We're dog people. We had a cat, who lived with Anny before I did. We got Rusty, our cocker-mutt, the summer after we got married. Tiger, our cat, moved on to another owner several years ago, and he's truly not missed to be honest.
My awesome sister was the source of Rusty. When she was going away to boarding school. On Easter Sunday (of this year) she made another offer:
Sis: Do you want another puppy? My friends dog had puppies and they all need places to live
Rob: huh? I don't know that Anny will go for it.
Sis: You could ask.
Rob: okay....
Sis: I will train him for you over the summer. I'm good at that.
Rob: How on earth do you manage to get Anny to take dogs from you? I have been trying for months on that, with no success. You call before church one day and "yeah" is your answer!
So, we're getting a dog in August. Another mutt, this time it's a beagle! Not sure what else is in the mix, but that's how we get our dogs. :o)
Now I am in a holding pattern for several months. In the mean time, HERE is a cute sign from Vancouver.
April 25, 2006
April 24, 2006
Replacement Knee
No, not for me. My knees are actually functioning!
Gramps (for whom I am a namesake) had his knee replace on the 14th. He is the strongest person I have ever seen. When he hip replacement surgery several years ago he was up and walking within 48 hours or so. He was very upset with how long the hospital insisted that he stay and do "silly occupational therapy, I only had a hip done, I still know how to think" is something we heard often. What I'm saying is that even though he had a new hip, he never hurt.
I have seen this man take a tree, literally, to the forehead. We were in the backyard of a neighbors house to take down a tree for them. It fell wrong and bounced off of the fence. Gramps was standing too close, and it hit him hard. It was just a little scratch, so he asked me for a hat to keep the injury hidden from my aunt as she walked by, and we moved on. Insane.
It is very very weird for me to see him when he is in pain. This knee thing is really bothering him. He leg is swollen. It's work for him to get to the toilet. We had to use a wheelchair to get him to the car yesterday.
Progress
Yesterday was my cousins 18th birthday. (I will definately be blogging about him in the near future, he is moving into my basement next month!) Somehow my very convincing grandfather talked his nurses into releasing him for just the afternoon. We picked him up around 2:00 and brought him back around 8:30, with a family and friends filled house of 15 people. He did really well with the car and the steps, but his leg is still ugly and swollen. I could tell that he is hurting, and it sucks that there's nothing that I can do about it.
Today he came home officially. He's staying with my aunts and has in-home PT scheduled. Next weekend he gets to take a trip "home" to the beach. He and his mom have breakfast on Thursdays with a group of other "locals" each week. They have managed to schedule the Thursday Group to get together on Saturday. He will make progress every day.
Or that's what I keep telling myself, because he's the man of steel that I've known all of my life.
Gramps (for whom I am a namesake) had his knee replace on the 14th. He is the strongest person I have ever seen. When he hip replacement surgery several years ago he was up and walking within 48 hours or so. He was very upset with how long the hospital insisted that he stay and do "silly occupational therapy, I only had a hip done, I still know how to think" is something we heard often. What I'm saying is that even though he had a new hip, he never hurt.
I have seen this man take a tree, literally, to the forehead. We were in the backyard of a neighbors house to take down a tree for them. It fell wrong and bounced off of the fence. Gramps was standing too close, and it hit him hard. It was just a little scratch, so he asked me for a hat to keep the injury hidden from my aunt as she walked by, and we moved on. Insane.
It is very very weird for me to see him when he is in pain. This knee thing is really bothering him. He leg is swollen. It's work for him to get to the toilet. We had to use a wheelchair to get him to the car yesterday.
Progress
Yesterday was my cousins 18th birthday. (I will definately be blogging about him in the near future, he is moving into my basement next month!) Somehow my very convincing grandfather talked his nurses into releasing him for just the afternoon. We picked him up around 2:00 and brought him back around 8:30, with a family and friends filled house of 15 people. He did really well with the car and the steps, but his leg is still ugly and swollen. I could tell that he is hurting, and it sucks that there's nothing that I can do about it.
