9:17 a.m. on Wednesday

We're watching the women's short program in figure skating last night

A Ukrainian skater comes out in a bright, hunter's orange outfit that is just ugly

Angela: that outfit is so hideous

Ed: She's afraid Dick Cheney might be in the crowd

HA!

Sasha Cohen did us proud, eh? I am excited for tomorrow night. I am totally bandwagon Olympics watcher.

So I showed up for my Drs. appointment right on time this a.m. Very proud of that. Only problem--the appointment is tomorrow. Ooops.

WE HAVE AN OFFICE!

Ed and I took on a “home improvement” project this weekend. We are converting our walk in closet (4 by 6 feet) into an office. This not our main closet and it had become a little bit of store-all for clothes and other crap that we chose not to deal with (or with which we chose not to deal for you grammar police out there). I wish I took a picture of the before with all the contents in it. I thought of it after the closet was cleared, but I don’t think it has the same effect. It was becoming a junk collecting room. Anyway, we headed with to IKEA with Grandma’s Christmas money and a list of items that I found while thumbing through Tonya’s IKEA catalog last weekend (and who says I wasn’t helping while Tonya and Ed assembled her IKEA furniture???) and purchased: a rug, a desk, a 3 drawer organizer, a light fixture, a curtain rod and fabric to create the curtain, a lamp, fake flowers and a vase, pillows and cases for my “reading area” and a desk-top organizer. I was having a blast; Ed felt like crap and parked himself on a chair. That was Saturday. Sunday we went back to IKEA to return an impromptu purchase (can’t make it through IKEA without that) of a dish rack that simply did not work with our cabinets and limited counter space. We also bought the clothes racks and were eyeing a desk chair until Ed remembered he had one in storage. That saved us $100!

Sunday I came home and got to work on moving things out of the closet. We began to assemble things, but hit a few roadblocks—wrong kind of light fixture and wrong type of curtain rod. We went over to the hardware store across the street and got a new rod, but this time I was done. So I decided we would leave it and begin next weekend. BUT! Ed had yesterday off and surprised me by putting everything together and assembling it all. It looks so awesome!! I will post pictures. YAY! We have an—albeit really tiny—office!!

So what else happened this weekend? I had a near catastrophe with dying my hair. I rectified it though. It turned out too dark. So I went back and bought a highlighting kit. My hair is a dark/reddish blond with some highlights. I got lots of compliments on the color on Monday at work. I fully believe in dying your hair at home. You just can’t be afraid.

Ed has been sick. Missed two days of work last week. He was having trouble breathing because he was so congested. He got an appointment for 7:30 p.m. on Sat. at urgent care. We were there for 4 hours. I do not lie—we didn’t get home until midnight after leaving at 6:30. If it is possible to die of boredom, I would be dead right now. I read by book, I watched the TV, we even escaped to Dunkin Donuts. I was in more pain than Ed. I realize that I am pathetic and whiny, but patience is not a strength of mine—it was torture by way of boredom.

Turns out he has bronchitis. His anger continues towards the two co-workers who were really sick the week before and insisted on being martyrs and staying at work. He figures he has spent around $75 in medicines and appointments. I told him he should try to get reimbursed from them. J

Sunday I met my friend Stephanie for a free Mozart concert at the National Gallery. It was this fantastic string quartet from Belgium. So enjoyable! And free! I love DC!

El Salvador and Don Juan

I have had some great experiences this week and neglected to blog! What am I thinking?

Monday night we went to a lecture at our new church by a Jesuit priest who has been working in El Salvador since 1989. 1989 was the year that those six priests and two female staff people were murdered; he was the first priest to arrive.

His speech was great and very refreshing. Here are some points that I think were worth noting:

1. He made a comment on the US education system and how at all levels we are not taught about the poor. Essentially, he thinks the education system fails us by not giving us a true global view and understanding that we—Americans—are not the norm. Most of the world is poor and uneducated and we simply are not taught about them, which I agree. Unless you traveled to a poor country or took a specific class in college, you could go through your Ph.D. and not have experienced or truly understand the impact of poverty in our world.

2. I learned that 16% of El Salvador’s GNP comes from family members sending money back from the US to relatives in El Salvador. 16%!! This influence a recent election (where the right wing candidate won) because the candidate had ties the Bush Administration and promised that if elected relatives in the US would not be deported and also instilled fear that if the other candidate was elected, relatives would be deported which means no income coming from the US. A note: the average numbers of (not particularly quality) years of education in El Salvador is 4-6.

3. Someone asked how can we be sure the media is asking the right questions (are they restating government policies/reports or are they digging deeper and finding the real story). His advice was to always consider are they asking the questions that consider everyone. The example he gave was the Iraq war and how it is rarely reported about Iraqi civilian casualties and there are far fewer stories on the impact of the war on their lives. In fact, I guess the total number of civilian causalities is not even tracked by the US government. We’re taking their lives but we don’t even bother to count them?!? Like their lives mean less or something???

