Thursday Tummy Issues

Yesterday, Wednesday, I started writing my blog using the usual boilerplates and adding a few muses. Later, I got feedback that I was focusing too much on coffee and not explaining liberal coffee to new readers. The muses need to be limited, too, I was told. I listened and will adjust, but maybe not that much…

Nonetheless, the morning started with me being surprised to rise after 7 and closer to 8, and I needed coffee. I reached for Equal Exchange coffee, certified Fair Trade (thus called liberal in the blog), meaning the farmers are paid a reasonable amount for their produce, coffee. I have been drinking liberal coffee since Donald Trump was elected President (the first time) as a reminder that we liberals must walk the talk, even drinking Fair Trade coffee. It is important to me. Dear reader, when I sip my coffee (often more quaffing than sipping), it also reminds me that even when doing the little things better, significant changes can happen to the big ones.

I believe I made an error in judgment at this moment—shocking, I know. I did not eat anything and just drank coffee on an empty stomach. I later, after dressing, took my pills, including the diabetes medication metformin. I know better, but I felt good, lost some weight, and did not like making breakfast. The consequence, I believe, cost me dinner and a concert with friends.

I wrote the blog in a bit of a rush. I had lunch with Scott, and Kate joined us. Scott and I used to be at Nike before we were retired by layoff. Kate, who is still working at Nike and IT, joined us. I arrived only a few minutes late. We talked about travel and some internal Nike politics. I cannot include much here, but it all sounded familiar, and I was happy to be traveling and not working at a multinational corporation. It was great to see Kate, and I again offered to play Dungeons and Dragons with her family when we can arrange a time.

I had a heavy beer and a Captain Neon Burger (blue cheese and bacon), but I ordered it with fries instead of a salad. My carb load was heavy, and I had not been careful. Metformin will make you sick with too many carbs, and I know that. But it is not the amount but the percentage. With a dark beer, huge bun, fries, and an empty stomach, I was just asking for it. Also, it was likely a grease-filled burger. The combination was not good for me.

After so much food, who wouldn’t feel tired? I did make the church meeting on Zoom and was able to contribute, but I was starting to feel off. I talked to Deborah for a while; she was done with work. I had to hang up and rush to the bathroom. While most of the burger stayed inside me, it was a most unpleasant experience, lasting for hours.

I was supposed to join Dondrea and Z at the MAX at 5:20 and then meet Ashley and Andrew at Jake’s Grill in Portland for a Christmas dinner. We had planned this for months and threaded it through various events. I tried to rise, but then the nausea rose, too. I could not risk the MAX–throwing up there is not great. If I had the flu, I would be risking people. I had to stay home. F**K! F**K! F**K!

I was nauseated until after 8. I had chills (I freeze now after chemo). I slowly recovered and had some yogurt and hot cider. I sent a picture to Ashley, Andrew, Dondrea, and Z at the symphony I missed wearing a top hat and toasting them with cider: “Merry Christmas! One and all.” I’m not sure what character I was in Dickens; while not looking at the part, I felt like Marley.

I read more of Clinton and Penny’s State of Terror book and really enjoyed it. It is hard to put down. It helped me ignore my tummy. The picture created in the book of former President Dunn in the book fascinated me (a caricature of Donald Trump). I am enjoying the story and the writing. Hillary Clinton tells a story created from her years as Secretary of State that Penny reveals with her usual excellent writing and poetic forms. I only wish they would write another one.

Sleeping is hard, and I can’t put the book down. I finally feel sleep building and turn off the light after 1:30. I wake at 6ish, reply to Deborah that I am better, and go back to sleep.

Thanks for reading!