Well, it has been a very eventful 3 weeks, and I haven't done a good job of keeping up with the journal, partially because I have been sick, partially because of hurricanes bearing down upon the area, but mostly because I just haven't felt like writing much.

In the past 3 weeks, I have been ill with some gastro-intestinal something. I am so vague because it is not diagnosed yet, despite being to the doctor and the emergency room (on Friday). I know that it is not a stomach virus, gallstones, and probably not amoebic dysentery or a bacterial infection, as I have had an ultrasound and have taken a course of anti-bacterial medication designed to kill any intestinal parasites...

I have dropped nearly 20 pounds in the preceding 3 weeks, and have narrowed down my eating possibilities to food items with little-to-no fat content. Popsicles, jello, noodles, boneless skinless chicken breasts... The weight loss is not problematic yet, as I have plenty of "buffer weight" to lose (another 30 to go before I start looking gaunt), but it is also not just water weight either, as I am well hydrated now, and can see it in my face and waist.

As for the hurricane, we evacuated a week before last Friday to avoid the storm, and, more importantly, the aftermath. As I have been feeling poorly, I decided it would be smart to be somewhere that I could go to the hospital if need be... We came back last Wednesday to an apartment with no power, but stayed at a house we were "house sitting" for, as they had power.

At any rate, Friday I felt horribly, with severe stomach and back pains. I "toughed it out" for a few hours, to see if it would subside, but as it got worse and worse, I decided it would be best to go to the ER rather than chance it. I was hesitant because I had an appointment with a gastroenterologist for 145 that afternoon, but by 11 felt so badly that I knew I wouldn't make it that long without some relief.

I got to the ER, checked in, and Janel got there a few minutes later. Did the Triage thing, then they sent me to wait in the chairs. After waiting for 30 minutes, I developed some nausea and, of course, the bathroom was in use, so I wound up with my head in the bedpan they had in the waiting room for such emergencies. The people at the front desk were less-than-helpful,when Janel asked them when I was to be called. They replied, well, his appointment is at 145 with the doctor, and we may not have a bed open by then. I contemplated going to the doctor's office with the bedpan and sitting there dry heaving until they did something for me. Fortunately, the ER nurse called my name, they took me back, and started working on me.

There was a very friendly guy there from the US Health Department, in to help out for hurricane-related cleanup injuries, and he attempted twice to put in an IV. He missed both times. Finally, the RN came in and he got the IV into my hand. They put in fluids, some anti-nausea medication (I was dry-heaving back there while they were trying to put the IV in) and some pepcid... Ahh, immediate relief. The anti nausea meds had a nice, calming, sleepy effect.

Anyway, they eventually did an ultrasound, as they suspected gallstones, and... didn't find anything... They sent me home with a prescription for Percocet for the stomach pain and instructions to call the gastro doc on Monday (today).

So, that's basically an update on my life right now. My birthday is in 2 days, and I feel more like 48 than I do 28 (my new age... sigh)... And I will have birthday cake, just maybe on my unbirthday...