As I said in my last update my PCP received my records from the naturopath in Seattle. He said he would have another doctor look at the records and get his opinion. Later, I got in touch with him and he said he’d talked to two doctors, one from Vanderbilt and another from some prominent location. They agreed with his assessment. However, they had not seen me as a patient so I don’t put much stock in their decision. I didn’t get their names but I have asked for a copy of the records for myself. I have the lab results but not the notes. I was also informed that I didn’t need “all that stuff” and that my blood work was good.

I asked when I was going to be able to get in for my shot. He told me he wanted me to cut down to once a month because he was afraid I would get toxic. Now, from what I have found out about B-12, it’s almost impossible to overdose on it but since I’d been having two a week for a couple of months, I agreed. THEN he wanted me to learn to self-inject. So…I have a supply of B-12, syringes and alcohol prep pads. I have been instructed on where and how to give the injection.

Last week, I was able to walk three miles three days, 13 laps another day (when I had to leave to find a bathroom) and 2.5 miles the fifth day. Several of those days, I rebounded when I got home from work. Yesterday and today, I have both done the BodyFlex routine and rebounded. I try to get in 10,000 steps. Some days I don’t quite make it but others go over. I couldn’t have done any of that back in May.

Whenever I have talked to my PCP about the B-12, he has agreed that it would make me feel better. Well, a few months ago, I would have had to feel better to die. An exaggeration, I know, but not a huge one. I kept wondering what was wrong with me. Whether or not the suspicion the naturopath had was correct, the treatment plan he put me on has had the results I wanted. I feel human again.

My sister emailed that she wasn’t surprised my PCP didn’t agree with the naturopath. MDs and DOs (which is what my PCP is) have little use for naturopaths and I know that. Naturopaths have little use for MDs and DOs. I’ve been to all three and the only one who has really listened to me was the naturopath. Sure, his prescription didn’t include pharmaceuticals. I’ll give you that. Pharmaceuticals would have been covered by my insurance. Pharmaceuticals have side effects.

The other day, someone asked me how long I would have to eat fava beans. I said as long as I didn’t want my tremor to get worse. I’m not operating under the assumption that it will ever be completely gone but it is less noticeable than it once was. If it does disappear someday, that will be a bonus.

I have my carbon monoxide detectors and am waiting until cold weather to see if my gas logs are putting out CO. When I mentioned it to my PCP, he did admit that he’s leery of that form of heating. What if he finds out the suspicions were right? Wonder if he will change his tune?

So much for venting about the cold. At present, the a/c here at home has finally kicked on. I cool it down to 70 degrees at night and it takes some time to get up to 80 where the thermostat is set in the daytime. I have a fan directed at my legs and it’s been comfortable while I’ve been sitting in the corner at the computer.

I included Sunday in my post last week, therefore I’ll start with Monday. When I got to work after walking, one of the skeleton crew was waiting for me with a note from her doctor to be off for the next THREE WEEKS. She’d taken a nasty spill and was moving very gingerly. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time. Well, I guess it could but I wouldn’t want to experience it. The others stepped into the gap, though, and, for the first time in literally years, I’ll have to justify overtime in the department. It was the first time in a LONG time that three of the registrars were there all five weekdays. Strange but I’m glad they are so willing to work.

It was grocery shopping day. I’ve been trying to find the best day to go and it turned out to be the best one for mangoes. I’d bought 22 of them the last time I went and this time, I bought 40. The Kents are my favorites next to Champagne mangoes. When I posted about mangoes on Facebook, I had several people tell me that they had lived/were living where they can pick them right off the trees. I’m jealous!

Two of “my” produce guys were working and they made my shopping a lot easier by volunteering to go back and get me fresh stuff out of storage. They are two in a million! Makes it go a lot smoother when they’re around.

I’d been talking about my mango sorbet on Facebook and happened to think that my Wordscraper opponent might like to try it. I messaged her and she said yes, she would. I kept racking my brain to try to figure out how to get it there still frozen.

Tuesday, I was asked to be the bank/post office person that day and the rest of the week. At least I could get away for a few minutes that way even though it wasn’t long and I had to go back.

It was the day of the funeral for the 97 year old church member who passed away early Sunday morning. I went to the funeral home a little early so I could sign the guest book, etc., etc. When I went up to the casket, the son was standing there visiting with the people going by. When he looked at me all he said was, “You may have to play ‘Sweet Hour of Prayer’. They can’t find it on CD.” I asked about music and remarked to a friend standing close by that I’d left my glasses at work. I fervently hoped they would be able to find it. Find it, they did. I was off the hook. I’d remembered to get a card the day before but I’d completely failed at buying anything to contribute to the meal they had after. I did donate three mangoes so I didn’t completely ignore it.

I had an email from my sister earlier wanting me to invite our oldest sister to join Facebook so I did. Then, she emailed again telling about having a nasty spill, herself, and messing up her ankle. She has been off of it as much as possible and didn’t go to church today. As for our middle sister, she’s doing well. The one who resides in the Great Northwest is still away from home trying to get her strength back.

Wednesday (I think it was), I finally thought of a way to pack the sorbet in gel freezer packs in a container with the little full container in the middle. I thought, surely, after it had been in the freezer all night that it would stay frozen during the hour that I’d walk/change clothes and on until I got it to her. Not so! I guess that packing the frozen sorbet with the thawed gel packs was what didn’t work. The packs were warmer and the sorbet was more like pudding when I opened it in her room. She enjoyed it, anyway, but I’m going to try it again and let it stay in the freezer longer. She posted on her Facebook page that she LOVES a good juicy mango so…

Thursday, I took her two. They weren’t fully ripe because I didn’t want to get them there smashed but she was thrilled. She said it had been years (I don’t remember for sure but I think she said eight of them) since she had had mango. And I get withdrawal during the winter months!

