March 30 Update

The gout is mainly resolved; it still has some residual pain but NOTHING in comparison to what I had.  The colchicine indeed works but has one major side effect that I don’t like so I can take one pill in 24 hours and be OK.

When we saw the cardiologist last week I had a medicine question for him.  While in Chambersburg with AFIB on 3/9-3/10 I had been started on a medicine called amiodarone.  Amiodarone is great at helping one’s heart go back to a normal sinus rhythm and it DID work for me sparing me another TEE or cardioversion.  The downside is that it’s toxic and according to my ER Doctor friend Bruce it causes issues in the lungs of like 17% of patients. Rita was reading me the side effects this morning.  I never read those when I am taking a med as I don’t need to invoke the “power of suggestion”. Anyways Dr L (cardio) said he had an option called Multaq which he stated was “Amiodarone Light”. Touted to have similar properties as the amiodarone to keep one’s heart in rhythm without most all of the side effects.  He even had samples so we can try before we buy.  Just prior to the med change I had not been sleeping and watched Rita sleep for hours on end night after night. Since the med change i have slept up to 7 hours straight through and that is so much better than lying awake!

The med change feels really good and now I finally feel like myself for the first time since this began.  Unfortunately, Rita was sick when she got home from work last Tuesday and was still sick over the weekend.  I was permitted to go “to the shed” as I have several projects awaiting me.  I had left fuel in the generator as I got sick in November and had to go on that impromptu vacation at the various resorts in the area; you know like Waynesboro ER, then Chambersburg Hospital, then Hershey Medical Center.  Here it is almost April now and since Ethanol breaks down from “new to worthless” in 4 weeks as quoted by the guy that fixes the Stihl chain saws, trimmers, etc at Quincy Hardware the gas in the generator just smelled like lacquer.  Besides the generator, the 4 wheeler has a dead battery and even while connected to the charger would turn over fine but won’t fire up.  I had replaced the choke cable a while back but that seemed not to help on Saturday… I have a new battery, new spark plug and a new oil filter on order.  I’m expecting to drain the fuel in it and start over as well with the new parts.  If that fails to resolve it we will take it somewhere locally to get a “healing”.  Anyways since Rita was not feeling up to coming to “retrieve” me I went in for supper Saturday evening at about 8:30pm.  I was wiped out but felt really good to be able to accomplish some things.

Rita went back to work yesterday so the “no adult supervision” continued and I got some chores done and had time to take the pooch for a mile and half and still be at my desk on time- or very close to it.  Today we did a mile and half again and my ticker is seemingly just perfect.  Since it was only 30 degrees outside we left Rita behind.  She requires warmer temperatures since she needs a blanket when a Coors Light commercial comes on the TV.  Maybe we can walk later and take her along?

I have been looking at the yard and it really is crying out to be mowed.  As we (us guys) have discussed many times, “once you cut it you must keep cutting it”.  Obviously the longer I wait the yuckier it looks but it takes me about 2 hours to mow here so I have been struggling with that decision.

For now, besides getting tired easier I have not much health-wise to report.  I have been able to do a couple full days or nearly full days in the shop so again, thanking God for the progress.

Last evening we went to a memorial service for John’s mother in law.  He was elected somehow to officiate the entire gathering calling for a crash course in public speaking with I’d guess over 100 people in attendance.  As always, in everything he does John did it very well.  He claimed to be “keyed up” but was still cool as a cucumber (on the outside) and made it through the rough spots without any tears.  John told the family (not sure who that included) beforehand that he would be bringing Jesus into the discussion.  John made it clear that one’s eternal destination was solely determined by the choices of that individual; your parents can’t do it for you, your Pastor can’t do it for you etc.  He had a very clear message that carried a lot of weight.  He didn’t go as far as having an “altar call” but seriously it was a well planned and thought provoking message and he also had much to say about his mother in law; yes positive things!  Memorial services are always tough and emotional times but I heard it spoken as i always do in a situation like that, “Well I haven’t seen “so and so” in like 8 years”, so these always prove to be opportunities to catch up as well as reach out to those among us who have not yet made their “reservations” for the after life.