I've been offline for a few days, as Annie moves her abode from the place she was renting to her new home near Union HS on the West Side. Since I had a colonoscopy scheduled this morning, I decided to remain at the rental with Remy until that was finished. And finished it is! I did an "all natural" prep, a product called Natural Calm which is 100% magnesium citrate, without all the cramp-causing ingredients of other preparations. Just to make sure that my choice for something less violent wouldn't mean that I wasn't prepared, I started fasting (clear liquids only) after lunch on Tuesday, and I drank the prep starting Tuesday afternoon, as well.
I also chose no sedation, thinking that it probably wouldn't be any worse than childbirth or a Crohn's episode. I was right. The worst part about it was the gas afterward, since as the nurse explained, "Right now your colon is flat as a pancake so he (the doc) has to inflate it so he can see what's going on in there." Since I was not sedated, I was able to ask questions as I watched the video and carry on a conversation with the professionals present. Bottom line: it was fascinating to see inside myself. Everything was pink and shiny and perfect except for one spot where the surface looked a little different. The doc thought it might be a "flat polyp" so he injected some saline to try to get it to pop up so he could remove it; but it wasn't popping up, so he decided to take a small amount for a biopsy. But given the behavior of the spot he decided it probably wasn't a polyp and in the end wasn't too concerned about it, especially since the rest of the colon looked so healthy.
The nurse said, "I can tell you eat a healthy diet." I was fairly pleased at that (and maybe just a tiny bit smug).
It did take a little while to get all the bubbles out, but all in all I was out well inside the expected time for the visit, and I was able to drive myself away. I picked up a young woman who was walking away from the building in the rain. Turned out she needed to be near Breton Village Mall, and it was easy as could be for me to drop her off there.
I had thought I'd go out for breakfast, but my system wasn't feeling right yet, so I went back to the rental, had some bone broth, and made myself a banana pancake. After that, I felt much better, and now I'm out getting some things done.
Moving and moving isn't just about helping Annie get settled in a new place. I've had many conversations with friend Rick, who is still in Tennessee, but looking stoically for a living place on the Gulf Coast. The most likely area is in Mississippi, about an hour from New Orleans. Yesterday, he mentioned a place with a six-month lease, which is appealing because we haven't tried anything like this before and don't know what to expect. If it works out and we really like the area, we'll probably continue to stay there for a while, even though I'm sure the summer will be oppressive. Of course, speaking of movement, I'll be up in New York State and Michigan at least part of the summer, with Abby and Adam's wedding on June 30. My nephew got engaged a week or so ago, too, and perhaps their wedding will be next summer, as well. Not sure what they're planning.
And what's moving in my inside? A little. I was able to get out and help my cousin with some stresses in her life, feeling a bit like the person Sacred Space was designed to promote. Music is starting to push its way to the surface. I found myself singing -- improvising -- as I walked Remy early this morning. I also joined a FB group to support each other in daily (or at least several times a week) meditation. There's not specific form to it, just a group to encourage its member to stick with it. And so I have been ... meditating, usually in the morning, for about 10 minutes. I'm sure, as I get used to it, I'll be able to up that amount of time. So far, I've had a revelation about how my mind wants to get stuck on certain "stories," whether mine or someone else's, trying to solve problems or follow scenarios. When I see it happening, I find myself better and better able to let go of the stories and be in the moment. This is a huge goal of meditation for me. And, like keeping a dream diary, the more I do it the better it gets.
I do feel a bit pulled about choice of geographical location. Part of me would rather go back to California, and part of me really wants to relax and walk and bike near the ocean -- which I wouldn't be able to afford to do in CA. It's six months. I'm excited to see what happens!
Every day, I feel the motion of the energies, something is constantly moving. Everything is constantly moving, breathing, dancing, singing. I love this dance of life.
I also chose no sedation, thinking that it probably wouldn't be any worse than childbirth or a Crohn's episode. I was right. The worst part about it was the gas afterward, since as the nurse explained, "Right now your colon is flat as a pancake so he (the doc) has to inflate it so he can see what's going on in there." Since I was not sedated, I was able to ask questions as I watched the video and carry on a conversation with the professionals present. Bottom line: it was fascinating to see inside myself. Everything was pink and shiny and perfect except for one spot where the surface looked a little different. The doc thought it might be a "flat polyp" so he injected some saline to try to get it to pop up so he could remove it; but it wasn't popping up, so he decided to take a small amount for a biopsy. But given the behavior of the spot he decided it probably wasn't a polyp and in the end wasn't too concerned about it, especially since the rest of the colon looked so healthy.
The nurse said, "I can tell you eat a healthy diet." I was fairly pleased at that (and maybe just a tiny bit smug).
It did take a little while to get all the bubbles out, but all in all I was out well inside the expected time for the visit, and I was able to drive myself away. I picked up a young woman who was walking away from the building in the rain. Turned out she needed to be near Breton Village Mall, and it was easy as could be for me to drop her off there.
I had thought I'd go out for breakfast, but my system wasn't feeling right yet, so I went back to the rental, had some bone broth, and made myself a banana pancake. After that, I felt much better, and now I'm out getting some things done.
Moving and moving isn't just about helping Annie get settled in a new place. I've had many conversations with friend Rick, who is still in Tennessee, but looking stoically for a living place on the Gulf Coast. The most likely area is in Mississippi, about an hour from New Orleans. Yesterday, he mentioned a place with a six-month lease, which is appealing because we haven't tried anything like this before and don't know what to expect. If it works out and we really like the area, we'll probably continue to stay there for a while, even though I'm sure the summer will be oppressive. Of course, speaking of movement, I'll be up in New York State and Michigan at least part of the summer, with Abby and Adam's wedding on June 30. My nephew got engaged a week or so ago, too, and perhaps their wedding will be next summer, as well. Not sure what they're planning.
And what's moving in my inside? A little. I was able to get out and help my cousin with some stresses in her life, feeling a bit like the person Sacred Space was designed to promote. Music is starting to push its way to the surface. I found myself singing -- improvising -- as I walked Remy early this morning. I also joined a FB group to support each other in daily (or at least several times a week) meditation. There's not specific form to it, just a group to encourage its member to stick with it. And so I have been ... meditating, usually in the morning, for about 10 minutes. I'm sure, as I get used to it, I'll be able to up that amount of time. So far, I've had a revelation about how my mind wants to get stuck on certain "stories," whether mine or someone else's, trying to solve problems or follow scenarios. When I see it happening, I find myself better and better able to let go of the stories and be in the moment. This is a huge goal of meditation for me. And, like keeping a dream diary, the more I do it the better it gets.
I do feel a bit pulled about choice of geographical location. Part of me would rather go back to California, and part of me really wants to relax and walk and bike near the ocean -- which I wouldn't be able to afford to do in CA. It's six months. I'm excited to see what happens!
Every day, I feel the motion of the energies, something is constantly moving. Everything is constantly moving, breathing, dancing, singing. I love this dance of life.
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