My neighbor had called me on Monday to see if I wanted any okra. I said yes, then thought better of it because of having to go grocery shopping. She said she’d be picking again on Thursday and she could let me have all she picked. She’d put up all she wanted to put up. I had the idea I would pickle some using my Harsch crock. (I have the 5 liter crock.) (I was going to get a larger one but DD warned me against it and I’m glad she did. They’re HEAVY.) When I got home, there sat a several-gallon bucket 2/3 full of okra of all sizes. I washed it and packed it into the crock and then poured in the liquid. Trying to get the stones in was a headache with all the floating okra but I finally got the idea to dip out some of the brine and then put them in. It was much easier. Then I put in a couple of whole hot peppers, poured the brine back in and it’s sitting on the shelf of the corner cupboard. Now I have to remember to keep water in the trough. I have no idea how it will turn out. I took the rest of the okra to share at work.

When sundown came around yesterday, I was so glad it was Sabbath! The stress of the week had really gotten to me and I was ready to collapse. I was in bed a few minutes after 9 and didn’t get up until 7 this morning.

This afternoon, it was plenty warm when I came out of the church dressed for winter. I was still chilled to the bone, though, and didn’t get warm until I’d BodyFlexed and rebounded for, all together, about 40 minutes. Then I ate. I started off with a green smoothie and progressed to eating lots of different kinds of fruit. I took a break so I could take my l-glutamine and then I went out on the deck and ate some watermelon while I watched the hummingbirds feed and chase each other—mostly the latter. They can be vicious little things. I progressed to more fruit, then marinated cucumbers and finished with my second dose of fava beans with sea tangle.

There was a baptism this afternoon and a social tonight but I didn’t go to either one. The past week was brutal and I was in need of some alone time. The hummingbirds supplied all the company I desired.

My garden is about done for. It hasn’t rained for quite awhile. The one tomato plant that is still doing well I started from seed. It’s planted between the deck and the composter and I think it gets the needed moisture from the vegetable material. It’s huge. I’ve tied it to the railing and again to the roof support. When I’m standing on the deck, it’s taller than I am. The deck is another 18″ or so above the ground there. It’s loaded with little tomatoes. I think they are supposed to be cherry tomatoes but they’re bigger than the usual. I picked one today that’s not ripe yet but it was turning. Figured I’d save it from the stink bugs. Hopefully, I’ll be able to pick a lot between now and frost.

As for the Games, my opponent has been coming up with some unique boards. This is her latest.

We’ve already played one game on that board where she started first. I won. Then she said she wanted to play it again with ME starting so here we go.

So far, I’m ahead 254k to 14k. Reckon I’ll win?

This has ended up being longer than I’d planned but it usually does. I have been doing so much other stuff that I haven’t been able to blog much otherwise. Getting up an hour earlier every day makes me want to go to bed earlier, too. That isn’t a bad thing but it does cut into the time I used to write my posts. Tomorrow, I’ll probably be working on freezing mangoes in one way or another. I may make some more sorbet. I still have some left from last Sunday but it would be nice to have a good supply of it. I put the last in one of my Pyrex storage containers. I really do like them. DD & merm got me started when I was out visiting. I had a set waiting for me when I got home and have gotten another set (with different containers) since. My goal is to quit using plastic as much as possible.

Oh! I almost forgot! I did forget my glasses and ended up having to read the music without them. I was amazed that I did okay. Must be my eyes are still reaping the benefits of the exercises. Guess I don’t really need those glasses for organ-izing, after all!

Well, folks, I’m going to have to cut this off here and get some sleep. Good night and sweet dreams!

The week has been almost a blur. Get up. Get ready. Walk (except for Friday). Work. Come home. Eat. Go to bed. Over and over and over.

The first couple of work days were as fully staffed as we ever are but then one person took some vacation days, another had a family emergency and that left one registrar and me on Friday. Fortunately, the patients came in one at a time. Sometimes, several show up at once but God had mercy on us and they were spaced far enough apart that it was an overall good day. The poor registrar agreed to fill in for the one with the emergency on Sabbath. Another will come in and fill in tomorrow. There will be five days this week when the others will work the second shift for the vacationing one. I have a good staff.

No grocery shopping last week except for bananas and I bought some peaches, too. Most of the bananas came from the kitchen and were so speckled they were almost too ripe so they are residing in the dehydrator. It’s taking a long time to get them dried enough so they won’t spoil. I’m seriously considering buying an Excalibur dehydrator. Shari has four so they must be good.

I went to visitation after work on Friday. It was so sad. The person had had knee surgery and there were complications. Only eight years older than me. It was a shock to see what a short time it took for the end to come. Today, I got a call that one of the church members had died. An altogether different situation, though. He was in his 90s when he was put into a nursing home. It had been many months since I saw him. His son posted on Facebook that he probably wouldn’t live long. Doesn’t matter how old or how young. Death is still a sad thing. It’s part of life, though.

