Here's another shot of the cleaners' shop around the corner, taken Tuesday evening as I was walking home. When it's lit up you can better see not only the contents but the leaded windows and the mosaic doorstep.
And here's the electricity repair on our street as of yesterday morning. As you can see, they dug out the hole a lot more and installed that weird torpedo-shaped connector thing. (I believe that's the technical name.)
I got more news and info about my upcoming capsule endoscopy. (Feel free to skip all this if you're squeamish about medical/bowel stuff.) For one thing, it's not happening Friday, but Monday morning. Apparently we needed a little more lead time for preparation. Starting Saturday morning I'm supposed to eat a low-fiber diet (which I'm going to hate) and only liquids from Sunday noon. I also have to swallow a dummy capsule about the size of the camera, as a test to see if it gets through my body without complication (apparently virtually guaranteed). On the off chance that it gets stuck, it won't cause harm because it eventually dissolves. And Sunday evening I have to take bowel prep (ugh) but only one sachet, so it's not quite as intense as with a colonoscopy.
Then I swallow the actual camera capsule on Monday morning at the hospital, and I have to wear a little monitor all day to collect the transmitted photos. So as it turns out I'll be taking Monday off. The nurse says the capsule, which goes down the drain at the end of all this, is the size of a large vitamin pill. We shall see!
This whole thing sounds wild and although I am not looking forward to the prep, I'm very curious about the experience (not to mention the results).
On the plus side......you don't have to retrieve the camera thingy... Think positive.!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yeah, thank goodness. :)
DeleteYes, I’d hate the prep (although it doesn’t sound all that unpleasant) but would find the experience fascinating. The photo of the shop at night is charming.
ReplyDeleteI was bummed when they said I had to drink any of that Moviprep. Bleah. I thought with the fasting I might be able to avoid that altogether.
DeleteI always wanted to try this out - call me weird. Years ago, I've seen a "live" transmission once in a clinic setting of a camera travelling through the intestine, I am sure there are youtube videos, everybody (medical experts) was very excited. This is the future, they said etc.
ReplyDeleteI am the future! Or at least the present. :)
DeleteThat IS wild. At least it might be entertaining, following the camera's journey. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I can watch it? Or if the "receiver" is basically just a black box that only the doctor can access. I'm guessing the latter.
DeleteThat sounds far easier than having a camera inserted from either end!
ReplyDeleteI like the shop mosaic...a griffin? The shop looks far more inviting at night.
The shop owner told me it's a Welsh dragon, as on the flag of Wales, because the previous shop owner was Welsh -- but I think others have questioned that on my blog.
DeleteIt sounds like the prep is worse than the procedure and it's nice that you don't have to be "out" for it. It's just interesting -- the camera "dissolving." Or is it just the capsule dissolves and if so, how do they get the camera out? It's sort of fascinating, a little weird, and a lot sci-fi comes to life! All good wishes that everything comes out all right. (I can't believe I just wrote this; I'm better than that).
ReplyDeleteI really do love that cleaning shop. The architecture is lovely and I like their window display; it looks like a step back in time.
The camera capsule doesn't dissolve -- only the dummy capsule that I swallow as a preliminary test. The camera capsule has to come out. It is all very sci-fi!
DeleteI think you just described the 1981 movie Time Bandits by Terry Gilliam.
ReplyDeleteHa! A journey through...well, never mind. Maybe I could win an Oscar?
DeleteAm I in Spam again?
ReplyDeleteYes, you were!
DeleteWhat happens to Raquel when the Fantastic Voyage dissolves????
ReplyDeleteDon't think about it!
DeleteStunning leaded glass. Can you imagine the elegance of the original shop?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all these ghastly prep steps. Maybe you can save the photos!
Ha! I will not be blogging them. You're welcome.
DeleteI love the thought of this. My only question is would they let you keep the pictures or a picture as a souvenir when it is over?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone's ever asked?!
DeleteThat shop is like going into church, what with the mosaic threshold and the stained glass.
ReplyDeleteI know you're always interested in new camera scenes, but I think the innards series is taking it bit far!
I wonder if it makes you think of church because in the states, stained glass is almost always associated with churches?
DeleteBoud made me laugh. This just all sounds so science fiction and yet- here we are! I can't wait to hear all about it.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a lovely store front.
It really is bizarrely crazy. Swallowing a camera?!
DeleteGood luck with the camera capsule process, Steve. I wonder if you will be adding this video to your Flickr account! Sounds amazing really when you think about it. Hope it finds no problems at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lit up photo of those pretty windows.
