It Was A Day ...

 Turning 55 years of age is not a huge mile marker like 30, or 50, and so on. I truly was not expecting any big shin-dig, or some major surprise party (thankfully! I hate those). I pretty much did nothing all day. The birthday posts on social media started coming in. a few family/friends via text. One call from the Daughter and the Granddaughters to sing Happy Birthday to me. One call from my best friend back in Michigan - though I didn't answer it. I was in the process of going to bed (8:30pm? Yeah, I'm over 50). Think about then there was probably around 60-70 posts from HS friends, to current friends, and so many others! I did reply personally to many of them yesterday, but will be doing the final ones this morning. I heard from the Middle Son via text. Never heard from the Oldest Son, and the Youngest, though living at home, never said anything either. Oh well.

Today is Labor Day, and I have nothing planned. The Wife has to work. The Youngest has a friend in town from out of state, so no idea what their plans may be. I'll probably do my Homegroup meeting, then play games the rest of the day - no I won't. I didn't do the minutes yesterday...oops! I just pulled out the laptop so I can start on them next.

The Wife and I were discussing my medical last night. I need to be sure to bring up the edema in my legs. It is worse than when I started a year ago. My legs are so sensitive to touch, yet itch all the time. The swelling is bad, too. Look like two large lumps of meat. Compression socks seem to help a little, but I don't see much difference. I think they should increase my diuretics, but I am not a doctor.

Welp, got other things to get done (minutes) so will end this today.

PeacE

Well, That Didn't Go As Planned ...

 I wasn't planning on making the obligatory post that it is my 55th birthday, and that I was pretty much going to try to NOT do anything productive today ... but 4:38am had a whole 'nother story. When did did get so much control over me? When I began losing track of it, or because I gripe about needing more of it? Either way, though there are several choices of things I could do at this insane hour, I figured I would put a shortie up.

Yesterday was a good day. Tiring, but good. I met up with one of my besties, Jeff, just up the road at a pub we used to go to occasionally. He had invited several mutual friends, his Dad, me ... not sure who else ... to come up and watch opening day for College Football. One of the first games on was Baylor Univ. and Auburn. His nephew plays for Baylor now, and got plenty of play time, as well as his name mentioned on television a few times, just that I saw. That kids is a Hoss!! Huge Defensive End! Well, Baylor lost by one, but I didn't see it. I made it to halftime, and let him know I was taking off. It had been a couple hours already, and I had previously let him know that was my limit before I start getting fatigued. Well, it's part true. That and being the only sober one there at halftime was not much fun. We made tentative plans for lunch soon.

I had mentioned mutual friends ... I personally had not told any of them except my buddy my medical stuff (he's my bestie, c'mon!) but I guess he had mentioned it to some of the guys. As I was telling Jeff bye, they kinda gathered round and would shake my hand, give me a hug, and say something like 'Hope everything goes well'. All of them. It was kind of a weird feeling having these guess that I know, but are more his old HS buddies, take an interest in me because of a liver transplant. It was touching, don't get me wrong. Just felt weird.

I was tired. I had nodded off for a few seconds a couple times near the half, but that could have been boredom as well. I sat there in the car (waiting on the a/c to get it cool - it was like 104 out) and decided to get moving. I had told the Wife my tentative plans for the day, and if they were to get done, I needed to get going. I went and got some hairs cut. I feel so much better now. Though, I had not seen this stylist at my location before, and if I do, I'm not going to use her. She took seemingly forever to just do a "0" on the sides and back. I am usually in and out in about 10 minutes ... this dragged into a half hour. They aren't paid for the time, but for the customer ... so no idea why she was so slow about such an easy trim. From there I headed to the VFW. Tuesday I had been told they were doing an impromptu birthday thing for one of the ladies that helps out a lot. I was told about 5pm. So I am there early (my normal) and playing games on my tablet. The Post had their dinner starting at 5pm (pulled pork sandwich, Slaw, ranch beans, dessert - $10) and I was famished. I bought and ate, all while still waiting for this shindig to happen. By 6:30p I told my friend Stacey (who was doing it) that I had to head home. I was beat. The gal's husband hadn't even left to get his Wife yet, and knew it was going to be even longer. So I was home say ...6:30'ish? Maybe 7pm at latest.

Crud. I just remembered I need to do the Minutes from Tuesday's meeting today. Guess I will work on that at some point. Needs to be done and emailed in today.

I played a video game I have been working on for awhile. In bed by 10p, and up too early. Refilled my pill boxes for the week. I had confirmed yesterday the 5 appointments I have on Tuesday. And now? I am off to check the mail, etc. before playing some more games.

Thanks in advance for the birthday wishes.

