Do you have picture of your esophagus, ‘cause I totally do!

Today was a slightly less than awesome day.  But it ended alright.

When you are told you aren’t allowed to eat is when there seems to be food everywhere and all you think about is food.

This afternoon I had a upper GI Endoscopy done.  Awesome sauce.  Basically they stick a tube/camera down your throat to look at your esophagus and stomach and the first part of your small intestine.

The important thing to note, is that in order to do this procedure you aren’t allowed to eat for at least 6 hours prior to the procedure.  Well, my procedure was scheduled for 2pm, which means no food after 8am.  I have to be at work at 8am and I wait until the last possible minute to get up in the morning and then I eat once I actually get to work.

I love food, but I love me some sleep even more.  So I get to work and am about to do my normal breakfast routine and realize, I CAN’T EAT ANYTHING!  And I haven’t eaten since dinner last night.  This makes my body suddenly think it will never eat again and that I am going to starve to death. 

My tummy rumbles and grumbles.  And makes the most inappropriate noises at the most inopportune moments.

I was totally starving.

My appointment time rolls around and I strip down my top half* and put on a lovely hospital gown (I know you are so jealous right now).  Then the nurse hooks up my IV (oh yeah, bring on the good drugs) and they cover me in a warm blanket and leave.  I wait patiently for my turn and while I am waiting I hear the doctor talking to another patient after their procedure.  The patient is wondering about eating now that they can and the Dr says they should start out with something light and nothing too greasy as it may upset their stomach.

I am laying in the darkened room, starting to freeze because the room was frigid and the warm blanket was now just a blanket.  And all I can think about is how I really want a cheeseburger and some french fries.  He just had to go and start talking about greasy food, thanks a lot!  My stomach also lets out the LOUDEST growl ever.

But I guess it is better to be thinking about food than to be stressing out about my procedure.

Finally it is my turn, I am rolled in to the room where the procedure will be done and the Dr starts chatting with me, his rock music playing in the background (not really soothing to me, but hey that’s what the drugs are for and I want him on the top of his game).  He turns to me after a few minutes and says, “Are you okay? You seem stressed.” Um yeah, you are about to make me be unconscious while you stick a tube down my throat…makes me a little nervous.

After that the next thing I know I am waking up in the recovery room, Mike is sitting next to me.  The nurse asks me a few questions (I have no idea what) and then I am ready to get dressed and head home.  I manage to get my bra and shirt back on, then sway and wobble as I stand up slowly.

My world was still fuzzy and that is why Mike was my driver :) Again, all my fuzzy brain can think about it food.  So when I get home I have some soup and my tummy smiles.

After Mike leaves Jackie and I decide it is time to watch so TV and just chill on the couch. And by watch TV and chill, I really mean pass out asleep on the couch.  We slept for several hours.  It was great.  And I woke up to Survivor on TV, woo hoo!  Sometimes fuzzyland is a fun place to visit.

And because I know you all are wondering, my esophagus is just fine.  Everything looks perfect :) Yea me!

*I was told to disrobe from waist up, but to leave my pants and socks on.  The bed I was on had a pad on it right where my butt was located. It was kind of like a puppy pad. Now if someone expects me to lose control of my bladder or worse, then I really think I should have been told to remove my pants too!  I assume that is for patients who are getting endoscopies from the other end. And no, the pad was not necessary for moi.

Book Review-The King and Dr. Nick, by George Nichopoulos, M.D. with Rose Clayton Phillips

This book spans the years Dr. Nick spent as Elvis’s personal doctor and the years after Elvis’s death. It shows the depth of Elvis’s personality, more than just his public persona, the man behind the King of Rock ‘N Roll. It depicts how Dr. Nick fought to clear his own name and Elvis’s from the cloud of “drug overdose”.

I found this book to be quite interesting. I am not a huge Elvis fan and I don’t know all that much about him. Before I read this book I just “knew” Elvis had died in the bathroom at Graceland from a heart attack believed to be caused by a drug overdose and years of drug abuse. True die hard Elvis fans would probably really enjoy this book (and the photos). The man portrayed by Dr. Nick was devoted to his daughter, loved to make people happy, and hated for anyone to be mad at him.

Dr. Nick discusses the struggles of treating a patient such as Elvis, because people with that kind of celebrity don’t want to hear “no”. And if they do hear “no” they have the resources to find someone who will say “yes”. Public figures have erratic schedules and demands on their time and energy that seriously impact their overall health and well being. It is obvious from this book that Dr. Nick truly cared for Elvis and his other patients.

