What's wrong with stu's body? hmmmm... read more below to find out!
January 24, 2005
January 21, 2005
me not feel so gooood
well, as most have seen on the news, Vancouver and the entire coast of BC has been under pretty heavy fire from a tropical rainstorm that managed to sweep it's way high enough to hit and soak us. Soak us to the point of washouts all over the place. One house in North Vancouver was washed down the hillside when the ground beneath it gave out. And, as the news reported last night, it was pointed out in report released in 1980 that severe rain would / could cause the ground to give way in that specific area if nothing was done to fix the ground. the report even specified an address --2175 was the house address. the very house that fell down the hill and killed it's occupant two days ago. is 25 years worth of advanced notice not enough??! yowza. Just awsful stuff In any case, this is not the point of today's episode. while the world was being washed away by the great flood, I was busy being sick and spending my time in the hospital instead.
I spent monday morning thinking I had some bad gas or something ( hot stuff, I know). I did eat a big 'ol chicken dinner the night before after all, so who knew. But by the time I got out of class at nine in the evening, I was a hurtin' unit. my abdomen was killing me. excrutiating pain! and feverish chills to boot. though offered a ride, I foolishly took the bus. I just SO love our dear environment, y'know? The ride wasn't too bad, but the 7 blocks I walked from the bus stop darn near killed me! I must have looked like an old geezer, doubled over as I was for most of the way, shuffling along.
Kate was kind enough to forego a night of sleep in order to get me into the hospital. It was a pretty steady night at the ER. not too many obvious external injuries, with exception of a girl with a broken nose (whose neck already had some pretty nasty looking burns scars on it... not a lucky person, I guess), and a hockey player in full uniform... this guy was obviously on the losing end of a fight. his face was messed up nicely.
So, with those people and others, it was about 1:30 or so before I got a room. they took some blood work, made me pee in a cup, the usuals. the IV went in, as did the sweet, sweet morphine... aaahhhhh. Most of the day, I had thought something may be wrong with the old appendix, as did much of the staff that saw me, but by about 3:30 in the morning, most suspected something else, so they ordered a CT scan for me. that was in the works by arouund 5:30 in the morning. What an odd experience that thing is!
"here you go sir, just lie on this moving bed with your arms about your head while this giant thing whirs around you and we put a course of hot, radiated goo into your viens".
Not at all unnerving.
from that, they found that I had some swollen lymph nodes n my abdomen. basically a sore throat in my bowel or something. they discharged me at 9:30 or so in the morning, and told me to come back if I experienced persistent or increased pain.
24 hours later, I was back with persistent and increased pain. But not in my abdomen this time, in my chest. more so my diaphragm ( does anyone else think words should be spelled like they sound?), and if I breathed deeply, my whole chest. plus my head was killing me--headaches the likes of which `i haven't had for five or so years when I worked at the sawmill in Kamloops. lovely, pounding muscle tension aches that squeeze my head painfully.
so it was another day in the ER, and Kate once again sacrificed her day to help me out. (part of me thinks she just wanted to skip a few classes, but mostly I'm glad she was along... her mother is, after all, the deputy minister of health here in BC. If you're gonna be sick, she's a damn good ticket through the hospital doors!!). There was more blood work, more pissing in cups, more blessed morhpine. Some X-rays, too.
At the end of it all, there were some conlusions drawn. or not. it may be related to the viral infectioon that created the swelling of my lymph nodes, or it may not. it may be that I have some sort of an ulcer, but then again, it may not. As for the fever, we can't explain that. it's just there. ( all this time I was running at temp of 38.8). The headaches weren't addressed at all, particularly. It may be that I eat too much, and eat too fast. In any case, I am on a few days bed rest--which has made me miss my first two shifts at work (good impression for the boss, eh?)--and a month's worth of meds that will stop my stomach ffrom producing so much acid, if that is in fact the issue at all. I have to go back to the doctor's clinic next week to get a camera stuffed down my throat and into my stomach to see exactly what might be going on in myh esophogus (sp?) and stomach. Can't wait for that!
