Baseball is my refuge and my strength

Birthdays and music, what more could you ask for?

2009-11-29T18:09:03Z

Today is my last day of recuperation time. I think I'm FINALLY in good enough shape to go back to work, although I'll have to pace myself for awhile. Still...my "paid time off" fund will thank me, as will the folks at work who have been patiently waiting on the piles of work that haven't gotten done for...yikes. A long time.

I'm feeling pretty good today and chose to be lazy this morning. A little bit of snuggling with the pillows, a lot of lingering over coffee and a salsa and cheddar omelet. I've got Internet stuff to do today, as well as a couple of errands and some food prep for the week. I've got to go to bed ultra-early tonight because I have a early morning medical appointment and need to get up around 5:15. Yikes again!

I can't let the day without wishing a wonderful birthday to xhereonearthx -- what is it with all the November babies on my f-list, anyway?

Finally, some music links. I was surfing the net to see what some of my old music pals are up to, and one of them had something on his MySpace page (yes, I know MySpace is so 2002, but a lot of musicians still use it) where his band collaborated with a "band" of Tuvan throat singers called Alash. I've heard of throat singing before, and have heard recordings of the technique, but the Alash website has the clearest samples I've heard yet. Highly recommended if you like world music and want to hear something REALLY unusual! I'm linking to the page with the recordings, but there's lots more to peruse on the website.

http://www.alashensemble.com/about_tts.htm

Also, I know I've posted a YouTube of the above-mentioned old music pal in the past, but I'm linking to his page so y'all can hear a good recording of the song he played in that YouTube. Seems like a zillion years ago (well, it was 1982) that Pat and I played together in a "beginner" fiddle band, and were we ever awful, LOL. Didn't help that he played acoustic blues guitar and back then knew nothing about old-time music. Still, he was a very nice guy...and a bit of a wild child, although he was getting his act together around the time I left town and now apparently is downright respectable. And, may I add, he has aged very nicely, and he still has the striking blue eyes that I remember so well (see the pictures section).

Anyway...one song that he played a lot when we were just sitting around was "Delia." It's an old murder story, and apparently it's a true story as well -- I found some historical research on the song and learned that Delia was 14 years old and the guy who shot her was 15. Pat's sparse, plaintively sung (in a Brooklyn accent) version of this song has stuck in my head for all these years -- I love it and am really glad that he has it up on his MySpace page. Here's the link to the page; y'all know what to click on after that. Enjoy...

http://www.myspace.com/patburkeblues

ETA: Over the last week or so while I've been working on getting better, another "Pat song" popped into my head, and it's become my personal anthem for the moment: "I'll be alright/I will be alright, I'll be alright someday/Deep in my heart/I do believe/I'll be alright someday." Thanks, Pat, for that old memory -- it's given me a lot of comfort.

Off to my necessary errands. Later...

If it's 11/27 it must be...

2009-11-27T17:53:28Z

The birthday of the lovely instrumentality! You Canadians don't get Turkey Day this week, but a birthday is even better -- here's hoping it's the best one EVAH! My icon, of course, is sending British Columbian birthday wishes as well.

In other news, I head back to my place this afternoon. I feel better than I did yesterday. Baby steps. Only issue is that I slept wrong on my bad ankle (on the side that's not sprained) so it's really sore. Ibuprofen and Tylenol are my friend, as are the usual other measures. It'll be a quiet rest of the day so I can take care of that annoyance.

I hear the lunch bell ringing (well, not really, but...) so I'm outta here. Hope all y'all have a wonderful day!

Here at Mom's...

2009-11-26T17:22:32Z

She's fussing over me. My GOODNESS, is she ever fussing over me! Honestly, though, I do appreciate it, because although I *think* the antibiotic is finally starting to do something about the infection, I'm still very congested and have no energy, so it's GREAT to have someone else doing all the food-related stuff and waiting on me hand and foot. Unfortunately, it turns out I'm going back to my place tomorrow afternoon instead of Saturday, as Mom has plans tomorrow evening. A two-day respite from The House of Doom is definitely a help, though, so all in all, I'm grateful.

I got a good sleep last night, had a huge and very healthy breakfast this morning, and Mom just asked me what snacky things I'd like before dinner (which will consist of turkey legs, twice-baked potatoes, and butternut squash, the latter at my request). After that, I think I'm going to lie down and get some more rest, because I'm pretty worn out and it's not even 12:30. Back to work in four days? Oh goody...LOL...

