Whole Lotta Praying Going On!

 Yesterday was supposed to be a nice day. The Valley expected rain in the forecast off/on throughout the day, and we know the desert loves to get its water! We also got a surprise with the rain though I don't know if I should call it a present from God or not. I am sure in some ways it is - I just haven't thought it.

It hailed. No, not that little pea-sized teaser that melts within moments of touch earth. I mean IT HAILED. The Youngest and I were back in our office room, my window faces west, and at first I heard some little bits of hail - off the tin roof of the shed, then off the glass. Then it was like kids throwing rocks at windows. I truly worried about my window breaking due to the amount of hail hitting, and the sound of the force it was hitting it with.

I stepped across the house to the front door (faces east) and through the screen saw a large amount of hail just larger than golf balls, slamming everything. You could hear it hitting the metal of cars across the street! I quickly put on video to send to the Wife. After about 10 minutes, it slowly abated; hailstones growing smaller until it was just rain. From the front door I could see the front of my car and the window looked fine, as did the driver side ones. The Son's car on the street I could see the back window and passenger side, and it looked okay.

It was like, "Whew! got through that one!".

The evening rolls on, nothing eventful. Went to bed about 10:30, played a game or two, then was trying to sleep. Lucious, my black cat, was very interested in the window about our bed (odd for him). After several minutes of him tapping the glass, etc. The Wife got up to look out and see what was going on, thinking there was another cat in the side yard. As she looked, she saw a tail, actually on the outer windowsill, realizing there WAS a cat - wait. What? It was Lucious! There was a 5-6 inch hole in the glass he was going through....and another larger on higher up. Youngest and Wife got it taped and covered with cardboard, and found another window that had a hole in it, another that was cracked. Ugh. Wife had already noticed when she came that there were dents all over my and Son's car, but windows were fine. The Son's antenna cover (the little thing on the roof) had the plastic busted off.

So our worse damage is the windows. This is an older home. They were single-pane windows. For the time being, we discussed last night about using an all-weather plexiglass until we are able to afford a regular window company to come out (and do double pane at least). Wife texted Oldest Son (working night-shift at Home Depot) for ideas, etc, so will go over those this weekend.

First thing after the bathroom this morning I headed straight into my quiet time, and skipped my regular routine and went straight to prayer. Letting go of my anger, it's something I cannot change immediately, prayers for others that may have had worse damages that prevent them for work, or living conditions. 

So yeah. I like the rain. Not what it brings sometimes.

PeacE

Up Early Again ...

 ... but this time by choice. The alarm went off at 6am (as planned) and I shut it off. Then I laid there a moment, and dozed back off. I suddenly snapped awake and checked the time. 6:10a - I didn't over sleep. I had the next alarm at 7am, but I wanted time to get my measurements, etc. this morning before the Para. Getting up at 7 I would have to skip all that, and basically, dress then leave. I hate to rush.

Yesterday I went rounds with my buddies nausea, and tiredness. I did take a late nap, was up at 5pm, but still just dragged tiredly through the evening. Nausea was there off and on throughout the day. He's already awake this morning as well. I sure hope he doesn't stop by on Thanksgiving!

Numbers are good this morning. Now to get the Para drain number and see if today will be a better one or not. No other medical until Tuesday, which I am trying to keep off my mind. I have quite a few things invested in results for Tuesday, and I just don't want to get hopes up or down. I have been doing my best to let God deal with it, but I still find myself throughout the day thinking about it. Then remind myself - God's got this.

With that I am going to close out. I need to finish a couple things before I leave.

PeacE

I Got Up For This?

 Not much to drop in here today.

PCP visit went fine. Updated him on prescriptions (though he doesn't order them) and where I am in the transplant process. They did do an A1C and it was 4.8 - my lowest ever! I thought about calling my Sister and bragging, but knew that was the wrong reason to do it.

Headed home I was hungry, and was trying to decide on a place to get breakfast and take home. I finally settled on Jack in the Box, as it was close to home. But as I was coming down the freeway, I missed my exit (off in la-la land) so my exit was next, and there aren't any fast foods there without going back or up the road a mile. Except a QT. Now I loved their dogs, especially when I was working driving the truck all over the West Valley years ago. Plus many mornings we gassed up the car and got breakfast there as we started a trip to Tucson. But yesterday? Oh my. I bought a couple tacquitos, a couple jalapeno/cheese hot dogs, and a Mtn Dew ( I know ... sodium and sugar overload). I got home and started eating and messing on the computer. I couldn't eat the first tacquito. It was just "wrong" tasting. The hot dogs went down fine. I tried a different tacquito I had gotten. It seemed okay, until I finished it. Then it was a quick jog to the bathroom to lose all of it. The rest of the day was spent sipping juice. I could not eat anything and nothing sounded enticing. I skipped the Riders meeting because I was so tired and nauseous, didn't feel up to driving.

So that was my day. Today I am hoping for a better day. I feel an appetite starting to wake up, so maybe there is something I will be able to et this morning. Have my meeting at 11a, and I scheduled a Fry's food pick-up for 1-2 pm. Figured between 12-1 I could get ready and go get my hair cut.

