Trading Juno for Hugo

We were planning a trip to Alaska this year (see prior blog post) but instead, we bought a pure breed french bulldog puppy, whom we named Hugo. French Bulldogs are known as the clowns of the dog world ... and Hugo delivers! For example, he loves to carry a squeaky ball in his mouth while simultaneously playing soccer with a tennis ball

We got him at 8 weeks old and now he's about 12 and we are having little success potty training - especially because he's too young to get all the shots he needs to go outside. I'm home during the summer and I've probably said "go potty" 2 million times - only for him to pee on the wee wee pad for a cookie and then hop off and go wherever he wants 2 seconds later. Hopefully outside training will be easier.

But despite that frustration, he is such a beautiful addition to our family. He likes to be carried cradled on his back like a baby, and no lap is safe if your sitting down. His grey eyes could melt an iceberg, and his prancing gait is more graceful than a reindeer's. So the trade was worth it. 

Carcinoid Syndrome Flushing

Flushing 

Not very pretty: melted mascara; mangled brows; sour-puss expression; no foundation, cover-up, or blush of any kind. But carcinoid syndrome ain't pretty. This is tell-tale flushing (which happened while relaxing on the couch - no rhyme or reason to it). My other symptoms are on high alert too. No one likes an ugly picture of them blasted on social media, but I made a commitment to be honest about my journey.

Carcinoid Syndrome Symptoms

Flushing feels hot and uncomfortable - like an internal, tingly sunburn. It starts on my cheeks by the bridge of my nose and spreads across my face and chest in a matter of minutes. For me, it usually happens in times of stress or when eating too much sugar. Lately, however, it happens for no reason at all. (I don't drink alcohol, but many have a reaction to that as well.) It is not menopause - got tested for that. Nor is it Lupus, got tested for that too. So it's not rocket science to put carcinoid cancer and carcinoid flushing together.

In the past, doctors have remarked how "good" I look... maybe now, with photographic evidence of clear flushing - everyone can get on the same page medically. Advice for zebras: gather as much evidence of fleeting symptoms as possible - you may just look too fabulous for doctors to consider you ill!

Admittedly,other than regular Sloan Kettering appointments, I've avoided my recent follow up visits with specialists. I feel a bit guilty about it, but sometimes you feel even more sick staring at yet another set of plastic chairs and fanned magazines on a faded coffee table, waiting to be called - only for the doctor to shrug and order more needles, more tests. But now it's time to get back on track and get my symptoms under control again

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