Heartburn and movies

[vaneramos]

Last night Jon invited Sylvie and me over for snacks and movies. I took along a couple of treats I had hoarded in case anyone dropped by during the holidays: some miniature filet mignons wrapped in bacon and a round of camembert cheese (which I must remember is a favourite of Jon's). We enjoyed these along with a glass of wine and a trove of chocolates he received over Christmas.

I have to watch those chocolates. The valve between my esophagus and stomach doesn't close properly, so I get chronic heartburn. Sometimes it isn't a problem for months, but then it starts to flare up and I have to stop drinking coffee for a while. I've hardly drunk any in weeks, but the problem has persisted. The only thing to do is ease back on other things that irritate it, like chocolate, fatty foods and most forms of alcohol (rye and ginger is safest). Self-restraint is harder this time of year. The stress of sharing a house with a troop of apes doesn't help, either. Lately, whenever it's time to return home from somewhere I can feel my stomach clenching up. I need to find more effective ways to relax.

A friend who has a similar stomach problem told him his doctor warned him the opening around the valve is getting smaller because of this condition. Lately I have been getting cramps down there whenever I swallow too much food at once. I have to be careful to chew thoroughly and swallow gently. I'm concerned I might have the same problem. It's another thing on the list of minor complaints for my next doctor's visit. It's strange having a body so resilient and yet sensitive.

So I had a few chocolates and got heartburn last night, but a couple Rolaids did the trick for a change. I have been trying to drink lots of water lately, which also seems to help. A glass of milk works well, too.

First we watched Bridget Jones's Diary, my first viewing, great fun. Then we watched the video of Dune I received for Christmas. Sting plays the perilous Feyd-Rautha. My parents and I went to see it at the theatre when it came out in 1983, and I had forgotten how awful it is. What a disappointment, based on one of the masterpieces of science fiction. When we picked Sarah up from work at 11:30, she said someone is working on a remake. Has anyone else heard of that? I saw the TV miniseries, which was far better than the movie, but this would be a good time for a remake. With uptodate special effects, this story would be stunning on the big screen. The characters are far more interesting in some ways than those in The Lord of the Rings, less heroic, more ambiguous and credible.

Jon had today off, and he invited me to stay overnight on his couch so we could hang out together today. His apartment was deliciously quiet and peaceful. Predictably, I woke around 7 a.m. and lay awake for an hour or so, but was so relaxed I drifted back to sleep until 11:30. I haven't had such a wonderful rest in weeks. He was tired of holiday visiting and needed the sleep-in, too.

He made a brunch of bacon and eggs, hash browns and toast. Then we watched a movie we both love, Gosford Park. Happy, happy, happy.

Comments

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

Bridget Jones' Diary will always hold a weird connotation for me. When I went with my ex (then-boyfriend) to the theatre to see it, a man two rows behind us died of a heart attack during the screening. They stopped the movie in the middle and everyone left the theatre while paramedics attended to him and took him out. We left before we found out what they were going to do as compensation for the lost movie...I was just too creeped out to stay any longer.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's bizarre. You should rent the movie sometime; it is a lot of fun.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

sorry to hear about your heartburn. i've been plagued by an acute case of that (GERD) since late last winter, am on nexium twice a day, plus sleeping propped up and trying to mind my diet. as for you, chocolate and coffee are triggers for me. what do i love most? chocolate and coffee. [g] i hope yours simmers down soon!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks for giving me the medical name of this condition. I actually don't know much about it. I looked up a couple websites and got some more information. This will definitely go on the list to discuss with my doctor.

[blue-by-you.livejournal.com]

That's sounds like a wonderful time, Van. Peaceful and fun both. And now I'm wondering if I have the same problem as you, with the esophogus. Tons of heartburn lately...

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I wasn't going to go into detail about it, then thought, "Maybe this will help somebody." The comments from others have helped me, too.

[eloquentwthrage.livejournal.com]

Isn't the miniseries considered a remake? I can't imagine it would be remade again so quickly after Sci-Fi treated it so well.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's a good point, but I wouldn't complain if someone did. A friend loaned me tapes of the miniseries, but I can't remember who or when, and I don't know when it was made. I have a poor memory for movies; I only recall the miniseries was well done. I would like to get my hands on it again because my oldest daughter is reading the books now.

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

i have GERD, too, Van, and my wife's surgeon(she recently had
her gall bladder removed)gave me one of the best pieces of advice
i have ever gotten from any Dr. don't drink anything
while you are eating. before, fine, after, great, but
nothing while you eat. even if you're eating soup. actually,
she was talking to my wife, but i thought i may as well try this
too, and it makes a WORLD of difference!

Vicki, you should try this too. i've been meaning to mention it
to you, but my brain has been hiccuping a lot lately.~paul

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Paul. I will try that.

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

yvw~p