(I will note I'm pretty sure at one point my mother was told she did NOT have gall stones, and she still did.)

My primary care doctor did say that the gastrointestinal doctor might run more tests that could show other gallbladder stuff. Like, there's gallbladder *sludge*, which doesn't sound awesome.

Timelies all!

Yay for normal! Boo for jerky stomach!

Why does this week feel like it's dragging? (Probably post-vacation blahs)

Teppy, I have a medical question. My doctor left her practice, which I did not find out until I went to pick up my refills. I made an appointment to go in and meet the NEW doc and pick up my files (since we're moving). I go in next Thursday.

I am on Cymbalta, but I've wanted to go back to Lexapro anyway. I have Lexapro on hand and have been alternating the last few days I have left of Cymbalta (I have one left) with the Lexapro. I have noticed no ill effects, but am I damaging myself beyond repair?

I have Lexapro on hand and have been alternating the last few days I have left of Cymbalta (I have one left) with the Lexapro. I have noticed no ill effects, but am I damaging myself beyond repair?

You are not. In fact, some doctors, cross-taper like you did, to get a patient off one antidepressant and onto another.

I'm sorry you don't have a mutant gallstone egg like me? My officemate had the sludge, but hers had actually escaped and it sounded horrific, nothing like what you are experiencing. If you have the sludge, sounds like it contained, at least. I can't believe I'm wishing you sludge, but better than a pointlessly over dramatic GI tract..I guess?

Random question:

Went to the Chiro today, and they had emailed me three things about insurance and claims and whatnot, and I was v. confused. So I printed them out (including the bill) and brought them in to try to find out.

...when I handed it to the receptionist, she was like "hmm..." and then went "OH!" Because the bill wasn't mine. Although the email it was attached to was addressed to me, the bill was for someone else (and had her name and address, I just somehow hadn't noticed). HIPAA violation y/n?

Not stupid. Making your environment comfortable and pleasant seems worthwhile to me. If it turns out to be more of an expense than an investment, that is okay.

This! We have been in this house (rental) for 11 years and invested a fair amount of our own money into it. So worth it for it to be a space you feel happy in. We are now at the point of potentially investing in a new water heater. The old one still works, but it's never held enough water to fill the bath tub, which is a major thing for my back and anxiety. Our landlord (who is a friend) doesn't have the money since she had to put $28K on a credit card last year to rebuild the bathroom (remember our black mold fiasco?), and we can't move (too many pets for anyone to rent to us) or buy (too expensive in LA)...so new water heater. Might be a thing.

You do not have a fiduciary responsibility to turn a profit on your life.

I LOVE this.

...when I handed it to the receptionist, she was like "hmm..." and then went "OH!" Because the bill wasn't mine. Although the email it was attached to was addressed to me, the bill was for someone else (and had her name and address, I just somehow hadn't noticed). HIPAA violation y/n?

yes.

Trump and Kim - what happens when two narcissistic madmen with nukes start posturing and grunting at each other like gorillas and neither can back down? We'll soon find out, on the next episode of "America: Meltdown"! I'm alternating between being annoyed with both of them and being terrified.

I think our best bet would be to convince all the cable companies to give them each their own cable channel on the condition that they step down from office and agree to remain private citizens for the rest of their lives.

You do not have a fiduciary responsibility to turn a profit on your life.

Very wise.

Is that like the absolute stupidest thing in the world to do, since we don't own the place?

Nope! But get the landlord's agreement in writing for everything you're attaching to the property, otherwise you will probably not have the right to take it with you when you go. Also, save the things you replace, because you will have to put them back on when you move out (and bear that cost, too).

I spent over two hours yesterday doing remedial telephone set up with the office on campus handling this. They simply do not believe me when I say, "there is no room 319 in this building." It keeps re-appearing on the spreadsheet, although I take it off and put notes in.