I just thought I'd give a little health update about myself in case anyone was wondering how I was feeling after my icky hospital ordeal. I feel great now. Apparently the infection I had cleared up really well and now I don't have any more pain or problems. And I got a letter in the mail that my follow up blood tests were all normal. That was great news because the ER doctor scared me and tried to make me think I had hepatitis because my test results were off.
But MY doctor told me it was from the infection, even if the ER doc told me, "nope, this is something else!" Liar. Why would they tell a hypochondriac basket case something like that, when it wasn't even true? My liver is fine. And apparently so is everything else that needs to be fine.
I was told I should go to a specialist though and get an ass probing colonoscopy though. Blah. No thank you. I had a panic attack in the doctors office when he told me that. But I have a family history of colon cancer so they wanted me to get checked out. Which of course made me freak even more. But I was assured it wasn't cancer that made me sick. If it was, the antibiotics wouldn't have helped me. And my blood tests wouldn't have gone back to normal so fast. But they still recommended I get probed.
I can't do that though. I really can't. So I said no way. But I do have to get another CT scan on Friday just to make certain everything looks okay in there. I think it will. Because I feel fine now. I feel better than I've felt in months actually. But I'm still nervous. And it still requires me to get an IV and drink this radioactive orange flavored shit.
I tried to back out of that test too because I felt good and figured I didn't need to do it. But everyone keeps telling me I still need to do it so they can all feel better too knowing nothing is wrong with me anymore. But I'm a big chicken. I don't want to do it. And I won't have the benefit of being all drugged up this time when they do it either.
But I know I need to just suck it up and get it over with. It's much better than having the ass invasion test done. I know people keep telling me that it's not that big of a deal to have a colonoscopy because they sedate you. But that shit doesn't work on me very well. The medication at the hospital that was supposed to knock my ass out only made me more alert and insane. So I don't trust that any sort of sedation would actually work on me. Plus I have a huge fear of being put to sleep and never waking up again. So that doesn't comfort me to know they'd put me to sleep for it.
So I'm just not going to do that test. And I never got the call from the specialist anyway, and I'm not going to call them. I'll be fine, I'm sure. I'm still young. And now I'm healthy. So I'm just not going to worry about any of that for now. I'll just get this other test over with and hopefully put the entire ordeal behind me.
I have been eating better too. No more fast food or greasy crap. And I've drank nothing but water and green tea and Vitamin Water for the last few weeks. No coffee or soda! That is an amazing feat of strength for me. I lived on coffee. Seriously. I'd drink almost a whole pot in the morning, then go to Starbucks and get a mocha. Then sometimes for lunch I'd get a blended iced mocha too.
I was always bouncing off the walls, and my stomach hurt a lot. But I didn't care because I loved coffee and caffeine so much. But it's not so bad living without it. Even if I'd really love to have a big cup right about now. I might start drinking it again eventually, only in a MUCH smaller capacity. One cup a day would be okay right? I was supporting a small Columbian village all by myself with the amount of coffee I bought! I bet they miss me right now, so I can't let the villagers down :-P
I know several people here have had to go on special diets due to various health problems, and it's hard to adjust isn't it? I keep forgetting that there are things I'm not allowed to eat now, and it kind of sucks. I can't eat popcorn anymore :-( How do you watch a movie without popcorn?? And how do you wake up in the morning without coffee??
It's kind of funny because one of my best friends is pregnant right now, and we've both had to cut out coffee. She's got one thing on her side that deters her from drinking it, and that's because the smell of it now makes her barf. But she says she still wants it anyway. So we'll just have to help keep each other coffee free huh?
It's hard because Nat still drinks it and the smell doesn't make me barf. It just makes me want to guzzle it down and revel in the beauty of a caffeine high. But I've done good. And I'm amazed at my willpower. I just keep thinking about being sick and in the hospital and the prospect of the ass invasion test, and that helps keep me on track.
