July 12, 2013

I made another medical related journey’s morning. This time it was to the Veterans Administration Newburg clinic to which I am assigned for primary care. The purpose, as I explained in yesterday’s journal entry, was to see my shrink.

I snapped this photograph this morning as I arrived at the clinic

I must admit that since my days as a practicing social worker I have not had much confidence in psychiatrists. Actually, I truly began to lose confidence in the psychiatric profession after I visited one at the University of Kentucky when I was a student. But that’s another humorous story I must remind myself to relate someday.

Today’s visit, as with all of my recent excursions for health, did not go smoothly. To begin with, the appointment time I was given was 9:00 AM. To meet the check-in procedures established by the Veterans Administration I arrived at 8:40. That’s when I was told that the appointment had been unilaterally changed by the clinic to 9:30. Considering my left leg was throbbing, the idea of an extra half an hour wait did not please.

However, when the Doc come to call me for the appointment and noticed how difficult it was for me to walk, he obtained a wheelchair and pushed me the relatively long distance to his office. So far OK. However, as he pushed me down the second long hallway a push me directly into a ladder on which a workman was standing while changing a light bulb! When I noticed that the doctor was not going to stop, I yelled (loudly) Man on ladder!!!!!!! 

Unfortunately, my psychiatrist did not stop pushing until the wheelchair hit the ladder. Luckily the man on the letter saw the wheelchair coming, jumped off of it, and held at steady so that it did not topple over on top of me. The doctor explained that he had been looking at the floor and not where he was going.

The 30 minute interview with the psychiatrist went fine, even though, as with most of the VA physicians, the time was spent with him looking at his computer screen and asking me questions came from it and typing my answers on to it. [SIGH]

The result of the appointment is that my primary antidepressant has been reverted to the one I was taking back in December. He also told me, after I responded yes to his question as to whether I had ever thought about suicide, that a new study read reports that over 90% of Americans over the age of 50 have, at one time or another, considered taking their own life. That does not surprise me.

On the way home again my portable oxygen compressor’s battery ran out of power. When I first got the device the battery generally lasted close to three hours; now it’s barely lasts for two hours. I have made myself a note to contact supplier and asked that it be checked out.

My portable oxygen compressor

After I returned to the apartment, changed from the portable oxygen compressor to the large oxygen compressor and regained my breath, again all three Kitty Kids surrounded me, begging for treats. At the rate they are eating treats, we’re going to run out well before my August pension check arrives.

My jaw and leg have been extremely painful today. Even the prescription medication containing codeine has had little effect. I did try something do with my jaw: when I left the emergency room the other day I was given a box of samples that included a small tube and bottle of Crest Pro-Health toothpaste and mouth wash. I gave them a try this afternoon followed by (after the 30 minute wait according to the mouth wash instructions) rinsing my mouth with warm salt water. The combination reduced my jaw pain by about 70%.

I have no new pictures of the kittens. My leg is been too unstable to risk going into the closet and possibly falling on top of the little ones. I do have this photograph of Alex doing what he does best (aside from eating): napping.

Donate a penny 

to help support SSN, 

his 3 Kitty Kids, 

& LG's kittens?

July 11, 2013

I was back at the VA hospital in this morning, this time to keep an appointment I made more than a month ago. This time it was to pick up my replacement hearing aids. Before Christmas I had lost one of the hearing aids that I received about three years ago. Hoping that I would find it, I waited until June before requesting a replacement from the Veterans Administration. I was told that it was past time for me to be evaluated for new hearing aids. Great! So I had the appointment, and my ears filled with some goopy stuff that made an impression of my inner ear, and set up today’s appointment to return and pick up my new hearing aids.

As with so much of my life, things have not gone. I arrived at the VA hospital about 7:30 my 8:00 AM appointment. My left leg was weak and hurting intensely, both when walking and sitting. It took me about 20 minutes to make it the office; however, I had a 50 minute wait because the audiologist was having problems with their computer. It seems that the computer was necessary because these new hearing aids are adjusted the via a microchip in them. WOW!

Another thing about the new hearing aids is that they are clear so that one can visually determine if there is any earwax buildup in them.

It's grand to be able to hear again -- except for guy with the gasoline-powered leaf blower outside the hospital, the kid in the car next to me at a red light with hip hop blaring from his car radio, and the warning buzzer of my portable oxygen concentrator telling me the battery needed charging. 

The whole trip took longer than I expected, so that I ran out of lithium battery power in my portable oxygen condenser about 15 minutes before I got home. I was wheezing, panting, and nauseous by the time myself up to the large oxygen machine. I was met by all 3 kitty kids, who I suspect were still traumatized by the 13+ hours away from home when I was in the VA emergency room yesterday. 

When I noticed that all three kitty kids—Alex, Sugar, and Little Girl—were on my desk begging for treats, I wondered about the kittens being alone. So, I grabbed the camera and limped to the walk-in closet to check on them. Of course, Momma Little Girl and Aunty Sugar followed me. And, I took what I think are the best photos of the three kittens to date. Here is one of them:

I published the above kitten photograph plus six more earlier today in  a Nick's Bytes post entitled, Lots of Kitten Pics.

