Still Pretty Tired

Friday was a decent day.  I did my knee exercises, some singing, 30 minutes of stationary biking, another wash, and a late walk at the University Kroger.  The weather has been quite unkind, and the next ten days don’t look promising with no day supposed to get over 40 degrees.  I am about two and a half weeks before starting teaching and I feel pretty good about it.  My only fear is that I am still pretty tired and I hope that the Prograf will kick in before I start.  I need two naps a day and they are each over an hour.  I have decided that once I start teaching I am going to concentrate on my teaching and getting enough exercise.  I hope to continue singing but that will depend on how well my teaching is going.  I do enjoy the singing but I want my teaching to go very well this semester.  I can see a lot of napping in my office.  The apartment is in pretty good shape and my only real concern is how quiet it will be once my neighbors move in. 

Long Drive Back From Pittsburgh

On Tuesday, I woke up at 8:48 and went down to get a cup of yoghurt and some coffee and then returned to my room to catch up on my blog.  I talked to Judy and she and Paul picked me up a little before noon and I treated them to lunch at Panera.  After that Paul drove into Pittsburg and gave me a tour of the different college campuses (the main ones being Duquesne, Carnegie-Mellow and The University of Pittsburg).  We had a short walk downtown (since it was so cold) and saw the gingerbread house competition.  After that we drove home and I got a quick nap before taking them to dinner at Denunzio’s. 

On Wednesday I got up at 5:30 and was on the road by 6:15.  It was 15 degrees out and dark, and I quickly found out that my windshield wiper fluid had frozen.  That forced me to stop again and again to clean the windshield and I was averaging about 40 miles an hour until around noon (after a quick nap with my heavy jacket and hood on and my minus 20 sleeping bag over my head.  Only my feet were a little cold.  After the windshield wiper fluid melted I was able to drive around 50 or so and after another quick nap, I got home just as it got dark around 6.  Long, long day but I got through it safely.  It was very cold and I went inside and stayed, doing my knee exercises and riding the bike for 25 minutes.

On Thursday morning, the temperature was 7.  That was more than enough to keep me inside and I got to work on more straightening out.  I emailed Heather with my complaints and she addressed most of them.  I am a little worried about what is going to happen when I have neighbors but I am hoping that it won’t get too noisy.  Presently I have no neighbors but that will change soon.  I did some singing and 25 minutes of biking and at about 2 the fellows from Lowes came and delivered the washer.  I ran out to my truck around 4:30 and got a few things out and then I watched the Tech game, which they lost 30-21, mainly due to a couple of turnovers.  At around 8 I drove over to Kroger’s for supplies and a 25 minute walk before heading home.  I was able to adjust the refrigerator to around 12 degrees so now that concern is addressed and the adjusted shower curtain is also working better.  I did my first wash in the washer and the humidity stayed around 35 % even with the humidifier off.  I did some more singing and had a nice talk with Dave.    

The Pittsburg Trip

On Saturday evening I made my decision to head to Pittsburg in the morning.  The weather looked okay and I really wanted to do the trip, not only to see everyone but to show that I could do a long trip again.  I went to bed around 12:30, setting the alarm for 6:00, hoping to get going by 7.  I had packed my stuff and showered so all I had to do you move my belongings to the truck and head off.

I didn’t sleep too well so by 6:00 on Sunday I was on the road with dawn at least an hour away.  Traffic was light out of Blacksburg and I made it to Paint Creek before I took a nap.  That was very needed and then I kept driving till almost Morgantown, where I napped again.  The trip was supposed to be 323 miles but it ended up just over 370.  I got in around 3 and it was quite fun to see everyone.  At seven we went to Christmas mass, and I sang most of the songs.  In the evening, we sat around and I caught up with everyone and left around 9:30, pretty tired, then stayed up till 12 watching TV.

On Christmas Day I thought the plan was for Gianna and Grace to open there presents when they got up but instead they waited till I got there around 9:20 and I was very embarrassed that I didn’t get there much earlier.  However nobody seemed too bothered and watching everyone open their presents (I got a couple) was very rewarding.  They all seemed so comfortable with one another and I did get to chat some with J.T., along with Josh, Paul, Judy and Jenny, who was still very funny.  I think Jenny should try her hand at writing some of her stories down and I hope she does.  I ended up chatting with Patty, Jenny and Judy till just after 12 and headed to the comfort Inn very tired, dropping off to bed immediately. 

