Filling the Hole

 I had a Paracentesis yesterday morning. One thing I really like about being the first appointment at 9am, is sometimes, they start early. So yesterday They had me back there and on the bed by 8:30am. I guessed that it would be less than 10L drained - thinking more like 6-7. Ended up draining 9.4 L. Received three bags of albumin, and was out the door by 10:30. I had lunch plans running through my mind, and had already decided what I wanted, so I went to JT's Gyro's and got my usual. By this time RM had texted worried about me, and asking if I was okay. I got home and let her know I just got home and would post an update soon. Turns out, the Life360 app we use did not record me leaving or going to my appointment, etc. so she had no idea if I made it, or overslept and was concerned. After checking my phone, I realized it was because Mobile data was turned off.

I weighed in prior to going to the hospital in the morning. Came in at 296 lbs. Ugh! Well after draining, and I got home, I weighed in at 276 lbs. Better, but not my actual weight just yet. The Edema in my legs and such is probably another 20 lbs. and that would drop me to near 250, which I can deal with. Nothing exciting happened at the appointment or with lunch. I ate it, and it was good.

This morning I have done my bio readings, took my meds, drank my vanilla protein shake, and am ready to get things started. I think I am going to skip the AA meeting today (maybe) and just go to the Transplant one. Depends on how I feel. Last evening, my head started hurting like I had slipped on ice and cracked the back of my head. I hadn't fallen or bumped my head in anyway, so was confused about it. I even probed with my fingers, expecting to feel a bump. Nope. Just a headache that is sitting in the back of the head. Generally I cannot take anything for situations like this. Acetaminophen is not good for the liver, and neither is Ibuprofen, but it is the better of the two. I do have a bottle here that I save for extreme pain, regardless what the doctors say. I had 2 pills last night, and this morning I still feel some residual pain. Muscle related? Too Tense? I did some stretches of the upper back and shoulders this morning, so let's see if that helps.

The first half of  the year property taxes are due starting today. I see it has gone up 3.7% (about $40) from last year. Since the house has been free and clear for many years, we have to pay it, as we don't have an escrow account. I could pay to set one up, but I don't think it is worth it. Also have the Wife's registration due. Two years for her car is more than 1.2 year's taxes, for now.

I think that is all I got to say about that.

PeacE

Nothing Major

 Today I go in again for a paracentesis at 9am. There probably won't be any follow up post today, as I am usually worn out afterwards.

The edema in my legs seems to be slowly to lessen. It's hard to tell. I weighed in this morning at 292 lbs. and even if they get 10L drained, that is only 20 lbs. plus I would still have the weight from the fluid in my legs. I still estimate myself to be a true weight of around 250, which means my eating habits are holding pretty good, and I am not putting on a bunch of unneeded weight.

RM, not sure if there will be a tidbit today. May have to wait until closer to noon or tomorrow.

PeacE

Getting Back Into the Groove

 I wonder how many times that was said by deep-voiced men being the DJ on late-night radio back when they played LPs.

My prayer time went 'over' this morning. Not sure why, or how. Figured God needed my attention longer, and held me there. I ain't complaining. There an HR for God? Anyway, I had several things pop up on my mind today that I felt compelled to talk to God about, not necessarily me, but some stuff. I know he heard me, as I felt a bit lighter in step afterwards. I had also started my prayer journal this last week, and I am surprised by how it has grown in just a short while. But I go through it every morning.

I have been feeling a bit better health-wise. I'm giving nods of thanks to all those involved, but I wonder if it the milk. As a kid, I loved milk, but it had to be Vitamin D. None of that skim, 2% or at times, straight from the cow. As I reached adulthood, the amounts of it I drank decreased. Moreso when I started drinking alcohol. Don't mix those two up! Needless to say, over this last year I have tried to drink more milk. I just cannot seem to get into the habit of having a glass a day. My last doctor visit at Mayo he had mentioned it would be good for me to get a on protein shake daily routine, with high protein. I've looked (online) at several products from Amazon, Wal-Fart, Walgreens, etc. but either it was rather expensive, or bad reviews saying it tasted terrible, or just had a low protein amount in it. Last Friday, RM had sent me home with a partial bag (resealable) of vanilla protein shake mix from a certain brand their doctor recommended for them. I started drinking it using milk instead of water (yuck) mixed in, and it is great tasting! Also a way for me to drink some milk daily! I still need to price this brand out, but it is looking good!

I said I felt my health was better, and it is somewhat. Today, my legs weren't as swollen this morning with Edema. My abdomen area looks more like it used to when all I did was paras (no Edema on the sides). My joints aren't as painful today (at this time). I am still going to the para tomorrow. The doctor is the next week, then soon after I hear about making the list or not.

I've debated about telling people what is going on with my medical and all. I have kept updated some family members (uncles, etc.) a couple really close friends, and of course, more immediate family. There are several people that know I am going through the process for the transplant, but it doesn't necessarily mean anything to them (AA group, etc.). When I make the List (positive thinking) I thought about just letting everyone know that I am on a List waiting. I know some that would like to know, and others that wouldn't care. At the same time I don't want to be a drama queen.