Later, after much needed nap, I decided to shoot a video showing off my new hearing aids. I had just taken the right hearing aid into my hand when LG jumped on the desk and this video was made:

The video demonstrating the new hearing aids was never produced. I did take the photograph that begins this post. Then I decided to take the hearing aids out of my ears and put them away. It was then that I discovered that the hearing aid for my right ear was not in my right ear! I have searched desk, floor around the desk, the kitchen, bathroom, and the cats feeding area. I found no hearing aid.

I shall continue searching for the missing hearing aid and hopefully will find it. Meanwhile, I am blessed because the one remaining old hearing aid is far my right ear.

I have yet three more Veterans Administration medical appointments coming up. While I was on my trip to the hospital this morning, the Newburg VA clinic telephone and request that I set up appointments with my primary care physician and my psychiatrist. It was good timing. The appointment with the primary care physician, including a visit preceding it for lab work, is set for mid-August; the appointment with my psychiatrist is set for 9 AM tomorrow. I sure hope I have no more appointments because the round-trip to Newburg tomorrow will just about empty my gas tank! 

Donate a penny 

to help support SSN, 

his 3 Kitty Kids, 

& LG's kittens?

Day Eighty-three: Kitty Kids Update

My life with the kitty kids has been changing over the past few weeks:

Sugar has been much less active since she was spayed. She did escape outside once, but returned home on her own much sooner than in the past. She also naps more and has assumed Alex's spot on sleeping on or between my legs at night.

Little Girl is no longer in eat and is not crying all of the time. She is as active as she has always been. She follows Sugar around and, when Sugar receives her bit of milk each day, pushes her away from it. I have taken to putting two small bowls of milk on the kitchen floor. However, Little Girl always tries to push Sugar away from whatever one she is lapping up. As Sugar has taken to sleeping around my legs, Little Girl has begun to sleep on my chest, curled up with her neck just below my beard.

Alex worries me. He is no longer hiding in the bathroom or in the washroom; now he remains between the blinds and the window. He comes out only to eat, drink, and use the litter box. I have tried to cuddle him, but if he sees Little Girl he pulls away and goes back behind the Venetian blinds.

Alex is also again licking the hair from his tummy, tail, and legs.

Several years ago he had what his veterinarian said was an allergy and licked all of the hair from his tummy and was working on his his tail and legs. He had to take an oral medication (steroid) and wear a cone collar.

I must somehow find the funds to take my old buddy to see his vet.

At the moment I am having problems breathing because Little Girl chewed up two of my oxygen tube and my lift chair cut my last one in two when it came down on the nose hose. I took the least damaged one and repaired it with duct tape; however, I am not getting the required amount of oxygen. My blood oxygen level at the moment is at 87%.

I have telephoned the oxygen supply people (who have already provided three new hoses this month, which, I believe is my limit) and they will deliver more this afternoon. Until then, unless I want to us bottled oxygen or the portable oxygen compressor, I'll not be moving around very much.

Oops. Donna just reminded me that I need to give each of the kitty kids their second dose of Novartis Capstar Flea Treatment Blue Tabs for Dogs and Cats,nitenpyram, 6 tablets, 2-25lbs . 

I'll get to it as soon as my new oxygen tubing arrives. (I think I shall need the ability to move around quickly plus the energy I don't have when my Pulse Oximetry is down to 87% or less.

Day Eighty

I have one less thing to worry about: Sugar returned home at 1:00 a.m. today. Sugar was at the patio door when I looked out at 1:00 a.m. was I was on my way to bed. She immediately went to the food and water dishes. Little Girl was excited that she was back and followed her closely. Then Sugar came to the desk where I usually give her her treats. She finally curled up on the rocker about 1:30 a.m. and has been sleeping there ever since. 

Little Girl cried a lot during the night, which didn't help my sleep.

Alex has decided to spend most of his times between the blinds and the window, looking out and safe from the pestering of Little Girl.

I have three silly cats!

I'm again out of oxygen tubing. Yes, Little Girl chewed holes in some of the ones I was delivered last week. And my lift chair cut through one of them when I lowered it down on it. I'll call for more when the service opens this morning and hope that they will supply them.

I've finished cleaning the kitchen. It was a slow process because both my leg and back hurt when I stand. Today I'll finish the living and dining areas. I also need to drive down to the garbage dumpster and mailboxes.

I thought I would get a lot done this morning. However, after breakfasting and taking my morning meditations, I fell asleep and slept for an hour and a half. I am more energetic now and have taken garbage bags out to the car to drive to the dumpster which I'll do after my meals-on-wheels (which comes any time between 10:30 and 12:30) is delivered.

I'm glad to read that Malalai Yousafzai, who has gained the love of millions, has gone to the United Kingdom for treatment. I hope the child is safe there from Taliban murders. 

Day Thirty-two

It's been a grand day!

