Greetings,
Now, I have been going on a bit about the trials and tribulations which I have been facing over the past while. For the most part it is so I can express what is happening to me, which is something that I find difficult at times. The other part is so that those who are interested can keep up with what is going on. Anyway, enough of the whys and wherefores, on to the subject.
I have mentioned several conditions which have made my life a little bit more of a challenge of late. The purpose here is to state that even through all of that I am still fencing as much as I am able. One of the big things here is making myself go out and do it even if I really do not feel like it. This motivation is something that keeps me going realising that if I get off my butt and actually do something I will actually feel much better. This effect actually runs both in the short and the long term.
One of the things that I have been trying to do while dealing with the sarcoidosis is to try and keep relatively fit. Now, this is a bit of a challenge when you are down to 85% of your lung capacity, so I have dealt with this issue in the same way that I have dealt with the FM and that is doing what I can when I can. In this I have also been pushing things a little as well, but that is my nature. Essentially I figured that sitting around doing nothing feeling sorry for myself was not going to get me anywhere so I got up and did something about it.
The result, as I am improving it is easier and easier to get back into doing things just as I was before. I think without the motivation to get out and do stuff I think that I would be a lot worse off than I am now. Sure I am still not as fit as I was but I am a damn sight closer than I would have been if I had not done anything. So, in the choice between sitting around or doing something, my advice is do something, you will feel a lot better about yourself in the end.
Cheers,
Henry.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Update and a Small Rant
Greetings,
Update time...
Excitement plus as I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy on Monday... ahh the joys of recovery from such a proceedure. They may only give you a little anaesthetic but hell if it doesn't beat you around. Also had a headache for about two days straight, from a combination of dehydration, lack of food, oh, yeah and a lack of caffeine. Anyway, very much back on the mend... again. Results will not be exciting at all, was mostly just to have a look and make sure nothing horrible hiding.
Respiratory specialist seen today, things looking good. Will be continuing to reduce the prednisone gradually until I am off it. Lungs are clear again. Lots of good news on that front, still more tests to come to make sure it is all going well. Hopefully this means that I am well on the mend.
On another subject...
We have had some inconsiderate person decide that parking across our driveway. So we have called the police, and they are going to come and have a look. I am not sure that it will do anything, but we are following the rules. Sure we live next to a train station and expect some erratic parking but this is beyond the joke. So I don't know whether this is going to cause real issues but, the license plate of the car is a Victorian one, WPJ 108. You know who you are. If the owner of said vehicle happens to read this I have a message:
Try and think for other people and stop being such an inconsiderate individual. Parking across someone's driveway is inexcusable, especially as it blocks access by emergency vehicles to the house.
Cheers,
Henry.
Update time...
Excitement plus as I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy on Monday... ahh the joys of recovery from such a proceedure. They may only give you a little anaesthetic but hell if it doesn't beat you around. Also had a headache for about two days straight, from a combination of dehydration, lack of food, oh, yeah and a lack of caffeine. Anyway, very much back on the mend... again. Results will not be exciting at all, was mostly just to have a look and make sure nothing horrible hiding.
Respiratory specialist seen today, things looking good. Will be continuing to reduce the prednisone gradually until I am off it. Lungs are clear again. Lots of good news on that front, still more tests to come to make sure it is all going well. Hopefully this means that I am well on the mend.
On another subject...
We have had some inconsiderate person decide that parking across our driveway. So we have called the police, and they are going to come and have a look. I am not sure that it will do anything, but we are following the rules. Sure we live next to a train station and expect some erratic parking but this is beyond the joke. So I don't know whether this is going to cause real issues but, the license plate of the car is a Victorian one, WPJ 108. You know who you are. If the owner of said vehicle happens to read this I have a message:
Try and think for other people and stop being such an inconsiderate individual. Parking across someone's driveway is inexcusable, especially as it blocks access by emergency vehicles to the house.
