It's Easy To Get Lost ....

 ... in the seemingly notes/paperwork/discharges/follow-ups from doctors and hospitals, to find out the important things, like, what exactly are the meds/dosages? Is that a blood draw at the Liver Dr office, or is that not until January when he scheduled our next appointment? I have been trying my best to keep a journal of "all the experiences" of this joyride, as well as what reports I can print from patient portals for any doctors I see. I try to keep an accurate spreadsheet on my meds, dosages, how often to take. In fact, I need to call the Liver Spec. to confirm a couple things: do I have a blood draw on Monday, even though the appointment isn't until January? What were the changes he made to the two prescriptions? One I got cleared through the pharmacy already, as it was an increase in dosage and times to take. The other one, not sure...he said something about increasing it (I was already at 2xday per the hospital docs) but did he increase the dosage as well? Pharmacy is holding that one as I just filled that dosage strength a couple weeks ago, and the insurance wouldn't want me to have dangerous pills around, I guess. Gonna be a bit busy in the morning.....

Saturday, the Youngest was cleaning up some of his accumulated trash (empty sodas, sunflower seed packs, etc.) and accidently tipped a cup of water into the top of his computer casing. He was able to shut every thing down in seconds, but not sure how bad. He dismantled and dried out everything he could, and left it out and open to dry more. Sunday he tried powering it up, but only 2 (of 4 fans came on, and it was like the power wanted to come on, but wouldn't. Not knowing any computer-savvy people for this job, we took it up to Best Buy for their Geek Squad. 

I was angry! Without even looking at it, they charged me $180.00 ($16 and change tax) to purchase a coverage plan for this one item, that I don't even know if it is worth repairing. Then another $80 for diagnostic charge. Not happy! But Son needs it, and it needs to be found out. They guy hooks it up to a power source and turns it on, sees the same results we did, and said they wouldn't be able to look at it until the next day (it was evening). The next day, no call, no text from Geek Squad. Youngest and I go up, and I demand it back. A different person told me the coverage was required no matter what to have service there. I responded they didn't service it at all. He said when water spills are the cause they have to let it set 2 days before even looking at it. I demanded my refund, of the coverage and the diagnostic fee. He caved right away, when I added that his "associate" had fired it up the night we brought it in, and now it could be damaged more by their negligence of their own company policy. And Shouldn't I go speak to the manager right now?

So home we go with a computer that still doesn't work. The next day I took it into Data Doctors, who charged me $50 up front to look at it, said they had to wait the 1-2 days as well, and life went on. Today is that second day, and no call/text, so I told the Son we will call and check on it in the morning. Hopefully they found something fast, easy and cheap. I can't afford another whole computer right now.

My sister fell and fractured her pelvis this past weekend. She has been in the hospital (same one I go to) waiting to find a rehab facility that will take her insurance (Thanks Obama Affordable Care) and have a room available. Hoping tomorrow. I spent a little time with her yesterday and today. With her somewhat loopy from the pain meds, it's just too easy to get those sibling love jokes out of the way. I did promise no pictures though. Told her if she stayed until Sunday, we could be roomies. As I plan to go to the ER on Sunday for a draining, and any possible overnights they might need. At least my calendar is fairly free next week.

Getting close on my book goal. I have 2 reviews I have been lax about doing, and I think it leaves me one short, which I am working on reading now. Just with all this medical and whatnot, the desire to read like I did before has gone to the side as I just can't concentrate as well. Maybe when things start getting in better control.

PeacE

Spunky is Losing Her Spark

I don't recall offhand if I really ever mentioned anything about our family pet. I guess the word "pet" doesn't really cover it, as she has been a part of our household for 17 years almost - almost as old as my daughter. Her name is Spunky. She has a black fur coat with white belly, and now, quite a bit of gray around her muzzle. She is a mixed breed of Chihuahua and Daschound.

Yeah, I can see you trying to picture this dog. Imagine a chihuahua, then grab its hips and stretch them back about 7-8 inches, and you have Spunky. She is chihuahua in seemingly everything, except body length - fur type, bark, excitability. I remember back when she was around 6 months, and we took her in to be spayed. The Vet explained she had a heart murmur, and that we should not get her excited at all for any reason. Yeah right. A chihuahua NOT getting excited at something? Hell, someone knocks on the door there goes 5 minutes of extensive barking and charging at the entrance!

