Who the hell knows anymore?

Tuesday, May 25, I went to the endocrinologist.  Finally saw the doctor at 1:45PM for my 11:30AM appointment.  Fairly usual at this point.  So, in less than a year, I've gone from 1 prescription to 8.  Luckily, the hormone shot is now just a hormone gel that will cause babies and women to mutate if they come in contact with it.  Oh, and a semi-permanent "prescription" of blood donation every three months.  As I discussed with Roger Henke on Wednesday night, if that's all I have to deal with to stay alive, I'm a whole hell of a lot luckier that many people.  Then, Thursday night, I felt a little "tickle" in my throat.  Friday: full blown cold.  Friday & Saturday: sucked completely.  Sunday: sucked not as much.  Today: gotta finish the order form with Tim; no choice or you guys might notice the missing stuff in July...and that would REALLY suck!

So, for those of you still awake, there's my current health status.  More updates as they happen.

XOXO-
Brian 

Sack o' Blood

Well, I put it off for an extra week. But, I went last Friday to the Big Blood Van in TGIFriday's parking lot.  So, I don't know what the number corresponds to exactly, but they told me that as long as the count was 12 or higher, I was good to give blood.  On 325mg of aspirin a day (for a little over a week), my "count" was 16.7.  I figured that since my blood is too thick that it would take longer to fill up the big bag.  Average is apparently 10-15 minutes; I took 5.  So, less than 30 minutes after I got there, I filled up a bulging sack o' blood, had some grape juice and pretzels, and was on my way.  Yesterday, I had a blood draw (best blood draw ever, BTW, didn't feel it at all, yea!) for CBC w/ differential to check my blood count and today at 11:45AM (or 2ish PM), I get to find out how I'm doing.  I'll let ya' know...

XOXO-
Brian

Blood Is Thicker Than Mercury

I sat in the waiting room for a short hour-and-forty-five minutes for my 11AM appointment on May 5th.  I finally saw the doctor at about 1:20PM (not bad compared to other visits).  I got two new prescriptions to bring down my blood sugar and my hormone shots got put on hold.  NOW, I find out that my blood's too thick. Wha--?  Yeah, my blood's too thick, which could be a side effect of the hormone shots OR it could have actually been the problem to begin with.  Yep, thick blood, or hypercoagulability, can cause the inability for the blood to transfer hormones (and other things) to tissues of the body AND it's considerably worse than high cholesterol for heart attack and stroke.  Yea!  So, I'm also taking 375mg of aspirin every day and I have to donate blood, or ELSE.  Then I get to give another vial of blood for another CBC test and another trip to the doctor on Tuesday the 18th.  You guessed it, more updates to come.  Now, go buy comics!

XOXO-
Brian

I Actually Had A Really Good Day

We've participated in every Free Comic Book Day since the very first one in 2002, and we've had all kinds of experiences.  This year, despite the fact that my retailer-buddy in Texas, Brad, snatched Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt before we could get them, and Batgirl & Red Robin were no-shows, I personally had a great day.  R2D2 and the stormtroopers were a great hit, Dave did well and stuck around for most of the day, and neither Drew nor I collapsed despite him not getting his promised nap!  Audrey & Alyssa (our newest Twilight family members), did a great job, too.  Drew's girlfriend, Jen, stopped in for a good chunk of the day to help out, and as always the day couldn't have gone as smoothly without the help of Mom & Dad, Shannon's Mom - Deborah, Roger Henke (our Fun Ambassador - charming people off the streets), Tom,  and Tim.

Everybody seemed to have a good time, no one was greedy, and I can't thank all of you enough who appreciated our efforts with at least a small purchase!

Despite saying that I wouldn't do it this year, Shannon and I were up 'til 5:30AM putting on the finishing touches Friday night and then I was back up at the store by 9:15AM.  (Not as bad as last year - I never went home from Friday night.)  But, I'll tell you what:  This pituitary deal kicked my ass this year!  (For new readers, read back a few months to hear me whine about my health.)  I passed out for most of Sunday and Monday and STILL felt like crap.  (Wednesday is the big reveal of what 7 more vials of blood will tell me, yea!  I'll obviously let you guys know.)

Next year, more FREE books, no scavenger hunt at all, more attendance prizes between 11-2 (but not after).  Gotta think of something cool/fun for the afternoon...


Yeah, that's all I've got for now.

XOXO-
Brian