Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

Arwen Evenstar · January 20, 2017

43 minutes ago, zoomama said:

arwen - you can do it!!! btdt many times. the little bottles are SUPER salty so be prepared for that shock. as for celiac - you need to know. its not to be messed with. and if they do this right, they will give you versed so you will have no memory of it.

as for the period stuff...no bueno.

Thanks...my gastro doc is extremely competent. He can do liver transplants, so I'm not at all worried about his competency.

ITA that celiac is not to be messed with, and being that most celiacs with adult onset are asymptomatic, that makes it all the more scary. I have abstained for enough time to realize that I feel better without wheat, otherwise I'd never suspect celiac. Things like skin rashes and itchy bum seem to go away...symptoms are not as bad if I stick to organic wheat or anything made from European flours, but if I eat a Chick Fil A sandwich or any wheat product from a chain restaurant, I bloat like a toad and become as gassy as an English bulldog.

I LOVE bread and pastry and cakes and I don't want to act like a speshul snowflake if I don't have to. Even if sensitivity keeps me away from it for the most part, I can still be polite and partake now and then, I understand celiac is zero tolerance. It makes no sense to make myself miserable if I don't have to.

DangerousMinds · January 20, 2017

1 hour ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Yes, that plus clear liquids, nothing red or purple or blue. I like hot milk in my coffee, but at least it's not total deprivation of caffeine..just can't have my coffee my way...obviously nothing after my requisite liquids to go down with the last dose of prep. I've got a list of foods I must abstain from from today until procedure.

I'm going to be a real little darling to deal with on Tuesday morning...starving, dehydrated, no coffee, no sleep, splitting headache, and a sore bum...all things that make Arwen stabby ....never done this before and I don't know what to expect...I'm sure it won't be quite as bad as I imagine it might be...I'm such a big baby....and to make it even more joyful, I got my period as well.

I had the colonoscopy/endoscopy about 18 months ago while hospitalized for blood loss, and it was much easier than I expected. Worst part was definitely the prep! But I wasn't on the toilet for 8 hours, only in there a few times and never got sore or anything. I did the all liquids thing too, and it wasn't too bad. All that liquid prep in my stomach (as well as the liquids I used to choke it all down) made me feel very full. I did sleep ok the night before the procedure, and they came in very early in the morning in the hospital to take me away and then sedated me, so I barely remember waking up before it all started. I didn't remember a thing afterward, and never got a headache. You'll be fine!

crazycatlady58 · January 20, 2017

Arwen, remember white wine is a clear liquid. Also my Dr. said beef broth was ok. I have low blood suger and had no problems with that, no light hardness or anything, but I also sucked on hard candy, just like you said nothing in the red family.

Arwen Evenstar · January 20, 2017

Thanks everyone for the support and hugs! Prayers and good vibes are always welcome!

frenchtoast · January 20, 2017

Celiac is completely doable, but as far as I know the standard test for that is endoscopy. It's in the small not large intestine, so that seems weird to me. Also, they can do a blood test first but that wasn't available years ago when Mr. Toast was diagnosed. Also, celiac is not just wheat (and it's all kinds of wheat--organic, spelt, all wheat) it's also rye and barley. There's a specific protein that's in those grains that causes the reaction. No beer. No soy sauce. No teriyaki sauce. We have different butter and margarine in the house to avoid cross contamination. It takes a good while to get into the swing, but once there it will feel fine.

As for pastries, these are the gluten free desserts that I made for Christmas:

Arwen Evenstar · January 20, 2017

@frenchtoast...thanks for the gluten free food porn. Yes, I'm aware that if I do have celiac, no kind of wheat, spelt, barley, rye, or kamut is allowed anymore. I know it's in the small intestine, but I'm having both upper and lower done due to family history.

