On Fear; No Fear

Yesterday I got the results of my second cat scan. I have a "horseshoe kidney," which occurs in 1 of 400 people. It's likely a development during the embryonic stage. At this point, it's not a problem. Also, no kindey stones were found in the kidneys, bladder, or ureter. At this point I'm relieved.

Two days ago, Mother got a great report from her pet scan. In her first evaluation after her chemotherapy, she passed with flying colors. Very good news.

Karen, also, is getting better. Her wisdom teeth removal created more problems than we thought she'd have. She's been in and out of work, but is getting better.

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Matthew picks back up his piano lessons today. I'm glad about that. He is very naturally talented on the keys. His vast imagination works for him there too. He's constantly tinkering on the piano, making up songs, or replicating ones he's heard. He has a really good musical ear.

Sarah's still doing dance, and she is quite athletically coordinated, a good little dancer. She's also expressed interest in piano.

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I tried a new recipe last night: country fried steak with milk gravy. I used cubed steak; it was okay. I remember eating that growing up. The batter and gravy was pretty good, but the steak was a bit tough...then again, it was cubed steak.

I should probably stick with pies.

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My exercising continues to go well. I'm up to 40 minutes daily on the bike now. I weigh less than I have in a few years, probably around 198.

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The kids are with Lisa this weekend. I'm looking forward to some rest and time with Karen. The kids have games on Saturday, too.

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I recently finished On Fear by the late Indian writer/speaker Krishnamurti. At times this book was difficult to wrap my head around...it's challenging to western thinking. But it teaches some really good concepts, mainly how to recognize and deal with fear. Not fears of things like snakes or auto accidents, but rather inner fears, such as fears of not succeeding, or losing status, or losing your husband or wife, or fear of death...fears that often cripple people and keep them from growing in life. To overcome fears, people either usually try to run away or escape (which doesn't work) or patch them over with things like religion (which is really also trying to escape). Latching on to religion is much easier than taking yourself at face value, and facing your fears head on. What I took from the book is that to overcome fear you can't run, escape, or seek refuge in religion. You simply must face yourself and your fears. Admit them, embrace them, and live in the present, not the past or future. Then the fears lose their powers.

Filling It Up

This photo is from a year ago, not this year. Both the kids play aggressively and hard. They've both improved even more this year. Saturday, Sarah scored 18 points in her game.

Sarah scored 18 points in her basketball game Saturday. At halftime, she had all of her team's points. For the game, she had all but ten of her team's points. I know I'm bragging, but hey, I have a right!

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The kids and I have had a pretty good weekend. We've enjoyed being together.

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I should hear from the doctor's office what the next step in my kidney issues is. At this point I'm not too concerned. The jury is out until more results come in.

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Tonight I'm watching the Oscars. My latest Netflix movie is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, but I haven't watched it yet. I'm enjoying the latest HBO series, In Treatment.

Illnesses

Everyone I know has had health problems lately, it seems. There's Allen with his carpal tunnell syndrome, Paxton with his bad back, Karen with her wisdom teeth removal, and me with my kidney issues.

I had a cat scan on Thursday, and the results came back today. My kidney seems to be a bit enlarged...this may be something I was born with, and may be no reason for concern. I've got to go back in for another scan. They want to make sure everything is good. They found no kidney stones floating around...that's good. I hope I'm done with those.

I spent the day with Karen, who was out of work, recovering from having two wisdom teeth removed yesterday.

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The kids are with me this weekend; both have basketball games tomorrow. Matthew and I had a great time playing Guitar Hero tonight. It's always good to see him laugh and enjoy himself. Sarah's been under the weather tonight.

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The Black (pictured above under a blanket), our excitable cat, was going wild tonight, chasing balls and pretend mice throughout the house. He also seems to like the new furniture as much as we do.

Frustrated

I'm having problems with my laptop. The adapter doesn't consistently charge it. Googling this problem, I found it is extremely common with laptops. It has to do with too much pressure being put on the male prong that receives the charge on the laptop.

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Going to Karen's tonight for some much needed time with her. I'm baking fish, with rice and salad, for us and her boys.

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I've gotten back on the exercise bike after nearly a whole week off due to illness. 40 minutes yesterday, 30 today. It feels nice.

Busy Weekend

My parents arrived on Saturday morning with a trailer-load of furniture from my late grandmother's home. New additions include tables for the living room, sofa, love seat, and mixer (no more hand whipping meringues...high fives). We all attended Sarah's game, then Matthew's. Both played well, and Sarah scored six points and grabbed what seemed to be a dozen rebounds.

