Well, I wrote about the improvement in my heart function last time, but I didn't mention what's been going on with me lately. I have been in severe pain from the neck and shoulders area all the way down to the feet. A multitude of blood tests were done to rule out a number of possibilities, and they all came back negative. Now, I've waited two weeks at this point to get an MRI scheduled. My doctor believes I either have a tumor growing in my cervical spine vicinity, or I have a pinched nerve in that area. An MRI would show what's happening, but I have a feeling that my insurance doesn't want to pay for it, because it is very expensive. At the same time, I'm taking four different medications for the pain alone. I'm taking Lortab (the narcotic pain reliever), the top dose of Ibuprofen, Soma (a muscle relaxant), and Neurontin (which is suppose to relieve neuralgia... any type of nerve pain.) It's taking all four of these drugs to touch the pain. Why does it seem like there always has to be something that's not quite right with me? I have no idea. But, I don't believe in bad luck.
Anyway, it's not all bad news. Louis, who I wrote about in the last blog, is still there for me, constantly. If we miss a day talking to each other, it's a rare occasion. Nothing that I've gone through has freaked him out. He always has advice, even though I don't appreciate all of it. But, I've definitely needed someone other than my parents to talk to regularly. I have other friends, but they all have very hectic schedules. I don't blame them for not contacting me frequently. I'm the type of person who is introverted and has very few close friends. Louis, on the other hand, is an extrovert who needs to be with friends almost every day. So, after talking many times, I think he finally understands I'm not the socially needy type of individual. I like all the time I spend alone. As long as I have my music, both to play and listen to, I'm perfectly content. Well, it looks like an August heat wave is going to set in this weekend. I hope all the people in the eastern half of the country have a cool place to be. In the long term, it looks like temperatures will return to a more normal type of heat by the latter part of next week. I hope we have nothing like last August where Louisville hit over 100 degrees F at least ten times! Well, keep cool! I mean that in the literal and figurative types of speech.
Right now, I have a showdown going on with my parents. My dad put a McCain sticker on his car. I said to myself that once he does it that I'm going to find an Obama sticker and show my support for the other side. I can't believe anyone would support a candidate that would continue four more years of failed Bush policies. Our economy is a wreck, and Bush policy supports corporate greed by giving them tax breaks. We learned in the 1980s under Reagan that trickle down economics doesn't work. They don't create more jobs, they keep the money. It's time tax breaks were given to those who need it. I know it sounds cliche, but the rich get richer and the poor get poorer under a Republican administration. The middle class has virtually disappeared. They said today in the news that Obama is playing the race card, but racism is quite alive and well in 2008. I think there are a lot of people who won't vote for Obama simply because he's black. And there remains the myth that he is somehow Muslim. He has said directly into the camera that he has never been a Muslim. If he is a liar, he's a damn good liar. Anyway, that's my political soapbox for this day. Please respond as you so desire...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A Long Time Has Passed...
Hello readers! I haven't blogged in months now. I am now inspired because there is a new love in my life. Yes, this person is 20 years my senior, but our relationship seems to work out just fine. We are both fans of an eclectic collection of music, but we both seem to love the original disco from the 1970s. I have always felt like I was born in the wrong generation, well, at least I'd like to have been about 10 years or so older, so I could have enjoyed that time period of music as an adult. He is a big fan of classical music, jazz, Broadway soundtracks, and a bit of pop music here and there. I don't think he understands my love of rock music, sometimes heavy rock, but he knows I play guitar and love to figure out guitar riffs from the past. He has yet to hear my music compostions on the keyboard or the two guitar songs I have written and performed on tape. One of the guitar song lyrics are from a poem I wrote some time back, the other was an off-the-cuff love song that I wrote for my ex about 10 years ago. In one of the two songs, I used the B7 chord, which is very difficult to play on the acoustic guitar. I have to develop tough fingertips in order to do it, as well as keep my finger nails trimmed practically to the quick!
I am writing today because I am having an off-day. I am so tired that I don't feel like doing a thing! Part of it is my fault, but I slept very little last night. I didn't get myself to the pharmacy last night to pick up a medicine that plays a role in my time and quality of sleep. Anyway, I thought it was time to blog after many months of silence, especially after meeting someone who has brought inspiration back into my life! After meeting Louis, I began playing music again, which is something I hadn't done in many, many months. I'm referring to actually picking up an instrument and playing it. I am always listening to music on my stereo! Right now, I'm trying to put together a collection of songs onto cd from about the mid '70s to the mid '80s to play when the family gets together at the swimming pool at my mom and dad's house. I'm choosing songs that my parents could tolerate, but would be appreciated by me, my sister, and her husband. Right now I have about 40 songs selected, so it will probably take 2 discs to put them together. I know, I don't believe it's legal, but I think since I bought the cds, I should have the right to make a collection of my own.
Well, I do have other good news. The last time I had a check on my cardiac output, the numbers improved. I was going to have to have a pacemaker/defibrillator surgically implanted, but since my ejection fraction went up, that procedure became unnecessary... at least any time soon. Thank God!!! I wasn't looking forward to the implant surgery. At the same time, I have heard that a lot of people have felt tremendously better after getting the pacemaker. I may want to do it anyway... at least some time down the road. I guess I didn't mention that I had an increase in the dosage of one of my heart medications before the last test was done. The cardiologist thought the higher dose of medication might improve my heart function, and, well, I guess he was right.
