A Trip to the Dermatologist

I haven't been to the dermatologist for at least 5 years. I am supposed to go every year because I have a radiation burn on my backside which may eventually turn cancerous. How did I get a radiation burn, you ask? Well, I had a birthmark that my mother thought would be better off being removed.  So off to the doctor to have the birthmark removed. Something went wrong and I ended up with a bad burn which left a scar much worse than the birthmark was in the first place.  I suppose it could have been somewhat improved with plastic surgery but since the whole mess was caused by a doctor and it wasn't in a visible place, my mother decided to leave well enough alone. So here I am 65 years old and the burn scar is still there but so far no cancerous changes in it. 

While I was there I had a wart on my right index finger removed. I think that is the only wart I have ever had. It was annoying because I was always bumping or rubbing it against something. The good doctor gave it a couple of sprays of Freez-it and it is supposed to fall off or otherwise go away in a couple of days. I have some cream to put on it every night for 8 weeks.  

The derm doc asked if I used sun block and I answered honestly that I don't because I am out only in the early morning and late afternoon.  I've never been one to seek a tan mostly because I don't like being hot and sweaty. 

Anyway, I'm supposed to go back in 8 weeks to check the wart removal. I will go if the wart is still there or if there is any problem with it. But if not, I'll see the derm-doc next year. 

The Sleep(less) Study

I had a sleep study done last night and what an ordeal that was!!  I checked in at 7:30 and the technician started getting me ready.  It took about 30 minutes to get all the monitoring electrodes in place: on my scalp, on my face, on my neck, chest, back, and two on each lower leg; a belt loosely around my chest and one around my waist;  and last but not least, a face mask over my nose and mouth with a tube attached to a CPAP machine.  Good night, sleep well…How on earth can anybody sleep with all that??—and don’t forget the camera staring down at you.  I turned the lights off at 10pm and lay there sleepless until about 1 am, dozed/slept until 5am.  I can’t imagine how that is reflective of a normal night but I suppose it is the best that can be done to get the information.  I should get the results in about a week.  The cost to me so far has been $45 co-pay to the sleep doc, $42 for the mask and tubing, and $289 for the sleep study itself (insurance paid 80% and I paid 20%).

s.l.o.w.l.y.

I am slowly, very slowly getting better. I went to the gyn yesterday for my yearly exam; she said something that resonated with me. She said that the longer we are sick, the longer it takes us to get back to where we were. I had just thought that once the ERCP was done-->problem fixed-->right back t0 going full at things again. Not. I was sick for 6 months and now less than a month post procedure so it is no wonder that I am just now feeling well enough to get anything done. I still have several doctor visits scheduled--next being a follow-up with the GI doctor on Friday. I am very thankful for the medical attention that I have received but I have seen more doctors this year than in the previous 10 years combined and am looking forward to not needing to see one for at least 6 months...

Forget diamonds, it's morphine that's a girl's really best friend

What a week this has been! A trip to the ER and 4 days in the hospital (where I gained a true appreciation for morphine). My GI problem includes (but is not limited to) a closed bile duct. I had an ERCP on Wednesday for a temporary stent but have to go to the big medical center hospital later where a robot will place the permanent stent--> I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to that... On the other hand, with enough morphine, it may not be so bad after all.
I am feeling better but I feel like I have been beaten up. Who would have thought that 4 1/2 days in bed would leave one exhausted??

Brief Medical Rant

I am naked with only a tissue paper "gown" on and it is bloody, freaking freezing in that exam room. I am soooo tempted to take a quilt with me next time. grrrrr Rant over.