Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Back from Mayo
I'm back from my appointment at the Mayo Clinic. Because my insurance won't cover services at Mayo, I primarily went for consultation, and I'm going to have the recommended tests done through my gastroenterologist in Tucson. The Mayo GI said he isn't sure what's wrong, but he thinks it is either an autoimmune disease affecting my small intestine (but probably not Crohn's) or something hormonal such as a tumor secreting some kind of hormone that it shouldn't. So...I need to schedule a special type of CT scan, along with some other tests. I'll be going back to Mayo in a few weeks. I may need to have another endoscopy done at Mayo, as the Mayo GI wants to take a lot more biopsies and go further into my small intestine using their special equipment. So...that's the news.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Thanks
Thanks to everyone who has called, e-mailed or prayed for me recently (or supplied me with the ever-so-tasty Neocate). I appreciate the support. I have an appointment with an allergist on Monday, and then Tuesday night, my mom & I will head up to Scottsdale for my 7:40 AM appointment at the Mayo Clinic on Wednesday. I will probably have other appointments at Mayo on Wednesday (and maybe Thursday or Friday). Hopefully, this will lead to some answers & treatment plans.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Media Update
Books
*Towelhead (Alicia Erian)-- Basically, this is a modern day Lolita. Although at times heartbreaking and touching, overall, it seems primarily exploitative. I only read the book because the Six Feet Under guy was making a movie out of the book...but after reading the book, I don't want to see the movie.
*And the Band Played On (Randy Shilts)-- This is the book I wanted to read this summer...but I was unaware of its existence. It's an excellent and gripping account of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and the blunders that cost tens of thousands of lives.
*A Great and Terrible Beauty (Libba Bray)-- Parts of this book are very well-written...but overall, it lacks cohesion...and is just kind of weird.
*Fables Volume 1: Legends in Exile (Bill Willingham and Lan Medina)-- A fairy tale themed, whoodunit comic. Pretty pictures.
Movies
*Into the Wild-- I really enjoyed about 3/4 of this. The last quarter, not so much...but I won't go into details. At one point, Chris writes something along the lines of "Happiness must be shared to be real." I think that's a lot of the point of this movie-- people give life meaning. In isolation, our lives are empty.
*Flash of Genius-- This was okay. It's a biopic so I can't really complain about plot, but I do wonder whether the end result was worth the cost in his life.
*Nick & Norah's Ultimate Playlist-- I saw this during a sneak preview about a month before the movie came out. Thus, I had not read any reviews which all seem to warn about the vomit gum. Therefore, I was not forewarned. But...you can be. Once the friend goes into the subway bathroom, leave the theater for 5 minutes or so. Go get popcorn, visit the restroom, check out the promo posters. Whatever. Trust me. You don't want to see that scene. However, that little storyline aside, Nick & Norah's Ultimate Playlist is a sweet, fun romantic comedy. C'mon, it's got Michael Cera. What's not to love? (Besides the vomit gum.)
*Death at a Funeral--My mom wanted to rent this British comedy. It's pretty funny. Like Pineapple Express, I think that large quantities of drugs were used in the making of this movie.
TV
*Brothers & Sisters-- Did I miss the part where Justin & Rebecca confirmed that they are not siblings? I hope so!
Are there any decent new shows??
*Towelhead (Alicia Erian)-- Basically, this is a modern day Lolita. Although at times heartbreaking and touching, overall, it seems primarily exploitative. I only read the book because the Six Feet Under guy was making a movie out of the book...but after reading the book, I don't want to see the movie.
*And the Band Played On (Randy Shilts)-- This is the book I wanted to read this summer...but I was unaware of its existence. It's an excellent and gripping account of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and the blunders that cost tens of thousands of lives.
*A Great and Terrible Beauty (Libba Bray)-- Parts of this book are very well-written...but overall, it lacks cohesion...and is just kind of weird.
*Fables Volume 1: Legends in Exile (Bill Willingham and Lan Medina)-- A fairy tale themed, whoodunit comic. Pretty pictures.
Movies
*Into the Wild-- I really enjoyed about 3/4 of this. The last quarter, not so much...but I won't go into details. At one point, Chris writes something along the lines of "Happiness must be shared to be real." I think that's a lot of the point of this movie-- people give life meaning. In isolation, our lives are empty.
*Flash of Genius-- This was okay. It's a biopic so I can't really complain about plot, but I do wonder whether the end result was worth the cost in his life.
*Nick & Norah's Ultimate Playlist-- I saw this during a sneak preview about a month before the movie came out. Thus, I had not read any reviews which all seem to warn about the vomit gum. Therefore, I was not forewarned. But...you can be. Once the friend goes into the subway bathroom, leave the theater for 5 minutes or so. Go get popcorn, visit the restroom, check out the promo posters. Whatever. Trust me. You don't want to see that scene. However, that little storyline aside, Nick & Norah's Ultimate Playlist is a sweet, fun romantic comedy. C'mon, it's got Michael Cera. What's not to love? (Besides the vomit gum.)
*Death at a Funeral--My mom wanted to rent this British comedy. It's pretty funny. Like Pineapple Express, I think that large quantities of drugs were used in the making of this movie.
TV
*Brothers & Sisters-- Did I miss the part where Justin & Rebecca confirmed that they are not siblings? I hope so!
Are there any decent new shows??
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Update on me
I didn't realize how long I'd gone without updating my Facebook page or this blog.....
Anyway, for those who are interested, here's what's going on with me:
I've been quite ill for several months. I've lost over 30 lbs and get sick whenever I try to eat anything other than rice. I've been going through various medical tests, but we still don't know what's wrong. I have inflammation in my stomach (but we don't know why), a hiatus hernia (probably caused by the puking rather than vice versa) and some weird heart stuff....but as far as we can tell, no real reason for all the other symptoms. I'll be seeing an allergist in a couple of weeks, and food allergies seem likely to me, since the symptoms seem so food-related. I'm also going to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale in a couple of weeks. I don't actually feel that bad if I only eat rice....except that I'm really tired, bruising and obviously malnourished...and underweight. My mom is staying with me for a few weeks to help out. Anyhow, prayers and positive thoughts are all appreciated! Everyone has been really caring and wonderful.
Anyway, for those who are interested, here's what's going on with me:
I've been quite ill for several months. I've lost over 30 lbs and get sick whenever I try to eat anything other than rice. I've been going through various medical tests, but we still don't know what's wrong. I have inflammation in my stomach (but we don't know why), a hiatus hernia (probably caused by the puking rather than vice versa) and some weird heart stuff....but as far as we can tell, no real reason for all the other symptoms. I'll be seeing an allergist in a couple of weeks, and food allergies seem likely to me, since the symptoms seem so food-related. I'm also going to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale in a couple of weeks. I don't actually feel that bad if I only eat rice....except that I'm really tired, bruising and obviously malnourished...and underweight. My mom is staying with me for a few weeks to help out. Anyhow, prayers and positive thoughts are all appreciated! Everyone has been really caring and wonderful.
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