An Anxious Night before the Move But All Goes Well

Wednesday was the day of the move and Tuesday night was a very anxious one.  Earlier, I was not able to get the shot to help my blood because my blood pressure was too high and I was so restless later on that I went out around 11 and bought pistachios and steamed Cajun shrimp and ate all seven ounces of pistachios and over eight ounces of steamed shrimp.  I felt awful about doing it but I literally couldn’t stop.  After an incredibly restless night I finally got up around 6, finished packing some stuff and then took a well needed nap.  After that, Claire came over and we packed up all TV, my piano, the radio and my printer.  I took Claire to lunch at Macado’s and then I went back to meet the movers.  They loaded things in about an hour and then drove over to Prices Fork and unloaded in about an hour and a half.  It cost me 275, so I was a little under budget.  At first it seemed like I just had too much stuff, but as I put away a few things I started to feel better.  I treated myself to Chicken Mac and Cheese at Macado’s and then returned to my new apartment and put away a few more things.  I spend a very good night sleeping in the darkness of the guest room and didn’t wake until 6:30.

Thursday was a very good day.  I was feeling pretty good about my new place and I put away a few things and then headed over to Hethwood to start cleaning out what was left in the apartment.  It didn’t take long to get the stuff out and then I decided to drive back to Prices Fork for a nap before the Comcast guy got there. I did my knee exercises and then started putting more boxes away and at a little after one the Comcast guy came and within an hour he had everything fixed up.  Claire came and I took her to Greens for lunch before we drove back to Prices Fork to unload the truck, which only took a few minutes, then we headed back to Hethwood and while Claire vacuumed I finished cleaning the bathroom and the kitchen and then we loaded the truck and we gave back the keys a little after 4:30.  Then I dropped Claire off and was just about to take a nap when Rob called and we went for a nice hike and then I took my nap and after I got up I decided to upgrade to 80 more channels for 10 dollars a month for the first 12 months and eventually, on the fourth try, Comcast succeeded in getting my new channels to work.  I did my weights and yoga and took a very needed shower and now my blog is done.  I am really liking my new apartment and I hope that it continues. 

T 

Very Good Day

Monday turned out to be a good day.  I did my knee exercises, did a little packing (very little left), went out for a 40 minute bike ride, took a quick nap then headed out to play golf.  I shot very well playing two balls per hole and I had a lot of fun, even though I hadn’t played in 10 days.  After that I headed to Walmart for two perscriptions and the cabinet lining material.  Then it was back home for a long nap and then I ordered Lucia’s present and headed out to VT for a 40 minute walk.  I called Craig Waggaman and updated him on my health.  He and Linda are doing well and we talked about getting out and playing again on a nice day in January.  I talked to Heather Hodges and I pick up my keys at 11:30 on Wednesday.  I hope to be able to carry over a lot of stuff when I head over with Claire.  I talked to Cathy and she is tired but she will have about 10 days off in a couple of days.  I also talked to Judy about the Pittsburg visit and thought the weather looks worse than it did a couple of days ago, I am still hoping it will work out for a Christmas visit.  Days like today are a real blessing.

Decent day

Saturday was an okay day.  I did my knee exercises in the morning, sang my church songs, then went for a walk with Rob.  He said my numbers were about the same so he thought Trivedi would increase the Prograf to 2 mg twice a day.  I certainly have to rest after I do something strenuous, but overall I am doing okay and my packing is basically done until Claire gets here on Wednesday morning.  I wish the move was over and I am a little worried about singing tomorrow since there will be fewer people there.  However, I haven’t taken any Valium and I hope to just get a lot of exercise in so I won’t need any.  The weather in Pittsburg looks pretty good for Christmas so I am definitely thinking of making the attempt.  I had a quick text message exchange with Kelly, mainly about Lucia’s birthday present but I am still not sure what to get her.  I went for a bike ride after I napped following the walk with Rob, and then I ended up taking a walk in the University Kroger for 20 minutes then heading home.  

Some Good, Some Bad

Wednesday was an okay day.  I did some of my knee exercises, did some singing and some piano playing, did some stationary biking and then went for the open house at Prices Fork.  The food was fine and I did some more measurements in my apartment so I can cut some carpet to protect the rugs in the 3 closets and the alcove.  I also did a little more packing.