When I came back from Seattle, I forgot my shirt-jacket at DS1′s house. I jokingly said I would probably need it but for them to just keep it until I went back. I could have used it yesterday. It was cold in the church. Even when the congregation had been in there long enough to warm it up some, it was “up” to 74 degrees. When a person is sitting down all that time, it gets chilly. Especially when the feet are bare for long stretches. So…I need to figure out what I can do to keep warm next Sabbath. I may break out my winter wardrobe and go dressed in layers.

I called my neighbor twice yesterday and wondered why she didn’t call back. When I called the third time, she answered. She’d called me several times, once to offer me some okra. I checked my spam folder and, sure enough, there were messages there from DD, DS1, my neighbor and my sister. I tried to call DS1 but didn’t get anything but voice mail. I called my sister back today and had a good visit with her. DD and I also caught up on things. She’d been to Whidbey Island yesterday for an alone day and enjoyed several hours in a nature preserve.

My sister asked me what I was planning to do today. I listed off all the things and I’ve just about gotten them done. One was making mango sorbet. It is sooooooooo goooooooddddd! I licked the paddle and the bowl then went out on the deck and ate a large scoop of it.

Wordscraper was down for maintenance from Friday afternoon until this morning. I always take Sabbath off, anyway, but it was still a long time. A friend had made this board for my opponent using her initials. The letters in her name were all worth 25 points and the others were 10.

Then my opponent made this one using all three of mine. Since my name has more characters, all of them were worth 25 but the others come in at 5. Very creative, what?

Well, I have a couple more things to do before I go to bed so I’d better get at them if I’m going to get up and walk in the morning. That wasn’t everything I did this week but it would take me a good seven days to tell everything and I’m not going to do that. Aren’t you lucky?

He informed me he’d received the records from the naturopath in Seattle and he didn’t agree with what they said or what I’d told him. He said my blood work was good. Nothing was wrong with it or anything else. He was of the opinion that the naturopath was taking advantage with me in order to increase his bottom line. The ND was hoping I would hang around so he could treat me further, yada yada yada.

Well, I know that there had to be something amiss in my body. When I’d gone to see my PCP about my headaches on last November 9, he ordered me to walk 30 minutes a day. I did for a few days—maybe even a few weeks—but it started getting really cold and I quit. I closed the windows in the house because it was frigid outside and decided I would do BodyFlex and rebound every morning instead of walking. That soon went by the wayside because my headaches got increasingly worse and I started feeling weak. I had some confusion, too, and had a sense that, if I stood up, my body would pitch forward. When I’d drive, I’d often have to rest my head against the headrest because it felt like it was too big for my neck to support. I listed the symptoms of chronic carbon monoxide poisoning here and the ones I had.

Rather than go back and be told again that it was stress, I decided to bide my time until I could get to Seattle. Making it through each day took a lot of effort and it wasn’t until June 15 that I had my first appointment with the naturopath. Based on what I told him, he immediately took steps to fill in some of the gaps he felt I had. The rest is history and I won’t go into it here. I will say that he knew I was visiting and that I would be leaving the next week. After I paid the co-pay for that first visit along with the allergy panel that isn’t covered by my insurance and the supplements he put me on, my co-pays for the other two visits were waived. Now, does that sound like he was trying to take advantage of me? Shari had told me he was expensive so I’d prepared for it.

When the naturopath ordered me to walk, he gave me the tools to feel enough better that I’d be able to follow through. Granted, I had to start out slowly and build up to what I can do now. I’m not completely headache-free but the other symptoms have abated. I’ve noticed that stress makes my tremor worse but, at times, it’s hardly there. I’ve thought it would be handy to either be able to switch good ears or the hand the tremor is in but since I can’t do that, I sometimes have to hold the receiver up to my left ear with my right hand.

There’s one thing I haven’t done that the naturopath ordered me to do. I’m not sure I know how any more. The last thing he said to me was, “Go have some FUN!!”

I didn’t argue with my PCP. I agreed that I’d probably had enough B-12 to do me for awhile. He said he was going to have another doctor look at my records and he’d see me on Wednesday. So that’s where it stands for now. I’m still eating fava beans and taking my supplements. I’ll keep on doing that for another month, for sure.

Well, the most recent Sunday was spent draining the waterbed and replacing the heater. It was not as complicated because this heater doesn’t have a separate temperature sensor. When I refilled it, I filled it more than before and it’s better than it was. I also put two layers between the mattress and the bottom sheet. That helps, too.

When the heater came, one of the girls was surprised and asked me if I sleep on a waterbed. Well, YES! But I had to order the replacement heater because I couldn’t find one at Wally World. They don’t even have the sheets any more. She said, no, because waterbeds are behind the times. I beg to differ. I think if people knew just how comfortable one is that’s correctly filled and the temperature regulated, more people would switch.

DD and I had a good visit. Her class is giving her a much needed source of creative outlet. She and merm are getting into camping, too. I think she’s surprising herself by enjoying it. At least it didn’t rain the last time.

DS1 called me one day this week and we had a long conversation. My DIL and granddaughter surprised him with tickets to see the Blue Man Group for his birthday. It won’t be ON his birthday but that’s what his main gift is. When he asked my DIL if they would be sitting in the splash section, she said no—they’d be a little farther back. They took my granddaughter to see “Phantom of the Opera” in Atlanta for her birthday so he’s being repaid.

Monday, it was back to walking and work. The walking this week has varied. There have been times I’ve been the only one on the track and others when there were a half dozen of us plus a baby in a stroller. A couple of days, I had to leave and find a bathroom. I counted my steps again and figured up my 15 laps = roughly 5700 steps. I wore a pedometer part of the day yesterday and added another 1600 steps to that. That was after I’d gone all morning without counting. So…maybe I got in most of the 10,000 steps it’s said I’m supposed to get by the time I go to bed. Today, I’ve not walked to get exercise, BodyFlexed, or rebounded. I kinda ran out of time this morning.

