• HEALTH UPDATE

    From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to All on Sun Jan 25 05:29:02 2015
    Well, things have been interesting around here, health wise.

    First, I went to the neurologist last week, to find out WHY I've been
    having a burning pain in my left hand.

    He did a battery of tests on me, and wants to do an EMG (electric
    nerve conductivity test) on me. From what I've read, it won't be very
    pleasant. :( They put a needle into various muscles, injecting a
    very small amount of voltage to see how the muscle reacts, relaxed or "stimulated". I likely will be rather sore after that.

    Shortly after that, the same day, I'm going to undergo an MRI. The neurologist thinks I may have "cervical osteoarthritis"...problems with
    the nerves in the neck and spinal column. He wants to treat the
    condition, because if left untreated, it could lead to paralysis. They
    want to rule out ALS (Lou Gehring's Disease), Multiple Sclerosis,
    Myesthenia Gravis, etc....all very painful issues. He also doubts that
    it's carpal tunnel syndrome...which I thought was possible, since I do a
    lot of work with the computer (the BBS, various websites, ham radio applications, etc.). Those procedures will be done either before, or
    after prostate surgery, noted later in this message.

    But, apparently, I also have a vitamin deficiency...the last blood
    work showed my B-12 level rather low. So, I'm going to get a B-12 shot
    sometime this week. My previous PCP took me OFF all vitamins and supplements...I'm wondering if I should take a multi-vitamin again; but,
    I'll ask the nurse about that.

    Then, on Tuesday, I see the urologist, to set up the "Urolift Prostate Surgery". An enlarged prostate is part of growing old for all
    males...but, when even a diuretic doesn't help a weak urine stream, it's
    time to take action.

    The procedure (which obviously requires sedation) puts an instrument
    up through the penis and urethra. Then, when it gets to the prostate, it
    "opens up" like devices on window blinds to "hold them open". This
    basically, "holds back" the lobes of the prostate, so that the enlarged prostate does NOT put constricting pressure on the urethra. There is NO cutting, burning, or other surgery, per se, on the prostate...plus,
    there is no need for a catheter, or overnight hospitalization (it's done
    as outpatient surgery). While pain medicine is given afterwards, it does
    NOT lead to erectile dysfunction, and relief can be seen in as little as
    2-4 weeks. I never thought I'd be so excited about a surgical procedure.
    I hope to get all the details this week.

    For those wanting more info, I believe the URL is uroliftforbph.com

    Also, lately, I've had a large amount of gas and bloating. I realize
    it could come from what I eat and drink (eating carbohydrates, legumes,
    and drinking sodas are the main culprits)...but the ginger ale settles
    my stomach without the caffeine, and without putting me to sleep. I'm to
    see my gastrointerologist in June to set up my next colonoscopy,
    possibly in August or September (after the last one in 2013, they did
    find polyps (which were burned off)), but he felt I could wait until
    2015 before I had the next one...since polyps are rather slow growing,
    as it were.

    I'll keep everyone posted.

    Daryl

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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to All on Sat Mar 14 11:03:02 2015
    I wanted to give a brief health update to everyone.

    First, after several postponements of the MRI and the EMG (electric
    nerve conductivity test), due to snow and ice, the weather has finally
    allowed me to proceed with them.

    I had the MRI of my neck done this past Thursday...and the neurologist
    didn't see any evidence of bones pressing on my spinal column, which
    would be cervical osteoarthritis. However, he thinks the burning in my
    hands, arms, and elsewhere, may be due to a pinched nerve...but the EMG
    that'll be done on Tuesday will reveal more. I know it'll be very uncomfortable, and quite painful...but I've got to go through with it,
    to find out what's wrong. And, while it appears that neck surgery
    isn't completely "off the table", it seems less likely.

    I am currently on a clear liquids diet, as if preparing for a
    colonoscopy. That means no solid food until after the procedure is done
    on Tuesday afternoon...or I may not eat solid food again until
    Wednesday. While I can stand to lose a few pounds, this isn't the way I
    want to do it. :P

    The reason I'm doing the clear liquids diet through Monday...then will
    do purgatives overnight Monday into Tuesday (I doubt I'll get much sleep
    that night), is because the electrical surges, although minor, could
    cause problems with the urinary and anal sphincters, leading to more incontinence issues than I have now...and, I basically don't want to
    urinate and defecate on the table...but may do some, anyway.

