Surgery without health insurance, or how to live outside the box without falling over.

Testzone

 

Hello Doctor...
Lab Rat almost passes the test

Almost?
Well, the Doctor liked the bunion just fine, (between a level 2 and 3) but the blood pressure reading wasn't appreciated. However, I'm set up to go to the clinical research center on Dec. 23rd, where they will read it again in a "dark room" if necessary. This appointment is the final screening before surgery on Jan. 6th. Yes, this is the blood test appointment. If I can jump through this last hoop, I'll be in the three day study. There go the cigarettes flying out the window.

Out the window?
You can't get up and go outside to smoke, so I'm going to quit. Hmmm, let's add a little more stress to the formula. Oh, and by the way, I've quit smoking twice before, once for four years, and once for six months. One thing I know is that I can't drink for quite awhile after I quit, because all resolve to give up cigarettes, goes up in smoke. And, I can't drink coffee either, because coffee goes with cigarettes in my mind. Anne, we'd better do the bars one day next week, while I'm still a human being. No wonder they have to pay me $1200.

What else did you find out?
The pain medication I will receive in the study will be one of five. One is a standard medication already on the market, three are vary levels of the new medication, and the fifth is a placebo. However, it was explained to me that they also have what they call "rescue medication". Rescue med. means, if after 15 min. I say "whatever you gave me isn't working, I'm still in pain," I'll be given a "real medication." No, this is not a torture study.

I also found out, I'll have to trade cars with someone who has an automatic transmission, if I plan on driving for the first month after surgery. Trying to use the clutch with that "Paul Bunion shoe" on my left foot would be impossible.

"Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of."
--Anonymous

posted by jf at 6:55 AM

 

Wild Saturday...
Lab Rat paces back and forth

Wild it was. So wild in fact, Lab Rat is wondering how long THC stays in the blood? Tomorrow is the podiatrist appointment. I don't think it's time for the blood test yet. According to the drug testing discussion forum, (yes, you can find anything on the internet) a light, as in hardly ever smoker shouldn't have to worry. But then again you can't believe everything you see on the internet. As a matter of fact, perhaps you shouldn't believe this post, or anything you read here. Anyone with "real" knowledge of the facts please advise.

"When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be disappointed to discover they are not it."
--Bernard Bailey


posted by jf at 4:06 PM