Friday, January 22, 2010

Suck it up

You know that old thing about "when the going gets tough," well I am trying. And a couple of my gentle readers have suggested the "magic mouthwash" thing and it is on its way. Only the insurance company is not amused. Again, that is Medicare Part D, which has paid very little to this point compared to Medicare A that gets hit with the $3600 monthly Zoloda tab as well as the infusions. If the MMW doesn't do the job, I will likely be held back from the Zoloda a week until my mouth heals.

So my Doc says that the best hope to control my bowel problems is to stay on the Senna and Colace everyday, increasing the dose if it isn't sufficient. I will do that, but anticipate some abdominal cramping as that has been a problem as well. Guess I will go ahead and double the dosage on Monday with the third infusion to try to head off the block I have had the past two weeks.

Boy, I never thought I would have trouble eating. Absolutely nothing the past couple of days is appealing, quite the opposite, and nothing tastes good or tastes at all for that matter. So Emily keeps bringing things home from the grocery and I keep studying them over and the back stock keeps grows. Gentle readers, not even McD sounds good right now--or that hot dog with ballpark mustard. Can you believe it?

5 comments:

  1. To a certifiable foodhound, such news is indeed hard to believe. When I'm really (and rarely) turned off to food, usually broths with a little rice - or soups in general, maybe some pudding or jello (unsweetened, of course)or maybe a baked or mashed potato will go down. (?) I suppose you've rejected these already. I will focus my estimable appetite in your direction and hope I can beam you a twinge or two.
    Hang in, dear Maestro. Here's hoping the weekend will perk you up!!
    LOL - and that's lots of love, but laughs are good, too...

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  2. I too have a robust appetite---too robust for my own good. I'm sending hunger pangs your way. By the way, regarding that insulin-thing. I'm on Levimir once a day. Am able to get the glucose level down to within normal range, but sustaining it day-to-day is proving to be a real bear. Exercise (a new event for me) really helps though.

    Hope you were able to get some fresh air the other day--amazing what it can do to lift the spirits. I walked across campus to a meeting last week during a brisk, windy, single-digit temp day and marveled at all that is winter in southwest Michigan. Kinda felt like the tundra. As the natives here like to proudly point out, "We're just 30 minutes from the lake effect of Lake Michigan." I've always liked snow, so mostly I don't mind the winters or the cold.

    WMU's big scholarship competition tomorrow--750 students competing for 20 awards; 1600+ attendees total when we add in parent/family members. My office coordinates the entire event but we have lots of help from the campus community. My DC and BSU experiences keep me in good stead.


    I check in and read your postings nearly every day, but don't always post. We send love and prayers to you daily.

    Penny and John Bundy

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  3. Keep marching on. For the big "B" (block) have you tried the usual stuff in conjunction with what you're already doing? i.e. more fiber, more liquids, fresh fruits/vegs, prunes/prune juice, beans?

    Some would think it to be "out there" but mental imaging sometimes helps - for many things. Find a nice quiet time and space and take your mind to the result you want.

    Meanwhile the rest of us will keep reading your blog and sending prayers on your and Emily's behalf.

    Hugs.

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  4. Dear Dr. S......Thought and prayers are a constant at our house. Son Tony & his wife Angie also send theirs as well. Kris, too! She and I are in Erie PA today, where she is interviewing and touring the campus of Gannon University for Grad School in August. We'll see how it goes. Hope your appetite returns and stays steady, and the pain and accompanying problems subside. As always, I am totally impressed and inspired by your positive attitude and continuing sense of humor. Hang in, as Spring is on its way!

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  5. Hope you were able to get out today (Sunday) and experience the preview of spring weather. I thought of you as I watched "The Audition" (Met--2007) on PBS. I think of you as I prep my new class--AH120, Writing the World. My chosen topic is "Expressions of War"--art, literature, music--and I am planning to introduce them to Britten's War Requiem. You would make it much more fun than I will. But I will give it my best shot, Maestro!

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