Cheers,
Henry.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Living in a Land of Irony
Greetings,
So I am going to have a bit of a ramble on here about the latest lot of happenings...
For all those who read my last entry, I went and had the Respiratory Function Test on the Friday as planned. In the next week I got a phone call back from the doctor saying that the results were very positive. The result of this is that over the next several weeks I will be reducing my Prednisone. I count this as good news. The Methotrexate will stay at the same level for the forseeable (at the moment) future. Must be getting better... kinda.
Now for the irony... Sarcoidosis is an auto-immune disease meaning that the situation is that the body is fighting off itself. This means that the immune system is working over time. What this meant is that I was pretty much immune to most stuff for an extended period of time, which was neat, aside from all the issues which I have already mentioned. The irony strikes in that as I am getting over the sarcoidosis, the steroids I am taking are pummelling the hell out of my immune system meaning that I have more chance of catching something as a result. Like I said, irony get better and get worse almost simultaneously. I will be *so* happy when this is all finished. The ups and downs are annoying. Just thought I should put this one out there.
Cheers,
Henry.
So I am going to have a bit of a ramble on here about the latest lot of happenings...
For all those who read my last entry, I went and had the Respiratory Function Test on the Friday as planned. In the next week I got a phone call back from the doctor saying that the results were very positive. The result of this is that over the next several weeks I will be reducing my Prednisone. I count this as good news. The Methotrexate will stay at the same level for the forseeable (at the moment) future. Must be getting better... kinda.
Now for the irony... Sarcoidosis is an auto-immune disease meaning that the situation is that the body is fighting off itself. This means that the immune system is working over time. What this meant is that I was pretty much immune to most stuff for an extended period of time, which was neat, aside from all the issues which I have already mentioned. The irony strikes in that as I am getting over the sarcoidosis, the steroids I am taking are pummelling the hell out of my immune system meaning that I have more chance of catching something as a result. Like I said, irony get better and get worse almost simultaneously. I will be *so* happy when this is all finished. The ups and downs are annoying. Just thought I should put this one out there.
Cheers,
Henry.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Another Update... Fencing and other stuff.
Greetings,
Well, aside from the fact that I am feeling a little stiff and sore due to my big weekend in Adelaide I have some news which is making me happy. Yup, you guessed it, I finally have some good news, some of it is plain good some of it is, contingent on a little while down the track. I also have some of the usual business that I should talk about to get it out of my system.
Right, Adelaide....
On the weekend I went to an SCA event in Adelaide. This was to do some fencing with some good friends and conduct an examination. It was a little chilly there so I was a little concerned about my performance, especially with the rest of the baggage. Well, the Saturday I was flat. There is no other way to describe it, was moving and reacting much slower than I would have liked. I seem to have lost my "tournament-mode" somewhere in amongst the rest of the issues. I figure I will go looking for it when all the medical stuff settles down a lot more.
Sunday was much better. I had an examination of a Prize for the Guild of Defence within the SCA. Long story short, it is a group interested in the martial arts of the medieval and Renaissance period in Europe, based in format on the London Masters of Defence from the sixteenth-century. It has a structure not unlike Eastern martial arts with various gradings, which we call Prizes. The Prize on the weekend was for the Guildmaster level which is our highest rank. I was there to examine as a Guildmaster, and after a good warm up with a good friend (thanks again Caleb), the task was set and I fenced much better. Good to know that the skills are still in there.
Next, respiratory specialist...
My three-monthly check-up. Check-up on medications, with a few updates including my slightly screwy liver function tests, not dangerous, just screwy was the result. I have a Respiratory Function Test set for Friday, if that goes well the prednisone gets reduced... YAY! News with contingency. Plain good news, my lungs are C.L.E.A.R. Yup, no squeaks rattles or otherwise annoying sounds coming from there. Something I have been dreaming about for years. Asthma, what asthma?
Finally, mouth...