Anyways, over the past several years, Spunk and I have seen differently. She thinks she is queen bitch, and I think she is just a bitch. We take it out on each other in whatever way we can, she and I. Nothing better than first thing in the morning getting out of bed and stepping into a WARM puddle of dog pee, on the way to the bathroom. Or snapping her jaws at me if I roughhouse with the kids. Well, it's been a while since she has done that one. The Wife and kids love her to death though, and she is always underfoot with the Wife.

Bottom line is, age has finally caught up with her, and last night it really started to show. For months now, the Wife and I had been noticing her sight tended to be getting worse, plus her hearing. Some of her teeth had started falling out, and we had to change her diet a bit from just dry foods. Each time we would be sure the older kids were aware that signs of aging were catching up. Last night Spunky ended up having some sort of seizure, or attack. The Daughter came screaming for me (I actually thought one of the boys had finally killed one of the others). I saw the attack had pretty much subsided and Spunk couldn't move - seemed very disoriented.

I had the Wife get a couple old towels to get under her (in case of bowel/bladder failure) and explained that Spunk was probably dying, and I had no idea how long she would last. That brought on the tear fest. The Wife and daughter won Academy Awards, Emmys, and Golden Globes for their portrayals of grief. The oldest son was a bit misty eyed, the middle son wasn't sure how to react, and the youngest - heck, he kept right on playing with his toys. I made sure the Wife knew to have the kids say goodbye (just in case) before bed, and we would see how Spunk was doing in the morning.

This morning, she is doing better. Back to walking seemingly okay, control of bodily functions, eating good, and just giving me bitchy looks. All most as if she is saying "Fooled you asshole. I ain't going on yet and making you happy." Bitch. The Wife and I decided we would wait the next few days and see if Spunky retains her normal self, or if we need to finally put her to sleep. I would rather do that than see her become some floppy floor mat in front of the kids.

So, once she does finally go, be it sooner or later, people always ask me if I would get another dog to have around the house. I usually say hell no, the kids are getting a pet rock - one for each of them to take care of on their own. But after last night, I don't know. Maybe if we got another dog, it and I would get along. I'll just have to think about it, and see how things go.

So, now we can change the subject from dying family pets, to - OH! It's my sister's 40th Bday!!! What a segue in topics! I have already called her and wished her a good day. Though our convo was filled with many "Huh? What was that? I couldn't hear you..." jokes. And she has hearing aids... If she wore them...

I think that is it for today. It is Hump Day, but I couldn't find any decent pics to place here. Well, I did find some, just too lazy to do it right this instant. Maybe later I will put them up. In the meantime, it is getting close to time for the pub to open, and I think I may go down and have a few.

PeacE

I feel better - sort of

Last week Scottsdale Princess had a post and a re-direct to this page. I clicked it and did my small part for humanity. So I sort of feel better. Not that I am a big believer in charities, unless it comes to myself. But Leukemia is not a bad charity.

Several years ago - I am wanting to say like 6 but not sure -my sister was diagnosed with a form of leukemia. Luckily, they were able to catch it somewhat early and her radiation and chemo treatments started. Like in most cases of radiation therapy, she lost her hair. I have a picture somewhere at home of the three of us (bro, sis and I) with our heads shaved/bald. Stuman had his cut down for the Army reserves, and I shaved mine to make Sis feel better.

Anyways, during this time, things had gotten further along that she was going to need a bone marrow transplant. Per past procedures, usually a family member is the best "match" for this type of transplant. My sister had asked me to quit smoking and drinking so that my blood would be pure enough to be tested. I lasted a week before the bro-in-law told me that it made no difference, and that Sis was just seeing how long I would go without a smoke or a drink. I still owe her for that (in case you are reading Sis).

No one in the family matched close enough to donate. Side note - my bro and I matched perfectly if one of us were to have the need. Finally a match was found through the system of national donors, and her transplant took place. For 30 days she was not allowed to leave the hospital as they had to be sure no infections or rejections were taking place. After that, she would be allowed to leave UMC, but had to stay within a couple miles with a caretaker 24 hours a day, and come in for daily treatments still. Fortunately, I was working for my sis & BIL at the time in real estate, and I was the one that traveled to Tucson to stay with her in a furnished apartment. Regardless what the dr's said, each weekend we left and returned to Phoenix as she missed her kids, and I had my family as well. After that month, she returned home and only occasionally had to return for follow up visits.

So after these past years, she has been in complete recovery/remission - whatever ya call it. So I guess donating a few bucks for Leukemia might not be a bad thing. Feel special inside.

PeacE