    I hope to have an update by the latter part of next week.

    Daryl

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  • From Paul Hayton@1:2320/100 to Daryl Stout on Sun Mar 15 18:50:02 2015
    On 03/14/15, Daryl Stout pondered and said...

    I wanted to give a brief health update to everyone.

    Take care Daryl.

    Best, Paul.

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  • From Ardith Hinton@1:2320/100 to Paul Hayton on Sun Mar 15 23:56:02 2015
    Hi, Paul! Recently you wrote in a message to Daryl Stout:

    Take care Daryl.


    A belated welcome to the echo from me to you! I see you've posted in SURVIVOR before & I recognize your name from other echoes. Thanks for hanging in there with us although I may take quite some time to respond... [wry grin].




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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to Paul Hayton on Mon Mar 16 09:21:02 2015
    Paul,

    I wanted to give a brief health update to everyone.

    Take care Daryl.

    Thanks. I'll feel even better after I can eat again...and if I don't
    have to have neck surgery. But, the end of the fast isn't until late
    Tuesday (the last time I ate solid food was Friday evening)...and it may
    take a day or two for the doctor to get the results of the test, and
    make a diagnosis.

    Daryl

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  • From Ardith Hinton@1:2320/100 to Daryl Stout on Mon Mar 16 23:21:02 2015
    Hi, Daryl! Recently you wrote in a message to ALL:

    the EMG that'll be done on Tuesday will reveal more. I
    know it'll be very uncomfortable, and quite painful...but
    I've got to go through with it, to find out what's wrong.


    Please keep us posted. We'll be thinking of you.... :-)




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  • From Paul Hayton@1:2320/100 to Ardith Hinton on Tue Mar 17 08:12:02 2015
    On 03/15/15, Ardith Hinton pondered and said...

    A belated welcome to the echo from me to you! I see you've posted in SURVIVOR before & I recognize your name from other echoes. Thanks for hanging in there with us although I may take quite some time
    to respond... [wry grin].

    Thanks Adrith... nice to meet you too ;)

    Best, Paul

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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to Ardith Hinton on Wed Mar 18 14:16:02 2015
    Ardith,

    Please keep us posted. We'll be thinking of you.... :-)

    Several things...

    The part of the procedure I thought would be more painful (the EMG
    with the needle), wasn't as bad...a couple of times, I didn't even feel
    the needle being inserted. The electric nerve conductivity study, with
    quick 1 milliamp electric shocks (think static electricity shock from
    the doorknob in your house, after walking across the carpet in the dead
    of winter), was worse.

    I did do some bleeding after the needles, but that was because I had
    taken Excederin Migraine 2 days before. But, the neurologist did NOT
    see any evidence of bones pressing on the spinal column...believing
    severe arthritis was the cause of the pain and burning...and he said I
    did NOT need neck surgery...because the nervous system data was
    basically "normal". I think I now have osteoarthritis practically
    through my entire body.

    I thought I'd have to disrobe for the procedures, and had purged out
    the colon and urinary tract...not eating solid food for almost 4 days,
    and losing 12 pounds as a result...because I thought the electrical
    shocks might mess up the urinary and anal sphincters. Even the
    neurologist himself said he HATES the shock part of it.

    I also got the Urolift Prostate Outpatient Procedure scheduled for
    Wednesday, April 8...but have to be at the facility at the ungodly hour
    of 5:30am. So, I have to pick up my elderly Mom at 5am, to get us to the facility by 5:30am...to get me checked in and prepped for the procedure.
    She'll drive us back to her place, where we'll both likely sleep the
    rest of the day!! That means a 4am wakeup call for me that morning, and
    calling her at 4:30am. Neither of us like getting up that early, but
    they only do those procedures in the mornings. I will drive us to the
    facility, and she will drive us back home afterwards.

