Thursday, December 24, 2015
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Finn TV Spot (Official)
Can't begin to tell you how excited I am for this movie. Yeah, I know I'm not the only one, but I remember being at the San Diego Comic Con back in '76 when the first film was being promoted. Who knew back then how it was going to impact the world?
Anyway, I already have my tickets for opening night and have even taken the day off from work so that I'll have plenty of time to geek out before going to the theater with family. I've already been told that I'm not allowed to wear my Star Trek t-shirt, even as a joke. Ah, well!
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Semi-bi-annual Checking In Post
Things have been pretty crazy the past few months. Both Donna and I had some health issues which are improving. Work continues to be a bit crazy with my immediate supervisor retiring and the Library Director soon following her out the door. It will be interesting to see who replaces who either permanently or on a temporary basis.
Harder to believe is that in a few weeks Donna and I will be celebrating another anniversary. Then in December I'm actually going to be turning 65. Holy crap! I honestly have to say that there have been some periods, earlier in my life and certainly just a few months ago, when I didn't think I was going to make it. It certainly has been hard to ignore, since a week hasn't gone by the past few months where I didn't get at least one letter or phone call reminding me that I'll soon be eligible for Medicare. Damn! Now I know I'm getting old.
The holidays will be here before you know it and I don't know that we're going to be doing much, if anything to decorate the place. Probably get a few gifts for each other, just so we have something to exchange, but I think we're both too frazzled from everything else going on to really think much about that.
Although this is the spot where I'd get political, I'm pretty tired of the Presidential race already, and we have close to a year before we really have to make a serious decision.
Unless something unforeseen happen it's going to be Hillary on the Democratic side, although I'm going to be voting for Bernie Sanders come the primary out here in California. I've got months before I really have to decide if I'm voting for Hillary or going to go Third Party. As of now I will probably vote other than Democrat for the top of the ticket. Mrs. Clinton doesn't even give me the glimmer of hope I had when I voted for Obama.
Far wiser folks area discussing what happened in Paris and any possible response to that, so it doesn't pay for me to throw my two cents into the matter. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those killed and wounded during the attacks. I can only hope that the authorities are able to stop any further events like the ones we witnessed last week.
I think I'm going to call it quits for now. Take care!
Harder to believe is that in a few weeks Donna and I will be celebrating another anniversary. Then in December I'm actually going to be turning 65. Holy crap! I honestly have to say that there have been some periods, earlier in my life and certainly just a few months ago, when I didn't think I was going to make it. It certainly has been hard to ignore, since a week hasn't gone by the past few months where I didn't get at least one letter or phone call reminding me that I'll soon be eligible for Medicare. Damn! Now I know I'm getting old.
The holidays will be here before you know it and I don't know that we're going to be doing much, if anything to decorate the place. Probably get a few gifts for each other, just so we have something to exchange, but I think we're both too frazzled from everything else going on to really think much about that.
Although this is the spot where I'd get political, I'm pretty tired of the Presidential race already, and we have close to a year before we really have to make a serious decision.
Unless something unforeseen happen it's going to be Hillary on the Democratic side, although I'm going to be voting for Bernie Sanders come the primary out here in California. I've got months before I really have to decide if I'm voting for Hillary or going to go Third Party. As of now I will probably vote other than Democrat for the top of the ticket. Mrs. Clinton doesn't even give me the glimmer of hope I had when I voted for Obama.
Far wiser folks area discussing what happened in Paris and any possible response to that, so it doesn't pay for me to throw my two cents into the matter. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those killed and wounded during the attacks. I can only hope that the authorities are able to stop any further events like the ones we witnessed last week.
Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Friday, October 02, 2015
My Heart and Me - Part Two
This took me much longer to get to than I had planned. Vacation and a number of work projects put this on the back burner. I also think that much of this is old news to folks who read my Facebook posts, so there was no need to go into all that detail over again.
This is going to be a real quick report on what happened to me during my four hospital visits and what has occurred since.
My first hospital visit, following what was indeed a heart attack, ended with me being released following an angiogram. That had been through my groin and I was out for the entire thing. Doctors felt that medication would take care of any problem and it was safe for me to go home. This was on Monday afternoon.
Tuesday morning found me back in an ambulance and being rushed back to the hospital following a repeat of the symptoms I had had on Saturday morning. Not a happy camper.
This time another cardiologist told me that after reviewing my films and test results he felt that I did, in fact, need at least one stint. Another angiogram was performed, this time going through my right wrist and I was awake through the entire thing. To be honest, until they entered my heart I didn't feel a thing. When they got to the blockage it felt exactly as it had when I had my heart attack. Pretty scary for a few seconds, but once the stint was in place I was fine. I spent the night and was released the next day.
