MY NOSE

Every three months for about a year I have felt this tingling at the tip of my nose. It lasts for about two days each time and then stops.

A few months ago I noticed that there is now like a tiny freckle where there was tingling.

Of course I thought either I have cancer or I am Pinocchio.

* * * * *

Some of you know I don't have health insurance, so I waited to go to the doctor. 

But this time the tingling lasted for three days, so I trudged to the dermatologist.  And this is what he said:

He's not sure what it is.

Cancer cells that are wrapping themselves around nerve endings can cause tingling.

I could do nothing, see what happens.

He could freeze it off with liquid nitrogen, I'll have a little scar for a few weeks, and that will be it.  But only if it's not cancer.

If it is cancer, and he freezes it off, it will grow back. That solution would only postpone the inevitable.

I could have it biopsied, though he doesn't do biopsies on the nose, he would refer me.

I could wear those Groucho glasses and ignore it altogether. (He didn't say that. He's a doctor.)

* * * * *

I told him that I would have it biopsied when I got health insurance.  That's when he said, "I wouldn't wait."

* * * * *

Even though I joke about it all the time ("I have a headache -- I have brain cancer!" "My tummy hurts -- I have stomach cancer!") I never truly felt like I was a candidate for cancer of any kind.

After my visit I was overcome by calmness and a sense of mortality.  I've been looking at everything more maturely and compassionately since the consultation.

I've made an appointment for a biopsy this Friday and will keep you posted.

* * * * *

xow

LMAO

I FUCKING LOVE SODA BUT I WON'T DRINK ANY TODAY

Happy New Year if you're reading this!

New things for my blog:

I will post shorter pieces, more often and without pictures, and my interviews will be only three questions.

I hope you're having a great year so far!

* * * * *

I started eating chicken again, but much less than before.  

I still don't want to eat it, but I had chicken soup when I was sick and that was a gateway to a wing.  And now I have some every now and then.

I didn't make any resolutions, because obviously I'm not good at follow through, but here's what I want to tell you:

  I will not drink any soda today. 

I love soda.  

I grew up on TAB, then drank Diet Coke, daily, for decades.

But I stopped for six years when I was told it was bad for my bones, being pre osteoporosis and all.  And it was EASY.  (So I'm hoping this will be too.)

But then I started drinking real Coke when I was on the road, in a club, for a kick before the show, just every once in a while.  Hey, at least it wasn't coke coke.  Like with nicotine, I was hooked right away.

And then someone introduced me to Coke Zero, and that's when the love affair started.  

So for about a year I've been drinking about two cans of Coke Zero a day.  I have even driven to 7-11 just to get some that was cold.  

But I am making a promise right now to myself for you to read that

  I won't drink any soda today.  

(Club soda is okay.)

And I will keep you posted.

And good luck with any newness in your life.

*****

Namaste!

LMAO
xow