I am very curious about it just because it sounds so space-age.
DeleteThat would be cool if you were able to view the progress of that camera. That being said...hear me when I say (raises index finger) your blog should stick to the pictures around you, not in you.
ReplyDeleteHa! I agree!
DeleteI love your name for that connector thing.
ReplyDeleteThat whole procedure sounds like quite an experience. It will be interesting to see the results. There are so many new medical innovations. Hopefully, this one will give you some answers.
It just so happens that yesterday I was given a heart monitor to wear for the next two weeks. That process has changed a lot over the years. They used to be things you had to carry like a shoulder bag with wires attached to the chest. This one is about a 1-inch round button that is taped to my chest. I'm not sure I'll be able to wear it for the full 2 weeks though. I'm allergic to adhesives and this one started itching last night.
Well, thank goodness you don't have to carry a bag around for two weeks. What a nightmare! I hope you can make the new one work. Does the sensitivity diminish over time?
DeleteNew technology. This is interesting stuff. In an old guy like me , they would certainly find may wrinkle through the system. Have fun and I hope they don't find anything...maybe a fart or two!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if our insides wrinkle? I've never thought about that!
DeleteHoly Smokes To Technology !!! Like WoW - Looking Forward To Reading More Here Brother Man
ReplyDeleteStay Strong ,
Cheers
I know, it's crazy, isn't it? As others have said, it really is like science fiction.
DeleteThe camera sounds pretty cool. It's a lot of prep, but at least you'll be able to put this behind you. The dry cleaner's is just lovely. All of it. Dry cleaners are a vanishing breed here, business casual killed the starched dress shirt with a tie. Jim used to send 4 shirts out a week, it was so wonderful when we could finally afford to send them out and not iron them himself.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we rarely send anything to a cleaner anymore. But I think if you work in some industries, like banking, you still have to look sharp.
DeleteI'm glad they're checking your small bowel. Cancers in the small bowel are rare but can happen. I can't believe they just flush it down the toilet, I thought the capsule had to be retrieved. It will be an interesting experience, no matter what. Do you get to see the photos at all?
ReplyDeleteI don't know! I suppose I could see them if I ask, but I doubt I could keep copies. :)
DeleteWe have photos of endoscopies from both ends of the body in our family photo albums. Good for a laugh (or gasp) when an unsuspecting viewer is thumbing through one.
ReplyDeleteWow! I have never heard of anyone actually getting their photos! Dave always asks but they always tell him no.
DeleteI could always take a photo of one of ours and email it to you. You've seen one, you've seen them all! 😂 (I hope you know I'm kidding...)
DeleteThat quintessential shop is dreamy! Olga's drem in previous post is also the best! In her dream she is a puppy and has rounded u all of the Heath squirrels! Success!
ReplyDeleteYour passion for cameras has taken an extraordinary leap! I do hope that they give you the video!
I didn't even think about her dreaming that she'd actually CAUGHT all the squirrels, but of course that would be dog Nirvana. LOL
DeleteI tried to come up with several witty comments regarding "the capsule", but there were already enough of them here. So I'll just say that I hope the results are good. Although it is somewhat ironic that they are sending a camera through such an accomplished photographer. Cheers! :)
ReplyDeleteActually, what troubles me most is the loss of the camera at the end of all this. It seems so wasteful. But that's one item I will NOT be rescuing.
DeleteIt does sound similar to colonoscopy prep, especially the diet part of it. (which I also hated) The results will be interesting indeed.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I just don't want to feel yucky all weekend. Argh!
DeleteMrs Harris goes to london
ReplyDeleteIt does look vaguely Parisian, doesn't it?
DeleteThis camera situation IS very interesting! I can't wait to see what they find out.
ReplyDeleteI hope nothing serious, but it will be an interesting experience nonetheless.
DeleteDoes the doctor live stream the capsule photos and review the results with you the same day? It all seems very scientifically advanced...except for the prep.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. He probably reviews it all privately, and they must have some way to do it quickly -- surely he's not going to sit through hours of video of my intestines!
DeleteI'd be anxious to see the results of the camera shots, I'd want to know as soon as possible if anything is going wrong in there.
ReplyDeleteThe little shop is pretty and the mosaic doorstep looks vaguely Vikingish.
I imagine if anything is wrong and visible, he WOULD show me the picture. Just guessing.
DeleteFor those who remember - Ms. Frizzle on the Magic School Bus. This would make a great adult episode. lol
ReplyDelete