In any case, My roommate is never around, so I am staying at kate's house for a couple days where I have three people to help me out, and Kate's mum can check in on me as well. A word of advice, get docotr friends. they're very useful.
Next week is bound to be better!!
"in a hospital, they'll throw you out on the sreet when you're only half cured, but in a nursing home, they'll lock you in until you're dead." --George Bernard Shaw
I spent monday morning thinking I had some bad gas or something ( hot stuff, I know). I did eat a big 'ol chicken dinner the night before after all, so who knew. But by the time I got out of class at nine in the evening, I was a hurtin' unit. my abdomen was killing me. excrutiating pain! and feverish chills to boot. though offered a ride, I foolishly took the bus. I just SO love our dear environment, y'know? The ride wasn't too bad, but the 7 blocks I walked from the bus stop darn near killed me! I must have looked like an old geezer, doubled over as I was for most of the way, shuffling along.
Kate was kind enough to forego a night of sleep in order to get me into the hospital. It was a pretty steady night at the ER. not too many obvious external injuries, with exception of a girl with a broken nose (whose neck already had some pretty nasty looking burns scars on it... not a lucky person, I guess), and a hockey player in full uniform... this guy was obviously on the losing end of a fight. his face was messed up nicely.
So, with those people and others, it was about 1:30 or so before I got a room. they took some blood work, made me pee in a cup, the usuals. the IV went in, as did the sweet, sweet morphine... aaahhhhh. Most of the day, I had thought something may be wrong with the old appendix, as did much of the staff that saw me, but by about 3:30 in the morning, most suspected something else, so they ordered a CT scan for me. that was in the works by arouund 5:30 in the morning. What an odd experience that thing is!
"here you go sir, just lie on this moving bed with your arms about your head while this giant thing whirs around you and we put a course of hot, radiated goo into your viens".
Not at all unnerving.
from that, they found that I had some swollen lymph nodes n my abdomen. basically a sore throat in my bowel or something. they discharged me at 9:30 or so in the morning, and told me to come back if I experienced persistent or increased pain.
24 hours later, I was back with persistent and increased pain. But not in my abdomen this time, in my chest. more so my diaphragm ( does anyone else think words should be spelled like they sound?), and if I breathed deeply, my whole chest. plus my head was killing me--headaches the likes of which `i haven't had for five or so years when I worked at the sawmill in Kamloops. lovely, pounding muscle tension aches that squeeze my head painfully.
so it was another day in the ER, and Kate once again sacrificed her day to help me out. (part of me thinks she just wanted to skip a few classes, but mostly I'm glad she was along... her mother is, after all, the deputy minister of health here in BC. If you're gonna be sick, she's a damn good ticket through the hospital doors!!). There was more blood work, more pissing in cups, more blessed morhpine. Some X-rays, too.
At the end of it all, there were some conlusions drawn. or not. it may be related to the viral infectioon that created the swelling of my lymph nodes, or it may not. it may be that I have some sort of an ulcer, but then again, it may not. As for the fever, we can't explain that. it's just there. ( all this time I was running at temp of 38.8). The headaches weren't addressed at all, particularly. It may be that I eat too much, and eat too fast. In any case, I am on a few days bed rest--which has made me miss my first two shifts at work (good impression for the boss, eh?)--and a month's worth of meds that will stop my stomach ffrom producing so much acid, if that is in fact the issue at all. I have to go back to the doctor's clinic next week to get a camera stuffed down my throat and into my stomach to see exactly what might be going on in myh esophogus (sp?) and stomach. Can't wait for that!
In any case, My roommate is never around, so I am staying at kate's house for a couple days where I have three people to help me out, and Kate's mum can check in on me as well. A word of advice, get docotr friends. they're very useful.
Next week is bound to be better!!
"in a hospital, they'll throw you out on the sreet when you're only half cured, but in a nursing home, they'll lock you in until you're dead." --George Bernard Shaw
January 11, 2005
BlogAid for Tsunami relief
Hey folks, just a quick one here!!
In an effort to help raise funds for the aid of those affected by the tsunami disaster in Southy Asia, bloggers and those that visit blogs now have a quick and easy way to donate money...
