T-2

Figured it's been too long. So here I sit at the trusty old PC, enjoying some cookies and beer (ah ah, don't judge), and recapping life.

So I guess I've managed to stay employed for 6 weeks or so.(BRG inc.) Good for me. It's felt good to be a productive member of society again. I do miss the lazy mornings, free time with the kid, breakfast w/Mom, Facebook, constantly doing dishes... never-mind scratch that last one.

Anyway, I've enjoyed the change of pace, but it's also been rough. I started up with the seizures again. Maybe 2 nights a week, 2-4 a night. I've missed a bit of work because of it, but they have been very understanding. Which leads me back to the title.

T-2 an counting. Tomorrow is my last day of work, before we leave in two days for Cleveland. I hope for the last time. I'm looking FWD: to getting this over-with. Long-story-short, Travel Wed., Testing Thurs., Surgery Fri. morning. After that, 3-5 day stay at the luxurious Cleveland Clinic., and then home for a while.

This time around, Ella is going to ride with us on the way up. I bet she'll like the place. She'll have a good time at the hotel, and there's stuff to do in the hospital. Plus, family will be there. She'll have a good time. I'm not sure exactly when, but she'll head home with Doug and Linda.

BTW, I' starting a "How much further?" pool if anybody wants in.
$1 per 15min. time slot.
50% - 1st HMF
30% - 1st Melt down
20% - last HMF before she falls asleep

For whatever reason, this trip seems to have the least drama surrounding it. We just feel sort of calm about the whole thing. It's kinda good, it's kinda eerie. I was telling Amanda I don't really have any doubt about this trip, but I'm not optimistic either. Weird huh. This has been a year+ in the works, and now I'm just sorta, "whatever, we'll see."

Oy, look at me. I'm all Vechlempt. Pray amongst ya selves. I'll give you a topic. (travel, safety, surgery, calm, peace, recovery, success, Dr., family, hospital stay)

Tony

Wow, look at that thing spin...

In theory, the earth revolves on it's axis once every 24 hours. I'm not so sure. Perhaps, it's a super hero flying around the earth to speed up time, perhaps it's some sort of terrorist plot that causes our clocks to creep ever faster, I'd even be willing to consider that Al Gore is conspiring with said terrorist so he could finally support his climate change nonsense. [side note: feel free to post your favorite Al Gore jokes in the comments section. I can't get enough of them.]

Point is, seems like time is just trickling away. We all have so much to do in so little time. "Time management" tend to become "free-time allocation" "OK, so why is Tony feeding me this crap?"

Simple. Our family has had an amazing weekend. First, We have scheduled surgery to remove the legion for 2/19/2010. How 'bout that? Second, and also huge, I just accepted a job(BRG Inc. Bloomington, IN) that will start on 1/4/2010. OK now, things are looking up, huh.

So, that being said, the two biggest unknowns in our life, just became known. But for whatever reason, all of these other questions seem to pop out of the wood-work. How long should I commute to B-town? Where will we live down there? Will we Rent/Buy?
Schools? Network of friends/fam.? How about the strain of 2+ hrs on the road leaving Amanda to handle Ella by herself? When you look at these things, they all pale in comparison to what we've been through. But, we've got new challenges ahead now.

This initial period of commuting while we live, and Amanda works, in Indy will be tough but, I could emerge on the other side of this next hospital stay, as the bright, intelligent man that Amanda now wishes she'd married. I keep running into Ps. 18 type of verses. (my rock, my shield, my protector, scatters my enemies type of stuff.) So I guess I sayin', even though we worry, and life is still well outside the range of "normal", it is certainly looking up and we know we'll be fine.

And now to complete the circle, yet another prayer request, STRENGTH & CLARITY.
Amanda and I are going into a whirlwind of craziness, getting the house ready to sell, preparing for the next Clev. run, looking into homes, schools, etc. and still having the regular responsibility at home. I have a tendency to "hit a wall" and crash and that doesn't help Amanda at all. We need to not manage, but multiply our time. So, Strength, & Clarity, to know what is important & when, and have the strength and energy to accomplish it while still having time as a family.

There you go, another post that was suppose to be about 1.5 paragraphs. sorry.

Happy Christmas,
Tony

Comming home...

I'm unhooked,showered, and getting ready to go. I should be released from my deluxe accommodations here at the EMU in room 3 soon and then we'll be headed home.

The Electrodes came out yesterday. It was less than efficient, and no time lines were kept, but that's not really news. We started 2 hrs. late. I spent 5 Hours in recovery (instead of 60-90 min.) most of this is because the nurses have such a hard time getting a hold of Dr.'s to get orders. The important thing is that it all went well and I got back to the room with out complications.

That brings us to today. After speaking with the Gonzalez (Surg), he's got a more positive outlook for things to come. The details are a bit much to explain here, but I am much relieved. Anyway, I as I've said so often, on behalf of Amanda, Ella and myself, Thank you for your prayers.

Updates & timelines

Like I said yesterday, I had a sizzle test in the morning at 9a. That all went fine they didn't mess with me too much. They did 3 electrode groups instead of 2. When they were done, he showed me the gruops he tested and the ones he didn't. He tested 7of 10 overall. At that point I asked "why not just do them all now, so there's no chance they'll ask for more." And he assures me we have all the info we need.

So after the Physicians confrence, they roll all the equipment back into my room. Wouldn't you know it, they need more data. To be fair some of it was just changing frequency in the same spot. None the less... irritating.

So, in theroy, I'm suppose to have the electrodes pulled tomorrow morning. However, they won't give us a time. Just... morning. then an over-night stay gets us to Thursday.

We're trying to get home in time to see Ella's Christmas Program @ Pre-school, Thursday-night.

I hope to see you all soon,
Tony

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey everybody. Just thought I'd throw a post up to let you know things are going okay. Also, to share a few pictures.

First, I thought you all should see something Shannon made for me. I've been having a lot of fun harassing Cleveland Browns fans.
Thanks Shannon for helping me look good walking the halls.
We spent Thanksgiving Day watching football in the room, M52-03 and having a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, turkey loaf and all. Someone here did bring me pumpkin pie, God bless her.

As far as my twitching goes, I haven't been very productive, but the little bit I have been, they've gotten information from, so that's good. They are taking me off my last medication tonight, so it should only get more exciting from here. With a little luck, we'll be home early next week.

That's really about it for now, I appreciate the prayers. Hope to see you next week.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.