Anyone else out there have to give up something like that they loved? How do you do it?
The page you were looking for no longer exists
evil_twin posted on Sep 07, 2008
| views: 345
Comments
-
day2day said on Sep 07, 2008....
hi et, I've had to have one of the ass invasionsdone to me a few years back. It's not all that bad.It's kinda interesting. You get to see on a monitor what your insides look like. weird seeing it.I'm glad ur feeling better. Yeah, the diet sucks. I don't think i could go without my iced tea though. God help me if i have to.My sister has a special diet for diverticulitis. She hates not getting to eat popcorn at the movies. She compensates though.Have a good day2day -
uniquely-ironic said on Sep 07, 2008....
When I was about your age I had a health scare too. I found a breast lump and the doctor told me I needed surgery. I had the surgery and luckily it was benign (non-cancerous). I was so relieved. It was a week before my first wedding and I couldn't imagine starting a life with someone if it had been cancerous.The doctors told me I had to cut back on coffee, eat better and take suppliments or there would be more of the lumps. At the time all that was holding me together was the coffee and junk food. I went through a pot of coffee just like you, and then sipped more throughout the day. I thought it would kill me to give it up, because I love coffee too.I have one cup of coffee a day and limit my soda intake to one a day. Those who know me well do not even try to talk to me BC (before coffee). Every now and then I will have a cup of coffee during the day, but not often.It is hard to give up coffee! Good luck and drink a lot of tea. -
evil_twin said on Sep 07, 2008....
day--I don't think I'd want to see my intestines on a video monitor! Ick. Plus IF I ever HAD to have it done, I think they'd have to knock me out entirely just to get me in the room. I have a severe phobia of anything like that. What sorts of things does your sister eat at the movies to compensate for the popcorn?
uniquely--I'm sorry you had a scare like that years ago too. You just never think something bad like that will happen to you and it's scary when that possibility comes up. At first it was fairly easy to give up the coffee because I was just so sick anyway it didn't even sound good. But now I feel better and I'm dying for it. I think I will try and do something like what you do. One cup a day in the morning should be alright. But it is a good thing I love tea too!
-
botoni said on Sep 07, 2008....
Wonderful to hear that you are feeling good agian. If you're uncomfortable about a colonoscopy there is a simple blood test that will give the doc enough information before recommending the 'invasion'. Ask Nat. I'm sure she ll know what the test is called.
-
skald said on Sep 07, 2008....
I am glad that you are well again. -
Mr_Box said on Sep 07, 2008....
It is hard to live without coffee. I don't drink quite as much as you did, but I do drink a lot. So far it hasn't killed my stomach yet, but it'd probably be a good idea to cut back a little before it gets to that point huh?I know you're nervous about the CT scan and are refusing to do the butt invasion test, but you'll be okay. I don't blame you for freaking out though. It is scary knowing something like that runs in our family. And at some point, we'll both have to bite the bullet and get it done.It's either do it, or risk dying.But I think right now you're just fine. My doctor told me I could wait until I was 40 before I had to do it. So I'm not rushing the process either!I'm just glad you feel better now. And soon it'll all be a distant memory.Instead of popcorn at the movies, eat pretzels. Or chips. You can have that stuff right? -
day2day said on Sep 07, 2008....
hi et, I know it sounds gross but she said that she justgums the popcorn and then spits it out in a tissue. I guess i'm the only one she has ever told about that.You don't need to be knocked out entirely. The pictures on the monitor are not gross at all. Which is what you would think. They give you a colon cleanser first. he he They only like to look atclean colons. Am i getting gross yet?As for my sister, she has to be on a strict diet also.day -
PAPERBACKWRITER said on Sep 07, 2008....
I am glad you are well again. :)
paper ~
-
Mamie said on Sep 07, 2008....
