Category Archives: Health

May 22, 2025

Back to Work

By Joe

I’ve been on vacation this week, and honestly—it’s been really nice. Except for having to go into work on Thursday this week and next (the museum is short-staffed during the summer), it’s been a true break. I’ll be the only one there, which makes things easier, and while today might bring an art shipment and a backlog of emails, I’ve done my best to stay away from my inbox. Out-of-office reply firmly in place.

What’s been especially lovely is not having to get up and rush anywhere. Isabella, of course, still insists on waking me up between 4 and 4:30 a.m., but without the usual morning scramble—deciding what to wear, prepping for the day—it’s felt like a small luxury. I’ve still gone to Planet Fitness, but my trainer has been under the weather this week, so I’ve kept it simple and just walked on the treadmill. Hopefully, he’s back tomorrow so we can return to our regular sessions.

In other news, some of you may remember that my doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist, but the earliest appointment I could get was in November. I asked to be put on the cancellation waitlist, though I was warned I was near the bottom and not to get my hopes up.

Well, surprise! On Tuesday morning, they called and asked if I could come in that afternoon. I was there by 1 p.m.

I’m really glad I got to see him. This liver issue has been weighing on my mind. He explained all the different potential causes for the scarring shown on my ultrasound and liver elastography. But here’s the good news: he doesn’t believe the test results are accurate. The techs who performed the exam apparently had difficulty getting proper measurements, and he said liver elastography isn’t always reliable—especially since my bloodwork has never shown any major liver issues. Some numbers have been mildly elevated now and then, but nothing alarming.

He said there are two more accurate ways to assess liver damage: a liver MRI or a biopsy. I’ve had an MRI before (of my brain, no less), and he assured me this one would be much easier. As for the biopsy—he said it’s more involved and, frankly, about as unpleasant as it sounds. It’s usually a last resort.

He ran a few blood tests, checking for Hepatitis A and a genetic condition called hemochromatosis (which causes iron overload). The results came back clear—perfect iron levels and an unexpected bonus: I apparently have immunity to Hep A. I’m not sure how, but I missed his call and got that info from a voicemail.

His overall impression was reassuring. With my recent weight loss and commitment to healthier habits—eating better, regular gym visits—he believes the liver scarring may heal on its own. That sounds like good news to me.

Now it’s time to get ready for work. Wishing everyone a good day—and if you’re on vacation too, I hope it’s as restful as mine has been.

🐈‍⬛

I almost forgot the Isabella Pic of the Week. Even she knows she’s pretty and can’t stop looking at herself.

1 Comment | posted in Health, Miscellaneous

May 9, 2025

TGIF

By Joe

I have been trying to figure out something to write about today, but all I can come up with is that I am so glad it’s Friday. I have a four day weekend (I had to switch my vacation day from Wednesday to Monday, which I prefer anyway). I have no plans this weekend. It’s supposed to be very rainy here today and tomorrow; however, I do have to get out and run some errands this morning. I have an appointment to get my yearly Covid vaccination, and I have an appointment with Neo to begin my workout routine today.

Have a great Weekend Everyone!

2 Comments | posted in Health, Miscellaneous, Workout

May 8, 2025

Training Incentives

By Joe

My recent health scare—especially the concern about potential liver damage—has given me the push I needed to commit to exercising more regularly. I feel like I have to take action now, especially since the earliest appointment I could get with a gastroenterologist isn’t until November. With that in mind, I joined my local Planet Fitness. Yesterday was my first visit, and I met with a trainer (we’ll call him Neo—not his real name, of course).

Beyond improving my health, I’ll admit I now have an extra bit of motivation to work out: Neo himself. He’s not the guy in the photo above, but the body type is remarkably similar. He’s cute, sweet, and seems genuinely interested in helping me get into shape (which, of course, is his job—but still). I’d been nervous that working with a trainer might feel intimidating, but Neo immediately put me at ease. During our first meeting, we talked about my health, my prior experience working out, and my fitness goals. We didn’t dive into a workout just yet, though I did spend some time on the treadmill. Our first real training session is scheduled for Friday, when we’ll begin developing my personalized fitness program.

Originally, I’d planned to work out before work, three to four times a week—around 6 a.m. However, now that I’ll be training with Neo, that plan needs adjusting. He doesn’t start until 10 a.m., and while I know I could go alone before work, the truth is I’m not sure I’d stick to it. I know myself well enough to recognize that after-work sessions, at least for now, will be more realistic—especially if I have a scheduled appointment. Once I commit to someone else, the thought of canceling (or worse, skipping entirely) would eat me alive with guilt.

Once I get comfortable with my workout routine, I can transition to morning workouts on my own and keep occasional training sessions with Neo either during the day or after work to stay motivated and ensure I’m making progress.

