Home My Journey Mini Me Update [ 27/05/2018 ]

Mini Me Update [ 27/05/2018 ]

by InvisiblyMe

A light background with a pink flower to the right. Overlaid is the title - Mini me update 27/05/2018.

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the bank holiday weekend if you have one where you are!Β  This is another self-indulgent mini-me update πŸ™‚

Pre-Op No. 5

I attended pre-op last Wednesday for the upcoming stoma surgery. This is a revision surgery for my ileostomy, which has caused a few A&E trips since last year. Apparently, the small bowel takes a sharp turn at the end, and this can kink and twist on itself, causing agony and an obstruction, which had led me to A&E a few times. The fact that I haven’t had to go to A&E in the last couple of months makes me want to veto the operation and run as far away as possible. But, the stoma is also now quite flush to the skin and is causing a few issues with skin irritation; I know that if it keeps receding and goes under the surface there will be problems and it will need to be ‘refashioned’ anyway, so perhaps it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.

Here’s a little run down of the appointment, for those interested or who would like to know what to expect from a general pre-operative assessment …

The pre-op was quite straight-forward, but this surgery will be done at a hospital I’ve not had an operation at before. The appointment was firstly with a nurse to do the routine aspects, which was efficient though it did feel rather rushed. This included weight and height for BMI – I’m still a tad underweight according to BMI (though I don’t think this is an ideal measure of weight/health by any means!)Β  but I have put on quite a lot since the colectomy last year. Then there was blood pressure, a blood test where she stole 4 or 5 vials of blood (greedy woman!) and an ECG (stickers stuck on the chest and hands to check your heart, which is pretty quick at under 5 minutes). Next up was another nurse, along with her watcher because she was still fairly new. She was absolutely lovely, but her senior seemed quite brief with me and I couldn’t understand much of what he was saying. She went through a lengthy booklet of questions, some of which were open-ended and others were yes/no and far quicker. Make sure to take a list of current medications with you, along with details of what conditions you have and a rough idea of any recent surgeries because if you’re like me you’ll forget all of it when you’re asked the questions!

Luckily I came prepared and had it all written down. I even picked up a 50p piss pot from Boots before the appointment to give them a wee sample as they’d requested I do this in the letter. They didn’t ask for it. I made sure they took it because I didn’t want this in my handbag for the rest of the day!

The pre-op team called me the following day after they’d spoken to anaesthesiology and had received my blood test results. I need a few other things tested (B12, folic, Vit D – all of which I have problems with) to double check them, and I need to speak to my GP again about the dizziness and occasional fainting, and also the recent heart palpitations. Palpitations are quite normal and common, but over the last two weeks there have been days when I’ve had them regularly (several times an hour) throughout the day, and it’s been quite disconcerting. But, I’ve then had two days of no palpitations. Who knows.

If you find yourself having them more regularly than you think is normal, or you are concerned in any way, please see your doctor.

Honestly, this stuff feels like it’s never ending. I still don’t have a surgery date but it’s anticipated to be June/July. As was the case was the last 4 ops, I haven’t got my head around it; I can talk about it like it’s happening to someone else, it just doesn’t feel like it’s me.

Pottering Around

For my mother’s 70th, my brother bought her a pottery experience. I drove us there recently and we spent around 2 hours having a go on the potter’s wheel (fully aided by a pro, which is just as well as otherwise it would have been even messier!), making a ‘pinch pot’ of our choosing, and painting ourΒ disastrous creations masterpieces. It will take around 4 weeks before they are truly finished as they need to be well cooked prior to collection.

A photo of me at the pottery day while at the clay wheel making a small pot.

A black and white photo of me and my mum at the pottery making day as we hold our creations for a photo together.

Bloggety Blog

I have made a few minor adjustments to the blog, including a slightly updated banner on here and additionally on the Facebook page. In line with the rather confusing GDPR rules, I have also included a privacy policy, which you can find on the contact pageΒ here.

