Frank Arrigo: Health

What's Been Happening?

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 10:06:14 GMT

Boy, it's been quiet here.

2 weeks ago I had been feeling crook in the guts - that's a technical term.

I went to see my local GP and he thought it could be appendicitis

Yuk. Appendicitis isn't a pleasant option. Especially since I had an overseas trip coming up

The next day I went and saw a local surgeon and he felt 95% confident of that diagnosis. Good Odds I guess.

So, off to hospital I went for an appendectomy

The next day, the surgeon came to see me and told me it actually wasn't appendicitis!

What The?

Now I have a big scar, no appendix and I still have a pain in the guts.

A few days later I am feeling better, but still in hospital. I suspected I had this.

I was discharged from hospital and went home to recover, which is where I am now and I haven't really been in the mood to blog.

Technorati tags: Appendicitis, appendectomy, Frank Arrigo

Feeling Poorly

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 06:04:51 GMT

I woke up this morning feeling congested and generally pretty poor,

Moira let me stay in bed.

I got up at about 4pm.

I'm still feeling average. I'm in need of some pseudoephedrine

On This Day : June 13

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 07:51:26 GMT

June 13:

1898 - Yukon Territory was formed, with Dawson chosen as its capital.
1935 - In one of the biggest upsets in championship boxing, underdog James J. Braddock defeated Max Baer to become the heavyweight champion of the world.
1966 - The Miranda v. Arizona ruling established the Miranda warning.
1971 - Vietnam War: The New York Times began to publish the Pentagon Papers.
1983 - Pioneer 10 (pictured) became the first man-made object to pass the orbit of Pluto.
2005 - Frank Arrigo (that's me) came back to work following an operation

Time: Inside the Autistic Mind

Thu, 11 May 2006 00:02:28 GMT

Fascinating coverage in the latest edition of Time, regarding the The Hidden World of Autism

Table of Contents
May 15, 2006

New Insights Into The Hidden World of Autism

Cover Story: Inside the Autistic Mind A wealth of new brain research--and poignant testimony from people who have autism--is lifting the veil on this mysterious condition
A Tale of Two Schools Early intervention in a well-run program is the key to helping autistic children reach their potential. A close-up look at two approaches
The Most Difficult Decision of My Life
Photo Essay: Only Connect
An inside look at the Celebrate The Children School for children with autism

I wonder if we will see this in the local edition of Time ?

UPDATE: I picked up the aussie edition today and it had this section in it as well!

One year ago today

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 04:42:03 GMT

I had my surgery one year ago today. It's really hard to believe it was only a year ago, the scar on my belly is a constant reminder of the 64 staples.

Here's a recap - @ home again, facing the inevitable, Incredible Shrinking Frank, It's official - I have a date with my surgeon, Post From DIARIST on my XDA II, surgery over, Unexpected benefit of MSN Spaces, big news day

So, how am I doing these days? Well, I'm feeling much better, that's for sure!

I have slacked off with my exercising for the last few months, which isn't good. I need to get back into that.I've put a bit of the weight back on, which also isn't good.

I'm taking some time off over the next few weeks. It's school holidays in NSW, so I need to help my wife wrangle the 4 kids. Well actually my 2 big boys will be playing with the XBOX 360 for the next little while, so I'll be wrangling the 2 little ones. The odds are in our favour - 2 adults to 2 kids. Or are they??

I will be posting photos to my flickr account of the holidays, so keep an eye open for them.

Getting Down to Healthy Business

Sat, 20 Aug 2005 01:00:47 GMT

My recovery from surgery has been progressing nicely. I saw my surgeon this week for my final check and he said that everything was going well. This is reassuring, as I wont need another minimally invasion examination for a while.

I've put on a bit of weight following my operation, following my dramatic weight loss earlier in the year, so I need a routine to help get the weight off AND keep it off.

Solution -- I joined a local gym.

I met with the folks there and we worked out a plan. I will go swimming at the pool 2 times a week, and I will do a 90 minute work out in the gym for another 2 days a week, with a rest midweek, AND I will continue my 30 minutes a day walk, which I had been doing in the morning.

