore my [butt], will you??" <G>. Needless to say, any romance went
out the window...I had to get dressed, and take the weiner widget for
a walk. :P

The dogs check each other out, by sniffing each other butts. At least
humans don't literally do that. :P

With OTC drugs the manufacturers want to make sure you're
not using the product on a long-term basis without seeking medical
advice. When you do, your doctor may prescribe a stronger dose or tell you it's okay to go on using the stuff. Either way you're acting under supervision from a person qualified to determine what's going on. WRT some ailments symptomatic relief may be the best one can expect...
OTOH, self-treatment may hide more serious issues. :-)

This is why I'm not one for the herbal or home remedies. Of course, your mileage may vary...as everyone's system is different. My clinic is also
part of this group that makes sure controlled substances that have been prescribed are being properly used.

Several years ago, when I had a large cyst develop on the left buttocks cheek, it had to be removed surgically. It was benign, but it had to heal
from the inside out. I had to have home health care for 2 months, to clean
the wound, change and repack the bandages, etc. They even inspected my
medicine cabinet; but since everything in there had been legally prescribed, they couldn't touch me. The scar is rather large, and at times, it itches.

Archaeologists have found arthritis in the bones of humans
who were in their 20's when they died, and IIRC such a person commented that anyone who lives long enough will get it eventually. Sometimes
it's painful... sometimes it's not. Because the pain tends to come &
go, and because different remedies may affect different people in different ways, there are no easy answers. :-)

The bones in my neck are so kinked, my PCP is amazed I'm not in more
pain than I am now. I use a cane everywhere, and have the walker and a wheelchair for emergencies.

I noticed that during a heat wave when our daughter was
still using the potty & had been given an antibiotic which resulted in diarrhea. It's not hard, under such conditions, to monitor the volume
of urinary output.... :-))

I'm battling diarrhea now, but it's because I'm drinking at least six
12 ounce bottles of diet green tea citrus a day, to keep hydrated. They
did blood work to check my B-12 level this morning, but I had to set up
a full blood work (diabetes, cholesterol, etc.) check for next week. That
gets done every 6 months.

I still had to get the B-12 shot this morning, but if it helps the level
(I should know today's results by next week), then I may not need the
shots anymore. But, it's the Ozemprazole (prescription strength Prilosec) causing the B-12 issues...the OTC Prilosec has no effect on my acid
reflux, and they say you shouldn't take that for more than 14 days. I also
got the next Low-T shot this morning, and while they think they have a
supply of testapel (testosterone pellets) in, they're not sure...and
they have a backlog of patients waiting to get them. So, I have to keep
getting the shots until they get around to me.

Plus, they're going to get full blood work from me there in 2 weeks. Basically, I see Dracula twice in the next 2 weeks. Along that line, the tagline below (which I procured <G>) fits my mood. ;)

I'm told other foods can also have this effect, but my first
& only experience with it occurred a few hours after I ate
multi-coloured nacho chips at a restaurant I'd never visited before. Thanks to Uncle Google we were able to see that the red ones must have been dyed with beetroot juice... [chuckle].

When someone tells me about eggplant, I quip "I thought that was redneck
for 'chicken'" <G>.

Alternatively, you may be able to get rid of certain people just by telling the unvarnished truth. Years ago I was in the
gynaecology ward of one of our local hospitals, i.e. a teaching
hospital. Since I'd dutifully watched the required film about hysterectomy (together with most of the other patients in the ward) it wasn't difficult to guess why most were there. However, I was there
for another reason... and I figured so was my roommate, who looked to
be about 15 years old. When a young doctor came into the room & asked permission to do an internal exam of Yours Truly I was puzzled as to
what he thought he'd be able to see, considering I was bleeding. I
guess folks like him need folks like me to practise on... but I also realize teens may be very sensitive about such things. When, as an afterthought, he enquired why I was there I told him calmly & quietly
that I was having a miscarriage. He immediately fled & never showed
his face again. I can't help wondering who would choose gynaecology if s/he can't stand the sight of blood. Perhaps it wasn't his choice, but
I hope he's now learned to read the charts before initiating various procedures. :-Q

I saw a story on the news this morning, where this woman, who had just graduated from nursing school...was inspired to do so by her 98 year old
Mom, who had been a nurse for 61 years. I wish we had more stories like
that.

I've talked to some medical folks, veterinary and otherwise, where while
they can handle the sight of urine, blood, and feces, vomitus is where
they draw the line, as it were...especially if you have a weak gag reflex,
as I do.