Other Health Jazz

I’ve been rather up and down lately, and struggling some days to ridiculously frustrating levels. However, it’s swings and roundabouts and I’m trying to ride it out. Sadly the Duloxetine was one I had to call time on after only 3 days due to side-effects (extreme nausea, feeling zombified, dizzy) and deciding for myself that this isn’t the best time to start something long-term. I’m also not too comfortable with the notion of such a drug on a daily basis, so I’ll be discussing ad-hoc pain relief again with my GP soon.

The appointment I’ve waited for since August 2017, having been referred by my GP who thought the sort of swelling/pain in my neck needs to be investigated, has been cancelled and rearranged due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’. It has now moved from June to November! That will be 16 months I’ll have been waiting.Β  They say patience is a virtue…

Black scroll divider.

I do hope you are all doing as well as possible. Thank you so much for reading and take good care of yourselves.

CazΒ Β β™₯

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45 comments

Masha May 27, 2018 - 5:37 pm

Wishing you love and light. Happy Birthday to your mom. And I like your updated banner. <3

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 5:48 pm

Thank you, Masha – I’ll pass on your kind birthday wishes, and I’m glad you like the new banner! Take care and have a lovely week πŸ™‚ xx

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margaret May 27, 2018 - 5:39 pm

Praying for you Caz, that everything goes smoothly. You are always so prepared. I find I learn much from your posts. Sorry you had such an adverse reaction to your that Duloxentine. I feel for you because there are not many medications that have been given to me that agreed with me. Bad enough we already are having an issue to then have more issues piled on top. I did bust out laughing at this little nugget of joy, “our disastrous creations masterpieces” hahahaha. I also mentioned you in a blog post of mine, I pray you don’t mind, but I can edit it if you don’t like it :):)

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 5:47 pm

I’m sorry you’ve also struggled with meds not agreeing with you. That’s wonderful of you to mention me, thank you lovely! And thank you for the kind wishes; I’m not sure when the op will be yet, but I’m sure that once I have a date it’ll start to sink in then I will start to freak out! Sending love your way and I hope you have a good week ahead, Margaret πŸ™‚ xx

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Comedy Plus May 27, 2018 - 5:45 pm

Yikes that’s a long time to wait for an appointment. Way too long.

I hope your upcoming surgery goes well.

Happy 70th to your mother.

Have a fabulous day. β™₯

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 4:40 pm

I thought it was rather long too, especially if someone has something seriously wrong (I’m assuming I don’t, but obviously there will be people that do). Thank you for the lovely comment and I’ll pass your birthday wishes along. Have a great week ahead! πŸ™‚

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Liz May 27, 2018 - 5:55 pm

Sending you best wishes for this op and I hope all goes well for you. Speedy recovery. x

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 4:39 pm

Not sure when it will be yet but once I know (which is probably when I’ll start to freak out!) I’ll post it up. Thank you so much, Liz, it’s much appreciated! Β Take care and have a good week β™₯

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The Lonely Author May 27, 2018 - 6:07 pm

Happy Birthday to your Mom

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 4:18 pm

Thanks – I’ll pass that on to her!! Β β™₯

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Fibronacci May 27, 2018 - 8:56 pm

Wish you the best for your upcoming surgery. Take care!

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 4:17 pm

Thank you – that’s very kind of you! No idea when it will be yet, and I’m not sure whether I want it now or put it off for as long as possible! I hope you have a good week! πŸ™‚

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Melissa Henderson May 27, 2018 - 9:52 pm

Praying for you.

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 4:16 pm

Thank you very much, lovely. I hope the week ahead is a good one for you, Melissa! πŸ™‚
xx

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DeeDee May 27, 2018 - 9:58 pm

I do so hope everything goes smoothly for you! I have to admit, when I saw the “pottering around” segment, I thought it had to do with Harry Potter!! ???? Your mom is lovely!

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 4:12 pm

I’m not a Harry Potter fan myself, but I’ve seen quite a few bloggers and people on Facebook posting about going to the HP studios now! Are you a fan?
Thank you for the wonderful comment, and I’ll pass the compliment on to my mom as this will make her smile! xx

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michele Anderson May 27, 2018 - 10:10 pm

Sending you love and well wishes.

