Take Care

Jack

Well, I finally did it.  I adopted a dog.  My first dog...ever.  (Other than the dogs I had growing up.)  He is probably about 10 years old, a Toy Fox Terrier.  I picked him up on Saturday and so far he has a fantastic personality.  He doesn't bark and he is very calm.  I gave him his first bath (most likely) and he just stood in the tub and let me bath him...no resistance.  Ray is turning over yet again.

I have my surgery October 9th.  I'll "be out of commission" for a few weeks, then in a "take it easy" mode for another few weeks.  I'll be so glad when this is over.  As I mentioned, I have been dealing with this for 20 plus years.  So I can't wait to get this over.

The weather here is amazing.  I'm sitting on the front porch with Friedl, Drew and Tom.  This Thursday I am taking Drew to Chicago for a doctor's appointment and to bring some things from his condo to his apartment in Fennville.  Tom is "guest hosting" this weekend at the Kirby for me.  So Drew and I will take a mini-vacation out of this.  I'm bringing Jack.

Take care! - Jimmy

My Update

Ooops, I had a typo in the last post.  It should have read "...I have 'NOW' been referred to a general surgeon by my urologist..."  I am going today.  He is located in Grand Rapids.  So..."road trip" for Drew and me. 

It's been a beautiful few days here weatherwise.  It makes me think of the Mackinac Island trips Ray and I would take at this exact time each year.  I do miss them. 

A friend of mine asked me the other day how I was doing and dealing with grief.  I said that I was totally better.  I have absolutely no pain, sorrow or grief right now.  It feels great!  I feel so normal.  I never thought I would get here.  I guess over 2 1/2 years you just start to create a new life and the new life become "normal" for you. 

I've lost 20 pounds now.  I'd like to lose another 15 - 20.  This is where it starts to get harder though.  Especially since Drew bought some Ghiradelli choclates with sea salt one one with coconut.  Both my FAVORITE!  I went and got some more.

Thats my update right now. - Jimmy

Life Goes On

It's been a while since I've posted.  Sorry.  I've been trying to figure out how to post the results of my CT scan without being too dramatic.  It was not at all what I thought it was.  So, I have not been refered by my urologist to a general surgeon.  As far as I know right now it is a lipoma tumor.  Which (as far as I understand) it just a big fatty tumor.  And it is BIG!  It goes all the way up into my abdomen.  It kind of looks like a hernia but there is no bowel in it.  TMI, I know.  I have an appointment with the surgeon this coming Thursday, the 20th.  I'll know more then.

I've been in a pretty "funk" of emotions and feelings lately.  I'm pretty good at covering them up, but I am really feeling stressed with some things in my life.  But, I've been strong for years, so I have to believe that I can get through this.  Life goes on.  - Jimmy

Don't Sweat the Big Stuff

It's Wednesday morning.  I took Drew to his apartment this morning because he is getting some new furniture delivered.  When I got back to Kirby House I could smell rain in the air.  It smelled so nice. 

I drank my first bottle of Berry Smoothie Redi-CAT.  It is an oral contrast for my CAT scan today.  I have to drink 1/2 bottle more 90 minutes before the scan and the other 1/2 30 minutes before the scan.  My urologist said I could call him later today and he should have the results of the CAT scan. 

I was watching a news segment this morning on television.  It was a story about a woman who lost her sight when she was 17 due to juvenille diabetes.  She now owns and runs a winery.  One of the things she said was "don't sweat the small stuff and don't sweat the big stuff."  She said there is nothing you can do about it anyway.  I really liked that idea.  Especially the fact that she said to not sweat the "big" stuff.  It's very hard to do, but that is so important.  Things happen to us and there is nothing we can do about it.  We have to stay strong during those trials and still enjoy life.  Enjoy the moment.  I have tried to do that over the last 2 1/2 years and I think I have done a great job at it.  I have taken time to enjoy life.  There is so much I have to do around the house here (work and all) but I still take moments to enjoy time on the front porch, reading a book, bike riding, or just a day of shopping.  Even just this Monday...Labor Day...I had repeat guests staying here and I asked them if they wanted to go with Drew and me to Michigan City and shop at the outlet mall there.  They did come along and we had a great day enjoying the ride there and back and walking around shopping.  It was great.  I bought some new clothes for subbing this year.  (Oh, I have lost 19 pounds now so I needed some new things.)  Even now, I am enjoying the time alone laying in room three writing in my blog and watching the Today Show. 

Don't sweat the big stuff. - Jimmy