Thursday started okay and then ended up poorly.  I did my knee exercises, sang some songs, played the piano and practiced my three jazz songs, then went for a 40 minute bike ride outside.  I then headed off for Kate’s party and that was okay.  The food was fair enough and I did get to chat with Laurie Cubbison, Kim Gainer, Rick, Jola and her husband.  I said hello to Kate and that was about it.  I went back to my office to finish up my work but decided to take a nap since I was exhausted.  The nap didn’t help much and I struggled home and then really had no energy the rest of the night.  I went to be around 11 and the rest of the night was restless. 

Friday found me tired again, but I forced myself to do three sets of yoga and weights and to ride the stationary bike for 25 minutes.  I felt good about that and I did my knee exercises and then rested a little and did a lot of work on the packing.  I am making a lot of progress but there is still a lot to be done.  I cut up the carpet to protect the apartment carpet and I moved more boxes and got all the shelves off the bookcases.  Then I went to Rob’s party and that was fun.  Rob said my numbers were about the same, which I guess is all right.  The food was good and my target gift card was an okay present.  Then I drove back home for a good nap, then some more packing stuff and then to my blog.  I am hoping to take a walk later, maybe at Walmart.  I certainly did better today than last night, when I was totally without energy.   

An excellent day

Monday turned out to be the best day in a long time.  I woke at 6:30, made coffee and started working on my outline for the M-W class.  I then wrote two days of blog.  After that I did my knee exercises, then decided that I should go play golf since it was going to be sunny and almost 50.  Unfortunately, Auburn was closed because there was still some residual snow but Castle Rock was open so I drove out there and played two balls on the front nine and shot okay, 6 over bogey.  I didn’t putt especially well but I haven’t played Castle Rock in a long time so that was a big part of the reason.  I then took a quick nap in my truck and then drove to VT and rode my bike from the frat section back to the duck pond and then along the road to the Smithfield Plantation.  Very good ride and the first outdoor one in a while.  Then I drove to Lowe’s and bought a washer and a cheap rug that I will cut up to protect the carpeting in the closets and the alcove.  I also got a Target gift card for Rob’s party on Friday and two gift cards at Barnes and Noble for Grace and Gianna.  I then went for a 35 minute walk in Torgersen and then went home for steamed veggies and to watch the end of Eugene Onegin.  The ending was a bit long winded but I overall I did enjoy the opera.  I stayed up until almost one, what a wild guy I have become.  I think the effects of the reduction of the prednisone have worn off and I am not going to change things until after Christmas.

A couple of decent days

Saturday started out very well.  I did my knee exercises, packed up a number of boxes, practiced some church songs, then went out and got 12 liquor store boxes so I won’t be short for the move.  I returned home and did a little more packing but I was pretty tired.  I stayed in bed much of the rest of the day, getting up to watch TV and more of the opera Eugene Onegin.  I forced myself to ride my stationary bike for 20 minutes but that was all I could do.  I was totally exhausted and I couldn’t do my weights and yoga.  I am assuming that my energy level is low because of my reducing my prednisone from 17 and ½ mg to 15.  I didn’t take any Valium so that was a positive.  I did have a nice talk with Dave and I am trying to focus on getting the move done (and I really should be okay with Claire’s help) and then getting through what is going to be a hard winter.  I was picturing Coltsfoot starting to flower in early March and if I can make it till then that will be a real accomplishment.  I have just about a month left before I start teaching and that is worrying me a bit.  If I had to start right now, it would be a real struggle.  Lou and I had a discussion about the past, and I am finding it sad to look back at many of the places I’ve been and realizing that I will never return to so many of them.  Lou uses the past as a source of inspiration for his writing but that may be because he was never much of a traveler.  I have dreams about some of the wonderful natural places I have visited and I wake up pretty sad.  I do still have places nearby to return to and I hope my travels within an hour or two will be able to give me a sense of independence and renewal.

Sunday was a pretty decent day.  I did the first part of my knee exercises, then got ready to go to choir practice at 10:00.  It was a very sloppy practice with fewer people than normal and some showing up late and a new piano player who wasn’t that good.  The singing during the mass was okay but the piano player messed us up on the last song and that bothered me.  I drove over to Walmart to get my meds and then I headed to my office to get my fall preference sheet in.  After that I drove back to my apartment and took a needed nap.  I was very tired but when I awoke, I had a nice chat with Gyorgyi, then had some food and decided to go hear the speaker at St. Mary’s.  Dr. Italy was quite lively and I enjoyed his comments about reforming ourselves and letting Jesus take over the driver’s seat, letting him guide us along.  I certainly don’t know where my path is going but I am starting to see a little bit of future ahead especially since my kidney numbers are better again and Rob thinks the Prograf is working.  I went for a walk at Torgersen for almost 40 minutes then came home and finished my stationary biking while watching Eugene Onegin, then the rest of my weights and yoga.  I also had the energy to wash the dishes so I must be feeling better. I am still on the 15 mg of prednisone but I am not going to reduce it again until after Christmas.   

Still Struggling

Friday was certainly a better day than yesterday.  I didn’t take any Valium all day since I didn’t get too anxious.  I did my knee exercises, read some from the Bible, did two sets of weights and yoga and then headed out to see Rob and have my bloodwork done.  Some bad news there.  Val is going to be leaving in the summer and I will surely miss her.  A nice thing did happen in that John invited me to Rob’s holiday party next Friday and I agreed to go.  When I got to see Rob I went over all my concerns, the chills, the testosterone level, the asthma (or whatever my breathing problems are), exercising (which is fine), the blood clot, the prednisone (which I cut back to 15 mg today), my eyesight (the cataracts are developing because of the prednisone), my tiredness (which Rob thinks is because of the prednisone withdrawal.  Quite a list.  I then went back home for a nap before going to the 7 pm mass of the Immaculate Conception.  I was able to receive the Eucharist, which made me feel good, and I sang well on the songs I knew.  Beth sang very well throughout the mass but at the end she sang a litany about the Blessed Virgin and that was quite lovely, quite incantatory.

Saturday started out very well.  I did my knee exercises, packed up a number of boxes, practiced some church songs, then went out and got 12 liquor store boxes so I won’t be short for the move.  I returned home and did a little more packing but I was pretty tired.  I stayed in bed much of the rest of the day, getting up to watch TV and more of the opera Eugene Onegin.  I forced myself to ride my stationary bike for 20 minutes but that was all I could do.  I was totally exhausted and I couldn’t do my weights and yoga.  I am assuming that my energy level is low because of my reducing my prednisone from 17 and ½ mg to 15.  I didn’t take any Valium so that was a positive.  I did have a nice talk with Dave and I am trying to focus on getting the move done (and I really should be okay with Claire’s help) and then getting through what is going to be a hard winter.  I was picturing Coltsfoot starting to flower in early March and if I can make it till then that will be a real accomplishment.  I have just about a month left before I start teaching and that is worrying me a bit.  If I had to start right now, it would be a real struggle.  Lou and I had a discussion about the past, and I am finding it sad to look back at many of the places I’ve been and realizing that I will never return to so many of them.  Lou uses the past as a source of inspiration for his writing but that may be because he was never much of a traveler.  I have dreams about some of the wonderful natural places I have visited and I wake up pretty sad.  I do still have places nearby to return to and I hope my travels within an hour or two will be able to give me a sense of independence and renewal.

Good Day, Awful Day

Wednesday turned out to be an okay day.  I slept pretty well and I did my knee exercises, then did some paperwork, made a reservation for Amtrak to go down to Palm Beach.  I drove out to Auburn Hills hoping to play some golf but there was only one car there and the thermometer was stuck at 40 and that just seemed too cold.  I drove back and picked up some meds and supplies at Walmart and then drove home for a long chat with my sister Roberta and I am planning to visit her for 3 days before I head over to the CEA conference in St. Petersburg.  I think it will be a good visit and I know I will try to be the perfect guest.  I then drove over to Torgersen and walked for 40 minutes before returning home for weights and yoga. 

