When I am 64

I received my new drivers license today... the state of Florida renews every eight years. My next renewal will be in 2018...

I will be 64!!!! What the heck happened? I was just 25?????

Retirement agrees with me

Back on Cal 101... the energy has returned- I can swing the hammock again- with gusto.

It has been some time since I last posted. I was recounting my "oops" incident while on holiday... I wound up in the hospital at the "St James Resort..." otherwise known as the James Cancer Center at Ohio State University. Prior to that I was feeling great. As I am again feeling good, thankfully.

I visit them (the fine staff at Ohio State- Dr. Byrd, Mona, Margaret and Wayung Hu) again in early October...Depending upon how I feel- it might be a great time to put the top down on the mustang and spend several days driving up via highways- not interstate. My own version of the Hot Rod Power Tour

I am also easing back into my duties at the mancave... I cleaned the shed- arranged the tools, car ramps, etc... and will start and hopefully finish the floor project within the next two weeks. Denise's car needs an oil change- so sometime this week.

I also- being retired and with time to spare- decided against laying sod and installing an irrigation system at the Plant City hovel- I have broadcasted seeds and 'feed' and bought an excellent sprinkler. When we do not have the torrential downpours Florida is famous for in the summer...I place the sprinkler in the yard and watch if "sprinkle"...and look for green to appear from under the hay. I am also considered a "cheap bastard" -the savings have been outstanding...

I have once again resumed my twice daily long walks with Quincy the Wonder Dog- carefully training him to make his doggie deposits in what I call the "Poop Free Zone"- an area that does not require I "pick up..." Most times he holds his urges until the proper location is reached- and is rewarded with a doggie treat. For those times when nature must be answered... I carry a plastic bag. Always a responsible citizen.


For those few of you that may have wondered where I have been- from the subject matter, well I guess the wait was hardly worth it... Not much else happening... just living life-despite what the doctors may say...

For my conservative friends...



God Bless,

Oops- a change in plans

Traveling up the east coast- Savannah, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, DC, Vermont, then inland-PA- with the ultimate destination- a visit for my Cal 101 clinic with Ohio State University... Home scheduled for today...back to Quincy and the granddaughters. We left July 9th...

oops.

Seems I may have something called PCP pneumonia. I am a guest at the St James Resort (James Cancer Clinic-OSU)with an oxygen hose draped around my head, IV's full of antibiotics chugging into my chest, and an O2 monitor clipped to my toe- typing with it clipped to my finger was not working.

Best laid plans. Denise and I had a great time- I felt great, up until several days ago- developing a cough and chest congestion. I had my CT Scan, and saw my coordinator on Friday for my two month supply of the drugs. I wound up admitted which strangely enough was a good thing. I had several bouts of 102,7 degree temperature, and until today felt pretty lousy. I would hate to have that happen on the first night of our two day trip home, roughly around Cleveland Tennessee.

My main Doc, my Guru, was on vacation last week- I emailed him last night and he emailed me immediately and came in to see me today... why I come to OSU- world renowned Doc- dropping in to see how I am doing in jeans and a golf shirt...

I am feeling pretty good today- still having some occasional coughing, but things could be worse.

Well that's the update...more when I hear it.

God Bless,

Celebrate- Honor- Give Thanks

We Earned It...Now Let's keep our Independence alive.

God Bless those that have preserved our God Given rights to be free men and women...

God Bless America.

All's well

Monday was an in and out simple surgery- as usual. Now just sitting here, waiting for the green light to get out and become "less attached".

God Bless,

A day at the clinic...

I spent last Monday at Moffitt Cancer center in preparation for another bladder surgery next week... I will do that Monday, June 21st- the longest day of the year. It is a minor out patient procedure that is pretty basic. Minimal down time...I call it a scrape and run... Dark humor I suppose.

I figure I have had 20 of these procedures since 1998. The doctor I use here is good...young, and moldable. He is my ninth Urologist. I guess I am not an easy patient. I expect certain give and take- communications from my Doctors. I have lowered my expectations concerning the Moffett Center however...

The Moffitt experience, in my opinion, is the preview of what we can expect when the government has more control of our health care...Socialized Medicine. Communication is minimal, things are done in isolated blocks- my Hematologist is not consulting with my Urologist-the blood test for surgery are not coordinated with my IVIG test needed in two days. The procedures do not seem very "patient" friendly... and more to the advantage of the doctors and staff. Arrival for an appointment means at leat a 45 minute wait to see the Doctor- or in many cases, his PA... I bristled last time I was relegated to the PA's assistant... I don't believe there is a price break when I see someone who cannot act without talking to the Doctor...Not that he is feeling the pulse of what is going on...I suspect my Hem Doc has no idea I will be there at all... and won't until he reads my file just before I see him in August.

I maintain my relationship with Moffitt for a very self serving reason. If my CLL kicks in, as it has in the past... the Direct Referral Center is excellent- the hospital staff- floor residents are excellent-Better than the local hospital--- not Ohio State quality- but okay for the Tampa Bay area.

My Hem Doc however has never stood bedside during my five stays- and the one time I spotted him in the hallway, he avoided me like he owed me $20.00. Ironically, I received an email while in Moffitt from Dr. Byrd in Ohio- just checking how I was doing.

There are more "procedural things at Moffitt than Ohio State, or Dartmouth for that matter. I need to stand in several lines and check in so I can be inspected and all boxes are checked and matrix's are satisfied. Doesn't seem to matter that I just gave the information to someone else on the second floor... procedures must be maintained.

I think I have a skull and crossbones appear when my records come up on the computer screen... I ask the question, "Why?", and sincerely expect an answer that makes sense. I am often disappointed. I have to be alert for what is going on- not just trusting that things are done for my best interest... I cancelled a CT Scan since that is not necessary for this surgery, and the radiation like 500 chest XRAYS each time you have one- I really don't care if it the "procedure" mandated... There are procedures to follow...and some to ignore... just like the government.

The really funny thing was when I needed a form signed by my Hem Doc for a disability break on my property taxes... The records department stated I was not his patient. I tried to be light hearted, and mentioned that I had just seen him last week- I said hello, he acknowledged me...in his exam room of course-file in hand. The genius on the other end of the line stated that just cause a Doctor says hello, doesn't mean I am his patient... Lowered expectations...

I did receive a bill several days later for a co-pay from that visit... that they get right.

I am just a crabby old guy, I guess...

God Bless,

I stayed home instead...

I was going to go... I even cleaned the Mustang, put the cover on it, and was ready to hit the road this morning- nine hours to Chattanooga, the Hot Rod Power Tour... a seven day event where muscle cars and classic hot rods travel from one city to the next... with a car show in each destination. A car guy's dream.

I would have seen a lot of friends, old clients, and some really cool cars. I use to work for the publishing company that started it all- Hot Rod, Car Craft and dozens of other specialty magazines. The "Long Haulers"- the enthusiasts that travel the whole way, leave Bowling Green KY tomorrow morning and arrive around 12:00 in Chattanooga... my old friend Corky Coker(Coker Tire) is even sponsoring the day in southern Tennessee. Thursday they travel to Birmingham, and on Friday and Saturday they are in Mobile AL for the wrap up... I have been to 8 of these...every one of them a blast. Heck, just hanging out on the Hot Rod "rock star bus" is cool.

My granddaughter woke me this morning- jumping on my bed, and I decided to spend some time with her in the pool instead...

Priorities seem to have shifted...

God Bless,