Valentines Day was awesome! I don’t know that I have ever felt that way about V-day before, but I am very happy with our plan to experience something versus buying gifts. We got some sushi and this cute place that has the conveyer belt and you pay by the color of the plate. It was yummy, and I have been craving sushi every since.
(A note on cravings: I have mad cravings since being on prednisone. My appetite is seriously out of control. I hate it because I never feel satisfied, and I had finally reached the point in my life where I could eat to the point of satisfaction.)

We saw Don Juan at the Shakespeare Theater and it was absolutely tremendous. The seats were fabulous and it was so well done—the acting, costuming sets. etc. The Shakespeare Theater really is a world-class theater. The play itself was historical, enlightening, and funny! I left feeling exhilarated.

my boss just resigned

Her last day is the end of the month. My boss's boss called from Chicago to tell us (boss was out sick today).

For any of you who heard my complain when she was out for 2 1/2 weeks, it's going to be crazy.

Actually, it could be better. I think it will be worse first.

Ahhh Snow!

So DC got it's first big snowfall of the year. We got about 9 inches in our area. It was the wet fluffy stuff so it has mostly been cleared and it looked beautiful sitting atop the branches of trees--a true winter wonderland. Too bad we didn't get a snow day for work. I live for snowdays and they come alot more often here than in MN, but we haven't had one yet!!

TV run down: Grey's Anatomy rocks my world. I hate the cheating ex-wife bea as well...forget her name.

Olympics? Watched Luge this weekend. That's about it. The guy from White Bear Lake, MN isn't going to medal. :(

Oh! had a real weddings special on Sat. I taped it. One girl had 550 guests all from out of town. She was out of control.

Project Runway--okay this was on last week, but I wanted to blog about how annoyed I am that they keep Santino on the show for ratings. He is the only "outrageous one" and this is the 2nd time that he really should have gone home. He such an arrogant poopy face too. But I do enjoy his imitations of Tim. I think it is going to for sure be Daniel and Cloe in final 3. #3 is position is up for grabs.

Weekend recap: Had a great Saturday. Ed had a finger printing gig that I accompanied him to at AU. It was students in this tutoring program who work in the DC public schools. If you have contact with children in the DC public schools, you have to be fingerprinted and have a background check. On Wed. and Thurs. he has some more students to do through the same program.

Book club on Sat. was really fun. We read Everything is Illuminated. Nobody really liked it and not always for the same reason. I really like book club.

After book club we our neighbors had a wine and cheese party, which was so fun. I have lived there for 2 years and this is the first time that we really "met" all of the neighbors--good times.

Sun.. we went to church and the gym. There were literally 7 people there. People in DC do not come out in the snow. I like the little church we found.

Helped Tonya assemble her IKEA purchases Sunday night. Ed actually assembled and I supervised. She got so gorgeous pieces. IKEA continues to impress me.

Looks like this week should be a quiet week at work--we'll see.

Medical Update and Shakespeare Theater Tix

Ed and I decided that we are "doing something" for Valentine's Day instead of buying stuff for eachother. We got tix to the Shakespeare Theater for Don Juan and we learned that if you buy a pass for the next 3 performances you can get tix for $45 ($15 per show). WOOOHOO!

Also here is the down and dirty medical update for those of you who are curious:

Overall, it was a good appointment. I don't have TB (which I knew), and the CT scan revealed significant inflammation, but no infection or other abssyses etc. (aka it verified that I my Crohn's is active).

He ran that special blood test to see if the Imuran that I am currently on is working the way it should. Specifics to me aren't clear, but it is supposed to be working at 235 or above to be effective and it is only working at 180. In other words, I am taking the right dose for my weight, but my body isn't using it correctly. So he is going to increase my dose on this to see if that helps.

He will be tapering me off predisone in the next couple of weeks. He mentioned my face looked fuller, which I haven't noticed...should I be offended?

As far as starting the IV treatment-it is on hold until I see him in 2weeks. Because of the revelation that the medication I am hasn'tbeen working effectively, we are back in "wait and see" mode. Good news about the Remicade is that they are transitioning to having it down at your house. Also, he mentioned a new drug that has been approved for arthritis (like Remicade was initially) but not yet for Crohns. This would be taken by shots.

Overall, I am feeling better except for the occasional surge of hyperactivity from the Prednisone. AAAHHHH!!!

Really fun weekend!

We had a really nice weekend! On Sat., we headed to check out a reception venue for Brad and Cynthia, who are in London. I think it is going to be a great venue! Lots of character and a beautiful setting! It was good because I am really wanting to check out some venues in MSP, but we aren’t going until March (the weekend of the 18th for those of you in the area) so I got to get out some of my “choosing a reception venue” excitement.

We went to church Sat. afternoon, and it was 45 minutes—a-la-St. John’s, the Apostle in Minot, but with a much better homily. I am not complaining. The priests are Jesuits, and I think that makes a difference. We might go to a lecture from a priest who went to El Salvador after the murder of those priests. It is next Monday.

