A Quick Hospital Visit

Friday is going to be a catchup entry.  I had a very mixed week with Tuesday being one of my best kayak trips ever.  Kate and I got off at around 2:30 and it was simply perfect.  The water was up so we easily went under the two train bridges and Kate even went further.  Then we went around the island and it seemed so lovely.  I missed the biggest hole but Kate got it and then it was over, perhaps the last time we will paddle the New together.  I do still hope to paddle with her out in Norfolk but who knows what my health will allow.  Tuesday was a very odd day.  I awoke anxious and my breathing was pretty bad.  I did my knee exercises then took a half of a valium and two puffs of my asthma spray.  It didn’t seem to help so I took another two puffs and another half of valium and that didn’t seem to help so I tried the nebulizer and that didn’t help.  I was very anxious and very tight in the chest so I called Rob’s office and headed over.  When I got there my breathing was very tight and Rob said I had to go to the hospital and he wheeled me over in a wheelchair.  When we got there, I was very quickly put in a bed in the emergency room and a number of doctors and nurses looked me over.  They put in an IV and took blood and then gave me fluids and then an X-ray and moved me up to 203.  I was starting to feel better and I was thinking that maybe my early morning dose of Cyclosporin had caused the breathing and anxiety problems.  Anyway, I went to bed around 12 and was interrupted a couple of times for vitals and blood and then in the morning, I was seen by a few doctors and no one could tell me why I had the problems.  After kidney and vascular ultrasounds, I begged to be allowed to leave and I was told that would be okay.  I spoke to Dr. Ghosheh and I told him I wanted to see him instead of Trivedi and he approved that and told me he was going to try to set up and appointment for me with a leading nephrologist in late July.  I told him Rob wanted me to see a rheumatologist and he said that would be fine but the most important one would be the nephrologist.  Then I was released and I went to play golf, where I shot a 43 and played remarkably well.  I missed several pretty short putts or I could have shot a 40.  I drove out to Caldwell Fields and then home to do 20 minutes of biking and some of my shoulder exercises and watch the Caps win the Stanley Cup for the first time.   

The new drug has some bad side effects

Sunday was not a very good day.  I woke at 6:30 somewhat anxious, did my knee exercises but couldn’t get back to sleep after them, played piano and took a half a valium and finally fell asleep briefly.  I went to mass, sang some and said hello to Father after mass then headed home to rest some and then to go bike riding at tech and to play golf where I was a real jerk to a fellow named Bryan who was patient with me and we ended up playing together and planned to play together soon.  I want to give him a signed copy of my Neversink book.  I was really down in the morning because I don’t think the Cyclosporin is going to work out.  I think it is why I am having trouble hearing in my right ear and why I am feeling anxious again.  It may also be affecting my breathing some as I feel a little tightness in my chest.  I was really upset and tomorrow when I go see Rob I want to see if there is something else I can take.  I don’t want to live this way.   

Golf, Biking, Fishing and Walking

Wednesday morning I had a nice chat with Kelly, somewhat about Lucia and Grit, somewhat about how hard it is to take care of a house.  Now living in a small apartment, I certainly am relieved that I don’t have to maintain the hollow.  Even keeping the apartment tidy can seem a bit much, but Kelly’s house is very large and it must require a lot of attention.  I am planning to go visit her, probably after my trip to Roberta’s, assuming my health remains reasonable.  I would enjoy seeing Lucia and Alfredo and I think I can handle the drive even if I have to take two days each way.  

Thursday morning had its strangeness.  I awoke from a weird dream of deep insecurity, but after I started my knee exercises and figured out that my finances should be okay well past 80, I relaxed and got to work, straightening up a bit and washing the dishes.  I spent some time on my Craig Creek poem, which is getting better and better, and I returned to my blog.  I did more work around the house and lay down a few times but didn’t really nap.  Then it was time to get ready to go to Toyota for service on my truck.  The servicing was pretty quick and I also go new brake pads so I am ready for another 10,000 miles.  I then went out to fish at the bridge in White Gate and caught two nice redeye bass.  Returning through Radford, I rode my bike for 40 miniutes then put in Autumn Bishop’s grade and brought the washed pillow cases, sheet and blanket up to the office, where I had already brought up the cot I purchased.  Now I should be ready for the fall, when I won’t have to struggle up from the floor when I take a nap.  I drove home and watched a very exciting Warriors / Cavs game, and did my weights and some of my shoulder exercises.  Cathy had to have surgery yesterday for one of the fragments that remained from the breakup of her kidney stone.  I heard her screaming and it was awful.  I think she is okay and I hope to see her soon.

 Friday started out okay, with my knee exercises and some reading, and then a long call to my sister Judy who is doing pretty well with her tunnel and bridge phobia.  I discussed whether stopping all my drugs, if I got to a point where life wasn’t worth living,  would be okay with the church and she thought it was definitely okay but advised me to talk to Father John, which I intend to do.  It was a good phone call.  I have to do my piano playing and then I have to see Rob at 2:30 and then hopefully golf and biking.   

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.