ProfessorTomoe

As with the thread from the previous incarnation of the board, I begin this one with a request that the information within remain confidential. This is a thread for those seeking support as they deal with very sensitive situations involving either their own or a loved one's health. Please let this be a thread where such information can be shared with a level of trust. Now, back to the topic at hand. I picked up my second filling of Brintellix yesterday—all $141 of it, for a month's supply. I find it odd that it is an antidepressant, yet the price is so high that it is depressing just to purchase it. As for its effects, I'm still getting used to them. I haven't been able to sleep for more than three hours at a time for a couple of weeks now. When I do wake up in the middle of the night, I'm not groggy. In fact, I feel for at least a short time that I've had a decent night's sleep. That sensation only lasts a few hours, though. I don't crash out—I just sort of fade to the point where I need to sleep again. Very weird. I've also lost weight. Not a lot, but every pound counts, and it's been a slow and steady drop. Some of this might be related to the small dose of metformin that I'm on (my A1C hit 6.5 again, causing my primary doctor to freak out). I seriously don't know. Whatever the reason, it made my cardiologist happy at my appointment yesterday. Speaking of cardiologists, mine determined that I am status quo as far as my PVCs are concerned. He hasn't seen them in the short 30-second EKGs he runs at every appointment, but the memory of my Holter monitor results from several years ago is enough to keep him on his toes. Still, he saw no reason to increase my lisinopril or to add a beta blocker to my shoebox full of medicines. I hope this thread will be as useful as the last one was. Thanks for any support you can provide.

I am running on day four of a non-stop headache. I don't know if it's a stress headache, a sinus headache, or a migraine. I'm treating all three, but nothing seems to be working: Tylenol, Sudafed, nor rizatriptan. Has anyone got any advice on how to get rid of one of these? I'm feeling miserable.

Bulgarian-style Buttermilk. Nom. Good for keeping you out of the munchies, while providing good, tasty nutrition at the same time.

Let's see if we can consolidate some of the "what are you eating/drinking/breathing" threads into this one. I am currently ingesting Crystal Light tea. Just had some hummus & pita chips beforehand. I'm considering getting a glass of Bulgarian buttermilk (I was shocked that my local Albertson's actually had the Bulgarian style! Nom.).

Got to see my left foot yesterday for the first time since surgery. Both Mrs. Prof and I were surprised by the straightness and neatness of the stitches. Quite a few of them, too--at least ten, possibly more, with a central stitch running the length of the incision. Looked like a very long American football. The doctor was satisfied with them and said they'll come out October 1st. Had him look at the osteomyelitis on toe #2 of my left foot. He concentrated on the external symptoms, saying that it appeared it was healing. If, however, it broke open again and began to do nasty stuff, then amputation might become an option. Not now, though - it looked good now.

Double retirement parties for Mrs. Prof yesterday. She had her official retirement lunch at a Mexican food place. Lots of people attended, including myself and my son (who drove me over there). After work, her contacts at a major international shipping company (that will remain nameless) took her out to a little German/Austrian food place near our neighborhood. Just three representatives, her, and I attended. She got some very nice gifts from the second group, and some very delicious food from the restaurant. Great dinner reminiscing, with her at the center and me just kind of guiding the reps through the best parts of the unfamiliar meal (case in point: not much sauerkraut was left at the end of the night). Mrs. Prof enjoyed the evening immensely. I can't say exactly how long she's worked there, unfortunately. She (and I) started in the summer of 1982, but with seasonal employment, layoffs, and other interruptions to her service time, I can't calculate her exact time off the top of my head. Just let it be said that she worked there for a long time, and when the end of the month rolls around, she's going to reap the benefits.

You have my sympathies, tOH. Take all the time you need to recover.

Knackwurst on Sara Lee Artisano bread with mayo and German coarse-ground mustard. No need to go to a specialty store; these were Dietz & Watson, made in the USA. Still good stuff. Nom.

The day after my foot surgery, I went with my wife to my son's birthday party (actually just the two of us and he and his wife) at a place called Wabi House in Dallas. He turns 32 on Monday, but this was the only day our schedules met (hence the post-op restaurant trip). The place serves ramen and appetizers. Someone online found it for me when I asked about a place that serves takoyaki locally. It had great reviews, so I talked Mrs. Prof into taking our son and daughter-in-law there. She picked the date, but had no idea that I would break my foot a few days before and have surgery the day before. I managed to make it anyway. The takoyaki got rave reviews from both my son and myself. Mrs. Prof and I both ordered the Spicy Miso ramen, their flagship product. It was excellent - neither of us could finish it all. I had leftovers this morning, and the "better the second day" rule applies in spades with this ramen. Nom. My son ordered Tonkotsu ramen, while my daughter in law ordered Shoyu ramen. Out of all of us, only my son finished his ramen, along with most of the takoyaki. Definitely not a cheap place, but worth it for the service and taste. It was even worth collapsing on the sofa after I got my walker put up. Five stars.