The work week was very different because it was the first time in many a day since the area had been close to fully staffed. I still can’t schedule anyone for more than 32 hours unless there is a dire need.

My neighbor called me on Thursday to tell me she was renovating a place and was having to move a piano around every time she needed to work in a different spot. The piano is hers for the taking. It’s a Huntington upright, serial number 19138. I registered on a piano forum but can’t get in to post anything. It keeps saying my membership is not found. I’ve done some research on the company and found that it went out of business in 1922 because it was destroyed by fire. She wanted to know how much she could sell it for but I have no idea without seeing it and trying it out.

It has been HOT! I was the bank/post office person yesterday and when I took the afternoon mail, the temperature on the bank was 100 degrees. WeatherBug had chirped at me with a heat advisory. Coming up the mountain, I was behind a slowpoke and the air conditioner quit putting out cool air. I thought, OH NO!! NOT THAT!! When I got up on top and was able to pick up some speed, it kicked back in and boy! was I relieved.

My poor little garden is in need of some rain. It did rain a little yesterday but not much. The container under the downspout isn’t even quite full and it doesn’t take much to fill it. I’ve been picking the tomatoes as they turn but they are getting to be fewer and fewer. The ones that are there have been thoroughly attacked by stink bugs.

I put off my grocery shopping until yesterday afternoon. Since I haven’t been eating any/many salads, I can wait longer between sprees. I did spree this time. I’d gotten some mangoes last week that were excellent. I’d only bought three and wished I’d gotten more. Didn’t make that mistake twice. I loaded up 22 and caught the eye of a man who told me he’s from AH-frickah. He had a most delightful accent and shared how they have four varieties where he lives. One must be Tommy Atkins because he talked about how stringy they are and how they get caught in the teeth. He laughed when I asked him if he ate and flossed at the same time.

The produce guy that was there told me they got half a pallet of mangoes once and they had to mark them ‘way down to sell them. I said let me know when that happens again. He said he’s on Facebook so now we’re friends. It wasn’t easy to find him. He told me his last name but the first name he wears on his badge is different from the one he’s posted. I made a mistake with the two mangoes I ate for supper. I should have just eaten one. The first one I peeled was just right but the second one needed another day or two. I ate both but I would have enjoyed one more. Live and learn.

I stocked up on oranges, too, and got another watermelon. I’ve been eating on one this week that is excellent. I’m so spoiled by all the good food that’s available!

I dressed warmly, I thought, this morning. The central air is a blessing because there’s no more roar in my left ear but the controllers of the thermostat are the men who wear suits and eat primarily cooked food. When I walked in, I realized I could have used another layer. It’s rather distracting to be so cold inside the building when it’s 95+ degrees outside. Can I blame my mess-ups on that? The closing song was “Seeking the Lost” which isn’t easy to play under any circumstances. Of course, we played it through half a dozen times because the postlude every week is the closing song so the piano and trumpet (if he’s there) can join in. I was glad I made it through.

Coming home was a welcome thing to do. They are having a social tonight but I’m getting to bed early. The other day, I decided I really needed something on the deck besides the Little Debbie camp chair DS1 gave me years ago so I ordered this. It came yesterday but I hadn’t done anything when I got home except unload it. This afternoon, I fixed a big bowl of the aforementioned watermelon and went out in the warm (HOT) to eat it. It was just right for eating ice cold melon and I enjoyed every minute and bite! When I was through, I pushed the lounge back and lay there dozing. When I’d go completely out, I’d wake myself up by snoring. I don’t think I usually do that (snore) but I’m not going to try to stay awake to see. When I woke up for sure, I watched the hummingbirds at the feeders. I need to fix some more nectar. Guess I’ll do that before I go to bed. Or maybe in the morning. I did say I want to go to bed early.

My sister is at my niece’s place for a week or two. I’m not sure if/when I’ll get down there to see her. I didn’t have time to fill up the gas tank yesterday and I was watching the light blink at me today coming up the mountain.

Yesterday, I went to check on my friend in the nursing home who is also the creator of all the Wordscraper boards we play. She has been putting Google on overtime trying to find a chair that will allow her to sit upright and still have her legs elevated. A geri chair would be ideal if it she could elect to recline or not when the leg rest is up. If you happen to know of such a piece of equipment, leave me a comment with the link. To refresh your memory, there are pictures of her here.

Wordscraper has seen me consistently losing the past few games. One of the two we’re playing now is unique. The layout is one that I could get a lot of points on IF I could play diagonal words and IF the tiles were worth more than one point each. My opponent passed on the first turn but I said OH NO YOU DON’T!! and I passed. That’s the first time I’ve passed a turn when she gave way to me. Here’s the board:

It will be a day or two before I know how it will turn out.

Twinkle is behaving and my nerves are much better. She knows how to stir things up if she’s in the mood. I’m thankful to have a sort of quiet cat now. She can raise the roof when she meows because she’s hungry, though.

A new area has been set up on the forum. It’s “Fun & Games”. I’ve been encouraging Shari to move other fun things to it but she’s only moved one so far. Another one is “just for fun” that Peach started. The latest thing she posted (when I last checked) was this. I finally had to look it up on youtube but I still can’t solve it.

Now, let’s see you solve it on the third try!

The oldest of the five sisters is finally back online. She bought a new computer but it was delivered with a defective hard drive. Her SIL replaced it for her when he and my niece were visiting.

The middle sister has been having water problems. When the weather dried out enough for the wet spot to show with green grass, the leak turned out to be in the neighbor’s yard! She has permission to dig it up and have it repaired. I do hope the water company will be understanding and give her a break on the bill.

Our sister in the Great Northwest is in the nursing home and trying to get strong enough to go home. I wanted to request prayer for her again in church but the prayer and praise time was cut short. God knows anyway.

Well, that’s about it for this time. Hope everyone has a good night’s sleep!

As for email, I got one from a rep for a company that sells a product that’s said to be a glutathione accelerator. I’ve looked the product up online and it’s very expensive if it’s what he’s talking about. I don’t know how safe it is, either. If it contains N-acetylcysteine, I’ve read that it can be risky. That plus the expense makes me leery of taking it. I’ll have to look into it more before I decide. In the meantime, I’m taking the other supplements and walking.

Which brings me to an exchange I recently had with a couple of the walkers. They were the two men who were out there my first day. As I went by, I commented that I was glad to see the one who doesn’t walk much back. He mumbled something about not being too happy about being there. The other one grinned and said he, himself, is addicted. I had to admit that I am, too.

On the weekend when I don’t walk, I BodyFlex and rebound. It feels so good to get back into rebounding. When I quit, it was because my head felt too heavy for my neck. There are times my head starts hurting again and I realize my shoulders are tensing up. I consciously relax and it goes away. I’m sure I was tied up in knots because I was weak and was trying to compensate. When one part of the body fails, another takes over but it isn’t always pleasant.

I’ve been faithfully eating my fava beans. My neighbor had told me before about what his grandmother would do with the fresh ones when he was growing up. She would marinate the raw shelled unpeeled ones in vinegar and EVOO along with seasonings and let them sit in the fridge for several days. He said I could use lemon juice and it would do the same thing. When they were ready, he could sit down and eat a whole bowl of them by himself. From what he said, it was a big bowl, too. If I ever get some fresh ones again, I’m willing to try it. I’m considering planting a cover crop of favas in the fall. He asked me if I knew what they are called besides fava beans and I said yes. They are aka horse beans or broad beans. I told him I’m getting to be a fava bean expert. I did a search and came up with these names, too: field bean, bell bean or tic bean.

This evening, I put most of a red jalapeño in the favas but it mostly tasted like a bell pepper. Not much heat at all. I had kelp noodles mixed in, too. I’ve given samples of the beans to my nursing home friend and my neighbor. Even though he grew up with the fresh ones, he’d never tried the dried.

My Seattle doctor’s wife told me to send her an email if I had any more questions. I did that more than a week ago but haven’t heard back. I guess I’m on my own, at least for a while. I’m not out of the woods yet but I’m back to 80% minimum. Now it’s to bed so I can get up and do my 2.5 miles in the morning.

Sunday, I called Wally World to see if they had any heaters in stock. No, the lady told me. They don’t even carry the sheets any more. I went to Amazon but didn’t see what I wanted. What I wanted was one that was shielded so it wouldn’t emit EMFs or, at least, not the full dose. Going to one of the links from Amazon did help and the one I ordered along with a goodly supply of water conditioner arrived yesterday. I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow…

DD and I had a good long visit. She’s going to pottery class again and said she was making a wind chime. I asked her to make me one, too. I don’t know if she will. She’s pretty busy. I have a place that needs one.

Monday, I found out I’d be the bank/post office person all week. Leaving early came in mighty handy on Wednesday. I had to go across the mountain to buy groceries. At Wally World, one of the produce guys proudly gave me a guided tour of the produce department. They’ve spruced it up and have things where I can actually reach them without endangering my balance and subsequent health. He said they have more organics now which is nice. Pointing out the organics have to go on the top shelves in produce, he explained why. If there’s conventional produce above it and water drains onto the organic, it’s no longer pesticide free. That makes sense. He was charmed by my reusable produce bags I got in Seattle and said he was going to ask about getting them there. I had to use one plastic bag after loading up the three I had. I was careful with it and put it with my stash of bags to give away.

I’ve been walking every weekday as per usual. Monday through Wednesday, I did two miles at the walking track and a lap around the buildings when I’d get to work. It’s been so hot, by Thursday I couldn’t see wearing my work clothes to the track so I wore shorts and a T-shirt (when I told DS1 how I was dressing to walk, he whistled) (I told him my shorts aren’t whoo hoo! They are floppy and come almost to my knees. One pair I bought for maybe 50 cents and the other was given to me.) and did 15 laps instead of 12. That’s 2.5 miles. I changed clothes in the nursing home bathroom.

There has been a variety of people at the track. Yesterday morning, there were several young adults in the picnic shelter just visiting. I’m on speaking terms with most of the walkers now. Maybe someday we can all slow down enough to get acquainted. I did do my first lap rather slowly but I was the only one walking then. I try to get there before it starts heating up.

I had a theft on Monday. I don’t know if a person was responsible or maybe an animal. If it were an animal, I’d think there’s be some evidence. Two of my Mr. Stripey tomatoes were just about ready to pick. I’d been watching them and simultaneously drooling. When I went out to check ‘em out after work, they were gone. I wished one of two things: either him/her/it needed them worse than I did or they would get a belly ache. I’ve been picking all the tomatoes that are beginning to turn to rescue them. As for thieving, the man who had the picnic table full of produce in former years has given it up. I don’t blame him but I miss stopping there. Fortunately, I’ve had enough tomatoes I haven’t needed to buy any. My cucumbers aren’t doing terribly well but I still have some I can marinate if I scrape out the seeds first.

