Back Walking at Tom's Creek

The rest of Sunday went pretty well.  I enjoyed mass but I’m still as agnostic as ever.  I chatted briefly with Beth and she told me I would be welcome back in the fall.  Rob had called while I was in mass and we headed for the Tom’s Creek trail and walked a little past the stream crossing, taking a break each way on the bench near the stream.  I felt pretty good and then I headed off to check out Walker but when I saw the river I realized no fishing there today.  I headed toward Pembroke, since it was pouring at Auburn Hills, but the weather still looked threatening so I decided to ride up to Big Stony just for the scenery.  However, when I got my first glimpse of the river, I could see that it was fishable so I picked a couple of nice spots and had fun casting away.  No fish but certainly a treat.  I drove home and took a nap before watching the Cavs beat the Celtics in game 7.  Lebron is just amazing, especially to win without Kevin Love and a very motley crew.  I did 30 minutes of biking, then my weights and shoulder exercises. 

Monday started out well, except my right ear is clogged and I will have to have it checked out when I go see Rob for bloodwork later this week.  I did my knee exercises, wrote up Autumn Bishop’s final, and caught up on my blog. 

Feeling Stronger

Saturday morning I woke up a little anxious but I did my knee exercises and went through my finances again, and if I can hit my two key goals: first, getting through to March of 2020, when I will finish paying my truck (440 per month) and my AXA loan (1741 every three months), then I will have over a thousand to play with extra each month; second to teach until December of 2020, when I should be able to retire comfortably.  The rest of the day was kind of anxious.  I did buy a new phone because mine was having problems and Cellular Sales gave me a good deal on one, then I bought a larger pair of sneakers (13 wide) and they seem to put less pressure on my feet.  I drove around out on Craig Creek Road but I didn’t want to get too far out in case Rob called or Dave called.  He was going to finally have his talk with Erina and I hope it went well.  I did take a 30 minute walk at Tech and then I rode my stationary bike for 30 minutes and also did my shoulder exercises, along with playing some piano.  I watched some of the Houston / Golden State game but without Chris Paul I think the Warriors are going to the finals.

Sunday started okay, knee exercises then some piano, then some blogging and soon I will be getting ready for mass.  My heart really isn’t into going to mass but I know I will feel better if I go.  I would like to go fishing today and play golf but I am not sure how my schedule will work out.  I do want to talk to Dave and there is the possibility of going for a walk with Rob. 

Golf and More Walking

Friday went well, although I was pretty tired by the time evening came.  I did my knee exercises, then headed out to have lunch with Claire.  She was in good spirits because she didn’t have to drive to Atlanta to attend to Denise.  We did a walk up to the War Memorial building and back and that felt very good.  I did some shopping, getting a present for Elisabeth, the nurse who was so kind to me, and some stuff at Walmart, then bought a $50 golf bag at Dicks.  Because it looked like it might rain in Cburg, I drove out to Castle Rock and played nine, shooting a 48 and playing the last three holes at 250, 250, and 350 yards.  I drove home to nap and then watch the Cavs beat the Celtics with Lebron playing wonderfully.  I was too tired to do much (only 10 minutes of biking and no shoulder exercises) but I did a lot during the day so that is okay.    

Saturday morning I woke up a little anxious but I did my knee exercises and went through my finances again, and if I can hit my two key goals: first, getting through to March of 2020, when I will finish paying my truck (440 per month) and my AXA loan (1741 every three months), then I will have over a thousand to play with extra each month; second to teach until December of 2020, when I should be able to retire comfortably. 

Trip Planning for Florida

Thursday had its problems but nothing very distressing.  I was having bathroom problems but I went out with Jeff Saperstein for coffee and bagels and that was fun.  Then I stayed home most of the day hoping for a bathroom resolution but none came so around 6:30, I drove out to Craig creek and went all the way out to my favorite spot and actually had a couple hits.  It was a lovely drive and I realized how lucky I am to have Craig Creek so close.  It’s about 10 miles to where you get to see the mountains, and Sinking Creek is not much further, but not as pretty and more congested.  I did my knee exercises and then my shoulder exercises along with riding my stationary bike for 30 minutes.  I watched a great game between Houston and Golden State, with Houston winning and going up 3-2 in the Western finals.  I am still pretty tired but I think my stability is better.  I did also set up my visit to my sister for June 12 through the 18^th and that should be fun.    