Have a great Thanksgiving, y'all!

Short and sweet.

2009-11-25T18:56:28Z

I'm running around packing for my mom's while trying to grab lunch, but I can't let November 25 go by without expressing appreciation to my late father, since today would have been his 86th birthday. He had Asperger syndrome so wasn't always the easiest person to decipher, but he was a very gentle person, not to mention brilliant. And...he was always doing little things for me to show his love for me, even if in unconventional ways.

Thanks for everything, Daddy.

This guy...

2009-11-25T02:50:11Z

Yeah, Albert. HUGE congratulations to him on NL MVP, not that everyone didn't already know he would get it or anything! Way to go, Big Guy! That trophy display case must fill a very large room by now.

In case I don't get a chance to post tomorrow, a very happy birthday to payoffpitch!

Now for everything else that's going on. One of the pipes under my kitchen sink came undone on Sunday. The pipe was thankfully sitting over a bucket due to past issues, but the bucket overflowed, ruining everything that was stored in that cabinet and flooding much of my kitchen floor. Unfortunately, said water went through the grease trap before it leaked out. Need I try to describe what a nasty stinking mess that was? Much Lysoling and airing out later, the smell is finally fading away.

And the kicker? My landlady refused to call a plumber that day because "they charge time and a half on Sundays." I asked about the next day and, "Well...(long pause)...I guess I'll get it fixed." I actually called my mother, in tears, and she called my landlady's brother (who does the handyman stuff around here). He came right out and reconnected the pipe. He and his wife and I had a very frank conversation along the way. They said that they're trying to get Ruth (my slumlady) to shut down her rental units because she's no longer capable (at 85 years old and in poor health) of taking care of things, but not to worry, because they're not going to throw me out on the street. At that point I put my cards on the table and said I'm trying to get out of there anyway because of Ruth's reluctance to maintain anything in the house, and because the house is also full of mold and it's really affecting my health. I told them I had been aiming for late spring/early summer but now I'm thinking sooner would be better. They were very sympathetic and I think we're on the same page, which is a relief.

This will take some doing, of course. I'm still in a weakened condition from being sick (and trying to clean up the mini-flood made me relapse, see below), so my focus right now is to get better first, then start figuring out THE BIG MOVE. I've lived here for so long that I literally don't remember how it's done. I have to find something that''s clean, affordable, safe, and not too long a commute (seeing as how I have to spare my ancient car). Based on the amount of money that I pay for medical bills, some sort of subsidized housing could possibly be involved. There's someone at work who is in my corner on that, and we're going to talk about it very soon. Some of my clutter may have to go with me and be sorted later in order to move more quickly. A couple of my family members have offered to help me with whatever. Anyway...the ball is starting to roll. I don't know where it's rolling or how fast, but the time frame has definitely shifted and there's even more purpose to my plans now. All I have to do is get better so I can DO IT.

So...the health stuff. I did okay with the Avonex injection, just some minor side effects for a day or so. My sprained ankle is still cranky at times but is doing well considering, and although I keep my cane with me for community walking, my gait around the house is ALMOST NORMAL, y'all!

Unfortunately, the antibiotics and all the rest I got over the weekend didn't beat down the bronchitis. Monday morning as I got ready for work I started coughing up a lung and began feeling ROTTEN, so I called in sick once again. Unlike many days when I stay home sick and end up half lounging and half puttering, yesterday I spent all day in bed. I felt just obliterated. I wasn't much better this morning, but I had a follow-up appointment with the doctor who had put me on antibiotics in the first place. He determined that my infection hasn't cleared (DUH!). So...two more weeks of antibiotics it is. He told me to not even think about going to work until next Monday, and he wrote me out for the week. I can't imagine what mountains of paperwork await me when I get back (as I was supposed to be holding down my department solo this week), but tough shit. I need to recuperate. I ran necessary errands this afternoon, then came home. I've been a bit perkier this evening but am fading fast here. I have another doctor's appointment in the morning, then I'll be rushing around packing to go to my mother's place to recuperate. We're both coming back here on Saturday so she can give me a little bit of housework help and sort of assess the situation as far as how we're going to get me moved out of here as fast as possible.

