Off to see the lizard shortly for my first IgG infusion. Been doing curls trying to build up my veins in my spare arm in order to hopefully avoid a vein blowout and infiltration.
Been taking Advil the past week to thin my blood to make it easier to receive hopefully. Hopefully its a gravity bag without using a pump.
Almost 15 years to the day when I went in to start my transplant.
Location: Really deep in the heart of South California Gender:
Posted:
Apr 7, 2024 - 4:51pm
Antigone wrote:
I think it's safe to say it's NOT COPD which is very good. And there is actually a clinical name for (as a long ago ex described it) "how can all that snot come out of that little nose"?
Vasomotor Rhinitis.
Today, my 86 yr old Mum asked to stop her treatment today. A month in an army hospital, with daily aggressive needles, centisis and tubes; she held up the white flag and asked for palliative care. It's been a month in one of the top military hospitals in the Nation and she's one step forward - two back. Poor gal is tired. She let me know what she wanted.
We got to say what all of us want the chance to say.
Mortality and the preciousness of LIFE BORN - not imagined - is intense right now. RP is another great medicine for that. And so is this crazy community of phenomenal music lovers.
Today, my 86 yr old Mum asked to stop her treatment today. A month in an army hospital, with daily aggressive needles, centisis and tubes; she held up the white flag and asked for palliative care. It's been a month in one of the top military hospitals in the Nation and she's one step forward - two back. Poor gal is tired. She let me know what she wanted. We got to say what all of us want the chance to say. Mortality and the preciousness of LIFE BORN - not imagined - is intense right now.
RP is another great medicine for that.
And so is this crazy community of phenomenal music lovers.
Today, my 86 yr old Mum asked to stop her treatment today. A month in an army hospital, with daily aggressive needles, centisis and tubes; she held up the white flag and asked for palliative care. It's been a month in one of the top military hospitals in the Nation and she's one step forward - two back. Poor gal is tired. She let me know what she wanted. We got to say what all of us want the chance to say. Mortality and the preciousness of LIFE BORN - not imagined - is intense right now.
RP is another great medicine for that.
And so is this crazy community of phenomenal music lovers.
He has led an amazing life and I wish him many more enjoyable years.
Certainly a part of my parent's and my tween history. Nobody like him. Did you know he is a prolific MUSICAL composer as well? The man can play piano and often submits background melodies for films, lauded by many for his talent. Amazing we aren't aware of that side of his talent.
I think it's safe to say it's NOT COPD which is very good. And there is actually a clinical name for (as a long ago ex described it) "how can all that snot come out of that little nose"?
Vasomotor Rhinitis.
My 80-yr-old (not biological) brother is amazing. Recovering now from open heart surgery since stents wouldn’t have worked. Two time cancer survivor as well. He blames the vessel problem on the chemo he got, and not the 60 years of smoking, but who am I to argue, and why bother? My brother, let me tell you a little about him: Community college in Lake Charles, degree in psychology. Married a wonderful woman, and stayed married until she died a few years ago. Learned Russian. In the military, stationed in Germany. Once home, opened a pet store. Raising Bettas, and became the national editor of the Siamese Fighting Fish “magazine” (a pamphlet). Deputy sheriff. Professional photographer, mostly weddings. National chess ranking, competing around the country. Sold insurance. Repaired black wood clarinets. Taught 8th grade science. Set type for his wife’s church. Grew bonsai trees. Rock hound. Making home made hammered dulcimers. Avid Trump suppporter. World expert in Betta fish genetics, lauded on the society’s web page by people around the world. “Your contributions are legendary.” Developed water supply system to scores of individual small containers to raise the fish - then found he had 100% female fry. Deduced it was due to the proximity to the city’s water supply so had to add a method to clean it of chemicals. Successful. So, about 20 years ago when he came to California to see the Sequoias and gather rocks, I went through the litany. “Jim, do I remember right? Did you…” ”Well. When I was in Germany….I was a ‘spy’. I was translating intercepted Russian communications for our military.” Already the coolest big brother in the world, he had to go and be a freakin spy. About 5 years ago I mailed back to him all his original Elvis 45s that I’d kept and played over the years. They weren’t worth much, but they were his so he should have them back. We’ve had our differences (see “Trump supporter” above) but as we both have gotten older, there’s no reason we can’t be friends.
What did he do with all that spare time he obviously had?