Finally some good news

Sunday proved to be a productive day.  After the train derailment on Saturday, my odnly chance to get up to UVa was to drive myself up and that trip, almost 150 miles, went rather well.  I left at around 6:10 and I was at the Emergency room entrance just after 9.  I checked in and was put right in an ER room and was tested some by the doctors and nurses for my nerve sensitivity.  My feet weren’t very sensitive but the rest of me was sensitive enough.  Later I was taken up to the MRI screening area and they screened every part of my spinal column and my brain, with and without contrast.  It took a couple of hours and with the help of the zanex they gave me, I was pretty comfortable even though my nose was less than an inch from the top of the MRI machine.  After that I went back to my ER room and at around 7 I was transferred to a room in the Neurology Department, and finally got dinner around 8:30 and it was pretty good, a chicken Caesar salad and curried chicken wrap.  Then it was more reading of Montana 1948, which I finished and very much enjoyed and watching some of the Warriors / Rockets non-game, with the Warriors running away with the game.

Monday went pretty well.  I had a lot of private time and I ended up getting another half hour of MRI and then the dreaded EMG (with the shocking and the needles).  I was most scared of the needles but they didn’t really hurt that much.  Very weird.  The doctor pushed them in and asked you to relax the muscle and the noise would slow down, then when you tensed your muscle, it would speed up.  She only did three of them.  I got to know Elisabeth better during Monday and I really liked her.  I watched the Cavs tie the series and read some of Madame Bovary.  Great book. 

Tuesday was full of blood work in the morning, then a neurologist came to see me and then said they were releasing me and that the cause of my leg weakness and shaking was that I had a toxic level of prograf and that they had taken me off it yesterday.  I almost hugged the doctor and he was pretty sure I would be in good shape in two weeks.  Elisabeth accompanied me down and bought me coffee and I am definitely going to get her a present.  I am also going to send something to the unit.   I left a little after 3 and then took a nap, then drove on through the rain to get to Bburg before dark and treat myself to a half rack of ribs dinner at Bull and Bones.  I contacted all my friends to give them the news.

Wednesday was okay but I was pretty tired (I may not have taken my prednisone).  I haven’t rescheduled my appointment with Dr. Trivedi yet but maybe next week.  I did do 20 minutes of biking and my knee exercises.   I also went to play golf and I was exhausted but I shot very well in the low 40s.  I am trying to set up the visit to my sister and that should be done tomorrow.  I watched some of the Cavs / Celtics game and the Celtics outplayed the Cavs.       

Even Weaker

Thursday was a tough day health wise but a good day for my finances.  I did my knee exercises, brought my bike inside, did some singing (I did get the songs from Beth) and then headed off for Radford.  I got my LTC documents out and it looked like I will have coverage for an assisted living place for 25K per year.   Even if it is taxed it would give me a total income of at least 78K, which would cover me at the three places I visited today and leave me at least 18K over, a figure that would allow me to help Cathy and still keep a vehicle.  I thought the place in Radford had the most green around it, although the guy at the one at the Crossing was quite friendly.  I was pretty weak all day and took several naps.  At the end of the day I drove out on Craig Creek Road in the rain and enjoyed the mountains in the distance.   Then I stopped off at Food Lion and headed home for 30 minutes of biking, some shoulder exercises and TV.  I am definitely getting weaker but I did feel okay at Food Lion.

Weaker and Napping

Monday has started well, although my shoulder is still hurting but perhaps a bit less.  I had a long talk with Judy last night and then Roberta called and we chatted for almost an hour.  Rob also checked in and he is going to try to get me in with the neurologist as soon as he can.  I did my knee exercises and  31 minutes of piano and singing.  Then I vacuumed the apartment.  Pretty good morning.  The rest of the day was okay.  I decide to go fishing out by Trail’s End, but the water was still a little fast, and even though I went to my new favorite spot I had no luck.  I passed the bridge turnoff but reconsidered and went back and caught two redeyes and then drove back through Fairlawn, then stopped at Walmart to pick up some supplies then headed home.  I watched the 7^th episode of Krypton. 

Tuesday was a really tough day.  I probably took 5 naps, but I did my knee exercises, played a little piano, did my shoulder exercises, had a long talk with will, then drove out to Red Lobster for a real lobster dinner, which was probably the best tasting lobster I have ever had at Red Lobster.   I felt that it might be my last dinner at Red Lobster.  I was much weaker today even than yesterday.  I stopped at Food Lion and they had Ben and Jerry’s on sale for 2 for $7 so I bought 2 to finish off my lobster dinner (I only ate a very little from one of the containers.   