PeacE

Holiday Weekends and Posting

 In the past several years, around mid-August I would throw out the "big invite" for my Birthday celebration. Always on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, usually 12p-4p (which led into later times as well). Come by, have a drink with me, catch-up, share memories, or just say hi. How long have I been doing this? Five years? Six? And before that it was by word of mouth. Either way, my Birthday coinciding with Labor Day weekend was nothing more than another excuse to drink, get wasted, do stupid things (like drive home). That Era has ended and falls to memories and recounting of experiences to share.

So no 'shin-dig' for my Birthday. This year, I am fine with that. I'm not really in the mood for any crowd (more than 8-10 people) anyways. My medical stuff would turn into the main topic that everyone one wants to know about, as so many people do NOT know. I've kept that circle down to close family and friends, and I don't post anything publicly on social media about it. Here? Ha! All two of you running to the News station yet to get a reporter here? Thought not.

Today I am doing two meetings (AA/Live support) and my Home Group. In both I get to announce that tomorrow (my birthday) is also my 1 year of sobriety. And yes, I am going to ask for a coin! A year ...wow. That's the start of all this liver stuff. The start of making new friends. The start of learning how to take better care of myself through diet, exercise, and mental exercise. The start of learning to fall in love with God again, and improve relationships. So many good things in just one year. 

No post tomorrow. I am enjoying the Day!

PeacE

Grading Complete!

 Welp, only one person physically replied to taking the test, but I am sure the hordes all read it and made the same decision. It wasn't that hard. I skipped posting yesterday. I woke feeling sort of blah, and decided that a nap was in order, so back to bed it was! Last night I didn't sleep well, and I feel like am lagging a bit this morning, but I will get through the day - with maybe an afternoon nap.

I've been wearing a pair of compression socks I had lurking in a drawer, for the past three days ( I know, they need to be washed). The fluid in my legs has decreased a bit (maybe almost half?) though it feels like there is fluid still built up in my thighs, and I have pitting up and down the whole leg. Side effect of the TIPS, I'm told. My abdomen is still distended as well. After draining the 12.5L this week, it didn't go down like before. The Wife says it feels like there is fluid between the skin and all that, but I don't know. I'll hopefully have someone look at it Tuesday.

The Youngest came home the other day and said his check engine light had come on. I thought about giving him a dead-pan look and saying "So?" but I didn't. We are headed to Autozone here in a bit to see what they find on the OED device (codes) and hoping it only a maintenance type issue, or need new air filter. Youngest said he thought he felt a small decrease in power, but otherwise didn't notice anything. Maybe the O2 sensor needs a good 'blow out' on the freeway.

Other than that, I gotta go. Busy morning for me today.

PeacE

Pop Quiz!

 Didn't think there would be a test today, huh? Well ... SURPRISE! I will make it a bit easier for you and make it a multiple choice question. There is only one right answer. Write in answers may get extra attention if it is really good. If you are correct, you don't get anything except the satisfaction of being right.

This morning, about 6:45am, an incident occurred in my home. The bedroom, and narrowing that down, my bedroom. Whilst in the stage of blissful sleep (took a pill last night) I ended up doing a nosedive off the bed. Why?

A. I just rolled off the bed.

B. I was dreaming of sky-diving, and adjusting my angle of descent prior to pulling the cord.

C. The chow bell was ringing and I didn't want to be last, but lost my balance.

D. I had to use the bathroom desperately and hurried from the bed, only to slip and fall.

E. I wanted to show my Wife how I've fallen for her.

F. Other (Write-in answers welcome.

I'll answer at the end of the Post, and tomorrow post the scores. Might have to grade these on a curve...

Finished my quiet time this morning. I feel fresh and renewed with the Spirit! I think my regular AA group has a Big Book study today, so that will be good. Nothing else planned for the rest of the week, just the medical appointments on Monday. I need to write Mayo this morning about the two diuretics that they slashed down once I had the TIPS. Also, the PA at AZ Liver won't renew either of them, so need Mayo to take that over as well. I found and wore one of the pairs of compression socks yesterday. Allegedly you are to sleep with them on as well, but sleeping with socks on has never been my thing, so by 10pm they were off. I noticed this morning (as I was checking for any cuts) that the swelling has gone down a good bit in both legs - Magically overnight it seems. Now yesterday, the draining  was 12.5L and they said they got it all. But my weight, after only one small pitcher of tea, was 281lbs. Now last dry weight was a couple weeks ago and was 251lbs. Where is this 30lbs at? Fluid in my legs? So I checked my weight this morning, and I am up to 284lbs. But I know for sure the fluid in my legs went somewhere overnight, well, a portion of it did. I might wait a day or two and see what happens before reporting it to the doctors.

