When It Starts With A Coffee ....

 ... you know it is going to be a day. It is barely 9am and I have downed my cup of coffee this morning. Not that it is totally weird, but I don't drink coffee often, and my mug is one of those ones big enough to be 2. ...And now I see it is *really* going to be a weird day. I just did my numbers for the morning, and they are: BP 97/54, pulse 58, glucose 128. What do the numbers mean? Well, that's the lowest BP I think I have EVER had, and this one was after 4 readings. It kept coming up lower, so, even though it showed I had battery power, I replaced the batteries, and got this reading. and the glucose is about my normal range.

So the BP is a little lower than my average of 105-110/ 65'ish. Am I just that relaxed and lethargic this morning? Or is something going on? I don't know....

Things have finally slowed down a bit in the medical area of my life. With Mayo Clinic involved, and the doctors all  'stepping back', my appointments have almost disappeared. Seemed like a had a blood draw and a paracentesis and an appointment somewhere every week (I'm sure I'm exaggerating a bit). Either way, now I am doing the paracentesis once a week (this month on Wednesdays at 11am) and that's about it. Mayo has nothing for me until the 17th, when I do an online 'Zoom-type' education class about the preliminary procedures for transplant, etc. that Mayo does. After that, I'm just waiting on the list of places I need to go, and doctors I need to see, on the week of the 23rd. Liver, Kidney and PCP all backed off and I have those appointments in April (2 with bloodwork - always taking blood...). Kind of nice, but leaves quite a bit of time to think about things - and that is  sometimes a bad thing. My imagination can get pretty wild.

Got some reading done! Having forced myself to try again, I found I am able to read without the comprehension issues I was having before. I thin it may have been part of the encephalophagy, so good sign that the meds are improving that? I hope so... Either way, I got onto Goodreads last night and updated my  reading goals for the year. I thin k I mentioned I dropped it from 250 to 100 this year, since I was having the reading issue. I think it may still be hard to hit 100, as I can read and comprehend better, but still "tire" the mind fairly quick in a short time span. Gotta build up the endurance again! I know RM is happy about it, as I Am her "Reader Child", and enjoy books as she does. On a side note, RM, I found out this last week that one of my Riders is a published author! He actually came to me and was talking about it, versus me searching him out. He said he has like nine books, and gave me a list of six of them for now. So, I have a mission this weekend to locate one of the books and check it out. It'd be cool to know him, and enjoy his books! Plus, the author signatures!

I need to work on the meeting notes from this past Tuesday's House & Entertainment meeting. Shouldn't be too bad, as the House part was short, and the Entertainment was mostly confirming event issues for the upcoming 100th Birthday of the VFW Post at the end of the month. This Tuesday is our regular general meetings. Friday (3/13) is the Rider's Dinner night, and we are bringing back our Soup Night! Have several sign-ups (finally) and it is happening.

Welp, late last week, and early this week, the registration department at Banner Hospital has called me several times. The first was the usual every week call, to re-verify all my information for me, billing insurance, etc. Then they called back saying that I have reached my out of pocket with my insurance (I knew this) but still had a balance to pay at the hospital (of course I do, and I plan to pay it). They practically were demanding I do a payment plan with them, and not just a random figure, it has to be broken down over a 12- or 24-month period, so if I said $100/month, they were like no, and we arrived at a final figure of about $259/month for the time being. Their loss. Before, they were "requiring" a patient payment of $342 for each para I got (4 per month) so now they get $259/mo, instead of a $342 payment every two weeks. Huh, 250 instead of 684...hospital math?

Sigh. Seems that is all I think about nowadays is medical crap, and payments. Such has become my life at this time. It is even starting to interfere with my VFW work. And let's not even start about the job searching....

Think I covered most of what's happening around here. The Wife and I have our 35th Anniversary coming up the end of this month, and have pretty much decided that I would make plans. We are going to do a weekend in southern AZ, as I have not travelled that part of the state much. I haven't really been checking hotels in some of the larger towns like Bisbee, Tombstone, and Sierra Vista (near Ft Huachuca Army base) but need to work on it more. mostly looking at events going on at that location, or regular daily activities. Something new for the Wife and I to do. It has become sort of our goal after the Youngest graduated HS, and that is to try to get out more to social events/happenings not just in our area, but the Valley, or where we are travelling to/from. We've had some good ones, and some bad ones, but it was something we did together, and had not done before (some of them).

Welp, I need to close this off and shoot RM a text letting her know I posted something. Then I will get my stuff together and get out of the house. Have a prescription to pick up. Should run the car through the car wash. Then head to the VFW, where I will bring up my laptop and do the meeting minutes, and probably end of searching for our anniversary stuff as well.

PeacE

Resigned

 I think I have come to grips with many things over the past handful of months. There was all that uncertainty of health when all of this started. Then it was if my "affairs" were in order, and was I ready to die (yeah, that extreme). I struggled through those, and came to terms with it, no I just have to accept the transplant issue.

The two or so conversations I have had by phone with Mayo, I get the impression that I may not qualify for the transplant list, therefore, would just be treated the rest of my life for symptoms. Either that, or they sound jubilant to have another one under the knife... I jest. I know itis in their job to sound positive and upbeat about everything, including the dead horse.

Liver Doc said he is "stepping back" and letting Mayo Clinic take lead on my treatment and medications. I'm guessing they are much more trained for this than he is. I have an online 'Educational Meet' Mayo has for me on the 17th, and I am waiting them to contact me regarding dates, times, locations for the tests the week of the 23rd. I did have to designate 2 caregivers in my interview, so I picked the Wife and the Youngest, as they already live here. Youngest will have to attend a caregiver class at some point prior to the transplant (if I am getting one). He will then be in charge of driving me to all appointments, labs, etc. Hoping they have facilities/doctors affiliated on this side of town so I don't have to go to Scottsdale, but will do what I need to do.

Saw the Kidney Doc yesterday. He left it for regular three months lab workup and visit, to be sure the kidneys stay in good shape (they are now). He sounded like the transplant was already considered being done, so now I have no clue if I will qualify through my preliminary tests. So for now, Paras each week until I do the Mayo testing. Trust me, I wanted faster movement on this, too.

Still haven't heard from Disability, but it has not been 60 days min. yet. It could take longer, though my friend gave the impression it shouldn't.

Think I am off to get some hairs cut and hang at the Post. I did my Agenda today, so I accomplished something at least.

PeacE

Dive Right In

 It's Thursday. I am up early today - on purpose. I have the Liver Doc today at an early hour. Hopefully will find out if there is a game plan we are going to use, or if we are winging it.

Mayo Clinic had their phone interview on Tuesday. I will be doing some tests/appointments starting the week of 3/23 and be done within that one week. Gave me much more I am working over in my head.

With that said, you can imagine where my thoughts are this morning...

PeacE

Just Got Home ....

 ...from all the errands/appointments I had today. Well, the important ones. I still have a couple errands I could do, but I was tired and just didn't feel like being out in public. Went to the Kidney Dr's office, as I was scheduled for a blood draw at 8:30am. I was a bit concerned, as I had booked my Para today at 9a, though luckily, the hospital is literally right across the street from this doctor. But I went in early (7:40am) to see if I could get in and out faster - after all, it is just a blood draw. Well, as usual in my life, there has to be drama, or a snafu, or who knows what (I shouldn't tempt fate). The office had me for 8am instead (bonus!) so I was on time. However, the lab tech that comes in doesn't arrive until 8am, and then she has to prep her items for the day. Final verdict, I was first draw, and out the door by 8:20am and headed across the street.

Last week I had mentioned the standing doctors orders regarding my paracentesis. Ultrasound wanted clarification, as one line said drain max possible amount, followed by a line that said 10L max. So last week I took a copy to the Liver Dr's, explained what was going on, and the Doc called me late in the week. After conferring with another doctor there, they felt it best to do a 10L max drain from now on at this time. Albumin treatment to follow, based on amount drained. So the first thoughts were from the Wife and I both that the extra fluid left, would it accumulate faster, resulting in having to go more often, and possibly through the ER instead of a weekly appointment? One of the questions we have for the Liver Doc when I see him Thursday. The Wife will be going with to help me out with all the medical jargon, and to remember what to ask (if I didn't write it down somewhere). So they only drained 10L today, and I received three bottles of the albumin.

My PCP's office had called last week as well about some lab work. When at my last appointment in January, I had done one, and when my PCP called and went over the results, she asked for me to go back in and do one more, as there was one other thing she wanted to check. I wrote it as doing it like a week before my next appointment (in April) and explained that to the office. They went back to the PCP and no, she wants it sooner. So since I was fasting already, gave blood, got drained, I debated going to the PCP office, where I can just walk in for blood work. No. Not happening. I was nauseous as I needed some food. So I went to Jimmy Johns and had a regular tuna. Then off to the pub. I had a small pitcher of cola, and decided I needed to force reading back into my regime. 

Since September, I just have not been able to keep my concentration while trying to read. I found myself re-reading lines, sometimes pages, because I forgot what was going on. This from a guy that has like three books going on at a time... forgetting is not an option! But over the last week, I saw (and got) quite a few ebooks of series I have been reading, and I want to know what happens next, so I hunkered down today. I actually read about 4 chapters without any issues, before I put the book away. Only because I decided I was going to head home. I didn't feel like sitting there drinking soda for a three more hours before heading to the Post. So I just went home. But now I know I don't seem to have the same reading issues as before, it time to get back on track!

Oh! And even though they didn't drain ALL the fluid, so there is still some of that fluid weight, but I lost another pound over all....

PeacE

No Rest For The Wicked ....

 ... since I am not getting any sleep tonight. Sigh.

Here it is Thursday and I feel like I have a full day on my plate. Monday I had 13.8 liters drained, my Albumin treatment, did the bloodwork at the Liver Dr.'s office, and still made it to the Post for the Riders meeting - that only 5 of us were in attendance. Sigh. RM, so you know, 3/13 we are doing the soup night again.

