Pete’s Musings

oh man, it’s been a long difficult road to get here. About 2 years. 3 different courses of treatments (over 8000 pills … just for the liver!). And lots of little blips and headaches. but my doctor told me to day that for the first time … all my liver enzymes are normal! That means that we’ve finally been able to find the right mix of medications to stop this disease from attacking my liver. Normal amounts of the enzymes that are produced when liver cells die. Read More »

I think I have figured out what has been going on with my health lately … I’m developing Cushings-type symptoms from my high does of steroid medication. Cushings Syndrome results from too much of the hormone cortisol into the body for long periods of time - Prednisone is a cortisol steroid. Symptoms include: upper body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, thinning arms and legs, bruising easily, skin healing poorly, severe fatigue, weak muscles, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, irritability, anxiety, and depression. The doctor described some of these symptoms to me before, but I didn’t realise how extreme they could be. Read More »

Really bored here of late. I have a few things to do … taxes, resume fixing, even some new video games to play. Don’t even feel like looking at them though. Need to get out and do something … was planning on a movie this weekend, but there’s nothing worthy of watching at the theatres as far as I can tell. What’s a out of University, single guy to do in the big city without being able to drink, eat tasty food, or shop? lol. Not much, that’s what! I should give my sole remaining buddy in the area a call and do something, but I have the feeling I would just bum him out too. :/ Read More »

My spirits got a substantial lift today during my weekly visit to the liver specialist. Based on the results of my last 4 blood tests, the medication and diet I’ve been following is definitely pushing things in the right direction. And with each step in that direction, the need for a liver transplant in the future is becoming less and less a possibility. I will always have this disease (AIH- autoimmune disease), but if things continue as they have been over the next year and eventually stabilize at a reasonable level, then I should be able to manage it’s effects for a very long time. Read More »

Geez, when I thought about doing a blog I expected it to be more regular! oh well, such is life.

So the holidays are approaching and I’m bracing for the worst. This will most likely be by first holiday season without any family or friends around … and yes, it sucks. I just renewed by job for another 3 months and am waiting for my paperwork to go through so that I can re-validate my visa (please don’t call INS on me!). Job was supposed to end December 31st, and now I’ll be staying on until March 31st. Should have talked with my boss about the job termination earlier I guess … but the truth is that I really didn’t want to work at this place any more! It’s been a little over 2 years as a Post Doc at Northwestern … and I feel as though I’ve got so little accomplished. A result of a poorly-defined project and a research group which is dysfunctional to say the least. These 2 things combined to kill any and all motivation that I could gather. Read More »