False teeth still being a pain in the butt. No change here. I have intentions of talking with my doctor about this one soon. Need to be able to have them in long enough to get used to them. Just another issue to deal with, but one of the more pressing ones at the moment.
Well, it is winter, so the FM is misbehaving a bit. Good thing is that fencing armour is warm so training sessions are a good thing. It will keep me moving and as per usual I will be doing as much as I can in order to achieve this. It is also good to have good students to help with this process, and luckily I do. All in all I have to say that with a few reservations things are finally beginning to look up.
Cheers,
Henry.
Well, aside from the fact that I am feeling a little stiff and sore due to my big weekend in Adelaide I have some news which is making me happy. Yup, you guessed it, I finally have some good news, some of it is plain good some of it is, contingent on a little while down the track. I also have some of the usual business that I should talk about to get it out of my system.
Right, Adelaide....
On the weekend I went to an SCA event in Adelaide. This was to do some fencing with some good friends and conduct an examination. It was a little chilly there so I was a little concerned about my performance, especially with the rest of the baggage. Well, the Saturday I was flat. There is no other way to describe it, was moving and reacting much slower than I would have liked. I seem to have lost my "tournament-mode" somewhere in amongst the rest of the issues. I figure I will go looking for it when all the medical stuff settles down a lot more.
Sunday was much better. I had an examination of a Prize for the Guild of Defence within the SCA. Long story short, it is a group interested in the martial arts of the medieval and Renaissance period in Europe, based in format on the London Masters of Defence from the sixteenth-century. It has a structure not unlike Eastern martial arts with various gradings, which we call Prizes. The Prize on the weekend was for the Guildmaster level which is our highest rank. I was there to examine as a Guildmaster, and after a good warm up with a good friend (thanks again Caleb), the task was set and I fenced much better. Good to know that the skills are still in there.
Next, respiratory specialist...
My three-monthly check-up. Check-up on medications, with a few updates including my slightly screwy liver function tests, not dangerous, just screwy was the result. I have a Respiratory Function Test set for Friday, if that goes well the prednisone gets reduced... YAY! News with contingency. Plain good news, my lungs are C.L.E.A.R. Yup, no squeaks rattles or otherwise annoying sounds coming from there. Something I have been dreaming about for years. Asthma, what asthma?
Finally, mouth...
False teeth still being a pain in the butt. No change here. I have intentions of talking with my doctor about this one soon. Need to be able to have them in long enough to get used to them. Just another issue to deal with, but one of the more pressing ones at the moment.
Well, it is winter, so the FM is misbehaving a bit. Good thing is that fencing armour is warm so training sessions are a good thing. It will keep me moving and as per usual I will be doing as much as I can in order to achieve this. It is also good to have good students to help with this process, and luckily I do. All in all I have to say that with a few reservations things are finally beginning to look up.
Cheers,
Henry.
Monday, June 11, 2012
More Updates
Greetings,
Yes, it has been quite a while. So I figured I should update what has been going on the past couple of months. To tell the truth there has not really been all that much happening. Lots of waiting actually. Anyway I might as well get to the point.
After much waiting and much annoyance, I have finally got my first set of false teeth. To tell you all quite frankly, look after the ones you have these things are really uncomfortable. Admittedly I have only had them for almost a week but my statement still stands. I am hoping that I will get used to them soon as I would really like to expand my diet again to what it should be.
Well, the sarcoidosis is still around, still being a real nuisance, and still restricting me in places. I am managing around what I can and can't do as I do. I have my good days and my bad days of course as with everything, but I think that the good days are actually starting to be more frequent than the bad ones. My fitness is still nowhere near where I would like it to be, but I am expecting that the further along I get with this the better things will be.
