Ah, the joys of medical procedures

As some of you know, I've been quite sick for several months with chest pains. After a visit in the hospital last month, doctors concluded it wasn't the heart but rather acid reflux sicne they scoped me and found several ulcers. Unfortunately, the chest pain only continued to grow worse and last longer. The darvocett helps with the pain but doesn't really kill it, only dulls it enough to be tolerable.

Today, I went in for a colonoscopy and an upper GI scope in addition to having a BRAVO implant procedure. A BRAVO is a small (think large capsule) microtransmitter that is attached to the wall of the espohagus near the stomach and measures the pH of the acid. It transmits this data to a wireless pager-like device. Can I say that it is a pain in the butt? It is supposed to work from a distance of up to 3 ft. away but anything less than a foot and it starts chirping. The good news is I only have to worry about the data until Friday morning. In fact, the ulcers they diagnosed when I was in the hospital were shown as healed today. What worries me the most right now is that the doctor took several biopsies of my GI tract and colon. Given the history of colon cancer in my family (mom had it), it concerns me even though they found no evidence of polyps or other ulcers.

Anyhow, I guess I am asking for a little positive energy directed my way. I really am tired of being so sick.

I wish you well and hope some of my positive thoughts flow your way and make a difference.

Absolutely, Steve, I'm sending out lots of positive thoughts these days. I'll be glad to include you in them.

The guys who has sat five feet away from me at work for the past three years is fighting for his life at the moment after suffering three strokes in the past ten days. He only a few years older than me (not even 50) and has a daughter about the same age as mine.

Also, speaking of polyps, I only get to see my daughter up here for a couple of weeks a year since my ex moved 600 miles away (I go down there and visit as often as I can). Anyhow, while she's here in a couple of weeks, I'll have to take my 14 year old daughter in for a colonoscopy. They determined a few years ago that she has the same gene mutation which caused her mother and grandmother to develop polyposis, so she has to get checked out every couple of years. In all liklihood, she'll develop it at some point and have to have her colon removed like my ex and her mom did.

So, yeah, I can sort of feel where you're coming from and I'll be happy to send out good thoughts, Steve. The good news is that everything you've mentioned is usually treatable to the point of full recovery. Hope you feel better soon.

-Dave

I hope it doesn't turn out to be anything serious.

Take care, and keep on whatever you're doing for your acid reflux, that should help.

Pos O Tive, thoughts man.

Get better, be better, no negitive, feel the sun, smile, love, laugh, be the energy you want.

Thats all I can do. Wishing you the best from here, man.

Thinking good thoughts for you, Steve. Keep hanging in there.

Feel better, buddy.

As far as I can tell, the real advantage of having a film made of your digestive track is that you can pull it out and play it when those last couple of late party goers won't get the hint and go home.

Positive energy on its way.

A few weeks back I was scoped myself since I've had severe acid reflux for years (first time I'd ever been under any kind of anaesthesia - it was...interesting). A few days of some tension as they biopsied a stomach polyp, but it turned out fine. Hoping the same will be true for you also.

Good thoughts, good vibes and well wishes coming your way!

I hope you find some relief soon.