The good news is that, thanks to today's medical knowledge, I can keep my brain in good working order.
The not-so-good news is that I must jump through a few bureaucratic hoops every month to get a particular prescription filled. I understand why this is the case, but it's still a tad frustrating.(March 18, 2014)
I goofed last month, and didn't get the process started until I was down to — I think it was just under a week's supply left. That, and a longer-than-usual delay in the mail, resulted in my going without methylphenidate for nearly a week.
The NIH says that this drug "can be habit-forming," which I knew when it was first prescribed. I had the choice of struggling to maintain control of my brain, with only moderate success, or not. The choice was fairly obvious.
Not long after running out of that particular prescription last month, I experienced withdrawal. Happily, it only took a week or so to recover.
Finally, some good news. This month's prescription re-order process went a bit more smoothly: so I won't go through withdrawal again.
Some of the horror stories about 'cold turkey' probably aren't true: but on the whole it's an experience I prefer to not repeat.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Monday, November 24, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
So That's Why I Felt Awful
My wife told me to talk to the clinic folks this morning. When I got back, #3 daughter observed that this sort of thing is probably why men live longer if we're married.
My white count is up: enough to show that there's a bacterial infection in progress. That makes sense, since my right foot has been a rather bright red for several days: and woke me up around 3:00 a.m. a few times.
An injection in the derriere and the first installment of an oral antibiotic later, and I'm feeling slightly less 'bleah' than I have for some time.
My wife and #3 daughter are much better: both have been moving around a bit since - Thursday, I think. We've been using the living room as a sort of convalescent ward. Those two, and my son, have been enjoying something of a respiratory nature, followed and/or accompanied by what we call stomach flu.
Aside from that, things have been going pretty well.
Vaguely-related posts:
My white count is up: enough to show that there's a bacterial infection in progress. That makes sense, since my right foot has been a rather bright red for several days: and woke me up around 3:00 a.m. a few times.
An injection in the derriere and the first installment of an oral antibiotic later, and I'm feeling slightly less 'bleah' than I have for some time.
My wife and #3 daughter are much better: both have been moving around a bit since - Thursday, I think. We've been using the living room as a sort of convalescent ward. Those two, and my son, have been enjoying something of a respiratory nature, followed and/or accompanied by what we call stomach flu.
Aside from that, things have been going pretty well.
Vaguely-related posts:
- "An 'Up' Side to Feeling Off"
(March 23, 2014) - "Good News, Not-So-Good News, and a Prescription"
(March 18, 2014) - "And Now, for Something Completely Different"
(February 14, 2014)
Sunday, March 23, 2014
An 'Up' Side to Feeling Off
My son and I stayed in this morning. Not our first choice, but neither of us was feeling up to getting out.
It's not a big deal, but I think we may be getting whatever's been ailing other members of the family.
On the 'up' side, the two of us had a good hour-long-plus talk: mostly about prayer, as I recall. It's not nearly as dull as it sounds, and that's another topic.
It's not a big deal, but I think we may be getting whatever's been ailing other members of the family.
On the 'up' side, the two of us had a good hour-long-plus talk: mostly about prayer, as I recall. It's not nearly as dull as it sounds, and that's another topic.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Good News, Not-So-Good News, and a Prescription
First, the good news.
Authorization for the prescription finally came through, and my son picked it up from the pharmacy after supper.
Now,the not-so-spiffy news.
I've been on half-doses of methylphenidate since before the weekend. That may explain why I've been making so many typos, and feel like I'm running on low power. It's a frustrating situation, but I understand why the pharmacy has to send a request for another month's supply to St. Cloud each time — and wait for a piece of paper with ink on it to arrive in the mail.
It could be worse. I might have to wait while a messenger walks there with a missive, warms his feet at the fire while someone chases a goose to get a writing quill - - - yes, it could be worse. :)
Authorization for the prescription finally came through, and my son picked it up from the pharmacy after supper.
Now,the not-so-spiffy news.
I've been on half-doses of methylphenidate since before the weekend. That may explain why I've been making so many typos, and feel like I'm running on low power. It's a frustrating situation, but I understand why the pharmacy has to send a request for another month's supply to St. Cloud each time — and wait for a piece of paper with ink on it to arrive in the mail.
