You can read part I of my rant about Quest Diagnostics here. The next day, I had dog training, in Northwest Portland, then drove back to my house, dropped the dog off, and went back. Because 84 East is always busy, I decided to drive down Burnside street, which of course was full of construction, so that it took me 30 minutes to get to the lab (inside safeway) instead of 20. I get in, prepared to wait, as IRead more
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Looking for lost time…
I wish there was a way to keep track of the time we spend dealing with health. Even when I am doing well, as I am at the moment, it still takes time. Time that I don’t really have. Example: My doctor wanted me to have my remicade levels tested. A simple blood test, done about a week before your remicade appointment. So I ask whether I just go downstairs to their lab. No. Because this specific test has beenRead more
Focus on Art: Yayoi Kusama
When I was in New Zealand last month, I went to the Auckland Art Gallery. I love art for several reasons- it triggers an emotional response, that I, who reads and writes for a living often cannot express in words right away, it pushes me to explore my feelings, thoughts and reactions, and ultimately teaches me about myself. For my academic self, I am always interested in the how and the what. How does the curator use the space available,Read more
Crohn’s and the academic job market- a tale
The abysmal situation of the academic job market has received a lot of coverage in recent years, with not much changing, sadly. You can separate academics into different camps: adjuncts and job seekers, the tenured who have compassion but feel helpless, and those who think that everything is amazing the way it is, and who should just shut the hell up and take it. Let me backup and explain the types of academic labor: Tenure-track: This is the unicorn amongRead more
When you can’t go to Marches…
I have said it before, and I have said it again: if going to be on the street is the only activism you value, you’re pretty ableist. While I am glad to have been able to have gone to both the Women’s March and the March for our Lives, I have also not attended many others. There are different reasons not to go, from being physically not able to do so, to actually fearing for your safety. So, what canRead more
WHAT’S IN MY BAG: Protest Edition
This saturday, March 24, I went to the March for our lives. I had been back and forth about going, because quite honestly, I don’t like crowds, I was worried about violence, I worried about restrooms… Then, I pushed myself, and I am glad I went. I can assure you that standing outside in Portland in March is fun, but I was in great company- my neighbor and her sweet, sweet daughter came too. Also, it was the first timeRead more
Here’s why people who “don’t look sick” use the disabled toilets
This one is for the bathroom police, that is, those who feel compelled to tell others that they can’t use the disabled stalls, because they don’t deem them disabled. One would think in the year 2018 and with 117 Million Americans suffering from a chronic disease, this shouldn’t happen anymore, but it happens. All the time. It has happened to me (and ended badly for the other person), it has happened to friends of mine, and while I don’tRead more
Dear Public Restrooms….
I wish… …you were clean, all the time. I would happily pay a quarter every time just to have that assurance. I am not even asking for a self-cleaning toilet. Alas, I am taking clorox wipes with me wherever I go. … stalls were sound and smell proof. Seriously, what is this metal wall in between business? It’s bad enough for me to know that I can make these sounds, does the world need to know? …if you don’t haveRead more
Dentists…
I hate going to the dentist. Not because of the pain (not a fan of it, but it’s not awful), but because of the air of moral superiority I encounter every damn time. Through a miracle, I have had fairly good teeth throughout my life. No root canals, a few fillings, two wisdom teeth pulled. So I have been lucky. IBD can manifest orally as well: Mouth ulcers and swelling of the lips, often due to malabsorption of nutrients andRead more
Word warrior Wednesday: allow yourself
Our lives are governed by should’ sand should have’s. I should have done the laundry, I should be ten pounds lighter/heavier, I should work out more, I should write more, yadya. Allow yourself to be where you are- you may not recover as fast from your surgery or flare or heartache, but know you will. You may not have done all of your chores, but hey will be there in the morning. You are where you are, and tomorrow isRead more
