Not Too Shabby ....

 Yesterday turned into a pretty good day. Started it out with a visit to my PCP, to update her on what all has been going on the past few weeks. Bottom line: she renewed 4 of the 5 prescriptions that were due to run out, cancelled the three I was told to stop, got me an 'urgent referral to the Gastro Doc, and once she had time to read through all the reports I brought her from the hospital, called me back to update me. Seems she didn't notice until going through the reports that my Calcium was reported as high, and asked me to return to the office this morning for an additional blood draw for labs, specifically for the calcium tests. No biggie. The office is only about 10 minutes from my house. Best news? My A1C is down to  from the 6 it was just over three months ago! Their referral desk even called me late in the afternoon to say they processed the referral, and to allow 24 hours for the Gastro Doc to process and they would call me to schedule.

Afterwards, I took a drive out to see RM. I still had a container that she had brought brownies in to one of the Riders dinners, and I thought I would take a look at her "blog" issues she was having when she was trying to post. Seems the window would shrink automatically down to almost nothing, and she would have to spend quite some time to expand it bit by bot just in order to see what she is typing. Weird, right? Well, I found out she uses MS Edge for her browser (I personally detest that browser), so I added in Chrome for her, and what do ya know? Her blog dashboard and posts page, etc. all came up normal. So hopefully, she won't have issues again.

Talked to the Wife on the way home via phone, and updated her on what went on at the PCP office. Then by about noon, I was just fatigued, so took a nap until the PCP called. Afterwards, I decided to actually go to the pub, and meet my buddy B up there as we hadn't met up since I was in the hospital. Shared what was going on with my health to him, and he caught me up on things going on for him. Was a good time. And I wasn't tempted once to have any alcohol. I'm surprised I was able to quit so easily. B had asked if this was temporary until we fixed what was wrong, and I told him I think it was a life decision for me. Now to work on stopping the cigarettes.

Slept decently last night (not allowed my edibles right now) but was woken a few times through the night to pee (water pill is working) or because of leg cramps I had to 'walk off'. Which brings me up to the am :hour where I decided to just get up, take my meds, and prepare to head to the PCP office (they open at at7:30am - hope the lab tech is there at that time).

Today I am calling a rest day, and will spend it here at home. Saturday I'll be at the Post for Inventory, followed by Sunday morning where I will return as the Riders are doing the breakfast. Then, for now, four days of nothing until the appointment with the Kidney Doc on Thursday (unless the Gastro sets me up prior to that).

Such an exciting time, eh?

PeacE

I Dislike Leadership With Bad Decisions

 Last night was our monthly VFW Riders Group meeting. Normally, I look forward to these, not only for the feedback, but because I am the Secretary and the positive feedback I get from members of how good my minutes, or agenda, or the calendar of events. But lately, our Director has started some "bad habits" that I do not like. The biggest one is paying receipts (especially his) from proceeds gained from things like our monthly dinners, etc. His complaint is that it takes the Quartermaster too long to reimburse him, citing it takes over a month (not true) and it is just easier and faster this way. Sounds way to shady for me, as no one sees the receipts he is claiming, so how do we know he isn't taking more? The second issue I had, was brought up at the meeting last night. Director wants to do a couple raffles, each for a handgun, and have the drawing in mid-December. Sounds fine, right? Well, he wants to buy the guns out of pocket (instead of from our account) and reimburse him the cost(s) from the proceeds of the raffles, as ticket sales come in.

Tonight, I decided I wasn't going to stand for it.

Tonight we had our Quarterly Post/Auxiliary meeting, where we basically go over our calendar of events, and give status reports for some of them, or additional information that has been brought up. Our Post Commander was there tonight (he is also the Treasurer for our Riders chapter, but do to Commander duties, is not able to make every meeting). After the meeting, I sat with him and explained I had some contention about the actions of the Riders Director. I explained the self-reimbursement from proceeds. Big no-no. As a non-profit entity (the VFW) when proceeds are collected, they need to be recorded for audit, then the reimbursements are dispersed by the Quartermaster. So the Commander was not happy. Then I brought up the issue about the raffles for the handguns. Another big no-no. We, as the Riders, Post, or Auxiliary, should never have possession of a fireman we are raffling off. Proper procedure is to place it on lay-away at whatever gun shop, use some of the raffle proceeds to make payments on it, excluding the final $1.00. Thus, the gun shop has the gun. When drawing, three tickets are drawn. the first draw is the winner, who will at agreed time, meet with our delegate at the gun shop, do their background check, and if passes, we pay the final $1, they go home with the weapon. If they don't pass, then the second ticket drawn gets to repeat the same process. We are never in possession of the weapon. Our Riders Director wants to do some kind of electronic raffle draw (online) and reimburse his own pocket, as well as have possession of the weapons.