• I have a new caregiver who, if today is an indication, is 1000% better than the one I've had.
• My 6-month-checkup by my VA doc went exceptionally well. No new meds and compliments on my weight-loss and blood sugar control.
• I mailed back to Direct-TV the control box. Not paying for a second TV connection will save me about 20% of the total bill.
• I received a confirmation email of my terminating the Care-One program: I had been paying $30/month to save $22/month in credit card/loan payments. I have been promised a partial refund.
• The email I send yesterday Jim Brown Auto Sales may have resulted in Anne getting the kaput truck she purchased repaired by the dealer at a reasonable price. (I'll know more later, after I talk with Anne).

There were only 2 negatives today:

• The time at the VA was much longer than I expected and the battery of my portable oxygen compressor ran down before I reach home. Thankfully, there was little pollution and the temperature was in the mid-80s F, both of which helps my breathing.
• Someone (Alex, I think) vomited on my desk while I was gone. My little buddy hasn't been feeling well the past few days. He spent much of the time since my return napping by me. (At the moment he is about four inches from my right hand).

My prayers for the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. CNN reports that Issac has made landfall with 80 MPH winds. 

I have decided not to watch the GOP convention. Doing so would raise my anger and blood pressure as the lackeys of the 1% pretend they care for anyone below their own elevated class. I may not watch the Dems convention either; my mind is already made up:

Day Twenty-four

Yesterday a grocery clerk commented on this walking stick that I purchased in Berea, Kentucky, about 20 years ago. She asked if the woodcarver used me as a model for the face. I don't think he did; however, I did stand outside his shop watching him through the window as he carved this walking stick.

Seventy-two years ago today, Leon Trotsky died of wounds received the day before from a Stalinist assassin. Trotsky's last words were reported to be: "I will not survive this attack. Stalin has finally accomplished the task he attempted unsuccessfully before." 

Trotsky's grandson has given an interview to The Guardian  in London of his memory of the assassination. 

Leon Trotsky has interested me since I first read of him almost 50 years ago. An intellectual activist all of his life, he was a mitigating force between the revolutionary forces of preBolshevik Russia.

Trotsky played a crucial role in keeping the Bolshevik regime alive. He saw himself as Lenin's heir-apparent, but his intellectual arrogance made him few friends, and his Jewish heritage may also have worked against him. When Lenin fell ill and died, Trotsky was easily outmanoeuvred by Stalin. In 1927, he was thrown out of the party. Internal and then foreign exile followed, but Trotsky continued to write and to criticise Stalin.  ~ BBC History 

Had Trotsky followed Lenin as leader of the Soviet Union, I am certain that the horrors brought to Russia and the world by Stalin would not have occurred. 

.

Today Little girl has bitten one nose (oxygen) hose in two and put a dozen holes in another. I can't continually replace the hoses so I have used duct tape to repair the damage. Still, I am not receiving the oxygen I need through the repaired hose, so today I'll call for a supply of replacement hoses.

I still have to convince Alex that there is a better way of getting on top of my desk that leaping on my thigh.

5 25' oxygen hoses have been delivered. Now I can walk around and breath, too. I must keep Little Girl from biting these hoses. I note that when I loudly yell NO she stops and runs; but I must see her for that to work. When I get some money I shall purchase Tabasco sauce or Bitter Apple.

I finally got rid of dreadnought-sized couch that Anne found for free. I now feel liberated from the damned thing.

Day Seven

Yesterday's adventure wore me out. The drive in extreme heat without air conditioning overheated not only me but my portable oxygen compressor. I had no oxygen the last 20 or so miles of the trip. So, I have been recovering today with sleep and occasionally awakening to watch the Olympics. 

Sugar had escaped yesterday morning  when Timmi, my new caregiver, left the front door open. Alex and I went out on the patio in the wee hours of this morning. I called her and Alex left the patio and returned with Sugar following him. However,  she wouldn't enter the apartment. Finally, I cornered her in a corner of the patio and snatched her up by the nap of her neck. She must have had quite an adventure today because Sugar has been sleeping all day, too. 

There is a thunderstorm new (4:30 PM). We need the rain and I'm hoping it cools things off enough so I can make a run to the grocery.

This evening, while awaiting something of interest (not talking heads) in the TV coverage of the Olympic Games, I have been rereading The Gospel of Thomas. I find in these 114 saying of Jesus insight into the spiritual dimension of Christianity that I believe in lacking in the canonical New Testament.  For example,

#29

            If the flesh exists because of the spirit, it is a miracle; but if the spirit exists because of the body, it is a miracle or miracles. I marvel at how such great wealth  established itself amid this poverty,

#62

            I tell my mysteries to those who are worthy of my mysteries. Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

#63

            There was a rich man who had considerable wealth. He said, “I will use my money to sew and reap and plant and fill my warehouses with fruit so that I will lack nothing.” Such we his intentions, but that night he died. Whoever has ears, let him hear.

#67

            He who knows all but fails to know himself lacks everything.

#95

            If you have money, do not lend it at interest but give it to those from whom you will not receive it back.

#113

            His disciples said to him, “When will the kingdom come?”

            He said, “It will not come when  it is expected. They will say, ‘look here,’ or ’Look there.’ Rather the kingdom of the father is spread out on the earth and people do not see it.”

 

 The Kindle Edition: