A Health Experiment

NOTE: The following will be far too much information for any person to read.. So just be aware.

Yesterday marked the beginning of my 'no daily aspirin regimen' experiment. Why was I on a daily aspirin regimen in the first place you might ask? Well, this requires some back story...

I was born with what is called a Congenital Aortic Stenosis. In layman's terms, this means my aortic valve was blocked... by itself... when I was born. As in, it would only open less than a centimeter to pump blood through. To add insult to injury, I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, which means there were only two flaps opening rather than the traditional 3 which come with an aortic valve. Long story short, I had open heart surgery at a very (less than 1 year) young age, and have been mandated to see a cardiologist every year since.

A few months ago I went to see my very first ADULT cardiologist (I won't get into why I am nearly quarter of a century year old and I was only just then seeing an adult cardiologist, but it has to do with fierce loyalty to the doctor who had seen me since birth... then he retired). It was very different and at the same time very similar experience to a pediatric cardiologist. They took my cholesterol (something ped. cardiologists do not do). They ran the same tests: echocardiogram, EKGs, lots and lots of listening to the heart. Then my new doctor asked, "Are you on an aspirin regimen?" To which I replied, "I didn't realize people did that at 23/4? Isn't that something old people do to prevent heart attack?" How little I knew.

He went on to explain that with my aortic insufficiency (the remnants of aortic stenosis of days gone by) and mitral valve regurgitation, and a host of other small heart defects, that it is best to be on an aspirin regimen, as these kinds of problems raise the probability of the valves calcifying and blood coagulating and me having a heart attack or something like it.

Thus the aspirin regimen began. And, shortly thereafter, so did the stomach pain and diarrhea once or twice a week. I went on like this for three or four weeks, always assuming it had something to do with the pizza I had eaten the night before, laiden with grease. Or the fact that I don't eat enough healthy stuff.

Finally, this weekend, as I was running to the bathroom every 30 minutes on Saturday night, when I had just had the same experience the previous Saturday, pre-engagement party (which I attributed to nerves about CB and I's families meeting), and then again on Thursday just before school started, I had a long conversation with CB about the problem (which he was already aware of long before this. We are very open to say the least). CB is in medical school. Second year, deep in the midst of a year long pathology course and microbiology course. He proceeded to tell me: Well, if it was after next week I could tell you more, since we learn the GI system then. Useful.

The next morning he called me with good news: He had been looking through his mail and stumbled upon his regular American Family Medicine Journal, and there was a supplement on over-the-counter meds. He was browsing the information and came upon aspirin, also known as NSAIDS. He read me the side effects of regular aspirin use: Stomach pain (check). Diarrhea (check). Blood in stool (check). Hmmm. Could there be a connection here?!

So I too looked this up online (I am so so scientific. Give me my MD now). And all the information I found supported CB's findings in the (more scientific and credible) medical journal.

Thus the health experiment was born. I will not take aspirin for 2 weeks (I know, my heart doctor mandated it, but quite frankly, I cannot keep running out of class and swallowing pepto bismol). Should the occurences subside, I will do the following:

A suggestion to alleviate the side effects of aspirin use by one of these sources said to take aspirin with a meal, and do not drink a lot of caffeine (eeeffffffffff. I am inclined to chose Coca-Cola over functioning heart valves. Okay. Not really.) So my plan will be to take the aspirin in the evening rather than morning, and I will take it with dinner. I do not drink Coke in the evening (or at least I won't when this plan is in effect), so hopefully the Coke I drink every morning will not negatively mess with me and my aspirin.

So there it is. My personal health experiment. Based off of a dire necessity to stop going to the bathroom.

If all of this fails. I have to go to the doctor. To have my butt examined. Neat.

IN OTHER NEWS.

CB had to perform a gynecological exam on a woman last week. A real one. Stirrups, speculum and everything. Contemplate that for a second. Most women would leave their significant other in a heartbeat for touching another woman in that way. I asked for details. (Much like I did when he had to give a breast exam to a woman last May). I am just dying to know what the experience is like from the doctor's (or trainee's) point of view.

About ME

While doing my usual blog surfing, I came across this on my friend's blog. Intrigued, I too have completed this Youniverse thing- where you click on pictures over a given set of topics- and it creates a kind of personality profile. This is what mine came up with:

Mood- Sofisticat: You're romantic in your outlook and love the simplicity of nature. You can be a little nostalgic and like landscapes that make you feel calm. When it comes to art, you're a little unconventional but you appreciate precision and hard work. You are consistently impressed by the discipline and focus of true artists, whatever their field. You're a discerning music listener, romantic and passionate. You love the buzz you feel from watching a live performance- there is no better escape.

