A Day With the Wife ... Sorta

 Today I have a pretty easy schedule. Both are at Mayo in Scottsdale: a blood draw for some tests, and an ultra-sound to take a look at the stent from the TIPS. This is just a routine follow-up to be sure nothing has "come loose" or gone wrong. Both are in the 9 o'clock hour time frame, so I am thinking lunch somewhere with the Wife. She took today off work to drive me since the Youngest is out of town for a couple more days. After that, I see myself playing video games.

I think I am doing pretty good with my time I set aside each morning to do my praying, etc. It's the evenings I don't make time for review of the day and did I do anyone wrong, etc. I just do those in the morning. RM has mentioned she keeps a prayer journal, of those she is praying for (and if they are sick, or whatever) as long as it is something that isn't overly personal. I have thought about doing one as well, just to remember daily who to pray for, since my memory is still not the greatest. I might go to Dollar Tree and get a cheap notebook to try it out for awhile. IF it works for me, then I could upgrade the notebook. Or not.

I am probably about three chapters from finishing the book "Restore" that I have been trying to read a chapter per day in. I think it is an okay read. There are a few sections that actually seem to have some idea(s) that I was looking for. But I think most of it should be directed to an alcoholic, like in the AA program. There is quite a bit I wish I knew about (re)starting my relationship with God in AA than I did. This would be a good fill in for explanations of addictions with some stories as well. I think it will be a book I pass along to like my Home group when we meet in person sometimes.

Speaking of that, I guess we are doing a "private party" event Saturday. There is a speaker sharing their story this Saturday about noon at a church not too far from my house, about 35th Ave and Northern. I think it is someone the ones in my group know from over the years. Then afterwards going to lunch together at Wildflower at 7th St and Bethany Home. I don't know if I want to really go to Wildflower, it's not my kind of restaurant, but I will take a look at the menu before deciding. Then I need to decide if I want to drive that much. But I was invited to the grouping ... which was nice.

No true idea on how I feel today. With the recent TIPS, and doing the prep clean-out for the colonoscopy, I am not quite sure where I sit with just my regular meds and all. I'm not feeling bad, just not 100% myself.

And with that, I am out of here. I need to wake the Wife and we will head out in about 45 minutes.

PeacE

What's Going On?

 Too much is going on, it feels like at times. This week especially. I feel like a teenager on his first day of Freshman class, at a school he has never been to before, with a class schedule so packed, he wonders how he is going to get from one point to the next, etc. without being late or missing it. Yeah. That's my appointment calendar. I will admit though, after the first two days, they really do have it together and a great process for the whole preliminary test process. Even though most days are split between the two campuses (about 20 minutes apart depending on traffic), almost all of them are 'grouped together. Example, Monday. Phoenix campus - had blood draw, urine sample, and I think it was three separate consults. Blood/urine were done at one floor of building 3, the consults were on floor 6 of building 3, and they went back to back basically, with even a break between, as we finished earlier than some other consults they do. Did that make sense? In my head it did, but re-reading it, I'm not sure....

So you saw what I had done Monday. I'll add that the blood work was 31 vials taken. Literally, it was draining. I was glad the rest of appointments were consults and not tests. They weighed me in at 246lbs. Tuesday started with my first appointment at 6:45am in Scottsdale - the further campus. Without looking at the schedule for exact order I had: Bone Density Exam, CT Carotid Angiogram (supposed to last up to 2 hours - done in 40 min), 2 more vials if blood taken, Ultrasound of the Carotids, a 6-hour break, travel to the Phoenix campus for a Echocardiogram at 6:25pm (slotted for 2 hours). Though we tried to see if they could get me in earlier for the ECHO, they weren't able to, but once I was in, they were able to get me done in about 40 mins. I guess they allot more time for different complications. We made it home around 7:30pm.

Today will be easy. I only have the Paracentesis scheduled today. I am not sure what will happen. I do not feel bloated like have by this time for so many weeks. When they go to U/S the ab today, I'll ask if I even need to drain today - that's how I am "feeling" but my body could just be used to it, and I still need some draining. Will find out in a couple hours. No plans otherwise for the day. Should rest for tomorrows adventures at Mayo. Thursday starts at 6am with an MRI of the abdomen, followed by appointments for chest x-ray, dental x-ray (dreading), Surgical Consult (Wife is taking part of the day off work to attend this one), travel to the Scottsdale campus, get an ECG, do a 6-minute Walk under observation, and hopefully done by 3pm for the day.

Monday and Tuesday I woke both days feeling good (for me) and though I dealt with nausea throughout Monday, and cramps on Tuesday, today is okay so far. Some cramps in one lower leg/foot, but otherwise okay so far. I think I may hit a Goodwill or two, and start looking for shorts. Currently I am wearing a 52 waist, and I feel like one of those weight-loss ads where they are holding out the waistband of their pants... yeah. The clown with suspenders at the circus (not my peanuts, not my monkeys, not my circus). Not sure what I am down to for size, but I figured I would start with a 48 and go down as needed. *IF* I am able to find some I like. Most times they are "old man golf shorts" where I prefer cargo shorts. Anyways....

I need to get going for the day.

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