Glad that there are so many yummy choices and there's an alternative recipe for just about anything. Good thing I like to cook, so I can experiment with different flour blends.

frenchtoast · January 20, 2017

Ahhh, good luck with the testing @Arwen Evenstar, there was no family history for Mr. Toast. Just me nagging him that he was not normal. He uses that guilt to get those yummy treats. My brother has colitis and possible Crohn's and that isn't as diet controlled. At least with celiac, when you're clean and gluten free, you're set. No drugs, no flares. It's so much easier now than it was 15 years ago when he was diagnosed. Despite the push back, the awareness has been a godsend for folks like Mr. Toast. He can eat out with family and friends and can enjoy life more fully.

Almost 3000 · January 20, 2017

3 hours ago, Happyfatchick said:

Are you sure it's only black coffee or tea, Arwen? I've had 2 and I could have clear stuff - chicken broth, lemon ice. No red popsickles but clear liquids. Good luck with that. Five days from now, it'll be a good story for family gatherings! (Jk!)

Jello too, but I don't remember if they limited the colors as I had lime which I may or may not had picked on purpose.

eta: Oops already answered. PTV has been not putting me onto the last post read with the following updated ones so I often don't see the most current posts. Annoying...

Edited January 20, 2017 by Almost 3000

bigskygirl · January 20, 2017

Jello reminds me of medical procedures and hospitals, so I did not eat any jello the day before the test. I was drinking 7Up all day because it helps my stomach feel better. I was so glad my tests were done together, and the nurse was able to get the schedule within five days of my first appointment at the GI Clinic. I did drink Beef Broth, but my stomach did not like it. Between the Acid Reflux and Gastritis, I miss making my homemade spaghetti sauce. My husband loves it, but the tomato sauce can bother my stomach to the point of bad heartburn waking me up during the night.

Love2dance · January 20, 2017

2 hours ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Thanks everyone for the support and hugs! Prayers and good vibes are always welcome!

I've had 3 colonoscopies, and I always suggest that after you drink the liquid and the "action" begins, just settle into the bathroom with an iPad or tablet, a good book, or magazines until it does its job. It will take a few hours, maybe, but nowhere near 8 hours. I also found it helpful to hold my nose while drinking the stuff.

Good luck, @Arwen Evenstar. You will be fine, and ready to have a treat when it is all done!

Happyfatchick · January 21, 2017

Also Arwen (you realize we've spent the whole day talking about colonoscopies? Maybe next we can do birth experiences!) you shouldn't really have a sore bum. Neither of mine caused even the slightest bit of sore bumness. After the first one, I went back to work. The second, I was really kind of sleepy - so no work, but I did go fishing :) But it's always possible I'm the exception rather than the rule.

Arwen Evenstar · January 21, 2017

2 hours ago, Love2dance said:

I've had 3 colonoscopies, and I always suggest that after you drink the liquid and the "action" begins, just settle into the bathroom with an iPad or tablet, a good book, or magazines until it does its job. It will take a few hours, maybe, but nowhere near 8 hours. I also found it helpful to hold my nose while drinking the stuff.

Good luck, @Arwen Evenstar. You will be fine, and ready to have a treat when it is all done!

Thanks! I plan to bring my iPad and some travel mags into the crapper..I'm sure everyone's snark will keep me very amused after "the action begins"....fortunately my house is small so I can make it to the loo in under 10 paces...

Minivanessa · January 21, 2017

@Arwen Evenstar, I'm late to the party but have been out and about and reading on my phone. Somehow didn't want to start typing a comment about colonoscopy prep on my phone. Anyway . . .

I had the same "no sore bum" experience as @Happyfatchick. It's been about 8 years, and I mainly remember that the stuff I had to drink didn't taste great but was tolerable, I made several bathroom visits, I certainly got cleaned out, but didn't feel sick or shaky. And after the procedure was over, I happily treated my friend who was my chauffeur that morning, to a really nice breakfast. I was hungry! I'm sure it helped that my appointment was first thing in the morning. I'd hate to have to go through all the prep and hang around till noon the next day! But overall the prep wasn't nearly as awful as I'd expected/dreaded.

Good luck!

