Monster Soup

Hey, Bo, that’s a nice piece of fluorite you have there.

Personal health news: I went for my annual physical last month, and again, requested a need for a colonoscopy. I have a family history of polyps and cancer in that area, and I’ve been wanting to get one done for a few years now. Last year, I was talked out of it (with it being 15k for the uninsured), instead, my doctor placed an order for Cologuard. However, when the company got in contact with me, they said I needed insurance, if not, the test would be around $750. I thought I was going to have Medicaid soon, since I had someone who’s job it was to help someone apply, and I thought, “This is it. The 6th time is the charm.” But I was declined. So this year, I mentioned that to my doctor, and she told me that their office has an arrangement with Cologuard now, and I was given a free test. The results came back as Positive, which means something was flagged during the test, whether it is cancer or precancerous, I won’t know until I have a colonoscopy. (Even then, it could be a false positive, but with my family history, I doubt it.) I saw the results of the test on Monday. I called my doctor to discuss it and the next steps, but I couldn’t get a hold of her, so I left a message. As of today, I haven’t heard back from her. I don’t know if this is common or not. I wouldn’t even know about the result they if didn’t have their patient portal. The medical clinic I go to now is for low-income, and it has 2 out of 5 star rating, but this was my only option. I have been on edge all week over this, and at sometimes driving myself sick with worry. But I try to look at the good positive. If there is something, it is caught early. At the moment, I don’t have any real symptoms of anything going on, that I know of. I have a sister who has diverticulosis, and I’ve always wondered if I could have the same thing. I know I’m lactose intolerant now, but I’ve always thought I had IBS, though what if something else is going on that I don’t know about? Thus the need for a colonoscopy. I will go into so much debt just to stay alive, just give me the medical care I need. (EDIT: Writing all of this rehashed all of my anxiety and dread. The nausea is coming back.)

*sigh*

Other positive things… I’ve been looking for a new show to watch while I work on pages. (Some say it would be distracting, but I’ve worked on art like this for many years.) I think I’m going to watching Babylon 5. The only thing I know about it is that it’s sci-fi, but it’s on people’s lists as a good series.

✨ Page 20 ✨ is on Patreon for $1+ tiers, plus a bonus image of the page’s original sketch.