Tuesday I woke (after a long night of not sleeping much) to just feeling miserable. Seems the day following a paracentesis, I always feel this way. Adjustment of the organs causes some of the discomfort and mild pain. They have to slide back into their original places since being displaced by all the fluid. So I slept a good part of the day, which I needed to catch up on. Nausea came and went throughout the day. Hardly ate. Monday I had weighed myself and I am down to 256 lbs. now. That's overall good, just not how I got there. Would love to drop another 20, and then hold fairly steady....

Wednesday, I spent the afternoon up at the pub, working on the minutes from the Riders meeting. I was already a day late getting it done (I had said I would have them the next day but didn't feel well). Got that sent to the Int. Dir. to review, he approved, and out they went to Riders tonight once I got home around 8pm. Then I started in on a project to collect Rider stats for meetings, rides, events, etc. They count as monthly activity to the District and State, and I presume Nat'l level as well. Our previous director was a Google Docs lover. Why? Does anyone really know why? I don't care for it. I have become more and more for Office, so I fixed/created our Roster/Attendance workbook into my OneDrive. Working on the sharing bit. Then we had a link that would take us into a Google Doc to answer questions about an event we are signing in for. This data is them collected and dumped into a spreadsheet, so we can easily track who does what, etc. etc. That is turning into a chore. Even using CoPilot, right now it requires much more typing and time than I want to spend on it. However, I may find another way to do it, so that is still in progress.

Thursday plans: Yesterday I set up with Kars4Kids to come get the Middle Son's car, finally. It took months to get him over here to sign the title at the DMV so we could have it notarized. Then I gave Youngest a couple weeks to get the remaining personal stuff, and mostly all the trash, out of said car. They reached out wanting to pick it up this evening, but I was not home, and the title/keys were not in the car. I'll put them in there first thing this morning and leave it unlocked for the tow. 

I have a feeling the better part of the day is going to be waiting on CVS. They are supposed to get that special prescription in at the store location near me today. The office said that the stores do not always call the people when the 'scripts come in, so I will wait until after 1pm, then head up there and see if it came in.

No other plans from that for today. I did my readings this morning (BP and Glucose) and all are in the good range. Time to take what meds I do have here. Then grab a bite of something for breakfast. I forgot to pick up milk, so I have a sticky here with that note taped to my phone, so I don't forget.

....and I am outta here!

PeacE

I'm Already Tired ...

 Today is a little more busier than most days for me. Got yet another paracentesis scheduled for this morning at 11a, The way I am feeling right now is that they are going to get quite a bit today. The pressure just feels worse than normal, or at least how it has felt that past few weeks. Will be making sure I get my albumin treatment as well. Then off to the Liver Doc's to have blood drawn for labs - appointment is the 26th. Then I have some off time before my Riders meeting at 6:30p. Yeah, I actually had calendar events today!

I just don't feel like writing today.

PeacE

Running Around

 Saturday. That's the day most people that work 9-5 jobs start in on catching up on rest, household chores, shopping, and all that. Not much different than a regular day for me, but <shrug> whatever. 

Got up about 9 - sleep at least 4 hours - and headed out solo to run "errands". Went by the car wash I have the monthly through, and they have been closed all this last week, and still today. I noticed their sign is down. Closed? Well, I went over to the only other location they have (it wasn't one of the large chains) at 5St & Union Hills and they verified that the one I go to was now closed. So I cancelled the monthly account I had with them. Then I headed back over to Cobblestone @ 35th Ave & T-bird and signed up for their basic wash monthly deal. I had to wait awhile to get assistance there, so today I got a free Platinum wash (their highest) for free, as I had to wait. No different than a regular one, but I'll take it.

Hit p the Walgreens as the Wife and I both had at least one prescription ready each. I did get an OTC anti-nausea medication that the Pharmacist should not interact with my meds, and it is aspirin-free, so should be okay for the liver. I'll check with my Liver Doc when I see him to verify 100%, but either way, right now I am using it. The last three days have been hell with the bouts of sickness, not being able to throw up but still dry heave, the discomfort of it all. I popped 4 of this OTC and within 20 minutes was feeling fine again. It says I can take up to 24 tablets a day... I'll carry some extras with me for now, but need to figure how long it lasts, or did the nausea go away?

Then it was home to drop the drugs off. That, and I really had to go pee. I set up a Home Depot account (will do one for Lowes sometime soon I am sure as well - we shop at both). The front bathroom needs a new flapper. I don't feel like walking around the store, so I made the account so I can do pick-up. Waiting now for the email saying it is ready, then I will head there to pick up. Then it will be off to Sprouts, as they have the Grillo's pickle de Gallo there. I'll get a couple tubs, and see if they have some regular salsa, non-chunky style for the Youngest. Need that to finish off the leftover eggs ol'e. BTW, RM, I forgot to actually cut up the sausage links, or to even get them out for when I made the Ol'e. So I will have to try that next time when I have more of the properly needed ingredients (read: baking powder). Then I will probably head down to the Post like most Saturdays. Not sure just yet.

Going to try to replace our hall light unit this weekend. The old one was a 'stand-alone', and the switch was a turn one on the bottom of this wall sconce-type light. No, no light switch for this one. I have the old one dangling from the wall right now, and the new one is here, I just need to unhook the old, hook up the new one, and secure to the wall. Then be done with it.

Fun Day...

PeacE

Working A Post A Day Early

 Trying to get the jump on Friday, so I am writing this post that will sit here until morning. Previous post was so chock-full of ramblings, I didn't want to add more to it. Saved it for today.

Let's bitch about prescriptions, insurance, medical facilities and doctors (again, and again, and again). 

Update: Last Friday, the gal from the Liver Doc called, I relayed the insurance company message for the office to  'send the prescription to the pharmacy'. So the gal went to CVS Special Prescription Unit (who'd ever thought this was a thing) and they called me Wednesday. Seems they got the request, and now the insurance wants me to call them before they will give the release. Sigh. Not again. Please.

I don't recall exactly what the insurance company actually needed from me, but after talking to them, they released it. CVS was supposed to call me back on Thursday, to get the information of what the insurance informed me. at 4:55pm I realized the lady from CVS had not called, so I called the number she had called from. I got to talk to a nice rep named Joe (aren't all cool guys named Joe, eh Hoosierboy?) and ... let us just say, this is a shit-show. 

So, the basics of how this works, CVS Spec. Presc. Unit (SPU) sends the prescription to my house (not like a normal pick-up in store) by UPS - which means I need to sign for it. I could set a specific day of the week between Tues-Fri for delivery, but I never know when I will be home to sign. They will now ship the prescription to the CVS near me, who will then call me and say it is ready. When I go in to the pharmacy, I'll have to sign there to say I received it. That works!! And it will occur every month (or until I am off it, whatever). He even said he shows no co-pay due on it, even though the insurance rep had given me a Manufacturer coupon to drop the cost, so even better. Now to see when I can get it next week. Only almost 4 weeks without it....

That being said, empty calendar for the weekend. Monday have a paracentesis, and also bloodwork to be drawn at the Liver Dr's office, and my Riders meeting that evening. Maybe this weekend I will post more about the new hobbies and learning opportunities I am looking at.... stay tuned!

UPDATE: The eggs ol'e went over okay. I did a couple ingredient substitutions (small curd cottage cheese instead of creamed, and I couldn't find the baking powder to buy, or at home, so left it out). So it didn't rise up in the pan as it should have. I found it quite bland to taste, so needed to add some hot sauce to it. Wife and Youngest said it was fine. I wasn't expecting it to be a super-wonderful, never-to-be-eaten again dinner, but if they at least like it, I can make it again later. I will admit, I had cut it into 'pieces' in the pan, and I only had one - before my body decided to reject it, and threw it up. I had fought with nausea all day, and still a bit this morning. My Sister and BIL are moving to New Mexico and leave this Sunday. They are doing a yard sale today and tomorrow, to get as rid as much as they don't have to take. I'll be headed that way in about an hour or so. Called Sis yesterday and said I would be by to look at tools the BIL doesn't need anymore, and have a chance to say bye. They will be gone the better part of two years, before possibly returning here.

Last night, at dinner and the rest of the night, that nausea was bad. I think I am going to stop at Walgreens on the way to Sis' to see if they recommend an OTC for nausea, brought on as a side effect of medication. At least, I'm pretty sure it is considering at least three have it listed. Anyways, I need to get off here and get a few things done before I leave.

PeacE

When Did Thursdays Get Hard?

 Man, I am beat and it is only 4:30pm'ish. I'll throw out why, and you can just call me lazy and wimpy.

Over a year ago, I started taking a edible gummy with about 10mg THC (or was it CBD?) to help relax me at night and help me fall asleep. These worked great for a long time, and because I didn't need to take one daily, it was affordable. My product was usually on sale twice a month for $18 for 2 bags (10 pieces each) so my normal order was 4 bags about every 5-7 months. Even though these seemed to work just over the satisfaction line, I did some looking for similar products that may be a bit stronger - not to "get high" or the munchies, but to put me in a deeper relaxation, or even knock me out. I found a bundle deal that these were D9 (some classification in the dispensary market) and stronger. So I bought them a couple months ago. Over the past couple weeks, I noticed I have been taking one almost every single night, late at like 12-1 in the morning, then another 1-2 hours for it to kick in... Now you see why I am up at 5am and just then trying to get some sleep - and end up sleeping most of the day away. So I have like 2 bags pretty full, and a third from the stuff from before, but I found another product to try. This one claims to be natural supplements. They only had strawberry (yuck) but it isn't strong. It says take 2 at normal bedtime routine. They also claim it is not a cure for chronic insomnia (which I am pretty sure I have some form of that). I slept last night from about 12am-8am. I still felt groggy and like I had not gotten enough sleep, but that's from days that I can't catch up on in one night. So now I have 4 cannisters of these new ones. They seem to work. Forty pieces per can, should last quite awhile.

Wow, all that to say I slept decent last night.

