You’ve probably figured out by now that I’m ill with something other than MS. I have a variety of doctors (internist, rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, orthopedist) trying to figure things out. This has involved several tests. And a lot of blood being drawn. (Fifteen tubes so far.) I’m still waiting for the results from the most recent batch (it’ll be at least 10 days) but as every single doctor so far, when faced with test results, raises his–yep, they’re all men–eyebrows, purses his lips, tugs his beard and says, “Well, that’s not unheard of but it is unusual,” I’m imagining the next consult over my labs will go something like this:
(Via The Spandrel Shop. Thanks, Angelique.)
That is, I doubt they’ll be able to label it neatly but they’ll be able to address some of the more egregious symptoms. (Don’t stand in front of the fan…) Then whatever this flare-up is will pass and I’ll get back to blogging about something more serious than hand puppets. But, hey, they’re such apt hand puppets! Yupyupyupyupyup!
Nicola Griffith 
Much empathy! I really hope they come up with a diagnosis (or at least a useful course of treatment) SOON.
If you're looking for more distraction, have you watched the UK kids' sketch series “Horrible Histories”? I just discovered them and love them. Two of my favorites are “Literally: The Viking Song” and “Dick Turpin's Highwayman Song”.
At least we live in a modern world of science and medicine. I shudder to think at what a witch doctor would come up with a couple of centuries ago. “The reason your sick is because of bad blood and demons! Send for the leeches!”
Oh dear, sorry you are suffering Muppet doctors. Coming off (hopefully) four days of being under the weather myself, I empathize. I dread that point where I have to think, maybe I should go to a doctor.
Nopnopnopnopnop!
Can empathise with you – I had much the same experience on my way to being diagnosed with Coeliac disease (celiac for Americans) last year. After giving at least 12 blood vials in each test and suffering from chronic anemia, symptoms of irritable bowl syndrome, dizziness, headaches, depression, rheumatic flare ups, and more (I'm sure you can imagine) – I finally got a partial diagnosis and am recovering slowly but surely on a Gluten free and wheat free diet with strong iron supplements. Still have bad days, but they are thankfully less and less now. Hope you get properly diagnosed soon.
Stephanie, I like those Vikings: literally! Ha.
-S, my mother had Coeliac disease. I'm sorry you had to go through all that but am glad you're recovering.
Hi Nicola (and also S); I have vivid memories of years of negative tests before we finally realised it was celiac (“we” being Brian Stableford in this case).
I hope all turns out well for you.
Farah, thanks.
I hate to add to your burden, Nicola, but have you been tested for celiac? It's genetic. My wife has it.
Hi, Nicola,
Heartfelt wishes for you to get better. I went through the Muppet Show rigmarole both in and out of Mayo Clinic. They finally suggested I was depressed. My beloved wife look them (yes, all men, too) in the eye and told them I would probably beat them up for suggesting it, but I did not have the energy to do so. I also gave lots of blood, did countless imaging sessions, peed in numerous cups, delivered bags of #2s (mushed it up well, I did!), and they still had no idea. Finally told them they were useless and found an awesome naturopathic doctor who has helped me more than all the fools at Mayo Clinic. I hope you find out what is ailing you, so you can move on to getting better and enjoying life.
Yikes! Sorry to hear you're not well. You must be feeling like a pin cushion after all those vials of blood.
…and at least the muppet martians managed to establish what the fan was and how it worked, even if they hadn't quite grasped the need to get out of its way!
I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.
Arg, feel better soon. I had countless vials drawn after my DVT and I know the feeling well. To think I was once frightened of needles, nothing like a crash course to get over it.
esmeraldamac, thanks.
ssas, I remember you telling me about the DVT. Needles: I have a deep phobia (and pass out) around IV stuff. It's not the blood. It's not the needles. (SubQ and intramuscular = no problem.) It's the veins.