Better Living Through Chemistry, or Pain DOES Mean You're Alive!

Hello Fellow Travelers!

My constant spinning comes part and parcel with a certain amount of constant pain.  My head always hurts and my right hand/arm is painful and has been diagnosed with nerve damage or "neuropathy".

 To address the neuropathy issue, my oncologist prescribed Prednisone.

My PS says the pain and "hamburger  hand" sensation in my right arm are not real.  It sure feels like ground meat that's not been refrigerated!

Maybe Prednisone is working because it's all I take, or maybe it's effective because I do so much gym work, who knows?  Or cares?  It's working - that's all I know.

Right now, today, Prednisone is helping me.  I'm looking a lot better.  I feel a lot better.

Does it still hurt?  Oh, yeah!  Is it important?  Is it cancer?  No.  Then I really don't give a hoot!
Pain/schmain!  Pain is a little like hunger - inconsequential.

How does Prednisone work?  I'm glad you asked! Spoiler Alert:  I'm about to get all medical! Prednisone just sort of "fixes" you. Its  magic, like beanstalks or Disney furniture! It's kind of spooky, actually. The effects kick in at lightning speed.  (I hope that explanation wasn't  too dry!  Despite a complete lack of balance I no longer tip over.  My skin is regenerating itself. The muscle groups I've worked on for so long with no noticeable results are now visible and rapidly developing!

Do you know what happens when you finally see improvement?  You want more improvement!

I feel stronger, faster lighter.  I'll bend pain and hunger to my will, not the other way around.

Pain keeps me sharp!  Keeps me focused!  Pain can be managed.

Maybe that doctor/philosopher was right and "Pain does mean you're alive!"

Really?  They let you actually say that?  Unbelievable!

What Do Selma Bouvier And Stevie Nicks Both Share? Stand Back And I'll Tell You!

Selma Bouvier

Hello Fellow Travelers!

Yesterday, my Patient Spouse and I were going to see yet another brain specialist.  I am committed to solving this mystery, to stop the ceaseless spinning.

When I can walk, I'll never sit again.  I plan on standing up forever.  But that's for another rant on some other day.

Today I'm still laughing about something the PS did on the way to the brain doctor yesterday.

Stand Back!  It's Stevie!

Going to the umpteenth "consultation" was another medical mind to probe, one more lead to follow.

 I will keep searching until I find the key to neuroplasticity.  That is, in effect, a damaged brain's ability to create new connections between the brain and your muscles.   In my case, I'm unable to walk, stand or speak.  I'll keep looking for answers.   Accompanying me on this dark journey has always been my PS.  He makes me laugh several times a day.

We were listening to some "classic rock" station and they played Stevie Nicks' anthem-like "Stnnd Back".  He started singing the song in a pitch perfect Selma from "The Simpsons"  I laughed so hard, I blew water out of my nose!

I rarely smile since '11 but I'm always looking for anything funny!  And Selma/Stevie was darn humorous!  The raspy voice of the chain-smoking, DMV working, Homer-hating, Bouvier sister  (she has an identical twin, Patty) was pure hysteria!

I live a life now buried in ridiculous circumstances.  Just yesterday I wheeled over a new brassiere without being aware of it.  Somehow a wheel "ate" the Lycra straps and  my crummy wheelchair seized up like a fishing yacht that gets fishing line caught in the propeller.  Oh, man!  Really!?!

A bra paralyzing my much-despised metal wheels?  Say "it ain't so, Joe!"

Welcome to my world.  Post brain tumor.

Classy with a Kapitol "K"!

No one said juggling chainsaws was "Breakfast at Tiffany's"!

I could have spent hours trying to detangle the wheel but every time I tried it seized up even tighter!

I just had to laugh! It was pretty funny!

Of course, the PS came along and detangled it in about two seconds.

It's another reason I have to be as ready as possible for whatever ridiculous set of circumstances might  come next:  killer bees, zombie robots, wheel tangles, I  don't know for sure what's coming only that something is.

Forrest Gump was right.  Life is like a box of chocolates.

As Homer (Simpson) might say, "Mmmm, chocolate!"

April Means Spring Baseball!

ATT Park-Every Seat is Fantastic!

Hello Fellow Travelers!

Yesterday was great for many reasons: It was a warm, sunny, day, I'm still among the living, my PS was in good humor.  But mostly it was such a "wunderkuche" (wondercake) with a maraschino on top because it was the SF Giants' Opening Day at AT&T Park!

What it signifies is that Spring is here!  Kruk  & Kuyp are back!

162 games?  Is that all?  Does that include the playoffs?  That they'll be in, of course!

Big bats and "snot rockets", says classy with a "k"!

AT&T is a fun park with a lot of interesting stuff to see and do - and eat!  The variety of "quality" chocolate items alone is dizzying!  As stadiums go, it's a foodie's dream!

Baseball is the ultimate reinvention story:  At the beginning of a new season, anything is possible, Your team could take it all!  Baseball is also deceptively simple.  The PS always talks (in hushed tones) about "the game within the game" whatever that is.  I'm just in it for the hot chocolate!  And the bobbleheads!  What can I say?  "Simple things for simple minds."

The world is an increasingly scary place.  Opening Day at AT&T reassures baseball fans that the "boys of summer" are forever young and still swinging!  Plus, the food is pretty good...

There's Nothing Like A Cookie-Shaped Polka Dot Purse!

The Kate Spade Round Patent Leather Crossbody - Look, Ma!  No Hands!

Hello Fellow Travelers!