It's all good...aye....

[Guest]

It's been a while since I wrote...figured y'all needed a break . Hard to believe my surgery was 1 month ago today (Monday, January 6)...equally interesting are the "before" vs. "after" surgery changes...some good, some bad....

I CAN DRIVE AGAIN...Monday, February 10...WOO HOO!

I'm doing better & getting stronger everyday...more or less. I still get too tired too quickly (in my humble opinion), but that will get better, as will, I hope, the sleep [darn weird, scary, sad, funny dreams]. Also, I still have some chest pains & get cold easily, but that's part of recovering....

I met with my primary care physician Thursday, January 30...all seems to be well. Other scheduled appointments....

* mid-February = 24-hr urine test to see how much protein is in my urine, followed by an appointment with the kidney specialist ... The results of this test will determine the next step(s) in treating my kidney scarring that was discovered mid-year 2002.

* Thursday, February 27 = 8am appointment for pacemaker & 8:30am appointment with my cardiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago) ... rescheduled from today (Thursday, February 6). This change unnerved me a little because of the sore spots of skin & chest pains, but "everything happens for a reason"....

Medication-wise, I am done with Colace...unless I have problems. I will continue the Lasix until I finish the prescription. It appears that the vitamin is the only medication I need to take now, as I was told Slo-Mag (for magnesium) & the adult-dosage of aspirin (1 per day) that I had been taking are not needed...hmm....

I return to work Friday, February 28. Until then, I have too many projects to do...so much so that I haven't done much, because I get tired easily & I can't decide what to do first.... One project that I have devoted time to each week is going through scrapbooks [that my grandmother ("Gram") put together] with my Aunt Chris...a sad, yet very interesting & sometimes entertaining (humorous) task, especially when we find articles about...& cards/letters from...family members & articles about people we do & don't know from (IL towns) Batavia, Lena, Mt Morris, Byron, Leaf River, Forreston, etc.

The "cabin fever" isn't helping, but I have solutions...& can add more, especially during the week (hint hint)....
* Saturday, February 8 ... My sis, her bf & others are taking me to play pool in Algonquin, after an appearance at Beef Villa in S Elgin for cruize nite. If interested in joining us, contact me for details!
* Sunday, February 9 ... My cousin will take me to church & then to see my "baby girls", if schedules allow....
* Saturday-Sunday, February 15-16 ... possible short road trip (destination ???; preferably with someone, "just in case") *OR* a buddy from PA (who helped drive my "baby girls" to Nashville TN last June for the MC Nationals) coming to visit.
* Saturday, February 22 (day) ... Friends from central IL plan to take me to the Chicago Auto Show. Anyone else going?
* Saturday, February 22 (evening) ... Faith COB Spaghetti Supper! You are invited; contact me for details!

"No driving" was because of reaction time/tiredness & that the steering wheel, in an accident, could crush the chest & do more damage while the chest area is still healing.... It was frustrating to depend on other people to drive, especially when all I want to do is get out. I think my sis's bf's usage of my 2000 MC the last few weeks (his car broke down) helped reduce the urge to drive; now that he has a new car, the 2000 is again sitting in the street in front of the house, begging me to drive it...hmph.

I'm looking for road trip destinations (as long as funds allow)! I appreciate the continued support (including Instant Message conversations...IDs below).

Peace always...remembering the Columbia 7,
Cort Stevens...Elgin IL...pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 29/swm
Instant Messengers...AOL="fc72mc"...Yahoo="knightfan2691"
member, Faith COB, Batavia IL http://www.faithcob.org
My Chevy MC Family & Story = http://www.aros.net/~rbuck/cort
G1=1970-1972...72
G2=1973-1977...76
G3=1978-1980...79
G4=1981-1988...81
Ga=1995-1999...uh, no
Gb=2000-2004...00 **********FOR SALE**********
G5=2005-200?...05...SS, wanted w/V8 & RWD
RIP: 1976=Parents' [my] car ... 1988=Silver Bullet
****************WANTED: 87 MC LS****************
http://www.aros.net/~rbuck/mcspotter/

 

[pegne]

Cort

Cort

Glad to hear things are going well. Remember to take it slow it will be quite a while before you are back to normal. Moderation is the key.

 

[epstns]

Hey Cort - Good to hear from you. I'm glad to see that things are settling down. I plan to do the Auto Show, but will be going to the First Look For Charity night the Thursday evening before the show opens to the public. My brothers-in-law and I have been going to this event for over 20 years. My donation goes (of course) to Childrens' Memorial -- can't think of a better place for a few bucks to be spent.

Take good care -- remember that I'm watching you for examples of what to do and not do whenever I get to surgery myself!

See, He does care about us all.

P.S. I'll share today's fortune cookie fortune with you --"Plan for many pleasures ahead."

 

[Guest]

Ooo...I like that fortune cookie . And, what a wonderful way to donate the $...great idea .

He he he...as for looking to me for examples of what not to do and do...hmmmmmmmmmmmmm...not sure about that...LOL.

Went driving at 12:01 AM today ....first drive felt GREAT!!!!!!!!!!! Now, if only I could get the older 4 out...but, no...too much salt ... arg.... .

 

[Bob]

Week behind

Week behind

Glad to hear you are almost ready to drive. I am a week behind you and experiencing the same discomforts and frustration. Funny how being able to drive again is so important. Sort of like a freedom sign.

 

[hensylee]

Cort - what a nice tribute to your Grandmother and your Aunt Chris. I bet you got new insights into both of their lives.

Yesterday you drove your car - didn't it feel sooooo good. Tends to let us know we are real people again, doesn't it.

Hope things continue getting better for you...............God bless

 

[Lorraine]

Hey Cort,

Congratulations on getting to drive again. I remember it well. Such freedom to get behind the wheel, roll the wondows down( it was spring when I was able to drive again) crank the stereo and fly! Too exciting!

I had read you were going to be in Algonquin (that's about 15 minutes away from where I live). I would have emailed you to meet up with you, but we had my stepmothers 65th Surprise Birthday party on the 8th, so no could do. Maybe another time.


Just remember to take things one step at a time, slowly. You don't want to get wore out too fast. I know your anxious, as i was. So anxious the week after surgery, when I went home from the hospital, I made my sister take me with them when they went out to dinner that night. Bad mistake. There were so many people and I was so afraid they were going to bump into me and make my incision hurt worse. I had my heart shaped pillow with me and held onto it for dear life, hoping that it would save me from any people jarring! After that evening I just stayed at the house for the next few weeks, because I realized I wasn't ready for the public at that time.

You're past that time though. Luckily you did find our wonderful forum and I'm sure that helped a lot. As you move forward just remember what Pegne said "Moderation is the key."

 

[Guest]

heh...being able to drive was VERY important to me . And I cannot WAIT for spring...to get the older 4 out again .

Hensylee, I guess I better clarify the scrapbooks.... My Aunt Chris and I are going through them together.... They were put together by my grandmother over the course of many years.... And, oh my, yes, are Aunt Chris and I getting some insights into Gram's life...it has been VERY cool.... I'm looking forward to going over to Aunt Chris's tomorrow to go through more .

Lorraine...no worries about Algonquin...I'm sure they'll be other times .

As for taking it slow...trying.... Altho, today, they "saw" something in the pacemaker transmission...and they want me to come into the hospital within the week to check on it and adjust as needed....arg...I'm ssssooo tired of this already .