Thursday was overcast and a little misty. It was nice for walking. Later in the day, there was a cloudburst that was so heavy it soaked a couple of the girls coming back from lunch. I told one of them to get the hairdryer from the nurses’ station so they both made use of it. WeatherBug didn’t record any rainfall for the whole day. Maybe it didn’t rain at the elementary school. It only put down a quarter of an inch here.

The church was almost uncomfortably cool this morning. I’d worn a long sleeved top and could have had another layer. The service was good. The father of one of the members is visiting and he’s a powerful speaker. After, I was invited to go to a singles get-together. I don’t fit any of the categories. For a few minutes, I considered going but the offer of peaches and bananas didn’t outweigh what I had waiting at home. I hadn’t taken anything and I was supposed to take my own chair, too. Maybe next time. I dunno. Someone said I could go to socialize but I prize my time at home. I don’t get to be here nearly often enough.

I’ve been feeding Smokey again this week. He meets me at the door in the morning and when I get home from work. My neighbors got back today. I went over this afternoon and the male half said he hadn’t seen the cat. I did this morning when he was waiting for his food. We had a good visit and he gave me some cluster tomatoes and a couple of ripe jalapeños. Then he paid me the highest compliment possible—he said I’m the best neighbor he ever had! I told him he and his wife are the best ones I’ve ever had. It’s a good thing since we live so close.

He was telling me about when he was growing up and when he was a young man. If you could hear his stories, you would agree with me that he should write a book. He has the talent of making you “see” what he’s talking about.

Hoping they were Kents, I bought three mangoes at Wally World the other day. I peeled and ate one today and it IS a Kent! I’m so glad I came home after church.

When I spied the van in the driveway, I went over to welcome the female half home. We were talking about the heat and I said DS1 had called me yesterday (to wish me a happy anniversary) (DH and I got married 38 years ago) (he had lots otherwise to tell me). He said a fellow he knows had to be hospitalized because of dehydration and, after he’d been there for a day or two, he had a stroke. BTW, he asked me to request prayer for the man during church and I did. She told me that she’d been working on a roof and had to get down because she started feeling sick. Then, they were putting sheet-rock on a ceiling and one of the men that was helping to hold it up got sick. He managed not to drop it but they had to hose off the floor.

My Wordscraper opponent manages to step in it every now and then. She’d played “herd” then I played “dojo” off the D. She thought she’d be really smart and play “amigo” with the O over the H so she’d get credit for two words. That was for a total of 53 points. Well, you know me. I play to win. I’m not nice when it comes to Wordscraper. I played “isozyme” using the M in “amigo”. 656 points. I left her a dig in the little message area of the game and said, “Gracias, mi amigo!” I didn’t try to be authentic and use the upside down exclamation mark at the beginning. She replied, “no! lo siento!! i want a mulligan!” to which I said, “No second chances here.” With a more than 700 point lead, I think I’m going to win this one. She’s won a couple lately herself.

I’m getting to bed earlier these days. Tomorrow is going to be another hot one but “only” in the mid-90s. My electric bill came the first of the week. Before I opened it, I took a deep breath and prayed. It was $90. I wouldn’t have been surprised had it been $200. My water bill was up but I wasn’t surprised. I’d watered the garden one day and forgot to stop it until the next evening. I’m eating expensive tomatoes but they surely are good!

Then he gave me my B-12 injection and complained about my going over there to get them. He said it was ridiculous for me to pay him $10 every time when the vials are so cheap. He wanted to know if there isn’t someone who could do it outside the office. I told him no. What about one of the nurses at the hospital? No one there can do it unless it’s dispensed from the pharmacy. Self inject? No. I wouldn’t make a good junkie. Well, it was going to run into some money coming over there once a week to get them. I corrected him and said it was twice a week. That was worse! On Friday, I had a heart to heart with him and now he is convinced my getting the shots there is the best plan.

I’ve been in touch with my doctor in Seattle and he said to keep taking the l-glutamine since I can’t find anyone to do the glutathione IV push. He isn’t licensed in the state of Tennessee (and he isn’t likely to be since his specialty is illegal here) so he can’t prescribe it for me.

When I was finding the link for the first paragraph, I found that asparagus is high in glutathione. One site says it has to be cooked. Another says to eat it raw. I don’t know which direction is right so I don’t know that I’ll do anything about asparagus. I know I used to love it cooked but only fixed it once when I liked it raw. I haven’t been able to duplicate that feat. I’ve heard it can be fermented but I wonder if that would destroy the glutathione. Guess I have some more research to do.

Well-meaning people still try to give me advice. I had an email saying “I really think you’re going to a lot of trouble and some expense to get treatment for a diagnosis that has not been confirmed. I wish you would at least get a second opinion, or better yet, the scan that would prove or disprove it. I don’t think one scan would do you in. At least give it some thought.”

Now, I thought a second opinion is warranted if the first isn’t working. And, if the diagnosis were confirmed, it wouldn’t change the treatment. It would just make it even more expensive. As for a scan, I’ve never had one and I don’t want one. If it’s only to satisfy people’s curiosity, they can stay curious. They wouldn’t be the ones absorbing the radiation. That’s an older article but you can Google newer ones.

