Unconscious Realizations

For the past month or so, I've been focused on March 23.  No, mom, not just because it's your birthday.  Although it is, and you've already seen your gift.  I returned to Pierre on September 23 following my most recent hospitalization in Sioux Falls.  So March is the six month "monthiversary" of my return.  And yes, James, I know it's your birthday, too.  I have my telemed checkup this coming  Friday.  It's been 4 months since I've seen my liver specialist.  I've had my labs done though, and I was a 15 still.  So, that's good.

Every year, I have to repeat certain tests in Sioux Falls, one of which is an EGD.  Basically, they shove a tube down my throat, take a look at the veins and whatever else looks exciting down there.  I'm really hoping it isn't the same scope they used in September.  But that was a different kind of scope test, so let's just not go there!  I made my appointment for June to do the tests.  I had to change the date.  I'll be riding the medical shuttle from Pierre to Sioux Falls very early that morning, and meeting mom at the clinic.  I had no thoughts about the date. 

Last summer, I got sick and wound up in the hospital on June 8.  So, my tests are exactly one year from my major episodes with the liver disease.  I don't know why I didn't connect them sooner.  I wish I could say it was because I forgot when I was sick last year, but it's not.  I can tell you down to the exact hour what times and on what dates I was taken to the hospital.  I guess that means the the encephalopathy didn't totally scramble my brain permanently.

Why did I just realize that date correlation now?  I don't know.  I can't sleep (again), so I tend to do a bit of web surfing when that happens.  And it just popped into my head.  Anyone who knows me will know, of course, that set off a rush of tears.  Can't help it, I just get overly emotional anymore.  It usually annoys me.  It didn't last long--just long enough to realize that in that year, I had a few bumps, but the last five months have been pretty bump free.  I want that to continue.  I've missed only a few hours of work in that time, so I'm dealing with anything that does come up petty well.  I'd like to stay well enough that I can go to a conference at CDC in October for work.

I should probably try to go to bed now and get some sleep.  I don't work tomorrow either mom, so hold off on that 7:30 AM call until sometime after 10 AM.  Maybe I'll just grab a few grapes first.  Or some Jell-O.

Warm and Toasty

You know its crazy warm when you can wear just a sweater or jacket walking to work.  And it’s January.  This winter has been absolutely crazy.  The last time I looked out the window on Monday, it was 62 degrees.  And that was 2:30, so it probably went up a bit by the end of the day.  You just have to love that!  I’ve even tossed off a few of the blankets piled on my bed because I got warm enough during the night.  If I’m cold during the night, I get terrible spasms.  No chills, no spasms.

Work has been pretty busy with trying to train some new people, starting our projects late this month due to delays from the CDC, and having staff out all month with illnesses.  They finally gave me a cold, but it was just viral, and pretty much passed in a weekend.

And now it’s time to file my taxes—rather depressing when I see how much my income dropped due to not being able to work for so long last year.  I’m really hoping to prevent that from happening again this year.  I thought I’d get back a lot more than I did, but I guess they got rid of the $400 work credit, and I don’t qualify for Earned Income Credit.  Bah!

Oh well.  I promise to post more soon.  For now, it’s time to get ready for work!