Port-a-John Stonehenge

Perhaps a statement on constipation? Maybe why the festival was sunk in mud that looks tummy troubled? Don't know...but take a look at the Banksy Stonehenge. Of course, we could also get into the worship of toilets...

By the way, CNN reported that 160,000 rolls of recycled toilet paper were handed out at the festival.

Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week

Happy Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week. Most of you know way too much about Crohn's and Colitis. You know it sometimes can be a literal pain in the ass.

In case you don't know about Crohn's or you are new to it...the CCFA is the place to learn more. They have information, news, and resources.

Crohn's & Me is a great place to go if you are focussing on the pain in the ass part and need a bit of inspiration.It has all sorts of stories on people living and thriving with Crohn's disease. People with Crohn's and UC have guts for sure. They get up, they work, they raise families, they do amazing things every day.

Cures are in the works. Treatments get better all the time. But of course, all of that takes time, patience, and money. Awareness helps get that money. Because Crohn's and Colitis are digestive diseases...no one wants to talk about them. Your co-worker, friend, idol, or family member might have it and never talk about it. You might never talk about it. So, take a moment to talk about it. Talk to your lawmakers, grant foundations, friends and family.

More Folks with Crohn's

More Fall Ill to Crohn's and IBDs.
I read a post on a blog the other day (I would link but of course didn't save it because um I have no short-task ability (surely that is what it is called) these days) where someone called Crohn's the disease du jour. It made me laugh and growl. Usually things I consider the disease du jour have no quantifiable lab results or sketchy made up labs. But in any case, it does seem like everyone and their cousin (mostly their cousins actually) has Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis these days. Is that really because it is on the rise or is it because once you say you have this...other people will confess they do too? Is it because in these food safe times, the symptoms are more unusual and alarming, so you go to the doctor? shrug. Don't know. I know I would be really glad to get rid of this "disease du jour."

Meaning

Remicade Reprieve

The test results are in. Nothing really scary on the ct scan. Yay! Even better, we seem to have some room to play with upping the Imuran dosage instead of starting right away on Remicade. So, we will very, very, very cautiously up it with lots of blood tests.

Flush Game

Flush duckies, dog food and more with dishy Jo the Plumber. It is an interactive ad for Kohler toilets (and a pretty darn effective one. We could use that kind of flush power here!) So, go join Jo for some fun in the bathroom...you can click on an object and one of you can flush it.

Boost Plus and Sex

When I am on prednisone, I get the mindset of say a 15 yo boy. Not that I feel well enough to do anything about it, but I can be a bit annoying. I always have blamed that on the prednisone. Little did I know...it is the BOOST that I drink with the prednisone. Yes, click the link. Read the story.

Tummy Troubles + food in the morning = NOT OK.
Prednisone + nothing in one's stomach= Definitely NOT OK
Prednisone + Boost=Get on with the day

Ok, so I don't have a penis to get all erect and end up in the hospital. I think the refrain will now become "Sorry my love, it is the Boost"

Poopy Weight Converter

Ok, the weird converter lets you convert the weight of all nature of things (also the length and height). But the truly interesting option is to figure out the weight of things measured against the weight of an average bowel movement. Like...1 gallon of water = 18.8931730551 average poop trips to the bathroom.

Blogging For LGBT Families Day

It is blog for LGBT families day and depending on how often you read and whether you pay attention, you may know we have one of those families. I normally blog this sort of thing elsewhere but this one of those days being in that sort of family had more bearing here. You see, I went for a test. I went to a place where I had to fill out registration paperwork. It went fine...today. The registration person didn't feel the need to question the information on the HIPAA form. But, every time I fill one out...there is that clinch. Will she (invariably a she in those positions...the paperwork taking positions) question it? Will she write "Mother" next to the name? (this has happened.) No, I don't mind explaining it. Well, yeah I do. But I mind more when I am sick, or getting ready for a no doubt uncomfortable test.

Do I think that Hipaa (does anyone else want to call it HIPPA?) is a good idea? Yeah, it is always nice to know my boss, my ex, anyone with enough curiosity can't enjoy reading the annals of my anus. More fun to read my blog anyway. On the other hand, the fact of the matter is that my partner is on my paperwork for what can seem like trivial reasons, so the nurse can call her and say "lab results mean more tests are needed," "Doctor is calling in a script". Yes, they could try and call me but Murphy's law means that I will most likely BE IN THE BATHROOM when they call the office. And of course, if I am sick...I may be in the office, I may be home. In any case, the best way to reach me is to call her. The best way to schedule something-call her-especially since she has the calendar and I can get numbers transposed in seconds. She drives. She has the car. She has the immutable meetings and responsibilities more than I do. In any case, when the dreadful happens and I am in the hospital, she is my grown-up in town who will be able to follow what is going on.

Back to LGBT family day though, she is my family. Her kids + my kids are our kids. If I say in response to some comment "Oh my daughter is going to a concert tonight", do you really need to know "is she really your daughter"? Because she is. Do you need to take the paperwork at the doctor's office and put the info into the computer or do you need to delve into who that person is and why they are listed? Yes, certainly, discussing your family with your doctor is important. No problem. The financial office at the doctor? Not so much. Other than are you the primary card holder? Not at all.

Then there is all the other paperwork...but mostly I want to get past the point of the awkward moment when I hand it in or answer the intake interview questions. I know my answering them makes them realize that we exist and look and feel and do just like everyone else and that helps. It is just the waiting for everyone to not give it a second glance and the startled questions that makes it hard. She is my family, our kids are our family.

Crohn's Comedy