Category Archives: Health

Biopsy Biopsy, What Do You Show?

Posted on October 30, 2018 by John Swinburn

My moderate fear about the pain of the biopsy procedure was unfounded. Except for the insertion of the IV line. The nurse who did it, Andrew, was abysmal at finding a vein. His multiple attempts were absolutely excruciating. I’m glad … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Health | 1 Comment

Stratosphere

Posted on October 29, 2018 by John Swinburn

Now I’m getting angry. Last Friday, I thought I had finally broken through the clogged pipeline of medical bureaucracy and gotten the biopsy scheduled. It was set for Tuesday, October 30. Tomorrow morning, early. On Friday, I was told to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Health | 1 Comment

Ear Noise and Forgotten Birthdays

Posted on October 25, 2018 by John Swinburn

I’ve never mentioned this to anyone. Not my wife, not my doctor, not to a friend. Maybe I should have said something, especially to my doctor. But for the longest time, I didn’t know what it was. I heard this … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 5 Comments

Mixed Emotions

Posted on October 25, 2018 by John Swinburn

I began writing this yesterday, but couldn’t seem to remove the self-pity from it, so I opted not to post it. I don’t think I succeeded in the removal with my edits and additions, either, but I’m posting it anyway. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Health | Leave a comment

A Simple Desultory Biopsic

Posted on October 24, 2018 by John Swinburn

If I’m not mistaken, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer is one of the best predictors of long-term survival. So I find it strange that medical professionals responsible for arranging for and scheduling tests diagnostic tests would not put a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Health | 2 Comments

Slivers of Fear

Posted on October 19, 2018 by John Swinburn

I felt slivers of fear as I awaited the doctor’s return call that never came this morning. There was not a damn thing I could do about the results of the PET scan that was done two days ago, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 2 Comments

Tuesday Talk

Posted on October 16, 2018 by John Swinburn

I don’t have the results back yet from yesterday’s stress test, but it wasn’t nearly as much of an ordeal as I remember from the last one. The treadmill about wore me out, but I could have gone on for … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Health | Leave a comment

More Medical Journaling

Posted on October 12, 2018 by John Swinburn

During my annual visit to the cardiologist yesterday, I revealed that I had been conscious of a reduction in my stamina when walking, accompanied by a slight burning sensation (without pain…hard to explain) in my chest. I told him, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Medical Journalist

Posted on October 11, 2018 by John Swinburn

I stayed home most of the day yesterday, expecting to get a call to schedule the P.E.T. scan and/or the biopsy, but I didn’t get the call. If I don’t hear anything by noon or thereabouts, I’ll call my doctor’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 2 Comments

Thinking Through the Fog

Posted on October 10, 2018 by John Swinburn

I’ve long thought that my wife and I both should have documented our experiences in dealing with her breast cancer fifteen years ago. I’m sure I’ve written, since then, about that time in our lives when our world was turned … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Mortality | Leave a comment

Surprisingly Calm in the Face of Mortality

Posted on October 9, 2018 by John Swinburn

Perhaps I’m waiting for confirmation of the doctor’s preliminary assessment—that I have a mass in my right lung that’s likely malignant—before I get nervous. Or perhaps the prospect hasn’t fully sunk in. Whatever the reason, I’m not panicking. I’ll wait … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Mortality | Leave a comment

Coger Veintidós

Posted on April 26, 2017 by John Swinburn

My first colonoscopy in a number of years will be performed this morning. I hope the exploration is uneventful. According to Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arkansas, the procedure is covered if they find nothing, as the procedure would be considered … Continue reading →

Posted in Greed, Health | 2 Comments

Border

Posted on April 13, 2017 by John Swinburn

A couple of days ago, I walked through the Border Cantos exhibit at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  By the time we were about to leave the exhibit, I was an emotional wreck. I could not walk out … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, History | Leave a comment

When Life Gives You Radishes

Posted on February 6, 2017 by John Swinburn

I’m used to buying radishes with wilted, sickly, and unappetizing tops; I lop them off and discard them. But what does one do when one buys bunches of radishes who greens are healthy, vital, and flush with life? There was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health | Leave a comment

Stretch

Posted on February 3, 2017 by John Swinburn

Coincidence. That’s what it was. It wasn’t a sign, a divine guidepost. It was no marker signaling the completion of the first third of a journey. It was just a coincidence. Happenstance. An artificial contrivance born of the juxtaposition of … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Mathematics, Resolutions | Leave a comment

Doctor, Doctor, Give Me the News

Posted on January 20, 2017 by John Swinburn

As if a nasty cyst in the White House weren’t enough, there’s one on my wrist. According to my self-diagnosis, based on extensive internet research (AKA a quick Google search), it’s a ganglion cyst. At least that’s what I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 2 Comments

Vitrectomy

Posted on November 7, 2016 by John Swinburn

In just a short while, my wife and I will make a trek to Little Rock with my sister-in-law for the latter’s eye surgery. She is having a vitrectomy to correct a macular hole. Post-surgery care requires the patient to … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Health | Leave a comment

Physical and Mental

Posted on September 16, 2016 by John Swinburn

Today, I’m using this blog as a journal. On my agenda this morning is a visit to my doctor for my annual physical, then a visit to Little Rock this afternoon with a friend. The first activity is routine. The physical … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Just Thinking, Nature, Noise, Ruminations, Sound | Leave a comment

Culinary Compromise

Posted on August 18, 2016 by John Swinburn

A few days ago, I posted about my love affair with food. I mentioned the dilemma facing me; namely, that I intended to go on phase one of the South Beach Diet, a diet that might be incompatible with my intense interest … Continue reading →

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Focus

Posted on August 16, 2016 by John Swinburn

  Rain has derailed my plans to take early morning walks, now, two days in a row. In my opinion, it’s Nature’s intrusion into such intended behaviors that makes treadmills appealing. I’ve used treadmills before, though I don’t own one and never … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Insomnia | 4 Comments

Food, Glorious Food

Posted on August 8, 2016 by John Swinburn

There is no question that I enjoy food; eating it, cooking it, serving it, even taking pictures of it. I realize there exists a thriving industry in mocking people who post photos of food, but that doesn’t bother me. I … Continue reading →

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Ill and Alone

Posted on June 22, 2016 by John Swinburn

My friend, Myra, wound up in a Lexington, Kentucky hospital emergency room yesterday. I don’t know just what led her there, aside from intense pain. I spoke with her last night from her hospital bed (the hospital admitted her) after learning of … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Travel | 1 Comment

Curses

Posted on April 3, 2016 by John Swinburn

Walgreens’ version of DayQuil and NightQuil may or may not be working; it’s hard to tell. If being unable to breathe through the nose, feeling as if my ears are filled with wax, dull headache, and regular fits of coughing … Continue reading →

Posted in Health | 1 Comment

Time to Feed the Cold

Posted on April 2, 2016 by John Swinburn

I spent the day yesterday battling what I thought must be allergies as we went to the races at Oaklawn with our very nice neighbors. This morning, I awoke to discover that I was fighting the wrong battle; I should … Continue reading →

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Voices and Memories and Energy

Posted on January 26, 2016 by John Swinburn

The last swallow of coffee is cold but, surprisingly, energizing. I look at my cup and wonder how I could have let that little bit of coffee sit, unattended and unswallowed, for so long. Ah, I know. I was writing … Continue reading →

Posted in Emotion, Family, Friendship, Health, Poetry, Walking | Leave a comment