This is all part of my rehabiliation, as well as establishing some new habits and routines. I've given myself a target to drop another 10kg in the next 4 months. I feel confident I can do this, without having to resort to The Hacker's Diet

Fillings, teeth and dentists

Sat, 25 Jun 2005 07:44:26 GMT

I was brushing my teeth rather vigoursly the other evening and a filling popped out. I went to my local dentist on Friday to have the damage inspected and hopefully get it repaired.

As I sat in the chair, I was amazed at the amount of technology he had available - he was using a poking around in my mouth with what looked like a handheld mini camera and was looking at the image on a lcd monitor above my head. It was really cool.

He then, somehow, had a model of my mouth and was zooming around in what looked like a 3rd vrml world inhabited by giant teeth, a tongue and a river of saliva -- OMG it was my mouth!. He showed me what the gap looked like, how my bite was affected and what the options were to repair the damage. It was like looking at a model of a soon to be built house, but it a visualization of my teeth and gums. Amazing.

I wanted a picture of it (so that I could post it on my blog of course) but he didnt give it to me. Maybe it's for the best.

Follow my progress on MSN Spaces

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 04:04:46 GMT

While I am in hospital, I will not be able to posting to this blog. Moira isn't letting me take my tablet with me.

However, I will have my XDAII.

What I will do is use the facilty of MSN Spaces, post via email and will detail my recover on my own MSN Space, with pictures!!!

It's official - I have a date with my surgeon

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 03:03:44 GMT

I saw my surgeon this week and we finalised the date of my surgery.

I go into hospital on Wednesday April 13th. The procedure will see me in hospital for up to 10 days, so I hope to be home for the ANZAC Day long weekend.

I've been debating whether I take my M200 to the hospital and signup with iBurst, but what if it interferes with the machines that go ping. I may just have to go offline for a while. This is the hardest thing I have to deal with!

To prepare for my visit to the hospital, I have to do the same stuff I did for my minimally invasive endoscopic examination, which is like drinking draino. Since I have been a liquid diet for almost 2 weeks, this shouldn't be too much trouble, but I am still not looking forward to Monday evening.

Incredible Shrinking Frank

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 06:26:42 GMT

One of the 'leading indicators' for my health problems has been my weight.

When I was admitted into hospital back in October 2004, I weighed in at 125kg (275 pounds/19.6 stones). The message was clear, drop some weight or things will get worse, a lot worse!

So, I started a simple regime that consisted of some regular exercise (walk for 30 minutes each day), adjust what I eat (increase in fibre, more veggies, less crap), and give up some things (my beloved coffee).

This change was for the good, and the weight came off. I was averaging a loss of 500g per week. My doctors were happy with the progress and I was feeling good.

I made it through Christmas and New Year, but then was admitted to hospital again. This time, I weighed 115kg (253 pounds / 18 stone).

Once I got out of hospital, I continued with the regime. I even went walking through the local national park with a work friend.

By the time I went back to hospital for my minimally invasive endoscopic examination, I weighed in at 105kg (231 pounds / 16 stone).

Last week I passed under the 100kg barrier and this morning I weighed in at 98kg (216 pounds / 15 stone). I cant remember the last time I was this weight. I think it was 10 years ago.

I probably have another 10 kgs to shed in the next few months, especially with my upcoming surgery, but at least we've dealt with one of those pesky "leading indicators".

@ home again, facing the inevitable

Tue, 29 Mar 2005 02:07:16 GMT

I find myself at home again today. I had a pretty crappy Easter – especially watching my kids devouring their chocolate eggs, bunnies and hot cross buns – while I was on a clear liquid diet.

I’m heading back to hospital for a colon resection in the next few weeks. This is currently in the hands of the scheduling gods, but it is inevitable. I will be in hospital for up to 7 days, and then I head home for my recovery which could take up to 8 weeks. Lots of TV/DVd watching, blog reading, podcast listening, book reading for me.