After the games, Karen and I attended a one-man play, entitled Defending the Caveman, then went out for dinner and a long talk. We are good for each other; we go together like (as Rob Scneider's character in Big Daddy said) "spaghetti and meat ball." She gets me, and that's not something I take for granted.

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The kids are out of school tomorrow, so we'll have a day of sleeping in (hopefully) and time at home. With each passing day I'm amazed at my kids, and am increasingly aware of how special they are to me.

Damn I'm tired. I hope I actually get some sleep tonight.

Till next time...

Happy Val Day

I'm still struggling through a nagging cold, which seems to be wreaking havoc all over north Alabama. I don't know why, but colds tend to wear me out pretty badly. I think I'm at least on the back end of it.

I'm waiting to hear results from a urinalysis...I think there may still be blood in the urine, and that I still may be dealing with a kidney stone or stones. I wonder if this weekend holds extreme pain for me...we'll see.

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The kids got out early for Valentine's Day today, and are out of school tomorrow too, although they are with their mother. Matthew has a party tonight, and the girl he likes will be there. It's fun for me to watch the kids grow up and experience new things. Sarah has basketball practice tonight.

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My folks are coming to town Saturday morning. They'll watch Sarah and Matthew play in basketball games. They both are improving a great deal. I hope Karen can come too.

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HERE'S (link now fixed) a song I like lately (the giant mice are cool!). I've found a like a good bit of electronica. I discovered this one on Guitar Hero!

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Happy Valentine's Day Karen and everyone!

Rockin' Out

Yesterday my kids each had basketball games. Both teams played hard and both teams lost close games. Sarah, who usually scores a few baskets a game, was shut out on offense. Matthew made a shot. They both played excellent defense and were worn out after their games. Karen attended both games with me.

After the games, my friend Paxton met me at my place for a jam session. He just bought a nice cherry red Fender guitar and amp; I played the drums. I wonder if we should start a band..."Two Bald Guys" perhaps.

Here's a song we played...one of the few we both sort of knew. Now we just need a lead singer.

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Today I slept in a bit. I had a nice lunch...an oriental stir fry dish, with rice noodles, grilled chicken, carrots, green onions, mushrooms, all tossed in hoisen sauce. Then I finished off my pecan pie. I think my next pie will be coconut cream, always one of my faves. My folks are coming into town next Saturday; I'll try to have it for them.

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Karen and I watched Saw IV over the weekend. We've seen them all. It was more of the same: gruesome, torturous "life games," used to teach offenders to truly value life. Very creative torture devices, I must say.

My Sweetheart

Sarah shows off her swing at Sci Quest

Yesterday was a good day. I met Sarah Catherine at school and took her and two friends on a field trip to Sci Quest. They learned about simple machines like wheel and axle, levers, pulleys, etc. I tried not to embarass her and be a "cool" dad. I think I did fairly well in that regard.

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After the field trip I came home to cast my vote in the presidential primary. After they finally found my name buried on the inactive list, I cast my ballot for Barack Obama. It looks like he and Hillary will be neck and neck on the Dem side.

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Riding my bike and listening to my iPod today, this song came on. I've always liked Death Cab for their soothing beats, smart lyrics, and indie roots.

Pain and Agony

Yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday. It was also the day I suffered from my first (and hopefully last) kidney stone. I woke up at about 6 a.m. with severe pain in my stomach and back. The pain lasted for about an hour or so, and despite numerous attempts to get comfortable, I was writhing in pain, desperate for relief. Karen was great...nursing me and attending my side, feeding me Pepto Bismol and Advil. A warm bath didn't help. Neither did laying down, or sitting up, or walking around. It got so bad that I finally passed out or fell asleep in the fetal position on the bathroom floor. At the time, I wasn't sure what the problem was...

Then today, I went to the doctor to have my apple juice (urine) tested. It is/was an apparent kidney stone. Since I've had no symptoms since yesterday, the doc seems to think I've likely already passed the stone.

I talked to Pops this morning; he's had 15-20 or so kidney stones. It's likely going to be a genetic issue I have to deal with. Matthew was not too thrilled to hear the news...he's already a bit concerned about it himself. He asked me if minors could get kidney stones...

The Super Bowl was awesome...a really exciting game. The Giants deserve all the accolades. They slayed the other "giant," the previously undefeated Patriots. Relax, '72 Dolphins.

Tomorrow I get to take Sarah Catherine on a field trip to Sci Quest. Should be fun.

'Til next time...