It won't be difficult to remember the date I met Louis because it was on June 21st... the summer solstice! Any weather guy is aware of such things as the longest day of the year. Our relationship has moved rather fast, mostly because we have been open and honest about everything in our lives. At first, Louis thought I was rather self-absorbed because I kept rattling on about myself and all my life stories. He didn't think I was showing much interest in him. But, since he was honest enough to tell me that early on, we have been more equal in sharing information about ourselves. Sometimes, I just need to be quiet and let the other person talk. I used to be so shy, but lately, there has been a significant change in my personality. Everybody has noticed! At times, I think I become manic and really chatty. I probably need to share this with my psychiatrist, but it feels good to be a more outgoing person. I've become really excited to do karaoke of late. I think I'm now the least timid person in my family doing karaoke. I've had compliments about my singing, so I suppose I'm a bit more confident. I love to sing. One of my neighbors in my condominium complex suggested that I join a choir. I'll have to give that some thought. I don't go to church anymore, so I guess it will have to be a secular type of choir. I know that I probably should go to church somewhere, but I really have no interest in doing so. I don't think I'm missing anything really, except for perhaps the social aspect. I still believe in God, but I have become rather indifferent about organized religion. It might have something to do with my more left-leaning politics of recent times. Louis and I come from two different religious traditons, but it doesn't bother me in the least. I think we are all God's children, and I remember that my "big brother" once told me that God doesn't create any junk, so what do I have to worry about?
Well, on this very hot and humid July afternoon, it is getting ready to storm, so I probably should get off-line. Geez, was it ever miserable when I went outside today! I hope this thunderstorm knocks the temperature down a good 15 or 20 degrees F. I, personally, can't wait for autumn! I despise hot weather! I think once my mom and dad pass away, I should move to the west coast or something. I saw the high in San Francisco several days ago was only 63 degrees F. I would give anything for such a lovely cool day! Anyway, I guess I've written enough for today. I know several of you have wondered what had happened to me. Well, I'm back. I will be writing again soon. Next time I'll share about my Whiteley family reunion last month. It was wonderful, and I was actually the one who organized it! I missed several family members, but I certainly enjoyed the company of those who came. More later... :o)
I am writing today because I am having an off-day. I am so tired that I don't feel like doing a thing! Part of it is my fault, but I slept very little last night. I didn't get myself to the pharmacy last night to pick up a medicine that plays a role in my time and quality of sleep. Anyway, I thought it was time to blog after many months of silence, especially after meeting someone who has brought inspiration back into my life! After meeting Louis, I began playing music again, which is something I hadn't done in many, many months. I'm referring to actually picking up an instrument and playing it. I am always listening to music on my stereo! Right now, I'm trying to put together a collection of songs onto cd from about the mid '70s to the mid '80s to play when the family gets together at the swimming pool at my mom and dad's house. I'm choosing songs that my parents could tolerate, but would be appreciated by me, my sister, and her husband. Right now I have about 40 songs selected, so it will probably take 2 discs to put them together. I know, I don't believe it's legal, but I think since I bought the cds, I should have the right to make a collection of my own.
Well, I do have other good news. The last time I had a check on my cardiac output, the numbers improved. I was going to have to have a pacemaker/defibrillator surgically implanted, but since my ejection fraction went up, that procedure became unnecessary... at least any time soon. Thank God!!! I wasn't looking forward to the implant surgery. At the same time, I have heard that a lot of people have felt tremendously better after getting the pacemaker. I may want to do it anyway... at least some time down the road. I guess I didn't mention that I had an increase in the dosage of one of my heart medications before the last test was done. The cardiologist thought the higher dose of medication might improve my heart function, and, well, I guess he was right.
It won't be difficult to remember the date I met Louis because it was on June 21st... the summer solstice! Any weather guy is aware of such things as the longest day of the year. Our relationship has moved rather fast, mostly because we have been open and honest about everything in our lives. At first, Louis thought I was rather self-absorbed because I kept rattling on about myself and all my life stories. He didn't think I was showing much interest in him. But, since he was honest enough to tell me that early on, we have been more equal in sharing information about ourselves. Sometimes, I just need to be quiet and let the other person talk. I used to be so shy, but lately, there has been a significant change in my personality. Everybody has noticed! At times, I think I become manic and really chatty. I probably need to share this with my psychiatrist, but it feels good to be a more outgoing person. I've become really excited to do karaoke of late. I think I'm now the least timid person in my family doing karaoke. I've had compliments about my singing, so I suppose I'm a bit more confident. I love to sing. One of my neighbors in my condominium complex suggested that I join a choir. I'll have to give that some thought. I don't go to church anymore, so I guess it will have to be a secular type of choir. I know that I probably should go to church somewhere, but I really have no interest in doing so. I don't think I'm missing anything really, except for perhaps the social aspect. I still believe in God, but I have become rather indifferent about organized religion. It might have something to do with my more left-leaning politics of recent times. Louis and I come from two different religious traditons, but it doesn't bother me in the least. I think we are all God's children, and I remember that my "big brother" once told me that God doesn't create any junk, so what do I have to worry about?
Well, on this very hot and humid July afternoon, it is getting ready to storm, so I probably should get off-line. Geez, was it ever miserable when I went outside today! I hope this thunderstorm knocks the temperature down a good 15 or 20 degrees F. I, personally, can't wait for autumn! I despise hot weather! I think once my mom and dad pass away, I should move to the west coast or something. I saw the high in San Francisco several days ago was only 63 degrees F. I would give anything for such a lovely cool day! Anyway, I guess I've written enough for today. I know several of you have wondered what had happened to me. Well, I'm back. I will be writing again soon. Next time I'll share about my Whiteley family reunion last month. It was wonderful, and I was actually the one who organized it! I missed several family members, but I certainly enjoyed the company of those who came. More later... :o)
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