Sega and the Bills

The days of Sega Genesis and the Buffalo Bills

I know I know - the titles keep getting better and better. What on earth could those two have to do with each other???? Why would I mention them in the same sentence?

Well, back in the day, a long long time ago, The Madden Football franchise that is so beloved on Playstation 3’s, X Box 360’s and Wii’s worldwide, was played on a lovely little gaming system called the Sega Genesis (click here). If you are nodding and smiling right now, YOU ARE OLD!

That Day has finally arrived...

For the longest while one of the events that I was having the most trouble dealing with was teaching my older son how to ride his bicycle without training wheels. My wife is not the teach a kid to ride his bike type, and honestly, I’m kinda glad because I always wanted to do it. Rhabdo has prevented my glory day and for that I will never forgive this ugly disease. It pained me that he wanted to learn but I couldn’t muster the energy to teach … until now.

Thank you Google!

Lonely, Hugs, Food, and Soccer

Well, by now, most of you know my father passed away on July 9, 2011. I am not sure I will ever be able to put into words my feelings, but as things come to me I will do my best to share them with you. What I can say is that I did not only lose one of the greatest fathers to walk the face of the earth, but I also lost my best friend. We fought like cat and dog over things that deserved fighting, but the love between us was unconditional. I will always love him…

So why the title you may ask?

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.

I love Lucy and she's so Jucy (sp)

Lucy and Tom

Just wanted to say a quick hello and let you know all is well. I’ve had a rough couple of days, but determination will not allow for mushy headspace. The hunt for physiotherapy continues… imagine at the Riverside, the waiting period for people like me who aren’t emergency cases (fresh out of O.R. or a trauma case) have to wait 1 ½ years. Yes you read correctly one and a half years. So looks like I will be heading to the Orleans centre until such time that I can switch to the hospital.

As for my home stretching… Well that doctor that you met in my last post has been keeping me on my toes. In fact he told me that my exercises are too easy and that I have to “do it like this!” and breaks out into a routine that can only be trumped by a VHS recall of the 20 minute workout. Ahhhhh love ‘em.

Well, today’s actual entry is of a lighter nature. My big brother asked that I tell the whole story, but the “ending” … it is up to K whether she tells you or not – just make sure you aren’t drinking sprite. So Lucy, sweet sweet Lucy….

Finally a Doctor that knows what he’s doing!!!

I continue to be overwhelmed by all of the love and support being expressed to myself and more so to my family. Thank you so much!!! And before I get into today’s ramblings I must say a very special thank you to those lovely people in PDV TWR A – not many people get to work surrounded by ‘good people’, I’m just one of the lucky ones.

So we are back home, only to find out that our two boys have now grown up, graduated, went off to college, came home with worldly knowledge and have taken over our house! Who are these kids??? Thank you, in an enormous way, to GR – who not only opened up her home, but opened up her heart to our two wee ones.

So what happens now…

Phase 1 - Check!

The full wrap up is coming, but we are done, and heading out of Rochester on the way home. What I thought would be the end of a journey really has just been the start of another. The short version is that they were able to pinpoint, with far greater accuracy, what is going on with me, simply because they have seen it before. Seems I'm lacking an enzyme or two and its causing chaos in my system. They will continue testing after I leave and consult with doctors back home to continue to narrow the search. They may never find it... and indeed I will suffer with this for the rest of my life.

The good news is that there may be something that can be done about the pain. I will be arranging for physiotherapy on my return and playing the hokey pokey with rhabdo to see how far we can push my body without setting off another episode. Sounds fun huh?!?!? The trick here is to differentiate the pain from muscle fatigue, stretch muscle while strengthening, without doing further damage... still sounds fun, doesn't it?!?!?

The story is much more detailed, but time and high speed are intermittent right now, and I know through BBM threats that it was in my best interest to put something quick to let everyone know that I'm ok. It's going to be hard... there's a lot more tests to be had, pain to be endured, and mental mountains to climb... but I think I am ready. Once I get some sleep of course.

Thank you all for the support... you should get some rest as well, cause I'm gonna be leaning on you once phase two starts...

see you soon.

Mikey.

whooooo ha

This is a very short one ladies and gentlemen. Today is the day the head doc lays out the plan for whats to come. As much as they have 'assured' me that I will leave here with a full answer and clear direction, I am going in today with a certain level of caution. After coming this far, fighting for 8 years, and the complete chaos that my family has had to endure, I just want to end this phase and move on to the next.

So if you read this before 5pm eastern time (4pm central), please say a prayer, send a positive vibe, good karma, etc... please do. There's a great possibility that this is the day I have been waiting for the last 8 years. If not, well we reload and keep searching until we find the answer. At the least it's a sunny day... that's a start.

I have another post for later about happenstance, but I wanted to wait for the full story before telling the tale.

Have and be a great day!

Trigyptabbi...

Did you hear the one about the Trini, the Egyptian, and the Rabbi?