It could be worse. I might have to wait while a messenger walks there with a missive, warms his feet at the fire while someone chases a goose to get a writing quill - - - yes, it could be worse. :)
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Back to 'Adjusted Normal'
I took my methylphenidate prescription this morning, for the first time since - Saturday, I think.
I'd miscounted, which resulted in my getting the request for another prescription into the local pharmacy's system last week. I confirmed that the fax was sent to the St. Cloud office, called there to make sure it had been received, with an oral assurance that the authorization would be in the next day's mail.
That was Friday. If mail service was unusually prompt, the 'okay' might be here Saturday. It wasn't, so I checked Monday afternoon.
The local folks hadn't picked up their mail yet, but called back before 5:00 to let me know the prescription would be ready. They're in an awkward position: the mailbox serving them is on the other side of Ash Street, about a hundred yards from the nearest door. That's a long, chilly walk in winter.
It may be a few more days before my neural chemistry is back to 'adjusted normal,' but there's a perceptible difference already, at about 10:20 a.m. I'd love to be without need of this and the other pharmaceuticals, but that's not the way things are.
I spent all day Sunday and Monday feeling as if it was nearly midnight: after a day if intense mental efforts. I was 'functional,' in the sense that routine tasks like walking, talking, and brushing my teeth were possible: but I was also profoundly glad that I didn't need to be particularly bright just then.
Writing this post went smoothly, so now it's time to start work on — what was I working on before???? ☺
Related posts:
I'd miscounted, which resulted in my getting the request for another prescription into the local pharmacy's system last week. I confirmed that the fax was sent to the St. Cloud office, called there to make sure it had been received, with an oral assurance that the authorization would be in the next day's mail.
That was Friday. If mail service was unusually prompt, the 'okay' might be here Saturday. It wasn't, so I checked Monday afternoon.
The local folks hadn't picked up their mail yet, but called back before 5:00 to let me know the prescription would be ready. They're in an awkward position: the mailbox serving them is on the other side of Ash Street, about a hundred yards from the nearest door. That's a long, chilly walk in winter.
It may be a few more days before my neural chemistry is back to 'adjusted normal,' but there's a perceptible difference already, at about 10:20 a.m. I'd love to be without need of this and the other pharmaceuticals, but that's not the way things are.
I spent all day Sunday and Monday feeling as if it was nearly midnight: after a day if intense mental efforts. I was 'functional,' in the sense that routine tasks like walking, talking, and brushing my teeth were possible: but I was also profoundly glad that I didn't need to be particularly bright just then.
Writing this post went smoothly, so now it's time to start work on — what was I working on before???? ☺
Related posts:
- "Faith, Health, and Feeling Foggy"
A Catholic Citizen in America (September 8, 2013) - "Prescription SNAFU Resolved: For Now"
(September 7, 2013) - "Honoring the Body, Within Reason"
A Catholic Citizen in America (April 25, 2012) - "Brilliant, Talented, and On Medication"
A Catholic Citizen in America (November 30, 2010) - "Prayer, Medicine and Trusting God"
A Catholic Citizen in America (March 4, 2010)
Particularly
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Break Time
It's still cold outside. My wife told me to stay put today, instead of going to church. I think that was a good idea, considering the shape my left shin is in.
On a happier note, I've been enjoying a Christmas present. Several, actually, but the one I had in mind was a book on one of my favorite topics: useless information.
A little more seriously, I've been writing posts for A Catholic Citizen in America and Apathetic Lemming of the North, and making progress on a few of my old 'back burner' projects.
It's after supper as I write this. I've got a little more 'break time' left, and then it's back to work.
Related posts:
On a happier note, I've been enjoying a Christmas present. Several, actually, but the one I had in mind was a book on one of my favorite topics: useless information.
A little more seriously, I've been writing posts for A Catholic Citizen in America and Apathetic Lemming of the North, and making progress on a few of my old 'back burner' projects.
It's after supper as I write this. I've got a little more 'break time' left, and then it's back to work.
Related posts:
- "Just Touching Base"
(January 4, 2014) - "Spilled Coffee, Reality, and a Wind Chill Advisory"
(December 9, 2013) - " 'Creative:' I Like That"
(May 21, 2013) - "My Desk: It Works for Me"
(May 18, 2012)
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Just Touching Base
A few hours after getting an automated call from the Sauk Centre Public Schools, I learned that all Minnesota public schools were closing. The Governor said they should. I'm glad that someone showed good sense. It's going to be - brisk.