Years ago, when they first diagnosed me with digestive tract issues (irritable bowel syndrome, nervous stomach, spastic colon, and diverticulitis), I was first told I had to watch what I ate (meaning
diet). I replied "I do...from the plate to the mouth"...they didn't
like my answer. <G> When I had rectal bleeding, I thought it was colon
cancer, but it was hemorrhoids. My next colonoscopy is in April. I am
going to try to go back to the citrate of magnesia and Ducolax. That
MyLytely was so tart and acidic, that it reacted with the stomach acid,
and was burning my esophagus and throat...so, I couldn't finish the prep
work.

Next, they decided to do "prune" me, with a drink which was like a
thick strawberry shake and Sprite (I think it was actually a barium
contrast solution, that was to go from the top down, rather than from
the bottom up...pun intended). They said "don't even pause to belch",
and I swigged that down like a drunkard. Amazed, they said "this man
knows how to drink". It was the first thing I had been permitted to have
in 3 days, and I love strawberries and Sprite, anyway. I told them "you
better have the stepstool here, in case I have to bid a hasty retreat"...
and it was only 10 minutes when (as comedian Jeff Foxworthy put it, on prepping for his colonoscopy) "my underwear tapped me on the shoulder,
and said 'RUN!!'". <G> They told me that I was LUCKY -- some folks had
to stay down there 5 HOURS to get cleaned out...I cringed.

Well, something on the ultrasound and X-Ray in the abdomen looked very suspicious, as if I was going to need an appendectomy. They had me on
NPO (nothing by mouth), as they thought they'd have to do surgery. The
nurse walked in, and had the gall to ask for a stool sample!! I growled
"Where do you think I'm going to get it?? From the bedpan in the next
room?? You haven't fed me in 3 days!!". She finally looked at my chart,
and admitted "Well, you can't manufacture it, if you ain't got it". So,
they gave me green Jello to "get their quota".

I lost 10 pounds the hard way that week. My employer wasn't happy, as
the dirty work at my job fell in his lap. I snarled "If you think I'd
rather be on a cold and hard emergency room table, with constant vomiting
and diarrhea, not to mention severe pain, you are crazy".

When the arthritis and migraines got so bad, and I went in to my now
former workplace, and announced I was quitting, I said "My body won't
let me do it anymore". Had I not stopped when I did, I would've either
been in worse shape, or dead long ago.

I found out a little bit ago that my mother-in-law passed away this
past Sunday (my father-in-law called to deliver the news). Her birthday
was August 7, but apparently she was in the hospital and very ill...but
my wishes were relayed to her. Yesterday (Sept. 1) would've been my Mom's
94th birthday, had she lived (she died 3 weeks before her 93rd birthday).

Daryl

... Why look at the Docs?? The nurses are prettier.
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Well, I thought I'd give folks an update...from Doctor Quackenbush...
aka Groucho Marx...who noted "Either this man is dead, or my watch has stopped". <G>

Seriously, I was concerned that I had glaucoma, as they suspected
such on an eye exam in March. A follow-up this last week showed that
my corneas were nice and thick, with an eye pressure of 9 in the left
eye, and 11 in the right (the highest it has ever been in either eye
has been 14). I think the threshold for glaucoma is 21. So, while I
do have astigmatism and double vision in the right eye at times, he
said I don't have to go back until December. One eye has always been
worse than the other...before and after cataract surgery 11 years ago.
I went from 20/2000 visual acuity before the surgery to 20/20 afterwards.

My appointments for blood work and a physical exam with my PCP, and procedures with my urologist are 3 months late. In mid-February, two
back to back snowstorms hit the central Arkansas area...and one of my
clinics suffered significant water damage...so much so, that they were
closed for a month...then they had a huge backlog of patients. The
urology clinic was shut down, but they didn't have water damage. However,
they did have a backlog in patients.

Anyway, at the PCP blood draw, they thought I was dehydrated, as the
blood out of my left arm was real thick. I have been drinking a half
gallon of diet green tea citrus a day, as it's a diuretic...which has
kept me free of kidney stones for over a year now...and the caffeine
keeps the migraine headaches away. Well, at the urology clinic, out of
the right arm, they got the blood to flow just fine. I wasn't thirsty
at the time...but I had such a migraine sinus headache yesterday (June
28) that I ate and drank very little...since I couldn't hold my eyes
open (I did very little computer/BBS work), and slept much of Monday.
I can't just drink water, as it sets my colon off...but the diet green
tea doesn't. Drinking excess water for me is like I was swigging prune juice...and we all know what that does. :P

After a car wreck in January (which wasn't my fault), I had to
undergo $9100 of chiropractic care (but I didn't have to pay for
it). I bought a pre-owned car (Uber was costing $40 a day), but had
to pay for repairs on it (pre-owned cars are sold AS IS, with NO
WARRANTY).