Yesterday's paracentesis was late enough (1pm) that I didn't finish the 4 bags of albumin until about 3:30pm. I debated getting something to eat, but wanted a dry weight check when I got home. Also I had the House Comm. meeting at 5:30pm about 4 miles from the hospital. So I just went to the Post. We finished up the meeting early, and I booked it out of there. RM had texted at one point (I had the phone on quiet) asking if I was ok and didn't I have the para that day. I told her yes, and would get the regular family update out when I got home. Which I did do. Before I left the VFW, I checked in with the Secretary of the AUX (I'm Asst.) and asked if she needed anything from me. She said not then, but would be cc'ing me probably this week sharing information and other records for me to hang on to or help with. Joy. I also need to do the minutes ASAP as they need them prior to Tuesday. And my Youngest attends his first meeting on Tuesday! I'm excited.

Today is National VJ (Victory over Japan) Day from WWII. Also coming up is on 9/11 the 25th Anniversary of the event, and 9/18 is POW/MIA Day. The Auxiliary has a birthday later this month as well, but I don't have the day in front of me.

Welp, I'm shared out this morning. Talk at ya next time!

Oh, and the answer was "A"

PeacE

Count Down!

 I am literally counting down the hours to my paracentesis today. It is at 1pm. So, it is only practical I wake at 4:30am, to be sure I am awake in plenty of time. No, but that's what happened. Which is fine with me. I feel rested, and I get to extend my quiet time a little longer. I did get in two books yesterday that I had ordered. "Drop the Rock, which concentrates on the fundamentals and reasons for Steps 6 & 7 in AA. The other is "Drop the Rock ... A Ripple Effect" which is sort of a second book that tells how to use Step 10 to use Steps 6 & 7 everyday. I am not that far along yet, but I can read ahead and prepare for it.

I should have a third book coming soon "The Overthinkers Guide to Making Decisions: How to Make Decisions Without Losing Your Mind". Sounds like a spoof, eh? Well, it is a real book and I ordered it. 

Ugh! The pressure in my abdomen is terrible. The swelling in my legs is terrible. And as I ordered, or made sure was on auto-refill, my prescriptions with Walgreens, the two they are having issues renewing are the two diuretics. I see they are still listed in the Dr. at AZ Liver, and he is probably not happy with me. They had called about a month-two months ago, trying to schedule me to come in for some lab work (they do it in-office). I said no. I get enough done at Mayo, and they can contact them for that info versus me doing it again, and paying it (my insurance anyways) again and overall wasting my time driving there, etc. Besides, he was the one that referred me to Mayo! HE even said he was stepping back and letting Mayo have full control over my treatment and care. Now they pull this crap. Anyways, they won't renew it (probably without an appointment - not happening. I'll just add that on to my message to Mayo today, that since these two prescriptions are what the Radiologist changed (and I think need changed back) and I need some anyways, Mayo can take it over.

Seven hours. I decided not to do my regular AA group this morning. It ends at Noon, and I want to be already on my way to the hospital. I am almost always early to things, and this is no exception. It'd be nice if they are running a little ahead of schedule as well. I did try a new group the past week at 8am, strictly a book study/discussion, and turns out I knew about 3/4 of the people there from other groups! It was like walking in on the same meeting! But their book study is pretty good, and there isn't a "tag" session to have people discuss whatever the topic is. I don't mind sharing, if I have something. Seems lately quite a bit of discussions are geared more around the later Steps, and I don't know anything about them aside of what they are. So I usually pass with the "I'm still new in the program enough I have not made it that far".

Welp, I would love to waste more time here this morning, but have pretty much ran out of things for now.

PeacE

Popping Balloons

 That's kinda along the lines of how I feel this morning. Tomorrow ... para tomorrow and get drained. Ugh! Then I will message Mayo and let them know how much was drained, then explain about the swelling in my legs/feet. Going to try to get a decent picture as well to send. They are worse than when I started with Mayo. I feel it is because the adjustment in meds, but I could be wrong.

Today's meditation/reflection was on criticism and judgement, how we should refrain from both. I believe these are two of my more major faults I have going on. I am always quick to judge, stereotype, decide where you would fit in my "pecking order". I also like to comment on how badly someone has done something, or how they could have done it better. One of the things I shared with RM, and she smiled and was shaking her head in agreement, was about learning as a parent to let go of your children and let them make their own decisions when they are an adult. I have been working on it with the Youngest the most, not playing '20 questions' if he takes off and goes somewhere. The other two boys, well, sometimes I just want to give them my say so about some issue they are going through, but I shut my mouth and tell them if they want my opinion or experience to ask for it. After instructing the directing them for 18 years, it's a hard habit to break.

God and I spent some time going over those two defects, plus some others, that I asked to be removed from me. So I got some work cut out for me.

I really don't have much today. I'll do my AA Home Group at 11am, followed by their monthly business meeting, which doesn't last long. Then I guess it is computer surfing and video games.

PeacE