The Commander told me "I will take care of speaking to him", and I was relieved. I am sure my name will not be mentioned but I know the Director will still find out it was me. Why? Because I completed our minutes from last night's meeting tonight, and sent to him for approval, or any corrections, prior to sending to the group. Regarding the gun raffles, I phrased it we are still looking into information about doing the raffle "as the VFWRG should not be in possession of said weapon at any point during the raffle". I am sure he is smart enough to put it together. Oh well. What he is doing goes against Rider bylaws, Post bylaws, and frankly, is just shady as all get out.

The next couple of weeks shall be interesting.

Tomorrow I have my appointment with my PCP, to catch her up on the hospital visit/stay, and was able to print off many of the reports from the hospital for her to 'add to my file'. I am not sure she will change anything at this point, as I have the Kidney specialist next Thursday. Shall be interesting. Friday I have nothing on my calendar (thank goodness). Saturday I am at the Post helping with Inventory (done monthly). Sunday the Riders are providing breakfast 9-noon, so I will be there to help with that.

Some days, I feel I am just too involved at the Post. But, at least now it gives me a better outlet than just going to the bar (though they have a canteen - and cheaper prices). And, I feel better being involved in helping reach out to the communities through events the Aux and Post put on.

Alright, it is late, and I need to get to bed to try to get some sleep (hopefully). Doctor at the hospital told me to stop taking the edibles I use to relax and sleep, at least until I see the specialists and find out what they think. Also, I'm getting tired of water - even with the electrolyte flavor packs RM gave me. Worse, being told to limit my water intake as much as possible (goal was under 1500mL - 50oz per day).

PeacE

Phone Calls and Dinner

When I was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, there was a lot of head nods, and "Yeah, I'll call them" going on because I just wanted out of there. I know, I know. It is for the betterment of my health to get these appointments set and actually go to see these specialists... but I haven't called yet. Yesterday was somewhat busy for me.

Tuesday, the Directors of my Riders group called me. Seemed he was without a car (but still had his motorcycle from transportation) and needed someone to pick up the hot dog/hamburger buns that were being donated from the Orowheat Store. OF course he calls me, as I am the Secretary, and seemingly the only other person responsible enough in the group. I mentioned to him I was in the hospital, and I would try to get there the next day. He was to call and let them know it may be a day or two before IO could get up there. So as the Wife prepped to leave for work, I prepped to get on the road. Yeah, it was a little trip. The store is about 10 miles from my house, but I got there and picked it all up (plus two plastic bags of powdered and chocolate covered donuts). I then headed to the Post (another little jaunt) to drop them off, as well as attend the flag raising we were doing in Remembrance of 9/11 (which went well, considering it is a work day for many).

I had brought along the laptop, so I stayed at the Post and worked on the Agenda for the Riders meeting this next week. I got the flyers for events at the Post, as well as Rider-related events sorted. I even took the time to clean up my loose files in my "VFW" folder and assign folders. I felt productive. By afternoon, I had approval to send out the Agenda - Done! Earlier in the morning, the Post Adjutant and I were talking, and he mentioned the Post had recently updated their Post Bylaws, and that since I was working on doing an amendment to the House Policy, that there was some wording/phrasing from the Bylaws that should be incorporated in to the Policy, as well as some Appendixes that they had finished. <eye roll> Great. More work. But I explained, since I am not a Post member (only Aux) I don't have access to the Post Bylaws. So he is supposed to send me everything, sometime before he leaves for vacation in the next week. Sigh. So who knows when I will get it, when I will get the House Chair to sit down with me to do the corrections/amendment(s). Sometimes this volunteer work is more of a job, and I wish I got paid for it.... Moving on. It was Thursday, and Washington was playing, so I stayed to watch the game at the Post. I did go home about 8pm in the third quarter as it didn't look like my team was going to win.