And....I didn't mean to write a book. That's what happens when I skip a few days. I'll have access to Mom's computer while I'm there, so will be checking LJ stuff and e-mail, and may even make a post along the way. G'night everybody.

The Avonex chronicles, Day One

2009-11-22T01:21:52Z

I'm proud to report that late this afternoon I successfully administered my first Avonex injection since last winter. It was less painful than I remembered -- I'm pretty sure the manufacturer changed the thickness of the needle during my Avonex hiatus. I premedicated with ibuprofen and haven't had any flu-like side effects -- the only unpleasant thing that happened was that after awhile I developed some mouth and tongue numbness and got pretty dizzy/woozy. I went so far as to lay out some clothes and get my satchel of medications ready to take with me, just in case I was having an allergic reaction and needed to go to the ER and be admitted. Before I did that, though, I took my evening dose of clonazepam a little bit early and, as I suspected, my symptoms had just been due to a panic attack. Once the benzo kicked in I was just fine, and I proceeded to wolf down a hearty dinner and the evening has proceeded without incident.

I'm not gonna sugarcoat the fact that even after 10+ hours of sleep last night, I woke up feeling terrible, and I felt scared and discouraged about the state of my health until about mid-afternoon. I snapped out of it in time for the injection, and my lungs feel quite clear now as well. I had a great talk with my mom this evening in which she praised me for the way I've just kept on going through all that has happened with my health in the past couple of months (the MS relapse, the ankle sprain, and the bronchitis), and she reminded me that although my progress may seem slow, I *am* improving, and I *will* feel back to normal eventually. It'll just take awhile because my body really took a beating and recuperation won't happen overnight. So that did give me something to think about, and I'm feeling more positive and relaxed about my situation than I did before that phone call.

Think I'll do a little bit of stretching in front of the TV. I've been oh so neglectful of that over the last couple of days!

I made it.

2009-11-21T02:31:05Z

I made it through the day at work. Somehow I actually pulled it off. Well...to be honest, I cut out a half hour early because I got to work just a tad late, had to run an errand during lunch, and then had a hearty lunch that I couldn't just wolf down. All of that put together would have added up to leaving at 7:00, and I simply wasn't feeling up to it. Matter of fact, I was really struggling (again) by mid to late afternoon, but I did well in the productivity department and even indulged in snarky joking with the guy in the next cubicle because that's mostly how he relates to people. By the time I left the building, though, it was one.foot.in.front.of.the.other.

I ran one errand and was just about nonfunctional by the time I got home. THANK GOODNESS for leftover catered lunch (there was a group interviewing for our program today) which I was able to bring home for dinner. The best bread ever, this caterer's excellent signature salad, and the pork tenderloin and white/wild rice were at least edible. Good enough, considering it was free. After dinner I got out my thermometer because I was totally convinced that I was running a fever, and I was catastrophically thinking ZOMG what if it's really high and I'm getting even sicker and have to go to the ER, blah blah blah. THANK GOODNESS (again) it was a mere 98.8. So...I'm going to pop a Tylenol along with my bedtime meds, because no doubt that'll get rid of whatever was making me feel so bad.

And now...bed. :)

Short and sweet this time...

2009-11-19T12:51:51Z

It's time for more HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes (what is it with these November babies, anyway?). This time around they go to jennyagain and boston_princess -- here's hoping that both of you have fabulous days filled with your hearts' desires!

As for me, I had a lot of trouble sleeping last night but, for the moment at least, lying down for 9-1/2 hours seems to have rejuvenated me and shooed away the weakness I was feeling yesterday. So...I'm hopeful that I'll make it through a full work day and do my desperately needed grocery shopping this evening. It's all about the pacing, I guess.

Time for a breathing treatment, then it's full speed ahead towards the ginormous pile of work that awaits me...

I suppose...

2009-11-19T00:48:36Z

I should be proud of myself for even making the effort to go to work today. I managed to get a good amount done -- *all* the outstanding radiology reports, *all* the dictation on the transcription system, and I got through *most* of the lab entries that contained abnormal values (the "normal value" labs can wait awhile longer). By lunchtime I was starting to get really tired, and about 3/4 of the way through the day I got incredibly weak and was having trouble walking even with my cane. I ended up coming home after 6-1/2 hours. So much for the grocery shopping I was going to do tonight. I've been "grazing" since I got home, trying to get lots of healthy food in. Just a couple of bills to write, and one e-mail to a friend in need...and then I'll gratefully go horizontal until my alarm goes off at 6:00.