And I can’t forget the Isabella pic of the week. This is her, “You need to go to bed” face (similar to her “You need to get up and feed me” face):

I opened my eyes this morning to see her face a few inches from mine staring at me. It’s a little disconcerting when you wake up and open your eyes to be met with total blackness.

2 Comments | posted in Health, Workout

April 24, 2025

Working Thursday

By Joe

As I wrote this, I am watching the news and about to start getting ready for work. I took a vacation day yesterday trying to use up accumulated vacation time before I lose it at the end of the fiscal year (May 31). I will also be taking a vacation day tomorrow, but today I have to work. I’d have preferred to take my vacation days consecutively, but the schedules of my coworkers does not allow for that. I’m not thrilled about going to work today, but I have a few things I need to do, especially grading for my class before the semester ends. I’m a little behind in my grading.

If anyone was wondering about how the ultrasound went on Monday, they did find some stiffening of my liver which could cause problems later. My doctor said that there isn’t much to worry about at this point because it is still mild and reversible, but he wants to be aggressive in treatment and is sending me to a gastroenterologist. There is one locally, who my doctor says is the best around and has a specialty in liver disease. I don’t have an appointment yet to see this doctor, but my referral has been sent. I was initially very distressed at the results of the ultrasound, and I messaged my doctor asking how worried I should be. He called me and put my mind at ease. I am so fortunate to have a doctor who is so caring and one that I can talk to openly and honestly. I’ve had friendly doctors before, but no one I ever felt as comfortable and as confident with than I do my current doctor. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted when I know more. Right now, there isn’t much to tell.

And finally, here is your Isabella pic of the week. She let me sneak up on her while she was sleeping and take this picture. The first time I tried to take it, she looked up at me with an annoyed expression, but then, went back to sleep as cats so often do.

1 Comment | posted in Health, Isabella, Miscellaneous

April 21, 2025

Easter Monday

By Joe

I am not Catholic, but I know many of you are. I know the news of Pope Francis’s death is affecting many today. Francis seemed to try to make the Catholic Church more welcoming and inclusive, and I know there are those who believe he did not do enough. I hope the cardinals will elect a pope who will push harder for reforms and to do more against the abuses of the church through the years. I fear they won’t, but I hope they will. My condolences today to all my Catholic friends out there. As the t-shirt on the man above says, I think Pope Francis did leave a mark on Catholic history.

In a more personal and different note, I’m having an ultrasound of my liver this morning. The blood test conducted while I was in the hospital and the CT scan that I had, showed some worrying numbers. I had already known that I have fatty liver disease, but I’ve been working on exercising more and being more careful with my diet. The CT scan showed that fatty liver may have caused some fibrosis, and so the doctors ordered a liver ultrasound and liver elastography to assess for fibrosis. I’m not too worried about this. When I saw my doctor last week, he said the numbers in my blood tests did not show signs of fibrosis, and he thought the severe numbers they saw at the hospital were because I was so sick. However, he wanted me to still have the ultrasound to be certain.

In other news, this is the last week of classes. While I have enjoyed teaching this class, it has been a lot of work. I hope I will teach this class again in the future now that I have the basics created for it. I have one more lecture tomorrow which I plan to be more of a discussion than a lecture, then it will be all about grading to finish things up.

I hope everyone has a great week! Again, my condolences to my Catholic friends out there.

8 Comments | posted in Health, Miscellaneous, News

April 16, 2025

Quick Post

By Joe

This will be quick. I haven’t had a chance to prepare a history/art/eroticism post for today. Hopefully, I’ll be able to post it tomorrow. In the meantime, I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon. Some people dread going to the doctor, but I really like my doctor and always enjoy seeing him. It doesn’t hurt that he is devastatingly handsome. He’s straight and married, so I just get to admire him, but he is always so kind when I see him, and I never feel hurried or rushed when he’s seeing me. I think everything will be a good report, though we will discuss me being in the hospital.

Since I will likely post my history/art/eroticism post tomorrow, here’s is this week’s Isabella Pic of the Week:

1 Comment | posted in Health, Isabella, Miscellaneous

April 10, 2025

Just Another Thursday

By Joe

I really don’t have much to say today. It’s been a decent week with nothing too exciting. I’m still recovering from my illness that put me in the hospital, but every day, I’m getting better. I will need an ultrasound to check a few things further, but I’m not really worried about it. I just know that I need to start regularly exercising. 

Today shouldn’t be anything exciting. I have classes to teach, but I’ll be the only person working at the museum today. I also don’t have any plans for the weekend. The most exciting thing (and it’s not that exciting) is that I have some vacation time I need to take or lose by the end of May, so I’ll take a day off every Wednesday and Friday through the end of May.

There’s just nothing exciting or interesting for that matter to talk about, and you know what? I’m just fine with some quiet boring days when I can just be lazy and read a good book.

