One month without cigarettes

Today marks one month since I quit smoking (I had my last cigarette on April 15th).

Mostly, I'm fine with it, having substituted straws for smokes, and I am still on the 21mg patches (with the accompanying wild dreams). Soon, I will step down to the 14mg patches for a few weeks, followed by the 7mg patches, and eventually, no patches (that step I am afraid of).

I've been able to resist when around other smokers, and I've only gained 4 pounds (up to 416), so it's good so far. Most days I don't find myself wanting a cigarette, which is a real positive.

Medical check-up

Went to Interfaith today for a medical check up with my nurse practitioner. Weight is up 5 pounds since last month, at 417. She congratulated me on quitting smoking, and talked with me about the increasing fatigue, and the anemia, both of which are concerns, and may be related. She agreed to lower the dose of Abilify from 10mg back down to 5mg, which may be a cause of the fatigue. She also ordered a battery of blood work for the anemia, which she has identified as Normocytic anemia -- meaning I have lowered red blood cell count, but normal sized cells. White blood cell count and iron levels are normal. A colonoscopy will not be necessary, because the stool samples came back negative for blood.

She says she will consult with an M.D. about the anemia, to see if we can figure out what's going on, because I am frankly tired all the time.

She also ordered a battery of STD screens, which I ask for yearly.

Personas: An art show by Kelly Björk

Kelly Björk sent me this postcard for her show, "personas," of which I am a subject (I'm the bearded gent just above the "o").
The show will be at Digs (200 West Holly in Bellingham) from June 1-30, 2009.
Opening reception will be Friday, June 5th, from 6-10 pm.

Personas postard (front)

Personas postcard (back)

Bill Moyers on Afghanistan-Pakistan

Confused about the war in Afghanistan & Pakistan? Not sure who we're fighting? Can't tell the difference between the Taliban and Al Qaeda? How does India's relationship with Afghanistan impact the situation in Pakistan? What is the United States doing wrong and right in the region? And what does Kashmir have to do with it all?

Bill Moyers interviewed Juan Cole and Shahan Mufti on the Journal this week, and it was an excellent education for me in the geopolitics of the region. This is 30 minutes of TV that is well-worth watching.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/05152009/watch.html