I too am so happy you are feeling so much better! ask
Nat about the virtual colonoscopies they offer...I do believe they are more an ultrasound and then you would not have to do anesthesia at all. Yea, I have had my fiar share of cat scans, pet scans, colonoscopies...etc...and I thought you would enjoy one little moment during alla that....prior to the first of any tests...they were to do an mri...and the question posed to be (in the gown and in the room..to be tested) was...are you claustraphobic?I am like ARE YOU FREAKINGGGGGG SERIOUS?? I WAS NOT UNTIL NOWWWWWWW!! I made them give me a little eye mask to cover my eyes, coz I am telling you right now, I would not have been able to "just keep your eyes closed". creeps!Yes, you know i have had to make many dietary changes once chemo and rads got done with my system, nothing wanted to work right...yet I adjusted. I make mistakes...like sometimes too much chardonnay is what I want...even if i know i will not digest that well the next day and perhaps for days beyond that. I also drink a cup of coffee on my way to fasting blood labs...my doctor said as long as it is not with sugar it won't matter much and it is my little piece of control, ya see?so be a rule breaker and live your life...no popcorn for me either...um, how about cheez itz or gold fish, or any other salty snack that you can usually have....i always bring my own stash now...good luck! Glad you are well!! xxoxoxoxo -
FutureGoddess said on Sep 07, 2008....
Remember, I have permission to kick your ass... Well, I will do it if you DON'T go get a colonoscopy. It is not that bad of a procedure. In fact, I had one done less than a year ago (my family also has a history of colon cancer and I had to have a baseline done). The only problem is the prep for it but that was because I had an allergic reaction to the drink they made me take. But other than that - they shot me up with twilight and valium and I slept through the entire thing.... You can pretty much go back to work the next day - the day you get it you feel a bit gassy but one good poot and you are back in business. -
evil_twin said on Sep 07, 2008....
botoni--Thanks :-) I didn't know there was a blood test that could be done, but I'll definitely ask about that!
skald--Thank you :-)
Mr. Box--Yeah I'll wait until I'm 40 too before I subject myself to an evil test like that. I think having the CT scan will be enough. And I suppose I could eat pretzels or chips instead of popcorn, but it sure isn't the same experience! I guess I better get used to it though.
day--Oh I would need to be knocked out entirely or else they'd never get me into the room. I'm terrified of the entire prospect and am definitely not the type of person who could handle seeing something like that on a video screen. It makes me nauseous just thinking of it. I don't think I want to chew up popcorn and spit it out either :-P I'll just eat something else!
paper--Thank you :-)
Mamie--I'm already claustrophobic and they'd never get me lay still for an MRI either. The CT scan was hard enough and that wasn't all the way enclosed. I'm just hoping the results of this are fine and then I won't have to do any further tests for a really long time. I'll have to adjust my movie watching to include cheezits instead :-)
FG--Yes you have permission to kick my ass and make me keep doctors appointments I already made. But I haven't made this one! And I have no intention of making it. Seriously. Just ask Nat how bad my panic attacks were at the prospect of this test. I didn't sleep or eat for 4 days. Not until I made the decision not to go, and then I felt better. I'll just get the CT scan and that should satisfy everyone's need to see my insides!
-
quietone said on Sep 07, 2008....
kyle, I can relate. I had to give up my sweets when I became diabetic (type 2) It is still really hard to pass up deserts and ice cream at times. I do indulge one in a great while. I don't drink much coffee these days myself. I feel a lot better w/o both the sugar and the coffee. I am glad you are feeling better and you have your own private nurse! :) -
Twylarants said on Sep 07, 2008....
Kyle~ each time I read one of your health posts I become more convinced that you are a child of mine. And I will say here and now that what you and I suffer from is NOT hypochondria. We have "health anxiety". Big difference.
"How do you know this, Twyla?"
I'm glad you asked that question, Kyle.
I know this because I met a true hypochondriac recently. My very first hypochondriac, and it wasn't pretty, lemme tell ya.
