Story Time

 Yesterday was a weird one. Around 8am I called the GI Dr., and FINALLY got an appointment set - for today! That was super fast! SO get to see the GI today, the kidney doc tomorrow, and then hopefully know what is going on....

I went to the Post and spent a couple hours helping sort out the school supplies, then repacking them in boxes. I know we have a few 'adopted' teachers that will get some of the supplies, the rest will probably go to a church or school that is willing to collect them. I swung by my regular watering hole, but only stayed a while, as none of my friends showed up. Had to stop at Yogi's Grill on the way home - because I was hungry, and I had to pee really bad. Their Chicken/beef/rice bowls are the best I think. Got home, ate, tinkered on the computer a bit. My feet and ankles were swollen bad, so went to lay down and play games on my tablet. The evening rolls on....

Just before midnight, I snap wide awake. For some reason, I just realized my wedding ring was not on my finger. The Wife and I were still awake, working on drifting to sleep, but that ended for me. I told her (and showed her) that it was not on my finger. She asked where did I take it off. I said I never take it off. Then remembered, I have lost enough weight, that it could easily have slid off while drying my hands or similar motions. So I started thinking back through the day as to where/when I washed my hands. Two-three times at the Post. Oh no, they are closed on Wed. so how am I going to get to the men's room trash to search through every wet/damp/dirty paper towel in the trash? Well, I would reach out to the gal that does the cleaning, on Thursday mornings, and ask her to hold that trash bag until I could search it, as I have a Dr appt that morning. Then I thought some more... I remember right before I left for the Post. I was in the bathroom, finishing styling my hair, and slapping some stinkum on. I had washed my hands, and while drying my hands, heard noise, like 'tink, tink, tink' as if something metal had fallen and was bouncing on the tile floor, and out the open door. Youngest was coming up the hallway about the same time, and he heard it as well. We took a casual look around, trying to determine what it was, but didn't see anything out of place, or on the floor in the bathroom or the hallway. So I went on.... Needless to say, I jumped out of bed at remembering this, and began looking in the corners in the bathroom, behind the toilet, into the hall. I found my ring! It had bounced across the hall and landed just right in the seam between the tile and the wall, and we had missed it earlier. But I had it back! I was relieved! I mean, when I bought this ring from Service Merchandise over 34 years ago, fo about $48 dollars, you'd think it wouldn't be so important, right?

After that, my heart was racing bad, and it was hard to actually get to sleep. Well, that and the leg/arm/side cramps I keep getting randomly throughout the day. I think it is because I am not drinking enough. I have been trying to not exceed the 1500mL limit they told me, but I know there has not been one day I actually did it. I am just too thirsty. Constantly. To the point, I haven't been eating right, and have no appetite (except yesterday, which was the first time I ate in two days).

Maybe today, I can get some of these restrictions off my drinking amounts, and resume some normality in my life. Appointment is for early afternoon. The Wife asked yesterday if I wanted her to go (and take time off work). I told her whatever she wanted to do, so she is to meet me there. Am I anxious? A little, but it is early yet (thanks leg/foot cramps) so not really thinking about it right now.

PeacE

Long, Rough Night

 It is Monday, so I waited out most of the day for the Specialist to call me (the Gastro doc) which, of course, never happened. So around 3:30p I headed to the Post to promote 'Bike Night'. I hung out there until about 8, then went home. Worked on some Agendas for the House, the Riders, sent out some emails to specific people for things. Finally went to bed about 11:30. I worked some crosswords on my tablet until about 1am, then tried to sleep.

By 2:30a, I'm still wide awake, so off to the office I go. I ended up watching a movie (hour and half) and started the next one in the series, but as it is 5:45a now, I should try to get some sleep. After all, I am due back at the Post around 10am to help sort school supplies.

I also need to call that Dr.'s office, and see if they got the referral and get me scheduled. It's starting to frustrate me greatly.

Let's hope today goes well....

PeacE

Waiting Around

 Whew, I wore myself out yesterday. I was yo at 6am, to get down to the Shamrock store to get the sausage links for the breakfast the Riders put on. From there to the Post, where I prepped by putting out cutlery, condiments, salt & pepper. I made sure there were napkins. I pulled out the serving utensils I figured would be needs, and placed near where the items would be cooked/served. Then I had to get the cashbox and the order pad. The other volunteers should up around 8:30, and stood around until 9am (when breakfast started) so there were a few people that had to wait while they got started. Overall it wasn't a bad morning, but due to lack of advertising, not many knew of it.