If you want to know more about my saga/exploits, don’t forget to follow it here on my personal blog.

Working Where The Sun Don't Shine

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 21:25:49 GMT

Surfing the TV on Saturday night we came across a show on the Comedy Channel that had this song.

Quite appropriate me thinks!

SONG: Working Where The Sun Don't Shine (The Colorectal Surgeon's Song)

We praise the colorectal surgeon
Misunderstood and much maligned
Slaving away in the heart of darkness
Working where the sun don't shine
Respect the colorectal surgeon
It's a calling few would crave
Lift up your hands and join us
Let's all do the finger wave
When it comes to spreading joy
There are many techniques
Some spread joy to the world
And others just spread cheeks
Some may think the cardiologist
Is their best friend
But the colorectal surgeon knows...
He'll get you in the end!
Why be a colorectal surgeon?
It's one of those mysterious things.
Is it because in that profession
There are always openings?
When I first met a colorectal surgeon
He did not quite understand;
I said, "Hey nice to meet you
But do you mind? We don't shake hands."
He sailed right through medical school
Because he was a whiz
Oh but he never thought of psychology
Though he read passages.
A doctor he wanted to be
For golf he loved to play,
But this is not quite what he meant...
By eighteen holes a day!
Praise the colorectal surgeon
Misunderstood and much maligned
Slaving away in the heart of darkness
Working where the sun don't shine!

www.bowserandblue.com

MP3 audio of quote/song (3.4 Mb)

My minimally invasive endoscopic examination

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 10:01:56 GMT

This week-end, I am preparing for a minimally invasive endoscopic examination.

This begins tonight, as l have to take these pills.

Tomorrow, I can't eat anything except clear liquids plus I have to take some other stuff which sounds disgusting.

Wish me luck!

New word - colorectal

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 02:15:59 GMT

I learnt a new word while I was in hospital recently - colorectal.

I had never heard it before, but I will be hearing a lot more of it from now on.

I did bit of poking around the web and found that there is a Society of Colorectal Surgeons in Australia. A society! How many of them are there??

These guys have a website and they even have a cute logo for their society - which I have produced here on the right.

The logo is a scalpel surrounded by these little brown things winding up (or is it down?) the scalpel. Are the brown things meant to represent anything?? Like maybe little spherical pellets of ..... (I realy cant say that can I?). They do on their website as they describe diverticular disease

Anyway, I am now learning way to much about this particular subject. Way much much more than I ever expected.

Back from hospital AGAIN

Thu, 13 Jan 2005 23:42:51 GMT

Yesterday I came out of hospital, after spending 6 nights connected to a IV for the treatmeant of my recuriung problem. Yes, I was admitted back in October 2004 for the same problem. You think the nerd god king would learn by now.

During my stay I took some photos with my "illegally smuggled into the room" XDA II. The funniest one was the Windows XP Channel I found when I was swapping channels on the inroom telly. How about the dodgy warning on the equiment and everybody's favorite the "NIL BY MOUTH" sign.

How many of you have had an IV? It's not pleasant. They stick in this thing called a cannula, which had a really long pointy needle, into a vein and then they add tubes, tape and god knows what else to complete the system. I had 4 different cannulas during my 6 night stay, as well as 4 failed attempts. My arms look like an Iraqi battlefield. The doctor who botched it all, who shall remain nameless but I know who you are mate, made a real mess of it all. I finally met the hospital's IV maestro who sole job is to look after these IV installations. He was the Jedi Master of intravenous cannulas. I never felt the needle go in, and in one fell swope he plugged me, taped me and was gone.

During my stay I noticed so many inefficiencies in the day to day business of treating patients - technology could really a HUGE difference and I am sure there are medical facilities out there using lots of great stuff. I hope NOT to stay in any of them in the near future.

Anyways, I am now out of hospital and sitting at home recouperating. I'm sitting in my bedroom, blogging, listening to music and the odd podcasts, drinking my 2 litres of water a day and looking forward to my next high fibre meal.