Party Time!

 It's Thursday and I don't have anything on my calendar (medically) that needs to be done. But I have that 1pm  luncheon listed! It will be a different kind of experience for me, meeting a group of people I have only seen/heard through the computer. Our support fellowship will carry through I am sure, and it will be just the same as us chatting online before/after meetings. I believe I am excited more than anxious, and for me that is good.

My friend Jeff called me the other day. About a week ago was his birthday, and I had sent him a text, that he responded "thanks" to. I didn't hear back for any plans, some I was guessing he was spending the evening with family. Well he called this week, and we talked. HE wanted an update to where I am at, which I gave. He said he just went to the bar on his birthday. I said you should have called me. I can go and have soda for a couple hours... But that was then. Either way, we are going to try to meet up for lunch next week.

I did a drug test yesterday. Vial of blood and a urine sample. I am praying it shows my nicotine at 0, so my case will be reviewed next Wednesday. Worse case is I have to wait until next month for the next drug screen, and repeat. Different sources say different things about the time-frame for nicotine to not be detected on a drug screening, and also the amount you smoked can affect the results. I was a light smoker, so hopefully it will clear out of my system faster. Will wait and see.

Had a paracentesis yesterday. Drained another 10L, but had to leave fluid. I estimate by weight it is probably about 2-3 liters. I feel better today. Yesterday I was so uncomfortable from the ascites build-up, I felt fatigued (I fell asleep during the para once they had the catheter in), nausea and of course hungry, because I had to fast for the lab work just before the para. Afterwards I swung by Walgreens for the Wife's prescriptions, then CVS for my special order one, then to Subway, where I had ordered through the app, then home. That sub was so good after not eating all day.

In my quiet time this morning I reached chapter 5 in this book. I was starting to lose interest in this book because it felt like it was going stagnant. But I guess that was just the "intro section (5 chapters of it?) as now it looks like it is moving along to 'Step One'.

And with that, I am outta here!

PeacE

Feeling Pretty Miserable

 The past couple of days I have begun to feel uncomfortable. The build-up of the ascites feels like more than usual this week. I do go this afternoon for a Paracentesis, where I am quite positive they will drain 10L and leave fluid in the abdomen area. It's becoming the story of my Life, at least it feels that way at times. We could create a calendar system based off my paras.

I also have a blood draw/urine test today. Mayo gave me the orders yesterday for the drug screening, and I have only 48 hours to schedule and complete, otherwise they count it as a "positive" result. I don't want that!! So mine is scheduled at 11:30a right next to the Banner I go to for the paras, and I set the time to allow me to get from one building to the next (parking) and make my 1pm para. I am so bloated.... the Wife has started pregnancy jokes.

Tomorrow will be an interesting day. My AA Home group is doing an impromptu luncheon at Valle Luna. They usually do a luncheon once every quarter, but this one isn't the sanctioned one. What is nice, is that they invited me. They even said it was by invite only... Does that mean I am part of the 'Cool Club' now? I don't know, and if that turns out to be what it seems to be, I'll remove myself. I don't want to put myself separate from others - we are all in the same boot about sobriety. Not one of us is better/higher than another. I used to really dislike having to go to events where you "know" no one, and you have to go around and introduce yourself, etc. I found out over the past few months, it isn't so bad. And these people already know me through the Zoom meetings, it will just be an in-person meeting. The best part is it is more on my side of town, and fairly close to home.

I slept in an extra hour this morning, and I feel better for it. Yesterday I was feeling so bad, I actually took a 3-hour nap in the afternoon. Hoping with this extra sleep, the draining today, that things will get back to where they were where I was not so tired. It is still three weeks to the TIPS procedure for me. Sigh.

I have been reading of a morning in my quiet time the book 'Restore'. Today I read chapter three, and it was sort of about control. Trying to control people through your image, or works. How we "fire" God because we have control of things. I had to re-read a couple sections of it. In my mind, it kept flashing a neon sign sign saying "Not Needed" as I felt the chapter didn't really do anything but give examples, then say one needs to let God have control, not you. It was like 4-5 pages of repetition and nonsense to me. I hope the remaining parts of the book are not this way, because it started off pretty good. And this is strictly my opinion.

Welp, I need to figure out what 'flashy' shirt I am wearing today. Already got a pair of the shorts RM bought me. They are elastic waisted so work great for when I go to have paras. Got a hair cut a couple days ago. I'm starting to look pretty good, if I could get rid of this huge belly and keep it away.

And with that, I am out of here ....

PeacE

A Nice Weekend ...

 ... was had by myself. I don't include anyone else in it, as it is my feelings and I am not forcing everyone else to believe they had a nice weekend just because they were doing similar things as I. I spent a couple hours Saturday morning with my meetings. I have been invited to a non-regular luncheon for Thursday with my AA Home Group. It is supposed to be about 10 people or so, but I think that list has grown some more. I'm not worried. I have been meeting with many of these people for a few months now. Plus, it is at Valle Luna over on Cave Creek. Who doesn't like some good Mexican food? I did realize last night though, that I would miss the Mayo Transplant support group due to the timing of the luncheon. Oh well. Sometimes being with people 'in person' is better.

I blew off the Agenda yesterday, so that means I need to get it done this morning. I will work on it as soon as I am done here. I don't think there will be much to add/change, so shouldn't take long.

Hmmm. I can't seem to come up with anything I need to write about, so I'll just leave this here.

PeacE