Good to hear about the competent infectious disease doc. It makes a big difference to have confidence in the health care provider. Thinking of you often, Epic. Many of us have cared for our parents and understand the struggle. Sending strength and wishes for energy to get through the long emotionally exhausting days.

Hope the meds work well and soon for you, Teppy. I've known others that had side effects for just the first few days on a new med.

As for my troublesome stomach issues, I have an appointment with a surgeon for October 2. We'll see what happens.

I hope it's a solution for you, Tep. This has gone on far too long already.

I don't want surgery, but, yanno, if it would help the pain and nausea, I'll do it.

Honestly, you've gone through much more intense surgery. My gallbladder lapro eviction, I was out walking 3 miles 5-6 days later (because I was going insane with inactivity.) I had no other surgery to compare it too, but even so found it pretty easy. I mean, worst part for me was the swimming ban for a month, not the few days of really having to strategize getting out of bed (and keeping Loki off me.)

I hope it is the fix you need. And if it isn't, hey, you'll avoid a full blown gallbladder attack. Which was a gajilliion times worse than the recovery.

Steph I hope the itchiness goes away soon.

Epic lots of health~ma to your mom

I get the crazy -bad itching sometimes, Teppy, and I put cold on it--either a cold washcloth or if it's my feet and lower legs which seem to get it the worst, I just stick them under the tub faucet with water as cold as I can stand for a few minutes and that seems to stop it altogether. I usually HATE doing anything cold, but it actually feels good in this instance.

I hate, hate, hate feeling itchy, but this has made it manageable.

I09 let me know that today is the 15th anniversary of Firefly's debut on Fox.

15 years doesn't seem even remotely possible.

Random smoking cessation advice ahead. I know we have at least a couple people going through this process. Two substitutes I used were making a cup of tea or brushing my teeth. Both took a few minutes to push through the urge, and both involved hands and mouth activity. It is an icky process with the whole lung clearing stuff, but quitting was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.

Two substitutes I used were making a cup of tea or brushing my teeth.

Making/drinking a cup of tea was HUGE for me in quitting smoking, 11 years ago, now. I found that the nicotine addiction wasn't that hard to kick, but the psychological act of taking time out to, I don't know, sit and space out and take time for myself and process whatever was going on with me, was much harder to give up, and sitting with a cup of tea was very satisfying in that regard.

That, and having a cigarette to use as a shield in bars because I was nervous. But once nobody was allowed to smoke in bars (and then I got old and started going to bed really early) that didn't matter anymore.