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 4:10 pm

Thank you, that’s very kind! I hope you are well and that the week ahead is a good one for you, Michele Β πŸ™‚
xx

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Alyssa May 27, 2018 - 11:18 pm

I am wishing you nothing but the best with your upcoming surgery! Please know my thoughts are with you and I am sending you LOTS of positive vibes!!

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 4:09 pm

Positive vibes are very much appreciated and accepted with gratitude – thank you! Will post again when I know the date (if I haven’t totally tried to escape having to go through with it by then!)
I hope you’ve had a decent weekend, lovely Β β™₯

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Wendy May 27, 2018 - 11:31 pm

Good luck on the upcoming surgery. Sending my best.
The pottery experience sounds amazing!
Your mother does not look 70! How old was she when she had you? 50?
Wow, pretty women in your family.
May I shamelessly steal most of the wording from your privacy policy?
I’m feeling way too brain dead lately to think for myself. (I’ll give you credit, and I won’t steal all of it….and you can say no, it’s okay)
Too bad about the med. nothing is easy huh?
waiting 16 months for an appointment? that’s crazy!!
You are a patient soul.
xo ~ wendy

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:37 pm

Pottery was definitely a ‘unique’ experience! Despite me getting a little frustrated at failing to make a snail (and ending up fashioning half an apple with my clay instead) it was a memorable experience and my mom enjoyed it, which was the main thing.
I’ll tell her you said she doesn’t look 70 – she will love to hear that! She was 40 when she had me. I’m older than I look… eekk!
Believe me I’m not feeling patient about the wait for that appointment, I just feel awful for those who have something more serious than I do (I’m assuming it’s not serious, but who knows) because it’s simply wrong to wait so long when people could become very ill as a result.
Of course you can use the privacy policy! I tried to incorporate as much as I could into it to cover the things that may apply to us as bloggers, but I was winging it a bit so I hope it’s enough. Feel free to use whatever bits, or all of it, as you like Wendy! πŸ™‚
Caz xx

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Wendy May 29, 2018 - 2:27 am

You can tell your mom that I hope I look that good at her age! I’ll be 55 …. eek!
I’m told I don’t look it, I hope that’s true. πŸ™‚
I was wondering how you cold get much pottery knowledge in one short session, I can do hand building (pinch pots, coils…), but I can’t use a wheel, that takes a LOT of practice. I started to take a pottery class in college but it hurt me too much, so I stuck to painting and photography. Secretly though, I always wanted to know how to throw a pot. (not just out the window) As long as you had fun…hopefully…and your mom had fun…again hopefully…that’s all that counts.
I agree, I don’t understand how they can determine if someone needs to be seen sooner. I hope it doesn’t turn out that you needed to see them sooner!
Thank you for your kindness. I’ll be adding the privacy policy on my blog soon.
Your the best Caz! xo

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Wendy May 29, 2018 - 2:27 am

oh, forgot to tell you, I love your new header!!
and yes, I noticed before you mentioned it. xo

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InvisiblyMe May 29, 2018 - 3:41 pm

I would never have thought you’ll be 55! I told my mother of the comments on here and showed her your comment – think it made her week!!
The pottery wheel was very much a ‘guided’ experience with the teacher’s hand on your own as you do it most of the time. When I first started with the lump of clay it was bucking around wildly and I never thought it would stay on the plate, but amazingly it did (again – never would have managed without the teacher there, so I can appreciate this would take a lot of practice!) Is it something you’d like to try again? I could certainly throw a pot after the experience, but yes, it would be out the window! It was fun though and my mother enjoyed it so that makes me happy.
No problems re: privacy policy. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. I do hope the travels are going well – will look forward to more updates whenever you’re able to! πŸ™‚
Caz xx

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gaillovesgod May 28, 2018 - 2:57 am

What an adventure. Love your attitude, but hate your frustrations! I hope they get it worked out soon for you!
Praying for you!
Btw… your mom looks great for 70! Hard to believe! Happy Birthday, Mom! God loves you! πŸ™‚

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:28 pm

I will be passing on your compliments to my mother, Gail – she will love you for saying she looks great for 70!!
I often tell her that she’s beautiful and doesn’t look her age at all, but she thinks I’m bias. I’m not, she does look good for her age.
Thank you so much for reading and the lovely comment – I hope the week ahead is a good one for you lovely πŸ™‚
xx

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Nina May 28, 2018 - 2:24 am

Beautiful way to spend time with your mom! Hope you feel better. Best wishes!