Today he came home officially. He's staying with my aunts and has in-home PT scheduled. Next weekend he gets to take a trip "home" to the beach. He and his mom have breakfast on Thursdays with a group of other "locals" each week. They have managed to schedule the Thursday Group to get together on Saturday. He will make progress every day.
Or that's what I keep telling myself, because he's the man of steel that I've known all of my life.
April 18, 2006
My Kidney Story, Part 1
Okay, it's time for the Kidney Post. I spent an hour or so reading other people's blogs about their kidney stories, and I have to realize that I have it pretty good. A look back to the past......
In the spring of 2001 I had a headache. I think that everything starts as a headache. The pastor at our church found out about a *small* brain hemmorage via a headache at Disney World. We had a friend discover her Bells Palsy from a rough headache. My headache was from a simple sinus infection. That's what I was told by my former doctor.
Let me tell you, there is a difference between a sinus infection and strep sinus. Really it was a strep infection in addition to a sinus infection! Somehow strep can travel from organ to organ, which I still do not fully understand.
While taking the medecine perscribed by my former doctor, my face and feet began to swell. I have seen swollen cheeks and feet, but this was worse than a pregnant lady. (no offense ladies) I continued to gain water, and therefore weight. before I 'got sick' as I tend to call it, I weighed in at between 180 and 185 pounds. During the height of my adema I was up to 265 pounds! (That's 80 pounds for those who are not good at math!!)
After getting thoroughly frustrated with my particular situation, I decided to get a second opinion. Given my symptoms and lack of history, I was diagnosed as having nephritis. This diagnosis came from a new doctor found through recommendation of a friend.
I remember very vividly having to pee into a cup for the first time, and the doctor getting excited that he had found what looked like nephritis. He was not excited because it is a chronic disease in a 22 year old, but because he had success in diagnosing something for a very nervous patient. I liked this doctor enough that after returning from a 4 year stint living in Virginia, both Anny and I are going to see him for our General needs.
Doctor Lee was new to the particular practice, so he was not familiar with specialists in the area, so he pulled out ye-olde-book-of-doctors and picked Dr. DK.
I think that's enough for tonight. I'll pick back up with Dr. DK next time I'm in the mood to think about my kidneys.
In the spring of 2001 I had a headache. I think that everything starts as a headache. The pastor at our church found out about a *small* brain hemmorage via a headache at Disney World. We had a friend discover her Bells Palsy from a rough headache. My headache was from a simple sinus infection. That's what I was told by my former doctor.
Let me tell you, there is a difference between a sinus infection and strep sinus. Really it was a strep infection in addition to a sinus infection! Somehow strep can travel from organ to organ, which I still do not fully understand.
While taking the medecine perscribed by my former doctor, my face and feet began to swell. I have seen swollen cheeks and feet, but this was worse than a pregnant lady. (no offense ladies) I continued to gain water, and therefore weight. before I 'got sick' as I tend to call it, I weighed in at between 180 and 185 pounds. During the height of my adema I was up to 265 pounds! (That's 80 pounds for those who are not good at math!!)
After getting thoroughly frustrated with my particular situation, I decided to get a second opinion. Given my symptoms and lack of history, I was diagnosed as having nephritis. This diagnosis came from a new doctor found through recommendation of a friend.
I remember very vividly having to pee into a cup for the first time, and the doctor getting excited that he had found what looked like nephritis. He was not excited because it is a chronic disease in a 22 year old, but because he had success in diagnosing something for a very nervous patient. I liked this doctor enough that after returning from a 4 year stint living in Virginia, both Anny and I are going to see him for our General needs.
Doctor Lee was new to the particular practice, so he was not familiar with specialists in the area, so he pulled out ye-olde-book-of-doctors and picked Dr. DK.