I did the morning rituals (pee, poop, wondered what day of the week it was) and sat at the computer. I have a morning routine I pretty much follow to the letter in regards to things I check when I sit here. If I have the time, I do emails (which can lead to other things to do) then FB real quick (try to avoid the Reels), then it depends on what I need to get done. Today, I had nothing on the calendar, so thought about what I was going to do today. Didn't feel like the Post. I know, I got RM's Eggs Ol's recipe, so I should do dinner tonight and make it. I put together a list of items that I know I needed to make it, then thought, well, I should go to Peoria Discount, too. So I did. The Discount is nice if you are able to find something you want/need, but you can't just go there like a regular grocery. After Discount, I called up RM, and went for a visit since I was on that side of town. Stayed longer than I meant to, but I was just tired, and was comfortable just sitting there. Finished my tea, and said I needed to go. Got gas, stopped at the Fry's for the food items needed. Texted the Wife, got a few more items to pick up for her (glad I remembered to text - she gets mad when I go to the store and not check with her). 

Then I went home. I unloaded most of the groceries. I have the box (Discount uses them instead of bags) with all the cold stuff out of it, that I will have Youngest bring in...whenever I see him. Not sure if he is sleeping or out of the house. Got everything for dinner, minus the baking powder. I could not find any at the store! And I WALKED THE WHOLE STORE!! Surely we have some here, as it isn't in many recipes these days. Or I'll just not add it and see what happens. I think it is to supposed to help the mixture rise better when baking, so it may be needed. Yes, I did buy snack foods for the Youngest and myself. I made sure I did not overdue it, but I had to get that bag of caramel something flavored Lay's chips, and the Cheeto's Flamin' Hot Dill Pickle flavor. They were out of my pickle de Gallo though. Thought I ordered some from Amazon, but I just looked and I did not, so need to figure something out. I got two bags of tortilla chips....

I'm worn out at this point. I just want to sit or lie down for a few hours - maybe a nap even. But, need to get stuff done. So I mowed the front yard (it needed it bad). By the time I was done, I was sneezing and dripping snot down into my beard. I guess so plant in the neighborhood near us, has some kind of  fuzzy spore and they coated a portion of the yard, then went flying into the air when mowed (like they should). Let's add in other pollens and dirt, and my allergies were to the point almost making it so I couldn't do anything. The trimming didn't get done. I was out of breath, fatigued, oozing snot, coated in dust and pollen, and sweaty (it is over 80 degrees here!). I put the cord and mower away, then got in the shower.

I never understood how people take those 30-minute or longer showers. I have always been a 'get in, get clean, rinse, get out. Today, it was different. I put it as hot as I could tolerate, did the wash/shampoo, rinse, conditioner, then I just sat there on my shower chair, letting that hot water rain down on my head, neck and back. I didn't want to get out. If I had a pool, and it was warm enough (the water) I would have just spent the rest of the daylight hours in there. That shower never felt so good.

So now I am in my PJs, doing little bits of projects I have all over the house. Some I can't move forward on until I have something, or something else needs to happen. No, I am not making excuses. I know there are some stuff here that don't fit that criteria, but it just isn't happening today. I'm off to play Warcraft and enjoy my V8 Splash Fruit Medley on ice.

PeacE

Wasted Day Pretty Much

 I didn't make it to bed until about 4:30am, and thin I finally dropped off at some point after 5:07am. Which led to me sleeping in until near noon, as my body was just beat. Tonight, I am up all night, trying to counter-act the sleep issue. If I can stay awake for most of tomorrow as well, I should get back onto the night sleeping fairly easy.

So, seeing as how I didn't get out of bed before noon, not much got done today. I ended up heading up to the pub mid-afternoon. Had a pitcher of soda, then was off to the Post for our General & Aux. meetings. A friend there, S, had gotten in mood today, and ended up cooking a load of tacos. We are talking handmade, tortilla over flame, stuff it, mold it, serve it up with rice and beans. Yeah, well, she said she brought like 60 tacos, and she wanted me to take a plate of them home for the Wife and Son - so I did. I grabbed a mix of the chicken and beef she made up. They were so good! I had like 4 just while at the Post! Wife was happy as she did not have to worry about supper fixin's. RM sent over her Eggs Ol'e recipe yesterday. I glanced at it briefly, scanned the procedure, and went on my way. This morning I should write out the list of ingredients I will need to get, as I need to check what we have here. I never know what food, seasoning, anything at times, that we have here, as I don't do the normal, regular shopping.

Tacos got me ordering from Amazon tonight. S had brought up some sauces for people to use for the tacos, and one was a brand name of "Melinda's" and was a green salsa Verde sauce. I put it on my tacos to try, and it is the bomb! I found out it is her favorite as well. Walmart carries it, but I am lazy, so looked it up on Amazon. I had some other items sitting in the cart, so figured I would just round things out and get the order in. Added some Grillo's Pickle De Gallo as well. Most of the stuff should be here before Friday. I think there was one package scheduled to arrive in about a week, but it isn't food, so doesn't matter.

Over the past few months, there have been so many physical and chemical changes going on with me, that sometimes, I just don't know what to think about it all. Not sure how they are related, but I am sure there are some common factors going on. The first thing I noticed, was my reading habits. I just could not pick up a book - ANY book - and have my attention stay focused for more than a few minutes. I find myself re-reading sections, or having to turn back to recapture what I had read, and seemingly forgot in 30 seconds. Might be the encephalopathy. I have spoken of my memory issues, so could be. My moods swing precariously. I am able to go from extreme happy and carefree to 'want-to-kill-you' angry in a half-second. This is something I think I notice more from abstaining from alcohol. I'm able to catch the urge to shift moods, and do my best to avert it. Throw in the litany of nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness, cramps, a paracentesis once a week, and some old age, and I am a walking time bomb, I swear.

After the meeting tonight, I came home and the in the mail had arrived a billing statement from my PCP. Insurance hasn't paid yet, so I am not paying, but I went ahead and entered the DOS and billed amount, patient amount, etc. into the spreadsheet I am making. I whipped out the new Excel book, and actually found some information that is helpful, and I will use. There is a bit more in there that is more advanced than my skills at the moment, but that means I have about 1/3 of the book to learn new stuff from, and make my spreadsheets nicer. That Word book was pretty worthless. That's the problem with ordering without being able to put your hands on the book and look inside it.

Welp, I am going to get out of here, and go find something else to do. Lord knows there is a list somewhere of everything I need to do, and I hope I never find it....

PeacE

Advocating For Myself

 The Wife and I were talking last night, mostly about the medical stuff going on for me. Specifically the lack of the new prescription from the Liver Dr. and the fact that when I have a scheduled paracentesis, they aren't giving me the albumin per doctor's orders. It's sad when I have to advocate for my own care. I had to point out this morning about the albumin, which they apologized for, and of course, I received three bottles of dosage today. Nothing new on the 'scrip since I last talked to the lady at the office. For once during this whole liver debacle, I would like 30-45 days where my medications are all available, require no prior authorization or special orders, and would have a chance to work on my body! The last five months the dosage(s) has changed, or added more meds, or toke off meds, or .... Sigh. Just month and some for my body to know how the chemicals are supposed to work, and the doctor would be able to get a better "reading" of what is needed. Sometimes, I just feel I can't win.

I did have the paracentesis this morning, and the total drained today was 13.2 Liters (approximately 30 lbs.) and I weighed in afterwards at 266.0 lbs. I'm down three pounds since last Monday. I know I overate quite a bit this last week, too. Had potluck dinners at the Post Friday and Saturday, and you know you don't go home hungry from them! Plus, just at regular meals, I might have an extra snack during the day, or get seconds of dinner (if available). I was surprised to see it was actually lower. So, now I need to concentrate on food portions, and types (to eat healthier) to get the weigh to keep coming off.

I'm up on an all-nighter it seems. Tried to lay down around 11pm, but the body and mind just were not having it. I passed on taking an edible, as I don't want to make my body start to rely on it each night. It is an assisting aid, not the main thing. Played some games. Watched a couple episodes. Decided to write in here to get it out of the way for the day. Have a General Aux meeting tonight, so thankfully no agenda, nor minutes, need be done by me. But I do need to work on the Riders for next Monday.

No idea for plans today. It is Tuesday. I got RM's Eggs O'le recipe yesterday, and I may go to the store and get the stuff I don't have, and try to make it tomorrow night for dinner. I have a Prime Rib in the freezer I need to use before it gets freezer-burnt, too. Need to look up a crock pot recipe or something. Thinking about actually grabbing up that book on Word and seeing if it has anything I could use and learn in it.

PeacE

'Never Too Old To Learn' ...

 ... it's what "they" say. I don't know who "they" is, but I do know I have had to learn quite a bit of new things, out of my comfort zone, in just the last handful of years. When I was doing data breaches, it was ways to learn how to use excel better, to parse out information that is clumped together, and other things, like getting proper format for SSN, or zip codes, etc. Very few formulas involved - most were just tools in the program, but I had never been taught excel, and was learning as I went. I have used the program, but most times it was only replacing information in one spot, to print out another tab for like inventory labels. I didn't have to create anything. I know RM has mentioned many, many times about her reluctance to HAVE to learn something new. I think in her case, it was dealing with how to use PowerPoint and creating slides, etc. She had never had to do it before, so why now? But, in the end, it seems we end up learning something new.

My tale gets a little boggling from there.

A couple days ago, I knew I needed to get some sort of order with the medical bills and payments. I hadn't filed taxes yet, and thought with the major costs from September through year-end, maybe it would be worth filing for the medical. So I had a pad of ledger sheets (literally, like from the '70s - it is colored from age) and I started with what paper bills/receipts I had handy. Normally throughout the year, I just pay online to my PCP, and I don't keep receipts for the prescriptions (as a rule) and then there was the slew of email receipts, balance dues, etc. I don't see a dentist regularly, and so I have no dental this last year. Wife does, but she didn't save her receipts, as we don't usually spend enough in medical to even consider using it. I guess with us getting older, we need to do better. So, I'm slogging away, mostly through emails showing payments made. Trying to guess DOS is near impossible. I have hardly gotten any EOBs to match up to any kind of DOS. My notes and columns on this ledger sheet were just all over the place. I got frustrated. What could be a better way?

