[Note: This is another blog based on my weekly emails to my family on the mainland. In the last few editions I've related my aging woes to the extent that this might be called The Geezer Gazette.]
11/2/24
Aloha Everybody --
The flab index in Kona rose dramatically this week as the triathletes left town. The weather didn't
cooperate entirely for race day as rain moved in during the afternoon. I'm sure they've endured worse
conditions, though. The storm that came through brought the first snow of the season on the summit of Mauna Kea, which is unusually early. It is now quiet for the next month or so, one of our least touristy times of year. We'll soon get an influx of migrating snow birds and then lots of tourists during the holiday season until early January.
cooperate entirely for race day as rain moved in during the afternoon. I'm sure they've endured worse
 |
| Jingle Bells |
conditions, though. The storm that came through brought the first snow of the season on the summit of Mauna Kea, which is unusually early. It is now quiet for the next month or so, one of our least touristy times of year. We'll soon get an influx of migrating snow birds and then lots of tourists during the holiday season until early January.
We're in the final prep stage for our trip. This is the time when all the last minute things get done, including gardening of course, but also things like cancelling the mail and newspaper, arranging for house checks with my handyman, last minute shopping, etc., etc. We've done this so often that I have a check list to make sure it all gets completed.. This year the preparations include doctor visits, which are unwelcome additions to the list.
On Monday I saw my regular doctor to get clearance for my upcoming cataract surgery. I had to do this now because there might not be enough time when we return. I also needed renewals for my bp and cholesterol prescriptions which would have run out during the trip. On Tuesday I had a preemptive eyeball shot from my retina doctor to avoid problems while traveling. I'll see him again right before my cataract surgery in case the eye that is being operated on needs a shot. Finally, on Thursday I saw my cardiologist for an EKG to see if I was still ok after reducing the arrhythmia drug. It was. However, the side effects are still so bad that I told him I wanted to stop it altogether, He seemed surprised that the side effects were so severe and said he's never had a patient as bad as me. Of course, the effects I'm experiencing occur in only about 5% of those taking the drug. In other words, 95% of his patients wouldn't complain about them. At any rate, by the time I saw him I had decided that the effects were so debilitating that I'd rather have Afib. He reluctantly agreed that I should stop taking the drug altogether and see what happens. The drug has a very long half-life, so the anti-arrhythmia effects should last though most of trip. If the Afib returns it shouldn't interfere with the trip, and we'll take a different treatment approach when I get back. I also have quit my heart rate medication, at least for the time being because my rate was way too low. That makes my blood thinner the only heart medication I'm on. Other than easy bruising it hasn't given me problems. Fun times!
This will be my last missive for awhile because of our trip and because of my cataract surgery when we return. I should have plenty of news to share after that.. In the meantime, Carpe Vitae, VOTE, and try to keep calm for the next few weeks or months. I'm very glad that I'll be far away after this election.
6 comments:
I agree that this is a good time for you to be far away. Sounds to me like a good decision re the meds. Your trip should be more enjoyable without them. Wishing you the best and looking forward to hearing about your trip when you write again.
Happy Trails and wishing for the best trip yet.
Here's hoping that you do post pictures from you trip....enjoy!
I expect you will enjoy another great trip! So go enjoy! I'm staying home spending my travel $$ on a new well. Thursday the driller began and he sunk the shaft the first 60 feet, only 540 to go! Seems like afib, like so many other maladies, varies by individual. I have it all the time and can't say it is something I'm aware of. I have less capacity for sustained effort. Hope it works out as well for you. The meds I took to control it didn't seem to be effective anyway.
Your local athletic celebration must be interesting. How many locals participate? Seems like an outrigger canoe ought to be in the mix of events given your great ocean traditions there. Perhaps if it becomes too easy, they could add that?
We got our small, super local events cross wired I think. We had a film festival during the best weather weekend this fall and today we have a barn dance and BBQ outside and it's raining! Too bad we couldn't have traded the weather about! Right now we have super dense fog, not the weather for socializing under the dripping oak trees!
I'll be looking forward to your pictures and descriptions of culinary delights!
Have a great trip!!
This a good time for you to be gone. What a train wreck. I’m cancelling appointments and we are hitting the road. Canada here we come. I’d like to relocate there, but without that option, a couple of weeks in another country might be refreshing. It is going to be a tough road ahead.
Post a Comment