Arwen Evenstar · January 21, 2017

Thanks all..I'm glad to know I won't be as miserable and uncomfortable as I was afraid I'd be. Anyhoo, lets change the subject...

Texas weather decided to throw down another severe thunderstorm in H town...I don't think we expected one of the magnitude we got, and true to form, it struck just as everyone was trying to get home. We had flooding earlier this week--not in my neck of the woods but all the lower spots suffered.

Minivanessa · January 21, 2017

1 minute ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Thanks all..I'm glad to know I won't be as miserable and uncomfortable as I was afraid I'd be. Anyhoo, lets change the subject...

Texas weather decided to throw down another severe thunderstorm in H town...I don't think we expected one of the magnitude we got, and true to form, it struck just as everyone was trying to get home. We had flooding earlier this week--not in my neck of the woods but all the lower spots suffered.

Ouch about the storms. I lived in Houston a few decades ago, and well remember all the rain. I've visited since moving away, and it seems like there's more flooding now than I remember from way back when. Sorry you have to deal with it, and glad you didn't get flooded.

Arwen Evenstar · January 21, 2017

The flooding has been scary lately. If rain is forecast, I try not to be on the roads after dark or if I can help it, not be out at all. Luckily, most of what I need is within a 2 mile radius of my house.

Love2dance · January 21, 2017

I'm in Southern California, where we have had a drought for years. I always walk to my gym, and this morning did so, even tho it was raining. But after I exercised, it was raining so hard, and the wind was so fierce, I literally could NOT walk back home. Luckily for me, after about an hour, it settled down enough that I could scurry home. Sorry to those of you east of us.....I'm afraid we will be sending it to you, next.

Arwen Evenstar · January 21, 2017

SoCal has had a lot of rain lately. Dry climates don't have storm sewers to handle those sorts of downpours. Not even our storm sewers can handle 6"of rain in an hour...

kathe5133 · January 21, 2017

Arwen, Vodka too is a clear liquid............

Arwen Evenstar · January 21, 2017

1 hour ago, kathe5133 said:

Arwen, Vodka too is a clear liquid............

If only we could count that...but the day after...definitely

Natalie68 · January 22, 2017

22 hours ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

SoCal has had a lot of rain lately. Dry climates don't have storm sewers to handle those sorts of downpours. Not even our storm sewers can handle 6"of rain in an hour...

Just got notice that the Sherpa fire area has an evac warning starting at 4am. Glad Mr. Natalie will be home before that since he has to drive by El Capitan/Gaviota tonight. My street yesterday was a river. Glad I have tomorrow off.

Absolom · January 22, 2017

22 hours ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

SoCal has had a lot of rain lately. Dry climates don't have storm sewers to handle those sorts of downpours. Not even our storm sewers can handle 6"of rain in an hour...

I live in So Cal and we do have storm sewers. Sadly they don't get cleaned out all the time before we have rain storms especially when we've had seven years of drought.

Arwen Evenstar · January 22, 2017

50 minutes ago, Absolom said:

I live in So Cal and we do have storm sewers. Sadly they don't get cleaned out all the time before we have rain storms especially when we've had seven years of drought.

Sorry, I meant to say the storm sewers in the area don't have the capacity to handle the high volumes from torrential downpours.

crazycatlady58 · January 22, 2017

Is everyone who live in the Georgia , Tennessee , Mississippi areas ok? I understand you have had tornadoes last night/today.

Arwen Evenstar · January 22, 2017

I always hate to hear about tornadoes...the news is rarely good. I used to work with a lady whose family lived near Moore, OK, where F5 tornadoes ravaged the town.

Sending hugs out to anyone affected by these recent weather events. Houston got these storms first and they morphed into those monsters...today we have the 50 mph winds behind those fronts. Clear and breezy now, but doubtless bracing for our next system. Really hope those who suffered during those storms don't get the insult to injury from these winds.

lookeyloo · January 22, 2017

We are in North Georgia, but, local news is covering the mess down south. Moving here from Louisiana we are all too familiar with the misery these things cause. Hoping everyone is okay. HFC is south. Hoping she is ok.