I've seen a doctor about my left shin: again. The good news is that the two new open spots aren't infected. The bad news is that even when these heal over, I can expect more of the same. It's an incentive to keep my diabetes under control, and lose weight. Lots of incentive.
It's also frustrating: but I've had lots of practice dealing with "frustrating." I think having substandard hip joints helped me learn, from infancy up, to deal with limitations: not quietly, or calmly; but to deal with them.
On a happier note, there was a big family get-together today over at my father-in-law's place. A really big one. I stayed here, partly because I'm just about the exact opposite of a 'party person,' partly because I'm having more than the currently normal trouble with my legs, and partly because I had a post to get ready for tomorrow.
My wife, son, son-in-law, and daughters # 2 and 3 were there. I gather that they had a good time. For that, I am very glad.
Related post:
I've seen a doctor about my left shin: again. The good news is that the two new open spots aren't infected. The bad news is that even when these heal over, I can expect more of the same. It's an incentive to keep my diabetes under control, and lose weight. Lots of incentive.
It's also frustrating: but I've had lots of practice dealing with "frustrating." I think having substandard hip joints helped me learn, from infancy up, to deal with limitations: not quietly, or calmly; but to deal with them.
On a happier note, there was a big family get-together today over at my father-in-law's place. A really big one. I stayed here, partly because I'm just about the exact opposite of a 'party person,' partly because I'm having more than the currently normal trouble with my legs, and partly because I had a post to get ready for tomorrow.
My wife, son, son-in-law, and daughters # 2 and 3 were there. I gather that they had a good time. For that, I am very glad.
Related post:
- "Spilled Coffee, Reality, and a Wind Chill Advisory"
(December 9, 2013)
Monday, December 9, 2013
Spilled Coffee, Reality, and a Wind Chill Advisory
Musing after spilling coffee on my lap, this thought crossed my mind: I didn't design reality; my job is accepting reality as it is, and making small modifications.
My son and I are about where we should be in recovering from appendicitis and an unpleasant infection. More good news: over a week has not passed with no medical emergencies in the family.
Today's wind chill advisory was extended to 6:00 p.m. - probably not by popular demand. It got almost up to zero Fahrenheit today, which made this winter scene much easier to enjoy from inside my house:
Half-past noon. October 20, 2013.
Vaguely-related posts:
My son and I are about where we should be in recovering from appendicitis and an unpleasant infection. More good news: over a week has not passed with no medical emergencies in the family.
Today's wind chill advisory was extended to 6:00 p.m. - probably not by popular demand. It got almost up to zero Fahrenheit today, which made this winter scene much easier to enjoy from inside my house:
Half-past noon. October 20, 2013.
Vaguely-related posts:
- "Back from the Hospital"
(December 1, 2013) - "Appendicitis and All That"
(November 30, 2013) - "Good News, Bad News, and an Antibiotic-Resistant Infection"
(November 22, 2013) - "First Snowfall"
(October 20, 2013) - "I Got What I Asked For"
(September 29, 2013)
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Back from the Hospital
I picked my son up at the hospital after Mass this morning. He won't be doing any heavy lifting for a while, and it hurts to laugh: but other than that, he's doing okay.
Appendicitis isn't what it used to be, for which I'm grateful. I remember the 'good old days' too well to want them back. The surgical procedure went smoothly, and involved three remarkably small incisions.
My son and #3 daughter are playing a board game in the other room. Yesterday evening they were talking, using his laptop, my daughter's computer, and Skype. I love living in the Information Age.
I wouldn't mind having no more major surprises before Christmas.
More-or-less-related posts:
Appendicitis isn't what it used to be, for which I'm grateful. I remember the 'good old days' too well to want them back. The surgical procedure went smoothly, and involved three remarkably small incisions.
My son and #3 daughter are playing a board game in the other room. Yesterday evening they were talking, using his laptop, my daughter's computer, and Skype. I love living in the Information Age.
I wouldn't mind having no more major surprises before Christmas.
More-or-less-related posts:
- "Appendicitis and All That"
(November 30, 2013) - "Good News, Bad News, and an Antibiotic-Resistant Infection"
(November 22, 2013) - "I Got What I Asked For"
(September 29, 2013)
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Appendicitis and All That
I'll say this about our family. We don't have boring lives.
