Weight Loss, Exploding Gallbladder, Social Security, Medicare, The Mother In Law, Bioness, Bladder, Wake Apnea, And A Dog

okay, so what's been going on?  I lost almost 90 pounds, have kept it off, as a result of the weight loss my gallbladder exploded New Year's Eve, so I had surgery for that. My health care provider has stopped paying my claims as primary because I'm supposed to be on Medicare. Medicare starts July 1, but I have to pay a $140 a month penalty because I didn't sign up when I was eligible, nice. Just got a letter from Social Security saying that as a result of a random computer audit it was discovered that I was being paid too much so my monthly amount has been adjusted by almost $900. The mother-in-law went into the hospital to have some tests run and they made an error in her medication that put her in a coma that lasted for the better part of month. She is in a rehab facility fighting to get to a point to be able to take care of herself again. So other than that Mrs. Lincoln how did you enjoy the play?

My Bioness leg stimulator has been replaced through the extended warranty that was bought for $500. The straps that hold tight to my leg are the last thing I'm waiting for, seems they are on backorder. Curious what else the straps are used for that they don't have them in stock at all times, and are they going to replace the contact pads that are being ruined because they are out of stock? The body is pretty much shot, not too many things working the way they should, if working at all. A lot of the places that have been numb for years suddenly are extremely painful. Bladder issues seem to be the order of the day, when the urge hits you'd better get out of my way! I've developed this little thing that the neurologist calls wake apnea, a rather bothersome new edition to my old repertoire. Other than that it has been business as usual, the wife still hasn't tossed me out of the house, the kids still hate me, but we did get a dog, Rosie is a great addition to the family.

Medicare Snafu, High School Get Together

OK, so got a phone call in 1999, the guy told me I was eligible for medicare.  I told the dude no thanks, have insurance from my old job, he said thank you and have a nice day.  I got mailings from them, didn't really read them, yeah, good move, right?  Cigna has started denying claims, say I should be in medicare, and it should be my primary.  Did everyone but me know there is a $10 penalty for every year you didn't accept medicare?  For me that adds $140 to my monthly premium.  My buddy Mike called Congressman Ruppersberger for me and his aid told him nothing could be done about it, and we trust Dutch, he always did well by us.  Moral to the story, read everything!

Having a get together at a local watering hole, people I went to school with.  The wife is giving me a hard time, so far 25 or so people have signed on to go, 22 of them are women.  I told her, I swear I went to school with dudes too!  Looking forward to seeing what everyone is up to, who went bald, just to have the chance to walk into the room and say hello girls, did you miss me?  It should be a hoot, and the wife should be talking to me again by Christmas!

Back On Baclofen, Mood Has Been Great

Had to give into that Baclofen gods, the cramps and spasms proved to be too much.  I went from sleeping the best I ever had, to sleeping in hour increments for maybe a few hours.  Not sleeping was effecting my mood, and I'm a very pleasant person dammit!  It was great having the use of the right hand, but not at that cost.  So, lowest dose possible, seems to have worked for cramps, but can feel the hand weakening already.  

Speaking of mood, mine has really been great!  Can't put my finger on it, suppose it's the decision to take care of myself better, feeling better as a result of losing the weight.  Both kids have commented how happy I seem, I thought they ignored me like a piece of furniture!  Maybe it's taking care of business, maybe finishing old business, maybe it's none of my business?  I'm betting it all rests in having the love of a good woman, thanks baby!

Still Wahls/Paleo Diet, Go Orioles

3 months, about 10 days into my Wahls/paleo diet, have dropped 75 lbs, have about the same amount to go.  The rate of fall is starting to slow, sure it will go slower from here on, but it's worth it.  Had started to give in, was giving up on things, decided it wasn't time yet.  Completely off of the Baclofen now, good news-bad news effect.  Having the leg cramps every 30 seconds or so, last for 10-15 seconds, but my right hand is the most use in years, tough choice.

O-R-I-O-L-E-S!  We are making a run baby, yes final week and we are still playing!   The boy, like many Baltimore folk are fair weather fans, loving them now, hating them the last 15.  I on the other hand have been loyal, even through the worst of times, and man, have we had our share of those.  So to the O's, good luck, and thanks for 162 days of something to do!

Baclofen Adjustment, And Out Of Afghanistan By Christmas

Under the 270 mark, yes, yes, I turn sideways and stick my tongue out and I look like a zipper.  Started to adjust my Baclofen, having real functional problems with the right hand still.  If my heart is really in this whole diet thing, need to give this try.  I am thinking that if my diet can create better conditions for healing, it's possible my hand is doing better and the Baclofen is now causing problems, needs to be tapered down.  I know, I thought it too, why just the right hand?  Stay tuned.

Time to get out of the middle east, it's not working.  2031 US deaths in Afghanistan, 3187 coalition deaths.  I could have trained an army of toothless inbred simpletons   as security force in the time it has taken the US to train an Afgan force that is still not ready, and is turning on, and killing us.  Cut off the money, no aid of any kind, warn them once, any trouble we bomb them with drones back to the dawn of time.  No more games, bring our children home by Christmas, Obama and Romney in a joint news conference of solidarity.

Great Beach Getaway, Paleo Diet Slip

What a great weekend at the beach!  The weather was great, the parents came and met us Saturday night for dinner, then sat on the veranda in rocking chairs and people watched.  Went up on the beach Saturday, almost killed me, sand walking is now on my list of things I both hate, and stink at.    We had a wicked cool storm roll in, took about 5 minutes, came from the north and south, met right in front of us, cool.

