SO I finally went and saw the Dr. about my acid reflux. After questions and a minimal exam, he states he wants to do the Esophagogastroduodenoscopy. WHAT THE?!?! They shorten it to EGD (MUCH easier). They give me a medicine before the procedure that puts me out, so Bear’s driving me to and from the appt. They’re scoping my esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum. Sounds exciting right?!
Soooo all this is fine and dandy, other then I’m freaking out because I don’t like hospitals, nor do I like the thought of putting me out so they can squish around in my insides… but they are also leaving a small transmitter inside of my stomach attached to .. can’t remember. I have to wear this thing on my hip so it can talk to it and record what’s going on. Apparently this “thing” will detach after several days and pass through my GI Tract. Ok, seriously?? You’re leaving it INSIDE ME?!?!?! Then I go back and they’ll download the information. This will tell if I have acid reflux, if they can’t determine from the scope alone.
The best part week before, I can’t take my Protonix (40mg), or any Prilosec, or anything that “aids” in my digestive problems. OH MY GOD ARE YOU FLIPPIN KIDDING ME?! I can’t believe this. I’m going to DIE! So my symptoms are a sour sensation in the upper part of my chest, and trouble swallowing. Well, I can swallow, but it never feels like I complete a swallow. It still feels like I have ightchst in my throat! Yea, it’s great.
Other good news? I have to quit smoking. Ug. It will severly help my esophagus, and improve my health overall… which I get, yea yea yea. I’m going to hopefully get on what the Roommate is on, it’s a generic form of Welbutrin. I guess it helps you stay satisfied, as to not need cigs. Mainly the reason why she has smoked lately is because of habit, but she says she doesn’t “crave” them. That’ll be nice… and she said her sense of smell is intense. That’ll be nice too, I guess. I just know that now I have to completely change my life, and I’m deathly scared to do so.
Here’s the kicker. I have to come up with $500! $333.73 goes to my Dr.’s office at the latest the day before (cash). Then I guess the hospital asks for the rest. Here I am budgeting, and saving for the new place, and I get hit with this. I can schedule this anytime, but I know the sooner the better. I want to stop the non-smoking process before I go a week and a half without medication. I’m supposed to get active, and de-stress. Maybe that will make it easier, but I don’t see the next few months making me my generally chipper self.
I’m thinking about sending a mass Email, memo, letter… hmm… SOMETHING to all that I talk to on a regular basis. It will say something like this:
Dear So & So,
I am undergoing a minimal procedure soon that will make me a healthier person. During the preparation for this procedure, I will be bitchy, unhappy, and snide. Please do not smoke around me, nor offer to take me to a nice dinner to my favorite Mexican food joint. I do not encourage you to ask me to happy hour, nor to any function that includes “BYOB”, “Cocktail party”, or “wine tasting”. If I bite your head off, and rip off your arms, you have been previously warned, and I will not be held responsible for any bodily harm. During this time I express the need for you to agree with me even though you disagree, listen to any/all rants that I go on (without interrupting), and to pretty much shut your mouth when you are in my presence. I appreciate your support, and I would like to now extend my sincere apologies for the future interactions we may have. You are very important to me, and I’d like to keep you in my life if you will have me after this all dies down. When the day comes and I need to stay busy, I would be happy if you accepted a small basket of muffins. Kind of like a “thank you for holding out during the storm” peace offering.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to be speaking with you, still, in a few months.
Best regards,
Katlily
… what do you think?