Excel. This is one example of what the program was created to do, but one small problem. I don't know how to create the type of document I want, with formulas to do a running total, and a final total, headers, note areas... I know I am not going to sit through hours of searching on Google "In Excel how to ...".

A couple, maybe three, years ago I had purchased a volume on how to use Excel. It is called " Excel 2019 Bible The Comprehensive Tutorial Source" but this book was $35 of door stop. It's almost two inches thick but the content is so far over my head... This book is for the advanced, advanced user. I'm talking pivot tables, and more. It never helped me out at all. So I am leery about these 'help books'. But I found myself on Barnes&Noble.com looking at what is out there, and trying from a description of the book only, to determine if it truly is going to have what I need. That, is basically a walk-thru from newbie, then to regular user. I found something that might work for what I need. I thought, well, since I am at it, I could use the similar in Word, with all my minutes and agendas, plus policies, it could be handy to know how to do more than orient center, left, right, and underline, Italics, bold. 

The books came Friday. For $38 I got two books to teach me something new. Update maybe later  this week.

Wow, that was some drivel to work through, huh?!? It's Saturday night (actually early Sunday) and I am awake again. Edibles don't seem to be helping me get relaxed to sleep like before. Today I was foggy-minded again, and it just made things irritating. I had gone up to the Post tonight for a Celebration of Life. I noticed a couple times in conversation, I'd lose my thoughts. Often the one I notice is starting to do something, and forgetting what it was. Then I spend five minutes trying to recreate what I was doing for the thought to pop in my head again. Doesn't always work. The Wife makes fun of me when I am like this, when we are talking. I will pause and start searching my head for the word I wanted, and so I start saying things related towards what I am thinking, and eventually it comes to me. But she just giggles at me as I struggle to find the word. She knows if she were to jump in offering up words it would just frustrate and anger me. 

So the mind fog issue is a bother right now. That was the purpose of the two new prescriptions I got last month - to kill this ammonia-creating bacteria and help clear the ammonia from my system. But, as I know I said in a previous post, it's now been two weeks without one of them (the main bacteria killer from what I understand). Last week a gal from the Liver Dr.'s office called about this prescription. She was having issues with the insurance. I think I covered this previously... either way, she calls me up on Friday late afternoon, to ask me if I ever got an answer from my insurance about the issue. I explained to her I left her a voicemail last week, and I also messaged the information to the office through the patient portal. She hadn't done anything this whole last week!! Says she is going to try some other pharmacy, but I have no clue what the heck she is doing. Ins. said submit the 'scrip to the pharmacy, they will contact insurance. Sigh. More time without medication that is supposed to be helping me get better...

Speaking of getting better ... damn it, I just lost that thought. Give me a minute. Okay, so all these paracentesis procedures I get done (once a week so far this year) I found out that my doctors orders are for therapeutic purpose (for my comfort) but if more than 5 liters are drained, I am to receive a treatment of albumin, which I have NEVER received through one of my scheduled appointments. The only time I received it, was when I would go through the ER, because they saw the doctor's orders. So, albumin:

Albumin keeps the fluid part of your blood from leaking out of your blood vessels (the tubes your blood flows through) and into other tissues. If you don't have enough albumin, fluid can leak out of your blood and build up in your lungs, abdomen (belly), or other parts of your body. Albumin also helps carry important substances throughout your body. These include hormones, vitamins, and enzymes (proteins that speed up certain chemical reactions in your body).

So last week when scheduling called (again to verify all my info - really) I asked about the albumin. She confirmed it was in the orders, so I thought fine. I asked her to make sure it is noted to have that treatment ready for me. Monday: no albumin treatment. In fact, when I asked, I was told it had a not to NOT give an albumin treatment. <facepalm>. Scheduling called yesterday (for Monday's appointment) and we did the verification of info dance, we tangoed about what is my responsibility to pay as my deductible is surely met, and by my calculation, my out of pocket is almost maxed as well. Anyways, I forgot to ask about the albumin, so will need to do it when I go in Monday morning. If I can't get it this week, and the ruckus I may need to raise about a hospital being unable to follow a doctor's orders, doesn't get them to give me one, I'm going to be angry. Hope for the best D00d....

Well, my fingers are starting to cramp up again. I am getting tired of cramps all over as well. I used to drink pickle brine, and it actually works! But the doc has me on a low (or no) sodium diet. But I still drink some every now and then.

PeacE

Does It Truly Get Better?

 As I sit here at this early hour, I wonder if things truly get better. Or do things just fit into our plans the way we want, so we are happy - and sad when they don't. I don't know. I have been up all night unable to sleep. The encephalopathy is doing the mind fog stuff again, I guess. After all, the prescription I was just prescribed, given a week's worth of samples, and haven't had for over a week now.... you know, the one that is supposed to kill off the bacteria in the stomach that is creating the ammonia that is getting absorbed into the blood, and straight to my head. Wow, that was a long sentence.

After I finish here, I suppose I shall go lay down again, and see if sleep will come. I need up as the Middle Son is FINALLY coming over, so we can get the title notarized, and I can call Kars 4 Kids to come get it out out of the drive. Ugh, that will leave me with little excuse for not de-weeding that section between our drives. Before it was out of sight out of mind.

It's been a day. I started it off heading up the road to Sam's Club. I think I explained in a prior post, she is having me get the extra card on the account. I got in there, and had no issues getting it taken care of. Then, I had mixed feelings. I wanted to sort of 'walk the store' to look at what brands/items are in bulk, compare prices to what I remember seeing last I was at a regular grocery and yet, not really wanting to walk around that much. I walked. There was some of both good and bad, and the overall feeling is a CostCo with a different name. I did make mental note (oh! I should write it down now before I forget) of what pickle brands and types they had, and a few other things (see, already forgetting what they were).

From there I started down the road, and decided I would check a couple other grocery chains about the Boston creme pies for the Riders dinner. I ended up at Safeway (where I "read on the internet" they have it all the time) nothing was out on display. I asked, and they only make them if ordered. I ordered two for next Thursday (maybe). Of course, I walked around this store as well, because I was looking to see if they had the pickle salsa like my regular grocery. They didn't, but I found some spicy hot dill chips for a good price. Then had to check hot sauces (I'm on my last bottle). I grabbed a couple to try. And since I passed them, a jar of pepperoncinis ended up in a bag, too. Plus two bags of tortilla chips (already had them in hand when I found no pickle salsa).

Had the House and Entertainment meetings tonight. Went home after. Did a 'create your own' for dinner. Took an edible, but I have not felt any effects from it at all tonight. Bad piece? Doesn't mix/react with certain ingested foods/drinks? I dunno....

PeacE

Messed Up Sleep

 Sunday night I did not sleep well. Around 1am, I even took an edible, but it seemed to have no effect in helping me relax, or feel sleepy, like normal. In fact, I ended up watching TV shows until shortly after 4am, where I tried again to sleep, and finally getting there. Only to waken at 7:30a to get the day started. Needed to do the pills, measure the BP, the Glucose. And be at the hospital by 8:30a for my 9am Paracentesis. I wonder if that is the main reason I could not sleep - being uncomfortable. My abdomen was feeling more internal pressure than the past few weeks has been, and it was not comfortable rolling over, or any movement at all it seemed. This evening, I thought was planned out well - I was having trouble keeping my eyes open by 8pm. At 10pm I called it, and went to bed. I was out pretty quick. Then something woke me - suddenly, and made me wide-awake. 

I had to pee. So I get up to take care of this business, and realize just how awake I am. I go into the office, and realize it is barely 11:45pm. I slept maybe an hour? Oh, I'm feeling tired again already, but not the sleepy kind I was earlier. This is more of a 'realized fatigue' knowing my mind and body has to go through this sleep issue crap.

I have been trying to help out more around the house lately. Seems since all this medical crap started back in September, I have been doing more around the house: cooking, cleaning, yardwork. Most of it I leave to the Wife and the Boys, as I just don't have the energy (or the desire, or both). I did spend quite some time this late night perusing clips of crockpot meals. Some I want to try, so are just yucky looking, and others, I wonder why people would even make something like that.... I suppose now that I have a couple easy fix ideas, I may do a crockpot dinner again this week.

Speaking of food, I need to get to Sam's Club. RM and I were last talking about memberships, and she decided to cancel PT's card, and put me on under her account (he never uses his card anyways). So I need to get up to the one by my house and see if they can get my card issued to me, without RM being there in person. This would be nice for some of our dinner ideas and whatnot for Riders meals, as well as home stuff. The only negative towards it, is the more "bulk" items, which also means higher prices, and me with no room to put the extra "bulk" (especially if it needs to be frozen of refrigerated). Maybe I can get up there today, as I have nothing going on until my meetings tonight....

I have been trying this last week to get out into the yard to get some of the yardwork done, but have failed. Between appointments, not feeling well, and other events going on, I just haven't had the time. Maybe I can try to get out there this morning if I don't sleep in too late from being up late.

PeacE

And The Winning Lottery Number Is ....

 ... 12.2 Liters, because that was how much they drained out of me today. Roughly 27 pounds of fluid, floating around the abdomen cavity. Sigh. I weighed myself after as well, and my weight has gone up the past couple weeks. Today is 267.8 pounds. I admit, this past week, I had more days that were good ones, and I know there were more days where I wasn't so nauseous, that I could, and did, enjoy maybe a little more than I have been able to eat. But now it is back to watching the portions and foods. Having the Doctor basically put me on a low-sodium diet, has really brought out my attention to the foods we eat, and what is in them. We really need to get rid of all these chemical preservatives, colors, flavors, and whatnot... Another argument for another time ....

Not much on the calendar as of this point for the week. House/Ent. meetings tomorrow night, then this Friday is the graveside services at the VA Nat'l Cemetery for Marty R., whom I knew from the Post. I won't go for the service. But they are doing the Celebration of Life on Saturday evening at the Post, and I am planning on making an appearance, though am not sure how long I will stay. Don't care for the crowds.