1 Comment | posted in Health, Miscellaneous

April 8, 2025

Migraines have their say

By Joe

Migraines have their say
By Teri Ellen Cross Davis

Whitney cottage, Hermitage Artist Retreat

You could write about the windows
all nine of them. You could write about

the gulf, red tide strangling Florida’s
shore, the opaque eyes of dead fish

caught in the algal bloom. You could write
about the sky—long as a yawn, sky blue

chasing cerulean away, stretched wisps
of white determined to be the canvas

for another sunset showstopper. But the body
has its own narrative in mind. Neurons hustling

pain blank out any page. No writing can be done
when an electric snare corrals the brain. No ear

searching for song while one temple pulses
an arrhythmic lament. Mercifully there’s triptan,

a black curtain over this inflammatory act. Strike
through today, uncap the pen again tomorrow.

About this Poem

Teri Ellen Cross Davis’s poem “Migraines have their say” offers a poignant exploration of the debilitating impact of migraines, particularly when they intrude upon moments meant for creativity and reflection. Written during her time at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, Davis captures the profound frustration of having one’s artistic aspirations overshadowed by physical suffering.

In the poem, Davis vividly describes the serene environment of the retreat—the expansive windows, the vast sky, and the Gulf’s horizon—elements that typically inspire artistic expression. However, the onset of a migraine transforms this idyllic setting into a backdrop of torment, as the pain eclipses her ability to engage with her surroundings or channel them into her work.

Davis’s personal history with migraines adds depth to the poem’s narrative. Diagnosed at thirteen, she endured prolonged episodes of pain before effective treatments became available. Even with medication, migraines continue to claim significant portions of her time, making their intrusion during an artist’s retreat feel especially cruel—a “special kind of theft,” as she describes.

The poem resonates with many who have experienced chronic pain, articulating the internal conflict between the desire to create and the incapacitation imposed by illness. It underscores the broader theme of how physical ailments can stifle self-expression and the pursuit of one’s passions.

For those interested in experiencing the poem firsthand, Davis’s reading is available through the Academy of American Poets’ “Poem-a-Day” series, offering an intimate connection to her words and experiences.

In “Migraines have their say,” Davis not only sheds light on the personal toll of chronic migraines but also invites a broader conversation about the intersection of health and creativity, and the resilience required to navigate both.

About the Poet

Teri Ellen Cross Davis is a distinguished American poet and advocate for the arts. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she pursued her undergraduate studies in journalism and international affairs at Ohio University. She later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from American University. 

Davis has authored two notable poetry collections: Haint (Gival Press, 2016), which received the 2017 Ohioana Book Award for Poetry, and a more perfect Union (Mad Creek Books, 2021), winner of the 2019 Journal/Charles B. Wheeler Poetry Prize. 

Her commitment to the literary community is evident through her fellowships and residencies at esteemed institutions such as Cave Canem, the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, Hedgebrook, the Community of Writers Poetry Workshop, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. Additionally, Davis has received grants from the Sustainable Arts Foundation and The Freya Project. 

Davis’s poetry has been featured in various anthologies, including Bum Rush The Page: A Def Poetry Jam, Full Moon on K Street: Poems About Washington, DC, and The Golden Shovel Anthology: New Poems Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks. Her work also appears in journals such as Poet Lore, North American Review, Gargoyle, Natural Bridge, and Tin House.  Currently, she serves as the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series Curator and Poetry Programs Manager at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.  Davis resides in Maryland with her husband, poet Hayes Davis, and their two children.

PS As you might can guess, I woke up with a migraine today. I would love to stay in bed and call in sick, but I cancelled classes last week because I was in the hospital and don’t feel like I can cancel any more. Also, I have a follow up appointment at my doctor’s office to see how I am doing since I’ve was discharged from the hospital.

1 Comment | posted in Health, Poetry

April 7, 2025

Back to Work

By Joe

I have to return to work today. I can’t express strong enough how much I don’t want to go. I’m still really tired and don’t want to go back. I know it will do me good to get back into a routine, and it will probably give me more energy. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m ready to go back to work. However, I’m not sure I can put it off any longer. I did “work” Friday by going to the workshop I attended and did well. I didn’t feel like I got overly tired, and my energy level was good. So, maybe today won’t be too bad. At least my boss won’t be there. I’m not ready to deal with her strong perfume or loud voice. It should mostly be quiet in the front offices where my office is. I also have a ton of emails to catch up on and work to do for classes this week.

1 Comment | posted in Health, Miscellaneous

April 3, 2025

Rain and Migraines

By Joe

I had planned to write today about a recurring dream I’ve been having, but it has snowed all night and now we are having a rare Vermont thunderstorm. With bad weather inevitably comes a migraine. I dread today anyway. I have a dentist appointment late this afternoon. I think I might just go back to bed.

That being said, here’s you Isabella pic of the week. I missed her when I was in the hospital.

1 Comment | posted in Health, Isabella, Weather