My wife and #3 daughter took my son to the hospital this morning. A CT scan and other tests gave us good news and bad news: his appendix had gone rogue, which is bad news; but dealing with diseased appendixes - appendices? - is a fairly routine matter these days, which is good news.
By about 3:00 p.m., I'd been with him for long enough to sign a form or two, chat a bit, and see what prepping for an unexpected surgical procedure was like - as a spectator, not the patient.
The surgery went well, he was in the recovery room for roughly three quarters of an hour, and remarkably coherent after that. That's from my point of view. He and I discussed how frustrating it is to know what you want to say, and feel the wrong words start forming. I think that's the gist of some of the reported experience.
Going through this, he's got the advantage of youth and basically good health. It's also the first time he's had any major surgery done, so he's on a rather steep learning curve.
When I got home, somewhere around 5:30, #3 daughter and he started texting each other. It's not quite like being there: but even so is a good way to communicate.
He'll be home when he's ready: which will be - - - when he's ready. Maybe tomorrow. Then again, maybe not.
Slightly-related posts:
My wife and #3 daughter took my son to the hospital this morning. A CT scan and other tests gave us good news and bad news: his appendix had gone rogue, which is bad news; but dealing with diseased appendixes - appendices? - is a fairly routine matter these days, which is good news.
By about 3:00 p.m., I'd been with him for long enough to sign a form or two, chat a bit, and see what prepping for an unexpected surgical procedure was like - as a spectator, not the patient.
The surgery went well, he was in the recovery room for roughly three quarters of an hour, and remarkably coherent after that. That's from my point of view. He and I discussed how frustrating it is to know what you want to say, and feel the wrong words start forming. I think that's the gist of some of the reported experience.
Going through this, he's got the advantage of youth and basically good health. It's also the first time he's had any major surgery done, so he's on a rather steep learning curve.
When I got home, somewhere around 5:30, #3 daughter and he started texting each other. It's not quite like being there: but even so is a good way to communicate.
He'll be home when he's ready: which will be - - - when he's ready. Maybe tomorrow. Then again, maybe not.
Slightly-related posts:
- "Good News, Bad News, and an Antibiotic-Resistant Infection"
(November 22, 2013) - "I Got What I Asked For"
(September 29, 2013)
Friday, November 22, 2013
Good News, Bad News, and an Antibiotic-Resistant Infection
It's one of those cases where the good news is also the bad news. The hospital's lab identified the critters on my left leg as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
The bad news is that this is one of those new 'resistant' strains of staph, that are fairly immune to old-school antibiotics.
The good news is that this isn't the 'good old days,' and MRSA and a particular sort of new antibiotic don't get along: at all.
I'm taking the 'correct' sort of antibiotic, and following other steps to deal with this infection.
Related posts:
The bad news is that this is one of those new 'resistant' strains of staph, that are fairly immune to old-school antibiotics.
The good news is that this isn't the 'good old days,' and MRSA and a particular sort of new antibiotic don't get along: at all.
I'm taking the 'correct' sort of antibiotic, and following other steps to deal with this infection.
Related posts:
- "Fogbound Streets of my Mind"
(October 3, 2013) - "I Got What I Asked For"
(September 29, 2013) - "Good News: I've Got a Fever"
(May 6, 2013)
Monday, October 14, 2013
The Furnace Broke: But It Could Be Worse
It's a gray, damp, chilly, drizzling day.
My cold, or whatever has been ailing me, isn't doing well at all: but I'm feeling much better. I suppose someone could work up an ethical concern over massive casualties in the rhinovirus population, but I won't bother.
Oddly enough, I can't remember any protests as smallpox was heartlessly driven to extinction: and that's another topic.
I've been getting some work done, more of which won't happen if I keep writing this post.
We've had someone look at the furnace/heating system. Good news: the situation showed up in our yearly maintenance check of machinery that keeps the house warm during winter. Not-so-good news: there isn't just one malfunction. A whole mess of parts either aren't working, or aren't working properly. Sort-of-good news: we found out before the serious heating season started; and the parts can be replaced. More precisely, the parts can be replaced: once they arrive. There's a fair-sized order being, I hope, processed correctly.
Meanwhile, our main heating system is offline, and the household is setting up space heaters to keep conditions inside somewhat comfortable.
One of the benefits of higher energy costs, compared to what householders paid in my youth, is that it's been decades since the start of heating season was punctuated by news reports of exploding houses. In some sorts of stories, it would have been a funny situation. The reality wasn't amusing. Folks whose furnaces failed catastrophically didn't always survive.