Welp, it's short, but here.

PeacE

Is It Summer Already?

 This morning the Youngest and I are up at the butt-crack of dawn to take his car into the dealership. I had :called on the anti-theft package, and they are getting it done today. My drop-off appointment time was 7:15am (I wanted early in hopes of getting the car back today, as well as in case the Son had plans he needed it for). I am sure I was a sight this morning. Fat guy wearing PJ bottoms, bedroom slippers (you can tell) and fleece-type zip-up hoodie, ball cap and gloves. Yep, I said gloves. I got them before Christmas because my hands were just feeling like ice all the time. I am sure to do with my meds and all that. I didn't care. I only slept about 2 hours last night, so was planning on going back to bed once back home. No. Wide awake from the cold.

Typical plans are to head up to the Post this afternoon. At some point the car will be ready, and I'll have to get the Son and get the car. I'll probably be ready to leave the Post by then anyways. Tomorrow we are doing a Motorcycle Rodeo there, and I plan on being there pretty much all day. I'll jump in and help where I can, and otherwise just enjoy myself.

Have my Paracentesis appointments all set for February. I did find out that my standing doctor orders for this procedure state that I am to receive a treatment of Albumin after each paracentesis. They only time I got the med, was if I went through the ER. At my scheduled appointments, they are not giving it to me. So I will be making some noise this week. I know I saw my last lab work-up and my albumin was low. Bad hospital staff!! Not following doctor's orders!! What if I had gotten worse? Or even died? Losers.

Still dealing with the encephalopathy I notice. Frequently I may be sharing an anecdote to lead into something and forget where I was going with it. We all do that time to time. I also get where my mind just kinda, stops thinking and pauses for a minute. This happened the other day while I was driving and things were fine. I could function, it was just as if I couldn't form a thought though. Well, I got those two new meds to fight this, right?

Yeah... One of them I have been out of (sound familiar?) since Sunday. I did get a call from the Liver Dr's office about them trying to get the authorization for this med, but my insurance wouldn't speak to them at all? Weird. I called and was told to submit the script to Walgreens, then the pharmacy will contact the insurance, who will them do whatever about the drug. This was a "special order" they had to get from some separate facility according to the doctor, so the insurance is approving prior to them getting an auth? And now a regular pharmacy can get the drug? I'm confused. And I still don't know the cost.

Confirmation from SSA yesterday, confirming that I did a phone interview on 1/21 (just now getting the confirmation latter) and the answers I gave them. They state 200-265 days to process my claim to start disability. That over three months. And it could be longer depending n records they want and the time frame to get them, etc. I hope my friend truly knows a way to speed up the process. I'll talk to her this weekend, I think.

Okay, well, I think I have reached my share level this morning.

PeacE

I'm Messed Up

 I know many would agree to that statement, just because you know me, and have seen me do some weird stuff. Honestly, I think my body is just off-balance with all the changes in the dosage amounts, add this, stop that - I'll get there - then add in my body changing due to health, weight loss, and the meds. All I know is that last night, I realized I was a "Chatty Cathy" and just did not seem able to be quiet without blurting stuff (thoughts in my head) out loud to myself even. By the time I laid down, I felt somewhat like my body was on meth again. It's hard to explain, but just believe me. Had many, many cramps last night, but still managed around three hours. Cramps and bladder woke me at 3:30am, and I am just not tired enough to lay back down.

So some updates for you, as if my medical drama that is going on out here truly entertain you.... Yesterday was the weekly paracentesis, and 10.7 liters were drained. Was hoping this was decreasing each week, but not now. I do need to call today and set the appointments for each week in Feb. I met RM for lunch afterwards. We went to Black Bear Diner, and I had a BLT with fries, a side House salad w/Italian, and an iced tea. As usual, I really enjoyed the time with Mom one-on-one, and I know she does as well. Then on the way home, I decided I was going to make dinner using one of the crock pot recipes I had come across and saved. I swung over to Walmart to get the supplies (I didn't have all of them at home). Like most of us, I ended up spending more than I meant too, but they had long-sleeved, moisture-wicking tees marked down from $8 to $2 and wouldn't that look good on me under my Riders vest? Oh, and just some extra foods in general. The Wife needed her nutrition drinks, so that case was a bigger purchase. Looked at PS5 controllers, but at $80/each I'm not getting one for Youngest to use with the computer. Happened to walk through Jewelry walking through the store, and looked at watches. Found a nice one marked down from $23 to $11. Eventually I made the check-out, forgot to tell the clerk I had a watch up at Cust. Svc. on hold while I finished shopping so no watch. Might swing by today and try again - just for the watch. Got home, Son helped unload and I split up the spoils - that's dinner, that's other supplies I think we needed (or I know I did), here's you some soda and tea. Then I started on dinner, since it was nearing5pm or later.

The main ingredients for the dinner were summer sausages, cut  bite-sized, string hashbrowns, red peppers, green peppers, white onion then the mixers: Campbell's Cheddar Cheese, whipping cream, sour cream and shredded cheeses. I did a fiesta blend of the shredded, and also added some seasoning (basil, Italian seasoning, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and some ground black pepper. Cooking said 2 hours high, but ended up being about 3 hours, just in time for the Wife to get home. Wife and Son said they enjoyed it, but it isn't a super wonderful food to ask for all the time.

Pickled up some Grill-o's Pickle salsa. Oh so good. I only had a bout 5 chips worth to try it, and I like it. Good - enough leftovers for a couple bowls. Might be lunch today (dinner from last night - and maybe the salsa, too). I do need to call for the weekly para appointments. Need to call Hyundai as I received an anti-theft warranty from them (for Youngest's car). Supposed to be a software update, and an ignition cylinder protector. I just need to find a dealer and time to take it in.

Hmm, seems my mind is drawing some blanks right now - or is that part of my issues with short-term memory loss, or other parts of the encephalopathy. Hopefully will get tired in the next hour and lay back down.

Other good news: PCP called about my bloodwork. Since my Rybelsus is not going to be happening according to my insurance, my PCP decided to stop the Farxiga (diabetes med). Makes sense since I am not taking any diabetic meds now, to get a better true non-medicated status of my A1C in 3 months. She also said my cholesterol was good enough that to stop taking the Atorvastatin. So now I am down to like 7 meds daily now. Talk about chemical body changes - take this, stop that. Sigh.

That's all I got for now. I am sure there was more to share, I just cannot get it to the top of the mind to write.

PeacE

PeacE

Now I Am Too Busy ...

 I thought yesterday might be a decent day. Attended the District 3 meetings that lasted until about 12:30p (counting the lunch of subs/chips. Then I headed home. The Wife had gone into work today to try to get caught up on some of here paperwork, and didn't make it home until about 2pm - with lunch from Wendy's, so yes, I ate a chicken sandwich, gave the fries to the Youngest, and put the coke in the fridge for later. I was going to try to get some more yardwork done, there's so much to do yet. But I just couldn't motivate myself. My arms hurt. One from the shingles vaccine shot, the other from ache from the weed trimmer yesterday. Instead, I lay on the bed, and played crosswords for a couple hours.

Then I decided to get on the computer. The Wife's computer had "died" a few months ago, and we have not even really taken a look at it. Mostly because it is on the Wife's desk. We are talking like, hazard zone stuff. All over the place she has old paid bills, EOBs, investment accounts mails, miscellaneous diestrus that has just gotten piled up there over time. Most of it from her, before it quit working. Rather than suffer through a martyr speech about how she suffers to have to "clean her desk" when she has so much other stuff to get done....Grrr. I just started cleaning. I am not a quarter of the way through, and have done two bags of recycled paper stuff, and a trash bag of miscellaneous debris. The goal is to clear off her desk, and take a better look at the computer. It might be just a bad power supply, and I have another unit that is about the same age, the units maybe compatible for some parts. If not, I'll run it to Data Doctors, as they did me good last time.

Cleaning her desk lead into other things. With my Wife being somewhat of a hoarder, things tend to accumulate in all areas, and pile up. The Office is one such place, though she doesn't come back here much since her computer is down. But, started in on some of the beside the desks stuff, sorting. Two boxes for Goodwill, another 2 bags of trash and recycle, and over all, a little more space. What is bad is you have to organize as you go, and have no where to put anything, until you get through everything. I worked on that until midnight.

Slept good last night. Up to the cats making noise scratching at something that sounded like paper over on the Wife's side of the room. Went ahead and got up for my meds. BP 106/62 and Glucose 113. Think today will be spent at the Post. There are playoff football games, and I don't feel like working right now. I am sure this evening I will work on it some more.

PeacE

Welp, Something Got Done ... Sorta

" I woke this morning, probably around 9:30am, and thought to myself, 'Self, what are you going to actually get done today?' and self answered, 'I got some ideas." And so it started. Came into the office and got through the emails, the FB updates, my book searches and watchlists. Then I decided to do something. I went ahead and went to Walgreens, to get the shingles shot. I knew my PCP had okayed it for me, as it won't interfere with any medications, and I found out a few days ago, it is $0.00 payment to do it (preventative). I did not know, it was a two-part vaccine. I went ahead and did the first one, and the second can be done anytime after 3/20, according to the paperwork they gave me on it. Then I am done for life with it.

I figured, well, heck. All I have this morning is my handful of pills, and a gulp of juice. Might as well run on up the freeway five miles to my PCP and go get the blood drawn she wants to do. So I did. And a urine cup. By now I am a bit hangry, and thirsty, and sore! I know they said the vaccine shot could cause some arm soreness, but this is almost all my shoulder. I wave the arm around a bit, and kind of massage where I got the shot, and it backs off for awhile. Hopefully only a couple days of it.

Seeing how now we are heading towards the 11 o'clock hour, I determined it was time to eat, and plan my afternoon. Most Fridays I go up to the Post. Today I decided to do the regular, and on the way, stop at the gyro place I did for lunch yesterday. I didn't opt for the lamb or chicken (though I still want to try those) but went for the beef shwarma again. Then off to the Post. Sat out back and ate while watching a couple members spread that garage paint/epoxy over the patio area that they had not finished yesterday. The smoking area is looking nice now! Painted tables matching each branch of service, new looking floor paint. And they have plans to have a mural done on the back wall, but I do not know what design/image they want to do.

