Papaw Has The Goods

 A few short nights ago, I was awakened early, and like most times when I am wakened that early, I was pretty wide awake. I did the usual ... go to the office and to get on the computer - to try to find something that makes me sleepy. I noticed the Daughter was still online in Discord, and in voice chat, so I decided to pop on and say hi. I guess she is up late/early with her youngest (my Widget) as she was awake. So as we both played a game on our own, we talked a little bit. I mentioned that I thought I was out of hard candy, which I could have whilst not eating for the colon cleanse. I mean, c'mon! Papaw always has candy on him!

I think the last time RM "ran something" up to the Wife's work it was a box of beef jerky strips. I think it was that same time she sent a cannister of the hard candies like I remember having sitting in a bowl at Grandma's house. I called it Granny Candy, and loved it because it was a hard candy that sometimes had a sweet filling in the middle of the piece. It was a brand name that had been around awhile. I think RM picked it up because of some discussion we had, or my monologue about it. 

So, long story longer ... I was looking to see if I could buy this candy in bulk, at least larger than the cannister RM had bought (which was gone and empty already). After a brief skim through Google, it looked like Amazon had some of the better deals, so then I searched there. I found a 5 lb. bulk bag of hard candy - a mixture of Jolly Rancher brand fruit candies, starlite mints (red & green) and the little individual wrapped fruit ones. All for about $20. Into the cart it went.

Now I was looking at candy, and knowing I was "out" at home, I started craving more. I looked up spiced gumdrops. Mmmm, little pricey for 5lb. and could not guarantee freshness (so they aren't dried/aged hard as a rock). Uh oh. Jelly beans. Just regular mix of jelly beans - none of the Jelly Belly flavored, or 'gourmet blend' bags. But got a 5lb. bag of regular ones of the standard flavor variety. They are smaller than regular jelly beans, but it'll work. Haven't tried them yet, as it isn't a hard candy approved for the cleanse. BTW - first two cups of the drink is down this morning, two to go.

Hmmm, guess I was wrong. I did order the spiced gumdrops and have a 5lb. bag being delivered tomorrow. As well as a devotional book called "Twenty-Four Hours A Day" and  it is a meditation book for those in recovery offers daily thoughts, meditations, and prayers for living a clean and sober life. We have used it before for discussion topics for my AA meetings, so I went ahead and got it (hardback). I did check the thrift books site RM uses, but they only had it in paperback.

So Papaw is once again stocked with candy (I don't eat it much at home because of watching my glucose being near diabetic). Plus some daily reading to go with my quiet time. I have had several questions pop up in my mind that I wanted to ring to discussion at lunch on Friday with RM, but I was no where near a notebook to write it down (sacrilegious!). I need to get better at jotting down my notes - I had gotten out of practice with not going out much. Well, worse case is I remember it later and just email ask her. I know she would love to be able to answer some questions with her experiences/interpretations.

Well, it is 4:30am, and I officially am done with the colon-cleanse drink. Nothing to eat or drink now until after the procedure. I am not expecting them to find anything that would hold me up from the transplant list. I am still waiting the results of the tox screen I did last Wednesday. Would love to get a call later this week letting me know I finally made the list.

Have the day you deserve....

PeacE

The Squirrels Got Me

 I forgot to call last week and start setting up some appointments for paracenteses. I guess when I reach out tomorrow (when I can) I'll have to see how far out they are right now. I do have ascites build-up already, but not nearly as much as usual at this time (that make sense?). I figure I set one for each week for now, I can cancel if needed. Like I did before basically.

I got sidetracked with all the prep for the colonoscopy tomorrow morning. I have not had much in solid foods. I have gone through some broth though! I heat up a 2-cup mug in the microwave, then add a packet (about a ketchup packet size) of siracha, and just a touch of a multi-spice I like ... and voila! So good! I'll be having more today! The Wife had went to the store yesterday, and I actually gave her a mini-list of some items I wanted/needed. Broth was at the top (we were out at home) and I git some other things for lunches this week, or snacks. Almost wish I hadn't because last night I kept wanting to get into some of the stuff, but no solid foods!

Today I have taken the pills they said to take. I need to mix the 64-oz jug solution (for drinking this afternoon/evening) and had at least a couple trips to the bathroom just while trying to write here. Maybe TMI ... I don't care. I need to weigh myself just before leaving for Mayo tomorrow morning, and compare to what they get, and that will be my weight.

Still waiting to see results from the tox screen this last week. Fingers are crossed.

Friday this week I get to meet up with RM for lunch!! Friday I have my yearly diabetic eye screening, and their offices are about 1/2 way between RM and I. There will be eye dilation, so the plan is for me to continue out to her place, and visit a bit before heading to lunch. Then back to my car (eyes should have adjusted back by then) for the drive home. I think we decided on Red Robin, for salads, but don't remember for sure.

