6 November 2023
I thought I misread the weather report on my iPhone when I got up this morning. It read 61°F. I stepped outside and looked at the outdoor thermometer and it also read 61 and it actually felt like 61. Snowfall report soon to follow. It’s a good thing I made hot chocolate yesterday. I feel a cup of it coming on now.
I seem to be getting a consistent 6 1/2 hours of sleep a night. The good news is most of that is core sleep with periods of awake scattered through the core and REM sleep. I would say the Jardiance is making me pee more but in reality, it’s about normal for me since chemotherapy – 4 to 5 times a night.
My hands started aching somewhere around 2 am and I downed a few Advil and finally drifted back off to sleep. When I do wake and visit the bathroom, there’s usually some small thing I do each time – like readjust my “sweat” towel or add Sarna to an itchy spot. Life certainly has been interesting since the chemo.
Jim and Holley texted me yesterday afternoon and asked if they could bring me anything from Flanigans, Publix or Whole Foods. I would normally say no but there was nothing at the house I wanted to eat. I asked if Flanigans would be OK (it’s close to my house) and they agreed. I asked for a full rack of ribs, a salad, and baked potato. I also asked if they would join me. They wouldn’t let me pay.
The arrived around 5:30 and we promptly dug in. Something about this particular Flanigans – their ribs are simply the best. We all ate ribs and salad and we all had left overs for lunch or dinner today. I was glad to see them and have their company. I get a little stir crazy here at the house, particularly when I don’t feel up to chores. They always lighten my load, so to speak.
Today is the eye exam. This is a new ophthalmologist for me. She is associated with Holy Cross but doesn’t seem to be tied into their computer app. The office is in the Holy Cross building complex so I should have too much trouble finding it. Your guess is as good as mine as to how long it takes.
Eye exams have turned into major affairs since I first started having my eyes checked. That was years ago in Fulton, Mississippi when I was teaching at Itawamba Junior College. The town only had an optician but he was very good. He told me I didn’t need glasses. In essence, he only did a refraction and I don’t remember if he dilated my eyes or not.
When I moved to Florida, I saw my first ophthalmologist. It was eye-opening, pun intended. He did the dilation and prior to that the refraction. He actually did the refraction – not some technician. He probably spent 15 minutes on the refraction. It was only much later that he gave me the option of wearing glasses or not. I took the option.
Later, he retired and I was foisted off on another practice. The new guy lasted only a short while and after that I would go in annually and find a new ophthalmologist every time. That eventually settled down and I’ve had the same person for at least three years. He’s good but he is a DO and not an MD. I decided to break with his office after a cursory refraction from a technician I didn’t trust and how the opticians group gave me static when my now pair of glasses kept breaking. Only time will tell if I like the new person or not.
In any case, today they map your eyeballs, check peripheral vision, and do a lot more tests than a simple dilation and refraction. Fortunately, my insurance pays for everything but the refraction. I guess you can say that’s one benefit of being diabetic.
If I don’t feel up to driving (yet to be seen) I’ll schedule an Uber to drop me and pick me up. I’ll have to wait until it’s closer to time to make that call.
Sometime this week I need to buy groceries. Lately, I haven’t been up to going to the store and do the shopping myself so I get them delivered. It’s a little more expensive but I’ve gotten into the habit again and depending on how I feel today, I may or may not have them delivered again. It’s a great convenience and the shoppers do a pretty good job of selecting items. You gotta really know your grapefruits to get the perfectly ripened one.
If I find out anything from today’s exam, I may do an update after I get back. If not, then until tomorrow, stay tuned!