So, no. I did not call and set up appointments. But I am working on that today. I already scheduled my PCP for Tuesday. Now just waiting for the other two offices to open and see what I can do.

Yesterday I felt fatigued. I think it may be the new meds, or the restricted amount of water I am allowed (though I did go over that amount). There were a few members that asked if I was okay, as I wasn't my usual self, so some of the Aux leadership are aware of what is going on with me. I've popped my pills for the morning, and am getting ready to check the sugar and BP. Feeling pretty normal right now, but see how the day goes.

I'll be back at the Post this afternoon, as we have our monthly Riders dinner tonight (hamburgers and hot dogs, beams, chips, and brownies that RM made). The Wife has a team building workshop after work, so won't be home until late. 

PeacE

Birthdays and Life Changes

 Whew! Since this weekend, there has been quite a bit going on in my Life. I usually gripe about how boring things are for me, and how nothing exciting happens. Well, I am not saying this was exciting, but it was still a lot to take in.

My friend from Florida, My Ginny, flew in as she does every year for my birthday. At one point during her visit, someone had asked how long we had known each other, and we came up with in our calculations, that it has to have been about 25 years. Already at our Silver Anniversary (I joked to her about it). Either way, we were able to have some one on one time Friday night. Saturday arrived, and I was at the Post by about 11:30am to start the afternoon of my get-together. Overall it went well. Quite a few friends from some of the pubs I attend showed up for a bit. I was a bit more surprised at the number of Post and Aux members that showed up, just for my event. I guess I am liked at the Post more than I thought I was. I didn't get drunk, and kept all the drinks to just shots. Friday night, after a couple beers, I decided beer just wasn't tasting right and decided to get quit drinking beer for a bit. Saturday I had about 10 shots over the course of 12 hours.

Now we need to backstory a bit. Back around early July, my bellybutton decided to become an 'outie' versus his status of years as an 'innie'. It wasn't fully projecting outwards, but was making a transition was very obvious. There was no pain, and I did a quick Google search of what it could be. Obviously, an umbilical hernia, that carried the chance of one of the intestines getting clotted into the 'hole in the muscle wall, etc. For the time being I ignored it, as, well, no pain. Follow through to August, and I start noticing some abdominal pain occurring infrequently. Enough that I couldn't pin point where exactly the issue was. I decided to kind of keep watch and see what happens. By the end of August, I knew something was going on, but no clue. No pain around the bellybutton. I was having bowel issues, as in not having any BMs, except with the use of a laxative, and it was never solid. My abdomen was becoming more projected, and under pressure, literally, to the touch. By my birthday, I couldn't bend over to put on my shoes, the abdomen was so extended and tight, there was no lee way. I also started having quite a bit of pain flashes through the area.

Sunday morning I slept. When I woke, I felt like some of that pressure had lessened, and knowing I had a Dr appointment in November, I wondered if I could hold out that long to get things evaluated. Monday came. By evening, I was worse. Full pressure, shortness of breath, still no BMs, very little urine, no appetite or thirst for the past 2 days. I began to worry. The Wife looked up symptoms, and of course, liver failure was one of the major ones. I refused to believe it was that bad. She offered to take me to the ER if I felt bad enough, but I said no, come morning if it was bad still, I would get an emergency appointment with my Dr and go from there. I made it to about 7am. Woke the Wife, said let's go to the ER.

To cut out the short boring stuff, six hours in at the ER, a CT scan, and blood for labs, they agreed to do a paracentesis, as the abdomen issue was fluid build-up in my body cavity. So they inserted a tube into the side of my abdomen, and proceeded to pump out the fluid. And pump. And pump. All said and done, they removed 11.7 LITERS (that's 25.7 pounds) of fluid from the abdomen area, that was freely floating in there amongst all my organs. Then it was decided they needed to keep me over night to see a GI doctor, as well as monitor me. So, my first time EVER staying in a hospital as a patient, and now that I am home, it sucks. Never recommend. So, still Saturday, the Doctor assigned at the time to me came and explained that I have a decompressed liver. Here's and explanation:

* "Decompressed liver" refers to decompensated cirrhosis, a severe stage of cirrhosis where liver scarring is so extensive that the liver can no longer perform its vital functions properly. This advanced liver disease is marked by symptoms such as jaundice (yellow skin), ascites (abdominal fluid), confusion (hepatic encephalopathy), and bleeding from varices. Causes include viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Treatment focuses on managing complications, addressing the underlying cause of the liver damage, and often involves a liver transplant.