Considering some of the alternatives, spending money on this year's repairs doesn't seem like such a bad thing, after all.
Vaguely-related posts:
My cold, or whatever has been ailing me, isn't doing well at all: but I'm feeling much better. I suppose someone could work up an ethical concern over massive casualties in the rhinovirus population, but I won't bother.
Oddly enough, I can't remember any protests as smallpox was heartlessly driven to extinction: and that's another topic.
I've been getting some work done, more of which won't happen if I keep writing this post.
We've had someone look at the furnace/heating system. Good news: the situation showed up in our yearly maintenance check of machinery that keeps the house warm during winter. Not-so-good news: there isn't just one malfunction. A whole mess of parts either aren't working, or aren't working properly. Sort-of-good news: we found out before the serious heating season started; and the parts can be replaced. More precisely, the parts can be replaced: once they arrive. There's a fair-sized order being, I hope, processed correctly.
Meanwhile, our main heating system is offline, and the household is setting up space heaters to keep conditions inside somewhat comfortable.
One of the benefits of higher energy costs, compared to what householders paid in my youth, is that it's been decades since the start of heating season was punctuated by news reports of exploding houses. In some sorts of stories, it would have been a funny situation. The reality wasn't amusing. Folks whose furnaces failed catastrophically didn't always survive.
Considering some of the alternatives, spending money on this year's repairs doesn't seem like such a bad thing, after all.
Vaguely-related posts:
- "Fogbound Streets of my Mind"
(October 3, 2013) - "I Got What I Asked For"
(September 29, 2013) - "Minnesota Winter, and the Furnace is Fixed!"
(January 5, 2009) - "I'm Sick, the Furnace is Kaput, There's a Storm Coming: but Other Than That, Things are Fine!"
(December 29, 2008) - "Thursday: Furnace, Glasses, and a Violin Bow"
(January 25, 2008)
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Fogbound Streets of my Mind
It's a grim, gray, gloomy day. Drizzling rain from a faceless sky sizzles on sodden streets as school busses slink past.
Inside, time passes. I sit at my desk, chasing fleeting thoughts through the fogbound streets of my mind.
Their footsteps patter away in the mist.
And I still have a cold.
Related post:
Inside, time passes. I sit at my desk, chasing fleeting thoughts through the fogbound streets of my mind.
Their footsteps patter away in the mist.
And I still have a cold.
Related post:
- "I Got What I Asked For"
(September 29, 2013)
Sunday, September 29, 2013
I Got What I Asked For
"It could be worse," as the old Minnesota saying goes.
A few days ago I expressed the wish that my body make up its mind: either be sick, or not feel slightly 'off.'
I got what I asked for. The next day I had a sincere cough, a wholeheartedly stuffed nose, headache from coughing so much: the whole package.
This morning, my wife told me I wasn't going to church. I had no problem with the idea. I've been spending the day being quite: aside from the semi-regular cough.
Outside we've got a beautiful picture-postcard early autumn day: bright sunshine; blue sky; just enough cirrus cloud to make it interesting.
About 4:50 this afternoon. September 29, 2013.
A few days ago I expressed the wish that my body make up its mind: either be sick, or not feel slightly 'off.'
I got what I asked for. The next day I had a sincere cough, a wholeheartedly stuffed nose, headache from coughing so much: the whole package.
This morning, my wife told me I wasn't going to church. I had no problem with the idea. I've been spending the day being quite: aside from the semi-regular cough.
Outside we've got a beautiful picture-postcard early autumn day: bright sunshine; blue sky; just enough cirrus cloud to make it interesting.
About 4:50 this afternoon. September 29, 2013.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Prescription SNAFU Resolved: For Now
Good news. The local pharmacy called, late yesterday afternoon. Authorization for my methylphenidate came in the mail. I picked it up in the evening, and started taking it again this morning.
This is one of those medications where the effect is obvious: to me, anyway. I'm looking forward to having much less trouble 'fighting the machinery' when I think. :)
Related posts:
This is one of those medications where the effect is obvious: to me, anyway. I'm looking forward to having much less trouble 'fighting the machinery' when I think. :)
Related posts:
- "Prescription SNAFU: September"
(September 6, 2013) - "Another Week: Rummage Sale; Hit Paraders; and Prescription Glitches"
(June 28, 2013) - "Prescription Processing Problem: Another Month, Another SNAFU"
(June 4, 2013)
Friday, September 6, 2013
Prescription SNAFU: September
I used the last of my methylphenidate prescription earlier this week. I had verbal assurance from the local pharmacy a week ago that a fax requesting authorization for the refill had been sent. There's no mail delivery on Labor Day, so I had hoped that perhaps the 'it's okay' piece of paper might arrive Tuesday.