Then, a device in one of the bathroom toilets failed, causing
the tank to overflow, flooding both bathrooms. I had to dig into
some of that insurance money because of medical, transportation,
and other issues. I'm to see if I can get a bare bones bathroom
rebuild in the coming days...but everyone has agreed that "if I
didn't have my health, it wouldn't do any good getting the bathrooms
fixed". I cried several days either side of my birthday over 3 months
ago...and nearly hung up on my cousin when she called, as I was so
distraught. I still haven't been able to schedule an upper and lower
GI, due to cost. Right now, there are no sinks or vanities in either
bathroom, the offending toilet has been shut down, and they have
stuff in the shower area. I have to go out to the kitchen to wash
my hands, but at least I still have one working toilet.

I won't know the bloodwork results for at least a week...and likely
will have to resume low-T treatments. If I become type 2 diabetic, that
will be a major game changer.

Daryl

... Who needs veggies and nutrition? Give me the luscious fat!!
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A quick health update, as I haven't been in here in awhile.

Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with atrial flutter, with
an erratic to high heart rate of 155. This was likely caused by
my drinking a half gallon of diet green tea citrus a day. I had
given up drinking carbonated beverages, as they likely were causing
kidney stones. As a side note, they term Arkansas and Tennessee as
"the kidney stone belt", due to the proliferation of cases of kidney stones...which may be caused by limestone in the water.

While tea is a diuretic, the caffeine was like the energy drinks, accelerating the heart rate. So, I got put on heart rate medication,
and a blood thinner, to prevent blood clots that would cause a fatal
stroke or heart attack. Then, this past March, I was diagnosed with
congestive heart failure, and put on Lasix.

Shortly after that, in a follow-up with my cardiologist, he said
I should go ahead and have ablation surgery done. They do the surgery outpatient, stripping you nude, and putting you to sleep. Then, they
go up through the groin to the heart, and burn away certain areas
where the blood tends to pool and clot, because of the erratic
heartbeat. The procedure stops both of these from occurring, and one
can get off the heart rate medication (either diltiazem, rhythmol,
or something else) immediately after the surgery...but one has to
stay on the blood thinner (Eliquis) for at least another month.

Just over 4 hours after the anesthesia took effect, they were
discharging me to go home. I just have to take it easy for a few
days, but otherwise, I feel great. The doctor who did the procedure,
came highly recommended...several noted that "she's one of the best
in the central Arkansas area".

I have a home health care nurse from my HMO coming by on Tuesday,
for the yearly wellness check. Then, the following Tuesday, I go in
to my PCP for the yearly complete physical, full blood work, and
diabetes check. Last month, I got a good report from the urologist,
and don't have to see him or the nurse practitioner again until next
July.

I did have to give up driving (and sell my car) 2 months ago, due
to my corneas constantly drying out. It would cause blurred vision,
and eye pain, hitting without warning...and, you obviously can't have
that while driving. While I'm on Systane Eye drops, it was just better
I quit driving. The eye pressures were 12 and 13 (which is excellent;
as they don't worry about glaucoma until the pressures hit 20), but
they have classed me as having "suspect glaucoma". They noted there
was no sign of macular degeneration, or danger of going blind. I also
have seen no signs of a detached retina developing...which requires
emergency surgery to prevent blindness.

But, by giving up the car, I no longer have to worry about things
like gasoline prices, car insurance, property taxes, license tags,
car repairs (which can be in the thousands of dollars), flat tires,
etc. It is kind of a drag not being able to have the independence
to go where and when you want...but medical issues forced me to give
up driving...and I felt it best to do such, before I hurt or killed
myself or someone else.

Daryl

... Deliver a pizza? Whoever heard of a liver pizza?
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Mike,

Good to hear that the procedure went well!

I wasn't concerned, as the doctor who did it, is one of the best in
the central Arkansas area on doing it.

My problem now is trying to lose weight, which is obviously easier
said than done. :P But, if I cut down my eating, then my colon gives
me fits.

Daryl

... Blizzard Warning: Your Dairy Queen Shake Is Ready.
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