At least it's a start. Hopefully I can go the distance tomorrow.

News to me...

2009-11-18T18:51:52Z

Congratulations to Stickbug, who got married this past weekend. I can't believe the Sox released Georgie...NOOOOOO!!!!! That totally sucks.

In other news, I'm slogging through my first day back at work. I'm V-E-R-Y weak and have fuzz brain. I already screwed up a chart note and got a call from the doctor in question to correct the error. Oops. :::runs and hides::: At least he was kind about it when I told him about my illness and that I'm just getting back into the swing of things. Needless to say, I've been making an effort to work mindfully since that little embarrassment.

Back to it. Four more hours. I CAN DO IT!

If it's Wednesday it must be...

2009-11-18T12:26:27Z

Time to go back to work! Of course, I was going to do that today anyway, really didn't have a choice, but last night I realized that I was feeling...almost normal? Whatever normal is for me, anyway. Talked to my mom, who said my voice sounded a lot stronger than it had in recent days. I woke up this morning feeling okay, so here I am going through my morning routine, and we shall see what we shall see when I get that first glimpse of my desk. LOL...

While I'm at it, HAPPY BIG 3-4 TO THE LARGE FATHER! No time to dig for pictures to embed right now. Just sending good wishes to our very own chocolate teddy bear and his lovely smile. ♥

That's all for now -- time to eat breakfast and fix lunch and all that good stuff.

Egads! It's meme time!

2009-11-17T21:22:55Z

FIRST: If you've been tagged, you must write your answers in your own LJ and replace any question that you dislike with a new, original question.
SECOND: Tag eight sexy people. Don't refuse to do that like a pansy.

Tagged by lissa_ann

Who sleeps in bed next to you?
My pillows, who I call by the name of whichever fantasy lover I wish to have snuggling up next to me on any given night. That would be either Julio or Albert. Yes, I am pathetic.

What did you last eat?
Tuna salad, a baked (I mean nuked) potato with margarine and black pepper, sliced beets, and a can of low sodium V8. The healthier I eat, the sooner I'll get better.

What kind of books do you read?
Well, mostly I read articles on line rather than books, but the books I *do* read tend to be either Appalachian fiction or sociopolitical nonfiction (right now I'm reading a first-person account of the late 60s, and I have a stack of nonfics on race relations sitting in my to-read pile).

If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be?
I'll be in Portland, Oregon with my sister for Christmas and wish I could be there NOW, because I've been so sick and really feel like I need to be with family.

When is your birthday?
September 23^rd.

Name one odd item within five feet of you.
My home nebulizer machine for my breathing treatments.

What's your current fandom / obsession / addiction?
Current? I think it's permanent. Baseball. And I am addicted to my baseball boyfriends.

What did you really want to do today that you didn't?
Go to work. Strange but true. I have so much to do when I get back that it's not even funny.

What's your favorite holiday?
This is a hard one. Some holidays are “optional work days” at my office, so I hoard the hours for time off later in the year. Of the days that we DO actually get off for real, probably New Year's because I never have any plans and can just use it to regroup. Of the “optional work days” holidays, probably Memorial Day because it means that summer has arrived!

What websites do you always visit when you go online?
Lots of 'em. The local paper and weather, Alternet, Common Dreams, My Right Wing Dad, Salon, my e-mail, LJ, NESN, MLB.com, CNN and/or MSNBC. Sometimes I check the Red Sox news on the Boston Globe and the Herald as well as the Cardinals news on STL Today. I also sometimes browse the forums at City-Data.com, which include topics about places all around the country and world, as well as “general” forums. Lots of provocative and/or interesting stuff to waste time on reading...

If you could have any pet, what would it be?
If only I weren't allergic to cats...

Salty or sweet?
Sweet, chocolate preferred.

What do you want right this minute, off the top of your head?
To get over this stupid bronchitis so I can stop being an invalid.

Where is the place you like to return in order to calm down/relax/etc?
Home in front of my computer, of course.