I think I just decided on that. No sharing. If someone asks, share. Don't ask, don't share.

And with that life-saving decision, I am moving on into the day.

PeacE

Catching Up On My Boring Life ...

 Welp, it looks like I left off on Friday. Nothing was on the calendar that day, so I presume I just played games and attended my AA meeting. Oh! Wait! Now I remember! I went out to RM's to visit that morning, even though PT was going to be home. I also was to pick up an older computer, and a new camera that they had never used (USB for the computer). It was a decent morning. I did get asked by PT about why he and I don't get together for breakfast/lunch like we used to (several years ago). I reminded him it was when I asked him to give up his keys and quit driving (which he still hasn't). I would not ride with him, and I started not doing the meals because I did not want him driving and possibly hurting others. Then a job came, and I didn't have the time. He seemed pacified with the answer, and that is all he will get from me.

RM (as usual) ended up sending me home with a big bag of things: Vanilla Milkshake flavored protein shake mix (which is quite good), some no-bake breakfast bars with White chocolate Macadamian nut, some brown ones too - for Del -, 2 bags of regular colored peppers, a single use protein drink, and I know there was more, but can't remember it all. RM loves to give! We really liked the breakfast bars, and I started taking the protein drink each morning and it tastes good. I'll have to buy this brand, too. A bag of apples, too!

One of the reasons I had went out to the Westside was to go see to one of our Riders. He'd been in the hospital/rehab for several weeks, and I had a signed card for him. After personal debate, and ideas from RM, I decided to just mail the card (which I did). The walking and all would have been brutal for me, let alone having to visit. 

Near lunch I decided it was time to go. I headed to Peoria Discount by myself and hungry. I usually just buy a few snackies for myself and Youngest, and maybe the Wife if I find something I know she likes. Found a couple nice meat specials, and some drink stuff: Ginger Ale and Cranberry (I like it) Tropical Sprite, Lymonade Sprite and several different mixes of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice mixes. My favorite is the blueberry. Spent about $75 more than I meant to, but it will get used.

Home and unloaded, separated snacks out, and the rest of the evening was a normal one. Sunday I didn't do much of anything. We had a late lunch of El Pollo Loco and that burrito I like filled me up so much, I skipped dinner. This week is pretty skimpy, too. Today is the Daughter's birthday. I have a business meeting at 1pm for my AA group (member vote). Property taxes are due 10/1 and I have until 10/15 to pay the Wife's registration) no emissions required). That's all on the calendar.

So, knowing you ain't going to have any quality this week... I'll let you go... Here's a song I like.

PeacE

This is A Long Drain ....

 I left the house yesterday around 10:30a. I figured I would not be back home until about 3:30p-4p. I had been thinking about getting a haircut, but even with "check-in" at the walk-in places made guessing a time frame difficult. I needed to be at the hospital by noon. Well, I have my account with Great Clips, and I signed in, my location showed a wait time of 0 minutes. So I checked-in, and headed that way. I know my haircut will only take about 20-30 minutes, so I rolled the dice. When I got there, there were three names on the list now, though mine was first, and no one waiting. I got called back before I could sit down. So goal one accomplished.

It's about 11a, I still have an hour until I need to be at the hospital, but I don't feel like going all the way home and back when I am halfway to the next location. So I headed to the hospital early. When I got to the radiology waiting area where they usually check me in, the gal was surprised to see me. But it worked out. I guess there was a cancellation, so they could take me earlier, which they did by about 40 minutes. I ended up draining 11.8L (about 22 lbs.) and felt much better on one front. The edema along the sides of the abdomen had the tech using a same diameter catheter, but longer. The abdomen wall is swollen to at least 5cm from what he told me. Mostly from the edema.

I then went over to CARS and got my four bottles of albumin IV'ed into me. I was hungry, since I usually fast until after the procedure. Even though I got done early, I was ravenous. I ended up at JT's Gyro's (35th Ave 7 Greenway) and got a meal of the beef pita shwarma. Comes with fries, drink, and like most of their meals this little cup of soup. I have not been able to figure out what type of soup it is (Greek chicken and noodles?) but it is sooooo tasty! Went on home and weighed my "dry" weight (295 lbs.) and ate that meal!

I noticed about then, the bandage they had used had leaked (again) just like last week. So I had the wetness down one side of my crotch about 4 inches wide. Last time, this slow drip from the catheter hole had stopped in the evening, and I figured this time would be the same. Nope. It is still going this morning. We decided to let it leak, get some of the extra fluid out, as long as no signs of infection or anything. I have no way of calculating how much is drained, but I'll take relief in very small doses if I have to do so. 

As usual I a tired from the procedure, and I see a nap in my future. Two meetings today, then a nap... could be a good day after all.

PeacE

Oh, Thankful That Today Is the Day!