So, yeah. The liver is failing on me. I decided right then that I quit drinking. The Dr asked if I was having the shakes, since it had been about three days since my last drink, and I was like, no. I'm fine. I have been weaning the alcohol back for some time due to the diabetes anyways. Come Wednesday, another Dr assigned to me. Decided I could be discharged allowing that I contact a liver specialist and a GI doctor within the next 4-5 days, as well as my PCP. They gave me 5 new prescriptions temporarily to help, and maybe longer deciding on what these other doctors want to do. At least it cancels out a couple of the ones I currently take. I was able to eat the nasty hospital food Saturday night (first meal in like two plus days) but breakfast and lunch on Wednesday... I couldn't even swallow the first bite. They just tasted to wrong and bad. Wife was there for lunch, had her try the bacon from the BLT wrap I ordered, and she said it as fine. SO I know it was me. Finally got discharged about 4pm, grabbed my papers, stopped at the hospital pharmacy and got the meds, and headed home. Wife stopped at Arbys, as she needed something to eat. I got a regular, plain roast beef, and a vanilla milkshake, both of which went down fine. I crashed when we got home, having not slept much since Sunday morning. Which explains why I am awake at 2:30am.

So no more drinking alcohol. Nobody has modified my diet (as of yet) but I have been good about monitoring with the diabetes. I was told my sodium intake needs to increase (after years of saying to decrease it) mainly because I am on a water pill now and it will drain a lot of sodium and potassium. I think I am sticking to water for now, no tea, no soda, until the doctors are able to determine how bad things are. Who knew turning 54 would be such a life changer.

Today is 9/11 and a day of remembrance for those lost on the airline flights, and buildings the crashes were involved in. The Post is doing a flag raising at 10am I am going to try to be at. Afterwards I need to get to work on the agenda for next week Riders meeting, as well as contact the doctors to get appointments scheduled. Let's see how day one on new pills goes...

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

PeacE

It's Almost Been a Week ...

 ... since I last posted. Not much has happened, so I haven't wasn't valuable time posting drivel in here - except now I am.

Got the Youngest set-up on the insurance. Damn it is expensive now. Now it is time for him to really start looking for a job. I don't know if he has done any online applications, but he hasn't driven solo anywhere all week. Today he is doing his first solo drive, by going to spend some time with his girlfriend. I'm a bit nervous, after all, it is his first solo run.

My appointment last Monday pretty much went the way I figured. No changes to the BP meds. My A1C was down to 6.5 and she said it was good, so no med changes there. Did the lab blood draw, and a few days later was called to say that they were not changing the cholesterol pill either. So it was a trip that probably did not need to happen. Sigh.

Friday early we will be hitting the road to head to Pueblo. I got all the addresses for the Aunt to pick up, the hotels, the church for the event. I'm still not entirely happy about the timing of the whole trip. I would rather take an extra day in traveling, but the Wife could only get the one day off. At least the 10-day forecasts I checked for northern AZ and the Pueblo area show fairly nice weather, though I still may throw the snow chains in for emergency.... if I can find them.

Welp, that's all I got now.

PeacE

The Dreaded Trip

 I have never liked going to the doctor's office - for any reason. Growing up, it was clean the wound, slap some bag balm and a band-aid on it until it healed. If you were sick, take some Pepto-Bismol and lay down for a little bit. Headache? Take some aspirin. Doctor's and hospitals were for broken bones and life-threatening emergencies. But now, I have to see on every three months - six if I get lucky. They claim it is because I have a chronic disease (diabetes) therefore cannot go longer than six months with out a check-up. I call BS, but the other option is to just cancel the appointment, and the prescriptions end and they won't renew until I go in. Sigh.

Anyways, this morning I have to go in. There will be lab work, and blood drawn, so I am fasting this morning until afterwards. At least I will be dropping one of the meds she wanted me to take for the insomnia. Gabapentin, a neuropathy drug, is going away. It helped with my insomnia bouts for about the first 2- 21/2 weeks...then it did nothing for sleeping, but was leaving me with some balance issues. I am lucky with the few times I actually fell, that I didn't break anything, just bruised the ego if it was in public. I am hoping to change up one of the diabetic meds (Rybelus) to the higher dosage (14mg) and get my A1C down just a tad more. I think the last test I was down to 6.2 or 6.3, so hoping to get under 6 and off the radar, so to speak.

