Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Roam If I Want To
Roam around the world. Today I received not one but 5 vaccinations. Three in one arm and two in the other. Aside from developing a bad headache and two sore arms, I feel fine. Oh and I'm not finished. I have to go back to that doctor for 2 more boosters for the Hepatitis shots. Oh and I'm not finished. I will go to my primary care doctor for a tetanus shot. The only place I can't visit now is Africa because I would need a yellow fever vaccination. Luckily the only dark continent I ever plan to visit is Busch Gardens. The infectious disease doctor gave me a lot of good advice for my travels to India. He said I can take Pepto Bismol 4 times a day and that will cut my chance of getting traveler's diarrhea by 60%. I'm all about that! He reminded me that I should not accidentally brush my teeth using tap water. That will be hard since it's such a habit! He said Purell should be my friend. I informed him that I was an obsessive compulsive hand washer and might already own stock in Purell. Anyway, I won't truly feel ready to go on this trip until I actually get there.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Offers Are Pouring In
Unfortunately not employment offers.
I'm talking about magazine offers. Last year I gave up my obsession of subscribing to all magazines. When the subscriptions expired, that was it. I did not renew any of them. I do believe at one point (back me up on this C.) I was the proud subscriber to at least 10 different magazines. However, I could no longer justify $10 here or $12 there if I didn't even have a job. My magazine reading was confined to whatever was available at the gym. I was surprisingly fine with that.
I'm now proud to say, they have missed me. They want me back in a big way. It started with Mary Clairey (Marie Claire if you're not a C or a K). She really missed me. I was teased back with an offer I did not refuse, 12 issues for $8! It was like I'd hit the jackpot. Then I got offers for Elle and Bazaar. I'm not a fan of either of those so they went right to the shredder. Today I received a "Research Discount Offer" from Redbook. Apparently they are researching how low I will go and offered me 12 issues for $5.99! WTF?! Now that is a bargain. I wrote the check immediately.
I believe this must be a secret. Just ignore and shred all offers for something like 6 or 9 months. When the publishers get desperate the bargain basement offers start pouring it. I kind of like this game!
I'm talking about magazine offers. Last year I gave up my obsession of subscribing to all magazines. When the subscriptions expired, that was it. I did not renew any of them. I do believe at one point (back me up on this C.) I was the proud subscriber to at least 10 different magazines. However, I could no longer justify $10 here or $12 there if I didn't even have a job. My magazine reading was confined to whatever was available at the gym. I was surprisingly fine with that.
I'm now proud to say, they have missed me. They want me back in a big way. It started with Mary Clairey (Marie Claire if you're not a C or a K). She really missed me. I was teased back with an offer I did not refuse, 12 issues for $8! It was like I'd hit the jackpot. Then I got offers for Elle and Bazaar. I'm not a fan of either of those so they went right to the shredder. Today I received a "Research Discount Offer" from Redbook. Apparently they are researching how low I will go and offered me 12 issues for $5.99! WTF?! Now that is a bargain. I wrote the check immediately.
I believe this must be a secret. Just ignore and shred all offers for something like 6 or 9 months. When the publishers get desperate the bargain basement offers start pouring it. I kind of like this game!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Alive, But Not Kicking Just Yet
The gall bladder has been removed successfully. And Laparoscopically! My stay in the hospital wasn't too bad. I'm good with anesthesia and had no problems coming out of it. I got to go home less than 4 hours after the surgery started. In addition to the gall bladder the doctor also removed a bad lymph node which was next to the gall bladder. He sent it for biopsy. I will find out the results on Tuesday. Right now I'm just resting and walking. Walking and resting. Oh and trying deep breathing to get the remaining carbon dioxide out of me. MK, you were so right about the shoulder pain. I feel as though I have had shoulder surgery. I have been taking the percoset for the shoulder pain and nothing else. The incisions haven't bothered me. I have avoided drinking from straws. I haven't been sleeping very well because I am unable to lay down. I must sleep sitting up and it sucks. Everyday I'm feeling slightly better though.
Monday, March 12, 2007
You're Outta Here
Today was my appointment with a surgeon. He specializes in Laparoscopic surgery. He decided the gall bladder should come out. We're doing it on Friday. I can't even believe I agreed to it. What sucks is that he won't know if it can definitely be removed laparoscopically until he is in there. It could be a full blown surgery. In fact, he put the odds at 1 in 100 chance for me since I don't have a spleen. If he is able to complete the job as planned, it should be an outpatient surgery. How long you stay depends on how well you tolerate coming off the anesthesia. Some people leave and don't even need to take a tylenol for pain. Others have to refill their narcotic prescription. I might be an Other. Who knows. I'm nervous now that he gave me the odds. However, now really seems to be the time to do this. I'm not working. Husband and I are planning a trip to India next month or possibly in early May. I just want the whole thing over with before that. Oh and speaking of trip to India said doctor is also giving me a referral to an infectious disease specialist so I can consult about vaccinations. Yippee.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Fun With Pre-polygraph Questions
After spending an exhausting 3 days filling out information for potential job, I thought I'd share a few of the questions I had to answer. Here is a sampling.
