crandc
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Last January, started having distressing gastrointestinal symptoms, most unusual for me. Won't gross anyone out by describing. Figured something I ate, but after 2 weeks kept getting worse. Primary doctor ran a shitload (literally) of tests, all normal. And symptoms went away. I figured I'd gotten over whatever it was on my own...until 3 weeks later when they came back, worse than before. I couldn't even go to demonstrations, as I had to be near a bathroom at all times. Major bummer. Went to specialist who ran another shitload of tests, based on results still more tests, then said she wanted to do some in-patient testing and biopsies. She said most likely diagnosis was a gastrointestinal cancer. I'm at low risk, but if you have the body part there is always some risk and statistics teaches that if the probability of an event is greater than zero it will happen somewhere in the universe.
Testing took time to schedule, especially when insurance company said not covered - had to go through three people before they acknowledged it was. Then, because miseries never come singly, two days before the test I sprained my ankle so badly I ended up in ER, got X-rays (negative) and put on crutches. After two days on crutches, back went out. Screw crutches, I'l just hop.
Testing was wretched, then waited 3 weeks for biopsy results.
Verdict: no cancer, no Crohn's disease, no ulcerative colitis. Nothing, in fact. Except I have arthritis in my hands and years ago discovered just plain aspirin controlled it better than any prescription medication. For years I've taken two aspirin first thing every morning. All those years of aspirin finally caught up, causing GI bleeding that was the source of all symptoms. I have appointment next week to get medication changed, and anything else I take will surely cost more, but hey, sure beats chemo.
Meanwhile due to sprained ankle had to switch from shower to tub; foot too unstable to stand on slippery surface. No problem except when I washed my hair, had to dunk head under water and swish it around to rinse. Last week noticed humming in ear. As the last thing I wanted to do was go to ANOTHER doctor, I tried to ignore it but it got so loud, plus pressure, plus dizziness, oh fuck, I now have an ear infection. Doctor said actually no infection, just swished water into the ear and it was trapped. Recommended OTC decongestant to drain. It worked.
So no cancer, no ear infection. But I most definitely do have a sprained ankle.
BTW, if anyone is thinking the world would be better with one less lefty lesbian, my will, after providing for care of my cats, divides most of my estate between American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. San Francisco Ballet and my local library also get a piece. So be careful what you wish for!
Testing took time to schedule, especially when insurance company said not covered - had to go through three people before they acknowledged it was. Then, because miseries never come singly, two days before the test I sprained my ankle so badly I ended up in ER, got X-rays (negative) and put on crutches. After two days on crutches, back went out. Screw crutches, I'l just hop.
Testing was wretched, then waited 3 weeks for biopsy results.
Verdict: no cancer, no Crohn's disease, no ulcerative colitis. Nothing, in fact. Except I have arthritis in my hands and years ago discovered just plain aspirin controlled it better than any prescription medication. For years I've taken two aspirin first thing every morning. All those years of aspirin finally caught up, causing GI bleeding that was the source of all symptoms. I have appointment next week to get medication changed, and anything else I take will surely cost more, but hey, sure beats chemo.
Meanwhile due to sprained ankle had to switch from shower to tub; foot too unstable to stand on slippery surface. No problem except when I washed my hair, had to dunk head under water and swish it around to rinse. Last week noticed humming in ear. As the last thing I wanted to do was go to ANOTHER doctor, I tried to ignore it but it got so loud, plus pressure, plus dizziness, oh fuck, I now have an ear infection. Doctor said actually no infection, just swished water into the ear and it was trapped. Recommended OTC decongestant to drain. It worked.
So no cancer, no ear infection. But I most definitely do have a sprained ankle.
BTW, if anyone is thinking the world would be better with one less lefty lesbian, my will, after providing for care of my cats, divides most of my estate between American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. San Francisco Ballet and my local library also get a piece. So be careful what you wish for!