There will come the regular denials as well: no to the ultra-sound of the liver; no to the cardiologist she wants me to see for the heart murmur I have had since born basically. I won't be surprised if she comes up with more things as well.... shingles vaccine? That's asked by the pharmacy half the time I go in for meds.... Speaking of, I know I need to get there today to pick up a couple that are ready already. There will be at least a couple more trips back this week as she updates new meds, and the other get filled.

I need to get an email off to the insurance agent to day, to get the Youngest added to the insurance. I'll have to wait until I can get his DL # before I can do that. I need to write out the places and addresses for traveling in a couple weeks, plus confirmation numbers for the hotel, etc, so I have it all in one place and not have to scramble trying to find the email on my phone. We are supposed to have some precipitation by the end of this week, so then I will be checking weather conditions for road closures or tire-chain requirements. Hoping the snow won't be too deep the few days before we leave, and most will melt off.

Welp, I guess that is about all I got going on currently.

PeacE

Today Is A Big Day For Him...

 For the better part of the last three years, the Youngest has "fought" against learning to drive, and getting his license. When he was 16, I did make him get the permit (written test) which he still dragged his feet about the studying for it, etc. I think it was about last summer, after graduating high school, he realized, that he really needed to get his license in order to find/get to employment. Well, today could be that day. His road test is scheduled for noon. And after some driving with him a small amount earlier this week, I admit he is mostly ready for this ... just, somethings he does that bother me - but maybe that is just more me, than anything wrong.

If he passes, I am not wanting to think how much the insurance rates will go up once I get that fixed.... sigh. At least we had a vehicle for him already, and I don't have to try to find time and money to purchase another.

Not a lot going on for me. Dr. appointment on Monday (includes a lab draw) so been trying to not go to the pub (she always gripes about the liver enzyme activity is high in my blood, and always blames it on alcohol). We'll adjust some medications, and hopefully that will be it.

One of the Wife's aunts passed away recently. The end of last week, Wife mentioned she would like to go the Celebration of Life that is taking place for this aunt on the 22nd. Since I never try to tell my Wife no when it comes to her wanting to do things, I said there was no problem about her going. Yes there is... it is being held in Pueblo, CO, which is approximately 12 hours drive from Phoenix (closer to 14 for gas, etc). Oh boy. So she got the Friday off work, and I will be driving there and back in a three-day window. I am sure I will be exhausted by the time we arrive back home. Today I need to book a hotel for a couple nights there. Winter weather doesn't seem to have been too bad this year, and the route I am taking if major interstates, so hopefully won't have to deal with chains, or closed roads.

I crashed pretty hard tonight. I think I laid down about 5:30pm, and slept through until 11:30p (no edible needed) and am headed back to bed shortly after I finish this. I only got up to get a drink and use the bathroom, but then I thought I should add to the ol' blog.

PeacE

Anxiety Builds

 Saturday afternoon I received a phone notification that an email had been received. As the usual, I ignored it after hearing the 'ding' notification sound, until I had a break later on. It was the Company, stating that they had a "potential project" that 'MAYBE' slated to start 5/6, more than likely 5/8, that had NOT been client approved at the time of the email. The Company was sending out notice, so that they could find out actual availability of employees for this POSSIBLE project. Individual replies would NOT be monitored, as the email went out to "hundreds of employees". I responded from my phone, that I was available, before seeing there was a link to complete an 'availability survey', which I did later that evening when I got home - too hard to read it on the phone.

So, I know it is only slightly after 3am (not sleeping well again) but I have not heard from the Company with any follow-up information. I know that there is a distinct chance I will not be chosen for the project, but it is the first time in quite awhile they have even mentioned possible work. I have been looking for other related work-from-home (remote) jobs, but have not found anything that suits me, or that I am willing to do. So for now, it is a waiting game to see if this project comes to fruition or not.