Youngest should be back from his 'California Adventure' sometime this evening. I hope so. He is the one to drive me tomorrow morning to my colonoscopy. I should double-check with my Brother, as I asked him to back-up if needed. I need to be sure he is available still, and then let him know by tonight if I need him. 

Okay, I need to get out of here. I still have meeting minutes to do, and agenda, as well as play my video games and void the system all day.

PeacE

A Day With the Wife ... Sorta

 Today I have a pretty easy schedule. Both are at Mayo in Scottsdale: a blood draw for some tests, and an ultra-sound to take a look at the stent from the TIPS. This is just a routine follow-up to be sure nothing has "come loose" or gone wrong. Both are in the 9 o'clock hour time frame, so I am thinking lunch somewhere with the Wife. She took today off work to drive me since the Youngest is out of town for a couple more days. After that, I see myself playing video games.

I think I am doing pretty good with my time I set aside each morning to do my praying, etc. It's the evenings I don't make time for review of the day and did I do anyone wrong, etc. I just do those in the morning. RM has mentioned she keeps a prayer journal, of those she is praying for (and if they are sick, or whatever) as long as it is something that isn't overly personal. I have thought about doing one as well, just to remember daily who to pray for, since my memory is still not the greatest. I might go to Dollar Tree and get a cheap notebook to try it out for awhile. IF it works for me, then I could upgrade the notebook. Or not.

I am probably about three chapters from finishing the book "Restore" that I have been trying to read a chapter per day in. I think it is an okay read. There are a few sections that actually seem to have some idea(s) that I was looking for. But I think most of it should be directed to an alcoholic, like in the AA program. There is quite a bit I wish I knew about (re)starting my relationship with God in AA than I did. This would be a good fill in for explanations of addictions with some stories as well. I think it will be a book I pass along to like my Home group when we meet in person sometimes.

Speaking of that, I guess we are doing a "private party" event Saturday. There is a speaker sharing their story this Saturday about noon at a church not too far from my house, about 35th Ave and Northern. I think it is someone the ones in my group know from over the years. Then afterwards going to lunch together at Wildflower at 7th St and Bethany Home. I don't know if I want to really go to Wildflower, it's not my kind of restaurant, but I will take a look at the menu before deciding. Then I need to decide if I want to drive that much. But I was invited to the grouping ... which was nice.

No true idea on how I feel today. With the recent TIPS, and doing the prep clean-out for the colonoscopy, I am not quite sure where I sit with just my regular meds and all. I'm not feeling bad, just not 100% myself.

And with that, I am out of here. I need to wake the Wife and we will head out in about 45 minutes.

PeacE

Talk About Not Wanting To Drink

 I am on Day 5 of the week countdown before the colonoscopy. You know what that means ... things are about to get really busy here soon. I have been drinking the Miralax stuff the past couple of days (stool softener) and yesterday when I had my regular BM, I thought I was done, but a whole 'nother round came out of equal amount. Surely the tubes are clean! I know they are not, completely. But here I am am whining to you, and drinking this morning's cocktail. At least it is unflavored - even if two years ago I liked the lightly flavored orange (I think it was) version.

Met the new PCP yesterday. I think I like this guy. I gave them an update medication and dosage spreadsheet I have, so they could update their file. I explained Mayo is pretty much in charge right now. He agreed to step back and let them go. He took a lot of notes while asking me questions. After about 10 minutes, he looked me in the eye, says you are more informed about your situation and what is going to happen than any patient I have seen in quite awhile. How about we go 6 months and touch base then? I was like Sure! And I was done. I do go back 10/19 for the last two vaccine shots still though.

After that it was finding something for breakfast low-fiber, and soft. I opted for a couple burritos from a 'Berto Bros. - what? Chorizo, egg, potatoes, and cheese is soft! I barely ate one. I have the other to eat half of for breakfast (more like lunch) today. Have my drug screening labs to do today. Hoping for test results by end of week, to see if that Nicotine is Negative... Followed with a paracentesis next door at 9am. I think they'll drain 5-7 L today. New doc's orders to be turned in as well.

Okay, I have to do my quiet time and then leave. Y'all have a good 'un, ya hear?

PeacE

... and So I Beat Them Up.

 I really did. I beat both the Youngest and the Wife up from bed this morning. Not hard when one seems to sleep most of the day, and the other doesn't need to be up for work this early. I woke at 4:30am, right on the money. I laid there, trying to go back to sleep, to no avail. Got to thinking about what appointments I have this week, etc. and decided I might as well get up and shower, then get the day started.