But in the end, Dr. Nick made a nice scapegoat when people wanted someone to blame for Elvis’s death. There had to be someone to point the finger at when people wanted answers. And unfortunately that person was Dr. Nick. This book also highlights the power of public opinion versus facts presented.

If you are an Elvis fan, I highly recommend this book. And even if you aren’t, but want to know a little bit more about him, this is an excellent read.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Why I love Valentine’s Day

I know there are people out there who groan and grumble about how much they dislike Valentine’s Day.

I know that many people call it a hallmark holiday. Created solely to sell cards and candy and flowers.  It is not a “true” holiday.

I hear people call it SAD (Single Awareness Day).  And that all the lovey dovey stuff makes people want to vomit.

But I adore Valentine’s Day.

To me, it is a day to remember to let those we love, know we love them.  It is a reminder to say “I love you” to friends and family and partners.  It is not only for people who are coupled up.  There are so many people in my life who I love who do not fall into the category of significant other.  But it doesn’t mean I love them any less, I just love them differently.

We get so wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, that we don’t always stop to say how much we care.  And often we forget until we receive a rude awakening and sometimes we are reminded too late.

So on Valentine’s Day tell everyone you love the you LOVE THEM!

Here are some of the people I love:

My Mom and Dad                                       Mike

 

My brother Sam aka Schmoolie                   My soon to be sister-in law Kelsey

 

My brother Alex aka A-Dawg                        My best friend Jen

Wednesday is a great hump day

I am having the best day!

I basically cleared out all my backlog at work. Quite the accomplishment.

I found out I got the job I was hoping for. Woo hoo go me!

My mom found out she got a job today. She has been retired since April and always planned to go back to work, but has been unable to find a job. And that woman has been to more interviews than I can even count.  Trust me, I know, she tells me about each and every one.

Gabby from gabby, she wrote let me know that I won her Bare Escentuals Mascara giveaway. My eyelashes just told me they are super excited.

And…

I got a blog award!

I know, right?! Lin from Linny’s Vault gave it to me and it tickled me pink. It just added to the fabulousness that was my day.

The Rules:

1. List 6 things you are a master in.

2. Pass it on to 6 bloggers you think are masters at friendship & make blogging so awesome.

Things I’m a master at:

1. Being Awesome.  I mean really, hello! Besides, without me you’re just aweso

2. Loading the dishwasher. Seriously. I can load a dishwasher like nobody’s bidnass. I get it from my dad.  Also, I will rearrange the dishwasher if I don’t like how it was loaded. This too is a trait from my dad.

3. Crossword puzzles. I love them. I always do them in pen. I can usually complete the NY Times one through Wednesday and part of Thursday. Practice makes perfect people, practice makes perfect.

4. Naming breeds of dogs.  Whenever I see a dog I automatically say what kind of breed it is.  I know a lot about different breeds and I share this knowledge with everyone, even if they really don’t care. You’re welcome.

5. Eating cupcakes. I lub me some cupcakes!

6. Reading. I can fly through books. And I always a another book lined up for when I finish the one or two or four, that I am currently working on.

And six bloggers I am passing this award along to:

Aubrey @ made you blush
Cathy @ the marvelous mrs E
Gabby @ gabby, she wrote
Gidget @ fidgeting gidget
Liz @ it’s unbeweaveable
Sara @ welcome to sara's organized chaos

*Yes, I did alphabetize the names.

Spam needs to stay in a can

*Sigh*

I have decided to add the captcha verification to comments. Awhile ago I opted to do comment moderation on any posts older than 14 days because I was getting a lot of Asian porn comments.

Uh, thanks, but no thanks.

And now recently I have been getting even more porn and unsolicited site pitches on my recent posts.

The excitement when I get an email saying I have a new comment and BAM it is all dashed and replaced with disappointment when I see it is porn or some stupid site.

So, to those who hate captchas, sorry. Don't hate me! I still love all of you!

Did you get your ticket to the gun show?

OMG!

I am sitting here minding my own business when a commercial comes on the TV.  Now I have been known to be infatuated with infomercials and I always want to see if it REALLY works the way they say it does on TV.  The “As seen on TV” aisle at Bed, Bath & Beyond can keep me enthralled for hours at a time.

But this commercial? Not okay, ever!

Seriously! It looks like they are all working their arm muscles for a specific purpose, wink, wink.  And the way they hold the “shake weight” makes me think they are all going to get an eyeful of some spooge any second.

You know the boyfriends/husbands/lovers of those women must be really happy their lady friends have picked up the shake weight. Pssh, they all must give amazing hand jobs!

Ah, I think I hear my boyfriend calling…