News and Notes
Hi Friends,
I’d like to start this post by saying thanks to all of you for your support. I really appreciate all of the kind comments, tweets, and emails. Even some of the Russian spam comments said get well soon - or maybe they were trying to sell me a bride - my Russian isn’t very good. Anyway, thanks again so much for all of the blog love.
Quick Medical Update
So it took four days and two more doctors appointments to prove what the first doctor said. Turns out that my gall bladder is pretty much hosed and I also have elevated liver enzymes. El Doctor says the gall bladder gotsta go, so that’s going to happen in the next couple of weeks. No medical treatment needed for the liver - it just needs me to quit being such a dickhead. No booze and no fatty food and it should start to forgive me.
So that’s about it…could’ve been a whole lot worse so I’m thankful for that. Still pissed at myself for damage done, but not much I can do about it at this point.
A Couple Things that I’ve learned
1. Our healthcare system really isn’t very efficient. Yeah, that one is probably obvious to anyone who had been to a doctor in the past decade, but other than a physical, I don’t really fit into that category. I was not aware that the family doctor is now some kind of doc block that is the gatekeeper between me and specialists. I think Brian Williams told me something about that on the evening news, but I got to see it firsthand. Family doctor is able to provide insightful commentary like - “altering your diet and increasing exercise should help in the long run. ” No shit? Did you read my blog? Can I have my $25 back now?
2. People in the healthcare industry don’t like my jokes. Here are a few examples:
Example #1 Doctor Office Manager Lady calls to schedule some tests. Here’s our conversation:
Lady - Just calling to confirm your appointment at 8:30 tomorrow morning with Dr. (Name Redacted)
Me - Okay, thanks
Lady - Also, you aren’t supposed to eat after midnight
Me - Right, and I’m not supposed to get them wet either, right or else they’ll turn mean?
Lady - Excuse me?
Me - Oh, haven’t you ever seen Gremlins?
Lady - No
Me - I promise that would’ve been funny if you had seen Gremlins
(Awkward Pause)
Lady - So 8:30 tomorrow
Me - Okay, thanks for calling
Example #2 - Ultrasound tech is taking pictures of my gut this morning and I tell her that I’m hoping for twins. No response.
Example #3 -Doctor tells me about liver issues and talks about the risks of a fatty liver. I say yes, but on the plus side, I could produce a delicious foie gras. I get crickets.
Example #4 - Kate thanks the Nurse’s assistant who is shaving my chest and says that she appreciates the manscaping, and that she’d pay extra if she shaved my entire chest. I laughed at that one.
Maybe I’d get a laugh if I sunk to a Patch Adams style of comedy, but I just can’t do that.
3. Some people can go to the gym at 5:30 in the morning. I am not one of those people. Kate goes spinning at 5:30 on most days, and I thought I’d go to the gym and try it out with her. That was not such a good idea. During my entire workout, I had that feeling that you get when you turn the lights on to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Like you know it’s necessary to have the light on for accuracy, but it’s really annoying to your eyes and the rest of your head. Hmm, now that I think about this, about 98% of my readers are female, so this one might not make sense. Al, Ian, Mal, and other male lurkers, you know what I’m talking about. Anyway, I’ve decided that 5:30 workouts are not sustainable for me in the long run. So I’ll stick with going running at about 7:15 in the morning, while the rest of the world is driving to work.
A Few Small Repairs - Here are a few of the things that I’m working on
Back to eating this for breakfast like Kath tells me to
And avoiding this
More nights spent here
And fewer nights spent here
Drinking more of these, like OSG does
Drinking none of these (at least for now)
More time spent with these people at their favorite place
And less time spent with these ladies
So that’s what’s up right now. I promise I’ll get back to our regularly scheduled blogstalking in the near future. Hangrypants has requested a Blogstalker year in review, so I’m going to do that before the end of the year for sure.
Thanks again for all the love,
Nate
Glad you’ve kept your sense of humor, even if the medical staff could not appreciate it.
Oh hell yes, I know what you mean.
i’m sorry to hear. but happy to hear that you’re taking care of the bidness. keep blogging!
the term doc block made me almost cry laughing.
Hey Nate, I definitely would have laughed at your jokes, medical professional or not. I guess the positives to me are that once your gall bladder quits acting up (by forced removal), you have the control to make this better. You can definitely do it.
Good luck with the surgery! Do you think you’ll be able to keep the offender?
Yeah, TWSS jokes also fail with the medical field for some reason, especially when being told,”You’ll just feel a little prick.”
