checking in

[Raverlaw]

Hi all-

Life has been busy and I haven't had a chance to log on recently. I spent some time this evening browsing some of the recent posts, but there's too much to catch up on it all.

My 1 year anniversary came and went without incident or even much comment a couple of weeks ago. I took the family to Yosemite for our annual winter trip (which we missed last year due to my surgery) and the trip happened to fall on the day of the anniversary, so I spent the day playing in the snow with my daughter.

Fitness-wise, I'm still rowing faithfully and have logged well over a million meters at this point. I feel that I've plateaued, and am looking for ways to break that barrier and move up to the next level of fitness. Due to my new job and the winter weather (yes, even in California!), I haven't really run much since I had the burst vein in my leg. I'm hoping to start picking up a few miles a week running to supplement the rowing and hopefully get a little fitter. My weight loss has stopped at 35 pounds, and I've gained a few pounds of muscle (I hope).

I love my new job and feel like it is a very good fit. I'm convinced that the life changes wrought by the defective valve and the surgery to replace it opened the door to this opportunity and made me receptive to it. I also came away with an appreciation of how fragile everyone's health is and how important it is to take care of ourselves and enjoy every day.

I miss talking with you all...

 

[Ross]

I think of you often and wonder how your doing. Happy one year! It only takes 5 minutes of your time to stop in and let us know your alive. Please do.

 

[Mary]

I miss talking with you all...

Bill,
The solution is to take time to drop in and chat!
Mary

 

[epstns]

Wow, Bill, has it been a year already?

I have said this before, but I'll say it again -- Thanks for coming around and posting of your success. It does wonders to bolster the spirits of the folks here with me in The Waiting Room.

May you have many more great years ahead!

 

[Karlynn]

Bill,
Wishing you a belated Happy Anniversary. I'm glad to hear that things are going well for you. Don't be a stranger.

 

[tobagotwo]

One year, and you're out playing in the snow at Yosemite. And here I thought your only R & R was Rowing & Running...

Nice to hear from you, Bill. Even better to hear the obvious satisfaction with your life changes. Do keep dropping in from time to time.

Best wishes,

 

[Old clicker]

Happy anniversary

I had my 1st year in Feb

 

[catwoman]

Bill:

Glad to hear from you ... I thought of you the other day and wondered how you are doing.

 

[Abbanabba]

Great to hear from you Bill - and even better to hear how well you are sounding!! Wow, that year sure has gone fast!

Glad to hear the job is working out well and life is treating you well.

Best wishes, and hope you still drop by from time to time.
Anna : )

 

[Bryan B]

Hi Bill...good to hear from you. Happy belated 1 year valviversary! Mine's coming up in about a week...I've been thinking about all of us that went in about the same time last year. It's amazing how time flies. Glad you're enjoying your new job...hope to see you a little more often around here!

 

[Harpoon]

Hey Mr. Ravenlaw. =)

You kinda reminded me that I'm coming up on two years now, March 13th/14th (they operated through the night, something like a crossing the International Date Line thing.)

Last year I was very much aware of the anniversary. My wife was planning something to mark the occassion and I had a few people contacting me over it plus I tried, unsuccessfully, to get some mention in the Cleveland Plain Dealer just on the quality of the folks at CCF and their Children's' Hospital...

This year it only rarely comes up in my mind.

Come to think of it now, Practical Skills night, the night I'm tested on a variety of EMT-B skills by actually doing mock exercises in front of a proctor who will grade my performance and, ultimately, decide if I get to take the written exam and become an EMT is the same day as my anniversary.


It's a special occassion to mark.

Pretty cool too. =)

 

[Sherry]

Congratulations, Bill. You're an inspiration to us all

 

[hensylee]

Can hardly believe it's been a whole year. Thanks for bringing us up to date. You sound great - and you got that right about enjoying - read below my signature.

 

[Raverlaw]

How great to hear back from all the old familiar (same root word as family, right?) names, plus a new one. I'll try to stop in more regularly, but time has a way of really getting away from me these days. And it's not 'cause I'm sitting around watching TV or anything

Bryan- remember that picture where you and I compared scars? Mine is much less visible now, and the spare tire's gone as well. How are you doing since you went wireless? Any good news on the job front?

Ross- I really should log in more just to get my daily dose of you. In return, I could post pictures of the great weather we're having here for you to print out and tape over your windows.

Steve- Just think, you've killed another year in the waiting room. Maybe you'll never have to leave!

Anna- I think of you often and hope that the medical professionals can get their heads and act together, figure out what needs doing and get it done for you. Hang in there - I'll need a local guide when we come visit the land down under.

Karlynn and Sherry- you are the ones who inspire me. You've been doing this a lot longer than I have and your collective wisdom on warfarin has been very helpful. By the way, I forgot to take my warfarin last night! That's the first time that has happened to me in over a year. I'm either getting senile or it's just not that big a deal any more... I took a half dose this morning when I remembered and will take another half dose tomorrow to catch up gradually to my weekly dose.


Ann- One of these days I'm going to try to make the Sunday chat again and catch up with you all. Although it does come real early in the afternoon out west...

Bob- I hope you've been taking good care of everyone and dispensing lots of (not medical) advice in my absence. You are my research idol! My time these days is spent researching obscure Federal banking regulations, but I must say that I honed my internet research skills while I was awaiting surgery and while I was recovering.

Harpoon - I think it is fitting that your exam coincides with the anniversary of your rebirth. It bodes well for your career as a paramedic.

And to all, as the summer travel season approaches, don't forget to stop by, and enjoy a glass of wine on the view deck when you're in the neighborhood.