Tuesday afternoon came and went, so I hoped that it might be in Wednesday's mail.
It wasn't.
I understand the social and legal circumstances behind this situation. Methylphenidate can be misused, so although I need it to function adequately - a piece of paper has to be sent from St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Sauk Centre each time I need to renew this prescription.
After learning that the local pharmacy's new automated prescription processing system deletes this particular prescription after I enter it in the 'correct' way, I have spoken to one of the folks there when renewing the prescription. It's a bit more work, but at least this way there's a better chance that the request will get processed.
A few minutes ago I called the office in St. Cloud that may or may not have received the fax, and may or may not have processed it: forgetting that they don't take calls after 11:00 a.m. on Friday.
Oh, well: maybe the authorization will arrive in today's mail. Or tomorrow's. Then again, maybe not.
This is frustrating.
Related posts:
Tuesday afternoon came and went, so I hoped that it might be in Wednesday's mail.
It wasn't.
I understand the social and legal circumstances behind this situation. Methylphenidate can be misused, so although I need it to function adequately - a piece of paper has to be sent from St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Sauk Centre each time I need to renew this prescription.
After learning that the local pharmacy's new automated prescription processing system deletes this particular prescription after I enter it in the 'correct' way, I have spoken to one of the folks there when renewing the prescription. It's a bit more work, but at least this way there's a better chance that the request will get processed.
A few minutes ago I called the office in St. Cloud that may or may not have received the fax, and may or may not have processed it: forgetting that they don't take calls after 11:00 a.m. on Friday.
Oh, well: maybe the authorization will arrive in today's mail. Or tomorrow's. Then again, maybe not.
This is frustrating.
Related posts:
- "Another Week: Rummage Sale; Hit Paraders; and Prescription Glitches"
(June 28, 2013) - "Prescription Processing Problem: Another Month, Another SNAFU"
(June 4, 2013)
Thursday, August 1, 2013
'I'm Not Doing This for my Health'
I haven't heard someone say "I'm not doing this for my health" for a long time: even by my standards.
That phrase used to mean "I'm not doing this because I want to or enjoy it."
I started walking on Monday of this week. "I'm not doing this for my health:" although technically that's just about the only reason I go outside and sweat.
I skipped yesterday. Between driving to St. Cloud in the morning for a medical follow-up, and spending an hour at the Adoration chapel here in Sauk Centre, there wasn't much left of the day: and I had deadlines to meet.
Apart from that, though, I've been doing a half-hour each day. I've found that I cover six blocks in that time, so taking a timepiece along isn't necessary.
I met Ryan, of Ryan's Bike and Board shop, on today's walk. He's a young man who does something with bicycles, skateboards, and longboards. The latter was new to me.
Ryan told me that a longboard is like a skateboad: but longer, wider, with different wheels, and used more for travel than for stunts.
That phrase used to mean "I'm not doing this because I want to or enjoy it."
I started walking on Monday of this week. "I'm not doing this for my health:" although technically that's just about the only reason I go outside and sweat.
I skipped yesterday. Between driving to St. Cloud in the morning for a medical follow-up, and spending an hour at the Adoration chapel here in Sauk Centre, there wasn't much left of the day: and I had deadlines to meet.
Apart from that, though, I've been doing a half-hour each day. I've found that I cover six blocks in that time, so taking a timepiece along isn't necessary.
I met Ryan, of Ryan's Bike and Board shop, on today's walk. He's a young man who does something with bicycles, skateboards, and longboards. The latter was new to me.
Ryan told me that a longboard is like a skateboad: but longer, wider, with different wheels, and used more for travel than for stunts.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Shoulder Frustration
Getting into a chair earlier this week, I put weight on my arms while lowering myself: a routine process that I've done tens of thousands of times over the decades.
This time I heard a sort of 'sitting-on-an-egg-carton' sound in my right shoulder, accompanied by a complicated set of signals from the neurons in that zone. The nerve endings were mostly saying 'OUCH!!!'
