Probably should apologize for not posting an update here, but brain's been too tired to even think of doing that.

Getting better. Just slow.

That's all - it happens, sometimes even without COVID. I've returned from my honeymoon in Vegas; arrived at airport for 4pm for a 6pm flight, spent 2hours at airport, 10hours on a flight, 6hours waiting for a transfer, 1hour flight home. Total of 19hiyrs travel time, plus the additional 6 walking around Vegas on our last day...

That was last Saturday and jet lag has only just properly ended yesterday... Was worth it for the experience though!!!

So take it easy, look after yourself and don't feed those brain weevils!!

In reply to Levi Stensgaard (msg # 546):

Congrats Levi! I've been married 28 years come Oct 3. It's been fun for us.

1st anniversary is 28th October... Shows you how long we waited for our honeymoon, with both me and the wife being teachers and all...

What do you actually TEACH? I didn't think they did any more.

I pretend to..  it's all about classroom management and hoping the kids remember enough some of what you impart...

As you may have heard, Southwest Florida where I  live got clobbered by Hurricane Ian. Once again, we've lost power. With Irma, we lost it for 10 days. It could be longer this time as a couple of substations got trashed and there's almost a million people without power now across the six counties.

Currently using my friend's hot spot from his phone, but there's still the problem of charging up my computer and his cell phone.

So, not sure how much I'll be able to post before we get power back. No gas stations are operable because their pumps are electrical and they don't have power either. Most stores were closed today, but a few restaurants managed to open to feed the people that can't cook at home now.

Lots of trees down, and some damage to houses and yards. Six houses on our block lost their back porches. Our fence barely survived, but it's leaning because the ground got so soaked. Lost a few solar panels. But other than that, made it through without any damage to the house (except the back porch (the lanai) is 50% gone) and we're all intact--people, cats and dogs.

Glad to hear you're alright with only limited damage to house and possessions. Stay safe, look after yourself and those close to you.

Yea! Power's back as of Friday afternoon. Internet came back late Friday night. We thought it'd take long because we're at the tail end of a line and the telephone pole and transformer at the other end of the block were both lying on the ground because the pole had snapped in half!

Spent yesterday cleaning up, picking up the pieces, putting things back in place, and making sure nothing got burnt out. We'd unplugged the TVs and shut off the AC at the circuit box, so we seem to be okay.

Our two house cats keep wanting to go out on the back porch like they used to, but it's half gone, so that's not going to be an option for awhile.

Anyway, expect to get caught up on my games today.

Can only imagine the turmoil and heartache at losing and going through so much.

At least you're ok, that is something. And possessions are just things that can be replaced in time. Good luck and best wishes going forward.

Starmaster should be back tomorrow, rl issues.

Just spent two days in the hospital. I suppose if I'd been sick that would have been a good thing. Per VA recommendation, I went to the ER because I'd been having some mild chest pains on my right side. Thought it was probably a strained muscles from lifting something, and after being poked and prodded for two days, I was cleared of any heart problems. The stupid part is I feel worse now than when I went in.

All ok, no pressure for a quick return. Glad to hear it wasn't a serious heart problem, and crossed fingers that it is nothing more serious than a strain.

Merry Christmas and have a good festive season to one and all.

In reply to Levi Stensgaard (msg # 559):

ditto

So here's what's been happening...

I've been 'ill' for about three months now, starting with getting COVID back in the beginning of October. Wasn't too bad and I got over it in a few days, but it left me with the typical aftermath symptom of being tired ALL THE TIME. I was slowly getting over it, and even had a few hours of energy every day.

I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for mid-October but then Hurricane Ian hit. The VA clinic took some damage and was closed for two weeks. I finally got the appointment rescheduled for Jan. 13.

December 1st, I had a minor chest pain on my right side. It felt like just a minor muscle strain but at my age and with my medical history, I felt it was prudent to check. Called the VA clinic to see about a walk-in visit the next day and the nurse I talked to went into panic mode with the 'chest pain' words, and told me to go to the ER. So, on Friday, December 2nd, that's what I did. More panic mode.

Spent 4 days being poked and prodded, inspected, detected, and injected and stuff, only to be told my heart was fine. More exactly, they couldn't find any cause for the chest pain... the obvious cause seemed to elude them.

Here's where it started going to hell. Getting out of the hospital, I had an extreme loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and NO ENERGY. Didn't have any of that when I went in!

Not only was I not hungry, but nothing tasted appealing any more. Could barely eat my favorite foods, and then only 2-3 bites. On top of that, I ran out of one of my diabetes medicines. Not eating and drinking much, I also wasn't taking my meds as regularly as I had been.

This went on for the next three weeks, so things probably grew gradually worse without me quite realizing it.

December 31st, I managed to pull a back muscle, and while the pain meds I took didn't do squat, I at least knew it'd go away in a few days. It did. And then I got hives!

Jan. 6 I went to the VA clinic to get bloodwork done for my doctor's appointment. No sooner did I get home than the doctor called to tell me my blood sugar level was 903! I needed to go to the ER pronto! That's where I've been for the past week. :-(

I still didn't feel all that bad (weak and no energy), but I definitely had some serious health issues. Turned out I had ketoacidosis and some kidney issues. After a few days treatment, the keto was gone, kidneys were all better, and my blood sugar was back to normal. Now I had to survive the 'recovery'. As long as I was stuck in that hospital bed, though, I knew I wasn't going to get better. So now I'm home.

Have a nurse helping me, and physical therapy should start tomorrow. And now I have to play tag with a doctor's appointment again...

Anyway, the reason I'm telling you all this is in case you, family or a friend should find yourself in a similar situation, you'll have a heads-up/warning about what's might be happening.


Now it's just recovery and rehab.

That all sounds horrific!! Glad you're at home and recovering. Hospitals may be great at resolving urgent and immediate care, but they're not the best place for recovering as you just don't settle, you're not comfortable, other people are noisy and demanding and the staff have duties to attend to which means checking your vitals every few hours. Which is all good and well, but in my case the last time I was hospitalised they needed to take blood from me every 6 hours. That means, yup, I was asleep and resting and they'd have to wake me up to stab me to take blood...

All that comes to mind when I summarise hospital care is "wake up, it's time to take your sleeping pill". That and all the staff wearing trainers or crocs, and squeaking when they walk.

As always, just take care of yourself and everything else can and will take care of itself.

Before I start scrolling to look have we made any attempts at repairing the damage to the ship now we have gravity and air to help us out??

Not that I can recall. I think everyone was expecting Levi to do that.

Didn't think so

More health issues. Been in hospital for past 11 days. Transitioning to rehab soon. Will update when I can.

Take care mate

Should have been out 5 days ago but VA and hospital are doing the chicken dance over me.

Got my computer now, so we'll see what happens.

No pressure, as always. Focus on improving your health.