you're going to put a camera where?

In my effort to cross items off my to-do list I finally did what I've been putting off for years...going to the doctor. I've had stomach issues all my life and since college it got worse. 5 years later, I decided to do something about it. Better late than never, right?

I diagnosed myself a while back, declaring that what has been ailing me is acid reflux. It took me like 20 minutes to tell the doctor EVERYTHING that has bothered me in the past few years. Mainly that everytime I eat I have to follow with an antacid. I think I've single-handedly kept the company that makes TUMS fully operational.

So after my monologue o' ailments, the doctor told me that we would try a few things. First, I'd have to take Nexium everyday for the next 2-4 months. She also took some blood to see if I have H palari, a bacteria that can live in your stomach for years without you knowing (or finally going to the doctor to check). Then she said we'd have to do an endoscopy, where they basically stick a long tube with a camera at the end of it down my esophagus and into my stomach. With the endoscopy they'll look at any damage the acid reflux might have caused, see if there are any abnormalities and take some biopsies.

The doctor said there's a possibility I might have to take medicine everyday my entire life, or I'd have to have surgery to fix it. Hopefully it doesn't come to either of those options. I think this is why I put off going to the doctor. But I guess its a good thing. She said if I would have allowed this to continue I could end up with esophageal or stomach cancer. And here I was hoping that just by going to the doctor I'd magically end up okay. I guess we'll find out with the endoscopy and blood work.

Aside from that, I'm going to use this week to move into my classroom and start preparing lessons. This makes me depressed. It means the summer is over and my life will once again be run by teenagers with attitudes. Wish me luck.

this tickles my nerdy bone

I recently saw the trailer for the new comic book movie "Watchmen" coming out in March of next year. I love movie trailers almost as much as I love movie scores. A good movie trailer will make or break a movie for me. I hate when the movie itself is a disappointment and all the good parts are in the trailer. Hopefully this one isn't.
Check out this video: WATCHMEN trailer 1




I'd love to hear some opinions.

fun at my expense

My sister Sharron called me today to tell me that my half sister and her kids went up to San Antonio to visit my nephew. Sharron met them there with her boyfriend to introduce him to them. He said he wanted to hear all the embarassing stories about her childhood but surprisingly enough they couldn't think of any. Instead, they decide to regale her boyfriend with embarassing stories about ME. My nephew, who's older than me, was the ringleader of the fun.

For Christmas I'm giving his kids toys that make lots and lots of noise. I'm thinking a drumset, or maybe just an air horn.

reading is the best diet

It's been a while since I paid attention to my blog. Mostly because I've decided to start crossing items off my summer to-do list. I was becoming agitated and I think it was because I had a lot of things I wanted to get done during the summer and I hadn't done any of the things I planned. So this whole week has been spent at the dentist's office, getting an eye exam, choosing eye glasses, back to the dentist's office, cleaning my house, organizing things, etc. I started to feel a little better, although my bank account is depleting rapidly.

Also sucking money out of our account is the arbor/porch the husband wants to put outside. Spending a few hours inside home depot looking at wood started to make me crazy. There's nowhere to stand at home depot; I don't think they want wives there. At least in the wood section. So then after we bought a bunch of wood we brought it open and stained it a nice redwood color. Meanwhile the mosquitos were outside making a nice meal out of me and my husband while we were painting. I think they laugh at OFF spray like its a nice wine that goes with their steak.

So aside from doctor's visits and painting wood, I bought the last book in the twilight series called Breaking Dawn on Saturday at midnight. Yes me, amongst the gothic looking teenagers sporting shirts and pins and face paint. But instead of going to Barnes & Noble I went to Walmart so I wouldnt have to wait in line. I tried on clothes the other day, which I hate doing because it reminds me that I gained weight, so I skipped the cake and punch. I decided to quit eating after 9p.m. in the hopes that it would help with my stomach problems AND keep me from gaining anymore weight. So instead of joining my husband in eating late night whataburger, I went home and read until 3 a.m. I woke up around 10:30 a.m., ate a special K bar and went straight back to reading. I took a quick break at 1:30ish to talk to Randy while he was getting ready to go to work. After he left I poured myself some dry cereal and a tall glass of water and kept reading. I looked up at the clock a few times and was surprised how much time had passed! All of a sudden it was 6:30 p.m. but I continued.

I finally finished the book around 9:30 at night. All 754 pages of the book. My eyes were all shifty and blurry by the time I was done. Then I went through my typical mourning period like I usually do after I read a good book. I mostly sigh and reflect on it a while. I get moody too if its a romantic novel. Not because I'm unhappy with my love life, but I just have trouble adjusting to reality. I get sucked into whatever world is created for me and I get deeply involved in it. When its over its I get pulled out and I have to adjust. On a thinner note, I ate really light. A special K bar, some try cereal, applesauce and tuna for dinner. If I hadn't been reading all day I'm sure I would've been wandering around my house, eating out of sheer boredom, or I would've been out and about, spending money and eating fast food.

While I am finished with my book I'm hoping to stay on the better eating trail. I woke up late again so I had a piece of cinnamon raising toast, some craisins for a snack, and I'll be having some chicken for dinner. Homemade fried chicken yes, but hopefully I can limit myself.

Next week its another dentist appointment, a workshop, and a doctor's appointment. Check, check and check.