Speaking of doctor visits. I took the day off to have a Sigmoidoscopy. Spoiler font with details.

The last hemorrhoid is still bleeding. It's too close to the surface to nab, and apparently, not much to do with it. But doc was concerned that the bleeding might be something else. So, scheduled the look-see. Didn't find any other cause of bleeding, so confirmed, it's that one annoying 'roid. But he did find a few polyps. He's 99% sure they are non-cancerous, but wants to do a colonoscopy to check the whole pipe. See if there are any more bumps higher up, then remove and test them.

I'm really hating my ass.

Ugh onmis, multiple polyps is a bummer, probably a good idea to check the whole system. I had only a single, but it was precancerous. Needless to say, as unpleasant as it was, I'm grateful to have it gone.

I've been playing around with a website that thessaly pointed out to me. link It may be of interest for people using the reward system for getting stuff done.

I hate to hear that, omnis. Hope it gets resolved quickly, fully, and as painlessly as possible.

Hi all. I've been super lurky lately. Not much energy for a sustained conversation. But I'm falling apart right now and needed a place to talk. Kara is not doing well. Some of you may remember that she has stage IV melanoma - we organized a benefit for her almost a year ago, and I think some of you generous darlings donated. Anyway, she went into the hospital yesterday and they found a hemorrhaging brain lesion. Then they said maybe meningitis? And now the local oncologist has given her a 50/50 chance. She's finally in neuro ICU after a 26 hour wait in the ER.

Kara is literally one of the liveliest people I know. She is a hub in this neighborhood, both formally (head of the neighborhood association) and informally (courtyard gatherings all the time). She and Nora found me my first place here. She's been doing so seemingly well that I think we were (well, I was) lulled into a false sense of security, of treating this as a chronic illness. I wasn't ready for things to get so bad so fast.

Just... ugh. So much ugh.

I've been following the saga on fb, smonster, and it's awfully scary. I really feel for you and DJ and everyone involved.

I almost feel like I know her from FB over the past few years. My heart breaks for you all. I hope things take a better turn.

It sounds like a scary situation, smonster. I hope things work out well for your friend.

{{{omnis}}} I'm sorry.

{{{smonster}}} Tons of ~ma for Kara and those that love her. I'm sorry.

I'm really hating my ass.

ominus is me. I'm prepping for a colonoscopy and upper GI scope right now. I have some of the same issues. I'm actually hoping that my issues are in there somewhere rather than in my bone marrow.

smonster, I'm so sorry for your friend! This health stuff sucks!

Thanks, everyone. I'm dealing/not dealing by watching a Project Runway season I haven't seen. I'm making myself eat (hummus and a salad, then ice cream for my throat). My voice is almost gone.

It's so much worse for her family, and I feel helpless.

quester, I've been thinking about you. I'm glad you're taking steps towards finding out what's wrong. I wish you didn't have financial stress on top of everything.