It is a well-known phenomenon in medical school where the student believes they have whatever ailment currently being studied. I have puzzled over poop, in all its infinite shapes, textures, colors, and viscosities, more than I ever thought possible. I believed at some point I had a number of rheumatological diseases, diverticulosis, liver cancer, inflammatory bowel syndrome, chronic hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, Ogilvie Syndrome (don’t ask), kidney polyps, hyperthyroidism, and Cushing’s Disease (Lite). It is exhausting. To be clear, I have none of them. Maybe. Right now I think I have thyroid cancer, though it’s probably GERD, which we also studied. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing for your peace of mind.

Hello, and welcome to Series 18: Hawaii. I am surprised to be going back. It’s a lovely place, just very far away from the East Coast, which has closer resorts and beaches to dispose of disposable income. Maybe one day we will live on the West Coast and visit Hawaii all the time. Seems unlikely given the power outages, atmospheric rivers, fires, mudslides, earthquakes, housing prices, congestion, cost-of-living, rising heat … but you never know.

RBD has never visited The Aloha State, and this being our 16 year wedding anniversary she wanted to celebrate in style. The lady deserves whatever she wants, as living with me is surely a pain in the ass. Who goes to medical school when they’re 44? Dilettantes, that’s who. I should be earning real money, not feeling my necks for lumps and worrying about thyroid cancer.

We have some things to discuss. In the coming days I will briefly recap our February trip to St. Barts and also the spring semester of PA school, which has just concluded. We depart the mainland (God I’m so cool with my use of the lingo) on Saturday, April 19th.

If you received this post in your inbox and would like to stay subscribed, do nothing. You’re all set.

If this post was forwarded to you by a friend, feel free to subscribe at https://www.cleared-for-departure.com. It’s free. There you will find all past trips going back many years.

Click here to review the previous trip to Hawaii in 2021.

To unsubscribe — since how could you be friends with anyone who travels to Hawaii at a time when the U.S. government is disintegrating — see the links below in the footer.

During the trip, I will send (mostly) daily emails with commentary and photographs.

As always, thank you for allowing me a moment to interrupt your busy lives with my creative endeavors. I appreciate it very, very much.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Aloha.