Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Reminder...
Remember to double click on any pics you see in the blog and they will expand to their original size (not sure if I ever made that proclamation before now).
Once Again, After Midnight...
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
It shouldn't surprise me that I'm still up, especially since I took a couple hour nap this afternoon. Good thing is that I am actually tired and my eyes are struggling to type, so this will be short.
No attack today per se, just stomach issues and periodic sweats.
Figured out how to upload our digital videos from the camera onto the computer, now I just need to figure out what software I can use to edit them. Windows Movie Maker is on here, but I can't seem to get into the clips to cut them up and such. Anyone know of a free software for XP that will give me better editing capabilities? I'm green as a lawn at the moment, so any help will be hugely appreciated.
Here is the link to my first official upload minus the planned soundtrack (lack of appropriate permission kind of got in the way...but it was going to be "Hot Rod Lincoln" which timed PERFECTLY to the video length. Oh well.) It's boring with no music to it and no actual intentional editing, but it's a start.
Lastly but most significantly, my brother Phil called me this afternoon from Arizona...I haven't connected with him in over a couple years now, maybe more. Word got to him about my health issues and he called. Thick or thin, high or low, near or far, my brothers are still my brothers; God's gifts to me. I'm looking forward to communicating more with him as opportunities present themselves.
Carl, thanks so much for your email; I'm looking forward to seeing yuo guys when it works out.
It shouldn't surprise me that I'm still up, especially since I took a couple hour nap this afternoon. Good thing is that I am actually tired and my eyes are struggling to type, so this will be short.
No attack today per se, just stomach issues and periodic sweats.
Figured out how to upload our digital videos from the camera onto the computer, now I just need to figure out what software I can use to edit them. Windows Movie Maker is on here, but I can't seem to get into the clips to cut them up and such. Anyone know of a free software for XP that will give me better editing capabilities? I'm green as a lawn at the moment, so any help will be hugely appreciated.
Here is the link to my first official upload minus the planned soundtrack (lack of appropriate permission kind of got in the way...but it was going to be "Hot Rod Lincoln" which timed PERFECTLY to the video length. Oh well.) It's boring with no music to it and no actual intentional editing, but it's a start.
Lastly but most significantly, my brother Phil called me this afternoon from Arizona...I haven't connected with him in over a couple years now, maybe more. Word got to him about my health issues and he called. Thick or thin, high or low, near or far, my brothers are still my brothers; God's gifts to me. I'm looking forward to communicating more with him as opportunities present themselves.
Carl, thanks so much for your email; I'm looking forward to seeing yuo guys when it works out.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday's Beginnings Again...
Monday, August 11, 2008
Went to bed before 11 pm last night and set my alarm for 8:15 am this morning, but I woke myself up around 7 am and have been up since. I am, in the moment, remembering how much I enjoyed mornings and how much I like the smell of the air in the early mornings. Come to think of it, most of my happiest family memories as a youth began with an early morning wake up: going duck hunting and dove hunting with my dad when I was Jr. High age, going fishing while camping at sunrise, seeing a lake still as glass before the weather of the day molested it, getting up while it was still dark to leave with our trailer and go on our family vacation, even going in to work at MPPC and FOPC while it was still dark and knowing that I would have the whole day to accomplish the many tasks set before me, etc.
It's still true that you don't REALLY know what you'll miss until you have it no more. My bud Brian, from my MPPC days, texted me a few days back sharing that he was running sound for a band rehearsal at his church and it struck me that I actually miss doing that...even when it would sometimes frustrate me to feel as though I was babysitting the technology at times, there have been far more times where my participation was crucial to the success of their rehearsal and if I invested myself, I could truly be a blessing to them and to the moment by becoming the invisible but audible unseen member of whatever band was rehearsing. Sometimes I was even asked my opinion of how the rehearsal seemed to be going and/or was asked my opinion of certain songs or musicianship.
It's hard to always stay home, generally speaking.
Time to prepare for PT this morning...
peace
Went to bed before 11 pm last night and set my alarm for 8:15 am this morning, but I woke myself up around 7 am and have been up since. I am, in the moment, remembering how much I enjoyed mornings and how much I like the smell of the air in the early mornings. Come to think of it, most of my happiest family memories as a youth began with an early morning wake up: going duck hunting and dove hunting with my dad when I was Jr. High age, going fishing while camping at sunrise, seeing a lake still as glass before the weather of the day molested it, getting up while it was still dark to leave with our trailer and go on our family vacation, even going in to work at MPPC and FOPC while it was still dark and knowing that I would have the whole day to accomplish the many tasks set before me, etc.