I think that's enough for tonight. I'll pick back up with Dr. DK next time I'm in the mood to think about my kidneys.
End of a Season
No, people, not spring or winter. The season I speak of is HOCKEY!! Tonight is the last night for the regular season, which also means the last night for Fantasy Hockey. I am looking pretty secure in my bout to be on the top of a league which includes mostly family. I can't remember the last time I beat my brother in something, and we're in the finals for the championship!
But really, the hockey-every-night ritual is coming closer to a close. I talked Anny into the NHL Center Ice package, and I must say that we have gotten every penny's worth that I put in. They cover games into the first two rounds of the playoffs, so that's a relief.
Yes, these are the things I think about at work after taking more than a week off of work. I'll have to blog about all of the improvements made around the house while on vacation.
But really, the hockey-every-night ritual is coming closer to a close. I talked Anny into the NHL Center Ice package, and I must say that we have gotten every penny's worth that I put in. They cover games into the first two rounds of the playoffs, so that's a relief.
Yes, these are the things I think about at work after taking more than a week off of work. I'll have to blog about all of the improvements made around the house while on vacation.
April 06, 2006
Just another week?
Nope, not just another week in my book! Plans are continuing at home and at work, and we're headed to Saint Louis this weekend! (It's been way too long)
All of the shelving and hanging cabinets are out of gramps' shop. It took two weekends of sporddic working, but that is done. I went through and spackled holes last night, and will sand down the putty tonight and maybe even look at taking the sink out. We've decided that we will replace it with a nicer sink, meaning we will have one SWEET guest room, with a sink and all.
Just hadn't blogged in a while, and don't want my two readers to be bored with me. :o)
All of the shelving and hanging cabinets are out of gramps' shop. It took two weekends of sporddic working, but that is done. I went through and spackled holes last night, and will sand down the putty tonight and maybe even look at taking the sink out. We've decided that we will replace it with a nicer sink, meaning we will have one SWEET guest room, with a sink and all.
Just hadn't blogged in a while, and don't want my two readers to be bored with me. :o)
March 30, 2006
Lenten Advertising
So, at work we decided to do two print ads in the next two weeks, one for Palm Sunday (goes into the Washington Post the Saturday Prior) and a different one for Easter. We decided to go with "Palms, Psalms and a Donkey... Come see what it all means" followed by three specially designed websites that just list our churches. We had some other good ones lined up:
The favorite on the staff, but was decidedly too "radical" for us Decently and In Order Presbyterians was:
Jesus rode and ass to Jerusalem, get your ass to church this week!
Good Times!
- B.Y.O.P. - Bring Your Own Palms (or borrow one from us!)
- Come celebrate Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter at your neighborhood Presbyterian Church.
- Got Church? Try Ours
- Parade Planned! Welcome Jesus With a Local PCUSA Congregation.
The favorite on the staff, but was decidedly too "radical" for us Decently and In Order Presbyterians was:
Jesus rode and ass to Jerusalem, get your ass to church this week!
Good Times!
March 21, 2006
"I'm not a doctor"
"I'm not a doctor" says Anny. She is feeling REALLY guilty and blames herself for the info we found out today.
To quote the nurse at the Nephrologists office:
"I have just spoken to Dr Broumond and he says that 'that diet is the worst possible diet for you to be on! I need to fax to you a bloodwork order that you have to get done in the morning and they will get it back to us STAT!"
I asked if I could put it off until Thursday, and they seem a bit concerned and so I have it on the way via fax. Guess I have to start exercising since I can't just quit eating sugars.
That's all the news that is news for today. Guess that's pretty harsh news, though, so that is enough.
To quote the nurse at the Nephrologists office:
"I have just spoken to Dr Broumond and he says that 'that diet is the worst possible diet for you to be on! I need to fax to you a bloodwork order that you have to get done in the morning and they will get it back to us STAT!"
I asked if I could put it off until Thursday, and they seem a bit concerned and so I have it on the way via fax. Guess I have to start exercising since I can't just quit eating sugars.
That's all the news that is news for today. Guess that's pretty harsh news, though, so that is enough.
Home Sick
Today is day number 2 of being home sick. I have rarely over my working-lifetime taken time off of work, even for vacation. Good news is that I have dropped some pounds via sickness.
The debate - why have I not been feeling well? I, of course, don't want to call a doctor. Several outside forces are playing here....
New medicine. Because of the price of Lipitor, we have switched my meds to Crestor. My office manager made this switch about a year ago with bad results.
New diet. Because of the kidney disease (which I will blog directly about sometime soon, if only to refine my own knowledge), I am supposed to limit potassium. My kidney's leak protein, and the diet is a LOT of protein. To me, that should not rock the boat.
So, I’m home, rotting in front of more senseless television. I brought work home, against the advisement of my bosses. I think I will feel more productive in a few minutes.
Until later.
The debate - why have I not been feeling well? I, of course, don't want to call a doctor. Several outside forces are playing here....
New medicine. Because of the price of Lipitor, we have switched my meds to Crestor. My office manager made this switch about a year ago with bad results.
New diet. Because of the kidney disease (which I will blog directly about sometime soon, if only to refine my own knowledge), I am supposed to limit potassium. My kidney's leak protein, and the diet is a LOT of protein. To me, that should not rock the boat.
So, I’m home, rotting in front of more senseless television. I brought work home, against the advisement of my bosses. I think I will feel more productive in a few minutes.
Until later.
March 13, 2006
A Victory for Down Syndrome
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060310-080908-5070r
Heard about this today on the radio. Good for them, and good for everyone else too.
Heard about this today on the radio. Good for them, and good for everyone else too.
March 09, 2006
One Week Down
I have what some people call an addictive personality. I know better than to have ever done drugs. I have never been gambling. I drink very rarely, thanks also in part to the kidneys. I avoid all of these things because I know that I have a very good chance of getting hooked.
So, in walks the diet. It has worked for Anny very well since she started. It has worked for P&S too. I think it works for them because all three have patience. I have an addictive personality. I'm continually (on day 8 here) thinking why go back to carbs? I have not even craved a soda, and the only candy cravings come because one of my co-workers has an older aunt who constantly shops for sales - and sends each of the "children" home with food of all kinds. She, in turn, brings in cookies, chips, and candy to the office and leaves it on the kitchen table. This was my favorite thing, until the diet.
Now I walk by the Reece's Cups, my personal favorite, and say (sometimes outloud) "Cheese sticks are great!" Someone caught me once, so now we all laugh about it.
So, with one week down, I have not lost any weight, but I feel good. The weather has been touch and go with both precip and temp. We have not gone walking in a while. Today looks promising. (63 on the way in this morning! Got to drive to work with the windows down and no jacket. I love spring.) We shall see, we shall see.
Until next time.....
So, in walks the diet. It has worked for Anny very well since she started. It has worked for P&S too. I think it works for them because all three have patience. I have an addictive personality. I'm continually (on day 8 here) thinking why go back to carbs? I have not even craved a soda, and the only candy cravings come because one of my co-workers has an older aunt who constantly shops for sales - and sends each of the "children" home with food of all kinds. She, in turn, brings in cookies, chips, and candy to the office and leaves it on the kitchen table. This was my favorite thing, until the diet.
Now I walk by the Reece's Cups, my personal favorite, and say (sometimes outloud) "Cheese sticks are great!" Someone caught me once, so now we all laugh about it.
So, with one week down, I have not lost any weight, but I feel good. The weather has been touch and go with both precip and temp. We have not gone walking in a while. Today looks promising. (63 on the way in this morning! Got to drive to work with the windows down and no jacket. I love spring.) We shall see, we shall see.
Until next time.....
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