Saturday, May 7, 2011

Found Child's Sneaker

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 46 degrees, high 72 degrees, clear skies

I had a good night's sleep, only getting up once for about an hour. After going back to bed at 0300 hours, I was able to sleep until 0700 hours. That may not seem like much, but it helps me.

I felt halfway decent this morning, so we spent some time getting our medical records and costs in order. It appears that we will have enough medical costs this year to be able to itemize our taxes for the year. Believe me when I say that I would rather not be itemizing, because it might mean I wasn't as sick.

After lunch, I used some washing powder to treat fire ant hills in the yard. We used the washing powder for years in Texas, and it seems to do a good job, without worrying about poisoning animals or birds. In about a week, the hills should be dead.

Terri and Thomas came up from Tuscaloosa in the early afternoon, and they had many stories as well as video of the tornado that struck their area last week. We can tell that they are still deeply affected by the things they have seen.

They brought me two large milkshakes from Sonic, and I got busy drinking one of them. I learned today that if I'm going to eat supper with any appetite at all, I need to eat things like a milkshake earlier in the day. Those things tend to stick with you, and I was still full at suppertime. I managed to eat enough to keep Carolyn from fussing at me too much. Anyway, no milkshakes after 1200 hours, unless that is all I'm eating.

When Traci mowed our yard yesterday, she picked up some debris that fell out of the sky last week during the tornado outbreak. One thing she found was a child's sneaker in the back yard. When she first found the shoe, she was afraid there might be something in it, like a foot. Luckily, there wasn't. We hope the child is okay.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Jonestown, Texas: Gateway To The Hill Country

Not all who wander are lost.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Milkshakes

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 45 degrees, high 64 degrees, clear skies

Every night, I tend to get up at least 2-3 times due to aches and pains. Most of the time, I can stay up for a half hour or so, then go back to bed and sleep. Last night, I only got up once, stayed up about an hour, had an ice cream bar, and felt good. I went back to bed about 0330 hours and slept the rest of the night. When I got up this morning, I still felt halfway decent.

After breakfast, the good feeling persisted, so I did a few things around the house to help Carolyn. By mid-morning, I started to drag a little, so I started slowing down. The people who were replacing the bottom sashes of our windows finally showed up and got busy. I think the wait is going to be worth it, as we like the quality of work that was performed. It's nice to not be looking through fogged windows.

Recently, I have been having a milkshake everyday, as I try to boost my appetite and gain back some of the weight that I have lost. No weight gain so far, but at least the loss has slowed down. I can't afford to lose any more weight.

I have found that Sonic has the best milkshake, which came from a tip from my sister-in-law Kathy. It is something that I have come to look forward to, so at least lunch means a little more than it did.

We have been looking for a riding mower to buy for mowing our yard. Sears is having a sale on their yard equipment, so we checked out what they had. We found the type and size of mower we were looking for and struck a deal. One of the things the dealer agreed to was to deliver the mower for nothing. So, we have a new riding mower sitting in the garage for the first time in many years. I'll do the mowing when I'm able. If Carolyn can't do it, then Traci will come over and do it. Have I said lately how much we appreciate Traci and her help?

This past week has been full of news about Usama Bin Laden's death. I haven't said anything about it before now, but it is hard to keep quiet. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to our armed forces and intelligence services for their relentless hunt for Bin Laden. In addition, George W. Bush and his administration's policies helped. It bothers me to see our current president doing the victory tour that he has been on this week, when he was one of the loudest voices of criticism against the policies that helped find the terrorist. I think it's about time for Obama to get serious about the economy, budget deficit, and inflation. Let's get people back to work, and start taming a deficit that seems to me to be out of control. Cut back on the campaigning for re-election and do the job he was elected to do.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Hutto, Texas: Growing A Quality Community

Not all who wander are lost.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Better Night's Sleep

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 37 degrees, high 64 degrees, clear skies

Did you notice the low temperature for today? I guess this is Blackberry Winter. We'll enjoy it while it lasts.

We slept much better last night, after the awful night we spent the night before in a hotel in Atlanta. Our bed seemed like a cloud after trying to sleep in the hardest bed I have ever experienced. The hotel should have paid us for staying there.

We were still tired after the long trip, even though we slept well. Once we were up and stirring, I went to town to pick up a few groceries, and get a haircut. While I was there, I looked at a couple of lawn mowers that would work for us in keeping the yard looking good. I'll probably go back tomorrow and buy one of them. Our niece Traci has been doing our yard, and we have paid her for doing so. However, she is busy with her stuff, and I think I'm getting to the point where I should be able to drive a riding mower. That still leaves the question of weed eating and trimming the shrubs, but we'll face that when the time comes.