    However, after the procedures yesterday, I had to help my Mom with a
    couple of quick errands...and by the time I headed home, it was too late
    to stop off at the store or a restaurant to get some food to last a few
    days. They don't have Reserved Parking at my apartment complex (for
    whatever reason), and I think if I had stopped off to get some food (I
    finished the last of the food in the apartment earlier today...which was
    more of what I had last night...cans of Star Kist Tuna Salad and
    crackers), I might not have had a parking place when I got back.
    Needless to say, that was NOT what I had in mind for dinner last night,
    or lunch today. :P

    While there is some pasta I could microvave in this thing called a
    "Pasta Boat", it takes nearly 25 minutes to cook. And, with forecast
    rain and thunderstorms approaching...combined with the fact that I do
    NOT use the stove...except for a few cans of Sprite, I am OUT of food
    and drink. I had delayed shopping intentionally, prior to the medical procedures, because I did NOT want a food temptation while I was
    supposed to be fasting, and on "clear liquids" only.

    Unfortunately, with inspections (that are done quite often)...I have
    to be HERE, practically WAITING ALL DAY for them to show up. It's like
    being held prisoner in my own apartment. Sometimes, they say they will
    inspect ALL apartments; other times, only a random set will be selected.

    The problem is, you do NOT know IF you're going to get picked. While I
    have an ADT alarm system, and renters insurance, I don't want my stuff
    "walking off". Plus, with the potential for rain and thunderstorms over
    the next week, I may not get a chance to get out until Saturday.

    So, my stomach and I won't be on very good speaking terms for awhile, unfortunately. :P

    Daryl

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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to All on Thu Apr 9 12:48:02 2015
    Just wanted to give a quick health update.

    I had the Urolift prostate procedure done yesterday (April 8th) at
    Baptist Med Center Day Surgery in Little Rock. The procedure went well,
    but I have pain and burning on urination, plus urgency to void, and incontinence...as well as stinging and burning after voiding. However,
    all of that is to be expected. I haven't seen any blood in the urine,
    but it's hard to tell, since one of the medicines turns the urine a
    red-orange color.

    I am on antibiotics and pain medications for at least a week to 10
    days, and the follow-up isn't scheduled until May 8th. So, I have to
    take it easy until then. I have a portable urinal, which is a great
    help. I take the pain med (Pyridium) 3 times a day, and the antibiotic (Ciproflaxin) twice a day, until gone.

    It was NOT prostate cancer, but the enlarged prostate (which I've
    dealt with for 15 years), was practically blocking the flow of urine
    from the bladder, which is a medical emergency. When even taking a
    diuretic doesn't help to get a decent urine stream, it's time to take
    action.

    Basically, the procedure is done outpatient. The patient is sedated,
    and a device is inserted through the penis and urethra to where the
    prostate is. Then special items, like items you would put on window
    blinds to hold them back, are put on each lobe of the prostate (a max of
    3 per side) to hold the prostate back, so that there is no constriction
    of the urethra from the urinary bladder, so urine can pass freely to the
    penis, and out of the body. There is also no cutting, burning, etc. on
    the prostate, plus no need for a catheter, blood transfusion,
    no overnight hospital stay, and no erectile dysfunction issues.

    Relief can be seen in 2-4 weeks...although I saw one report that one gentleman who underwent the procedure was "back to normal" 2 days after
    the procedure (I assume that the pain and burning on urination had
    stopped). If that's the case (I hope so), I have at least another day to
    endure this. I don't mind having to urinate often...I just don't like
    the discomfort when doing so.

    An enlarged prostate is part of males growing old...and if all goes
    well, I should be "back to normal" very soon. The only thing is that the
    metal things on the prostate may rule out any future MRI procedures.

    Those wanting more information on Urolift, should go to:

    http://www.uroliftforbph.com

    After reading that, talk with your urologist, and see if this is right
    for you.

    Daryl

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  • From Paul Hayton@1:2320/100 to Daryl Stout on Sat Apr 11 21:48:02 2015
    On 04/09/15, Daryl Stout pondered and said...

