See those two UFOs in the center of the picture? This is a picture of the southwest sky tonight. The bottom one is Venus and the top one is Jupiter.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Ryan's Birthday 2008
Ryan's birthday is December 2, so we took her to lunch at the Red Robin in Canton.
After lunch, we took her shopping to Bed Bath and Beyond where we bought her a real nice kitchen knife set
Also, we took her to the mall and bought her a nice professional looking winter coat.
Happy Birthday, Ryan!
Ryan's birthday is December 2, so we took her to lunch at the Red Robin in Canton.
After lunch, we took her shopping to Bed Bath and Beyond where we bought her a real nice kitchen knife set
Also, we took her to the mall and bought her a nice professional looking winter coat.Happy Birthday, Ryan!
Thanksgiving with my Parents
Yesterday, Elaine and I went to Pittsburgh to spend time with my Parents, Dave, Hillary, and Richard. We went out for lunch at the Ladle Restaurant and came back to my Parents apartment to watch Pitt beat West Virginia.
Richard broke his leg (again) and I bought him this Ben Roethlisberger official NFL sanctioned and licensed professional Pittsburgh Steeler official game jersey to cheer him up. He really liked it.
Yesterday, Elaine and I went to Pittsburgh to spend time with my Parents, Dave, Hillary, and Richard. We went out for lunch at the Ladle Restaurant and came back to my Parents apartment to watch Pitt beat West Virginia.
Richard broke his leg (again) and I bought him this Ben Roethlisberger official NFL sanctioned and licensed professional Pittsburgh Steeler official game jersey to cheer him up. He really liked it.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Hernia Surgery Recovery (Continued)
Week Seven
No more advil, no pain medication. There are rare times throughout the day when I feel no pain. The other times, the pain that I feel is now down to three or four on a scale of one to ten. I am walking a mile a day and lifting very light weights twice a week. Walking feels good, it is like it loosens things up and gets the blood flowing.
We went out to dinner with Ryan and Brian to the Waterloo Restaurant in Akron, then back to their house to eat brownies and baklava. Licorice is a very nice little dog and the perfect dog for them. Ryan wrapped him in a blanket and put him on her lap as she sat on the couch. Licorice was warm and comfortable and fell asleep. It made me feel happy seeing my daughter so happy.
I went back to church on Sunday. Sitting in the pew was somewhat uncomfortable, but fortunately, the sermon was only about an hour.
Week Eight
Back to the doctor for an unexpected visit. A little section of my stitching broke open and will not close. I have been putting band aids on it to protect it, but every time I take the band aid off, it rips the scab off. Dr. Rob said that it is a stitch working up through. When it comes out, just snip it off. Easy for him to say, he does this everyday. By the way, my skin is so sensitive around the incision that the band aid is very uncomfortable. Feels like a stone in your shoe. Dr. Rob said put neoporin and keep the band aid on it.
I am spending more hours at work, almost back to full time and back at the office. I am able to sit more normal with the clients. The new car is a God send as I am driving several hours a day to meet with clients and the car is so comfortable.
By the way, my friend Nick is done with chemo and radiotherapy. I saw him at church and we hugged each other for a long time. Both went through different God allowed ordeals to draw us closer to Him. Brothers in Christ. I truly do not know what I would have done without him. He talked me through some dark moments.
Week Nine
The stitch came out of the small wound, so I did not have to cut it. Putting neosporin on the band aid pad, as well as the hole, worked and the I was healed up in three days. Without the band aid on my sensitive skin, it feels so much better. I think that I could lift more, but I will wait on Dr. Rob. Also, I am walking on the treadmill and feel like I could run, but will wait on Dr. Rob. Times during the day when I do not think at all about my sensitive groin area are starting to lengthen. Coughing and sneezing are, for the most part, pain-free. Early on, coughing or sneezing drove me up the wall with the shot of pain.
Week Ten
Pain level is at worst one or two. Gone from pain to soreness and uncomfortable. Sometimes I don't feel anything, but my groin does still feel puffy, sensitive, and uncomfortable, at the worst.
Last follow-up visit with Dr. Rob. He said that I will improve week by week. I can start running again, just go slow and expect to be sore. I can start lifting weights again, just go slow this month. No physical therapy, he thinks my normal work-out should strengthen my groin. We prayed together as I know God used this man.