Strayed off my eating plan whilst away, only slightly, but it wrecked my system.  Had a soda one day, sweet potato fries another, and it almost killed me.  My system is a finely tuned machine, it was like putting diesel fuel into a race car!  Doesn't sound like much of a slip, but I've had no sugar for over 2 months, it was enough.  Did I mention the fries were coated in sugar and cinnamon?  They were really good, but no more, 65 lbs down, getting there.

Beach Bound, Men's Shelter Starting Back Up

So the wife and me are going with the K-lines to the beach this weekend, should be a hoot.  The neighbors were giving me a hard time about the kids being home alone, about the party that will surely ensue.  I told them, my children wouldn't do that....would they?  Na, they wouldn't do such a thing, they are 24 and 20, so they aren't preteens.  Why would they want to do something like that and become homeless?

Speaking of homeless, the Streets of Hope men's shelter will be starting up soon.  I will have to see how involved I will be able to be this year, this no driving is for the birds.  I will be able to coordinate the preparation of the meals, not sure about being able to get the meals to the churches in time for the guys to eat?  Either way it goes, we will make sure it's covered, and we enjoy spending time with the dudes.

Pedro Strops Hat, Grass Fed Meats and Free Range Chicken

OK, I'm watching the O's, watched them when they couldn't buy a win, true fan.  Somebody has to make Pedro Strop wear his hat straight!  What's the deal with?  Is it an individual thing, or is his head crooked?  If it's a birth defect, I apologize.  If it's not, somebody fix it.  What if he wants to wear it backwards tomorrow?  I hate rules, but if I have to follow them, I expect everyone to do the same.  If need be, I can send MLB the definition of uniform.

The wife got me some grass fed beef and pork this week, both from Clark's Elioak Farm.  My plan is to eat as much of my protein as I can this way.  We are due to go back up to Rousedale Farm for more free range chicken and naturally grown veggies.  I'm no expert, not a scientist either, but it seems to me the less chemicals we put into our bodies the better.  Also, if I'm going to eat this way, avoid certain things, shouldn't I avoid animals that are eating things they shouldn't have?

Mother In Law Doing Great, Eating Healthy, Feeling Better?

What a wild ride the last few weeks have been!  The mother in law is doing great, she is amazing.  Memory isn't back 100%, may never be?  What we do see are flashes from the past, her setting the table, being alert, well rested, it's great!  We are doing the cooking for them right now, trying to get into a rhythm and figure out how we are going to proceed.  Sure is more encouraging than her dosing off all day, showing no interest in anything.

My new way of eating is still a success, I must be 3 years into by now?  Lost a ton of weight, trying to figure out how I fell.  The right hand I was talking about in July doing so well, it's broken here in August.  Trying to figure out if I should ween myself off of the Baclofen?  The hand is almost paralyzed, lucky I'm not driving, don't know I could express myself to other driver!  I'm sticking with it, not a single slip in 2 months.

The Mother In Law Is Incredible, The Back is Back

The mother in law is doing great, been moved to a rehab facility for a few days, is tired of hospital food, and wants to go home.  I think she would do better if she could do the rehab from home, but they they didn't ask for my help with the surgery, have to think they know what's best.  I think we confuse what would be easier for us with what would be best for her?  All I know is I am seeing flashes of the old mother in law, it's wonderful!

Who was it said, take my back, please?  My back is shot, combination of sitting in the hospital for hours, walking to and from the waiting area to the room.  Had another shot yesterday, they don't seem to be doing as much.  I wish they could deaden the nerve forever, they won't for fear of me doing damage without knowing it.  I'm willing to take that chance.  Having more mobility problems from my back than from the ms.

The Mother In Law Is Recovering From Brain Surgery

The mother in laws surgery went off without a hitch, was about 4 hours long, and they removed a 4 cm, about 1.5 inch tumor from her brain.  She is doing well, though is having a tough time fully coming out of the anesthesia.  cat scans indicate there is no bleed, but considerable swelling, so she is able to identify everyone, speak, though slurred, and is exhausted.  They got her up and she walked over to a chair, had physical therapy this morning, and was worn out!  We will see what rest of today brings.

Mother In Law Surgery, Moving Command Central Upstairs

The mother in law has a rather large surgery on Monday, one all of us are looking forward to, including her.  She went to a geriatric doctor for answers to a sudden onset of dementia symptoms.  It was like the life had been sucked right out of her, no energy, no short term memory.  The doctor ordered an MRI and low and behold, she has an angiogenic brain tumor the size of a golf ball!  The tumor is the pressing on the part of the brain that controls, you got it, short term memory.  My aunt had this years ago, recovered beautifully, but she was a young woman, compared to the mother in law, who is 80.  Wish her luck, both that she comes through it ok, and has a vast improvement in her quality of life!

Thinking of kicking the boy out of his room, the smallest of the 3, would make a perfect den.  Before you call social services, I'm talking about moving from 12' x 12' bedroom, to a 24' x 15' family room with a big screen tv and private bath.  The plan is to  move the sofa bed up into my lair, buy a lazyboy swivel rocker, put command central up there with my 32" monitor!  This isn't  just whimsy, puts me on the same level as the bathrooms, eliminates the 3 steps down to the living room, kitchen, or the 8 or so more down to the family room.  Only one thing left to do, ask the wife if it's ok!