Over the past few weeks I’ve been churning through all sorts of tests and appointments, mostly within the Duke system (I reserve the correct spelling of Dook for basketball hatred only). A mammogram (ladies, schedule yours!), a kidney ultrasound, a cardiac CT scan, a heart monitor install, and, in a few days, a carotid artery… Continue reading it’s a man’s world

Earlier this month, I was feeling awful. By April, I should have been feeling some progress on the mold front. Instead, everything hurt just as much as it had the month before. I saw my doctor and did another round of bloodwork. Some good news: my inflammation marker had come down from 4100 to around… Continue reading defeated

In the cinematic masterpiece “What About Bob?” Bob Wiley (played by Bill Murray) a lovable but plagued character, seeks help from a tightly wound therapist, Dr Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dryfus). Before going on his ill fated vacation, Dr Marvin gives Bob the advice of taking baby steps in the following scene.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl6s6DGapug Bob:… Continue reading baby steps

I’m currently reading “The Lady’s Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness” a memoir by Sarah Ramey. Nearly every page rings true for me.  Weird symptoms for 10+ years that no one could find the source of.  Shuffled from specialist to specialist only to have them shrug their shoulders.  Firing three ob/gyns before I found one who… Continue reading Can I get a witness?