It's still true that you don't REALLY know what you'll miss until you have it no more. My bud Brian, from my MPPC days, texted me a few days back sharing that he was running sound for a band rehearsal at his church and it struck me that I actually miss doing that...even when it would sometimes frustrate me to feel as though I was babysitting the technology at times, there have been far more times where my participation was crucial to the success of their rehearsal and if I invested myself, I could truly be a blessing to them and to the moment by becoming the invisible but audible unseen member of whatever band was rehearsing. Sometimes I was even asked my opinion of how the rehearsal seemed to be going and/or was asked my opinion of certain songs or musicianship.
It's hard to always stay home, generally speaking.
Time to prepare for PT this morning...
peace
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday Night: 1 hour and 48 minutes before midnight
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The kids went with my mom over to my aunt's house to swim for the afternoon while CC and I stayed home. I didn't get much accomplished, par for the course, but CC knocked out a number of things on her list.
About 4:00 I noticed that my abs were spasming again and that my muscles were tightening up around my waist and hips and chest. I took two K+ tabs and finished making my snack and just endured the tremors until they became more agressive and then I wetnin and sat in my black chair. I was able to eat the turkey sandwich I made and some carrots, but after that, it became difficult to focus.
As this was progressing, Kirsten arrived from her drive up from the Bay Area; her longest solo drive EVER! Very cool. Unfortunately for me, I was soon after unable to enjoy her company and conversation due to the body of the attack kicking in to full gear.
Hours later, I wake up and find that folks were returning from an errand or two while I had slept.
I'm not sure if anyone was home with me or not...I'll check with CC before we sleep tonight.
Time to call it.
The kids went with my mom over to my aunt's house to swim for the afternoon while CC and I stayed home. I didn't get much accomplished, par for the course, but CC knocked out a number of things on her list.
About 4:00 I noticed that my abs were spasming again and that my muscles were tightening up around my waist and hips and chest. I took two K+ tabs and finished making my snack and just endured the tremors until they became more agressive and then I wetnin and sat in my black chair. I was able to eat the turkey sandwich I made and some carrots, but after that, it became difficult to focus.
As this was progressing, Kirsten arrived from her drive up from the Bay Area; her longest solo drive EVER! Very cool. Unfortunately for me, I was soon after unable to enjoy her company and conversation due to the body of the attack kicking in to full gear.
Hours later, I wake up and find that folks were returning from an errand or two while I had slept.
I'm not sure if anyone was home with me or not...I'll check with CC before we sleep tonight.
Time to call it.
Update & Pics from July and August
Sunday, August 10, 2008
I did have an attack yesterday afternoon; muscle spasms began in my waist and abdomen and got progressively worse while I was standing in the kitchen slicing an apple for a snack. Most uncomfortable to say the least.
Today, Sunday, I've been having flutters in my arms and shoulders almost non-stop though they have not increased. I took my meds which included K+ but they have not settled down at all. I still have nausea and don't feel like I'm on my game at all. *Bleh*
*sigh*
We missed church this morning due to sleeping in. I'm bummed not to get to church, but am glad that CC was able to get some well needed rest and extra sleep that she has been missing for so long.
My mom heads back to the Bay Area today and my niece Kirsten is heading up to us for a week long visit. We are all excited to see her and have time with her.
Below are some of the pictures I promised a few entries ago, so scroll down for the pics.
peace
Annie likes to sleep on the couch when it is just her and me home, but it amazes me that she moves the cushions with her paws so that she can lay on them and rest her head in an elevated manner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laura came to visit for a long weekend and was a true and wonderful blessing to all of us.
This is what I wrote while in church a few weeks back. I wrote what I was seeing in my head as the pastor was teaching and I tried to capture it and write it out as I saw it.
I did have an attack yesterday afternoon; muscle spasms began in my waist and abdomen and got progressively worse while I was standing in the kitchen slicing an apple for a snack. Most uncomfortable to say the least.
Today, Sunday, I've been having flutters in my arms and shoulders almost non-stop though they have not increased. I took my meds which included K+ but they have not settled down at all. I still have nausea and don't feel like I'm on my game at all. *Bleh*
*sigh*
We missed church this morning due to sleeping in. I'm bummed not to get to church, but am glad that CC was able to get some well needed rest and extra sleep that she has been missing for so long.
My mom heads back to the Bay Area today and my niece Kirsten is heading up to us for a week long visit. We are all excited to see her and have time with her.