Carolyn did some of her patented house cleaning while I was out of the house. I'm glad she did it while I was gone, since I feel like I get in her way. She's usually pretty good about not sweeping me out with the dirt, but it goes better if I'm not around.

In the afternoon, both of us took little mini-naps, but I don't think they will keep us awake tonight. I received a call that the replacement windows that we have been trying to have installed since we bought the house will be installed tomorrow. It's about time. One more thing to mark off the to do list.

Things are gradually getting back to normal after the tornado outbreak last week. Most people have their electric power back, and Athens is not as busy as it was with all the people visiting who had no power or had lost their homes. It was a financial windfall for the businesses here, but I'm sure they would like to be able to reverse the clock so we could forget all the bad weather last week. I know it made an impression on me.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Tuscaloosa, Alabama: America’s One And Only

Not all who wander are lost.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Torture Rack

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low in Atlanta, Georgia was 40 degrees, high in Elkmont was 61 degrees, clear skies

Last night was a miserable night for me. We had the hardest bed ever placed in a hotel room, and with the weight I have lost, plus the soreness in my hip from the bone marrow biopsy, I could not find a comfortable position to sleep in. I think a pool table would have been soft compared to that bed. As a result, I only got about two hours sleep. At least we're home now, and can sleep in our bed. The uncomfortable night is one of the reasons we decided to buy an RV, besides the freedom it gave us.

We left Atlanta about 0800 hours, pulling into rush hour traffic. Once we got to I-20, traffic fell off, and we moved along at a comfortable speed for us. About 100 miles down the road, I pulled into a McDonald's, where I lay back in the seat for about 15 minutes. Carolyn said I fell asleep for a short time, and if I did, that's good. Before we left again, I bought a milkshake for the boost, which kept me going for another 100 miles. Then, we pulled in to a rest area on I-65, where I took another short nap. That little nap gave me enough energy to make it home about 1400 hours.

For the third time, a nap was again in order. That held me until I went to bed tonight. Carolyn prepared us a nice supper so we wouldn't have to go out. Believe me, it was better than anything we have had this week.

We received word today that my cousin Faye's husband Ellis (we call him Cut) suffered a stroke, and is in ICU in Jacksonville, Florida. He faces a long and difficult recovery, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Jacksonville, Florida: Where Florida Begins

Not all who wander are lost.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Back In Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia

Weather: low 54 degrees, high 80 degrees, afternoon showers, cooling off to 40 degrees by morning

We got an early start this morning, leaving home about 0450 hours on our way to Atlanta and more medical stuff. At that time of the morning, traffic was light, and we were able to get through Birmingham before the morning rush hour hit there. With the early start, we were able to pace ourselves, and when I felt myself start to fade, we would stop and allow me to stretch out on the seat until I felt better.

We arrived at our hotel about noon, and since I had called ahead and asked if we could check in at that time, a room was ready. Since we were a little early, which was planned, I was able to take a short nap before going to Emory Clinic. The nap helped me, and at 1300 hours, we called a cab to take us to the clinic.

Once at the clinic, things moved at a good clip. I had samples from home which were checked in. Then, blood samples were drawn for more lab work. At least this week, they only took eight vials, versus eleven last week.

When the lab work was completed, we were taken to the bone marrow biopsy area. Ouch! It hurts just to say those words. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. When I was being prepped for the biopsy, I was asked if I wanted use just a local anesthetic that would numb the affected area where the biopsy would take place, or a general that would make me sleep while the procedure was going on. I decided to cowboy up and just use the local. That was a good choice, as the pain was minimal, and I was able to walk out within ten minutes after the procedure was finished. That also means I can drive now instead of having to wait 24 hours.

Someone asked me if a lot of bone marrow was taken for the test, and I said I didn't know, since I had never experienced it before. The volume that was pulled seemed like a lot to me, but what do I know?

We called a cab to take us back to the hotel, where we rested until supper time. Supper was a surprise, because we went to a place named Evans Fine Dining, which turned out to be a typical neighborhood diner. It was a nice surprise, since the food was good, cheap, and plentiful. And the best thing of all was that I could actually eat what I ordered. I should say I ate most of it, and that's much better than I ave been doing. Maybe we should hang around here a few days so I can get some strength and energy back.

We'll return home tomorrow, taking our time as I try not to overdo it. I have another appointment next Tuesday, when the doctor will present his findings, and hopefully, a treatment plan. If everything goes as we hope, a treatment plan will be administered by doctors near our home, while we will return here for more tests and checkups to see how the treatment is going.