... And of course it is the beginning of winter again. This means that the FM is really going to start playing up again. Hell, it already has. In my case, as with the sarcoid it is a matter of doing what I can when I can and I am getting pretty damn good at that I can tell you. The combination of the sarcoid and the FM is really annoying actually, one slows you down and the other, well more nuisance lack of movement meaning it gets more annoying. I am finding ways around this, like pushing myself to get out and do more to keep the FM under check, the trick at the moment is doing enough for the FM but not so much that the sarcoid plays up. Anyway, only way is forward so I am going to keep going and improving where I can.
Cheers,
Henry.
Yes, it has been quite a while. So I figured I should update what has been going on the past couple of months. To tell the truth there has not really been all that much happening. Lots of waiting actually. Anyway I might as well get to the point.
After much waiting and much annoyance, I have finally got my first set of false teeth. To tell you all quite frankly, look after the ones you have these things are really uncomfortable. Admittedly I have only had them for almost a week but my statement still stands. I am hoping that I will get used to them soon as I would really like to expand my diet again to what it should be.
Well, the sarcoidosis is still around, still being a real nuisance, and still restricting me in places. I am managing around what I can and can't do as I do. I have my good days and my bad days of course as with everything, but I think that the good days are actually starting to be more frequent than the bad ones. My fitness is still nowhere near where I would like it to be, but I am expecting that the further along I get with this the better things will be.
... And of course it is the beginning of winter again. This means that the FM is really going to start playing up again. Hell, it already has. In my case, as with the sarcoid it is a matter of doing what I can when I can and I am getting pretty damn good at that I can tell you. The combination of the sarcoid and the FM is really annoying actually, one slows you down and the other, well more nuisance lack of movement meaning it gets more annoying. I am finding ways around this, like pushing myself to get out and do more to keep the FM under check, the trick at the moment is doing enough for the FM but not so much that the sarcoid plays up. Anyway, only way is forward so I am going to keep going and improving where I can.
Cheers,
Henry.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Movie Reviews
Greetings,
Ever asked what another person thought about a movie and got a reply which was less than what you wanted? Ever seen a movie which you enjoyed which was slammed by reviewers? This blog is designed to address some of these issues and have a look at some others when it comes to the subject of movie reviews.
Movies give us a glimpse of one person's imagination about what a particular world/reality is like, and it is important that in general it does not even come out how the writer wanted either. With regard to this we all need to appreciate the work which has gone into creating a movie and appreciate it for what it is. The prime example of this is where a book has been made into a movie.
All too often I hear the response with regard to a movie review that, "The book was better." This particular response is entirely unsatisfying for me in that a movie will never be as complete as a book for tow main reasons in my opinion.
Action movies are always a prime target for movie reviewers for criticism. The plot is seen as predictable, the characters two-dimensional, the dialogue to basic and the movie over-run by too many explosions and scenes of violence. If you go along to see an action movie, you are not there for some in-depth plot, you are there for the action. I mean that is why they are called action movies. The late 80's and early 90's saw great blockbuster action movies such as "Die Hard", "Rambo", and "RoboCop" to name a few. These really set the standard for what would be expected from an action movie. Sure there is some character development and so forth, but the action was the focus. You want something with in-depth plot and character development, don't see an action movie.
How many old movies have been recently re-hashed to bring them into the current era? Lots actually. Some have attempted to slip under the radar, but there are a lot of them out there. The first thing that needs to be thought here is whether or not to compare them with the originals. With regard to this they can and they can't be. The originals were made when they were so it is difficult to compare technology. Comparing the actors is much of the same issue. Comparing the storyline is a little more difficult, especially if the new director wants us to see something different. As with the book to movie comparison, I would appreciate each for what they are.
Ever seen a movie which you thought was great but all of your friends did not like it? In this instance you need to keep your own opinion and not be swayed by others. This is often influenced by popular media, reviews and other outside influences. People who are swayed into seeing or not seeing a movie due to the reviews which have been given by others usually are missing out on an experience for themselves. Each person has the right to have their own opinion, even if it is different to others'.