Later this morning I also have a doctors appointment. Rather, a Nurse Practitioner appointment. Right now she has me on seven medications to cover all my medical issues (well, most of them). The past six months I have been seeing this particular NP she has adjusted the meds at least 4 times (over the zero changes the prior 1 1/2 years from three others). Two weeks ago she wanted to get me off the Metformin, and replace it with Rybelsus. I did some reading on it, and for what the NP will want, is dose changes every 30 days starting at a 3mg to 7mg to 14mg, each costing more money per 30 day supply (even with a MFR 'savings coupon'). I was to start it 2 weeks ago, but somewhere in the process, someone, somehow, inputted something wrong, and the insurance won't approve it because of a mis-match on the patient (me) address. I verified with the pharmacy, and the 'MyChart' for the NP, that my address is correct. To spite this, the same day, the insurance filled all my other prescriptions with no problem. So my guess is someone typed/transferred something wrong (from the NP office) so I am sure this will be discussed today. Other than that, I am thinking of asking about some sleeping aid. The OTC Melatonin and sleep capsules don't seem to work at all.

Sigh. Other things I need to get done this week.... mow the lawn. I really hate having grass in Arizona. It gets too fricking hot to do it in most of the months, and doesn't grow well (dry spots, etc) unless you have a good sprinkler system (I don't) and landscapers cost too much to come and mow it each month. Aside from that, the last time the Wife let me hire some landscaper to mow the lawn, they weed-eater'ed (new word folks!) a couple of her rose bushes to ruin, and she was not happy. Even I don't use the trimmer around her plants anymore. I leave it for her to do whether she uses the trimmer or does it by hand.

I also need to get the Youngest's car up into emissions for registration before the 15th. It has been sitting in the drive and needs to be "jumped" again. I swear this child has no motivation to learn to drive, and never asks about it. And he is graduating this month. HE will need to drive to get a job, because he ain't living here forever. 

Argh! Being tired has gotten me a bit cranky this morning. I guess I better close this off before I get really mouthy about things.

PeacE

Middle of the Week

 What a boring day. I am sure a large part of the American workforce feels the same as I do, that you drag in on Mondays, and by Wednesday, you are pretty much done with feeling anything for the job and just praying for the Friday to appear. Bonus if it is a payday, though so many of us now have direct deposit versus an actual check to collect. Goodness! Those lines at the banks on Fridays.. in a town like Phoenix, were atrocious!! Not that I am working yet, as I am still waiting to hear from the Company, and a few other leads I have put out this last week.

Earlier tonight (when it was Tuesday) I enjoyed the Youngest's concert for the "spring". He played in one of the two Jazz ensembles, the percussion group, and the concert band. Of course, he was the best (I don't care if I am biased). Even RM made it tonight, which was nice to see her as always. She even brought her favorite child some leftovers she had made (the favorite being me). Don't let her fool you that "she has no favorites" because myself, and my children, know the truth.

It's already almost 4am, and I don't expect to be sleeping much tonight. I left the concert, and went home to take care of some stuff. That being one of my uncles, from Dad's side of the family, had asked if anyone had photos of my Dad around his senior year of high school. I had dug out the photo albums my grandparents had put together for me many years ago, and found a couple photos. Tonight my uncle and I "hooked up" message-wise, and I scanned and sent to him. I also included a nice letter to him and my aunt, about how I was sorry that we had not kept in touch better, that I was open to trying to do better with email, now that we had exchanged that way of contacting. Of course I included my phone number as well. I'm hoping that they are as open to it as I am, and that also both parties are able to share every now and then. They truly are people that are important in  my life, and I don't want to lose contact with them, regardless of the years and miles between. Definitely a work to stay on top of....

So, never said what happened after the medical appointment on Monday. BP came out good in the office. I've lost 12 pounds in two weeks. No changes to the current dosages in meds - will wait to see what my daily recordings look like in May. And, though on my own, and nothing to do with the doctors, my anus is getting better. Been dealing with flaring hemorrhoids (auto-spelling correctly spelled that) since the colonoscopy back in mid-January. I still have some flares, where sitting is uncomfortable, but with all the methods I am using to curtail it all, things are finally getting better. Don't care what you think, as long as I can sit longer than an hour...I'm happy!

Well, I don't know how RM can fill up pages of scrolling daily on her blog - maybe she just has more to share than I. This is all I got right now.