After a couple hours, and pretty much just a bit over one tea, I decided I was done there. Barely after 2pm. I just wasn't in the mood to sit there today and listen to the talk. Nothing bad, just wasn't feeling it. So home I went. What will I do next, I wonder....

Well, I have several things in the works. I did get the trimmer line, so I went ahead and loaded up the spool on the trimmer. Went out front, and geez, my yard is crap. Wife has flowers/bushes/whatever planted up near the house (which I don't like) and the grass around them, and about 3 feet out, is like a foot high plus in areas. Rest of the yard had been last mowed maybe a month or so ago? But it needs it again. Much of the Bermuda grass that grows here, acts like that crab grass, grows out, plants again, moves on. Had quite a bit coming off the yard around the edges of the driveway, as well as the crap growing up from the cracks in the drive. I did the front walkway (trimmed the edges of the walk to the driveway) and knocked out a section of the driveway that didn't have a vehicle on it currently. Then I put on the knee pads and got down to cut/pull/scrape the grass roots from the cracks to help prevent them coming back so fast. After awhile, I got fatigued. Didn't even get a fifth of the yard done, but tomorrow afternoon maybe I can get another hour or so out there, with help from the Youngest.

Tomorrow morning I will be up for District 3 meetings at the Post. Start at 9am (instruction and audit) then meeting from 10-12, followed by a lunch my Aux puts on for the District meetings as they are held at our Post. Last quarter it was pizza - maybe do some kind of sandwiches or pinwheels this time. I don't know what was decided.

I read over at RM's blog that she took today and Monday off from work. I didn't get a chance to reach out to her today to possibly meet for lunch, but it sort of sounded like she had things she was working on getting done while off today. I should reach out and see about Monday for lunch. Gotta figure out where though. Sunday is clear for me. Monday is another paracentesis in the morning. The rest of the week has no doctor appointments, bloodwork, VFW meetings, or anything else I know of. First week since September I think, that has been that clear.

Had to go back and read a couple posts put up recently. My Rybelsus (diabetic medicine) issue with the insurance and doctor. Well, Monday we did an A1C and it was at 5.3, plus the prior one I had (think September?) it was also 5.<something>. Seems the insurance no longer wanted to cover the medication as my A1C numbers had dropped so well into the good range. My PCP wanted to keep me on it until my next appointment (3 months) and re-evaluate, possibly remove it. Well, PCP emailed me, since insurance won't pay for it, and I have been off it already for two weeks, we will just see how my numbers are at the next appointment. So one less med already....

So this insurance coverage for facility for transplant... I know what Banner called and said. I tried looking online, but could not confirm through Mayo or BCBS if they were in network. It has to a "Blue Distinction Specialty" facility, and I tried looking again just now. I see some of those types of facilities here in the Valley, but none specifically saying for liver. I guess something to talk about with my liver doc next month - maybe I could get the prelims done at St Joe's instead. I don't know. I wish you could walk into the insurance and talk to someone face to face with questions about coverage for who and where and what. Same with the SSA. Or any Government place, heck, for many places.

And that is about all I have today....

PeacE

There Has Been An Unexpected Change ....

 ... to everything I do, it seems. The biggest one being the time at which I set out to do said 'thing'. With some of the bad sleeping nights, I may not get up from bed before 11am. Other days I am up earlier, but the getting motivated thing to do something... well, another story.

Yesterday I was at a decent morning hour. I had wanted to be up, gone to the Dr.'s (bloodwork in office), stopped by Walgreens for the shingles shot, and back home before 10:30am, the scheduled time for my phone interview assistance with SSA for disability. Well, I didn't make it out of the house in the morning.

Near 10:30am I got a call from Banner Transplant. This is the referral the Liver Dr. made for me, to have them schedule an appointment to see about getting preliminary tests, paperwork, etc. out of the way, in the event I need a transplant. I set an appointment (March was the earliest) and had to go as another call (SSA?) was coming in. 

Missed the second call, I think I hung up as I was trying to end one and get to the other. Call log shows it was Banner calling at the same time as I was on scheduling. So I called back, left a message in case they need more info from me.

Finally the SSA call came in (on time). As I sat here at my desk, I have medical reports, discharges, procedures and results, W-2s, birth certificate, my medical notes journal - I'm prepared to load them up with info, and to scan/send anything they need. Nope. Thirty minutes later I was off the phone, shaking my head at the time frame to be approved (six months). Six months? Hmmmm... I have a friend at the Post that works in a similar field. She does interviews to offer suggestions/decisions for continuing coverage for some other Government welfare-type program. She said once I got the app process started to let her know, and she knows of a way I could speed up the decision, due to my medical issue. I'll have to get with her this weekend.

Later on, I get another call from Banner, this one the hospital scheduling for my paracentesis scheduled on Monday. Registration and Admitting do not communicate, and their computer system that is there to link and share patient information is non-existent. So had to give her the insurance information (again). She couldn't check my current benefits, so asked to call me back. Sure. A short while, she's back telling me my insurance still says I have my full deductible to pay (true) so my patient responsibility for Monday is $1710. Just like the past three Mondays. I told them I would make a minimal payment ($500 like last week). That's settled for now.

Later in the day I get another call from Banner Transplant. Seems they are not covered through my insurance (yet Banner hospital is?) and it would all be out of pocket expenses (fat no). She mentioned that the Mayo Clinic is the only one in the Valley that is under my insurance. Okay, so I did leave a message to the Liver Doc about this, and also the prescriptions my PCP wants him to be in charge of the refills, dosages, etc. as it is his specialty. I did some looking online, and I cannot find through my insurance or the Mayo clinic, where they are participating with my insurance. This may be a fun one if I have to do a transplant, which no doctor has said I NEED or HAVE to have ... it's a 'just in case'. March would make my 6-months sober, and eligible for the list.

This morning, I was going to try to do the lab thing and the shot, but ended up sleeping until 10:30am almost. Got up, checked my emails, and was thinking what do I need to get done. Decided I was going to the Post to work on the Riders meeting minutes, and maybe the agenda for the House in a week or so. Made it to the carwash when my buddy J asked about doing lunch, with another of our friends, D. So we three met up. Tried out this gyro place over at 35th Ave and Greenway, NW corner, that had been there for years, like 15+ years. It never looks busy. J had gone there back earlier in the year and mentioned it, I just never made it there. Oh my! I got a Beef shwarma pita, with fries and a drink, for $16, and it was awesome! I was worried that there would be some weird Greek cheese or sauce that would permeate the food and I wouldn't like it ... I was wrong. I want to go back and try the lamb and chicken as well.

It was good to catch up between the three of us. Then I was off to the Post. Finished the minutes, emailed them out. Decided the agenda could wait until next week, in case new business comes up. I headed home about 4pm, and here is where you find me. Today's mail: SSA contact of my scheduled phone appointment for 1/21 at 10:30am. Right on time to remind me (snort).

Tomorrow I don't have anything on my calendar. I should get out front and work on the yard. I did get weed eater line for trim work, and an action rake to work on removing the grass/weeds in the section between the neighbor and our drives. Physical work. I see many breaks in my future (if I actually motivate myself to do it).

PeacE

I Don't Like ...

 ... so many things, but today I have that in particular is on my mind, or rather, my stomach. Waking this morning after a night of up and down due to leg cramps, I found myself just wiped physically. I had plans ... but that didn't happen.

Saw the PCP yesterday, and we played catch-up on stuff I have had done since late November. We discussed which doctor(s) are in charge of dosages/renewals of which medications. She okayed me to take the Shingles shot. She also wanted some blood. Seems every doctor I see wants bloodwork done. Sigh. She is having the staff look into the Rybelsus issue (still don't have and it has been two weeks). I asked if I could quit taking, as my A1C yesterday was 5.3, and it was under 6 last time as well. For two weeks of not taking it, my glucose numbers have stayed consistent. She wants to wait until our next appointment, and re-evaluate. Maybe one less med soon...

Rushed over to the hospital for the paracentesis. Drained another 9.5L and sent me on my way. As always after these procedures, I hurt for a couple days. The organs just feel like they are hanging in there without all the fluid pushing them wherever. Takes awhile for them to adjust back to normal. Also brings on some nausea at times.

Then it was off to the pharmacy. I picked the non-special order medication the Liver Doc prescribed. It is a liquid, that once it gets to the colon, helps as a laxative to help push out the bacteria causing the ammonia causing my encephalopathy. It says it takes 24-48 hours to begin working, but just in the last hour, I released a convoy of RVs sump tanks, and I think half my internal organs. 

Ran to the grocery store to get a select few items (yeah right). I joined a website that you sign up to try certain products, buy them at the retailer you choose, and enter the receipt online. They supposedly pay you back a rebate portion. So, I found 2 of the 4 items I was looking for, and a cartload of other stuff. I admit, I goofed. I went to the store hungry (fasted for possible bloodwork, which I didn't have time for). Anyways, went home and unloaded, then shortly headed back out to get my hair cut and head to the Post.

The Riders meeting went well. Interim Director had some great ideas, and the Chapter cleared up some unfinished business. Overall, I think we will be okay.

Today, I was going to get the bloodwork done, followed y a trip to the pharmacy to get the shingles shot, and a last stop at Lowes. Seems our bathroom toilet flapper wore out and isn't seating properly. Three minutes if that to fix, but need the flapper. After waking this morning, I pretty much knew I was not going anywhere today, even though I want to. My buddy J says there trivia night up at the pub he is going to now. Maybe later I will head up there. I don't know. I don't much care for sitting at the bar drinking soda, watching everyone else get drunk.

Tomorrow morning I have my phone interview with SSA for my disability application. Hopefully it won't take long, and I can get today's stuff done tomorrow, maybe.

And now you are caught up.