    I had the Urolift prostate procedure done yesterday (April 8th) at Baptist Med Center Day Surgery in Little Rock. The procedure went well, but I have pain and burning on urination, plus urgency to void, and

    I'm glad to read it went well for you Daryl.

    It was NOT prostate cancer, but the enlarged prostate (which I've

    Good news and I'm sure a feeling of relief for you. I was relieved for you
    and we hardly know each other!

    An enlarged prostate is part of males growing old...and if all goes well, I should be "back to normal" very soon. The only thing is that the

    Yay, joys of being a guy... can't wait.

    After reading that, talk with your urologist, and see if this is right for you.

    Daryl

    Well I think I'm fine for now but thanks for the info.

    Take care, rest up and know folksa round this globe are sending you good
    vibes ;)

    Best, Paul

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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to Paul Hayton on Sun Apr 12 16:29:02 2015
    Paul,

    I had the Urolift prostate procedure done yesterday (April 8th) at Baptist Med Center Day Surgery in Little Rock. The procedure went
    well,
    but I have pain and burning on urination, plus urgency to void, and

    I'm glad to read it went well for you Daryl.

    Well, I had to make 2 trips to the Emergency Room yesterday; the first
    was via ambulance...a second run last night, I drove myself. Both times,
    it was abdominal pain, testicular pain, and nausea (the latter didn't
    want to quit, even with several doses of Zofarin). They did a CT scan
    and a urinalysis, and discovered that even with the Ciproflaxin
    (antibiotic) and Pyridium (which colors the urine reddish orange, making
    it hard to see if there's blood in it), I still got a urinary
    tract/bladder infection...not to mention epididymytis...and I haven't
    had relations since the night my wife died almost 8 years ago (that was
    the last thing we did together...never thought sex could be a killer).

    Good news and I'm sure a feeling of relief for you. I was relieved for you PH>and we hardly know each other!

    The pain and burning is lessening a bit, but not completely gone. But,
    I have to call the urologist in the morning, and report things to him.
    However, with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast here much of the
    week, I don't know when I'll be able to get out...as I obviously don't
    want to try to navigate flooded roads.

    Yay, joys of being a guy... can't wait.

    While males have their issues, the females have their own to deal
    with.

    Well I think I'm fine for now but thanks for the info.

    Take care, rest up and know folksa round this globe are sending you good PH>vibes ;)

    Thanks...appreciate it.

    Daryl

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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to All on Mon Aug 31 18:47:02 2015
    Just wanted to give everyone a health update...

    I went to my urologist 2 weeks ago, and apparently, I don't have any
    new kidney stones...although I thought I was going to have an attack the
    other night. So, I took a diuretic, but it must've been an old one, as
    it took a couple of hours to kick in. The pain was only about a 2 on a
    scale of 1 to 10, but was only there for a second or two at
    most...instead of being constant. I drink Ginger Ale as my beverage of
    choice, as it keeps the stomach settled without any caffeine. It's rare
    that I drink caffeinated beverages anymore.

    I am still waiting to hear from my gastrointerologist on scheduling my
    next colonoscopy, as it has now been just over 2 years since I had one.
    I have to have 3 days of prep work before hand (clear liquids, then the purgatives on the day before, and the enema the morning of the
    procedure)...or it's just a waste of everyone's time and money.

    But, I didn't get out to check the Post Office Box today, since I felt
    like I was coming down with a head cold, so I took some DayQuil.
    Unfortunately, that made me as groggy as if I had taken the NyQuil. I've
    always been hypersensitive to anesthetics, pain medications, etc...and
    my blood pressure plunges under sedation...I've had that problem for
    almost 45 years.

    I've had problems with cysts over the years, including on my face and back...but I've got one on the scrotum, and a bigger one on the buttocks
    cheek. They're not painful, but I'm afraid they're going to become
    boils, which hurt like the devil to get lanced. So, I want to get them
    removed before they get to that point. Just draining the cyst doesn't
    get rid of them...they literally have to be cut out. My brother has had
    a lot of problems with cysts and boils over the years.