I think the email came from someone who was still under the impression that the doctor thought I might have early Parkinson’s. I went into the conclusion he came to here. There’s a simple blood test for CO poisoning but it probably wouldn’t show anything now and, once again, it wouldn’t change the treatment.

The other day, merm and I were chatting on Google Chat and he asked me if I thought the fava beans are working. I told him I can pretty much hold a mirror in my left hand and look at the back of my head with very little shaking now. I couldn’t do that in early June. His response? “wow, that’s great.” Nice to have someone on my side who is positive!

Early enough to beat the heat, I plan to be walking tomorrow morning. That, in itself, is quite an accomplishment. A few months ago, I couldn’t get myself to commit to doing one lap around the buildings. I was too tired and weak. Now, I do two miles without stopping and then do a lap around the buildings if there’s time. I know that isn’t much but it’s progress. Isn’t progress what this is all about?

There was a program that monitored all the activity and I had to give it permission to let Windows install. That was what greeted me Sunday morning. I said yes and went on about my business. I got out my trusty netbook and did my online reading for my devotions on it, read my books and hooked the speakers up to it so I could listen to the Sabbath School discussion on PineKnoll. Was I ever glad to have a spare!

Laundry was done and on the line early because rain was predicted in the afternoon. (It never materialized.) I changed the bed and came in to check on the computer. There was a message that it had encountered an error and couldn’t proceed. I kept trying to get past that but couldn’t. Then it got so all it had was a blank screen. GRRRRRRRR! I hooked the Magic Jack up to the netbook and called Support.

I actually got someone who was nice, patient, spoke clearly and was female. I think her name was Taura. I have it written down along with the case number but I won’t take time to look it up. She had me take the battery out and put it back in and then boot it up while pressing F9. That would take it back to the factory defaults. After Vista installed, I was to do a clean install of Windows 7. So I did. Everything went well then but the day was pretty much shot. I knew it would take days to get everything back the way it was supposed to be.

Thankful I had a clean bed, I took a shower and fell into it later than was advisable.

Monday-Friday, it was back to the track in the mornings. I averaged waking almost an hour before the alarm went off every morning but Friday and it was just 40 minutes then. I’d rush around and get ready to go so I could be there early enough to walk before it started getting really hot. One day, it was 81 degrees in the valley before I left the house and I groaned. I know it won’t do me any good not to walk so I went. Another day, it was misting when I left the house and started sprinkling the first few laps. Then it started raining. It wasn’t a hard rain but I sat in the car until it was over. I got my 12 laps in and, for four days, I’d do another one around the hospital. Friday, it was too close to my starting time to do that extra one.

Grocery shopping didn’t take place until Tuesday and that was a bad day to go. I did get some of my favorite romaine and lots of fruit plus a huge cantaloupe that I cut yesterday. It’s really really good. I’ve had two meals out of it and still have enough for two or three more. I’d called the produce place a day or two before and asked for a half box of juice oranges but they were unable to get any. They’d cleaned the cooler out and had almost a box full of rejects that I could have for nothing if I wanted it. I figured if I couldn’t use them, they could be used for target practice or something so I took them. I’ve had to throw one away but they are, mostly, just ugly but still good.

I learned my sister in the Great Northwest has been transferred from the hospital where she was a patient for several days to a nursing home. At least that’s the impression I get. No one seems to be able to tell me what level of care it is and they have all of them available. Then my oldest sister has had some issues but she’s doing better and is back home and will wind up the home health visits soon.

Speaking of my oldest sister (my “big” sister) (she weighs about 84 lubs), she called Wednesday and said her computer was driving her nuts. We talked until her phone started dying with me not helping a bit. It’s kind of hard to be Support when I know nothing whatsoever about her system. She’ll be back in CyberSpace maybe by tomorrow or Monday. I let the others know what was going on.

I was the bank/post office person Wednesday, Thursday and yesterday. I loaned my netbook to the Absentee One so no mind would be lost by being away from the home system. I’m so nice!!

My eating routine made me late getting to church this morning. Song service was over and they were singing the opening song when I went in. There were some nice surprises. Central air has been installed and the heat will be hooked up later. It was a little on the cool side for me but not having the roar of the a/c was welcome. Then, when it came time for a video, I found out what the wires hanging out of the ceiling the last several weeks were for. There are twin projectors that display on the walls on either side of the platform. New windows that don’t have to be covered since the projectors are close enough not to wash out have been put in. We are getting uptown! We’ve had a two holer for a couple weeks now, too. There’s more to be done but it shouldn’t be long.

One of my Facebook friends had posted a question to everyone in general about how he’d met us. I said we had never been formally introduced but we shared a pew at church. When I went to sit down, he stuck his hand out and said, “Hi! I’m Josh.” I didn’t hear what he said at first so he repeated it. I shook his hand and replied, “Hello! I’m Tommie.”

Representatives from Adventist World Radio were there and it was a good service. The two of them joined two ladies for some music that was toe-tappin’. There was a bass, two guitars and an autoharp. The three ladies sang while the man played the bass. I know one of the singer/guitar players and her mother, sister and brother were there. Her mother, sister and I had a good conversation after church.

I was invited to the fellowship meal even though I hadn’t brought anything but I declined. I came on home and ATE. My neighbors got home yesterday after being out of pocket for several days. It was nice to see them back.

My netbook was waiting at the hospital so I went by to get it and ended up getting the ox out of the ditch. There was someone waiting to be registered and had been there for something like 1/2 hour. The registrar was either in the ED or at lunch. I took pity on the person and did the registration before I walked out. I figured it was doing good on the Sabbath.