PeacE

Getting Into the Week

 Figured I might write this one up a little early. I have an appointment with my PCP at 9am, and I am planning on going earlier to see if she is able to get me in sooner. We will be playing 'catch-up' together as we talk about what has gone on since my last visit in late November. Also, updating insurance, medications I am on now, procedure results I have  (endoscopy results including the biopsy they took) plus any that are planned coming up. Which, at this time I do not have any excluding the paracentesis when I do them. I think I mentioned that after this week, I may try going to two weeks at a time, versus this one week. I don't think there will be much else for her to really address, aside from wanting to refer me to a cardiologist. Which I will do, once I got this under control. Actually, I should start now, since I am nearing the deductible limit, that way more of the year is not out of my pocket.

Anyways, so I have the PCP in the morning. No idea if she will want any bloodwork (they do it in office) so will be fasting. From there I have to head over to the hospital. Thankfully it is only about 15 minutes from the PCP. I have an 11am paracentesis (need to be there early for valet parking, as well as check-in). Heh, so here's one... At one point towards later November I think it was, I had a paracentesis scheduled. The hospital called me up to verify my information, insurance, blah, blah, which they should have already had on file like a trillion times by now... back to the point. Hospital called, and after verifying info, stated that my patient portion for the procedure is $380 (I think that was the figure). I said okay, as I was willing to pay it. But when I went to the appointment, no one collected it. Moving forward, this past week the hospital calls about my paracentesis coming up Monday, and tells me my patient responsibility is $1710 (haven't quite reached my deductible that I know of, but am so close that I am not paying this). I told her I couldn't afford that. They want to do a payment plan, and have me sign a contractual agreement for it. Again I said no. I am willing to do up to half the amount, as I want the insurance to catch up on the submitted bills, so when these hospitals and doctors log-in to see what my patient responsibility would be for a procedure, it is up to date. We will see what happens tomorrow.

After that, I have the afternoon free. I am debating heading over to RM's, but I know she will be working, and I don't want to sit with PT all afternoon. I joined a new website called Social Nature, and it is one of them shopping for items at the store sites. I told it what stores I shop at, and it brings up deals for products at those stores. I saw tonight it was updated, and had some salsas, and sauces in there, so I added them. Smaller product size - I think the largest is up to 16oz. Maybe I'll run by the store, grab these items, go to RM's, share one or two. I dunno.

Post opens at 4pm, so I will be heading there by that time. I do have a Riders meeting at 6:30pm there, that I am really not feeling like wanting to attend. Our Director has stepped down from the position (and his Trustee one with the Post) due to personal reasons, which I really understand. But I feel it leaves our chapter in a bit of a lurch. Still so new, we barely have members, let alone one that meets the requirements to be the Director (voting comes up in May). Our Vice Dir. will step up and fill the position for now, though he said he has no idea what he is doing. I told him I would help guide him. Our Post commander is supposed to be there at the meeting as well (he is our Treasurer for the chapter, too). That will help explain what is going on, and hopefully, give us some leadership guidance as to what we need to focus and get done right now regarding this situation. It will be interesting, but I still don't want to go.

Alright, enough from me....

PeacE

Wasted Day?

 Up early this morning. Seems the Wife had told me about an appointment, but I had totally forgot. So I guess her's is possibly the first one, as she says we need to leave by 7am. I'm only going because she asked me to. How can I say no after her going every time to the ER and stuff with me?

So, I am hoping that won't take long. I had picked up some weed eater line and an action rake this past week, and I was hoping to get some yard stuff done. I can do it, just tire out a little faster, and need more breaks. I might be too sleepy tired after the appointment, I may come home and go back to bed. Then I will end up sleeping until afternoon, when it will feel too late to start anything on the yard. Yeah, see the crap that goes through my head.

No big plans this weekend. I am keeping an "eye" on how I feel over the next few days. Want to be sure this new medication doesn't do weird things (though the side effects on the paperwork weren't major). I really hope that the beginning of this week brings my insurance company to see the light and quit fighting my medications. Starting into two weeks with my diabetic pill (still). I have one to pick up (not a new one) and I think yesterday they said there were two not ready to dispense (<30 days since refill) and two with insurance issues, that I am told are between the doctor and the insurance. I just want my meds and get better. Nothing big.

Welp, almost time to go, so I am out of here....

PeacE

I Must Apologize ....

 ... to anyone that stopped by after reading the last post, expecting an update to my Liver Dr appointment. In my meager defense, I offer up that there was enough information and next steps, that I needed a bit of time. Time to let myself think about it, "soak it in" knowing this is my problem. And let's not mention the time it took to type it out on my phone to let certain friend/family members know. I typed it once, then pretty much copy/paste to everyone minus a couple personal changes in text. But YOU don't know... so, I'm going to lay it out here. Besides, I think it will help me focus on getting over accepting this is the solution, and get busy doing it.

1.) Dr. was happy the amount being drained at paracentesis "seems" to be getting less (at least over the last couple weeks or so). Still too much, and wants me to continue weekly. Most of that is for my comfort (the weekly part) but if I really wanted to, I could change my appointments to longer periods. After this coming up on on Monday, I pretty much reach my patient expense limit, and deductible. I found out, that my patient responsibility amount, to only the hospital for the paracentesis (not any doctors) is $1710. Each. Last year, they had me prepared to bring in a payment of $371, so I must have been at last years limit at that time. But $1700?!? Crazy.... but I'm going to keep going.

2.) New medications. The Wife was able to go with me, and we brought up some of my issues with "brain fog", short-term memory issues, and my "bad days" where I Am lethargic and sleep all day. Dr prescribed a couple more medications to help with that: Lactulose and Xifaxan. Lactulose is a laxative fluid that helps the body pull the ammonia out of the system, and help the body rid it by bowels, instead of urine. The Xifaxan is a stomach antibody to help fight the bacteria that creates the ammonia. Both are to help clear up the encephalopathy ("brain fog") I have been having for awhile. Lactulose is a special order prescription, so they contact me and mail it to me. Weird.

3.) We discussed briefly a TIPS procedure, that inserts a stent that helps direct some of the flow of fluids to the liver, to basically be sent back through the body. It reduces the pressure/stress on the liver. However, at this time the Dr wants to wait a couple months. With the recycling of fluids through the body, the risk for other issues coming from something in the fluid is higher (like a 2nd merry-go-round for a bacteria). I agree to wait a couple months for further discussion.

4.) Transplant. Oh boy. This is one I really do not hope I will need. Obviously it is more of an end-stage, and all those requirements, dotted i's and t's, and a viable donor is all needed as well. To even get on the list, one has to be sober for six full months (that will be March for me), and pass all their rules/requirements/tests. I am not sure what all is involved in starting that process, but that is what we are doing. The Dr said it is better to get the preliminary processes of the transplant out of the way, as if the need were there for a speedy transplant as soon as March hits. I ain't that bad off as of right now. But Banner University will be contacting me to setup a starting appointment for paperwork and the basics, and who knows from there.

Overall, my good days have been coming more frequently than the bad ones. Still having issues with fatigue (constant) and nausea (comes and goes - no pattern), and of course, the fluid build-up in the abdomen (hopefully getting better - as in reducing). Guess for now, we will see how these two new meds affect my system and go from there.

Welp, that's pretty much what all I can remember from my head. My notes pretty much have the same stuff. No idea what the Wife would offer up, as she catches important details I miss - that's why I take her to the liver doc. 

Until next time,

PeacE

Easy Day with an Edit

 Late this morning I have an appointment with the Liver Specialist. Followed by a blood draw in his office. Yesterday I was thinking, it will be done by close to noon, maybe RM could meet up for lunch at Red Robin. I texted, but no answer yet. I know she had an appointment today, as well, but not the time, so she could be at that right now. So, maybe today would not be a good day...it was just a thought.

At near 8:30am I woke from my cat nap to see that the Wife was still in bed. Thinking she had overslept, I woke her. I guess she is coming to my appointment as well. I wasn't expecting that. Well, she could join us for lunch as well - but no PT. I asked when she was going to tell me she was going, and she said she had. That she has the full day off work for this appointment, as it is one of the more important ones, and I had asked her since we made it last month, to see if she would go with. I never seem to know the right question to ask, or to give information that isn't specifically asked for. Plus, she'll help me remember until I can get it in writing (my med journal, or whatever). Cool. Added bonus.

After the lunch (because I am fasting, I will need to eat ASAP out of the appointment) I suppose I need to run by Home Deport and get some weed-eater trim line. Thinking about an "action rake" as well. At least that is what they call it. I call it a hole rake, or a loop rake. We need one to help get the area between our drive and the neighbors. It is only 4-5 feet wide, and from the street to the fence 20 yards maybe? Well, the neighbor had some hard times, and ended up getting their house basically remodeled and re-wired. At the same time, being elderly I suppose, her Daughter and husband were moving in as well. She had her driveway widened a car width with paver stones. Only, it went over the existing drive as well, and now there is a 5 inch drop from her drive, to that strip of land between us. She complains if the grass gets over 4 inches, and that it 'trips her up' and we wouldn't want her falling on our property due to negligence. Half that ground is covered by the sand/soft dirt the work crews used when doing the drive (over a year ago) so I figure just scalp the ground. Eventually we want to lay some little river rock there. Work in progress.

Just got the Wife up. Need to leave here in about an hour to be there early to make sure they have my new insurance information. 

The hospital called me yesterday, regarding my appointment on Monday (paracentesis). They ran the 'patient responsibility' from my insurance, and gave me a figure I need to pay out of pocket for the visit. Mind you, this will be the third one this year already, and at the others, they could not access the site (or whatever) where they can look at my benefits and determine deductible/pt responsibility. It is basically $1710.00 for Monday's draining. Triple that, and that is just what I owe to the hospital facility already this year (not counting doctor feed within the hospital yet). Obviously, there is going to be a bit of a payment plan. Getting closer though, to the $4K deductible/$6K OOP.

Anyways, need to move on to some other things this morning. Watch for maybe an edit later, of what the doctor tells me. Or I may have to wait and figure some things out first. We will see....

