Another Free Weekend

 I only had one thing on the calendar for this weekend and that was the alleged AZ State Riders Convention, to be held at my Post. This whole thing is turning into a fiasco that makes me leery about all the changes coming down the line, and are we actually ready for it. It seems to me to be a bit of a rush job over the past few months to scramble around putting together bylaws that do not supersede the National VFW, etc. When I stopped by the Post yesterday for the first time in awhile, I was talking to the Adjutant (also a Rider) and the information he had was a date had not been picked for the convention, but still needs to be done before the end of June so we can elect State officers. So I am just going to sit on it and wait for official communication at this point.

Yesterday was a relax day basically. I was over the tiredness the sedation left me from the day before. I did my home group meeting, then went for a haircut, then down to the Post. I was back home by about 4:30, and spent the evening at home. My friend Stacey checked in on my yesterday via text as she had not heard/seen me since the about the Riders dinner earlier this month. I caught her up on my medical stuff. She and some others will be up at the Post tonight and asked if I was coming up. I said it depends on how I feel. Right now, I am not sure.

I need to get a new office chair for here at home. The kids bought me this one several years ago, and it has gotten to where the hydraulics on the seat won't keep it raised. Also the wheels are slowly breaking off. I am sure at my way heavier weight, it started the damage. Only about half the wheels are still on it. I've checked a couple Goodwills, but nothing there. I might need to shop Staples online or something.

Another 5:30 morning. I might as well just set my alarm for that time, so I can sleep through the alarm. I dunno. I wake feeling rested. That smart ring says I didn't sleep good last night, but I think I did - for what of it I did sleep. Checking my numbers this morning I see my BP is a bit low (95/56) so going to be taking things slow.

My Sister and BIL have driven in from New Mexico. Guess one of their granddaughters has a dance recital today, and they came back for that. I doubt that they, or I, will have time to get together as they are returning Sunday. I think it is about a 12-14 hour trek for them. Maybe next time...

Welp, guess that is about it for now. Just waiting on Wednesday and hoping they review my medical case. I really want to get on the List and start the real waiting.

PeacE

Slow Week of Posting

 ... and I don't apologize, so, sorry - not sorry!

Actually I have been fairly busy, and still have some more to complete that I have been putting off. Wednesday was a almost a full day at Mayo. Starting at 6:45am I had bloodwork, urine sample, consult w/Nurse, consult with Dr C, and finally, consult with the cardiologist. An angiogram was scheduled for Thursday already, for them to look at any possible calcium deposits in my veins. Then, if needed, provide measures that need to be done. Here's to hoping it can be done while I am on the Waiting List. Well, yesterday was the angiogram, starting at 5:45am. First time I have had one of these. The Wife took off work to be there, I think just in case something did go wrong. She has better medical understanding than my Son, and she had mentioned that if it came down to it, she'd prefer to be the one to make the decisions medically, rather than forcing it on my Son.

It was just fine and nothing seemed to go wrong from what I know. I came to in recovery, the Wife was already seated next to me. They held me there for a good hour or more as they released the bandage on my wrist where they inserted the catheter. I guess it is some kind of 'air bandage' that uses air pressure to keep the site from opening up and bleeding. They could only let a couple psi out about every 10 minutes. It wasn't so tight it hurt, in fact, right then I didn't even feel it. I was in and out of it most of that time. The Wife got the after-care speech and printouts. Then home we went, reaching there just before noon.

I missed my AA home group, but was able to get in on the transplant support meeting at noon. Afterwards, I played video games for a bit. I still need to get minutes out. I NEED to do it today, even if I have received no information about a State Riders Convention this Saturday, at our Post. Sigh.

I think today I will do the minutes this morning, attend my home group at 11am, and then head out to get my hair-cut and then off to the Post. Sounds good anyways. I need a break from my game I am playing. Results from angiogram should show up today. Hopefully all will be ready to go for review next Wednesday.

