Blank.

As I mentioned once before, I have a friend who truly enjoys the titles of my entries. I can’t lie, some of them have even made me smile when I look back. Today I searched the depths and came up with nothing. I decided to be honest, so there ya have it.

Some house cleaning for you… I am fine as one can expect for being in my particularly unique health position. But in case someone really wants to get cute about it, I am no worse than before. Physio continues to provide hope for me and my future. As well, a friend (well at least while I’m off, when I go back to work, she goes back to being ‘the man’) provided some new leads on studies for pain and episode management, so that has re-sparked my quest for health as well.

But truth be told all of that seems to be secondary to my current pressing issue. My dad is sick… really sick. My last post was May 31 because on June 1 my world changed. He fell down some stairs, and what seemed like a manageable situation has transformed into a monster.

If you don’t know me very well you may think that my father and I have your typical father – son relationship. It is far from that. I fought with that man often, we disagreed about much, even stopped talking to each on various occasions, yet I can honestly say he is the best father in the world! When we weren’t talking there was a piece of me missing – not like a daisy with a missing petal, but more like a finely tuned 1968 Mercedes 220 driving on the highway with the wrong octane gas. Everything might look good outside, but the full potential of what was underneath just could not be reached. Without his input my life just didn’t seem right. Then we would find some common ground and all would be ok again. I haven’t been able to speak with him for 35 days… my shinny black 1968 220 is safely parked on the shoulder with 4 way flashers on.

This blog has followed me through some very unique events in life and I have tried to share my life experiences to hopefully encourage you, direct you, provide you with things to talk about… My whole life I have been chasing wisdom, and I was happy to share that quest with you. My lil secret was that I never had to go far for it, I have a secret stash always 11 phone digits or a 3 full cd drive away. The greatest father ever.

So please bear with me if I am lapse in writing until he returns home. Please pray for him if you are one that prays, and if not, please focus some positive energy his way. He’s awesome, and I want so badly to share that awesomeness with the world for as long as possible.

As cousin R would ask, “so we will do like Heinz?”

Over the last year or so, I have had the debate with some friends over on that lovely social network site about what does and does not require ketchup. The answers were enough to make ones head spin. My lovely wife thinks it’s a sin of sorts to marry ketchup and eggs, my kids love it on everything hot to “cool it down”, and I found a friend who dresses her curry chicken with it (I still think her husband needs to sit down and talk with her). Alas, this is a different kind of ketchup. For when my cousin utters those words, it means we haven’t spoken in a while and we need to catch up.

I know I should have kept notes on my Blackberry, but meh… I am sure if I forget anything someone in the camp will remind me, or I will remind myself.  So here goes, I promise I will keep it short.

grrrrrrr - sandwiches

I just realized I haven't posted anything since May 5. Shame on me!!!

Well truth be told it was all kinda quiet for a while and then all of a sudden bam!!!
I will do my best to update you fully real soon, I haven't been sleeping well, so I am going to try to get some sleep right now. Sometimes drugs knock you out, other times they make you stay up until 5:30 am.

sigh

so why did I decide to write now? The initial summary report has arrived from the mayo clinic. I should be excited right? I should rip it open and see what it says right?? I should!!!! I'm scared.

Again, I know that I know more about my 'problem' (seriously, what the heck do I call this thing... disease, syndrome, issue, bahhh), but I am not sure I want to read, heyyyyy we know the name of it, sorry still can't do shite for ya!

Reality sucks sometimes. I have a responsibility to open it, I need to open it... I will ... tomorrow. That way the wife can do the honours.

For now I will just stare at it until I pass out of exhaustion.

I promise to update you soon...

For now, me, the envelope and Sports Center.

Desole for the delay

Day  5/6/7/8/9

Well hello there, it has definitely been awhile. There is so much that has happened, so I can only hope to catch you up in a short space and limited time. I haven’t felt well in some days now, but I am not worried. TENS remains my good friend, and well, what can I say about Mr Loopy… love ya bro!