Sooooooo, we come all the way to MN, and now both Ms K and I are fully battling colds. I, of course, with my superman immune system, I’m not affected half as bad as ms “knocked out and can’t talk”. So the weekend couldn’t have been timed better. Ahhhh sweet sweeeet sleep. Of which I don’t seem to be able to get anymore. Back to worrying. Monday and Tuesday as it stands right now are the wrap up and tell days. What on earth is going to be the outcome? I know what they promised, but then again I have had doctors make some bold statements before and not follow through. I know I have mentioned numerous times that I believe in these doctors, in the system, in their ability to diagnose. But even superman can be scared right? (Another if you know me personally moment: IYKMP – ask me about how super a man I am whenever you see me in person… if you are lucky, I may just be able to show you!)

So how does this all tie together… hold your horses, I will get to it. Remember… me… tangents… loving to talk and ramble…

Did I ever mention that I taught elementary classes at an orthodox Jewish School?

How are you???

Good day sir/miss, how are you?

How many times have we walked into a store and heard those very words uttered in a manner that resembles the care we put into throwing a glass bottle into the metal recycling bin? They ask as a matter of fact and so too we answer in a matter of fact manner… does it really make a difference? I mean, when they ask do they really want to know how our day actually is, and when we answer do we always tell the truth? Truth be told I am no different than anyone else who has ever asked that question, sometimes I want the truth sometimes I don’t.

The Sandwich part 2

The Sandwich part 2

Well there’s a title for ya… especially since there was no sandwich part 1. Who cares, I was just trying to sneak in a reference to lettuce, tomatoes, and Mayo. Yes ladies and gents I am here and I can finally start to update you as to what’s going on down here in lovely Rochester, MN (that’s right, NY is not the only place that has a Rochester, Minnesota has its own).

Olive Green, fresh and clean.

Olive Green, fresh and clean.

In 2006 when I went to the world cup I blogged to let family and friends enjoy the journey because many of them could never have made it even if they tried. I’m thinking that the sentiment is similar, but very different now in that I hope none of you want to experience Rhabdomyolysis on your own, but you read because you want to get a sense of the experience that I am going through… or simply you think I’m hot and want to see me in spandex. LOLOL I had to do that just to make one friend truly miserable for a day.

Don’t you, forget about me…

Don’t you, forget about me…

I must apologize, it has been a long time and many people have contacted me saying… well yelling “WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON???” There is no easy answer to that question, and truth be told, the answer is not a short one neither. I am currently having my sandwich with a spoon or two full of Mayo, but honestly that will come in the following message. For now I say to you, yet another doctor (or doctor’s office) has slipped up. My lovely brother introduced me to a wider variety of music and movies than my parents did, and for this I will be grateful for a few more years… but seriously, does every doctor’s office staff people with simple minds?

The glass is half full of chamomile tea…

The glass is half full of chamomile tea…

Sorry for the delay in writing, but much is going on at a feverous pace, so I am starting this entry at 1:54 am. I have no normal clock left in me, I sleep when I can and for some reason that’s not very often any more. I think when the stress is finally released from this trip to Minnesota I will sleep for three days straight, or I will find out I have insomnia (hmmm that would be a half empty glass). "Half full!" I say in a wicked English accent!!!

What is this guy mumbling about… glass... full... tea...

The Good, the bad, the ugly…

If I remember correctly it was the name of a Clint Eastwood movie. Clint’s cool and all, but I was never a big fan of westerns. In fact, the only two films I can remember watching that had anything to do with him were The Million Dollar baby and Grand Torino. Now I know my wife and brother will have much to say about that fact, but for me, movies and television shows are about instant entertainment. I don’t try to etch into memory the name of the dude who owns the bowling alley, that lady with the perfect putt I saw at mini golf, or the winning hand I saw someone else get at poker last Friday. Instant entertainment I say. Any hoo, why the title you ask? Well, many have asked me what is it like to have Rhabdomyolysis, and now that the pain hasn’t gone away, what is a normal day in your life?

Well here goes… the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Lettuce, tomato and a whole heap of Mayo…

Lettuce, tomato and a whole heap of Mayo…

Mmmmmm  sandwich! Most of the sandwiches that I enjoy would be topped just like that. Not a lot of lettuce, because if I wanted a salad in a bun, I would make a salad and put it in a bun. But just the right amount of lettuce with fresh ripe firm tomatoes and yum!!! Then you add mayo. Mayo mayo mayo…. Mmmm mayo.

Confession… my obsession with mayo does not stem from sandwiches, nor does it have anything to do with mayonnaise. Click here for more info.

Eye Eye captain…

Happy Sunday. It sure is happy because I had a lovely dinner with some amazing friends who made me laugh til I cried, and the Indian food ohhhh the Indian food (that’s for another day… Indian food I love, my internal plumbing is very anti tandoori and butter chicken!!!)

So my eye, my darn eye!!!

Rhab who???

Well,

I have been promising and promising to restart this lovely blog of mine – and here we are. I hope in the upcoming weeks I find the energy to chronicle all that has happened because it is pretty spectacular in all its highs and lows. What I do know for a fact is I AM ONE LUCKY MAN.