Fingers Crossed

PeacE

Happy Father's Day

 It's that day again, but this year I got my present early. Yesterday the Wife, Youngest and I went over to the Middle Son's to celebrate my grandson's 1st birthday. It was a small affair. Some of them went swimming for a bit, then did the cake and presents show. RM came, but she had to go once she saw PT was home - and he called her asking when she was going to be home. I swear, I am not going to let him upset me with this control he constantly tries to exert over everyone. Anyway, The Daughter and family came up from Tucson, and Even the Oldest Son swung by for a bit, with his girlfriend. I was able to have a few alone minutes with each of the kids, which was nice. Overall, the party was successful (Doc, the grandson) got a cake to smash, and new toys and shirts. Afterwards we headed home and I played video games the rest of the evening.

Never heard anything about this Riders Convention supposedly happening at my Post. It was on the calendar for yesterday. I heard verbally second-hand it is the 27th, but that Saturday, our Post has the hall rented out to someone else. I *still* have not received any official notification about the convention, or anything to do with it, except second-hand. We will see what happens this week. I do need to get the minutes done - been waiting all week to see if any information was incoming about the convention.

Wednesday and Thursday I will be spending some time at Mayo. Bloodwork, nurse visit, doctor visit, and cardiologist on Wednesday, followed by an angiogram on Thursday (at 5:45 am) ugh!

Not sure what I am going to do today. Maybe just mess around the house.

PeacE

A Decent Ending ...

 to yesterday. I had the paracentesis done. They removed the maximum amount the doctor's orders allowed (10L) and I received 3 doses of Albumin. Oh, the relief from all that pressure is gone! But, the tech said that there was still at least 2-3 liters left in there, and they will have to0 be that way until my next appointment (July 1st). But I feel so much better for now.

Cardiologist Nurse called yesterday. Scheduled an Angiogram for Thursday. Which means it will be yet another week before they can take to review for the Waiting List. I dislike all this waiting, just to wait more, but I understand the why of it. 

Today is the Grandson's birthday, and regardless of the Riders Convention issue, I am going to his party. I was last given the info that it was to be next week, so let it be next week. I need to stop and get a veggie/fruit tray when we head over. The Wife did some shopping for gifts the other day, so I am just rolling with that.

Up early again. I might as well change the alarm clock to this new time.

And that is all I got today.

PeacE

TGIF!

 I am really happy it is Friday. With the "error" in scheduling this week, and having to push my paracentesis to Friday ... Let's just say I am ready to be popped and drained. I would not be surprised if they take 10L (max allowed to drain per Dr. orders) and there is still a couple left in there. Well, it will have to sit another couple weeks, and I couldn't get an appointment set up before that. My abdomen is just so distended, and the muscles around it are getting sore from all the extra weight and proportions. I cannot wait for 1pm to get here.

Slept good last night again. The smart ring says I only woke twice (bathrooms calls) and I slept just under 7 hours. I woke when the alarm went off, and the Youngest was just outside the bedroom door. Seems he picked today to do the battery thing. HE already had it out, so we went up and of course it is dead. So they couldn't test it. Well, I said we'd be back about 9am and see where it tests. I have a feeling I am buying a battery this morning. I priced them, for his car. I remember back when I was paying around $100 for a battery. Now, the cheapest they carry is $260. Not happy, but what am I to do?

Still no word regarding the Riders Convention, that my Post is hosting supposedly. What a mess up. I admit, I am stressing a little about it. That, and when details do come around, I have so many questions. At least I finally will be able to network a little with some of the chapters, and contacts for their Secretaries, to ask questions of. 

Tomorrow is the 1 year birthday of my grandson, Doc. They are doing a little pool party for him, and we plan on going for a little bit. Their apartment is sorta small, so having a large group of people is cramping it up. I think RM even said she would stop by for a bit. I hope so. RM offered up some shorts she had gotten that may fit me, PLUS she bought some Pickle Crack hot sauce, and a thing of pickle salsa just for me. The hot sauce I have had before but not the pickle salsa. I love pickle de gallo, but sometimes it is hard to find in the valley. I think my regular grocery does not carry that type, but do have that brand of pickles. Maybe it was Sprout's I saw it at ...

Aside from the car battery stuff, and my paracentesis ... I ain't doing nothing today. I know I will be wanting to be still after the draining. 

And that's all I got this morning ...

PeacE

The Disease is Spreading ....

