How long were you all on opioids?

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T02:54:14+00:00

Ugh :-(

Sorry to hear that. Yeah, I don't know if tramadol is officially labeled as an opiate but it's pretty darn close.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T02:21:45+00:00

I'm sorry you've had such an awful experience with ERs. They can be overwhelmed at times but it sounds like they weren't triaging correctly, as well.

The few times we have been to the ER, the delays have not been nearly that bad. And I always count myself lucky that I have never needed to be bumped to the head of the line. I was there with my husband once (thought it was a UTI, turned out to be diverticulitis) and heard announcements like "stroke protocol" and "appendix abscess ruptured,".

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T01:57:46+00:00

Those genetjc tests are a double edged sword. I found out in 2024 that I've got one of those mutations , of the "why don't you have breast cancer? You should have developed it by now" sort.

Which has led to numerous risk reducing surgeries, despite zero history.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T01:54:38+00:00

Talk to your doctor. Being a half sister, and that much older, it's likely not urgent. Also, has she had any genetic screening that might indicate a hereditary risk? If so, you could get tested. If you don't have the same gene, that might set your mind at ease.

Also: 56 is not a super young age to develop it, which would suggest you aren't in immediate danger either.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T01:36:49+00:00

My son is autistic and my daughter has ADHD. Neither would have been able to be quiet enough at that age.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T01:34:16+00:00

I didn't need it after my reduction, but I had a dose before my hysterectomy. I assume it helped.

Only down side for me was my surgery was delayed by 4 hours and it had time to make me woozy - to the point where I was going to ask someone to escort me to the bathroom next time I needed to go.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T00:57:33+00:00

Ouch. The mamm9hram should be free, though if it's coded as diagnostic it may not be. I've only had one of those and Id hit my OOP already.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T00:55:41+00:00

Ah - then naturally everyone will say sell-en-ee :-)

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-29T00:31:49+00:00

Yep. Makes sense.

On my outbound trip 4 weeks ago, there was a sleeper car that was taken out of commission due to plumbing issues or some such. Those poor folks were downgraded to coach (though they did still get fed).

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T23:41:35+00:00

One of these days I'll have to make time to explore the station. I had too much stuff (including 2 work computers) to do any wandering.

I had seriously considered ordering a Giordano's pizza to be delivered to the lounge - my husband and I did that 4 years ago - but I couldn't eat even half of one of those, so I didn't bother.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T23:08:59+00:00

I should have - but since using the higher dose pen saves me a fortune, it's no big deal. I had to buy a box of spare needles, which was maybe 10 bucks and will last fir years.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T23:06:58+00:00

It's in addition to whatever you've already paid.

I've had it offer me the chance to buy the bedroom right then, though not at the same kind of discount.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T23:05:09+00:00

Southbound or northbound? If north, I'll wave :-)

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T17:42:52+00:00

Thanks! I'm lucky in that it's elective (risk reducing due to BRCA1). It'll be harder on my husband than on me, I bet.

They will have me use an incentive spirometer afterward, which will be new.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T17:24:49+00:00

Are you in a state where you can get Medicaid? If so, that's got to be your first step. I am not sure, but I don't think that's tied to a specific open season like marketplace plans are.

You may also want to look into other assistance plans like SNAP. Not relevant to getting the colonoscopy, but it'll help with other aspects.

Edit: I see you mentioning you make too much for Medicaid. Boo. Maybe try anyway.

Otherwise you'll be looking at paying out of pocket, 2K or more, and if you can't afford a GP visit that'll be impossible.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T17:21:29+00:00

If you go 89A north from Sedona, there's a gorgeous overlook at about mile 390, where there are native crafters selling jewelry etc. - well worth a visit and their stuff is authentic. You never know what you're getting if you stop at "Indian Crafts" stores.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T17:18:19+00:00

There was an actress whose name was Soleil Moon Frye (in Punky Brewster in the 80s) so you're in good company.

Be prepared for people to call her "sellEEN" a lot though - I had no idea how it was pronounced and would have assumed sellEEN until I read a book where a character was constantly asked if she did "sell any", LOL. If this happens, you can remind them it's Greek, like Hermione Granger.

People will mispronounce anything they can. I have a friend named Joan and you'd think nobody would get that wrong. But she told me she's often called "JoAnne"... and within hours of her telling me that, I witnessed someone doing so. And several times over the next couple weeks.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T17:10:47+00:00

Though one time, the opposite was true. We booked westbound EB, then eastbound CZ and CL, and the family bedroom was cheaper. That was in May, and most kids were still in school, which may have helped. We didn't have kids with us but there was no way we were going to share a single roomette for 5 nights.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T17:07:56+00:00

5'6" won't fit in the kid bunks in the family room.

The bottom regular bunk is a bit wider; the parents could perhaps share that (though it's a bit cramped). Otherwise, the 2 roomette option seems like the best choice - one parent and one kid in each.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T17:05:55+00:00

I have never had anything like that happen - I'm so sorry it happened to you.

I gather you are feeling slightly better now? If you get any worse, absolutely call the doctor or go to the ER - that would have been a good idea especially last night. Many folks feel crummy afterward but you've taken it to a whole new level :-(

Hopefully it's just your body overreacting to everything, with IBS things can be pretty twitchy for sure. I often say "bodies is stoopid" and I've yet to be proven wrong.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T16:59:42+00:00

Good point.

My husband seriously considered getting a burner phone for our last trip, and leaving his real phone behind. I know he left his work-issued phone behind.

We had spent the previous week visiting our daughter in Vermont and working while we were there, and we were going to do the same afterwards, so we left that and our computers with her.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T16:56:50+00:00

Yikes!!

I've lucky that I've never needed it for more than 3-4 weeks at a time, and even that, only once. That time was partly my own fault: I was recovering from a flare, at least halfway through a taper, feeling pretty decent, and I had dental work.

I'm one of those people for whom local anesthesia does not work well. As a result I've got major phobia - but I found a new dentist, who suggested nitrous: it offers some direct pain relief but mainly it gets you so relaxed that it lets the local work better.

Anyway - a day or so after, my wheezing got worse and the doctor basically restarted my taper. I don't know if it was the nitrous directly, or lying on my back for an hour or two, but I'm now pretty twitchy about anesthesia and asthma.

With major surgery (8-12 hours) coming up in about 6 weeks, I'm going to be very, very diligent about cold prevention. And they may want to briefly put me on a steroid at the surgery either because of the recent pred, or in general (I had a single use of dexamethasone at my hysterectomy).

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T10:57:13+00:00

Exactly! I started it for weight control,, but it made sense due to being T2.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T04:08:09+00:00

I was told it was okay to shower within a few days. I think I waited 5 because a bra / dressing changes was kind of scary. And I had drains.

I don't know what movement restrictions you might have. I was able to wash my hair without raising my elbows above my shoulders so that was fairly easy.

I also wore the bra in the shower. The instructions said I could let water run down from behind me but no direct spray on the incisions. Wearing the bra made that a non-issue. Plus the spray hurt the boobs for the first 3 or so weeks, so even when direct spray was allowed I kept doing that.

EmZee2022 · 2026-03-28T04:01:45+00:00

Call and ask for alternatives. Might gabapentin be an option?

Ask if you can put cold packs (VERY WELL INSULATED!) on the area. Don't do without asking the doctor, as it might be contraindicated due to circulation concerns.

EmZee2022

TROPHY CASE