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

Misplaced Thoughts, Gripes, and-Look! Squirrel!!

 Yesterday morning I woke (though early) and made myself look at this week in a positive way. I had nothing going on that should cause any issues for me, so it should be a good week. That lasted about four hours.

I received a text from Banner Hospital (where I go for the paracentesis when I need one) to remind me of the upcoming Wednesday appointment at 9am. Brakes screeched to a halt. I have had the time set for 11am on my calendar for a couple weeks at least. I think when I was canceling a previous appointment, and setting up new ones weeks out, someone moved this one maybe as the 9am slot opened up for me. I don't know, but I need a draining this week. I have a Zoom meeting with a doctor at 9am though, so the call was made to scheduling. This close to Wednesday, I knew it would be hard to get what time I wanted, and in the end, I had to settle on Friday at 1pm. So two extra days and a few hours. It's going to be fun seeing if I can get through the week. I am pretty distended now, and it is starting to get very uncomfortable, ad some pain like when I roll over (shifting the fluid around, etc.). Sigh. But I did also make sure I had appts scheduled for the next three weeks.

A few minutes of breathing to calm down and get back into a positive mindset and the day went on. I did an AA meeting. I was complimented after the meeting, which surprised me. I have been attending meetings with this group for about two months now, and consider it my Home Group. A few of the people know just a little of my medical stuff, as it is part of my sharing experience. Well, one of the 'regulars' commented that I was an amazing person. That I could be feeling the lousiest, hurting the most, whatever, and I am always positive and open at Group. I don't take compliments well, but I swallowed it and said Thank You. I had to spend a few minutes getting my ego back down to normal size... 

Riders meeting last night. Oh boy, the stress started up. Discussed the Riders Dinner plans for July, then voted to go to having the dinners once per quarter rather than monthly. With the same 5-6 people doing it constantly, we are getting burn-out, so this will help on that front until we can truly build up our roster. Our past Director received some information about the bylaws to be voted on this year and shared with the group. I have many questions going on in my head. I did print out the proposed bylaws so I can try to read through it today and write down my questions. There is supposed to be a Riders State Convention on the 27th, at my Post, but there is a huge scheduling conflict already. I reached out to Post leadership about it 0 no answers yet. Seems we need to have a state convention to vote to accept these National bylaws prior to the official vote in late July. Several big changes, most I like, but still. I came home a bit stressed about all this. I am the Secretary, and it will add more to my workload, especially of stuff I *don't* know the procedure or who to report it to. I am sure this will be discussed more later on.

The other parts of the day were good though, and I did sleep well last night, all the way to the alarm this morning! I have been working on a review for a smart ring and app. Today is Day Two wearing it, and I pretty wrapped up my thoughts on the product. Will be submitting it today. Longest review I ever wrote I think.

Today is an open day on the calendar. Probably will do the AA meeting later this morning. At some point this week I need to write up the minutes from last night's meeting, but there is not an extreme rush on it. Friday is a luncheon for my AA group to meet up and in person. I was debating  on going. The only hold back is that it is 'downtown' (Thomas/22nd St area) and if you figure we leave there about 2-3 puts me into rush hour. Now I cannot go as Friday at 1pm is my paracentesis, same as the luncheon. I mentioned it before the meeting yesterday, and I guess one of the guys does the printing for hats, or something to do with them, and he had some freebies to give out to those who show up. Well, I wanted a ballcap, so mentioned it to him. He just ask I text him my address and he would send me one since I couldn't make it. Woot!

Applying for disability and being approved has helped so much, even in just the last month. I have brought my account at Mayo to a currently 0 balance. Started a payment plan for 6 months with the hospital, less than $500/month, to bring that current total to 0, paid off all the smaller medical, dental, etc. for the Wife and I both. And still have a bit leftover. I mentioned to the Wife last night we are just going to build on the leftover each month from my check, save it up for future big medical - like if my transplant doesn't happen until after Jan. 1, when deductibles reset. So doing well on that front.

Welp, the Wife just left for work. I am running out of thoughts for right now. I am sure RM will be checking for my post anytime now. Y'all have a good one!

PeacE

What is Wrong With Me?

 Here we are again. Awake at a 4:45am and unable to go back to sleep. Seems like this is like the fourth or fifth day in a row it has happened. I mean, I do like getting the sleep I do get, compared to the insomnia issues I was having for years, but this is just frustrating. By noon time I am wanting a nap, but don't because I want to sleep well that evening. Doesn't seem to have made a difference, so maybe today I will try like a 30-minute nap and see what happens tonight.

Not racing today to beat RM in getting a post up. She has already ceded the contest. Just some fun because we were both waking earlier than our normal.

The only thing I have on my calendar for today is the Riders meeting this evening. I did complete and send out the Agenda yesterday later in the day. Only one correction was needed, and it wasn't big enough to re-edit and send out, so just corrected it by hand on my 10 copies I printed. Of course I did edit the document, so it is properly marked for record-keeping. Not much on the Agenda, but a couple bigger topics need to be addressed.

I have a Zoom meeting Wednesday morning with the Psychologist, followed by a paracentesis at 11am. I need it. I have been uncomfortable the last two days, and I stick out like a petite woman having triplets. I'll feel so much better when I get drained.

I need to go around to some Goodwill stores. I am looking for an office chair. The one I have now was a Christmas present, and has had the warranty (now expired) used once to get an equivalent replacement. Now the floor here in my office is painted concrete, so rollers are a necessity. From there it is comfort and 'wants'. If I hit a couple stores and not find anything, I may go to Staples (where original chair was from) and see what they have at a reasonable price.

Saturday, my grandson, Doc, turns one! The Middle Son is having a little come and go type party between the pool and his apartment. I signed up to bring a veggie or fruit tray. Need to find a gift that I am able to get before Saturday. Papaw been slacking... Hoping the Daughter and family will be up for it, but not sure. They are in Missouri for a weeding this weekend. Maybe the Oldest Son will show as well. Youngest is riding with us.

Here's a bit of a pisser ... So the party is Saturday starting about noon. I noticed on our VFW Post calendar, the is a VFW Riders State meeting scheduled 1-4pm at my Post. First I ever knew of it. It does say tentative, so not sure what is happening, but if it happening, I need to be there. So much for seeing the family. Sigh. Going to have to reach out for more info I guess. I just messaged the Jr. Vice Commander to ask for any details. There's a problem if this is happening, as our Chapter never received any information about the meeting, let alone it being at our Post. There is so much going regarding the Riders right now, I get frustrated at times trying to sort out, prepare for, etc. these new changes.

Well, I need to go to the Reading Room for a bit. Y'all have a good one!

PeacE