Everything seems to be falling apart

Sunday was a decent day.  While doing my knee exercises I looked into the Crossings, an assisted living place near Blacksburg.  It had a few deficits, including a starting price of 3100 (which includes food), two story buildings, and pet friendly rules.  I could afford it if I get rid of my truck (and they do offer occasional transportation) but if I keep a vehicle I would only last there till I was about 75.  I drove over to St. Mary’s and to my surprise a number of singers were there and Beth said I could sing and I did, not my best performance but decent.  I then drove out to Newport and found a couple of places to fish but I had no hits.  I used my my chair twice (once at park near Newport and once by the bridge around 5 miles from Newport).  Fishing has become a non-contact sport for me.  I then drove home and ate a late lunch and watched some of the Celtics Cavaliers game and that was basically over after the first quarter, the Celts playing very well.  Then I played forty minutes of piano and singing before watching a little more of the Players, with Tiger tied for third, fourteen under.  I am going to watch more now and do 30 minutes of biking.  The last time I played golf, three days ago, I hurt my shoulder some so I am going to have to work on it for a few days before I play again.   

Things are getting a lot worse

Thursday was a pretty awful day after a really bad Wednesday.  Wednesday started well with breakfast at Panera with Mary Gorton, then lunch with Claire at Greens, the a short walk to the Library and back.  I could only get that far.  Then Rob called me for a walk and we were just heading back from the end of the Tom’s creek trail (.7 each way) and I began to get really shaky.  Rob had to hold me from behind and after a few hundred yards I had to lay down beside the trail.  Rob got me up and we struggled to within 200 yards of the trail’s end when I couldn’t walk anymore and had to lay down again.  Rob called Becky and she and Rob got me into Becky’s car and she drove me home and Rob drove my truck over there.  Rob said I shouldn’t drive down to NC and that I shouldn’t go down to Florida, and I agreed.  I called me sister and Amtrak (I had to contact Amtrak and UNC Medical Center tomorrow).  Awful and embarrassing day.

    Thursday was a continuation of Wednesday.  I did some of my knee exercises, some of my shoulder exercise, then I drove to Walmart to get my prednisone and some supplies.  I got stuff but I was very glad to get back in the truck and at home I rode my stationary bike for 30 minutes, then for 15 minutes later.  Rob called but couldn’t get a quick appointment but he said he was going to get me in somewhere.  I napped quite a bit and talked with both Lou and Cathy.  Cathy is going to work another year at least. 

Anxious

Monday has started out poorly.  My bloodshot eye is still very red and I think that influenced my sleeping (I was up at 3:30) and didn’t really get back to sleep.  I had an appointment to see Dr. Farhi but she decided I didn’t need to come in but to wait till Wednesday to check in, just before I head down to North Carolina on Thursday.  Yesterday I did my knee exercises, went to play golf and shot a 51, tried to go fishing but Walker was way up, then headed back to take a nap and then head over to Tech to ride my bike for 40 minutes.  After I awoke at 3:30 I had to refigure my finances, but the AXA figure came out the same as I had figured, 141K, and that calmed me down a little.  I will be covered till 83 so that is pretty good, since I will be very surprised if I last that long.  I measured the window and will see if I can improvise something as a screen.  

Potential Serious Problems

Sunday will be another catch up.  Last week had its ups and downs.  On Thursday I finished my semester and that felt very good.  Then Rob called and gave me the bad news that he thinks what is causing my wobbliness and the shaking is from the cytoxin I took during chemotherapy.  He thinks it can cause a lot of problems (which of course I knew) but it really depressed me.  I thought of being in a wheelchair soon and how that might change my plans to work 5 more semesters.  That didn’t seem possible now and there were might be the need to change apartments (although all the rooms have an available 32 inch wide opening (except the bathroom, which is 30).  I was pretty down until this morning when I figured out that with using my sick leave and teaching till early May of next year I could end up with 151K in my AXA account, which would get me to 85.  I played golf twice so far and neither time really hurt my shoulder.  I did take a 500 mg Tylenol each time.  I have been doing my knee exercises each day and my shoulder exercises, which haven’t helped that much, as far as I can tell.  I am leaving on the 10^th for my appointment with Dr. Jain and that evening I head down to see Roberta for 5 days.  I need to pack some but that isn’t really necessary until Wednesday.  I am calmer right now and I hope I will have a better picture of what’s going to happen after I see Dr. Jain