Just Back from the Lab

Dana and I just got back to the house from a 3-hour Kaiser lab trip down to Cumberland. Part of the deal of getting to come home yesterday was to get this calcium blood work done today. Well the lab will take you blood on Sunday, but they don't test it on Sunday. So Dana hit the phone, made about a half dozen calls, had the doctor paged and yes, it has to be tested today. The plan when we left a while ago was that the sample was going to be couriered over to St Joesph Hospital for instant analysis. Supposedly, the classic symptom for severe calcium loss is tingling and cramps. I haven't had anything like that but I am steadily chomping on tums today to make sure.

It sure was nice to sit in my recliner when I got home yesterday. I got to watch a couple baseball games and doze a little. But when it came down to going to sleep last night, I didn't do so well. I migrated between the recliner and Dana's big chair and slept a little.

This afternoon is about as coherent as I have been since Thursday, so I am going to read all the comments from the blog. I remember bits and pieces over the last couple days as Dana read them to me, but they are still a bit fuzzy.

My voice is weak, but it does work. The first thing I did yesterday when I got home was to call my brother Dave and wish him a happy birthday. It was something I promised to do and was glad I could get it out. I also called my mom and dad back in Louisiana to let them know I was home.

Dr Hoffman said he could do some more surgery to improve my voice, but I think I will wait a while and see how this voice turns out. Hopefully my vocal cords on the right will compensate a bit and I'll be ok. Believe me, surgery is at the bottom of my list of things to do in the near future.

I want to thank God for all the special blessings I have received over the past couple days - in fact, my entire life. I went into this with full faith that I was in His hands and I realize that I have been lifted up to Him by so many of you. Special thanks to Dana for all she has done for me, and her Mom, Bobbie, for all her wonderful help. She cleaned the house so well I can't find anything.