We're afraid of being sick, but hypochondriacs revel in it! They love to talk about their ailments, their illnesses are always much worse than anything you could possibly have, they have to be sicker...it makes them feel more important than they are.
We don't want to be sick, we don't revel in it, we want our illness to be nothing more than a slight cold, we're afraid of becoming ill and dying. If I talk about it at all it's just to hear someone say they've had what I have and it was nothing, it went away and never came back.
It took me 2 years to give up coffee completely. I'm still unable to give up chocolate, and I don't see me not smoking much longer...it's too hard.
I'm glad you feel better.
-
theavenger said on Sep 07, 2008....
Simple solution: find another physician who likes coffee better. A cup of coffee everyday is no big deal. Such is the opinion of this humble scientist. -
motherofchicken said on Sep 07, 2008....
hey...i've been away (form here, not from life) but of course checking in on your life first - sorry to hear about your health problems, and glad to know they are clearing away....Actually i also had to give up coffee some while ago for some (pardon moi) ass-related issues...And two weeks I was in withdrawal...Now I've been drinking it again, yes, in smaller quantities. But like today I didn't get any coffee until almost 2pm and I almost died!!!! Well..not really but felt it. Anyways, I'm rattling on...hang in there -
MissMimi said on Sep 07, 2008....
I'm glad you're feeling better, Kyle. I chose to give up Coke and Pepsi about 5 months ago. The caffeine was a no-no because it interferes with a medication I take, and the sugar is a no-no because of diabetes. So while I am not a coffee drinker, I sypathize with your need for caffeine. I miss having my can of Pepsi everyday.
About the colonoscopy... You get to make the decision that's right for you. They can recommend but it's not mandatory. I understand your anxiety about it. I wouldn't be hesitant about the test as much as the lovely prep you have to endure.
-
beyondtheveil said on Sep 07, 2008....
ET- I hate tests. I don't mind them drawing blood, its when I have to go to the hospital that it gets to me. Actually, sometimes getting ready for the test is worse than the test. I found that out when I had to get a lower G.I. once.
But losing coffee? Naw, no way.
-
Silme_Mesmes said on Sep 08, 2008....
I can understand you, I also have a fear of being put to sleep and never waking up. It would be horrible!:S But if you are OK, you don't have to abide that ass invasion test.
I can see you're like Lorelai Gilmore or Jethro Gibbs:) I don't like coffee, I can say it is a poison for me. But... don't you like milk with cocoa? I know this is a silly idea, but I don't have better. And popcorn... I like eating gummy bears when I'm watching films. So...:)
I was in hospital lately, it was an examination. They find my illness, but it's not a really big deal and I don't have to do or eat anything else I do.
I hope you will be completely healthy:)
B.
-
mixednuts said on Sep 08, 2008....
OMG! what a trip you have been on! but you are still in the game...at least! -
queenparanoia said on Sep 11, 2008....
well i'm glad youre okay kyle... and yeah it's hard giving up something... especially if you get used to it.
Comment on "How do I live without coffee??"
Related Posts:
cuppajava
posted 4 days ago
| views: 94
|
its back for more surgery I go......with a pick axe here and a hatchet there........ read entire post
sheltercrow
posted 4 days ago
| views: 19
|
'a new look at the devastating impacts of coal on the human body' - Physicians for Social Responsibility... read entire post
herbalcure30
posted 6 days ago
| views: 12
|
Mentally Stress- Ways to release stress... read entire post
herbalcure30
posted 6 days ago
| views: 13
|
Meditation - Improve Physical and Mental Health... read entire post
hemorrhoidssym
posted 4 days ago
| views: 16
|
Hemorrhoid bleeding is caused by the irritation of swollen hemorrhoid veins and anal tissue. They can be external or internal. Hemorrhoid bleeding, especially internal hemorrhoids, often go unnoticed until blood appears spotted on toilet paper in the... read entire post