Arwen Evenstar · January 22, 2017

Yeah, me too. HFC always has the funniest posts.

Love2dance · January 22, 2017

@Happyfatchick, we are all thinking about you, and hoping you and your family are safe and warm and enjoying the game.

emma675 · January 22, 2017

We got one quick storm here in Dallas yesterday evening and today is super windy, but the sun is back out.

I've had foundation repair going on at my house for a week and they've had to dig 3 big holes near the foundation under my bay window, on the outside. As a result, there is a ton of extra black dirt left over that the crew has been putting in the flower beds and in a low spot near the back fence. With the rain, the black dirt has turned into a thick black mud that my dog has fallen in love with. I have to deep clean all 4 paws every time she goes outside and go through 2-3 towels a day. I've given up mopping the floor by the doggy door because I'd be mopping several times a day. Today, I gave up and told her she's an inside dog for the rest of the day because I just can't clean her off again (it's been 3 times alone today). She's given me the stink eye all morning, but I just can't clean her up again, it's all too much!! ;-)

Does anyone here have a tankless hot water heater? I am about to have to get a new water heater and am considering going to a tankless one. It's not much more expensive and I'm tired of running out of hot water trying to fill the bath.

Absolom · January 22, 2017

They're also supposed to cost less to operate so another point in their favor plus you won't ever run the risk of a big leaking tank.

Arwen Evenstar · January 22, 2017

1 minute ago, Absolom said:

They're also supposed to cost less to operate so another point in their favor plus you won't ever run the risk of a big leaking tank.

Exactly. I'd so get one, but my tiny townhouse piping doesn't allow one to be installed...otherwise I'd have one. Also see if you can fit a small inline on your line to your dishwasher and your washer/dryer...depending on how your lines are plumbed, you may only need one extra one.

GeeGolly · January 23, 2017

12 hours ago, emma675 said:

We got one quick storm here in Dallas yesterday evening and today is super windy, but the sun is back out.

I've had foundation repair going on at my house for a week and they've had to dig 3 big holes near the foundation under my bay window, on the outside. As a result, there is a ton of extra black dirt left over that the crew has been putting in the flower beds and in a low spot near the back fence. With the rain, the black dirt has turned into a thick black mud that my dog has fallen in love with. I have to deep clean all 4 paws every time she goes outside and go through 2-3 towels a day. I've given up mopping the floor by the doggy door because I'd be mopping several times a day. Today, I gave up and told her she's an inside dog for the rest of the day because I just can't clean her off again (it's been 3 times alone today). She's given me the stink eye all morning, but I just can't clean her up again, it's all too much!! ;-)

Does anyone here have a tankless hot water heater? I am about to have to get a new water heater and am considering going to a tankless one. It's not much more expensive and I'm tired of running out of hot water trying to fill the bath.

We have a tankless water heater for our house. The only thing I miss about the old big tank is if the electricity goes out there is no hot water sitting in a tank. We never run out of hot water even if taking showers in both bathrooms with the dishwasher is running.

Edited January 23, 2017 by GeeGolly

pinkie · January 23, 2017

Checking in from Georgia, thankfully things in our area are ok.

MargeGunderson · January 23, 2017

I've had a tankless heater for 4 years with no trouble at all. Plenty of hot water for just the two of us.

Arwen Evenstar · January 23, 2017

3 minutes ago, pinkie said:

Checking in from Georgia, thankfully things in our area are ok.

Great news...thanks for checking in. Lookeyloo also chimed in. Still waiting to hear from HFC.