I pretty much sat there for two hours, taking monies as people ordered, but it wasn't that busy. Our Director showed up around 10:30 ( after being out of town camping for three days) and what is the first thing he does? No, not stop and say hi. Goes for the tip jar, starts counting money, then grabs the stack of orders completed to calculate how much money we made. He's really getting on my nerves. Then he has the gall to tell me, when we are done to bring him all the money. I flatly told him no, that I was in charge of things this morning, and I would take care of it. Why was he there anyways? He didn't even buy a breakfast! Then he tried to kiss my ass, by saying how much he appreciates all I have doing for the Riders. I just walked away from his fake platitudes, before I said something I would regret.

So I was a bit peeved by the time 11am rolled around. I put up the cashbox, and started putting things away. All the guys (the volunteers) had disappeared into the cantina since 10am as football was on. I had to constantly holler for them when someone bough a meal, so they could be served. Well, no one back there, I started cleaning up the kitchen. Did the dishes, wiped the counters, put up everything I could. I was down to one pan, that needed to soak a bit (cooked sausage on it) before I finally went and sat down. I told the other guys, they were to take care of the leftover foods (most were in crockpots they had brought anyways) and to clean the last pan. I was fatigued by this point. I hung out at the Post for the afternoon, as at 3pm, there was a birthday party I was going to at least say happy birthday for. I did, and by 4, I literally snuck out and went home. I was head-nodding and weary by the time I got home, my ankles and calves were swollen (from being on my feet so much during the day). In bed by 9:30p, and slept pretty good through the night.

Today I play the waiting game. The Gastro Doc should be calling me today for the referral sent over late Thursday, and scheduling my appointment. If not, I will be contacting my Dr.'s office to let them know. So I am just hanging at the house today, I guess.

PeacE

Really Need A Sleep Schedule

 I am up early again this morning. For doing basically nothing yesterday aside from the run to the Dr.'s for additional lab work, I was extremely tired, and was in bed by 9pm. And then wide awake at 1:30a, and still not tired. Sigh. Cannot wait until things get figured out about my health, so I can take my edibles if needed (like tonight).

In just a few short hours I will be off to the Post to help with inventory. I am introducing a new form for them to complete it on, that should assist in locating a specific item, as well as catching what might have been missed in previous checks. It will be interesting.

Nothing more to say at this time...

PeacE

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

Welp, Did What I Could

 Friday I spent a bit of time in the morning calling all the doctors I am to see. The PCP was easy to reschedule, and I'll see her on Thursday. The first specialist I called, they had not received the referral from the hospital as of yet, but set me up for an appointment - two weeks out. The second specialist, wouldn't even schedule me. They stated they wait for the referral, then call me to set it up. I told them if they haven't called by Tuesday, I was calling back, and having them contact the hospital for the referral. I can't wait forever - my condition won't allow it.

Friday night was our monthly Riders dinner, and I think it went okay. RM had made brownies, that received many compliments on how good they were. I don't think our sales were like the last two months, but we still made profit.

Saturday I spent the afternoon and evening at the Post, just hanging out. Only drank water. RM had given me some packets to flavor water, and these have electrolytes in them. The Wife said it would be good for me to have maybe a couple per day (versus every drink) to help increase my sodium (Dr said it was low). So I spaced out the two I had taken with me. The flavor was Orange Salt, and you are to mix it in like 16 oz of water. I did the packet in a small pitcher, and even then it was almost too strong for me to drink. After I was able to get able a third of the pitcher down, I had them top it off with more water to dilute it some more. But it was good. And to be honest, I didn't feel as fatigued throughout the afternoon, as I have been of late. So bonus all the way around.

Today is Sunday, and the Wife and I were up way later than we should have been last night. She had gone over to the Middle Son's place to sit with his partner and Doc (my only grandson). His partner has some post-partum depression diagnosis, and the Son called asking if his Mom could be with her a bit to help with baby and whatnot. So Wife made it home early hours, which woke me, and we had to catch up on things (we do nightly). I had to get up a couple times to pee (damn water pills) but ended up finally rising around noon.

I had told the Wife I was planning on just staying home today, but think I will be going to the Post to watch football and read. Wife has some video watching and other things to do regarding work (mandatory, but get paid for the time doing it) and I am letting her use my laptop. She brought her work one home, but forgot the charger. So she will be busy doing that, that's why I'm going to the Post.

Tomorrow is Monday, and I have no plans. Tuesday is our Riders meeting. That's what I am doing Monday! Printing out copies for the meeting!

PeacE