Thursday turned into an almost total disaster.  I slept poorly, coughing a lot, and started to get anxious so I took half a valium.  I got up a few times to eat a little and take my meds but I went right back to bed drifting off a number of times while reading Women in Love.  I did one set of the first part of my knee exercises, then did a nebulizer treatment which did help my coughing.  What a long day.  I had scheduled an appointment to see Rob at 3:15 but I couldn’t get out of bed so I had to cancel.  At points I couldn’t even lift my arms from the bed.  Rob called and offered to come over and though I didn’t want him to, I finally agreed and when he checked me out he wasn’t overly concerned although he wanted me to come in tomorrow at 12:00 for bloodwork and maybe some other tests.  He is not sure what is going on but the possibilities are many: my tiredness could be because of my low testosterone, because the 300mg of synthroid isn’t being absorbed, because of a virus or infection, because of my decreasing the prednisone from 20 mg to 17 and 1/2 mg.  I finally got out of bed around 7:30, sang some songs and did my blog.  I am going back to bed now until I have to get up at 9:30 to take the Eliquis and the Prograf.   Horrible day.  I really can’t live this way much longer.      

Bad Day, Good Day

Monday was a very hard day with a very frustrating ending.  I knew I had to get my kayak dried out since Tuesday was going to rain so at about 8:30 I pulled it out and  started drying it.  Much of my gear had ice on it so I had to wait for the sun to warm up my booties, my wet socks and my gloves.  Even the kayak had some ice in it.  I did some work in the truck, then rode my bike for 40 minutes, then did an outline for my Monday Wednesday class.  I tried calling St. Mary’s to go to confession but my phone wouldn’t connect with them so I didn’t go.  I finally got the kayak dried out and folded up and then carried it to the closet.  Then I collapsed into a deep sleep but I wasn’t very rested when I woke up so I needed to nap a couple more times.  I talked to Claire about moving on the 20^th (am I going to be capable of that?) and talked to Xfinity about moving my service over to Prices Fork, which is set up for the 21^st.   I still have to talk to SlimTransport to set up the move though I did leave them a message.  I then got up and got ready for the Mercy Mass at 7.   I had gotten my music ready but when I got there I decided to sit off by myself and then I got a chill and had to huddle up in my jacket.  I left right after the mass and I was very cold.  I went to Panda Express to treat myself.  I know I was a distraction during the mass and I hope that once I go to confession I will be calmer.  I hope to go tomorrow if I can set it up.  I watched some TV and finally did one set of weights.  I took a half of a valium to help go to bed.

Tuesday turned out to be an okay day.  After talking to Trivedi yesterday and she informing me that my numbers were better and that I could reduce my prednisone to 17 and ½ mg for a few days and then down to 15, I was feeling better and then Rob called in the afternoon and reiterated that things were looking up.  That made me feel even better.  Earlier in the day I did my bike ride for 40 minutes, my knee exercises in the afternoon, and did some packing for the mover, set up with Slim Transport for the afternoon of the 20^th.  I did a wash and got some of the bigger boxes ready before heading off for Torgersen for a 30 minute walk, followed by a couple of Taco Bell burritos and then a visit to Kroger for some supplies.  I did my weights and yoga (after doing two sets this morning) and I felt pretty good overall.  I had some steamed veggies and a couple of waffles and then went to work on my blog.  Not a bad day at all and I should see Father John for Confession tomorrow.  I did try to explain how sick I was last night to Joseph and he wished me a speedy recovery.  I also had a nice chat with Dave and he cheered me up pretty good.   

Bad Day, Long Day

Saturday was not a good day.  I was anxious most of the day, but I did my knee exercises in the morning.  I called Rob and we went for a full walk on the Tom’s Creek Trail.  Rob was optimistic about the prograf but I told him that I have been sick for over a year and that his moments of optimism have not fully panned out.  Initially he said that with the cellcept that I would be so much better in 6 weeks and that didn’t happen, then I did finally get better after the 4^th chemo with Cytoxin but that fell apart around three weeks ago, when Trivedi put me on the prograf along with an increase of the prednisone to 20 mg from my 12 and 1/2.  That has really added to my anxiety and I am hoping that this week’s blood test (still no results from last Tuesday) will show some improvement.  I did try to go to confession but it was so crowded and the younger people simply got ahead of me that I decided to pass for today.  I ended up taking 2 halves of valium throughout the rest of the day.  I am back to where if I don’t wake up in the morning that will be fine with me.  I did take a bike ride at VT in the Perry street garage going up 12 ramps which is a good ride overall. 