What's one thing that terrifies you that nobody else gets?
Hot button issue alert: I am TERRIFIED of police. I'm even more terrified of airport security. That's what's kept me from visiting my sister for three years now – I love flying in a plane, but the searches, the “your papers please,” all that shit...well, I can hardly think about it right now because I AM going through it in a month. What truly worries me is that the behavior profilers now in use at the airports will be able to spot my fear and "bad attitude" and will deem me suspicious and come after me. It also won't help that I'll likely be bringing a cane with me and will probably look a little bit weak and infirm. Hey, must be some sort of "plant," right? I'm worried that they'll use that as an excuse to give me the full Gestapo treatment, and with my mental health issues? I can easily imagine becoming the next airport Tasering victim. Try as I may to explain my fears to my family and friends, they Just.Don't.Get.It. and they don't understand why I see this sort of stuff as a HUGE invasion of my civil liberties. "It's just for your safety, dear..." to which I call BULLSHIT. I value civil liberties over most anything, never mind that I don't feel “the threat” is NEARLY as big as the government mouthpiece AKA The Media would have the sheeple believe. /rant.

What color is your cell phone?
Black.

Are there any bits of childhood that you miss?
A lot of it. My idyllic, innocent childhood on Long Island in the 60s and 70s. Sundays dinners in Hempstead with the boisterous Italian side of the family, along with the Easter/Thanksgiving/Christmas multigenerational extravaganzas hosted by my grandmother and great aunts. Occasional 3-hour round trips to see my colorless WASP grandparents waaaaaaay out in the Hamptons, which was like going to New England for the day, complete with ancient shingled saltbox buildings and walks on the beach after lunches of cold cuts and jello mold, LOL. One of the best, most progressive school systems one could imagine, and I was lucky to go there all the way from K through 12. The village beach near my house, part of Long Island Sound, nearly waveless, mostly deserted, and oh so tranquil. The little downtown that looked just like the parade scene in the beginning of Born on the Fourth of July -- well, it's all built up now, but it was sweet back then, and the parade in the movie was set in Manhasset, not far from where I actually grew up. So, yeah. I miss all of that.

What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free/The wretched refuse of your teeming shore/Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me/I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” - Emma Lazarus.

Say something to the person who tagged you.

lissa_ann : I'm so glad that you friended me – it was an unexpected pleasure out of the blue. I especially enjoy reading your personal posts. You're an intelligent and very courageous person, and I wish you all the best of everything in your life!

Tag: Eight people...1863_project boston_princess hanachan01 horsecrazyliza lovinbecks19 mstieforlife payoffpitch queen_dream

My little guy...

2009-11-16T17:02:35Z

Yeah, THAT little guy...

(another of my mlb.tv game screencaps)

He is THE BIG 3-4 today!!!

(picture courtesy of the Jimmy Fund section of weei.com)

Happy Birthday, Julio...and many more. Enjoy those sunny Dominican beaches and I'll be looking for ya come February. SMOOCHES!

It's desktop time again!

2009-11-14T20:15:34Z

Just because I feel like it. He's just such a happy-looking guy. What a joyous grin! I tinkered with it on Picnik to obliterate the uniform because he played for You-Know-Where at the time and I don't want to upset my fellow Red Sox fans. Incidentally, there are a whole bunch of fun new effects available on Picnik just waiting to be used for iconage. :::evil grin:::

Not much going on here. This was the latest I've slept in on a Saturday in quite some time, but that's okay...until I start feeling better I'm not going to beat myself up for being a slug. It's about time for my next breathing treatment, then I'm going to do my stretching program and take a shower, and then I guess I'll continue puttering in the kitchen. I need to do dishes and order my niece's birthday present (she's going to have five candles this year), and after that we'll see. My ankle has come around nicely. It's not sore, I'm not using a cane, and I don't plan to ice it unless it squawks at me. Well, maybe during the week when I'm up all day and using it more, but right now other self-care stuff takes precedence.

Until later...

Wheeeee!!! More medical fun!!!

2009-11-13T23:52:14Z

It's about getting to the point where I just have to laugh at my merry-go-round of medical catastrophes because the alternative would be to get really, really depressed.

I was sicker than I thought. Not only did I have bronchitis, it was "headed for pneumonia," according to the allergist. I was shocked o.O that it came on so fast, seeing as how I felt just FINE three days ago. I also was really grateful that my instincts told me to make an appointment for today and not try to tough it out through the weekend.

So now I'm armed with antibiotics, steroids (low dose this time, so I won't go through what I did a few weeks ago), and nebulizer treatments, which basically involve breathing bronchodilator solution that is converted into mist by an air compressor. They're more or less a mega-version of an asthma inhaler. So far so good. It goes without saying that I *STILL* won't be doing any decluttering this weekend, dammit. I'll get to catch up on e-mails and watch MLBN and good stuff like that, though.