    While the urologist can take care of the one on the scrotum, I might
    have to get referred to someone else to remove the one on the buttocks
    cheek.

    Then, my last medical deal scheduled for the year is my eye exam
    sometime in November.

    The medical expenses help with rent recertification at the end of the
    year.

    Daryl

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  • From Ardith Hinton@1:2320/100 to Daryl Stout on Sun Sep 27 23:46:02 2015
    Hi, Daryl! Awhile ago you wrote in a message to ALL:

    [re Urolift procedure]
    Relief can be seen in 2-4 weeks...


    I understand you experienced some discomfort at first, but that's par for the course. Are you satisfied with the results of the procedure now? :-)




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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to Ardith Hinton on Tue Sep 29 05:59:02 2015
    Re: HEALTH UPDATE

    [re Urolift procedure]
    Relief can be seen in 2-4 weeks...
    I understand you experienced some discomfort at first, but that's
    pa
    for the course. Are you satisfied with the results of the procedure now?
    :-

    Ardith,

    Very much satisfied with the Urolift prostate procedure. Now, if I could
    just get a decent night's rest. I end up sleeping in the afternoon, because
    of a lack of sleep overnight, and my slumber schedule gets all skewed.

    The next deals coming up are:

    1) A much needed colonoscopy. But, they've CHANGED the prep work to one day before with this "NuLytely" solution. If it's ANYTHING like the "tepid salt water" of the "GoLytely" I had a few years ago, I'm NOT taking it. I can
    handle the tartness of things like citrate of magnesia, but NOT salt water. I did some research on it last night, and apparently, they now have "flavor packs" to it...so that might make it better. However, it cuts down the clear liquids diet to just the day before...drinking an 8 ounce glass of it every
    10 minutes, until the bottle is half empty (probably like a gallon jug).
    Then, 7 hours before the procedure, I have to finish the bottle. I start the swigging at 5pm, and start the second batch at 2:30am. I likely will be up on the toilet all night, cleaning out my colon (probably will set my anus on
    fire from the hemorrhoid burning and rectal bleeding). Then, I have to drive
    to my Mom's place that morning, putting my car in her yard, then drive us
    both to the clinic where the procedure will be done. Afterwards, she'll drive us both back to her place, and I'll spend the night there.

    For many of these places now, where you have to be sedated, they REQUIRE a driver to be present when you arrive, and for that driver to REMAIN THERE
    UNTIL YOU'RE DISCHARGED. They will NOT let you take public transportation,
    and if you don't have a driver, they will CANCEL the procedure...whether
    you've done the prep work or not. If you get pulled over with driving after being sedated, they can cite or arrest you for DUI. The bottom line is liability issues and safety.

    2) A double cyst excision. I've had problems with cysts over the years, but
    not as bad as my brother. At times, his have turned into boils, which hurt
    like the dickens to get lanced. In my case, I have a cyst on the scrotum, and
    a bigger one on the left buttocks. The urologist wants to have another look
    at them, then he'll schedule the surgery. Since I'll be sedated, I'll require
    a driver, just as with the colonoscopy. The concern of lancing in the scrotal area is that males can bleed to death from an injury in that area.

    3) Lastly, I have an eye exam in early November...and I hope that's the LAST medical deal I'll need for 2015.

    Daryl

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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to All on Sat Nov 14 14:39:02 2015
    Another health update...

    1) For those who missed it, or in case I forgot to post it...I got a good report on the colonoscopy in late October. Only one polyp was found this time...compared to 5 polyps that were found the last time I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago. So, I don't have to have that done again until 2018.

    2) I had a large benign cyst removed off the left buttocks cheek yesterday, via outpatient surgery. The cyst was EXTREMELY DEEP, similar to one I had on my back several years ago. They did prescribe some Hydrocodone, but if the pain stays at a 1 or 2, I can just take generic Tylenol, and tough it out.

    The home health care nurse just came by, and she said it looked like it was healing nicely. I told her that Medicare would only pay for a certain time, but she said that the way it was setup, I shouldn't have to worry about it. It'll probably take about a month for it to completely heal from the inside out...and they'd come by daily for a week, then reduce it to maybe 2-3 times a week.

