Where I am, my Perspective

To be honest with my self is tough because I am not doing so good in a lot of areas. Let me make a list and call the list, Major Life Areas:

• Social
• Financial
• Physical Health
• Mental Health
• Psychological

One at a time I will examine the above areas with an eye towards honesty. One might ask, "Why might you be doing this?"; To which I would reply, to improve my lot through self-discovery via the process of writing it down in an effort to face the facts and claw my way out. Using my Blog to this purpose brings some miss-givings, being public and all. Maybe the potentially public aspect of this writing will be a benefit rather than a humiliation. Will my need for honest self-appraisal be hindered by the public nature of a blog? I hope not. I only have one follower, whom I already share my thoughts and feelings with quite openly, so to answer the question of hindrance by potential discovery, no, not at first anyway. Perhaps that will change. We shall see. Enough of this speculation, and on to the real deal.

Okay, so let me begin by discussing the above bulleted items, the first being:

Social:

Recent times have seen my social life becoming extremely limited due to the inadequacies of other areas, economic being chief among them. If having a normal cash flow was currently operative I doubt this area would even appear as a topic of concern. I believe myself as functioning with normal social skills, they just don't get practiced often. Maybe other relevant observations will occur to me as I continue on to other areas.

Note: After putting more thought into this "Where I am Perspective", I believe that the potential for harm does exists in continuing the exercise in this public forum. As I get into it more I realize how unpleasant it would be to see the text from other areas splashed across the net. Therefore I am taking it private at this point. Perhaps I will share the conclusions, plans developed, and other facets in the Blog format later on. Until then, goodbye.

Robin Maroney -November 20 2010

Surprise Surprise - June 22 1st & Only Post

This is going to be short. Yesterday, all day my under arm hurt on my right side. Later as I was getting into the shower, I discovered a large bump, angry and red in my right armpit and it hurt bad. I was just going to start my second round of medication in preparation for the colonoscopy. So I called the VA Hospital and they advised me to come in and deal with this and reschedule the camera going up my rectum. Fine, so I went this morning and the diagnosis is:* Hidradenitis suppurativa (also known as "Verneuil's disease"^[1], "Pyoderma fistulans significa,"^[1] and "Acne inversa"^[1])
I got antibiotics, a topical solution and I am back in tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM to see my doc.

My arm hurts and I am blue. That will be all for now. Oh yea, my colonoscopy has been rescheduled.

Next post I will lay out the new diagnosis as I have been effected.



*Wikipedia.

2 Post Monday June 21 2010

I consumed the second bottle of the fowl-tasting lemon stuff and almost threw up! That stuff is God-Awful! I truly detest the magnesium citrate, the after taste is like something that was once alive and has decomposed in your mouth. I am now hungry. As I sit here I here I have a cup of vegetable broth going along with Gatorade. The heavy stuff begins in less than 3 hours.

1st Post Monday June 21 2010 "The Day Before"

I have a procedure scheduled tomorrow morning called a colonoscopy Today I began prepping about 30 minutes ago by drinking a small bottle of nasty tasting stuff that had a lemon twang to it, the drink was Magnesium Citrate. I will do another bottle at 1.00 PM. At 6 PM I start in on this solution that you mix with water create a concoction that equals 4 liters. The medical folks expect me to consume a glass every 10 minutes till it is all gone. My stomach is a bit quesy now and I have been told to expect prodigious bowel movements.

I have been reading up and have had lot's of helpful advice from freinds and family who have been througgh the procedure. The following is what I read this morning:

Preparing for a colonoscopy

The few days before a colonoscopy are extremely important to ensure that the colon is clear of all waste. Here are a few tips that could help you in the few days before a colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy preparation tips

Talk to your doctor.

Discuss the different colonoscopy prep options, and choose one that is most likely to provide you with a safe, effective, and tolerable prep.

Watch what you eat. (I have been instructed not to eat)

Most healthcare providers will recommend a specific diet to be followed for the prep to be more effective. Follow your physician’s recommendations about what you can and cannot eat before a colonoscopy.

Complete the prep.

A clean colon results in the most effective colonoscopy, and your prep is more likely to be thorough if you complete the entire regimen. Be sure to read all prep instructions, follow the recommendations for a precolonoscopy diet, and complete each step when instructed.

Stay near a restroom.

While it’s not the most pleasant thought, understand that after you take your prep, you will experience a significant amount of "bathroom time." The prep is meant to give you diarrhea, the action that cleanses the colon. It’s also a sign that your prep is working. Many who have undergone bowel cleansing recommend the use of ointments and wet wipes to greatly reduce the effects of significant amounts of bathroom time.

Follow your physician’s instructions.

Your physician will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your colonoscopy—follow them exactly.

Stay hydrated. (I am drinking a lot of water)

Drink at least the amount of fluid required by the prep—hydration before, during, and after the prep and colonoscopy procedure is very important. Colonoscopy preps cause the body to lose a significant amount of fluid. It’s important that you prepare the body by drinking before the prep, stay hydrated by drinking during the prep, and replenish your system by drinking after the prep. If your body does not have the necessary amount of liquids you can get very sick. So make an effort to drink extra liquid for a few days before your procedure, and this will leave your body in good shape to avoid dehydration.

Schedule someone to drive you home.

(got this covered, after some difficulty, I truly hope they do a good job with the narcotics)

Because of the sedatives used during the colonoscopy, you will not be allowed to drive and should find someone to transport you home.

Pass on the word.

Now that you’ve learned the value of getting screened for colon cancer, tell those you know about the importance of getting screened. It could save a life.

Yada, yada and more yada.
More to come.

First Posting

My decision to create a blog came after reading entries from a friend of my Father's Blog , Randy D. Randy is a true world traveler who takes off for complete circumnaHvigations on a annual basis. The idea of doing a Blog has occurred a few times but had never quite got past the thought stage until now. There are no trips planned, nor or there any events of a life-changing magnitude on the horizon that would warrant the start of a Blog. However, several events of varying importance are coming up and I do want to detail them as they occur. At the very least it would seem to have the benefits you get from doing a journal and who knows what else? Maybe there will be benefits that are currently unknown, ripple effects, karma gained and given and it is with these thoughts along with as much honesty as I can muster, I proceed.

Robin Maroney