You can help the victims of this terrible natural disaster by going to friends blogs ( Not mine, unfortunately... I have neither the technical know-how to get ads on my blog, nor the number of hits per month to make it worth while), and clicking on the ads they have. The owners of the blogs can then help by pledging the proceeds of any advertising they have on their site for the month of January to a relief agency of their choice. It basically works like this. Bloggers sign up to have ads placed on their blogs. people click on the ads. a portion of ad revenue then goes to the blogger. Well, for the time being, that money can be pledged by the blogger to a relief effort in South Asia.
In the top right of this blog, you should be able to see a button that says 'next blog'. That will take you to someone elses' blog that has such ads in place. Or, if you know of friends with blogs containing ads for which they get revenue, go to them and get mouse happy!
that's it folks! happy clicking! found a 'quote of the blog' that seems approproate to tsunami stuff, such as early warning systems, the world helping its communities in times of strife, etc...
"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards." -- Unknown
In an effort to help raise funds for the aid of those affected by the tsunami disaster in Southy Asia, bloggers and those that visit blogs now have a quick and easy way to donate money...
You can help the victims of this terrible natural disaster by going to friends blogs ( Not mine, unfortunately... I have neither the technical know-how to get ads on my blog, nor the number of hits per month to make it worth while), and clicking on the ads they have. The owners of the blogs can then help by pledging the proceeds of any advertising they have on their site for the month of January to a relief agency of their choice. It basically works like this. Bloggers sign up to have ads placed on their blogs. people click on the ads. a portion of ad revenue then goes to the blogger. Well, for the time being, that money can be pledged by the blogger to a relief effort in South Asia.
In the top right of this blog, you should be able to see a button that says 'next blog'. That will take you to someone elses' blog that has such ads in place. Or, if you know of friends with blogs containing ads for which they get revenue, go to them and get mouse happy!
that's it folks! happy clicking! found a 'quote of the blog' that seems approproate to tsunami stuff, such as early warning systems, the world helping its communities in times of strife, etc...
"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards." -- Unknown
January 10, 2005
Of school strikes and employment...
well, after a few weeks of worrying profusely about how I am supposed to feed myself and buy textbooks--what with accounts run dry and no one wanting to give me a loan (not that I blame them), I have both procured employment and begged a few grand out of my investment funds, putting me back in the driver's seat... well, I still have to pay off all the debts, but as mentioned above, I was worried about how I am to feed myself, and I can do that now :0)
I will be a dishpig at earls restaurant, wich conveniently has a location in the mall across the road from my school, so it will be easy to get to and from while juggling classes.
and speaking of classes, the support workers at our school served strike notice last week, and today carried through on their threats. I, foolishly, didn't listen to the radio this morning though, so I made the near hour-long trek into the school, only to find groups of picketing employees at the perimeter of the school grounds. not knowing this is quite embarassing, given that I am a journalism student that supposedly has his 'ear to the ground' on all things newsy. Oh well, we all make mistakes... it's not as embarassing as admitting to listenting to my britney spears CD or anything--oops, I've said too much... but all the same, it's embarassing...
whoa. I digress... the styrik is rotating, and tomorrow, things will be back in form for at least a few days. if no resolution comes, then perhaps another day off of school is not far in the future. I will keep my fingers crossed that I paid my tuition and that as such, I will get to attend classes on a fully regular basis. Otherwise, someone ought to refund said tution so that I can go another several months without having to worry about food money....
and, last by not least, my quote of the day. very appropriate for those worrying about tuition money, book money, where your next job will come from, why your current job sucks, or how you'll make the rent, or more serious problems in life, like how does one begin to rebuild after tsunami waves have destroyed all that you know, for example...
"...When we long for life without...difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." -- Peter Marshall
peace out!