 Paracentesis. One would think that having this done close to once a week since January that I would be used to it; numb to the needles. It sure doesn't work that way. Today I have one at 1pm (thankfully). Between the edema and the ascites build up, I am really distended (the Wife says I am having triplets) and though it is not 'painful' the discomfort level is pretty high. My breathing has been short pants for the past few days as well, making the Wife worry. I believe it to be from all the pressure pushing up against my diaphragm, and will go away once I am drained. She's worried there is fluid in my chest cavity and I will need to get a thoracentesis. As if she were the one getting it... those hurt so much, and I always pass out.

So I have a few hours until I need to be there. I'll go through my morning routine, then I am thinking about getting a haircut. Afterwards, I may head to the hospital just a little early, and play games on the tablet. I like being early with them, just in case they are ready early. It has happened!

I started 'The Circle Maker' yesterday morning, and it may not have gotten me as excited as RM just in the first chapter, but I am still working on it. I think today I stopped at chapter 3. I'm hoping it gets to the 'nitty-gritty' soon, else I may have to  put it aside until a later date to re-read and then it will impact better. But for now, i still read several pages a day.

I finished Job today. I did learn a bit about God while reading it. Learned about how some friends don't have your interests at heart when talking to you seriously about said things. Of course this book had a happy ending...read it to find out what it was. So now I need to figure where I am reading next. Psalms is the next book, and I am looking forward to reading it at some time, so I may go ahead and start it. I feel this may a book a read over many times.

I heard from Data Doctors yesterday. I don't think they can figure out what I did either. I had two options (technically three, but I didn't really want to buy a brand new hard drive). Well, I took one option, and not because it was the cheapest. They are going to backup what is salvageable from the drive, wipe it, reload Win 11, and then the recovered files. It will take another 2-3 days, so I'm still without that computer until the weekend. I started to make a list last night about possibly what other programs I had on there that I will need to reload. The games I am not so worried about, as through the Steam set-up, I am able to re-install any in my library. I am more worried about my Calibre folder (holds all my ebooks) and the Torrents file (holds d/ls and u/ls for books). I am sure there are two or three others as well, I just cannot remember them. So until Friday, I am not worrying about it.

And with that, I'll mosey on down the road this morning....

PeacE

Let's Give Them Something To Talk About....

 Have you been the grape on the vine that people talk about? The rumors don't come to you, you are the rumor. Personally, I try to avoid the gossip mill, and where possible, change the direction of conversation, or walk away. I've kind of been a 'straight from the horse's mouth' when it comes to people spreading their stories. Lately, I have become that fat grape hanging on the vine, that people are talking about. Not everyone, but enough anyways.

Last night was the VFW Riders meeting. But I was there early (as usual) to "get into the mindset" and have a tea. I'm sitting at the bar in the Canteen, playing some game on my tablet to pass the time. There are about 5-6 others in there that I have good relationships with. Anyways, I dropped the stylus to my tablet. It landed on the footwell in front of me. Before I could even get my butt off the chair, Four of the guys are walking over saying 'I got ya Ralph' or 'Need help getting that?' or just coming over to help. I got angry. There wasn't time to cool this one down. I basically raised my voice and hollared 'I ain't dead yet, ya dumbasses. I can pick up a pen that is right in front of me. It's not like I'm so invalid I cannot do anything for myself'.' I bent over and picked it up. I continued, 'It's a damn transplant, not a march to my death!' Now these guys are Vets, and of course this outburst doesn't faze them. One guy did respond back something along the lines of 'but we want you around here longer.' Boy, if he only knew what he'd be asking for!

As the evening wore on, I felt bad, then stupid, then knowing I was wrong to have snapped at them like that, I went to apologize. I caught two of them that hadn't left, and they were like "pfft, wasn't nothing'. But I made amends, pretty quickly, after knowing I was wrong in my actions. I'm sure by next Tuesday there will be something going around about how I bit the heads off everyone for no reason, or some wrong answer. Sigh. Rumor mills.

RM's favorite phrase from me: I am bored. There's nothing to do. That's how I have been feeling since Saturday. Without my main desktop, I cannot play video games, picture is smaller, I don't mistype as much, as well as having the externals hooked up (speakers, camera, etc.) that using this laptop is frustrating. I did get it up to Data Doctors yesterday morning, but I know they won't even look at it until today. So I am hoping for a phone call that says it is fixed, and didn't cost more than what I already paid. Yes, I admit, it is one of my prayer items this morning. 

But I am happy that I do have a laptop available. I managed to hook the sound system to it, the camera, a working external drive (tried to play s games from it, but it reads too slow). I am able to do things easier than just from the phone. And I can stream movies/shows. So I have been catching up on some series, as the next season will be dropping soon, or just to see if I like them. My movie list has gone down quite a number as well, though it seems most of these movie are not to my liking, and I don't finish them. Trailers do a good job of making a movie look really good sometimes.

And with that, I am out of here.

PeacE