Weeeeeelllllll....

2009-11-13T17:06:26Z

Things were going along just swimmingly -- ankle improving rapidly thanks to the rigorous icing and propping program -- and then along came a bug of the respiratory kind and sat down beside me. That was a couple of days ago, and stubborn creature that I am, I kept slogging along at work, knowing how very far behind my department is thanks to ME and my stupid health problems that have kept me out of the office so much. Even though I've slept well several nights in a row and been guzzling water, I've developed a gunky cough and that "sick" feeling. And this just after a long period of NICE CLEAR LUNGS in the wake of the steroid hell that I endured.

Since this started I've checked my temp a couple of times and it was normal, but I woke up this morning feeling like death and opted to give myself an extra hour or so of sleep. I later got up and started getting ready for work and realized that I felt even worse than yesterday. I pulled out the thermometer again and this time it read 100.0. That's not a clinical fever, but obviously something has changed, and I don't trust it not to get worse, so I called in sick AGAIN, then made an appointment with my allergist (because that practice is SO much better at handling my lung issues than the family practice where I work). I see them at 1:30 and I really hope they'll pull out all the stops, because I really do NOT need pneumonia right now.

On the bright side, I had a nice chat with my cousin in NY last night -- we mostly talked health stuff (she's got a lot going on in that department too) and also baseball, ALWAYS baseball!, and made fun of our mutual cousin in Texas who is so cynical about everything, even the value of ballplayers on the team he follows. He's such a stats and scores kind of guy that it frustrates the NY cousin and I, but it also makes us laugh. Laughing is good. As is baseball. I'll probably nap to MLBN after I get home from the doctor this afternoon.

I'm baaaaack....

2009-11-11T02:05:14Z

But don't be surprised if I'm a bit scarce over the next few days, as self-care of this blasted ankle needs to take priority for a bit.

Long story short, I got worked in yesterday with our very wonderful physician assistant, who said it's NOT infected, that I'm still in the acute phase of the injury, and that my current symptoms are just part of the normal healing process. What I should be doing is aggressive RICE therapy (Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation) in order to speed things along, so that's what I've been doing. Soaking it in ice water multiple times a day, propping it at work (on an overturned wastebasket topped with a pillow) and at home (on three pillows while watching TV, and on two pillows while sleeping). I've also ditched the air cast in favor of an Ace wrap, which the physician assistant said works much better because now that the immediate injury is over, I don't need as much stabilization, just some compression. I'm also still using the cane for stabilization and balance if I walk more than across the room.

By doing all this over the past day or so, I've been able to get the swelling down from something resembling a balloon (which was really scaring me) to the point where hey, I can actually see the veins and arteries in the top of my foot. YAY!

However, elevating it while at home means being away from my computer (makes me wish I had a laptop), so I'll probably be on line a little less for awhile, just in case I get really-really-really behind on comment replies and such. First things first, KWIM?

NOOOOO!!!!!

2009-11-08T23:40:01Z

I can't believe the Red Sox declined the option on Alex Gonzalez! I had really taken a shine to the guy, and I thought he was doing a really nice job for us. :::is all sadface:::

In other news, my ankle got REALLY sore after my last post; it was aching terribly (to the point of whimpering) even when I put no weight on it, which is a change from before. I took a look at it and there's some redness and warmth. There was a little bit of redness the day after I did it (the nurse practitioner commented on it), but the aching and warmth? It reminded me of the way my "crankle" felt last year. Now I'm wondering if I could possibly have a cellulitis on top of the sprain, or even a touch of arthritis or gout (both of which were mentioned as possibilities by my doctor during the crankle saga). What I did for the short term was take half a Percocet (whiich knocked me for a loop as usual) and lie in bed with the leg propped. I even napped a bit to whatever game was on MLBN, and although the pain is mostly gone I'm going to call for an appointment as soon as the office opens (even before I get to work) and have it looked at. I'm also going to reschedule my two mental health appointments that I was supposed to have this week. After all, both my therapist and my psychiatrist have offices on second floors of buildings with no elevators, and other than crawl up flights of stairs I don't think I can get there...

The sleep watch...