Ever asked what another person thought about a movie and got a reply which was less than what you wanted? Ever seen a movie which you enjoyed which was slammed by reviewers? This blog is designed to address some of these issues and have a look at some others when it comes to the subject of movie reviews.
Movies give us a glimpse of one person's imagination about what a particular world/reality is like, and it is important that in general it does not even come out how the writer wanted either. With regard to this we all need to appreciate the work which has gone into creating a movie and appreciate it for what it is. The prime example of this is where a book has been made into a movie.
All too often I hear the response with regard to a movie review that, "The book was better." This particular response is entirely unsatisfying for me in that a movie will never be as complete as a book for tow main reasons in my opinion.
- Pages versus minutes. "The Count of Monte Cristo" is a novel which is 1650 pages long. In order to cram this into a two hour movie a lot has to be left behind, indeed even to put it into a mini-series much has to be left behind. The same can be said for other stories which go from print to screen. There are parts of the book which will have to be left out.
- Imagination versus presentation. When we read a book the characters come off the page through a combination of what is written by the author and our own imagination. The director is somewhat limited with regard to this as he can only present what he is able to, and his imagination is no doubt different to the audiences'.
Action movies are always a prime target for movie reviewers for criticism. The plot is seen as predictable, the characters two-dimensional, the dialogue to basic and the movie over-run by too many explosions and scenes of violence. If you go along to see an action movie, you are not there for some in-depth plot, you are there for the action. I mean that is why they are called action movies. The late 80's and early 90's saw great blockbuster action movies such as "Die Hard", "Rambo", and "RoboCop" to name a few. These really set the standard for what would be expected from an action movie. Sure there is some character development and so forth, but the action was the focus. You want something with in-depth plot and character development, don't see an action movie.
How many old movies have been recently re-hashed to bring them into the current era? Lots actually. Some have attempted to slip under the radar, but there are a lot of them out there. The first thing that needs to be thought here is whether or not to compare them with the originals. With regard to this they can and they can't be. The originals were made when they were so it is difficult to compare technology. Comparing the actors is much of the same issue. Comparing the storyline is a little more difficult, especially if the new director wants us to see something different. As with the book to movie comparison, I would appreciate each for what they are.
Ever seen a movie which you thought was great but all of your friends did not like it? In this instance you need to keep your own opinion and not be swayed by others. This is often influenced by popular media, reviews and other outside influences. People who are swayed into seeing or not seeing a movie due to the reviews which have been given by others usually are missing out on an experience for themselves. Each person has the right to have their own opinion, even if it is different to others'.
Cheers,
Henry.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Now for Some Good News
Greetings,
Yup, you read it correctly, I finally have some good news with regard to my condition. In the early part of my diagnosis for sarcoidosis I was put on a waiting list for the ophthalmologist to ensure that the sarcoid was not going to affect my eye-sight. Well that appointment occurred recently and I have results already.
I went in, gave my appointment slip and was asked to wait. Joys of dealing with public health system I suppose. Didn't really bother me, I was smart enough to bring a book with me to read so I spent the waiting time reading. In some ways ironic really. After about half an hour I guess I my name was called by a nurse.
First test was the reading test. Same as you do at the optometrist. Read the lines first with both eyes and then with each eye singularly. By the time I got to the left eye singularly the nurse just told me to read as low as I could. In my case that was the bottom line. Admittedly the letters were a little blurred but I could still make them out just. I was not given the result just yet and was sent out to the waiting room again.
More waiting, more of my book read. I am reading Homer's Illiad at the moment. It is quite an interesting read actually, though it does get a little dry here and there. Not exactly a thrilling novel as one would expect from a modern author, but I digress. After about an hour I my name was called again, this time to see the ophthalmologist.