I watched Gifted Hands for the third time this afternoon.

There are loads of tomatoes ripening. I’d share them but stink bugs have messed them up. I cut that part off and eat them anyway. One of my Facebook friends said her father would gather up the bugs, blend them with water and spray the “juice” to keep them away. I don’t think I’d have the heart. She said they’d smell death and destruction and leave.

The Wordscraper games are rocking on. I guess my opponent got tired of my winning so she set up a board where she could get so many points on the first word that I could never catch up. I turned the tables on her and started a game with the same board and now I’m ahead.

Tomorrow is another day. We’ve had some rain this week. I’d turned the container to catch the water off the roof over to keep the wigglers from turning into mosquitoes so I didn’t catch any. Unless it rains again soon, I’ll have to use city water to give my deck plants a drink.

WordPress notified me a new version was available so I’ve upgraded. It’s been a couple of weeks since DD and I have visited by phone but we still email and chat.

I’m winding this up for another session. I have a busy day planned tomorrow. My computer is just about back so I shouldn’t have to do anything that is so time-consuming.

There was one practitioner of something similar in Chattanooga but it looked rather “out there” so I didn’t pursue it.

Then one of the people working at the hospital told me about a medical doctor who also practices integrative medicine. I did a search online and couldn’t find him at first. Later, I searched again and there he was. He’s located within a reasonable distance of my home so I may call the office tomorrow to find out if he will be willing to continue the treatment started by my doctor in Washington. It was a definite until I went to a cookout (I had watermelon, tomatoes and cucumber) this evening and found out about yet another doctor. Isn’t it amazing how the Lord puts people together at the right time?

This doctor is a DO, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine which is what my PCP is. I still haven’t been able to get in touch with my doc so I’ve all but ruled him out. One of the women at the cookout was telling me about the new-to-me one. Actually, he isn’t that new to me but the fact that he practices integrative medicine is. I’ve seen his name on orders coming through for outpatients but it was just another name in many.

She said that a friend of hers goes to him and that he really listens to his patients. Her husband handed me the doctor’s card and said his wife had told him to give it to me. I had my netbook with me so I looked him up and he has five ratings on one of those “rate your doctor” web sites and every one of the ratings is a five out of five. Can’t get any better than that. A disappointment was that there’s a web site listed on the card but when I typed in the URL it gave me “This registered domain is being parked by the owner until website development is complete.” Well, shucks!

Since I won’t know anything about anyone until tomorrow, I just have to be patient.

Today, I got notice of my electronic EOB from Blue Cross for my first B-12/folic acid injection and it certainly isn’t what I expected. I was told by one of the reps (you may recall) that the injections would be covered not subject to deductible or copay. Well, that is either false or the claim was processed incorrectly. Most of $40 was applied to my $1,000 deductible. Now, that wouldn’t be bad if it were a one time thing but I’m having two injections a week so that could get very expensive very quickly. That’s another phone call I’ll have to make.

Today is July 25. The preceding was written a week ago. Lots has happened in that length of time.

First, I called Blue Cross on Monday and pleaded my case. I told the rep that another rep had steered me wrong about the benefits that the claims would be processed under. She promised to get back to me with an answer. Next day, she called and said the claim had, in fact, been processed incorrectly and would be reprocessed—with the full amount going to the deductible! Once again I told her that I didn’t think that was right since I’d been given the wrong information. Stating she would get in touch with her team leader about processing the claim at 100%, I informed her that wasn’t the only injection. As I read the dates off to her, I could hear her typing them into the computer. She said any claims from Tuesday on would be paid according to the benefits she quoted. 100% going to my deductible until my $1,000 was met and then I’d have to pay 20%. I could only hope and pray that they would see things my way. Last night, I got a corrected electronic EOB and my prayer had been answered in the affirmative, at least for that one! There was no deductible and no copay. Now for the rest…my last injection at the hospital was on the 19th. Up until then, I’d had them every Monday and Thursday since June 28. That’s seven at over $100 a pop—six that still haven’t been billed as far as I know.

I called my PCP’s office and asked for a conference with his office nurse. It was her opinion that the doctor would allow me to get the shots there but she would have to let me know how much. On Thursday, she told me he’d said they could do it for $10 an injection. No administration fee. At the hospital, that alone is $79. I asked her about the glutathione IV push and she said I’d have to talk to him myself about that. I’d struck out with the two possibilities I thought I had. One didn’t do any glutathione therapy and the person I talked to at the other doctor’s office was so hateful, I decided I wouldn’t want to go there anyway. So…tomorrow I’ll ask him about that.

My first shot at the doctor’s office was on Friday and I wrote my $10 check. It didn’t have the folic acid but I’d talked to my naturopath’s office and was told to go ahead and get it anyway. I can take folic acid orally if the doc okays it. I’ll be getting them on Mondays and Fridays instead of Mondays and Thursdays. They’re closed on Thursday.

There was an announcement in the paper last week that my PCP is taking most insurances again. I haven’t asked if it includes mine. With everything I’m having to have done, I hope he does.

What a mess this has turned out to be! When cold weather comes, I’ll know if my gas logs contributed to my misery. I hope not because they surely make the place cozy. However, I had to quit rebounding because I would have such terrible headaches when I’d bounce and the rebounder is located close to the fireplace. For now, I’m feeling better every day, praise the Lord!

I trust I’ll have more news next week so check back!