-Have you ever quit a job without giving notice?
NO
(I once gave 15 minutes notice though. It went just like this: "Hi this is Bossy Pants. I won't be coming in today...or any other day. Go ahead and mail me my next check."
-List all money or merchandise you stole from an employer in the past 10 years regardless of value. Also list the approximate value of each item.
In the 8 years I worked for such and such company there were occasions where I walked out of my office with a pen in my hand or rubber bands around my wrist like a bracelet. Also, sometimes I would get home and discover paper clips in my bag. I would estimate the value of these items to be less than 50 cent. These items were taken by accident and there was no intention to commit theft.
I like to be brutally honest.
-What is the most serious thing you've ever done that you were afraid you might be arrested for?
I won't post my real answer. But C., I did consider that time we left the M-bar and I should not have been driving and you had to be the navigator and coach me home. The cop was behind us for a time and we had to take a sneeeaaaky back way home.
-Have you ever missed work because of a hangover?
NO
(I never missed work. I did go in while I was still drunk though. That's what happens when you stay out until 3:00am and have to be at work at 7:00am.)
-List ALL citations or tickets served upon you for violating parking or traffic regulation. Include the date and jurisdiction in which it occurred.
WTF?
I suppose this was an easy one since I've only received 1 ticket. But the date??? I have no idea. I decided this was getting ridiculous.
Are you sick of these questions yet? Imagine have to write out 13 pages of this.
-Have you ever quit a job without giving notice?
NO
(I once gave 15 minutes notice though. It went just like this: "Hi this is Bossy Pants. I won't be coming in today...or any other day. Go ahead and mail me my next check."
-List all money or merchandise you stole from an employer in the past 10 years regardless of value. Also list the approximate value of each item.
In the 8 years I worked for such and such company there were occasions where I walked out of my office with a pen in my hand or rubber bands around my wrist like a bracelet. Also, sometimes I would get home and discover paper clips in my bag. I would estimate the value of these items to be less than 50 cent. These items were taken by accident and there was no intention to commit theft.
I like to be brutally honest.
-What is the most serious thing you've ever done that you were afraid you might be arrested for?
I won't post my real answer. But C., I did consider that time we left the M-bar and I should not have been driving and you had to be the navigator and coach me home. The cop was behind us for a time and we had to take a sneeeaaaky back way home.
-Have you ever missed work because of a hangover?
NO
(I never missed work. I did go in while I was still drunk though. That's what happens when you stay out until 3:00am and have to be at work at 7:00am.)
-List ALL citations or tickets served upon you for violating parking or traffic regulation. Include the date and jurisdiction in which it occurred.
WTF?
I suppose this was an easy one since I've only received 1 ticket. But the date??? I have no idea. I decided this was getting ridiculous.
Are you sick of these questions yet? Imagine have to write out 13 pages of this.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Excuse Me, But I Don't Think So
Today I took a trip to IKEA to return something. Normally I would not go to that store in the middle of the day. I usually try to get there right when the doors open so I don't have encounters like the one I just had in Customer Service.
I was the 3rd one in line. When I walked up, I did not notice the sign that said "take a ticket." The two women in front of me went up to the counter. I stood just waiting for my turn for several minutes before another lady came behind me. She was there for about a minute before yet another lady came behind her and saw the ticket machine. She took a ticket. Then the lady behind me says, "oh, we need a ticket?" and I replied that I had not even seen the machine. So she gets one and then so do I. Except now the numbers are all fucked up but clearly I am the first in the line. I should have had number 12 but I didn't, I had number 14. I don't imagine it to be a big deal. However, when number 12 is called and I head for the counter, she follows me saying, "I AM NUMBER 12." I was floored. I was so shocked at the entitlement. I had been standing there ticketless for more than 10 minutes when she came along and snatched the ticket that should have been mine. I informed her that the numbers had been mixed up and regardless of what number was called, I was next in line and damn it, I was going up there. She followed me trying to rationalize it with the cashier but he had seen me standing there for so long he sided with me. I thought she returned to her place in the line and expected her to say something to me when I walked by, but no. She was gone. She didn't get her way so she left. Bitch.
I was the 3rd one in line. When I walked up, I did not notice the sign that said "take a ticket." The two women in front of me went up to the counter. I stood just waiting for my turn for several minutes before another lady came behind me. She was there for about a minute before yet another lady came behind her and saw the ticket machine. She took a ticket. Then the lady behind me says, "oh, we need a ticket?" and I replied that I had not even seen the machine. So she gets one and then so do I. Except now the numbers are all fucked up but clearly I am the first in the line. I should have had number 12 but I didn't, I had number 14. I don't imagine it to be a big deal. However, when number 12 is called and I head for the counter, she follows me saying, "I AM NUMBER 12." I was floored. I was so shocked at the entitlement. I had been standing there ticketless for more than 10 minutes when she came along and snatched the ticket that should have been mine. I informed her that the numbers had been mixed up and regardless of what number was called, I was next in line and damn it, I was going up there. She followed me trying to rationalize it with the cashier but he had seen me standing there for so long he sided with me. I thought she returned to her place in the line and expected her to say something to me when I walked by, but no. She was gone. She didn't get her way so she left. Bitch.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Medical & Update
(Because I know everyone is dying to hear about my medical problems.)