I’m assuming the gallbladder issues are also caused from being a dick? (Your words, not mine)
And even though I’m female, I can relate to the early gym hell. I met a friend there once and she told me I looked like a newborn puppy whose eyes hadn’t opened yet. Thanks.
Good news overall, yay!
Hang in there!
I’m glad its the gallbladder instead of your heart! I had mine out a year and a half years ago (my situation was a biatch because the doctor effed up - sure that’s what you want to hear ;)) - but it’s supposed to be an easy surgery! (and you’ll be surprised how much better you feel!!!)
a blogstalker year in review post is the best idea i’ve EVER heard. i think heather deserves a noble peace prize for that!
Sorry the gall bladder’s gone kaput. My dad had his out a few years ago and said it was a relatively easy procedure.
Mal loved the shout out– and said he knows exactly what you mean.
Glad you’re getting back on track!
im with ya on the 5:30 workout. i might be the .99% of females out there that feels that way.
I think you are pretty darn funny sir…so don’t let the stuffy healthcare workers get cha down! Best wishes on your Pre-New Year’s Resolutions!
Dude, obviously the healthcare system sucks if they don’t think you’re funny! WTF!
You’re cracking me up here! So glad you’re back - we’re all thinking good thoughts for ya!
Hahha… I totally would have laughed at your jokes. Especially the gremlin one.
I really cannot believe they didn’t laugh at the foie gras liver joke. C’mon people!
Hang in there!
chiming in from the medical end of things, i definitely would have laughed at all and any of those jokes, and you would probably have made my day. then again, i’m in pediatrics. we laugh more anyway
first off all - so glad you are back with your wit and charm
second of al - super bummed to hear of your news (I just caught wind of your last post) — so glad to hear that you have such great support from Kate (no surprise) and that you’ve kept your sense of humor
looking forward to reading more GOOD news
Glad that you’re doing well. My sister-in-law is having her gall bladder out soon too. You’ll eo just fine with the surgery - esp. with your sweet Kate by your side. Looking forward to your next post!!
Let me know when you’d like a home-cooked meal delivered for recovery days!!
See ya tomorrow for some healthy soup!
Nate! Take care of yourself. You and Kate are in my thoughts and prayers… The fact that you can find humor in a “not so great” situation is inspiring. Too often, we get caught up in the bad and forget to see the bright side of things… Thank you for the reminder!
5:30 am is not the time to be exercising. I don’t get early morning exercise..heck, even 7:15 doesn’t work for me. It’s all about the afternoon/evening here.
And I would have found your jokes funny
Good luck with the surgery… will be thinking of you.
I thought your Gremlins joke was pretty damn fine.
Aww I’d totally laugh at your gremlin jokes–that movie’s a classic!
That lady CLEARLY has no life….hahahah
But the new goals/plan sounds great, oatmeal and green monsters are da bestttttt
Excited for the YEAR in review!!!!!
Hi Nate, I don’t have a blog of my own … just like reading them, and yours! I’m glad to see you’re back and sorry to hear about your health scare. I think it’s great that you’re not only making healthy changes, but you are blogging about them. Healthy choices don’t come easy to most of us, and reading the healthy living blogs inspires some fun and different ways to make those decisions! I really think it’s important to find what works for you - that you can keep up in the long run. (i.e. if 5:30 workouts are the bane of your existence, don’t do them!) Looking forward to seeing what else you come up with - your hospital jokes were hilarious. Happy Holidays! Amanda
HAHAHA!!! I can’t believe the medical peeps didn’t laugh at any of your funniness…just reading it cracked me up!
Just saw that you’re back!! I’m sorry you’re having tough medical issues. Hope everything goes well and you feel better soon!
Yo! OMG, LMFAO at the commentary with your medical personnel interactions. It is SO sad that no one could at least pretend like they heard you. For shit’s sake, let’s get some lighthearted folk working in the medical field!! Good luck with yanking out the gall bladder…may you heal quickly!
I loved all of your jokes, personally. The medical community needs to lighten up! Best of luck to you as you go through this next stage and I’ll keep you in my thoughts for a speedy recovery. Emailing you now re: Arizona. Not sure if you’re still making the trip but I’ll chat with you offline!
So glad you’re back but so sorry for the reason you were away! I am a total blog stalker of yours and would have definitely laughed out loud at your jokes to the doctors. My husband thinks I am crazy when I start laughing out loud, but his humor is wacky.
6 drug interaction with tramadol or half life adipex or picture of tramadol hydrochloride or
If it makes you feel any better, I liked the jokes… :/