... you know, the one where you wake up earlier than you want. RM and I both thought after one good night, the problem was gone, but no. I have a bit of an excuse for my early morning today though. I was watching some episodes of 'Punisher' and it must have been around 5:30pm, but I slammed into a wall. I could not keep my eyes open. So I went to lay down for maybe an hour nap - don't want to sleep long, so I'll still sleep that night. I woke maybe three times before morning. Once when the Wife came to bed, and twice to go to the bathroom. I looked at the stats on my smart ring app, and it says I slept a total of 9 hrs. 17 min. So maybe it was a bit later when I went to lay down. Either way, I got more sleep, but am up early.

Youngest came to me yesterday, happened to mention he is having some battery issues with his car. It doesn't want to hold a charge. He has had to use the jump starter almost every time lately, and yesterday, even after driving it, then parking, three ours later it was dead again. SO I told him Thursday or Friday morning, if he pulls the battery, we will run up to Autozone and have them charge it (about an hour) and maybe find out if it is defective or what. I don't know if he wants to do it this morning, or tomorrow.

Nothing on the calendar for today, again. I added more appointments to next Wednesday - they forget to have the cardiologist check me out. And he will probably want to do a cardiac catheterization on Thursday (says the nurse I am talking to on the phone). Well, that'll put the council decision off another week, but if it needs to get done, get it done asap. As long as I get my paracentesis tomorrow, I don't mind the other appointments. I am very uncomfortable right now with this pressure. Tomorrow ... 1pm.

I might go to the grocery today to pick up a couple things, and try to make dinner tonight. Trying another new recipe I found that looks fairly quick and easy.

... and I guess that is all I got about now. I have got some time to waste before 11am, and 12pm (meetings) so I'll yap at ya tomorrow.

PeacE

I jinxed It!!

 I wrote yesterday about how nice it was to sleep until the alarm went off. But this morning, here I am awake at 5:20am again. This smart ring says I slept a solid 6 hours, and my numbers were pretty good this morning. I guess I will just keep my regular routine and deal with some early mornings. No sense in trying to readjust my routine for an hour.

I did send over to RM a review of this smart ring and app. I have never really went for these things be it a ring, watch, or whatever. I just don't think that they could give an accurate measurement all the time. This ring proved me wrong. Today is the third day I have worn it and what it does measure, that I check each day, is fairly spot on. And the other measures it does, I would guess those numbers reflect pretty accurately, too. This morning the ring was down to like 42% charge, so I took it off and placed it for charge, but it could probably go for about 4 days before needing one. My phone, not so much. With the app active all the time, my phone is about 40% lower on charge at the end of the day. I guess I may have to start plugging it in during the day ... I did ask RM if she needed the product back, but haven't heard. I imagine her saying no, as the ring is large enough for only one of my fingers, but would be large on hers. She had a second one as well, that she was going to have my Brother use/try, but I don't know if she has has had the chance to talk to him about it and give it to him. Price-wise it isn't bad.

No answer to my dilemma regarding the Riders Convention. Not my problem, except it is dire that I be there. But I really hope it stays on the 27th, as this Saturday is the Grandson's (Doc's) 1st birthday, and the Middle Son is having a come and go pool party things. I am looking forward to seeing him again, even if the beard scares him a bit. He needs to get used to being around me more, so he will not cry when I hold him.

I have a psychologist meeting this morning. The previous ones with this doctor didn't last long - around 15 minutes I guess, so this one will probably be about the same. The scheduling for my paracentesis for today was somehow entered wrong with scheduling, and I had to reschedule it. The best I could get was Friday at 1pm. I'm starting to hit the uncomfortable, disturbing discomfort level the past couple of days. Only two more to go...

I have been struggling for a little while now about accepting a Higher Power. This is a big thing in the AA 12-steps. My memories I have of being off/on church attenders for years, and in my early teens accepted Christ, and followed faithfully. Then after I got out of high school, marries, and 1st kid, I do not know but my relationship with God just went away. I lost faith? I "didn't have time" for Him? I don't know. Either way it has been somewhat hard revisiting, rebuilding, and renewing that relationship. Some parts of me still hold back, and I don't believe that that would  be full acceptance. Stuff for RM to pray about, and me to work on. Kinda funny that these past few days, my AA meetings have talked about acceptance of the Higher Power, and another time it was open-mindedness to the acceptance of God, so I have some things to ponder.

And I think that will be it today. Nothing planned except this one short appointment this morning.

PeacE