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Feeling better now, not great but way better than Thursday afternoon. I had gone to work and felt okay. One of the new meds I'm on tends to plug one up, I'll leave the details to your fertile imaginations. Wednesday evening, though I'd managed to "clear for action," it felt like something inside had strained a bit more than was wanted. (Or healthy!)
A good night's sleep and off I went.
By noon I felt the old familiar pain in the lower left of my abdomen and knew that a doctor's visit was required. Diverticulitis is not something one rolls the dice with. Had a hospital roommate back in '15 who was in for much the same reason I was. But his problem was far worse, perforated bowels ain't no fun, as he could attest to. (I told that story here.)
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Off to the doctor's office I went, got poked and prodded ...
"If I press here, does it hurt?"
"No, no, just a bit of pressure ..."
"How about here?"
"Um, yes, I felt that." (To say the least.)
So I was scheduled for a CT scan, with contrast, that would be the third of those in under a month. I'm getting so I can predict the "breathe in" ... "hold your breath" intervals very nicely.
It was a "stat" procedure, the meaning of which I'd understood as "right f**king now," to put it in old school military terms. (I think these days you have to ask "pretty please.") But as none were available until the morning of Friday instant, that would have to do.
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Had the results by noon, acute diverticulitis, had my first dose of antibiotics shortly thereafter and am now officially (and practically), on the mend.
Funny thing though, I usually don't sleep all that well when the left side of my belly feels like I've been stuck with a lance, this time I slept just fine. In fact, that's mostly what I did Friday after returning from the CT scan. Hit the sack around 1400 local, got up at 2300 to take my meds and read for a bit.
The first few pictures were all taken in September and October, I like them, so I share them. The last picture is USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) passing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Annapolis, MD lies to starboard. Been over that bridge a few times, it's not far from The Nuke and her tribe. Always a thrill to head down that way.
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Went back to bed at 0230-ish and got up at 0900 on Saturday. I'm feeling a lot better, not 100% mind you, that takes about three to six days for me.
Hey, at least I was able to get a post out! Much thanks to John Blackshoe who covered for me on Saturday and our man Tuna for actually transferring JB's material to blogger.
Thanks guys. Also thanks for the well wishes and prayers alike. It helps
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Even if my grandsons do enjoy beating me like a rented mule. (Confession - I kinda started that, so I'm reaping what I've sown.)
Thank you for the SITREP. Good that you still have the horse 'twixt you and the ground. Thanks also for the photos. That first one, I can smell the fireplace, old books, pipe tobacco, and cognac.
ReplyDeleteGood to be upright once more.
DeleteSarge, glad to hear you’re feeling better. But…take it easy please.
ReplyDeletejuvat
Yes, I need to slow down a bit in some areas.
DeletePrayers for your continued mending and enjoy the down time, I've noticed that PPM's (Prior Professional Military) usually resist true down time like the plague we always have things that Must be done.
ReplyDeleteI do like your GI Joe collection in the first pic (only slightly Sarc, at least they aren't a Ken collection)
- Like I should talk, you should see some of the things I have collected...
On second thought maybe not, everyone wants you on the mend and gut bustin' laughter is NOT what the Doc ordered.
Laughter the best medicine my left foot!
MSG Grumpy
A good chuckle is always good for the soul.
DeleteHeal up buddy. Still on prayer list (never seems to shrink).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michael.
DeleteGood to hear you're feeling batter Sarge, prayers for ongoing recovery will be continued. Colors here a bit muted because of the lack of rain since September first.
ReplyDeleteIt's been spotty here, some spots are intense, trees not that far away are either still green or have lost all their leaves. Those two trees are at my Mom's house.
DeleteFriday was St Crispin’s Day. King Harry’s speech has a lot of positive energy, to say the least. Be well
ReplyDeleteWe few, we happy few.
DeleteHere's a diet that helped me with IBS among other troubles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QNcxgwJ3qo
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, I'll be looking in to that. Thanks, James!
Delete"Still among the living", that's a good thing!
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is!
DeleteHad two bouts of diverticulitis. Another doc recommended Miralax and Metamucil, two teaspoons of first and half of second then adjust to optimum. Has worked for me for ten years.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip!
DeleteGlad to you hear you are feeling "better" Sarge, although you are still on the list.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awful. I am assuming (like many "benefits" of getting older), it just happens.
I'm glad you put "better" in quotes, everything is relative. Thanks, TB.
DeleteTB's comment, Sarge, and your response to it got me to pondering how and why a comparative' e.g. "better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, " is perceived as an absolute when talking about health with the meaning of being fully healed.
DeleteSay that you're lost, it's raining, you're bleeding from half a dozen gashes, and have a broken arm. Really, really sucky situation.
Five hours later you've got tree moss bound onto the wounds to fight infection, managed to splint up the arm, fashioned a lean-to shelter, and have a fire going. Still a really sucky situation, as you're still lost, injured and wounded, and it's still raining. But that's a better sucky than before because now you have some shelter, a fire, you've stabilized your arm, and dressed the wounds.
Better is always relative, perfect is beyond compare.
DeleteGreat news!
ReplyDeleteJB
Sure feels better.
DeletePerforated bowel? Ugh. Had a friend of mine almost die due to a nicked bowel by a Navy doc causing sepsis. Glad you avoided it. I had forgotten that post from before, then again, it was almost a decade ago. I'm bad with stuff just last month!
ReplyDeleteYeah, nine years, long time ago. I still remember it, kinda traumatic in some ways.
DeleteCongrats on your recovery, Sarge! Five years ago, I had biopsy specimens from my prostate taken with a core sampler penetrating through my colon wall. Afterwards, reading the information about the antibiotics prescribed that included, among other things, that they were effective in treating plague and anthrax. Somberly realized that they were employing big league stuff.
DeleteThat is some major league stuff!
DeletePeaches, Gandalf, Firecracker and I are very pleased you are on the mend! I worry about friends.
ReplyDeleteAmanda says she will deal with those who make fun of you and your Joes.
Thank you all.
DeleteGlad to hear that the good Lord, brilliant minds and a few chemicals are assisting you in recovery from what’s known as life. Don’t ask. Get well.
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord and keep driving!
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