2009-11-08T16:59:27Z

Time to bed: 11:20 and fell asleep immediately.

Time awoke with muscle spasms: 12:30.

Time finally fell back to sleep after taking several measures, including finally putting slipper on over cast to further immobilize foot: Approximately 3:30.

Time finally woke up for good: 9:30.

So I managed to cobble together about 7 hours of sleep and am hoping to do even better tonight. After all, I do have a long week of work to deal with. I'm going to sleep with the slipper on again, or maybe even an athletic shoe, because the more my foot is forced to stay in place the less the spasms bother me. I think in any case I'll be calling my neurologist tomorrow to see if there are any other measures I should be taking. I'd like to avoid taking the maximum dose of my muscle relaxant, because my regular prescribed dose is 4 mg per night and I've been taking 6 mg and don't want to run out before my next fill date.

My foot is still very sore, so this will be another sedentary day for me. I've got quiet stuff I can do on the computer, and small house chores that involve standing in one place (which doesn't hurt as much) or sitting. This is going to get better, I swear it is. Baby steps, as I like to say.

And now...brunch.

My mama rocks!

2009-11-08T02:44:28Z

Well whaddya know, a positive post from me for a change! I may be tired and sore, but I am EXTREMELY grateful to my mother, who made the drive up here today (she's just a half hour away, but she doesn't like to drive that far at her age) to help me out around the house. We did the laundry, four washloads worth, then she fixed lunch, partly from my fridge, partly from stuff she had brought along, then afterwards she did the dishes. She also cooked some asparagus for me to eat later. Then she changed out my moldy shower curtain liner and vacuumed the part of the house that I live in day to day. By then it was time for her to go home, because she won't drive after dark, but maaaaan, what a lot to get done. I'm still pretty hobbled by my ankle, so needless to say her efforts were MUCH appreciated. I tried to tell her I owe her one (or ten), and she said, "But that's what mommies are for!" LOL...

Just puttering here for a while before bed. I had trouble with foot spasms again last night, got maybe six hours of sleep, and am fervently hoping that tonight will be the charm.

It's baysbawl spam!

2009-11-05T22:24:11Z

Just had to send out congratulations to my favorite Muppetfaced Venezuelan (that would be Bobby Abreu) on being signed for two more years by the Angels. There's a part of me that would have loved to see him in Boston if Jason Bay were not to return, but I also know that many Red Sox fans wouldn't be happy with that simply because he spent 2-1/2 years in pinstripes, so maybe it's for the best.

Based on all I've ever heard about Bobby, he's apparently a real student of the game, an excellent teacher, and oh yes, he's quite intelligent to boot. A couple more years of being a role model for his teammates in Anaheim and he'll be 37 (turning 38 during Spring Training the following season), at which time I can absolutely see him moving into a coaching role.

Some Bobby trivia: Very early on, he played single-A ball right here in Asheville, I believe in 1992. I went to plenty of Asheville Tourists games back then, and I'm pretty sure I remember him, mainly because I found his last name unusual. I read a story some years ago about his season in Asheville. It mentioned that the McCormick Field announcer thought his last name was "uh-BROO" and enjoyed saying it when he came up to bat, because it was fun to hear the "OO" echo against the ridges that surround the ballpark. The story went on to say that at that point Bobby spoke virtually no English, so the season was nearly over before he was able to tell the announcer how his name was actually pronounced. :D

Ever gracious in defeat...

2009-11-05T19:33:50Z

I'm not and have never been the hatin' kind when it comes to being a baseball fan. I already e-mailed my NYY fan cousins to congratulate them, and I'm hereby extending that congratulations to all the Yankees fans on my f-list. I really was hoping for a Phillies miracle last night but alas, Matsui got in the way. I must say, his homely self was very impressive. I missed the last couple of innings because I was too tired to stay awake, but I did wake up during the postgame for just long enough to realize it was all over. And now baseball is put to bed for the winter, and I am sad, but of course there'll be plenty of hot stove action and other related news to keep all of us going until Truck Day. And doG knows I have enough other stuff to keep me busy anyway.