Only have an early PCP visit today. Some new doctor that NOAH has assigned to me. Evidently they think I need to update them on what's going on. I'm taking in a list of my current medications and dosages, then telling them if they want lab results, to contact Mayo. I made it so my PCP has access to my file. I don't want to do lab/blood/urine workups twice a month for the same things. Plus, there isn't much my PCP is able to do at this point. I do have an appointment in October to get the third and final vaccine shots for Hep A & B. I think I should go to Walgreens here soon and get the flu shot as well.

The VFW Riders. Sigh. I was told last month that there were to be elections this month. And that was it. No clue-in, nothing. So we started out with that last night. Our President needs to step down due to online schooling he has going on until December, and possibly next semester as well. Okay - so the Vice moves up, and we elect a new Vice Pres. No, because someone holding a position now, may want a position we elect. So our Sargent-At-Arms became our President, the Pres. leaving office moved to Vice, and we had a new Rider join up that got the Treasurer position. With the new bylaws and procedures, we also needed to elect an Auditor, that quarterly goes over the accounts with the Treasure, plus will travel to another Chapter to check their records. Similar to a Trustee. Well, no one jumped at it, so they wanted to leave it blank with a future election to come when we have someone that wants it. No, I said. I'll do. I'm a Trustee for the Aux, so am learning how to do all this anyways. Plus, it prevents problems later, and if nothing else, has me as a place-holder until someone takes it over. The Treasurer and I are going to learn the Treasurer position together, as National gets things going...or when they do. So I now have yet another title. Sigh.

I received a message yesterday about some lab work being needed for Mayo. This is the monthly drug screening basically. I looked at the Doctor orders and see that the usual one for alcohol is on there. Then, written in gold filigree, was the word, NICOTINE. So we finally get a test of it, and hopefully it will come back Negative so we are able to move on. The lab is tomorrow, so will be end of week before I see results.

And that's all I got today.

PeacE

There Was A Time ...

 ... when all that is going on in my life would have put me on a different stage than the one I am on now. I may not have quit drinking. I may not have sought medical treatment. I never rekindled my relationship with God, got support from others. I would have been a bear to live with so I probably would have lost my Wife and my family. Ugh! It's like sticky slime sticking to me just wasting the time to think about it.

But I didn't make those choices or many others that could have negative impacts on my life. I'm happy (inside more than out) to expand the relationships I took for granted, and return the love given. I'm slowly getting better - even pre-transplant - and we know that is important. I'm doing my baby-walk with God, again, as I re-learn how to follow Him.

Not much to share today. I had an episode about midday yesterday where I suddenly got the shills, sweats, nausea and "shakes". I immediately went to food, and just a small bit got rid of the nausea, but the other signs were there. I went to the bedroom and left the Wife know what I was feeling. Then I laid down. Ended up napping for a couple hours versus just resting. I did feel much better though. After thoughts are the worst, but we did check my BP, which was way low (After my nap) so we attached that that was probably the issue that started things. Next time I need to remember to check the BP and Glucose.

Today starts my "Shit Week", in other words, colonoscopy preparation. I've had the meds for about a month now. I sat down yesterday and went through the instructions - Whew! They have like five or six different ones based on what meds you can take, can't take, etc. Mine seems quite regular (regular ... ha ha). Colonoscopy is next Monday. Have the Ultrasound on Friday to check the TIPS area, and some bloodwork.

I have the Riders meeting tonight. I need to get the Agenda out today. I admit, I have not touched it at all, mostly because there are some things going on I don't have the info for. Supposed election for a new Director because ours is stepping down? Sigh. This group is becoming more of a problem than I thought it would two years ago.

Alright, I got to get something actually done.

PeacE

What I Want versus What Really Happens

 Sunday Morning Comin' Down .... oh, now I got to post a music vid....

Okay, I hope that earworm is gone for the day. But it is Sunday, and I woke early, but I feel pretty well rested. I did nothing yesterday but play games on the computer, then lay down for awhile (not sleeping), and repeat. Today is my pillbox refill for the week, and there are some fairly big changes. I went through it all, and updated my spreadsheet so I can print it out for the new PC I see on Tuesday. I'd rather not, as he is getting nothing but an update. But it is a "new doctor" at the location I go to, so it is what it is.

So seeing how this is kind of the first day of making sure my dosages are right with the changes that were done, will need to watch how I feel. Of course, everyone is supposed to watch me signs of HE (Encephalopathy) as it is possible to increase after the TIPS. General signs are confusion, lack of focus, altered character ... just to name a few. Supposed to watch for jaundice as well, but that has been watched for since day one.

Though I feel mentally fresh and awake, inside I still feel a bit fatigued - not sure why. Could be the body adjusting to the changes. If not gone in a couple days I will contact Mayo to check about it. 

For all of you that read here (all two of you) thanks for the prayers and support. Keep them coming until this whole transplant thing is done.

I'm off to do my quiet time.

PeacE