Micks Picks · January 23, 2017

So Calif peeps, I am worried about some horses at a stable. It is where Carson St ends in Carson. To get to it you go through a tunnel that dips really low and dead ends at what was one of the cemented LA River channels. They decided to let that portion return to a river and so vegetation has been growing like crazy, tall and wild prickly things, hiding some not pleasant wildlife galore. Right next to the stables. There also used tp be sheep there to practice on with my herding dogs, but they were moved to Del Amo near the 710, ANYWAY every time I looked I thought about heavy rain and how the vegetation would catch everything and impede the flow of water to the sea. I worry about the horses. Not just the mess, but how the heck to get them out. You can't get to them, as the tunnel is out. I think it was in the 30 or 49s when severe flooding caused officials at the time to cement in the river (I know, awful but that's what they did) and it helped with flooding. They are doing the usual rescue of homeless and their dogs, poor things. Poor people, too. But the natural river process worries me with the type of vegatation , the junk they will collect, and those poor horses. The usual intersections are underwater near me. I used to like to park 3/4 of a block from some of them and place bets on who would try to go through, and if they'd make it or end up swirling around in a car spiral. PCH is closed, Seal Beach, many Carson exits are closed, how the rest of you doing?

Love2dance · January 23, 2017

@Micks Picks, hope the horses are safe. How worrisome. Hopefully the flooding is staying south of where they are.

We are OK. Fortunately, we are able to stay home today, and no flooded water is in our street, yet. But several of our friends in Seal Beach are dealing with flooding into their homes and businesses, and needing to pump water out of pools. I just hope most of this water is going into the reservoirs, and putting at least a temporary end to the drought.

bigskygirl · January 23, 2017

FYI: There is a new Meet the Putnams forum set up for your watching and discussion pleasure. Please feel free to head on over to the new forum to talk about the show. Thank you. http://forums.previously.tv/forum/2977-meet-the-putnams/

zoomama · January 23, 2017

mickspicks and love2dance, how nice it is to read your posts and know (relatively speaking) where you are talking about. i am in the inland empire and did we get slammed!!! driving last night to take grandson home and i literally prayed. we hav not had any flooding here at home, but we have had a tremendous amount of rain...i am home now and staying here!

Arwen Evenstar · January 23, 2017

3 hours ago, zoomama said:

mickspicks and love2dance, how nice it is to read your posts and know (relatively speaking) where you are talking about. i am in the inland empire and did we get slammed!!! driving last night to take grandson home and i literally prayed. we hav not had any flooding here at home, but we have had a tremendous amount of rain...i am home now and staying here!

Oddly enough after all the rain we've had, the Houston metro area or part of it and surrounding counties are still in a drought.

Happyfatchick · January 24, 2017

I'm fine, we're all good. The tornadoes were all pretty well south of us.

How does a tornado always manage to find a trailer park? That is the weirdest thing! Albany pics are terrible. I do have family in that area, but they're all fine as well. Lookey lives a little further north than I, and a little to the east I think (if I remember right). Pinkie and I discovered last year that we're actually neighbors!

22 hours ago, MargeGunderson said:

I've had a tankless heater for 4 years with no trouble at all. Plenty of hot water for just the two of us.

What does that mean, "plenty for the two of us"? I thought those made hot water as needed! And I thought they were far more pricey than a regular water heater. I'm happy to hear the price has become more reasonable. (The microwave effect!)

Love2dance · January 24, 2017

1 hour ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

Oddly enough after all the rain we've had, the Houston metro area or part of it and surrounding counties are still in a drought.

I guess when the rain all comes down at once, and the ground is saturated, the rain just flows to the rivers/sea. But they will never convince me that the last three weeks haven't lessened the drought somewhat.

Arwen Evenstar · January 24, 2017

2 hours ago, Love2dance said:

I guess when the rain all comes down at once, and the ground is saturated, the rain just flows to the rivers/sea. But they will never convince me that the last three weeks haven't lessened the drought somewhat.

It has, but even though we ended last year with 15" above our average, the clock started in January for tallying annual rainfall. December and November were relatively dry...it doesn't make sense that we'd have a drought

crazycatlady58 · January 24, 2017

Especially sense whenever I step on the ground , my shoes sink down into mud and we still have a lot of standing water.But I am about 20 miles north of Houston and here a few miles xan make a difference .