I was told to stay out of work for a couple of weeks and that I should limit my activity to short works twice a day. This lasted a couple of weeks and then i was told I could begin cardio rehab. This is basically a gym workout on various pieces of equipment, while being attached to a heart monitor and having your blood pressure check before, during and after you exercise. The first two times were fine and I had no problems. Unfortunately, the night after the second session I once more began having pains in the evening and had my third trip to the ER. I spent another night hooked up to various machines and having my vitals and blood work taken every six hours. While the day shift doctor assigned to my case felt I should stay a second night, my cardiologist and the doctor who initially admitted me felt my tests were not indicating a problem with my heart so I was released again.
About a week later I was finally able to get back to work and couldn't be happier. I went to my regular cardio rehab session in the morning and then drove to work for the evening shift. I was fine and went home where I had dinner. Of course, about an hour later I was once more having pains, taking nitro and waiting for the EMS folks (who by now were calling me by my first name) to swing by for a familiar ride.
A night and most of the day spent having multiple tests proved only that it was not my heart time out, but a gastro problem, brought on possibly by my acid reflux (something I have been on medication for for several years) or possible gall stones.
We now are at the point where I am awaiting more tests for my gastro problems, continuing my cardio rehab and working my old schedule at work. I've lost over eighteen pounds so far and actually feel pretty good after I finish my exercise routine. I'm about half way through the program and will have to continue on my own in a couple of months. Fortunately, our complex has a really nice gym and has almost the identical equipment that I use already. Just a matter of having Donna check my blood pressure and keeping away from all the tasty stuff that is no longer allowed.
That does it for now. I'll try to keep you all updated and hope that things continue on the plus side.
This is going to be a real quick report on what happened to me during my four hospital visits and what has occurred since.
My first hospital visit, following what was indeed a heart attack, ended with me being released following an angiogram. That had been through my groin and I was out for the entire thing. Doctors felt that medication would take care of any problem and it was safe for me to go home. This was on Monday afternoon.
Tuesday morning found me back in an ambulance and being rushed back to the hospital following a repeat of the symptoms I had had on Saturday morning. Not a happy camper.
This time another cardiologist told me that after reviewing my films and test results he felt that I did, in fact, need at least one stint. Another angiogram was performed, this time going through my right wrist and I was awake through the entire thing. To be honest, until they entered my heart I didn't feel a thing. When they got to the blockage it felt exactly as it had when I had my heart attack. Pretty scary for a few seconds, but once the stint was in place I was fine. I spent the night and was released the next day.
I was told to stay out of work for a couple of weeks and that I should limit my activity to short works twice a day. This lasted a couple of weeks and then i was told I could begin cardio rehab. This is basically a gym workout on various pieces of equipment, while being attached to a heart monitor and having your blood pressure check before, during and after you exercise. The first two times were fine and I had no problems. Unfortunately, the night after the second session I once more began having pains in the evening and had my third trip to the ER. I spent another night hooked up to various machines and having my vitals and blood work taken every six hours. While the day shift doctor assigned to my case felt I should stay a second night, my cardiologist and the doctor who initially admitted me felt my tests were not indicating a problem with my heart so I was released again.
About a week later I was finally able to get back to work and couldn't be happier. I went to my regular cardio rehab session in the morning and then drove to work for the evening shift. I was fine and went home where I had dinner. Of course, about an hour later I was once more having pains, taking nitro and waiting for the EMS folks (who by now were calling me by my first name) to swing by for a familiar ride.
A night and most of the day spent having multiple tests proved only that it was not my heart time out, but a gastro problem, brought on possibly by my acid reflux (something I have been on medication for for several years) or possible gall stones.
We now are at the point where I am awaiting more tests for my gastro problems, continuing my cardio rehab and working my old schedule at work. I've lost over eighteen pounds so far and actually feel pretty good after I finish my exercise routine. I'm about half way through the program and will have to continue on my own in a couple of months. Fortunately, our complex has a really nice gym and has almost the identical equipment that I use already. Just a matter of having Donna check my blood pressure and keeping away from all the tasty stuff that is no longer allowed.
That does it for now. I'll try to keep you all updated and hope that things continue on the plus side.
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
My Heart and Me
I've gone over the story of my heart attack and recovery a number of times, but never written much about it. Also, this blog has pretty much been sitting unused for months and this sort of thing fits better here than over on Shot's Shack anyway. I'm not naming any of the doctors or nurses that treated me, only the hospitals. In general I can't say anything really bad about the nurses and attendants at either place.
I'm going to be honest and say that having a heart attack was both a surprise and not a complete shock. Nobody sits around waiting for one to happen, but considering my 'lifestyle' it was only a matter of time, I suppose. I've always been overweight, except for the years I was in the service and a few years after graduating from college. The same goes for any type of exercise, which I pretty much vowed never to do again once my enlistment was up.
