I hope Santa was as generous to you as he was to us. We're now pretty much equipped for the surgery and recovery: loose sweats and sweaters, music, books, crosswords, PS3 games, and a new Ipod speaker system with a remote that I can bring to step-down in Cleveland.
We're in Kentucky, enjoying family and down time. Jenn's brother Patrick is newly engaged, and he and Libby are here for a few days. It's nice to be able to spend some time with her and get to know her - she's terrific (as expected, since Patrick is a man of discerning taste).
My friend Laurie could use your thoughts - she's with her cousin's wife, with whom she is very close, and who is sadly dying of cancer. They're doing their best to muddle through the holiday season. Follow them here, and post a comment if you're inclined.
Take care,
Michael
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
No news is good news
Nothing seismic to report, but I felt like I should check in. (Is anyone out there?)
I'm wrapping up things at work for my leave. It's going to take 3 separate people to cover all my responsibilities at the office. I don't know what to make of that ... maybe I need to ask for a raise when I get back.
The 'Cats are headed to the Outback Bowl, and so are we! And those who know me know that any excuse to go to Tampa is a good one as long as there's time for dinner.
18 days to surgery, and I'm about as set as I can be. I'm loaded up with medically essential items and books and crosswords. Santa's elves tell me more is on the way, too. It became a little more real last week at the dentist's office, where they signed the required dental clearance; and when my leave was officially approved.
Jenn will be posting here in near-real-time during and immediately after the surgery. I'll have my laptop with me out there as well, so don't expect me to be offline for too long at all.
Happy holidays, everyone!
Take care,
Michael
I'm wrapping up things at work for my leave. It's going to take 3 separate people to cover all my responsibilities at the office. I don't know what to make of that ... maybe I need to ask for a raise when I get back.
The 'Cats are headed to the Outback Bowl, and so are we! And those who know me know that any excuse to go to Tampa is a good one as long as there's time for dinner.
18 days to surgery, and I'm about as set as I can be. I'm loaded up with medically essential items and books and crosswords. Santa's elves tell me more is on the way, too. It became a little more real last week at the dentist's office, where they signed the required dental clearance; and when my leave was officially approved.
Jenn will be posting here in near-real-time during and immediately after the surgery. I'll have my laptop with me out there as well, so don't expect me to be offline for too long at all.
Happy holidays, everyone!
Take care,
Michael
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
I (heart) NY
We spent this weekend in New York City, thanks to my employer, which saw fit to name me winner of a contest sponsored by Corporate Communications. They sprung for round-trip car service, one night hotel at the Renaissance at 57th and Lex, and theater tickets. I really do like my company!
Saturday was spent being active: walking the streets of NYC, riding the subways (read: lots of stairs), and touring the Guggenheim (read: long, spiral uphill path - it's an amazing piece of architecture). Then a nice dinner (pretzel-crusted crab cake and "lobster steak", anyone?), and the theater. Sunday morning, a little more of the same.
I find it interesting - and frustrating - that if I pace myself, I can make it through an activity-packed day or 2 like this, but that it definitely catches up with me. By noon Sunday I was beat, and I've been way sluggish since we got home, both physically and mentally.
It's all part of what Laurie calls the "new normal" - a typical touristy day takes a whole lot more out of me than from someone else.
As the surgery date approaches, days like Saturday remind me that I'm better off than a lot of people with this condition. Yay! - I can make it through a Big Apple weekend. But the term "make it" sets the bar a tad low, doesn't it? And let's not even get into the question of exercise, which I used to love, and now equally fear and loathe for the way it makes me feel. Here's hoping the surgery restores my quality of life to the point where I can walk around the city all day and not pay for it the rest of the week.
Take care,
Michael
Saturday was spent being active: walking the streets of NYC, riding the subways (read: lots of stairs), and touring the Guggenheim (read: long, spiral uphill path - it's an amazing piece of architecture). Then a nice dinner (pretzel-crusted crab cake and "lobster steak", anyone?), and the theater. Sunday morning, a little more of the same.
I find it interesting - and frustrating - that if I pace myself, I can make it through an activity-packed day or 2 like this, but that it definitely catches up with me. By noon Sunday I was beat, and I've been way sluggish since we got home, both physically and mentally.
It's all part of what Laurie calls the "new normal" - a typical touristy day takes a whole lot more out of me than from someone else.
As the surgery date approaches, days like Saturday remind me that I'm better off than a lot of people with this condition. Yay! - I can make it through a Big Apple weekend. But the term "make it" sets the bar a tad low, doesn't it? And let's not even get into the question of exercise, which I used to love, and now equally fear and loathe for the way it makes me feel. Here's hoping the surgery restores my quality of life to the point where I can walk around the city all day and not pay for it the rest of the week.
Take care,
Michael
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