January 30, 2020

It is amazing me how easy it has been to write 2020.  2019 had my brain cells all scrambled.  Kept starting to write 1920 cause 19xx had filled 55 years of my life.  I have mentioned to this to different folks where we were dating things.  Everyone is saying 2020 has been an easy change.  And so much for that little bit of brain dump.

It is chilly here these days.  Several days of clouds.  Note I did not say cold as it is in the 40's F, 5 - 10 C.  Those numbers are almost springlike for folks in Canada.  I have definitely become more 'thin skinned' the longer I live in Central Texas.  Plus, just getting older for me makes me feel the chill a little deeper.  Hubby, however, is in love with these temperatures.  Anything above 65℉ has him breaking into a sweat walking across the room.  Unless I am cleaning most of the time I am wearing a sweater or under a lap blanket.

Today was a followup on the upper GI endoscope.  Esophagus is not damaged.  Slight irritation in the stomach.  The pH monitoring test in early December recorded very high acid in the esophagus.  On the DeMeester scale the result was a level 3.  Level 4 on the scale is damage in the esophagus up to and including cancer.  Whew.  Another non cancerous diagnosis.  All this testing and different doctors have led to a diagnosis of my voice problem to be a result of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Dr. Siddiqui gave me two options:  1 lifestyle changes and medication or 2 surgery.  He suggested going with option one first.  He saw my face and said, "I do not think you like that."  Once I said I had been on a double dose of medication for months he said surgery was needed.  The doctor is getting in touch with the doctor he considers the best in the area.  That group will call and set up the next appointments.

Great.  Cause I now have a pulmonoligist, a gastroenterologist, an asthma specialist, and an eye, ear, nose and throat specialist.  A specialist in robotic gastro surgery will now be added to the list of doctors in my phone.   These five specialists joined my journey just since September, 2019.  All in pursuit of my breathing and voice problems.  Prior to that I had a GP, a cardiologist, an orthopedic specialist, a podiatrist, and an ophthalmologist.  Oh, and a dentist.  And I am a relatively healthy in that 95% of tests come back in the 'all good' areas.

Like all older folks, I must say that back in the day ... when I was young and not all worn out from living.  Way back then I had a GP, dentist and whatever optical place was most affordable.  In 1972 an OBGYN was added because I was having a baby.  The child's needs added a pediatrician.  A move in 1975 and I was back to just a GP and a pediatrician for the child.  A dentist was still required and glasses.  And then the body began to age and an orthopedist was added.  OBGYN was back on the list.  Herniated disc and a neurologist was added.    Oh, well.  You know how it goes.

Hubby has fallen asleep in his recliner.  He has his earphones on listening to something.  It must be upsetting him.  He is growling and groaning.  But I cannot understand a word.  I am always afraid to try to awake him.  He is big and might decide to fight me in his sleep.  He could knock me back to the 1990's.  Oh, well.  At least I could still write the date correctly.

Peace and love.
Janice


   

January 29, 2020

Strange how the minds work.  After completing the morning rituals of dressing, making the bed, sweeping the floors and taking morning meds, I am ready for some food.  Coffee, 4 oz. of fat free cottage cheese mixed with 1/3 cup of frozen blueberries.  Reheat a cup of coffee for hubby.  Time to settle in with the computer to complete the other morning ritual, eating breakfast while reading morning devotional.

Hubby has the TV on watching a local morning talk show.  Barry Sanders is discussing Rocket Mortgage and a give away on Super Bowl Sunday.  A long forgotten brain cell awakens.  Was Barry Sanders a friend of that football player that died?  No, Sanders is too young.  Brian Piccolo was the guy that died.  What was the TV movie's name?  With the laptop fired up and waiting the search begins.  "Brian's Song" was the movie and Gale Sayers was the friend.  I must click on the link. 

The article transports me back to the early 1970's.  Hubby and I sitting in our new home watching that made for TV movie.  The article reminds me of how segregated as a people we still were.  Sayers and Piccolo were the first black and white athlete to share a room. Now days that is common practice.  From that reminder my mind comes back to the present day.  And the recent death of Kobe Bryant, another iconic athlete. 

Lives cut short,  Piccolo was 26 when he died of cancer.  Kobe, 41, his daughter, 13.  Seven other lives were taken in the accident.  The seven others were coaches and three 13 year old team mates/friends of Bryant's daughter.  All taken too soon.  Different colors of skin riding together.  All friends in life, bound forever in death.

Another brain cell fires.  The armed forces were integrated the same year Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  Robinson was the first black to play on the major leagues.  Previously persons of color played in separate leagues.  All of this was well before the integration of society in general here in the US.  Does that mean that professional athletics sort of leads the way at times?  As well as the armed services?  Possibly I need to take another look at Kaepernick’s action without the background noise.

Certainly something to think about this chilly, sunny morning in January.