I will be a dishpig at earls restaurant, wich conveniently has a location in the mall across the road from my school, so it will be easy to get to and from while juggling classes.
and speaking of classes, the support workers at our school served strike notice last week, and today carried through on their threats. I, foolishly, didn't listen to the radio this morning though, so I made the near hour-long trek into the school, only to find groups of picketing employees at the perimeter of the school grounds. not knowing this is quite embarassing, given that I am a journalism student that supposedly has his 'ear to the ground' on all things newsy. Oh well, we all make mistakes... it's not as embarassing as admitting to listenting to my britney spears CD or anything--oops, I've said too much... but all the same, it's embarassing...
whoa. I digress... the styrik is rotating, and tomorrow, things will be back in form for at least a few days. if no resolution comes, then perhaps another day off of school is not far in the future. I will keep my fingers crossed that I paid my tuition and that as such, I will get to attend classes on a fully regular basis. Otherwise, someone ought to refund said tution so that I can go another several months without having to worry about food money....
and, last by not least, my quote of the day. very appropriate for those worrying about tuition money, book money, where your next job will come from, why your current job sucks, or how you'll make the rent, or more serious problems in life, like how does one begin to rebuild after tsunami waves have destroyed all that you know, for example...
"...When we long for life without...difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." -- Peter Marshall
peace out!
January 4, 2005
School is back in session....
Why, oh why, would the first day of classes be scheduled for January 4th when any good Canadian knows that the final of the world junior hockey championships is on the same day? One can probably imagine--given the choice of watching hockey or sitting in class--which I would rather be doing! GO CANADA GO!!!
In any case, it's always fun to be back at school after some time off to see everyone again. The novelty will wear off shortly, I have no doubt, but all the same I will enjoy it while it lasts.
The remaining days of my holidays were essentially uneventful. I spent new years eve at downtown Vancouver's Jupiter's Cafe. It was a good time, with exception of the hour it took us to get back out of town using the bus system. which, more than anything, was just a little chilly while we waited at the bus stops. Nothing compared to weather up in Edmonton, so I was thankful to be celebrating new Years where I was!
New Years day saw the departure of my sister from the Vancouver international airport, on her way back to England. She was on crutches, as she so often seems to be, having dislocated her knee after a day of skiing up in Kamloops.
The next few days were spent getting my affairs in order, handing out resumés to potential employers (please, PLEASE somebody give me a job, I'm desperate! I'll do anything!), I helped the girl downstairs to move upstairs, my other roommates having bought a condo, and generally worried about money a whole bunch. And, of course, I also did a fair bit of lamenting over the situation in South Asia. . If you can lend your blood, money, or prayers, do so for those poor people. As yet I haven't been able to reach any of my friends over there, and I just hope everything is okay.
and here we are, with me signing off on the first day of school. I have a night class to get to! I will leave you with a quote of the post, as I shall attempt to do with each new quote. perhaps something relevant to the subjects discussed, perhaps not. today's quote... mmmm, I'll say, relevant:
He who knows how to be poor knows everything. --Michelet
In any case, it's always fun to be back at school after some time off to see everyone again. The novelty will wear off shortly, I have no doubt, but all the same I will enjoy it while it lasts.
The remaining days of my holidays were essentially uneventful. I spent new years eve at downtown Vancouver's Jupiter's Cafe. It was a good time, with exception of the hour it took us to get back out of town using the bus system. which, more than anything, was just a little chilly while we waited at the bus stops. Nothing compared to weather up in Edmonton, so I was thankful to be celebrating new Years where I was!
New Years day saw the departure of my sister from the Vancouver international airport, on her way back to England. She was on crutches, as she so often seems to be, having dislocated her knee after a day of skiing up in Kamloops.
The next few days were spent getting my affairs in order, handing out resumés to potential employers (please, PLEASE somebody give me a job, I'm desperate! I'll do anything!), I helped the girl downstairs to move upstairs, my other roommates having bought a condo, and generally worried about money a whole bunch. And, of course, I also did a fair bit of lamenting over the situation in South Asia. . If you can lend your blood, money, or prayers, do so for those poor people. As yet I haven't been able to reach any of my friends over there, and I just hope everything is okay.
and here we are, with me signing off on the first day of school. I have a night class to get to! I will leave you with a quote of the post, as I shall attempt to do with each new quote. perhaps something relevant to the subjects discussed, perhaps not. today's quote... mmmm, I'll say, relevant:
He who knows how to be poor knows everything. --Michelet
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