Other than that? It's pretty clear that I went back to work too soon after my ankle sprain. Spending the day up and around resulted in exhausting me and making the leg (and my back) very sore. I got nothing done last night after I got home but eat dinner, and then I went to bed and propped my leg and was asleep by about 11:00. Unfortunately, I woke up shortly with intense muscle spasms that lasted for hours. I think I got about 4 hours of sleep altogether, and by around 3:00 I realized that I was probably going to have to stay home today to recuperate, so I left "heads up" voice mails on the appropriate phones at work. When I woke up this morning I felt like I had been run over by a truck due to sore muscles and lack of sleep, PLUS I was all congested and feel like I'm maybe getting a chest cold, which I do NOT need. Anyway, I called in for real, went back to bed, and managed another 1-1/2 hours of sleep before the muscle spasms came back. Just ate a large late breakfast and am going back to bed. I had damn well better keep the respiratory issues at bay, because my department-mate is taking tomorrow off so I need to be there. At least I'll be well rested and less sore.

Argh. Just...argh.

2009-11-03T14:14:50Z

When it rains it pours, I swear.

Yesterday was very good up until round about suppertime. The steroid nasties are nearly gone, and my mobility has improved, and I opted to walk around at work without my cane. I did just fine, although I was limping some by late afternoon. Came home and was in "kitchen stuff" mode and was THAT close to boiling up some whole wheat pasta, when I turned my left ankle under HARD. Not sure if I heard a pop or it was just the shock to my system, but it didn't sound good. I fell against the door to my furnace closet and knocked it off the hinges. Then I started hollering, thinking I had probably broken something. After a minute or two I was able to get up, not really able to bear weight on it, but I got myself onto my cane, opened the kitchen door, and started yelling for my neighbor Bob. I started tottering across the yard, then dropped to the ground and started crawling towards Bob's apartment. Thankfully, he heard me and came right outside, hoisted me up, and got me back in the house. My first thought was that he needed to drive me to the ER, but when I called the doctor on call at my office, he said it sounded like I should wait for an x-ray at clinic this morning. In the meantime he instructed me to take ibuprofen and some Percocet (I have a very few pills on hand from surgery two years ago), do ice baths, and prop it up. So Bob went down the street to get a bag of ice, I called my office to tell them I'd be out today (AGAIN) because I needed to stay off my foot, and then Bob brought me some freshly stewed slow-cooker beef that was out of this world, and I stirred together some corn, beans, salsa, and sour cream that was intended for tacos, and that sufficed for dinner. After that, I did the ice bath and went to bed, where I fell asleep during the 7th inning or thereabouts.

Damn ankle is swollen up like a goose egg. I can bear weight, but I have to move v-e-r-y slowly and pay attention to how I place my foot. I have an appointment for 11:30. I thought Bob was going to drive me but it turns out that he can't. I guess I'll take the back roads over there, because driving is going to be dicey at best, seeing as how I'm having trouble bending my ankle.

Oh, this is so much fun. Not.

Well, whaddya know!

2009-11-01T14:54:55Z

I know I haven't mentioned him in months, but my Google Alerts just informed me that dear Covelli Loyce, wherever he may be hiding out this offseason, is the big 3-0 today. His injuries took him out of the game quickly in 2009, but here's hoping that his two shoulder surgeries cured what ailed him and he has a terrific 2010 season somewhere. Silly scrunchy-faced hugs to Coco!

Mold, I hate you.

2009-11-01T00:17:52Z

Sorry for the spam, y'all. My decluttering efforts this evening involved sorting through some of my old cassette tapes (I have several hundred to go through, dating all the way back to the 1970s). Prior to tonight I had been working on the noncommercial tapes that were unrelated to my many years as a fiddler; tonight I got started on a box of tapes recorded at festivals, parties, bar gigs, and of course a few commercial tapes put out by old friends over the years. I had been dreading this with good reason. I already knew that commercial tapes tend to disintegrate/mold/whatever more readily -- I guess the manufacturers use cheaper materials than what my my friends and I used for our private endeavors. So tonight, as I had suspected, I had to throw out most of the stuff that my old pals recorded professionally, because the tapes were full of chalky white spots and fun stuff of that nature. What upset me, though, was that a good percentage of the personal tapes were similarly ruined. Not all of them, certainly, and there were some happy surprises, such as the pristine condition of the tape that I made the very first time I went to a bar gig by the band that literally changed my life. That was back in 1980 and I recorded it on a freaking MEMOREX tape (!!!!), and it has held up all these years. But for every "oh wow, it lives!" moment there was an "oh shit I have to throw this one out" moment. So many memories...right into the trash. It really sucks.