I was asked some pretty basic questions, about my eyes. Do I have blurriness, any pain, any issues reading (doctor noticed the book) and so forth. Then it was eye test time. Sit here, put your chin in this so I can look into your eyes. First one then the other. After a while and a couple more questions it was time for the dilation of the eyes. The stuff they put in your eyes is horrible, stings for a little while and then brightens the world immensely (what they did not tell me was that it would stick around for about two hours afterward and I would have to wash it out repeatedly). More light in the eyes and more looking.
The doctor was quite friendly and remarked on my cleverness about bringing the book to occupy myself. After the tests he said that I was long-sighted and asked if I had ever seen an optometrist, which I had. I had glasses for about six months before they annoyed me and I stopped wearing them. He was surprised a little and said that I should only worry about getting glasses again if my eyes ever bother me, other than that don't worry about them. I figured that it was from the first eye test for that result.
The first eye-test, the reading one actually put my eyes as very good. The fact that I was able to read the bottom line with only a little difficulty gave me a score of 6/4. Yup, perfect is 4/4. So long-sighted but perfect vision... BONUS! He said that everything was fine as far as my eyes were concerned but they would put me on a 1 year appointment list, just to make sure that the sarcoid medications don't cause any issues.
So, my eyes are brilliant. No issues there. What can I say, awesome to finally get some really positive news and something that I don't have to worry about. In some ways a bragging point with regard to my vision, considering the propensity for glasses in my family. Hopefully there will be more good news in the future for me.
Cheers,
Henry.
Yup, you read it correctly, I finally have some good news with regard to my condition. In the early part of my diagnosis for sarcoidosis I was put on a waiting list for the ophthalmologist to ensure that the sarcoid was not going to affect my eye-sight. Well that appointment occurred recently and I have results already.
I went in, gave my appointment slip and was asked to wait. Joys of dealing with public health system I suppose. Didn't really bother me, I was smart enough to bring a book with me to read so I spent the waiting time reading. In some ways ironic really. After about half an hour I guess I my name was called by a nurse.
First test was the reading test. Same as you do at the optometrist. Read the lines first with both eyes and then with each eye singularly. By the time I got to the left eye singularly the nurse just told me to read as low as I could. In my case that was the bottom line. Admittedly the letters were a little blurred but I could still make them out just. I was not given the result just yet and was sent out to the waiting room again.
More waiting, more of my book read. I am reading Homer's Illiad at the moment. It is quite an interesting read actually, though it does get a little dry here and there. Not exactly a thrilling novel as one would expect from a modern author, but I digress. After about an hour I my name was called again, this time to see the ophthalmologist.
I was asked some pretty basic questions, about my eyes. Do I have blurriness, any pain, any issues reading (doctor noticed the book) and so forth. Then it was eye test time. Sit here, put your chin in this so I can look into your eyes. First one then the other. After a while and a couple more questions it was time for the dilation of the eyes. The stuff they put in your eyes is horrible, stings for a little while and then brightens the world immensely (what they did not tell me was that it would stick around for about two hours afterward and I would have to wash it out repeatedly). More light in the eyes and more looking.
The doctor was quite friendly and remarked on my cleverness about bringing the book to occupy myself. After the tests he said that I was long-sighted and asked if I had ever seen an optometrist, which I had. I had glasses for about six months before they annoyed me and I stopped wearing them. He was surprised a little and said that I should only worry about getting glasses again if my eyes ever bother me, other than that don't worry about them. I figured that it was from the first eye test for that result.
The first eye-test, the reading one actually put my eyes as very good. The fact that I was able to read the bottom line with only a little difficulty gave me a score of 6/4. Yup, perfect is 4/4. So long-sighted but perfect vision... BONUS! He said that everything was fine as far as my eyes were concerned but they would put me on a 1 year appointment list, just to make sure that the sarcoid medications don't cause any issues.
So, my eyes are brilliant. No issues there. What can I say, awesome to finally get some really positive news and something that I don't have to worry about. In some ways a bragging point with regard to my vision, considering the propensity for glasses in my family. Hopefully there will be more good news in the future for me.
Cheers,
Henry.
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