PeacE 

Back To The Torture Chamber

 Monday morning has come again, and I had a busy morning planned out. Last week I had received a notice from the AZDOT that the car we had bought off the Oldest Son, now apparently has an abandoned title issue, and they cannot allow me to re-register the tags. However, last year, this was supposedly taken care of when we changed the title from his name to mine. It all stems from when the car was stolen, recovered, and the police never notified him. His insurance found it at a tow yard, and yadda yadda yadda, the car was fixed/repaired, and should have been done. So after the morning doctor visit I had scheduled I was going to go to the DMV. But it is Presidents Day, and they are closed.

So I went to the doctor visit. It has only been two weeks since the last visit, but she had me do more labs (regarding heart markers allegedly). Well, the BP was still higher than what this new NP thinks it should be, so she added another pill to take. Then she started talking about all these liver tests she wants me to do - NOPE! Not doing it. I know my liver enzymes are high, I know I have a 'fatty liver'. Not doing an ultrasound. Not doing the chest x-ray or the cardiology visit, or even more follow-ups with gastro docs. But we did get the test strips and lancets situation corrected.

So that has been how this morning has gone. No appointments today now, though tomorrow will be off to the DMV. Such exciting times....

PeacE

I Just Don't Wanna

 Met my new doctor the other day. Within a few minutes of meeting, I decided I liked this doc. She had opened up that she was reviewing my file (therefore making me sit there longer) and started asking questions. Sounds normal, right? But all my previous doctors never asked them, and I would not know how they affect my possible care, but my reasoned that these were valid and important things to be considered. We went over my current BP and glucose numbers and she mentioned they are in the good range. My A1C is good. Cholesterol I will hear in a few days as they did lab draw that morning as well. No changes to the 'scrips as of now. Renewed all of them. Follow-up in six months. I asked for a year, but she said with "chronic illnesses" they prefer 6-month periods in case something changes fast. Sigh. Oh well. At least she signed off on me getting a blue handicap placard this time (permanent one).

Up to about 215 books read this year at this time. I need to get a couple reviews written and then I think I have to go find some more to get reviews done for. Not that I don't have a large TBR stack.... I have an actual regular book on my nightstand to read, but hard to get used to a physical book to read after reading so many years on my tablet. I'll eventually get it done.

Lately I have been watching 'Mayans", a spin-off show from 'Sons of Anarchy', which both revolve around motorcycle gangs of the show name. It actually is better than I thought it would be, and I find myself mid season two, with about four more seasons to watch.

PeacE

Waitin' On Mister Sandman (Again)

 Yeah. It is another late night/early morning post. The sleeping aid pill has been taken, and now it is just sitting around waiting for it to start kicking in.

We attended the Youngest's concert tonight. It is the last one of the year for him. Previous to the concert, they did have a band banquet dinner, and awards presentation. Son had said he wasn't getting any awards he knew of, so I chose not to attend. The Wife and I both made the concert, meeting up with RM, who was able to make it. Afterwards, RM headed home (ya know those old people have to go to bed early lol) so the three of us went to Dennys for a late dinner. Of course the Youngest was hungry (again) as he is a teenager. I think the only event he has left this year, is the graduation ceremony that the band will be playing at - though not all percussionists will be needed - and he needs to find out if he is one going or not. He will finish school prior to Memorial Day.

My doctor appointment is tomorrow afternoon. Looking back over the records I kept of my BP and glucose, I have a feeling that she will increase one of the pills I take for diabetes. Will probably schedule me to get some bloodwork drawn as well, to check my cholesterol. I think it is fine, but obviously I have no way of knowing myself. I think the BP meds are fine. Got the forms for the placard ready for her as well.

Tomorrow I expect the license plates bolts I ordered to arrive. Talking about it over dinner tonight, I may just bypass using them until the new plate gets here. I'll just tape up the temporary in the back window. Even though the said it was water-proof, I just don't like the idea of it flapping on the back of the car, or the possibility of someone coming by and ripping it off. Plates will be 3-5 weeks out yet, but at least I will have the hardware to attach once it is here.

Jotted down on my notebook that I need to call about setting up an eye exam. Dunno if I mentioned about my notebooks in another post, if not, and idea for a post later on (making a note for future post). Seems anymore, if I don't write it down, I won't remember to get it done. Like I was trying to be smart this last month, and marking all the events going on with Youngest, or appointments, but when I went to bring it up in Google calendar, nothing was there. I found out tonight, I actually put it in Outlook calendar. I need to figure out which one I am going to use ... or should I just note both when ...that's more work. I'll figure something out - or not.