Fun- Thriller: You're insatiable! Your thirst for affection never drops. You've got a high sex drive and appetite for lurve (? wtf is lurve?)... For kicks you like to indulge in your great passions. You are happy to live highs and lows; you are fiercely loyal and passionate. You like to be part of the big picture. When it comes to the holidays, you like to explore and immerse yourself in another culture. Always on the go, you take in as much as you can. You find it hard to switch off, as you like absorbing new information all the time. And what turns you off? People who seem smart, until they light up and you realize they are stupid enough to be heading for an early grave.

Habits- Junkie Monkey: You love being a little naughty. Nothing beats getting up close and personal with the object of your affection. When it comes to drinking, you've got a little bit of a sweet tooth (I clicked on a picture of a soda :) ) and you don't get too hung up on making healthy choices... As for the home, you have a very cool and contemporary taste. You like your surroundings to be simple and functional, cozy and approachable.

Social- Thoughtful: For you friendship is all about being there for one another. You can't imagine life without your best friends. And they're the first place you go when you need advice, or a shoulder to cry on. You have a strong sense of justice and human rights. When you think of freedom- you think of democracy, one of your most treasured possessions.

Overall- it was actually pretty amazingly accurate. I recommend you waste some time doing it too. : )

Words I wish I could have written

I avoid writing about politics. I avoid talking about politics with most people, generally because the entirety of my family, and the school I work at, are hardcore conservative/Republican. I fall right in the middle. I do not claim to be a member of either party (and generally hate the bi-partisan system), but I always vote (what with the two presidential elections I have been legally allowed to vote in). I am a swing voter, if you will. And until I came across the following, I was unsure of how to defend my vote for Obama to my family, and fellow co-workers (neither of whom actually know who I voted for, I think. But if they did.... how could I best explain that?)

So, through much blog stocking (aka: lack of doing work), I discovered this post, written by a man I do not know, but wish I could hug simply for writing the words I could not find. Thank you sir.

Bits.

Good weekend.
Fast weekend.
Messy apartment.
Grading and test review making.
Miss CB.
Why did Dad's gf have to sit in dad's lap at the engagement party?
Beyond that, good times.
Can it be June now?
3.5 weeks until whore weekend.
Hungry. Can't cook. Help.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CB COMES TOMORROW!!!!!

ENGAGEMENT PARTY SATURDAY!!!

ENGAGEMENT PICTURES SUNDAY!!!!

LOOKING AT POTENTIAL RECEPTION SITE SATURDAY!!!!

TOMORROW IS FRIDAY. *long sigh of relief.*

Happy happy times. Long distance for only 6 more months.

November 4, 2008

"You know what happens after tonight? Or even tonight? Or tomorrow afternoon? We all become Americans... and we support either Barack Obama or John McCain, whoever wins this thing."

The Flu

In this past week alone, I can count on both hands how many students and faculty have come down with the legitimate flu virus. 2 of my students missed the entire week. An entire week of Latin- something one does not EVER want to miss, lest falling incredibly behind.

I am deathly afraid of getting the flu. For obvious reasons like: no one wants to be sick really, but also for these reasons: I do not want to miss work. No one can do my job like I can (this might sound arrogant, but really, any teacher should feel this way about missing work, especially a foreign language teacher, because really, almost no one can do the job like they can). Also, I live alone and quite frankly I am quite whiny when I am sick and no one is around to take care of me. I do not want to deal with myself.

So I am trying my hardest to avoid touching things students have touched (impossible) and washing my hands at every chance I get (more feasible), and trying super hard not to bite my nails (which is doable, but lately I have had extreme urges to bite them more and more). I did wake up with a massive headache this morning, and felt a little sick to my stomach, but I am going to ignore these and press on as if nothing is wrong and perhaps, in the end, nothing will actually be wrong.

One last reason I do not want to get sick: CB arrives in 5 days. 5 DAYS! YAY! The first time I have seen him since we became engaged!! An exciting weekend is about, with engagement party, engagement pictures, having to take him to my school's homecoming football game because I have to fulfill or partially fulfill my cheerleading co-sponsor obligations.... and our 2 year anniversary is this Tuesday (also ELECTION DAY), and we are celebrating this weekend. What an exciting week/weekend! CANNOT GET SICK.

Also. I voted. So should you.