Spoke to RM yesterday morning, and it was decided that she will host, and my family will attend, Thanksgiving at her place. The Daughter and family have the in-laws they need to be with this year, but hoping the older two boys and partners... and DOC! will be able to make it. Next up I need to talk to the Wife and see what we would want to do as a menu. I didn't mention it to RM, but I figured we'd come out early, cook most of the stuff (she can help - she's awesome in the kitchen). I think the two things I could do without are stuffing and the can of cranberry-whatever. I like cranberries, but that gel-like stuff that makes a sucking sound as you shake the can to get it out....<shudder>. And I have never really been big on stuffing. I know the others will want, and that is fine.

And I think I rambled enough....

PeacE

Resting Better

 Since I decided a few days back that I am going to nap when my body says to do so, in addition to regular night sleeping, I have been feeling somewhat better. I hear in the Support group that many pre-transplants start feeling tired all the time, so it is not unusual. Even if it is to just rest for 30-60 minutes and I play games on the tablet...it works.

This morning I have a PCP visit. Nothing major. I am getting the final shots for Hep A & B. I need to update/verify my prescription list with him. Then it will be basically an update where we are in the transplant process. Shouldn't take more than about 15 minutes once I see the doctor - it's that waiting time that kills. That's why I always try for morning appointments, plus if it is something I have to fast for, I'm ready. Also, it really frees up the rest of the day without being an interruption.

Still have a slight cough, but this morning have not noticed it much. My nose needs blown just as much as before (allergies) but could do without the cough and mucus.

Think I shall give RM a text this morning and have her call me ....

PeacE

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights

 Let's start you out with some background music while you waste your time reading today, and it goes with today's post title.

So yesterday was spent pretty much doing nothing. Played some video games. Briefly talked with Daughter and oldest Grand later in the evening. Didn't go anywhere. Normally I might have gone to the Post if I felt up to it, but I knew many of those I hang out with are out at the track for NASCAR weekend here, so wouldn't be there.

Today, with half the daylight gone already, I feel it is going to be much the same.

So with that, finish the song, and enjoy your day.

PeacE

I'm Trapping It Today!

 I haven't seen this side of 4am in awhile. Which was nice. It's not because it is ugly or anything, just means that I am not sleeping enough (to me). It was the third call for the restroom though, and for some reason it made me 'snap' awake. Not sure what to do with all the extra time. I think RM would say to stay and pray! So, maybe I will read a bit more of the Bible, or the book I am reading ('The Circle Maker') or just stay in prayer longer. I decide when I get there, I guess.

As far as I know, we have nothing planned this weekend, and my calendar is truly void of anything until Monday. That kind of irritates me. a few short weeks ago, it seemed I had a medical or VFW thing going on almost every day. True, it did wear on me and I was tired more, but I felt like something was being accomplished. Now I sit and twiddle my thumbs, waiting the next thing. RM pushes for me to write something: some novellas or even a recap of my whole transplant experience that maybe my kids would want to read someday. I feel I need to be 'in the mood' to do either, so I have no idea where anything will take me.

With that being said, I suppose I should close this off. Maybe watch dumb videos for a half-hour then try to go back to sleep.

PeacE

While We Are Replacing Things ...

 I have an Uncle that for the past few years has talked about getting his knees replaced. He was big, as I was, drinks, walks with a cane. Could be me in about 20+ years. But each time he would get in to get evaluated for the knee surgery, some other more important medical condition would pop it seems. Or he had to wait for something, then something else happen. He was going through the VA I believe. Anyways, to this day, he has not gotten the knees done.

When (and somedays I feel it is more IF) they replace my liver, they are going to make an attempt to 'patch' the umbilical hernia I have as well while I am 'open'. This is based solely on how the surgery goes, time, etc. I have been saying I need new knees for years, with the amount of pain they gave me. Of course, I was 350 lbs. and not eating right or taking good care of myself. Never even got the doctors to look at them. Could I get those while doing the Liver? Ha!

Today I really want to replace them. about 7am, I am dozing in bed, making the decision to sleep in until 8am. Dozing off I started dreaming,  and at one time in the dream, I am kicking out Kung Fu style at someone's head, and I am suddenly awake, on my knees, beside (not in) the bed. The Pain rushing up from the knees tells me I landed on them. I took off my CPAP mask and said the Wife's name, maybe twice, and woke her to help get me up. I just could not raise myself from a kneeling position on my knees, even with the support of the bed on the right and the end table towards the left. Oh yeah, the knees got landed on. I can walk, it just hurts the kneecap area. Think I will rub on some tiger balm and see if that helps.

But I did go back to bed until 8am.

It's a Thursday. The Wife has 'flexed' off from work today. She says that I hate it when she is home all day with me, and I laughed at her. I said I love it when she is here, because then I have someone to talk to throughout the day since the Youngest is usually catching up on his sleep from being up most of the night. 

The effects of the Para this week were less than even last week. Fewer cramps, and today I feel pretty normal, like everything has settled back into place.

I guess that is all I got.

PeacE

Edit: The cold I think I got from RM, well not so sure now.. The coughing is done to almost nothing, and I have no other symptoms. Either I only caught a tiny bit of it (makes no sense) or I actually got it from sone one else with a different strain.