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:33 pm

It was certainly quite a novel afternoon out! I’d definitely recommend trying something like pottery (even if, like me, you don’t think it’ll be your cuppa tea) as it’s different and memorable. Thank you so much for stopping by and the lovely comment. Take care and have a good week, Nina! xx

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K E Garland May 28, 2018 - 2:53 am

I do hope everything goes well for you.

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:31 pm

Thank you so much! I hope you’ve had a decent weekend and that the week ahead treats you well πŸ™‚

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Paulina May 28, 2018 - 3:51 am

all the best!

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:27 pm

Thank you for stopping by, Paulina – just been checking out your blog!
Take care and I hope you have a great week πŸ™‚

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Cate Reddell May 28, 2018 - 6:36 am

Good luck with the surgery. I hope it all runs to plan. Hugs.xx

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:26 pm

Thank you! πŸ™‚
I hope you’re having a good bank holiday weekend xx

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emergingfromthedarknight May 28, 2018 - 7:02 am

Wishing you all the very best Caz. That is a big thing to have looming over you and I can only imagine how you are feeling. I am sending you my prayers and hopes for everything to go well. And a big hug as well. Love Deborah <3

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:26 pm

Thank you so much, Deborah, that means a lot to me. I’ll post again when I know a date (which is probably the point where it’ll start feeling a little more real and I start freaking out!) I do hope you’re managing okay this weekend – keeping my fingers crossed the week ahead it a positive one for you lovely Β β™₯

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Elaine May 28, 2018 - 8:16 am

Hi Caz,

I’m sure everything will be much better after the surgery it sounds like it will solve quite a few issues. Coming off the medication that made you dizzy and feel like a zombie can only be better for you too.

Your mum does look lovely you have the same features and good cheekbones ???? Thanks for the update, it’s good to know what’s happening ???? keep smiling

Elaine xx

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InvisiblyMe May 28, 2018 - 3:24 pm

Thank you, Elaine – I felt like a bit of a failure giving up on the meds so quickly, but I knew they weren’t suiting me and it wasn’t the right thing for me at the time either, so I’m glad I’m off them (though no doubt they do help others). I think I’m just trying to talk myself out of the surgery, I can’t face the thought of it.. I’ll have to pass on your lovely comment to my mother – she’ll be chuffed to know someone thinks she has good cheekbones! =]

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I tripped over a stone. May 29, 2018 - 1:46 am

WoW. WOw. owo. woow. Busy gal. Love the new graphics. Have you in my thoughts.

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InvisiblyMe May 29, 2018 - 3:42 pm

Thanking you kindly – I know it’s only a small change with the graphics but I wanted to make it a little more distinctive. Hope you have a good week ahead, Kim! πŸ™‚ xx

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Viola May 29, 2018 - 5:57 pm

Pottering is a nice thing to do (we did it once with my parents, friends and their kids, and everybody had fun).
Sorry you have to go through this pre-OP things again, but sometimes it just has to be done.

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InvisiblyMe June 1, 2018 - 2:53 pm

Did you get some finished products to keep hold of after your pottering, and do you still have them? Thank you, Viola – I’d be glad to never have another pre-op (fingers crossed!) Take care and have a good weekend.xx

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ignitedmoth June 6, 2018 - 1:48 am

Sending best wishes for a smooth procedure and speedy recovery when you go in. <3
The pottery class looks like a lot of fun. πŸ™‚

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InvisiblyMe June 6, 2018 - 3:40 pm

Thank you!! Didn’t think pottery would be my kind of thing but it was quite fun, we had some giggles and I’m off to pick up the finished works of art (disasters!) tomorrow, which is a lot earlier than anticipated. Thanks for the comment – have a good rest of your week πŸ™‚
xx

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