Below are some of the pictures I promised a few entries ago, so scroll down for the pics.
peace
Annie likes to sleep on the couch when it is just her and me home, but it amazes me that she moves the cushions with her paws so that she can lay on them and rest her head in an elevated manner.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laura came to visit for a long weekend and was a true and wonderful blessing to all of us.
This is what I wrote while in church a few weeks back. I wrote what I was seeing in my head as the pastor was teaching and I tried to capture it and write it out as I saw it.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Saturday Morning start
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Bernie Mac died today...a sad loss for the comedic industry. He died from complications of pneumonia. We should be praying for his family.
Olympics began yesterday evening and from what I saw, it looked pretty amazing for the opening ceremony. I've recorded the ceremony so that I can watch all of it; I came in during the country's processions.
I slept most of the day yesterday and then sleeping last night was somewhat tough going, in that, I woke up often. My right shoulder hurts, which I've been told is to be expected. I have three puncture wounds on my right side which are healing up as they should. I guess he missed twice but got it on the 3rd try.
Today will be a Mommy and Missy day while I stay home with my mom and Josh goes to a birthday party. We were trying for a birthday slumber party for Missy this evening, but most of the girls she invited couldn't come, so we are looking to another date.
It's 8:35 am and time for me to go get some breakfast.
~w
Bernie Mac died today...a sad loss for the comedic industry. He died from complications of pneumonia. We should be praying for his family.
Olympics began yesterday evening and from what I saw, it looked pretty amazing for the opening ceremony. I've recorded the ceremony so that I can watch all of it; I came in during the country's processions.
I slept most of the day yesterday and then sleeping last night was somewhat tough going, in that, I woke up often. My right shoulder hurts, which I've been told is to be expected. I have three puncture wounds on my right side which are healing up as they should. I guess he missed twice but got it on the 3rd try.
Today will be a Mommy and Missy day while I stay home with my mom and Josh goes to a birthday party. We were trying for a birthday slumber party for Missy this evening, but most of the girls she invited couldn't come, so we are looking to another date.
It's 8:35 am and time for me to go get some breakfast.
~w
Friday, August 08, 2008
Crawling on the rim of pain...
Today is Friday, August 8, 2008.
This entry will be brief. I am at home, and I am using the NaturallySpeaking software in order to make this blog entry. I understand that yesterday's procedure was successful and since I am back at home it's clear that we felt there was no danger for me to come home instead of stay in the hospital overnight. Yesterday is merely a complete blur for me. The more I concentrate and try to remember, the less I seem to be able to get clear in my head. I do have distinct recollection of the incredible pain when the syringe went in to the liver. I didn't feel it go into the skin, but I did feel the sensation of the needle going in to the liver itself. It's not even a pain that I can describe. I remember freezing up in the room during the biopsy, but I don't remember very much after that. I don't remember coming home. I don't remember coming in the house, and don't remember going up stairs or getting in bed.
The pain on my right side from the three puncture holes is most impressive. I'm not sure how today is going to go. I'm feeling as poorly as I ever have the job now is to wait until CC comes home from work so that she can fill in the many blanks that I have in my head right now.
My hope was to have no recollection of the procedure yesterday and I am disappointed today to have distinct recollection of the pain; that sucks. Being vertical as well as walking and sitting up right are very uncomfortable, if not painful, so I'm going to sign off for now. I'm sure things will get better as time moves forward and as long as I don't do anything stupid to open up one of the three holes that they made before they have time to completely heal and close. Incredible pain.
More later
This entry will be brief. I am at home, and I am using the NaturallySpeaking software in order to make this blog entry. I understand that yesterday's procedure was successful and since I am back at home it's clear that we felt there was no danger for me to come home instead of stay in the hospital overnight. Yesterday is merely a complete blur for me. The more I concentrate and try to remember, the less I seem to be able to get clear in my head. I do have distinct recollection of the incredible pain when the syringe went in to the liver. I didn't feel it go into the skin, but I did feel the sensation of the needle going in to the liver itself. It's not even a pain that I can describe. I remember freezing up in the room during the biopsy, but I don't remember very much after that. I don't remember coming home. I don't remember coming in the house, and don't remember going up stairs or getting in bed.
The pain on my right side from the three puncture holes is most impressive. I'm not sure how today is going to go. I'm feeling as poorly as I ever have the job now is to wait until CC comes home from work so that she can fill in the many blanks that I have in my head right now.
My hope was to have no recollection of the procedure yesterday and I am disappointed today to have distinct recollection of the pain; that sucks. Being vertical as well as walking and sitting up right are very uncomfortable, if not painful, so I'm going to sign off for now. I'm sure things will get better as time moves forward and as long as I don't do anything stupid to open up one of the three holes that they made before they have time to completely heal and close. Incredible pain.