So, that was our day. Early, busy, and tiring.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Atlanta, Georgia: The Big Peach

Not all who wander are lost.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Preps For Trip To Atlanta

Elkmont, Alabama
Weather: low 63 degrees, high 81 degrees, partly cloudy skies

Most of our day was spent resting and getting ready for our trip to Atlanta. We expect to leave in the morning about 0500 hours. While I'm over there, more testing will be performed, including a bone marrow biopsy. We will be staying in Atlanta tomorrow night, with an early start home on Wednesday. Then, we do it all over again next week. But, the alternative is to have no hope, and now I do have some hope. As I told the doctors, I'll go anywhere, do anything, anytime they want me to.

I attempted to rent a car to drive to Atlanta tomorrow, but the need for cars by tornado victims is acute. As one man told me, he had five cars sitting in his driveway, and couldn't drive any of them. The second story of a house across the street was blown in to his, resulting in a total loss. It's a miracle they weren't killed.

The cleanup from the storms continues, but that is going to be a long term project. The damage is so much worse than we would have thought. Huntsville still only has about 30% of their electrical power back, so many of those folks are staying and eating in the Athens area. Traffic is much heavier than normal, and business is booming. I'm sure everyone wishes things were back to normal.

One side benefit of the bad weather last week is that the weather this week has been outstanding. And, we're expecting lows in the high 30s on Tuesday night. I keep thinking Blackberry Winter is here, only to be fooled by another cool front passing through.

More later, be safe. Pay attention to those weather warnings.

Today's Town - Cullman, Alabama: City Of Churches

Not all who wander are lost.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Catch Up

Elkmont, Alabama

Weather: low 66 degrees, high 77 degrees, partly cloudy skies, breezy

It has been almost a week since I posted. What a week it has been! I guess the best place to start is at the beginning.

The last time I posted was Sunday evening, as my sister Janie was getting ready to go home. The next morning, Janie left. I was feeling really bad, so I called my cardiologist in Athens about it. He told me to get to to his office as soon as possible. An ekg showed that I was in atrial fibrillation, even though the pacemaker I had installed was supposed to help.

I was immediately placed in ICU, where treatment was started to get the AF under control. The AF was controlled that evening, but other problems had arisen that needed to be addressed. When the pacemaker was installed, my fluid retention medicine stopped working, and I gained ten pounds in less than five days. After two days, a combination of drugs was found that started the pump flowing again.

On Wednesday morning at 0500 hours, I was awakened by a nurse who said the area was under a tornado warning. Everyone was moved in to the hall for more protection. That warning did not result in a tornado hitting Athens.

At 1200 hours on Wednesday, another tornado warning was announced for the area. Back in to the hall. This tornado did hit the area, causing deaths, injuries, and destruction.

At 1700 hours, another warning, which resulted in another hit for the area. More deaths, injuries, and destruction. We were trying to be released from the hospital at that time, so it was rather hectic.

One of the tornadoes that hit in the afternoon destroyed the neighborhood where we lived in the 1980s, including a home we had built that we thought was going to be our retirement home.

We finally got home about 2000 hours, where we had no damage, but there was not any electricity. No problem, at least we were safe, and I was doing better.

We saw things that day I don't care to see again. Large amounts of debris fell for hours, including sheet metal, tree parts, insulation, and just about anything else we use in a modern world.

We got everything ready to go to Atlanta the next morning, when we left for my doctor's appointment over there. Leaving at 0500 hours in the morning, we were at the doctor's office a few minutes early. After doing the paperwork, we were called back for a complete examination and personal history. Then, the doctor said he had hope to offer me, which made us feel good, because we had no hope before. He explained my disease again, and said he had several treatment options that had promise for me. The rest of the day was spent with tests, x-rays, and scheduling.

We spent the night in Atlanta, and arrived home Friday afternoon. The electricity was
still off, with no idea when it would come back on. Still, we felt we were fortunate. Many people lost loved ones, had injuries, or lost everything they owned.

Saturday was spent resting and trying to catch up with things that had been ignored all week. The electricity came back on about 1730 hours that night while we were gone to get supper. Nice surprise to come back to. Carolyn put it very well when she the power being off wasn't hard, just inconvenient. We did lose everything in the refrigerator and freezer, but still count ourselves fortunate.

Today was more resting and catching up. I think we're getting there, just in time to back to Atlanta on Tuesday for more testing.

More later, be safe.

Today's Town - Tuscaloosa, Alabama: Together We Can Build A Bridge To The Future

Not all who wander are lost.