The Journey's the Thing…

I’ve had a full day of ‘Taking care of Johnnyboys medical needs’. My teeth cleaning went very well, if a little like having a sandblaster in my mouth. I need to floss. Time to start. I can do it, I know I can.

My MD appointment went as planned–I’ve lost 5 lbs. since my visit in May (!), and my BP was 140/84, pulse was 92. The doc confirmed my own web-diagnosis. He thinks that I may have a clogged up salivary gland. I now have some anti-biotics that I have to take for the next week. If nothing changes, I am to call an E(ar), N(ose), and T(hroat) guy over in Sharon and have a test or two…But, he is pretty sure that this is what is wrong with me. Simple problem, easy cure.

I asked him about the worst case scenario. His response was, “What, you want me to tell you you have cancer? You don’t have cancer. This is a minor infection, that’s all. Go home and take your medicine.”.

Why did I need something dire with which to hold on? To make me feel special? In the end I have nothing to worry about. All my tests in the past 7 months have proven that, aside from needing to lose 15 lbs. and use dental floss, I have a very healthy body.

I have been neglecting some of my cherished activities lately.

1. I need to build another model airplane
2. I need to play my guitar with more enthusiasm
and finish a song or 2.
3. I need to read some more of my philosophy text
before school begins in September.

I can do all these things, budget my time, set aside parts of the day, I can do it, I know I can.
I just cannot forget to floss!

Johnnyboy

When I arrived at my Sunday night meeting the doors were locked in the church. The 2 or 3 of us who were there early picked up the ball and decided to meet in the small room beneath the Parsonage. So we found a room, someone found a coffee pot, and the meeting happened. Our speaker didn’t show, so a volunteer was asked for. A long silence was answered “OK, I’ll do it…”, by me. So I spoke, which was really good. It went down well, and I have remained sober for another day, which is a miracle and a blessing in itself.

I think that I have an infection in my neck. One of the salivary glands underneath my jaw seems to be swollen, and it hurts slightly after I have eaten. I have self-diagnosed via the internet, but thankfully I am not so grandiose as to believe an amateur (me) opinion. I will make an appointment with my MD and see what he thinks. I hate this, I really do. All my worst fears are coming to the surface regarding this uncertain future.

Sweetie Pie is still in heat, although it seems to be less intense than it was 2 days ago. Dr. Hart will take care of that on Wednesday, thank god. The poor dear is in a kind of agony that I can only witness through hearing her yowl and watching her writhe on the ground. She goes for about an hour or so, then collapses in exhaustion and sleeps soundly for a spell. Then she starts up again.

I will take this life one day at a time, and hope and pray that all comes out well in the end.

Johnnyboy