Mushroom of Leave

This was another in a long string of lovely fall days that I was displeased to spend on medical appointments. This morning, I had my Medicare Wellness visit, combined with a physical/post ER check. My doctor is such a cheerful, high-energy person that she always makes me feel a)better, but b)as if I must be making this all up, because what could possibly go wrong in Docworld. She was sympathetic and helpful, though.
(Warning: lots more medical neep, so just skip the rest if you prefer to avoid what a friend calls "The Organ Recital.")

My endoscopy got moved up half an hour, to 4, which was great for getting it over with the sooner the better. Everyone at that office was very kind and capable, too. It was a big relief when I met the doctor, because he turned out to be really nice, and I had been remembering someone else that I hadn't liked at all. Turns out that wasn't him. I remember them telling me they were going to start the IV, and sitting there thinking, "Well, I still feel normal." And then--I guess not! I was very, VERY dopey in the recovery room. Quite amazingly so. As I recall, my first words to the Sparrowhawk were, "Was there a raccoon involved?" He said not, but I wasn't convinced. I saw that raccoon. He was running around checking into all the cupboards and containers. I thought it was interesting they had medical raccoons now. Apparently they gave me fentanyl AND versed, so I wonder if I was hard to knock out. Boy oh boy, they certainly did a good job once they got going.

I don't remember anything about the doctor coming in to consult. The Sparrowhawk says they didn't find much out of the ordinary. My stomach is clearly irritated, but they don't know why, and nothing was obviously wrong--no ulcers. The hiatal hernia was even a bit smaller than it appeared in 2011. They took some biopsies which will take a week to come back. So my diagnosis is basically "gastritis," which just means irritation and inflammation, plus . At home, I staggered up the stairs, hit the bed, and passed out for another three hours. I had some soup and crackers and will go back to bed shortly. Very happy that's done!

One thing I observed about myself: it's so hard for me to ask for stuff even when someone just offered it to me! My PCP offered to check on a few delicate matters if I wanted, yet I struggled with myself to admit I would like her to--feeling "oh no, that's putting her to too much trouble"--even though she is a doctor, this is her job, and she just said she'd be happy to do it. I finally managed to say yes . . . . And the kind nurse at the endoscopy said I could have as many warmed blankets as I wanted, but again I really struggled before I could ask for another one. But I did! So that's progress.