I am not one hundred percent. I am hoping with the running and working out to strengthen my groin I can return to one hundred percent. I am still recovering and I thank God at where I am at today versus was I was at ten weeks ago. I do not know what I would have done without Elaine, Ryan, Brian, Aaron, and my parents to walk me through and stand by me during this difficult time. The older I get the more I see the only thing really important in this world is your health and your family.
To be continued.
Week Seven
No more advil, no pain medication. There are rare times throughout the day when I feel no pain. The other times, the pain that I feel is now down to three or four on a scale of one to ten. I am walking a mile a day and lifting very light weights twice a week. Walking feels good, it is like it loosens things up and gets the blood flowing.
We went out to dinner with Ryan and Brian to the Waterloo Restaurant in Akron, then back to their house to eat brownies and baklava. Licorice is a very nice little dog and the perfect dog for them. Ryan wrapped him in a blanket and put him on her lap as she sat on the couch. Licorice was warm and comfortable and fell asleep. It made me feel happy seeing my daughter so happy.
I went back to church on Sunday. Sitting in the pew was somewhat uncomfortable, but fortunately, the sermon was only about an hour.
Week Eight
Back to the doctor for an unexpected visit. A little section of my stitching broke open and will not close. I have been putting band aids on it to protect it, but every time I take the band aid off, it rips the scab off. Dr. Rob said that it is a stitch working up through. When it comes out, just snip it off. Easy for him to say, he does this everyday. By the way, my skin is so sensitive around the incision that the band aid is very uncomfortable. Feels like a stone in your shoe. Dr. Rob said put neoporin and keep the band aid on it.
I am spending more hours at work, almost back to full time and back at the office. I am able to sit more normal with the clients. The new car is a God send as I am driving several hours a day to meet with clients and the car is so comfortable.
By the way, my friend Nick is done with chemo and radiotherapy. I saw him at church and we hugged each other for a long time. Both went through different God allowed ordeals to draw us closer to Him. Brothers in Christ. I truly do not know what I would have done without him. He talked me through some dark moments.
Week Nine
The stitch came out of the small wound, so I did not have to cut it. Putting neosporin on the band aid pad, as well as the hole, worked and the I was healed up in three days. Without the band aid on my sensitive skin, it feels so much better. I think that I could lift more, but I will wait on Dr. Rob. Also, I am walking on the treadmill and feel like I could run, but will wait on Dr. Rob. Times during the day when I do not think at all about my sensitive groin area are starting to lengthen. Coughing and sneezing are, for the most part, pain-free. Early on, coughing or sneezing drove me up the wall with the shot of pain.
Week Ten
Pain level is at worst one or two. Gone from pain to soreness and uncomfortable. Sometimes I don't feel anything, but my groin does still feel puffy, sensitive, and uncomfortable, at the worst.
Last follow-up visit with Dr. Rob. He said that I will improve week by week. I can start running again, just go slow and expect to be sore. I can start lifting weights again, just go slow this month. No physical therapy, he thinks my normal work-out should strengthen my groin. We prayed together as I know God used this man.
I am not one hundred percent. I am hoping with the running and working out to strengthen my groin I can return to one hundred percent. I am still recovering and I thank God at where I am at today versus was I was at ten weeks ago. I do not know what I would have done without Elaine, Ryan, Brian, Aaron, and my parents to walk me through and stand by me during this difficult time. The older I get the more I see the only thing really important in this world is your health and your family.
To be continued.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
My New Car - Dodge Nitro
As I wrote in my state of recovery post, driving my Pontiac Vibe was very difficult and uncomfortable due to my operation. As my work has me driving everyday, I need to be comfortable, so Elaine and I went car shopping last week. We got a good deal on this and it is the most comfortable car that I have ever driven.
Click on the picture for the full size.
As I wrote in my state of recovery post, driving my Pontiac Vibe was very difficult and uncomfortable due to my operation. As my work has me driving everyday, I need to be comfortable, so Elaine and I went car shopping last week. We got a good deal on this and it is the most comfortable car that I have ever driven.
Click on the picture for the full size.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Hernia Surgery Recovery - Six Weeks
Well, I guess some of you have been wondering where I have been. Six weeks ago yesterday, I had hernia surgery. I am not fully recovered yet, but I am getting a little better, just very slowly. Here are the details.
Surgery Day 0
Dr. Robert Levitt did my surgery. Dr. Rob is a good friend and I know the Lord brought him my way. We prayed before I went into surgery. Woke up about an hour later feeling no pain. Went home, took vicodin every four hours and slept.
Next day
Took vicodin every four hours and slept. Getting into and out of bed painful.
