I used my wheelchair on campus again today. It still makes me a little nervous -- I'm not too good at dealing with awkward questions about it, and mathematicians tend to ask a lot of awkward questions, because really, we have no idea how to human. It went OK. I also tried using my new ramp to get it back into my trunk, which didn't work quite as well as I'd hoped. The wheels of the chair are at a weird angle when it's folded up, making it difficult to push up the ramp. I think that some kind of little cart would help, like just a wooden platform with wheels on it and a raised part on one side. I can picture exactly what I want, but I'm not sure I have the skills to build it. I wonder if I could pay a carpenter or someone to make one -- it seems like a pretty simple thing, but the dimensions would have to be exact, and it would need to be sanded and corners rounded and varnished really well, since my EDS skin means I get splinters from everything.

Oh, and I also saw my rheumatologist this morning, and got a referral to a foot and ankle specialist. Which I think will bring me up to six different kinds of doctors I'll have seen this year, not counting dentist and eye doctor.

Steph, I agree with the majority here -- keep taking the Nexium, tell Awesome Doc that the gastro guy was a dick who didn't listen, and ask him to think of someone else to recommend if the Nexium doesn't keep your stomach settled.

I'm sorry he didn't listen to. Doctors with god syndrome infuriate me.

Hil, I bet a good carpenter would love that kind of a challenge! And if it makes getting the chair into and out of the car easier, it's totally worth it.

Sending love and hugs to smonster, whose roommate deserves stabby stomach pain and all the splinters.

Just realized that the high school guy I was arguing with the other night didn't delete his thread -- he blocked me.

he blocked me

fist bump

Every time I see my son talking to himself on a hot topic it takes a moment for me to realize he is conversing with friends of his I blocked. It is much more pleasant to see his side. Part of me doesn't get why he doesn't give up on them, but I applaud his determination.

Since the obit was published in the local paper here a couple of high school friends I dropped last summer have messaged me. I respond warmly, but if their pages are still filled with hate I will not be adding them back.

It's not stupid. But you should definitely call Awesome Doctor and tell him that Not Listening Gastro did not inspire confidence and before undergoing the invasive procedures he recommended you want a second opinion. Because Awesome Doc needs to know that he shouldn't send more patients to Not Listening Gastro, and also, you should not have to undergo treatment with someone who's not listening.

100% of what Sparky said...and with all the agreement.

The not listening is such a bad sign. And I feel bad for the patients are not well educated, or confident enough to ask questions and push back against the stuff that doesn't seem to be addressing their actual issues.

The friend that I'm helping through the dying process has gotten to the in-home hospice portion of the program, for which I am glad, but OY.

My friend who, by the way, is a national effing treasure...if you are into Shakespeare...and very strong willed...feels totally bullied by the people who are supposed to be seeing to her end of life comfort.

I have not intruded so far, but today I'm going to the meeting and putting several hammers down.

It is, of course, a blessing that these services exist, which makes it seem even worse when people don't listen, aren't seeing the actual picture vs. 'the usual'.

Does anyone here have experience with medical marijuana? Friend has serious nausea and pain issues. Plus, a real struggle to eat.

So far, the two doctors she's talked to about it have been resistant because of the level of work required for their offices.

It's a lame excuse, but I'd like to smooth the way, in any way I can, if possible.

I felt like Hubby got bullied through his treatment. Surprisingly, he was very much "Do what the doctors say," though with his cancer, there weren't a lot of options. It's hard to say for sure, because cancer treatment is very schedule-based, but I felt like he got flung around between unpleasant procedures with no concern for how he himself was feeling about it. He was a checklist, not a person.

Checklist is exactly the term I've been using, Connie. I'm so sorry that Hubby had this experience too.

Thankfully, Friend has a sanguine attitude about some things. She's been dealing with the cancer for a decade, only now having to recognize that the fight is over and the goal is making the best of what is real.

That is where I come in. I've had enough experience, and am fundamentally opposed to making this sort of thing anything but calm and practical, that I don't add to the burden. I'll cry later.

I can speak for medicating the very ill with marijuana therapy - my dad was miserable getting chemo and not sleeping. I finally presented him with a small bong and suggested since he'd already inhaled for fun back in the day, surely he could try it again.

He did get a few nights of sleep out of it, it stepped on the nausea, and he did not go back to being a pot head when he got better.

These days there are so many CBD edibles around, it can be much easier to try.

I'm sorry this is happening, I wish you both peace.

I had my first appointment with the professional organizer today. I think it went well. She looked around the apartment, talked with me about my life and my schedule and what I'm looking for, admired my fireplace (as every Cincinnati native who come into this living room does, she looked at it and said, "That's Rookwood tile!"), and we made an appointment to start working on this stuff for the weekend after next. And she says that she's worked with people with physical disabilities before, so that's good. (Plus, she's Jewish -- I always get a little nervous about that when people are coming into my house, since I've got stuff that shows that this is a Jewish home.)