Surgery went smoothly, with the exception of a damned painful IV. The last thing I remember before going under is telling the surgical staff that the anesthesia injection hurt like hell. No big bruise left over, but I've got what looks like a vampire bat bite on my hand. No more hand IVs if I can avoid them. I woke up well and was nursed back to consciousness well, with plenty of crunchy ice, cranberry juice, and graham crackers. They even did a bit of physical therapy with me before letting me go, showing me how to walk on just my heel. They suggested that I not use my rollerator and use my walker instead, since it's easier to stop myself from falling with a walker. I've since taught myself to use my cane inside my house, but I'll still be using a walker outside. If you read Facebook, you would have seen my biggest surprise—I'm down below 300 lb. for the first time since my gastric bypass back in 2010! I've been on Lasix for swollen legs for the past month or so, and it's finally doing its job. It also helps that I haven't been eating a ton or indulging in sweets. The hospital scale registered me at 288. Made me a very happy boy. I did eat a bit more healthy on Saturday. Check the appropriate food thread for details.

Surgery is tomorrow (Friday). I check in at 8am for a 10am procedure. My blood tests and paperwork were done yesterday, so it's all over but the cutting. Mrs. Prof told the surgeon that she was worried about my "brittle bones," so he said he's going to use a heavy-duty plate inside me, along with five or six screws. (The ankle surgeon only used eight screws at most in one of my broken ankles.) I fear I'm going to have one hell of a lumpy bone once this is finished. Healing time is estimated at a month. The up side is that I'll have a much stronger metatarsal in the event that I should stumble again. I'll also have sort of a hard hat in case I drop a bowl of custard on my foot.

Thou speakest the truth. The weather has been relatively mellow as of late. Inside of cloud acknowledged as well and truly polished.

Come on, those of you who didn't give this a heart comment. If you can't laugh at the walking wounded, who can you laugh at?

Hurt my foot a couple of nights ago by stepping on the long bone of the outer left foot oddly. My "hurt" outer toe bone turned out to be a badly fractured 5th metatarsal. My left foot is now in a cast and a boot. The fracture will require surgery with a plate (and a screw, I assume) to repair. Now waiting for the surgeon to contact me.

Can't be sure. My wife hates the doctor and staff at the place.

The infectious diseases doctor removed my PICC line today. For the first time in seven weeks, my left arm is free!

Blog part two: https://dleejackson.lbjackson.com/2018/09/this-august-did-not-like-me-part-two/

Takuma Sato just won his third-ever IndyCar race at the Portland Raceway today, and his first race since last year's Indy 500. Yay!

BTW, to step out of sequence, I have OFFICIALLY had my last IV here at this "skilled" nursing facility. I'm going home after 10am CDT today. w00p!

I'm going to try to cover everything that's gone on this month in my blog. For anyone who is interested, here is part one: https://dleejackson.lbjackson.com/2018/08/this-august-does-not-like-me-part-one/

To whom it may concern: Thank you for the puzzle book. I definitely do appreciate it.

I've been moved from the hospital and into a "skilled nursing center," the functional equivalent of half-way between a hospital and a rest home. My new address for the upcoming week is: Dennis Jackson Christian Care Center 1000 Wiggins Parkway Room #2126A Mesquite, TX 75150 My first encounter with their food today wasn't half bad, so I'm not it such desperate need of pizzas or fruit baskets. I would appreciate something, though, even if it's the cheapest thing in the catalogue, since this place isn't exactly the Ritz-Carlton (not by a LONG shot). Thanks to everyone (e.g., Don) who sent virtual gifts earlier.

A delicious pear, courtesy of @The Old Hack 's fruit basket. Very delicious, in fact.

I'm writing from room 211 in Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Rockwall, Texas. My swollen feet and lack of equilibrium have landed me in here. I'm on two different IV antibiotics (Zosyn and Vancomycin) that have to be infused 3-4 times a day. This is all thanks to what they're now calling "cellulitis," a bacterial skin infection. How they let it get this far without catching it I'll never know. They're looking to move me to a skilled nursing center as soon as they can get approval from my insurance company. Until then, it's hospital food, needle pokes, and mass interruptions every two hours. These past two months have been very hard. I could use a flower or two.

Going to two doctors today. First to my pain management doctor for a med check, then to my family doctor for a much more complicated appointment. You see, in addition to the BP problems, I'm developing upper respiratory infection symptoms despite being on two of the strongest antibiotics that are made. Also, last night, my right foot decided to swell up like a balloon. I'm confused as all get-out. What the smeg is going on with me?