Day 4 - Manly Pink

Things weren’t so bad today. I have come to the complete understanding that for this process to work you truly have to let go and start from the beginning. Not so easy all the time, but I am trying. Today was much of the same, physiotherapy involves a lot of re-teaching your body to do things that it stopped doing for whatever reason – and then strengthening that ability. Have I yet mentioned that it hurts!!!???

So today had mainly stretching exercises until…. The weights. Yes the weights. A long time ago in a land far far away, I used to spend a lot of time in the gym. LOTS. Leg pressing stacks, benching your body weight and then some, triceps dips until your arms screamed “stop you sexy thang”….

Day 3 - oh what a feelin'

Day 3

Well let me start off by saying TENS… You Rock Baby!!!

All of us, if honest, would admit that over time we have become comfortable in our day to day lives and neglect to truly appreciate things. Sometimes this can mean a special person… a relationship… a privilege or advantage… you know what I mean. Well I found out yesterday that one of the things to add to that list is a pain free day.

Day 2 - Meet me at the spa

Happy weekend!!! I am a day late with the update, and that is only because I was lied to and was recovering. The memo just never got to me… I was off the list maybe?!?! Whatever the case may be, I’m really mad!!!

Day 1 - the journey begins

Day 1

Well its kinda like day 2 but the first day was basic lean left lean right rotate and twist. Who knew physiotherapy could hurt. Well let me tell you, it can hurt. There are a whole heap of muscles that I either forgot about or never knew I had to begin with. Fortunately it ended with a lovely machine that sends electrical current in to your back and makes you want to fall asleep… ahhhhhh niiiice.

So yes, physiotherapy has officially started, and they are very optimistic that I can help my body replenish its stock of good muscle. This is not an overnight process and it will take a tremendous amount of dedication. They mentioned that I may be able to go snowboarding again… ride a bike with the kids… play soccer with them… I’m dedicated!!!

It has been a hard week though. I did my CK test last Friday and so far no news is good news… well kinda. I’m in a crazy amount of pain. Muscles are cramping, joints aching, and really tired. If there is no elevation in the CK we really do have a new problem. The Mikey does not like new problems, in fact, the Mikey hates new problems.

I’m focused… eye on the prize.

So Friday is day 2, and they should finish the evaluation part of the process. They have mentioned numerous times that they are being careful not to push my body past the “zone”, but dammmmmm, if today was not past the zone, be afraid the Mikey, be very afraid.

So drugs and sleep for now, I will let you know about the CK as soon as I hear back.

PS, was it just me or did that French guy refer to Quebec as a separate country again???

Loopy

I have received a few pleasant reminders regarding my blog etiquette. So I just stopped by to say yes I started physio today... yes it was a wonderful experience, especially since they didn't make me do too much (note: I'm not being lazy, I already swam with the Italian ladies earlier in the day)... yes it will be one long road to better... am I ready??? Hell's yes.

Problem is, I think in the midst of all the colds and flus (what on earth is the correct plural of flu???) that have passed through the house recently one has finally broken down Superman (that's me... don't you dare make any jokes!) I did my CK test on Friday and just waiting patiently for the results... I'm in pain and lots of it. So Mr Loopy, here I come.

Details tomorrow.

Cool runnings...

Irie...

niiiiice

lol - maybe I took it already... who knows?!?!?
G nite.

trees and forests

If a tree falls

How many times have we heard that lovely saying – If a tree falls and no one is around to hear it, does it really make a sound? Bear with me, my random mumbling is about to start, but it will eventually make sense…

Last week I was again faced with a very passionate individual expressing what a wonderful inspiration I was. I know I have mentioned this before, but I need to revisit for just a moment. Inspiration… this word keeps coming up, and I honestly don’t think it applies to me. When I think of inspirational people, I draw pictures of people who drive you to do more, to be more, to rise above expectation, etc. I just don’t imagine myself providing that motivation. Here’s where this blog entry takes a turn.