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November 29, 2005
can neurosis power xmas lights? 
Not surprisingly, I hurt today. I'm very aware of my belly and waist, and of my glutes, and my hipflexors. And my nose, which I biffed (but good) getting the bicycle out of the truck last night.
I'm not quite feeling so hysterical today. I did some reading (ah, internet, you cruel mistress!), and while I am very special for being female and middleaged and having Barrett's disease, the chances of it turning cancerous are close to nil. Like, less than 1%. And, the symptom that has really been eating me (so to speak) has been a hoarse chronic cough after heartburn episodes... which I guess goes hand in hand with the disease.
So while I think it's a good idea to fly right and eat right and try not to chip any more large sections out of my esophagus, some of this I just have to let go of.
Still, I gotta wonder: if I wasn't so stressed out, would I have hearburn/reflux/GERD/Barrett's and high blood pressure? And do I, with my special neurotic wiring, ever have any hopes of not being stressed out?
...
But enough of my downer. I admit this is not an original idea, I heard about it from another scooterist.
But: battery powered christmas lights! Think of the possibilities! Festooning your bike, making it almost like it has the Down Low Glow. Okay, so it's not really as cool as the Down Low Glow, but it is cheaper and readily available at a big box store (not-so) near you. And scooters! Damn! That'd be way better than putting bunny ears on your helmet (not that there's anything wrong with that).
Portlanders: Sunlan Lighting on Mississippi carries them! (and she's open til 5:30 today!)
Posted at November 29, 2005
Comments
Oh god, I was *just* googling GERD yesterday because I've been having a throat lump lately after eating, and especially upon laying down. Sucks, sucks, sucks. Why do all the yummy foods trigger GERD?
So I read all about Barrett's and was freaked out by it. Good to hear, though, that you have a low chance of developing cancer. Statistics can be comforting.
Pretty lights!
Posted by: Megan at November 29, 2005 12:51 PM
VJ, I was nearly diagnosed with Barretts...but a second test ruled it out. However, I am always aware...and think about the possibilities constantly. I don't want to take a pill a day forever, so I am trying to change my eating habits. I understand, though, that isn't necessarily the answer. Soooo confusing. Yeah, the internet. How did we live without it?
Posted by: susan at November 29, 2005 2:42 PM