    There was drainage, as expected, but it's far enough away from the anal orifice, where I don't have to worry about fecal contamination from a bowel movement...but they may end up shaving the hair off the buttocks cheek. While the cyst was "benign", any time you hear that word, it raises a "red flag".

    3) The scrotal cyst removal was postponed until December 22...because of a threat of severe weather and flash flooding here Monday and Tuesday...and I don't want to risk going out if there's a threat of flooding or possible tornadoes.

    The worry of the scrotal cyst becoming abscessed or a boil is a concern...because any laceration in the groin area can result in a male bleeding to death.

    While the scrotal cyst has been there longer than the buttocks cyst was, I've wanted to get them removed, as I've had a problem with cysts over the years, but didn't want them to become boils, because they hurt like heck to be lanced.

    4) The last blood work I had done showed elevated A1C, liver enzymes, cholesterol, and triglycerides. I have had problems with elevated levels on all of them except the A1C, but have had the potentil to become type 2 diabetic. With a potential for severe weather and flooding this next week, plus it being so soon after that buttocks surgery, I may wait a bit to get that done.

    5) I'm to have an eye exam on Nov. 20 -- but cataracts are no longer an issues, since those were removed a few years ago. But, they still check eye pressure, and for signs of glaucoma, and macular degeneration. I have permanent intraocular implants in each eye...and I use reading glasses when I'm at the computer, or reading items. Otherwise, I don't need them while I'm driving.

    Other than that, all things considered, I'm doing pretty good...considering I have over 50 medical conditions to deal with.

    Daryl

    ---
    * OLX 1.53 * 35 million laws are trying to enforce The 10 Commandments
    * PDQWK 2.53 #5


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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to All on Mon Nov 16 13:33:02 2015
    If this was previously posted, I apologize. I had a glitch in the message bases, so the previous post may have gotten zapped before it went out.

    First, the removal of the rather large benign cyst on the left buttocks cheek went well. However, the cyst was VERY DEEP...so, it has to heal from the inside out, and left as an "open wound". I have health care nurses coming by each day for about 15 minutes, to clean the wound, replace the gauze, and pull the hair off the butt cheek when they remove the tape...I think hairy butts are a given for males. :P

    So far, it appears that the wound is healing rather nicely. I haven't had any pain, but it's a bit uncomfortable when they repack the fresh gauze into the wound.

    At least it's just below the waist on the upper left part of the butt cheek, so the risk of fecal contamination is minimal, if at all.

    I'm taking it easy until early next year, as exertion could cause sweat to enter the wound, making it sting like crazy.

    Second, the removal of the scrotum cyst had to be rescheduled to December 22, due to the threat of both severe weather and flash flooding tomorrow (Nov. 17), when it was originally scheduled). That one I'm not looking forward to...but I sure don't want it to become abscessed, or to turn into a boil. Lacerations in the groin area could cause males to bleed to death.

    Third, I have my yearly eye exam on Friday...cataracts are no longer an issue, as they were removed a few years ago, and intraocular lens implants were done in both eyes...giving me 20/20 visual acuity, and just needing reading glasses.

    Fourth, my Medicare drug plan is changing, due to cost...so, I might have to change pharmacies. I'll take care of that later today.

    Daryl

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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to All on Mon Aug 29 10:40:02 2016
    I hadn't posted in awhile, so I figured I'd give a health update.

    First, I've been offline for a month...Synchronet BBS software crashed
    in later July, so I went back to Virtual Advanced. However, it has been
    a very stormy year in Arkansas...August looks to be one of the ten
    wettest on record for Little Rock. I've heard of 3 instances of
    lightning strikes frying all the persons electronic equipment
    (computers, peripherals, home entertainment systems, ham radio rigs,
    etc.) in the last 3 days.

    Second, I had blood work nearly 2 months ago, and hadn't heard
    anything yet. I assumed that "no news is good news", but I'm on the
    phone with the clinic as I type this message to make sure everything is
    well.