More later
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Thursday Morning Early
Thursday, August 7, 2008
CC woke me up at 5:30 am this morning (it's now 6:19 am) so I could get going without rushing and such. I ate 4 or 5 pieces of low sodium turkey breast with a little mustard and drank a bottle of water, both permitted by the doc, according to his email from a day ago.
CC has packed snacks and waters to have in case they are needed while we are there.
My mom is coming up and will be covering me tonight in case I stay for the night in the hospital. If I can make it through the procedure this morning and through the recovery time without an attack then it is more likely that we will just come home instead of opting to stay, but my gut is that it might be wiser to stay to be on the safe side, of course "safe" is a very relative term considering where I will be. How truly unfortunate that we cannot trust our health care system to be exactly just that, a health CARE system. I don't think I'm scared, but I do feel a little apprehensive and cautious just because I've not gone through this procedure while knowing of my condition/disease and due to the HKPP reality, this kind of procedure is no longer "typical" or simply normal due to my known triggers of saline (which they have said they won't use), cold rooms/cold temperatures, stress, anxiety, pain, being startled, anesthesias and rest after physical exertion and more.
Is now 6:40 am and we are to leave shortly. I'm bringing my cell phone in case I do stay so I can write a brief update via my cell phone to the blog.
peace
CC woke me up at 5:30 am this morning (it's now 6:19 am) so I could get going without rushing and such. I ate 4 or 5 pieces of low sodium turkey breast with a little mustard and drank a bottle of water, both permitted by the doc, according to his email from a day ago.
CC has packed snacks and waters to have in case they are needed while we are there.
My mom is coming up and will be covering me tonight in case I stay for the night in the hospital. If I can make it through the procedure this morning and through the recovery time without an attack then it is more likely that we will just come home instead of opting to stay, but my gut is that it might be wiser to stay to be on the safe side, of course "safe" is a very relative term considering where I will be. How truly unfortunate that we cannot trust our health care system to be exactly just that, a health CARE system. I don't think I'm scared, but I do feel a little apprehensive and cautious just because I've not gone through this procedure while knowing of my condition/disease and due to the HKPP reality, this kind of procedure is no longer "typical" or simply normal due to my known triggers of saline (which they have said they won't use), cold rooms/cold temperatures, stress, anxiety, pain, being startled, anesthesias and rest after physical exertion and more.
Is now 6:40 am and we are to leave shortly. I'm bringing my cell phone in case I do stay so I can write a brief update via my cell phone to the blog.
peace
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Wednesday evening
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Today has been a pretty poor day.
I have been down the whole day feeling like I've been in a fight.
Maybe I'll get some relief and sleep tonight.
*sigh*
~w
Today has been a pretty poor day.
I have been down the whole day feeling like I've been in a fight.
Maybe I'll get some relief and sleep tonight.
*sigh*
~w
Wednesday Mid-Day
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
I'm feeling pretty poorly today/now.
Things were alright until partway through pottery class while I was on the wheel. I think now that the stress of manipulating the wheel and the strength needed for holding and molding the clay cost me more than I had to spend. I called CC from the table and asked her to come (she had gone to a local park to chat with Becky) and then walked away form the table and just as I realized that I was going to go down, CC was right there, caught me and helped me to the car.
We got home and they got me to the chair and then upstairs by midnight. I remember very little.
I feel like hell today and even typing this is taking much concentration and effort.
I'm going to take more meds and lie down again once I make it upstairs.
Tomorrow is liver biopsy. Please be praying for me, my wife, the doctors, the medical staff on the floor I'll be on and for the ER department team I may end up in as well.
That's it, I'm done
I'm feeling pretty poorly today/now.
Things were alright until partway through pottery class while I was on the wheel. I think now that the stress of manipulating the wheel and the strength needed for holding and molding the clay cost me more than I had to spend. I called CC from the table and asked her to come (she had gone to a local park to chat with Becky) and then walked away form the table and just as I realized that I was going to go down, CC was right there, caught me and helped me to the car.
We got home and they got me to the chair and then upstairs by midnight. I remember very little.
I feel like hell today and even typing this is taking much concentration and effort.
I'm going to take more meds and lie down again once I make it upstairs.
Tomorrow is liver biopsy. Please be praying for me, my wife, the doctors, the medical staff on the floor I'll be on and for the ER department team I may end up in as well.
That's it, I'm done
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