My 80-yr-old (not biological) brother is amazing. Recovering now from open heart surgery since stents wouldnât have worked.
Two time cancer survivor as well. He blames the vessel problem on the chemo he got, and not the 60 years of smoking, but who am I to argue, and why bother?
My brother, let me tell you a little about him:
Community college in Lake Charles, degree in psychology.
Married a wonderful woman, and stayed married until she died a few years ago.
Learned Russian.
In the military, stationed in Germany.
Once home, opened a pet store.
Raising Bettas, and became the national editor of the Siamese Fighting Fish âmagazineâ (a pamphlet).
Deputy sheriff.
Professional photographer, mostly weddings.
National chess ranking, competing around the country.
Sold insurance.
Repaired black wood clarinets.
Taught 8th grade science.
Set type for his wifeâs church.
Grew bonsai trees.
Rock hound.
Making home made hammered dulcimers.
Avid Trump suppporter.
World expert in Betta fish genetics, lauded on the societyâs web page by people around the world. âYour contributions are legendary.â
Developed water supply system to scores of individual small containers to raise the fish - then found he had 100% female fry. Deduced it was due to the proximity to the cityâs water supply so had to add a method to clean it of chemicals. Successful.
So, about 20 years ago when he came to California to see the Sequoias and gather rocks, I went through the litany. âJim, do I remember right? Did youâ¦â
âWell. When I was in Germanyâ¦.I was a âspyâ. I was translating intercepted Russian communications for our military.â
Already the coolest big brother in the world, he had to go and be a freakin spy.
About 5 years ago I mailed back to him all his original Elvis 45s that Iâd kept and played over the years. They werenât worth much, but they were his so he should have them back.
Weâve had our differences (see âTrump supporterâ above) but as we both have gotten older, thereâs no reason we canât be friends.
ok, once I got to the dulcimers I was thinking, no way!
.... actually you had me at the black wood clarinets.
I love people like him. My Dad was a bit the same, rock hound, radio ham, started a hiking club, was a top hunter and taught fire arms safety, was a key member of local SAR, grew mushrooms in a shed out the back (no not those ones), taught himself to weld, made a trailer, was a very fine illustrator. I have no idea what kind of politics he would have pursued, but I am pretty sure we would have had major fights on that score too. politics isn't everything.
My 80-yr-old (not biological) brother is amazing. Recovering now from open heart surgery since stents wouldnât have worked.
Two time cancer survivor as well. He blames the vessel problem on the chemo he got, and not the 60 years of smoking, but who am I to argue, and why bother?
My brother, let me tell you a little about him:
Community college in Lake Charles, degree in psychology.
Married a wonderful woman, and stayed married until she died a few years ago.
Learned Russian.
In the military, stationed in Germany.
Once home, opened a pet store.
Raising Bettas, and became the national editor of the Siamese Fighting Fish âmagazineâ (a pamphlet).
Deputy sheriff.
Professional photographer, mostly weddings.
National chess ranking, competing around the country.
Sold insurance.
Repaired black wood clarinets.
Taught 8th grade science.
Set type for his wifeâs church.
Grew bonsai trees.
Rock hound.
Making home made hammered dulcimers.
Avid Trump suppporter.
World expert in Betta fish genetics, lauded on the societyâs web page by people around the world. âYour contributions are legendary.â
Developed water supply system to scores of individual small containers to raise the fish - then found he had 100% female fry. Deduced it was due to the proximity to the cityâs water supply so had to add a method to clean it of chemicals. Successful.
So, about 20 years ago when he came to California to see the Sequoias and gather rocks, I went through the litany. âJim, do I remember right? Did youâ¦â
âWell. When I was in Germanyâ¦.I was a âspyâ. I was translating intercepted Russian communications for our military.â
Already the coolest big brother in the world, he had to go and be a freakin spy.
About 5 years ago I mailed back to him all his original Elvis 45s that Iâd kept and played over the years. They werenât worth much, but they were his so he should have them back.
Weâve had our differences (see âTrump supporterâ above) but as we both have gotten older, thereâs no reason we canât be friends.
Praying for you and yours! - To me personally it helps to think I'm always in good hands (of God). All else seems secondary to that. (For me.)
Thanks. Prayers and positive thoughts are always welcome. I let go and let God take over when this began 15 years ago. God is my autopilot. I trust and believe that I will always land on my feet until I don't.