So, it's been quite a while since I last blogged. I would love to blame this on my boyfriend moving in, but really it's just been this crummy girl problem I've been dealing with. I've been having cramps for the past month and it's been killing me. So, I'm going to subject myself to a laparoscopy on the 29th in hopes that whatever this is will be an easy fix. I've already been through an ultrasound (which I got the bill for the other day... yikes!) that showed fluid around my ovaries which suggests cysts that burst and a CT scan (can't wait to get the bill on that one!). So that's what I'll be worrying about for this month.
However, the ultrasound and CT scan are examples of amazing technology that help us diagnose causes of ailments and it would be hard to imagine life without them. I was chatting up the ultrasound technician, seeing as she was ultrasounding my private parts I figured we could have conversation versus awkward silence. I even asked her if I could watch the screen as she did it. She obliged and turned the monitor my way. And you know... I couldn't tell what was what in all honestly. There were blobs that moved around and disappeared in black and white so it looked like aliens had taken up residence below my intestines. Hell, if she had told me that, at that point I'd've believed her! But instead she continued her job and took pictures of my insides to send off to a doctor for review. I realize I haven't had training or anything like that, but I wonder if the process varies drastically from person to person. I didn't ask, but I definitely thought about it.
Now the CT scan was much scarier. My friends know I'm terrified of needles. In fact, the last time I got a laparoscopy done, I fainted laying down as I was given the IV. I woke up to doctors staring down at me and at 15 years old, I thought I'd woken up in the middle of the procedure and nearly fainted again. Then my mother assured me that they hadn't started yet (that was a slight relief) and chastised me for holding my breath. Anyway, so they need to give you an arm catheter for the contrast dye (not the kind of catheter you use to pee after surgery). This is after you've drank 40 oz of this terrible "Berry Smoothie" contrast that tastes like chalk. Yuck. I think it's made of Barium Sulfate. Then they tell you afterwards that it has a slight laxative effect. Hah! Slight! My bowels would like to disagree... So, I warned the guy as he put a tourniquet (don't worry, it's not a picture of a real one, just an awesome nerd video set to Evanescence's Tourniquet) on my left arm that my veins were hard to find. He agreed and switched arms. Then that didn't work, so he switched arms again. I must have had an elevated heartbeat because one of the nurses came in to hold my hand. I looked at her apologetically and said "I don't like needles". She smiled a bit and whispered "if you did, we'd have an altogether different problem on our hands". It made me laugh a bit as the guy put 2 tourniquets on my left arm (one above my elbow and one in the middle of my forearm) and tried for the vein in my hand. Even though I didn't move, I made a pained gasping sound when I felt the needle pierce skin and saw the tech cringe. I immediately felt bad because he must have to do this at least a few times a day and I'm sure some people aren't as timid as I am about pain. So then came the dye part which is always new and exciting... First you taste ocean (this is what I should have pictured in my mind, I wouldn't have been so freaked out) in the back of your mouth due to the saline they push to test the vein. Then comes this warm tingling sensation from the dye that starts from your core and extends out into your extremities before settling into your groin and making you feel like you've peed yourself (I said feel like... I didn't actually pee my pants :P). Then there's a set of breathing instructions for the scan as you're technically not supposed to move during it. Afterwards, he took the catheter out, asked me to sit up for a bit to make sure I wasn't going to faint, and then said I could go.
It's funny, I was always afraid of doctors and nurses in the Northeast because the people tend to be slow to trust, which makes them come off as frigid. However, the doctors and nurses must make up for it because they are some of the nicest and most caring people I've ever met. It's nice to see that the societal tendencies up here haven't negatively affected their behavior towards patients. Either that or I've been really lucky in finding doctors/nurses since my move. Either way, I'm happy.
Technology Tip of the Day:
This isn't really a tip, so much as a plea/rant. When you have an account for something such as Youtube, or say a news website that lets you comment on articles/videos, take a moment before you do so. Also, take a few deep breaths and make sure what you're about to say isn't some biased opinion that might make others angrily respond back to you (this is called Trolling btw). If you enjoyed it, great. If you didn't, move on. However, if you've been reading countless iPhone articles like I have on Google News (I swear a new one pops up every 5 minutes), calling someone a "fanboy or fangirl" of Apple is just plain annoying. I'm no fangirl, I own a PC with Windows 7 and Linux 9.10 on it, along with my iPhone. I just want to learn about the equipment I'm using, not be called a mindless sheep flocking to the new product. Hell, I don't even own the newest one - I'm still "old school" with the iPhone 3G which you can't buy online from Apple easily (of course they want you to buy a 3GS or the new 4). I mean really, if you want to learn about something, you read the news. But nowadays, if you want to see how much poop throwing is going on, read the unfortunately ever-present Mac vs. PC battle via iPhone articles. I JUST WANT TO READ THE NEWS, SO STFU TROLLS! /rant :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