 Sunday was a long but pretty good day.  I go to rehearsal at 10:00 (having little desire to do that) and then I sang for the 11:30 mass and I did pretty well.  I was pretty scattered but Betty Anne helped me out and that calmed me quite a bit.  I was really hoping that my kayak friend would cancel but that didn’t work out so I met her at around 1 and we headed over to Dudley’s landing and got ready for out trip.  Unfortunately, the valve in the floor of my boat was not working so I had to sit in a lot more water than I usually do.  I got cold about halfway through, as did my kayak friend, but we kept paddling and we both thought it was a decent trip.  It felt so good to pack up our gear and warm up in my truck.  After dropping her off, I changed into dry clothes, drove to Jimmy John’s for a sandwich and then headed to my office for a nap.  My breathing wasn’t very good and I hope I don’t get a cold.  After I woke up I got the money to Holly for the party and the housekeeper and finally filed some of my documents.  I ended up leaving around 7:30 and got back to my apartment around 8:15, resting on the couch and checking some of the songs for tomorrow’s mercy mass.  I was able to clean my saucepan with boiled baking soda (an idea I got online) so that will save me 20 dollars or so.  I also had a big dish of steamed vegetables at 9:30 so I could take my Eliquis and my Prograf.  I am not sure if I will do my weights and yoga since I did so much paddling today to stay warm.

A Decent Day

Friday saw me up at around 6.  I really wanted to get my governor’s school proposal over to Amy Rubens and I finished that up and sent it and then caught up on my blog.  I then did my knee exercises and took a quick nap before heading out to ride my bicycle for 40 minutes.  Then I did some singing and piano playing (Green Dolphin and All of Me) and headed out to play nine holes of golf with two balls on each hole (shooting a very decent 95).  I then drove to Walmart and got the rest of the Eliquis for my blood clot and then drove home for a good nap, then a cup of tea and some singing.  I will do my weights and yoga later but today has been a pretty good day.  I talked with Judy and made reservations in Monroeville for Christmas but made it clear that I will only be coming if I feel pretty good and the weather is good.   

A long day indeed

Thursday was a pretty interesting day.  I didn’t do my knee exercises because of my swollen ankle, and then Mary took me out to breakfast at Panera.  It was fun to chat with her and I will miss her a lot.  I then went back home, tried to nap but at least rested my eyes and then went out and had a solid 40 minute bike ride doing the hills.  After that I drove to Rob’s office, with the plan to go play golf after I finished.  Rob looked at my leg and told me I had to immediately get a venous duplex scan at the Imaging Center.  He said that Dr. Trivedi’s diagnosis of gout was wrong and that I could go back down to 20 mg of prednisone (which should help my anxiety).  He couldn’t find my Tuesday blood test results so I’m not sure what is going on there.  I asked him about my breathing (the night before I had one puff of albuterol and I slept till 6:30) and he was okay with that.  He said he didn’t want to put me on testosterone for my sore breasts because there are significant side effects. He also looked in my eyes and said that there were cataracts developing and told me to make an appointment with the optometrist.   After finishing with Rob I went right over to the Imaging Center and got the ultrasound done and the technicians told me something was weird about it and that I had to go right back to Rob’s for more info.  When Rob saw me he told me I had a blood clot in my left leg and that he wanted me to go on a blood thinner right away.  I drove off, took a quick nap and then had time to drive to Walmart before my dinner with Claire Hall at 5:15.  Unfortunately, there was a foul up on Rob’s office sending in the Eliquis prescription so I had to leave for my dinner date.  Dinner was fun and I talked to her about helping me pack the TV, my printer and my piano, and maybe driving over one load of boxes that the movers won’t be taking over.  She will be available until the 22^nd so I hope I can move in before then.  I don’t think it is going to be a very hard move, but I am sure I will get more anxious as the day approaches.   We took a walk around the drill field and she told me a very interesting story about her visit to the acupuncturist, and how awful the woman was.  Then it was time to head to Walmart for my prescription but the prescription was sent to the Blacksburg pharmacy so I was only able to get two pills and I will have to go back tomorrow for the rest.  Mary Gorton called and I told her I would come visit and I did, chatting with her for a half hour and helping get her luggage into her car.  She will be flying out  tomorrow and I wish her well with her new life in Dallas.  I drove home and watched a movie I had wanted to watch for a long time, My Own Private Idaho with River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.  An odd movie but I did enjoy it a lot.  I stayed up till almost one.