A Busy and Frustrating Day

Wednesday was a rough day.  After my knee exercises, I had to head off to see Dr. Farhi and though I got there at 11:20 I didn’t get to see her until almost 1.  I asked her a few questions but then had to leave for my dental appointment, where I found out I have a cavity and I have to come back to get that done.  I had a problem with a student using her cell phone hidden below her desk and when she seemed to be doing it again, I called her out on it and she actually wasn’t and she said she was looking at her fingers.  She got upset and said that this wasn’t high school and she wouldn’t come sit up front.  It was unpleasant and I have no doubt I will hear from Rosemary about it.  

Some Health Concerns

Saturday was highlighted by Rob and I driving up to Salem to see Caryl, Rob’s mother.  She was pretty frail and walking with a cane but she was still lively and we had a nice visit back at her place at Brandon Oaks. 

Sunday turned out to be an okay day but it was a very tiring one and I didn’t sing very well because I was shaking too much and the news of the rise in my protein in the urine level (from 5 to 9) has me a little spooked.  After singing I went to play golf and did okay, shooting a 97 even though it was pretty damp.  I then called Rob and he invited me over to watch the end of the New England game, which I did, and then we took a walk on the Tom’s Creek trail even though I was exhausted.  We went back to his house and he made me some dinner and we watched UVa beat Wake by 10 and then we watched some of the Philadelphia game.

Cataract Surgery Coming

Thursday turned out pretty well even though it was a long day.  I had to go visit Dr. Farhi and it was a confusing visit.  After checking my eyes she wrote that I have cataracts in both eyes and said that I should have surgery.  She noted that I should avoid driving at night.  Then she quickly went over some options, and I am really not sure what these options exactly are.  One involves an extra thousand an eye and the other involves two thousand an eye and uses a multi-focal lens.  Both of these options are non medical, and they would be my personal preference.  Both would require me to pay for the procedures.  I could afford 4k if I thought it was worth it but I am not sure of that right now.  I want to talk to Rob before I make any decisions.  Farhi dilated my eyes and right now, at a little after 10, they are still blurry from the drops.   After teaching, I took a long nap in my office and then I drove home just before dark.  I was not feeling well so I napped again, this time for an hour, and then got up and had some steamed vegetables and then did my 30 minutes of biking along with 30 minutes of singing.  I did my weights and yoga this morning (after missing the past two days) and I am hopeful of doing another set letter.   

First day of teaching in 13 months

Tuesday was a very important day: the first day of my return to teaching. I did my knee exercises in the morning and then played some piano after I got ready to head into Radford.  I stopped at Kibbles on Main to get Hank some peanut butter biscuits and then got to my office just before 1.  I saw a number of colleagues and got everything ready for class.  Then the moment came.  I went down to the third floor and started teaching for the first time in over 13 months.  It meant I could still teach and that I was still a part of the department.  I had a little trouble seeing the students as I went over the rules and outline but I think I did a very adequate job.  I only have 9 students in one class and 15 in the other so I think this won’t be an overwhelming semester, and the fall, with only three courses, should also be okay.  If I can get through these two semesters and the following one with 4 courses, I will almost be where I need to be, at that point with only two more semesters to go before I retire.  After teaching, and I hadn’t had a nap all day, I rode my bicycle for 40 minutes along the river and then drove home for a long nap before waking at 6:30.  I tried to call Cathy and left a message and talked with Dave for a few minutes, then sang Sunday’s new songs and then headed out to Olive Garden where I had an excellent dinner of salmon piocata using the gift card the gallos had gotten me.  I then drove to the VT library and walked for 30 minutes before heading back to my apartment. 

Singing and a Good Walk

Sunday was a pretty good day.  I sang well at St. Mary’s, and then I went for a really nice walk with Rob, mainly chatting about financial stuff with a little sports thrown in.  After the walk, I went back to my apartment and took a nap, then got up and played some piano and sung my jazz songs.  I fixed the doorstops with some Goop and then watched the end of the Steelers/Jacksonville game while doing my 30 minutes of stationary biking and my knee exercises.  Later I watched an incredible game between the Vikings and the Saints, with the Vikings winning on a touchdown with no time left on the clock.  Then I drove to Walmart to take my 30 minute walk.  Back home I watched the end of the Sony Championship playoff.  Had a nice talk with Lou and I got a message from John wishing me well. 

Teaching is only a few days away

Thursday was a decent day, even though I was tired and needed a couple of naps.  I did my knee exercises, went out for some supplies, did my singing and some piano playing and eventually rode my bike inside at the Perry Street Garage with the temperature in the high forties.  I  did 12 ramps and then, after a nap, I did a 40 minute walk, mainly in Torgerson.  Back in my apartment I  did almost all my weights and yoga, then watched TV. 

Friday was another tired day but I did my knee exercises, picked up a bird feeder and some bird seed and a container for the extra seed.  I talked to Dr. Trivedi’s office and there is nothing they can do about my tiredness, my chills or my shaking hands but they said that I should get a shot when I come next time.  I will if it is covered but I am not going to pay 700 for it.  I played piano and sang and I went for a 40 minute bike ride inside the Perry Street garage, then went for dinner at Macados (hoping to see Jake but he wasn’t there), then went for a 30 minute walk in Torgerson, then home for a full set of weights and yoga.  Heather wrote a very respectful response to my email about why she didn’t respond to my questions, but she ignored them but I have it on record that she ignored them.  I left a message for Gabes and for John and I hope to hear from them at some point.  My cough is about the same but no worse so I guess I will start teaching with a cough.

              

Golf Finally

Wednesday turned out very well.  The weather was cloudy but around 50 and after my knee exercises  and some singing, I headed out to play golf for the first time in three weeks.  I was trying to break 100 and to my surprise I shot very well and ended up with an 85.  On the 6^th hole I chipped both balls from 25 yards away to within 3 feet of the hole.  It was a lot of fun but I was exhausted when I finished and I drove home after stopping for a real indulgence, a New York dog and chili cheese tots.  I napped then got up and headed over to Tech for a 40 minute bike ride in the Perry Street garage, going up 11 ramps.  I then drove home and did my weights and yoga but just two sets.  I did text Maddie and she seems okay although her arm is still hurting.  No word from Heather yet.