Had another ultrasound this morning. Things are not looking good for my gall bladder. Not good at all. I could not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. No big deal since I was sleeping. The scan showed a contracted gall bladder. This is not normal for someone who has not eaten. It should look like a small balloon but instead it looked like a deflated balloon. Not good. It doesn't look infected so that is good because it means I can have a laser surgery. The next step is that my doctor will look at the results and decide if he wants to do a nuclear medicine test where they check the function of the gall bladder or if he will just refer me to a surgeon. I should find out later today or tomorrow.
Now I have to make an appointment to get vaccinations for travel to India. Husband was mad when I told him I was going to do this. He said I was acting "high maintenance" and I shouldn't act like I'm going to travel to some remote area of Africa. I didn't feel I was doing this at all and I was very upset at the accusation. It's just that I read. There are several recommended vaccinations for India, not to mention malaria prevention. Despite his claim that there are no mosquitoes where his family lives, I still want to take the pills. I grew up in the other mosquito capital of the world, Florida and I know that if there is a mosquito within 10 miles of where I am, it will seek me out and find me no matter what.
In other news I might have found a job. I hesitate to mention it because C. is going to be very upset. It isn't in FL. It's here, in the next city over. I saw it advertised and just had to apply for it in case we end up staying here through no fault of mine. Who knew that more than 50 people would apply for it and I would end up being only 1 of 7 who was actually given the chance to interview? It's a part time position, which I think is great because I might could still be considered semi-retired. But I would have money again. The problem is what I have to go through just to get to the next level in the process. I have to have to fill out 2 booklets of personal info, each is 13 pages. There are 4 pages that have to be notarized. I have to make copies of other documents and obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate. Oh, and take a polygraph. Yes. My first polygraph. Surprisingly enough, I had a federal clearance for 8 years and worked with confidential information but never had to take one.
It's a good thing I'm not working right now because there is no way I could get all this done.
Had another ultrasound this morning. Things are not looking good for my gall bladder. Not good at all. I could not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. No big deal since I was sleeping. The scan showed a contracted gall bladder. This is not normal for someone who has not eaten. It should look like a small balloon but instead it looked like a deflated balloon. Not good. It doesn't look infected so that is good because it means I can have a laser surgery. The next step is that my doctor will look at the results and decide if he wants to do a nuclear medicine test where they check the function of the gall bladder or if he will just refer me to a surgeon. I should find out later today or tomorrow.
Now I have to make an appointment to get vaccinations for travel to India. Husband was mad when I told him I was going to do this. He said I was acting "high maintenance" and I shouldn't act like I'm going to travel to some remote area of Africa. I didn't feel I was doing this at all and I was very upset at the accusation. It's just that I read. There are several recommended vaccinations for India, not to mention malaria prevention. Despite his claim that there are no mosquitoes where his family lives, I still want to take the pills. I grew up in the other mosquito capital of the world, Florida and I know that if there is a mosquito within 10 miles of where I am, it will seek me out and find me no matter what.
In other news I might have found a job. I hesitate to mention it because C. is going to be very upset. It isn't in FL. It's here, in the next city over. I saw it advertised and just had to apply for it in case we end up staying here through no fault of mine. Who knew that more than 50 people would apply for it and I would end up being only 1 of 7 who was actually given the chance to interview? It's a part time position, which I think is great because I might could still be considered semi-retired. But I would have money again. The problem is what I have to go through just to get to the next level in the process. I have to have to fill out 2 booklets of personal info, each is 13 pages. There are 4 pages that have to be notarized. I have to make copies of other documents and obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate. Oh, and take a polygraph. Yes. My first polygraph. Surprisingly enough, I had a federal clearance for 8 years and worked with confidential information but never had to take one.
It's a good thing I'm not working right now because there is no way I could get all this done.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Hi, My Name Is D.T.
Yesterday afternoon was the endoscopy. I would like to thank MK for her advice on inflating your weight to get more anesthesia. I was out like a light. The nurse wheeled me into the procedure suite, hooked me up to the heart monitors and oxygen then told me she was putting the anesthesia into the IV. I told her I didn't want to know what was going on at all. Then I told her "I feel it", and that is the last thing I remember. I woke up in recovery. The nurse gave me my clothes to put back on and I have no recollection of doing it but I didn't walk out of there topless, so I must have. Then my doctor came to give the results. Luckily husband was there at this time because I'm a little bit cloudy on what he said. Basically as I predicted he found nothing. Nothing at all. Which is good, but also bad because I still don't know what is wrong. Although, I'm still going with food allergy. The doctor wants me to have another ultrasound to check out my gall bladder again. Then depending on that he will decide what the next step is. Possibly just to take the damn thing out. I'm not real crazy about that idea, but if they take it out when nothing is wrong it can be done by laser. I will wait and see at this point.