Arwen Evenstar · January 24, 2017

Indeed....when we had the tax day floods, some places in town got a little over an inch and some parts of town got over 15"

Micks Picks · January 24, 2017

My shoes got soaked yesterday when I went out to put some seed on a wall for the birdies who were pissed the bird feeder was gone. So I put the shoes in the sun to dry out today. Came back in a little while there was a downpour. Had to laugh. But saw a pix of a friend who tied his boots to a clothes hanger and hung it from the heat vent in the ceiling. What a great idea!

emma675 · January 24, 2017

It's drying out in Dallas, thank goodness. The dog only came inside covered in 1/2 the amount of mud as usual this morning.

I managed to scorch 3 fingers last night in a hot olive oil mishap and woke up with a head cold this morning. It's not been a good week for me. I swear I've gotten sick every 2 weeks since I started my new job in October. I think an open office concept (i.e., just desks, not even cubes or offices) makes germs spread even faster. I've caught every office bug that's gone around.

Arwen Evenstar · January 24, 2017

I survived my ordeal. Prep wasn't as awful as I'd anticipated...had no desire to eat after things "got busy".

Felt a bit crummy this morning, but joking with the medical team, U2 playing in the procedure room...found gastritis upstairs (a surprise since I have a cast iron stomach, almost never get heartburn or vomiting) but healthy esophagus and no obvious pathology anywhere in the upper. They couldn't complete the colonoscopy...they got a third of the way up and had to stop due to a twisted bowel (which he suspects adhesions from endometriosis outside the bowel did this)...but what he could see he said was perfectly healthy..no lesions, polyps, or obvious pathology but there was some diverticulosis

They'll have to do another test to examine the rest of my colon...sounds like barium cocktails are in my future.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and good vibes...I'm almost embarrassed I was such a big baby. Once that Milk of Amnesia hit...Arwen was out like a light!

bigskygirl · January 24, 2017

9 minutes ago, Arwen Evenstar said:

I survived my ordeal. Prep wasn't as awful as I'd anticipated...had no desire to eat after things "got busy".

Felt a bit crummy this morning, but joking with the medical team, U2 playing in the procedure room...found gastritis upstairs (a surprise since I have a cast iron stomach, almost never get heartburn or vomiting) but healthy esophagus and no obvious pathology anywhere in the upper. They couldn't complete the colonoscopy...they got a third of the way up and had to stop due to a twisted bowel (which he suspects adhesions from endometriosis outside the bowel did this)...but what he could see he said was perfectly healthy..no lesions, polyps, or obvious pathology but there was some diverticulosis

They'll have to do another test to examine the rest of my colon...sounds like barium cocktails are in my future.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and good vibes...I'm almost embarrassed I was such a big baby. Once that Milk of Amnesia hit...Arwen was out like a light!

Glad to see you survive the test. Interesting about the endometriosis adhesions. They must have not had any problems with finding adhesions when I had my tests because I had surgery in December 2002 to remove a cyst and left ovary, and I was diagnosed with endometriosis at the time. My esophagus was dilated when I had my tests due to problems with swallowing sometimes.

My test went okay yesterday. Got in and out on schedule with no problems. Now I wait to hear from the GI Clinic about the results. I was having some bad stomach cramps after the test. Right now I am not feeling good because I feel like I am having hyperthyroid symptoms again. I wonder if the drink prep did a number on me because it made me sick to the point of shaking while I was drinking it, and the symptoms started after having the two tests. UGH!!!

Love2dance · January 24, 2017

@Arwen Evenstar, so glad the prep and most of the procedure went so well. You weren't a big baby. It is a big deal procedure and scary the first time. I too had a twisty colon and it took three times (over a period of 10 years) to finally see the whole colon. My husband also has to do the barium test as his colon is impossible to see regularly, as well. So you are not alone.

So glad that part is all over for you.

Edited January 24, 2017 by Love2dance
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