    Third, I've had a lot of sinus issues lately. The drainage gets a
    tickle in my throat, and I start hacking like a cat with a hairball, and bringing up "clear saliva"...but some days, I end up gagging like crazy.
    It really becomes pronounced after eating, but I have to eat.
    Unfortunately, they apparently can't do anything about it.

    Fourth, I'm to get a glaucoma check later today. I've been having
    headaches for years, from a severe concussion almost 45 years ago...but
    I've had some minor eye pain lately. I'm not sure if it's eye pressure
    changes, or just from sitting at the computer too much.

    The strongest pain medication I take is 400 milligrams of Ibuprophen,
    but even that can make me groggy...and that rules out driving or many
    other tasks the rest of the day. Even Promethazine or Phenagren for
    nausea knocks me out in 10 minutes. I've always been hypersensitive to anesthetics, and my blood pressure plunges under sedation. Either way, I
    try to not take a pain pill every day, although I'm not as likely to get "dependent" on Ibuprophen as I would on the much stronger meds of
    Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, etc.

    At least I don't need another colonoscopy until 2018, although the
    acid reflux is a hassle. The thing is, the only food I like is American
    or Italian...yet, it's the spices in the tomato sauce (which is a good anti-oxidant) that gives me the grief...and you have that with pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, etc.

    I'm still not resting well at night. Even though I'm well over the
    Urolift prostate surgery from a year and a half ago, my drinking of a
    large amount of ginger ale a day (it settles the stomach without the
    caffeine), makes the urinary system go into high gear...but with the
    urine almost clear, it means I'm getting enough fluid. I understand that
    the darker the urine, it means you're probably dehydrated...and that can
    lead to kidney stones. Thankfully, I haven't had a kidney stone in 4
    years, and I'd like to keep it that way.

    Daryl

    ---
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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to ALL on Tue Jun 27 07:42:00 2017
    A bit of a health update.

    I am STILL dealing with effects from 2 urinary tract surgeries, 2
    overnight hospitalizations due to complications (so much for outpatient surgery), 6 Emergency Room trips in April and May, and having a urinary catheter for 4 weeks.

    I think I've got bladder stones again, due to dull testicular pain...I
    go to see the urologist Thursday for a scrotal ultrasound. I want to be
    sure I don't have a hernia, or torsio of the testicle...the latter a
    medical emergency.

    I'm drinking at least a liter of liquid (mainly "flavored water") a
    day, and rarely having things like caffeine or chocolate, as they have oxylates, which are the cause of my kidney stones.

    At least I was able to get financial assistance to "write off" the
    majority of hospital expenses...what I still have to pay will help me
    get a lower rent next year, when I do my rent recertification.

    But, having the catheter is torture. I can barely walk, move, sit at
    the computer, or sleep...and with the latter, I can't use the CPAP
    machine for severe sleep apnea.

    Daryl

    ===
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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to ALL on Thu Sep 28 11:16:00 2017
    Dallas,

    Just thought I'd give a quick health update.

    What started as a bad head and chest cold 2 weeks ago, digressed into
    severe viral bronchitis. I went to a local Emergency Room, thinking it
    was pneumonia, but thankfully, it hadn't gotten that far yet.

    They gave me a strong antibiotic, Azithromyacin, which I finished off yesterday...but my PCP is so busy right now, that I can't see him until
    Tuesday of next week. Needless to say, the flu shot I had planned for
    last week, went by the boards.

    At least it wasn't another bout with kidney stones...but I'm drinking
    2 liters of flavored water a day, to stay hydrated.

    Daryl

    ===
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  • From Dallas Hinton@1:2320/100 to Daryl Stout on Wed Oct 4 06:38:00 2017
    Hi Daryl -- on Sep 28 2017 at 11:16, you wrote:

    Just thought I'd give a quick health update.
    [...]
    At least it wasn't another bout with kidney stones...but I'm
    drinking 2 liters of flavored water a day, to stay hydrated.

    Damn, that's a drag. Glad you're on the mend! I had pneumonia about 40 years ago, which left me with asthma -- more or less controlled nowadays!

    Get well!