PeacE

My Chemical Romance

 I don't know if there is actually anyone that reads this drivel, that would actually know the band in the Post title. Maybe have heard of the name, but the music as well? Doubtful. Either way, those were the first words I thought of when I sat down and asked myself what should the post title be today. Hidden meaning? Double entendre? Maybe a little of both? Well, let's take that short walk that was yesterday, and maybe you'll figure it out ...

Got up 8am and did the routine. I double-checked the SSA website, directing me to this particular SSA office, to verify address as well as they are accepting walk-ins. I don't get over to the NE area of Phoenix that often, and I still have no desire to do so. I was still a few miles away when - road construction. Three lanes into one, I'm still, literally, almost a 1/2 mile from the light (of several to go through). No, no, no. Took a side street, went up to the next main road and continued on. Got there in 5 minutes from there. Roll up to the SSA, seeing lots of cars and several people in the parking lot. Yep, surely they are open. Start to go inside, and am stopped before I even get to the security check-point by a gal handing out a flyer. They are NOT taking walk-ins. Physical interviews are for only extreme situations, otherwise you have to call some number and set up either a video, or phone, appointment. Sigh. I asked what the time frame for an appointment for the disability application process, and she said a few days. I sat there in the foyer and called. Robo-witch told me it was going to be a 30 minute wait. Nope. Not here. I left.

On the way home, a different route as to avoid all that construction, led me into ... more construction, just as bad. Finally got to 'My side' of town and picked up scrips for the Wife and I. Got home and made the call to the SSA. Forty minutes later, I have a phone appointment around 10:30a on the 21st. At least it is only a week out. So I am tossing all the stress/worry/angst over the disability filing out the window for right now. It is completely out of my hands until the 21st.

Attended the general Post/Aux meetings last night. I was pulled into several conversations before and after, regarding the Riders Director stepping down. I had no answers. All I heard were speculations. Either way, come Monday's meeting, I am sure I will be stumbling a bit as we try to see where the Director left things (gave me no paperwork of anything for the Chapter). I was a bit relieved to hear our Treasurer, who is our actual Post Commander, will be at the meeting, and will be much help in helping us re-focus. I also checked with the Adjutant as to monthly reports - as in finding out what ones we are supposed to turn in. I am guessing that is a role I will take over, since of the two reports, one is my minutes. Sigh. More work.

So you sorta see how my day went, which is a bot crazier than normal for myself. I was a bit frazzled last night. Tried sleeping for a couple hours - nope. Took one of my edibles, and I can still feel that thing working this morning. One of the scrips I picked up was for me, and was one of the ones I ran out of last week. So I took those pills right away. Still no Rybelsus. When I asked, was told it is between the doctor and the insurance. Just great. Sigh.

Popping some pills that I was off of a few days, while already feeling off-balance due to being out of 2 scrips, throw in the remnants of the workings of my edible, and all my medical in general.... yeah. It's Chemical alright.

Had an email come in late last night from the Daughter. It is that time again, and I urge you to hide. Girl Scout cookies are out for ordering, and my Doodad has already hit me up via text and email. Doesn't she know Papaw isn't supposed to have that stuff (the sugar-free ones are nasty). I am sure the Wife will be buying a couple cases, and taking many to work.

Welp, I think I got nothing else for now. You know what day of the week it is ... and I have nothing planned (I hope - need to check my calendar and notebook).

PeacE

PeacE

Quick Update - with an edit

 Yesterday was another paracentesis. Drained off 9.5 liters today. I weighed in afterwards and am down to 260 lbs now.

I am up somewhat early (for me) to head over to the SSA to see about getting my disability claim started. I wonder if I should call first... I dunno. It ain't far either way, and I need to go out to pick up  scrips anyways.

The Director of my Riders chapter has stepped down. I'll talk more about this later when I have more time to write...

EDIT: So I made it over to the SSA office. As soon as I walk in, I cannot even pass the security checkpoint, they have someone there TELLING everyone an appointment is now required, regardless what it says online. Sigh. She offered me the seating in the entryway foyer in order to sit and call, where I may get an appointment right away. I don't think so with my application....

So, after calling and finding out there is a 30 minute wait, I figured I would do it later today. Headed to Walgreens to pick up a couple meds for the Wife. Nice surprise they had 2 of mine ready, but only one was really needed right this minute. My Rybelsus... the insurance, doctor, and pharmacy are all fighting over giving it to me. According to the pharmacist, right now it is the round for the insurance and my PCP. All I know is, this is my main diabetic medication, and it has now been over a week since I had it. I wonder... I see my PCP in another week, and if my numbers are still down, could I just drop the rybelsus now? After all, we would have the numbers for at least two weeks without it. Who knows.

Saturday after our Riders Run, I had exchanged some small chatter in a group chat of some of us Rider, talking a bit about the day. The Director had asked how many, etc, and I had answered, then was distracted by other texts, msgs, etc. Last week, I had told the Director, and Asst Sec., that I would step back into Secretary at our next meeting as I was starting to feel better. Got an email from the Asst that she had left the Riders binder at the Post. I keep a divider bin with much of the physical paperwork for the Riders. She had it when I stepped down a couple months ago. I thought no big deal. I happened to go back into the chat group, and see that he Director had other texts Saturday I had missed - the last being he was stepping down from Director for personal reasons. Due to issues I have had with this guy, I don't know to be happy or not. Our Vice will step up until voting (May). The whole thing has already got people talking, but I am trying to stay out of it all.

Started the call to SSA prior to typing in here. I'm still on hold. Sigh.

PeacE

Ghost Hunts and Motorcycles

 I was browsing back through the few recent posts I have put up this last week, or so, and noticed From Friday night's goings-ons, I forgot to share the part of the night I thought was weird. So, you now have a teaser for that coming up in today's post. Probably followed with a bit of the day yesterday as my Riders Chapter did the Frozen Throttles Run. Then, like always, I think I will round it out with plans for this week. In other words, not much more than a regular post, and now you know all this is going to say, you can move on and quit wasting your time today.

Friday night was the "Ghost Hunt at the Post" event put on by the Post. I heard yesterday, that the whole thing was supposed to go until about midnight, but it was past 2am before it ended. Allegedly, no one that attended is talking about "who" or "what" they may have seen, so, is this true stuff? Anyways, earlier Friday evening, after having dinner with RM & PT, I was talking to Stace, as she had said she had an extra ticket for the Ghost Hunt part of the night. She was offering it up to someone else that really wanted to go (limited seating slots available) but turned out, she couldn't get a sitter last minute, so Stace offered the ticket to me. This is probably just a short bit before 9pm - Hunt starts at 10pm. 

Throw in a little backstory part - earlier in the week I had talked with RM and as usual she had asked about the Riders Dinner this week. I glossed over about what we were having, and I was hoping for more people due to the Hunt...which is where I got RM's "holy" look. Now PT & RM are ordained ministers. RM preaches at a couple places here in the Valley during snowbird season. I don't recall exactly what was said between us, but it basically me mentioning to RM to not start on the holy, spiritual thing of angels and demons, and psychic things like this are nothing but temptation to trouble. And she did not continue, but I knew what she was thinking. And earlier too, when I mentioned to the Wife about the Hunt (prior to me even knowing about the ticket) her words were "Don't invite anything home". How do you fell about that?

So, it's around 9pm, Friday night. Psychic is off doing the private readings people actually signed up for (ad paid money). Hunt is not for about an hour. I start getting a headache. One of those stress ones, that start on the neck and from the back, slowly envelopes your skull. I have been told to not take Ibuprofen and Aspirin and  Acetaminaphen (liver has to break them down) whilst trying to figure out my liver issues, so there is no relief that way. I just deal with it... as I did now. I switched my drink from tea to cola. About 5 minutes later, nausea hits - strong! within moments of that, my pulse kicks up, you know the one, that beats at your chest like it is going to bust through and you feel anxiety that speeds it up more. I turned to Stace, told her to give the ticket to someone else, I was out. I went home. I hadn't even gone 1/2 mile from the Post, nausea gone. About halfway home, pulse settles. By the time I got in the house, the headache had not completely gone, but faded to where it was more of an irritant than anything. Was I being manipulated to leave? Was I being moved to avoid something bad happening (let alone to me)? Just a weird story part to the tale. Yes, RM, I am sure I can figure out what you are thinking about it....lol.

The ride yesterday went pretty good I thought. Granted, this is the first one I have ever been on, and I was in my Rav, not on two wheels. We did KSU at 10am to a bright and chilly morning of about 43 degrees. We had 5 guys from our chapter (best turn-out yet) and three others along. We headed north to Prescott. There are a couple steep hills going north of the Valley towards Flagstaff. One of the riders started lagging as we hit the first one. Seems his bike was "just small enough" it didn't have the power to hold the speed limit (75) as it went up the hill. I stayed behind him until we caught up to everyone. We made out first stop (about 30 riders from all over were there) hung for a bit. They had a grand opening so had burgers and hot dogs with chips for free. It was still 43 degrees (there is about a 10 degree difference between Phoenix and our closest urban neighbors year round - Tucson, Prescott, Payson especially). Had a dog, and eventually we readied to move on. another group of riders from Chino Valley joined us as we went to VFW Post 541 Bucky O'Neill. First time there, as typical for the town, the place is well-worn looking, but comfortable. Hung out for a soda or two, and we were off again to Camp Verde VFW Post 6739. Nicer place, bigger, on a mesa so it overlooks a part of the Verde Valley headed out of town (pretty). Couldn't stay long as the riders wanted to be as close to Phoenix before full dark, so we hit the road near 5, and made it back to the Post around 6:15pm. Had a good day and enjoyed my time. Met a bunch of riders from different groups and places. So, for being only like the second ride run we have done, this wasn't bad I thought. ABATE of AZ sponsored with us, so I know getting the word out was more them than us.

This week: Paracentesis on Monday. Liver Specialist on Thursday, followed with bloodwork for his office. Medically, that's all I have. Tuesday (I should) need to get over to SSN to get that Disability paperwork started. Joy. I think that is about all I got off the top of my head this morning.

PeacE