Sat. night we went to Bitsy’s party at Local 16. I can not believe we were outside on the roof-top patio in Feb.!! It was a little chilly, but with the heat lamps, not too bad. Bits, we missed you Sunday!

Sunday we hosted an awesome brunch for dinner club. Our land lord is out of town, so we were able to have it upstairs. Ed made THE BEST chocolate chip and banana waffles. YUM! We also did cook-to-order omelets. People stayed a long time, which was so nice. Great food! Great conversation! Good times!

Later that afternoon we worked out and I did all of the stuff on the bottom of the weekend to do list like ironing. I never get to that place on the list. Part of it is that we had dinner club so we were forced to clean earlier in the weekend.

I also made a really good low-fat spaghetti. I was impressed with myself.

Oh we watched the Superbowl too. We didn’t get any invites to any parties this year—sad. I really was looking forward to chili and cheese dip!!

Did anyone watch Grey’s Anatomy?! Holy crap that show is SO good. What an episode! I am addicted. It makes me stay up late though (especially post Superbowl).

The battery went low on our fire alarm at like 3:30 a.m. this morning. It started the world’s most annoying high pitch chirp. THAT WAS FUN! I couldn’t fall asleep for like 2 hours. I hate that. I am actually doing okay.

Work has slowed to a normal speed, which is nice. My boss is back tomorrow after being gone for 2 ½ weeks, which is even nicer. Thanks to all who have listened to my complaints!

CT scan tomorrow. Checked out the 2nd TB test—negative, which is good. Drs. appointment on Wed.

PS I am on Prednisone right now and I seriously think it makes my heart/thoughts race--I just reread this post. I am so hyper lately (also edgey and emotional). It might be in contrast to the depletion I was feeling when the Crohn's was really flaring, but I think it really is the medication.

Annoyed

I am so annoyed at the healthcare system right now. I had to go in to the Dr.'s office today to read my TB test. I get there and this nurse overhears me at the nurse's station and is like "oh Miss Carlson, I have to talk to you." She was the one who gave me the test on Tuesday and she forgot to give me part of the test. So she had to regive the test to me today and I have to come back Monday. I also have an appointment on Wednesday. So in 1 week I will have made 4 trips to the Drs. office. I was annoyed, but I don't have TB so that's good (well at least the one test says I don't). Also, I had to do a chest x-ray and I just had this feeling when she was positioning me that she had no idea what she was doing. She must have adjusted me 10 times. Again, annoyed.

Okay, if are still reading about me complaining--you are a good friend. THE MOST annoying thing is that I can not get in to have the CT scan that I need by my Wed. appointment with my Doc. He's leaving for 2 weeks so we have to keep that appointment and there simply are no appointments. I called and tried to get in and then had the Drs. office try again today and there are no appointments! So the nurse gave me other option of going to a different clinic for the scan, but I will have to prearrange it with my insurance. Sounds like work to me, and again, I am already annoyed at the sitch.

I am really trying to be proactive and be a good patient and do what I am told, but seriously this is a drain on my time, energy and resources. I have spent $85 in copays this week and I have a CT scan and another appointment to go.

Okay, I am done complaining. I am feeling better and I have health insurance, which alot of people don't. I am getting good care--it's just alot of work.

Stuff

I am so uncreative in my titles.

So my Crohn's had been bothering me for the last couple of weeks, so I finally got in on Tuesday. Before I knew it, there was a whirlwind of activity. I walked away with 3 prescriptions. He ordered lab work and urine test and gave me a special vial that I had to bring back up from the lab because they have to send that out. Only one lab in the country does that particular test. I have to have a chest x-ray and a CT scan. I also had an under the skin TB test on the spot. Seriously, this all occurred within talk to the Dr. for less than 10 minutes. Ed can attest. I drug him along and I am glad I did because it was very overwhelming.

All this is because I am switching to an IV treatment (Remicade, you may have heard of it for arthritis) that I will have to do every 8 weeks. I guess it's okay. Taking pills everyday actually is easier, but this is supposed to do wonders.

Good news is that I am feeling better. Perhaps it is the power of suggestion--just knowing that it is going to get better or maybe it ran its course for this time. We'll see.

In other news, I am going out to eat with a girl I work with for her birthday. She is my age (well now a year older technically) and broke up with her boyfriend earlier this month. They had been together since college and moved to DC together. They rented a house, bought furniture, had parties together and were definitely a "unit". Oh, they owned pets together too. We are talking being married without the title. I still don't know the whole scoop and in full disclosure, one of the reasons I RSVPed is that I am hoping to learn more tonight. Also, she only invited like 6-8 total people (i think alot of their friends were mutual) and only about half of them could make it. Don't get me wrong, I like her alot, but if there were a ton of people who could have gone, I may or may not have gone, but knowing that I am one of a select few definitely was an impetus for agreeing to go.