    Cheers... Dallas

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  • From Daryl Stout@1:2320/100 to ALL on Mon Oct 30 18:54:00 2017
    Well, good news and bad news.

    I don't need hernia surgery...but I have a severely strained groin muscle...and I need to lose weight (tell me something I don't know,
    Doc!!) -- yet, expecting that around the holidays is nuts!!

    Second, I may be in the early stages of degenerative disk disease in
    my spinal column. My late father had that, but it was pancreatic cancer
    that killed him after being diagnosed with it 6 weeks earlier.

    Daryl

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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@1:116/17 to DARYL STOUT on Fri Jan 19 01:12:00 2018
    Daryl Stout wrote to ALL <=-

    Well, good news and bad news.

    I don't need hernia surgery...but I have a severely strained groin muscle...and I need to lose weight (tell me something I don't know,
    Doc!!) -- yet, expecting that around the holidays is nuts!!

    Second, I may be in the early stages of degenerative disk disease in
    my spinal column. My late father had that, but it was pancreatic cancer that killed him after being diagnosed with it 6 weeks earlier.

    Oh man - sorry to hear all this - will definately add you to the
    prayer list!



    ... Heisenberg may have slept here.
    --- MultiMail/Darwin v0.49
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  • From Daryl Stout@1:19/33 to JIMMY ANDERSON on Sat Jan 20 13:13:00 2018
    Jimmy,

    Second, I may be in the early stages of degenerative disk disease in my spinal column. My late father had that, but it was pancreatic cancer that killed him after being diagnosed with it 6 weeks earlier.

    Oh man - sorry to hear all this - will definately add you to the
    prayer list!

    Thanks. I see my gastrointerologist on Jan. 30, as I'm due for both an
    upper and lower GI...and I don't mean "gibberin' idiot". :P

    Maybe I can get a two-fer, and have them both done simultaneously. :)

    One patient, undergoing a colonoscopy, had someone write with a magic
    marker on his butt cheeks the words "insert here", with arrows...like
    they need directions??!! :P

    Daryl

    ===
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  • From Daryl Stout@1:19/33 to ARDITH HINTON on Sat Mar 3 01:20:00 2018
    Hi, Daryl! Awhile ago you wrote in a message to ALL:

    Ardith,

    I understand you experienced some discomfort at first, but that's par
    for the course. Are you satisfied with the results of the procedure now? :

    Well, I was...but it ended up being "undone".

    The procedure itself is where a device goes up through the penis and
    urethra, then opens like things you'd put on window blinds to hold them
    open. The "staples" basically hold the lobes of the prostate open, so
    the flow out of the urinary bladder isn't blocked.

    But, one of the kidney stones lodged next to one of the staples, so
    all that had to be undone, and part of the prostate had to be removed.

    Had they removed all of the prostate, it likely would mean no chance
    for prostate cancer, but also permanent erectile dysfunction, and
    possibly no more digital rectal exams. But, they only took part of it
    out. I can urinate better, but there is a lot more urgency now.

    Daryl

    ===
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  • From Daryl Stout@1:19/33 to ALL on Fri Apr 13 18:09:00 2018
    Well, I got my EGD and colonoscopy this morning. I was afraid I'd have
    to do the latter again, as I couldn't finish the prep work for it. I
    drank half the bottle of MyLytely, enhancing it with lemonade Kool-Aid
    Flavor packets, so make it tart, and remove the "nasty taste" it had
    otherwise.

    Unfortunately, having not eaten in over 24 hours, I got a severe
    build-up of stomach acid, and it was reacting with the solution...to
    where I got chilled, nearly nauseous, and very sleepy. But, thankfully,
    the doctor was able to complete both (only 1 polyp...I have to call on Wednesday for a biopsy report), and I don't have to do them again for 3
    years.

    But, next time, I'm going back to Citrate Of Magnesia and Ducolax
    tablets. If I have to, I'll get 2 bottles of the citrate of magnesia,
    but that's still less than half a gallon of that nasty stuff.

    Daryl
    ===
    þ OLX 1.53 þ These Brownies don't taste anything like Girl Scouts.
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