On July 31st (a Friday evening), I developed a headache and a short time later pains in my chest. It wasn't the sharp pain you'd probably recognize, but rather a heaviness. Like a band was across the upper part of my chest making it difficult to breath. I didn't connect the two and thought the tightness was just indigestion from our earlier take-out dinner. I took some Tylenol and some Pepto Bismol before going to bed. I had a difficult night, waking up a few times soaked in sweat. I just changed my t-shirt and went back to bed. I got up early on Saturday morning, as I was scheduled to go to work.
I still had the headache and "indigestion" so took some more Pepto. I told Donna I wasn't feeling good and explained the symptoms. She took my blood pressure, which wasn't really that high, but she suggested I stay home. We went back and forth, but I finally agreed to call in. I said I'd go to a 'walk-in' clinic later. While I was getting dressed to drive there, Donna called 911 and before you know it there was a fire engine and ambulance pulling up in front. We are pretty much right between two fire houses, so the response time is generally good. Of course, being in a 'senior community' as we are the 1st Responders are pretty familiar with the neighborhood.
When the EMS folks got there they took my vitals and were pretty sure that I was having a heart attack. I was given a spray of nitroglycerin and some 'baby' aspirin, then I walked myself downstairs and got on the stretcher, since I did feel a little better. We have been to Mission Hospital before in the ER and know some doctors and nurses who work there. It isn't far, even without the ambulance using lights or siren. I was immediately brought into a room in the ER and hooked up to even more monitors. The IV the EMS guys had given me was removed and another placed, plus I was immediately put on oxygen for the first of several times.
One of the cardiologists came in later and spoke to Donna and I. He told me that they would be performing an angiogram on me the following day. By this point, to my surprise, Kristina and Sarah showed up. I felt bad that they had driven up from San Diego, but can't deny it made me feel good to have all my girls with me. Donna told me later that the cardiologist had pulled her and Kristina aside and told them that they might be scheduling me for open heart surgery. Just as well I was kept in the dark about that. I was scared enough.
I'll have more about this in the next day or so. I promise that this won't be as long as my San Diego Comic-con report. :-)
I'm going to be honest and say that having a heart attack was both a surprise and not a complete shock. Nobody sits around waiting for one to happen, but considering my 'lifestyle' it was only a matter of time, I suppose. I've always been overweight, except for the years I was in the service and a few years after graduating from college. The same goes for any type of exercise, which I pretty much vowed never to do again once my enlistment was up.
On July 31st (a Friday evening), I developed a headache and a short time later pains in my chest. It wasn't the sharp pain you'd probably recognize, but rather a heaviness. Like a band was across the upper part of my chest making it difficult to breath. I didn't connect the two and thought the tightness was just indigestion from our earlier take-out dinner. I took some Tylenol and some Pepto Bismol before going to bed. I had a difficult night, waking up a few times soaked in sweat. I just changed my t-shirt and went back to bed. I got up early on Saturday morning, as I was scheduled to go to work.
I still had the headache and "indigestion" so took some more Pepto. I told Donna I wasn't feeling good and explained the symptoms. She took my blood pressure, which wasn't really that high, but she suggested I stay home. We went back and forth, but I finally agreed to call in. I said I'd go to a 'walk-in' clinic later. While I was getting dressed to drive there, Donna called 911 and before you know it there was a fire engine and ambulance pulling up in front. We are pretty much right between two fire houses, so the response time is generally good. Of course, being in a 'senior community' as we are the 1st Responders are pretty familiar with the neighborhood.
When the EMS folks got there they took my vitals and were pretty sure that I was having a heart attack. I was given a spray of nitroglycerin and some 'baby' aspirin, then I walked myself downstairs and got on the stretcher, since I did feel a little better. We have been to Mission Hospital before in the ER and know some doctors and nurses who work there. It isn't far, even without the ambulance using lights or siren. I was immediately brought into a room in the ER and hooked up to even more monitors. The IV the EMS guys had given me was removed and another placed, plus I was immediately put on oxygen for the first of several times.
One of the cardiologists came in later and spoke to Donna and I. He told me that they would be performing an angiogram on me the following day. By this point, to my surprise, Kristina and Sarah showed up. I felt bad that they had driven up from San Diego, but can't deny it made me feel good to have all my girls with me. Donna told me later that the cardiologist had pulled her and Kristina aside and told them that they might be scheduling me for open heart surgery. Just as well I was kept in the dark about that. I was scared enough.
I'll have more about this in the next day or so. I promise that this won't be as long as my San Diego Comic-con report. :-)
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