Welp, I think I am going to go watch some stupid videos or something until I get sleepy.

PeacE

Fresh Starts

 I have a feeling that today is going to bring about some fresh starts. I have a Doctor's appointment, and I am guessing a few will be stemming from that visit. Weird though, how my best glucose level, and probably BP reading was this morning, than I have had in three months... go figure.

I chopped it off. Well, more like buzzed it down with hair clippers. I have kept my hair short (near the scalp) for several years. Most of the reasoning was because I worked in a non-air-conditioned facility a good part of the day. Well, I left that job almost exactly 2 1/2 years ago, but still kept my hair short. The Wife has been nagging/asking/begging me to grow it back out to how I styled in my younger years. I tried. I gave it a go. So for the last two months, I've let it grown to about 1-2 inches. It was at that stage where it just sticks up all over, and no amount of gel is going to get it to lay down. It's still warm here in the Valley, and wearing a hat all the time is just not comfortable (or appropriate attire sometimes). I waited till she left, then buzzed it back down again this morning. Feels so much better!

I see I made it over my reading goal for the year, and yet there are three months left. I wonder how many I will end up with by 12/31....

Went to Tucson for the concert yesterday. Due to a mix-up, we were about 40 minutess late to the concert. I ain't pointing fingers, but someone didn't read the full name of the place, and we ended up at the wrong location. We did make it before the first set-break, and was able to enjoy the second half of the show. Made it back home around 10:30 I think it was. I was beat by then, after not sleeping well the night before. I was a bit surprised when the Wife's alarm went off this morning, that I had no recollections of waking during the night. Maybe that was why my readings were good this morning?

Welp, nothing much to do this morning. Appointment isn't until around 3pm, so got time to kill.

PeacE

WTF? SMH (/facepalm)

 Since Wednesday, this post title is pretty much explaining how I have felt about a situation going on. Let's just say, there were some unexpected surprises about things, mysteries that showed up and never got solved. And an Aunt passed away earlier today. I'm still in a sort of stasis about the whole thing, and I don't think it will correct itself, as some  of the whys, hows, and again, why, will never be known. I am trying to be nice, and not sound callous (though I tend to be apathetic about things sometimes) but I was not "close" to this Aunt, nor her children (my Cousins). In my memories I have not recollected any fond memory of her. I think the bottom line is she was tired of living in pain (had RA) and is now passed away.

Thursday I finally heard from the Company. But it took a couple hours for me to get a reply to the email, so by then the project they were getting workers for 'filled up' and left me hanging. Hopefully this next week another will be starting (or a current one opening up more positions). But either way kind of works for me, as I have the diabetic eye screening on Monday, and a regulardoctor appointment on Friday. I am sure there will be a prescription medication dosage increase as my numbers are not quite where he said he wants them - but they are close. Hopefully if he has to up the diabetic one, the insurance will approve the coverage since he has proof the numbers are not up to where he would like them.

Two in the morning and I just finished talking for a bit with the Youngest. I let him stay up a little later as he was teaming up with Guildies to do some Warcraft raids or dungeons or something. Then as he said he was ready for bed, I kind of went over the schedule of stuff I knew we had going on this week, so if I was not home, he would have an idea as to why.

So talking to one of the ladies I knwo from the VFW, she has been having some problems with her iPad. Basically, it would not let her access the tablet, as the code had changed from a 4-digit one to a 6-digit. I did some reading and found out why, and some ways that may work to fix it. We tried the easy ones over this past week, and none worked. So Friday I met up with her at the VFW and picked up the tablet, adn was going to do a factory restore on it. The only thing she would be losing is the books she had downladed, from Amazon, but can be re-downladed once she has access again. So I started that today, thinking it would be an hour or so then be done - nope. Download estimate was 4 hours. Then 5 hours, after the Wife got up and got on her computer. I knew when the Son would be up, between the three of us being online, the d/l would slow even more, so I paused it. As I try to sleep again here soon, I will leave it running (right now est is 3 hours).

Might go see the Top Gun movie tomorrow (later today). Haven't decided for sure. Youngest and Wife want to see it as well, so I guess I should take them. Guess I am gonna mosey on out. Should go try to lay down again, but not quite feeling any tiredness yet, so will prolly delay that another hour.

PeacE