Since then, I've had to be very careful about rotating the right shoulder in certain directions: mostly front and up. It's a nuisance, but manageable.
The cause of this frustration is obvious. I'd forgotten that using the mouse while resting my right elbow on my desk's shelf is convenient at the moment: and a very bad idea in the long run.
There's a moral there, but never mind.
I'm keeping the shelf retracted, learning to use my left arm for some procedures, and trying to remember that exercise is important. Based on previous experience, I should have normal function back in the right shoulder in a week or three.
This situation, needing trifocals and task glasses to see properly, and noticeably less tolerance for late night work, are all reminders that I'm not a 40-year-old kid any more. On the other hand, this sure beats the alternative.
This time I heard a sort of 'sitting-on-an-egg-carton' sound in my right shoulder, accompanied by a complicated set of signals from the neurons in that zone. The nerve endings were mostly saying 'OUCH!!!'
Since then, I've had to be very careful about rotating the right shoulder in certain directions: mostly front and up. It's a nuisance, but manageable.
The cause of this frustration is obvious. I'd forgotten that using the mouse while resting my right elbow on my desk's shelf is convenient at the moment: and a very bad idea in the long run.
There's a moral there, but never mind.
I'm keeping the shelf retracted, learning to use my left arm for some procedures, and trying to remember that exercise is important. Based on previous experience, I should have normal function back in the right shoulder in a week or three.
This situation, needing trifocals and task glasses to see properly, and noticeably less tolerance for late night work, are all reminders that I'm not a 40-year-old kid any more. On the other hand, this sure beats the alternative.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
An Even More Eventful Week: For Me, That Is
The good news is that there's nothing seriously wrong. The bad news is that a blood vessel in my right hand burst today.
I noticed a lump on the back of my right hand around noon, maybe a quarter-inch tall, a little less than an inch wide, and a bit over an inch long. It didn't hurt, but I was pretty sure that it hadn't been there earlier.
There wasn't any trouble moving my fingers, and it wasn't particularly sore: but when something shows up that fast, I take notice. Particularly since it seemed to be coming out on the palm side of my hand, just a little.
My wife took a look at it after her nap, and said I should get it looked at. That had been my impulse, but have learned the value of getting a second opinion: particularly hers.
A doctor at the local clinic could squeeze me in at 2:00 p.m., and about a half-hour and an x-ray later I learned that I'd burst a blood vessel near the surface of that hand. It's one of those things that happens, and not cause for concern. I may have a funny-colored hand for a month, but the body is pretty good at cleaning up after a 'spill' like that.
Now, I have some catching up to do. There's a post due tomorrow morning that won't write itself.
Related post:
I noticed a lump on the back of my right hand around noon, maybe a quarter-inch tall, a little less than an inch wide, and a bit over an inch long. It didn't hurt, but I was pretty sure that it hadn't been there earlier.
There wasn't any trouble moving my fingers, and it wasn't particularly sore: but when something shows up that fast, I take notice. Particularly since it seemed to be coming out on the palm side of my hand, just a little.
My wife took a look at it after her nap, and said I should get it looked at. That had been my impulse, but have learned the value of getting a second opinion: particularly hers.
A doctor at the local clinic could squeeze me in at 2:00 p.m., and about a half-hour and an x-ray later I learned that I'd burst a blood vessel near the surface of that hand. It's one of those things that happens, and not cause for concern. I may have a funny-colored hand for a month, but the body is pretty good at cleaning up after a 'spill' like that.
Now, I have some catching up to do. There's a post due tomorrow morning that won't write itself.
Related post:
- "An Eventful Week: For Me"
(June 13, 2013)
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Another Week: Photos and Fuzzy Eyes
My wife gave my hair an arguably-overdue trim yesterday, we had sunlight for a few minutes this weekend, and my eyes still feel fuzzy. There's something extra in the air that doesn't play well with eyes, noses, and - in my case - throat.
Happily, #1 daughter got photos of last Sunday's Corpus Christi procession. (Sauk Centre Journal Blog (June 9, 2013))
None of that's particularly astounding, astonishing, or amazing. But it's some of what happened this week.
Happily, #1 daughter got photos of last Sunday's Corpus Christi procession. (Sauk Centre Journal Blog (June 9, 2013))
None of that's particularly astounding, astonishing, or amazing. But it's some of what happened this week.
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