Week One
Stupid me. I was told not to drive for two weeks, but I drove to the office to check the mail. Wished that I hadn't and probably set my self back. I am taking vicodin every four hours and sitting on the couch all day. Very painful getting up and sitting down and very painful getting into and out of bed. Called my friend Nick Coury, who is undergoing cancer radiation and chemotherapy and we prayed for each other and our families.
Week Two
Follow-up meeting with Dr. Rob. He said the stitches were healing and I can drive now. Elaine and I are walking in the evening, one house at a time. I hate taking vicodin. Why are they so concerned about people getting hooked on this stuff? I am down to one vicodin every four hours and can't wait to get off it. I call Nick every couple of days and we pray.
Week Three
My first driving was down to the mall, a walk to the food court, and home. The next day was to Walmart to get a new shirt. It is difficult to drive. I am concerned about someone running into me and damaging the surgery. The more that I drive, the more that I am getting over this fear. I am taking advil during the day now and only vicodin at night. Still hard getting up and down and in and out of bed. The pain seemed to vanish for a few days and I took no meds.
Speaking of driving, I drove to see clients to continue my work. Driving in the Vibe is painful as I am squished into this smaller car.
Week Four
Ryan and Brian came for Sunday dinner and to cheer me up. It was so good to see them and whenever I felt uncomfortable, I would look at the two of them and how happy they are. They made me feel happy. Aaron calls me from school and this helps, too. We talk about the Steelers, his comedy shows, and politics. It helps to get my mind off things.
The pain came back with a vengeance. I really hit rock bottom as I thought something was wrong with surgery and I may never work again. Thank God that Elaine was there to support me and help pick me back up. I called Pastor Joe the next day and we prayed. I called Nick and we prayed. God is using Nick in his sick and weakened condition to pull me through. From this day on, I feel like I am getting better, slowly, but making progress.
Week Five
Dr. Rob said that everything I asked him about is part of healing process. This is going to take much more time, but he says that I will get there. I needed to hear this. It is easy to have a good day and think that I have turned the corner, only to have a bad day the next and think that I will never get better. The worst thing that I have done in the depths of my despair is to research hernia recovery on the internet. I get focused in on horror stories of people whose surgery and recovery have gone horribly wrong and this really scares me. Thank God for Dr. Rob to reassure me.
Week Six
Walking has increased to one mile a day. Dr. Rob put a ten pound lifting limit on me and I am using five and five dumbbells to work my arms and shoulders. Getting in and out of bed is easier. Sitting down is becoming okay, but I still get stabbed standing up. Have been without advil two days, but tempted to take it for the sore relief. This will be a day by day moment by moment thing.
Friday nights have been chocolate ice cream night for the past six weeks. I am really trying to watch what I eat due to my inactivity. I do not want to be gaining weight, but I need the reward of the Friday night ice cream.
Elaine and I went to Giuseppe's for dinner Friday night. The week before was Grinders and the week before was Bob Evans, so we are getting out again little by little. I am working four to five hours a day, which is all that I can handle now. I do what I have to do during the week and rest up on weekend.
What a blessing to call and talk to my mother and father. It is truly a miracle that they are alive and of sound mind. They wish me the best and encourage me, too. This has been a real help.
Still doing much prayer and bible reading everyday. The Lord showed me that I need to be happy with what I have and stop beating myself up over what I don't have. This has really helped my mental state of mind. I hope that I can hold on to this the rest of my life. I cannot say enough about my beautiful wife Elaine. I do not know what I would do without her during this time. I thank God for her.
I am not healed yet. I have moments where I feel no pain or discomfort and times where I feel uncomfortable and sore. This has been the toughest and longest six weeks of my life.
To be continued.
Well, I guess some of you have been wondering where I have been. Six weeks ago yesterday, I had hernia surgery. I am not fully recovered yet, but I am getting a little better, just very slowly. Here are the details.
Surgery Day 0
Dr. Robert Levitt did my surgery. Dr. Rob is a good friend and I know the Lord brought him my way. We prayed before I went into surgery. Woke up about an hour later feeling no pain. Went home, took vicodin every four hours and slept.
Next day
Took vicodin every four hours and slept. Getting into and out of bed painful.
Week One
Stupid me. I was told not to drive for two weeks, but I drove to the office to check the mail. Wished that I hadn't and probably set my self back. I am taking vicodin every four hours and sitting on the couch all day. Very painful getting up and sitting down and very painful getting into and out of bed. Called my friend Nick Coury, who is undergoing cancer radiation and chemotherapy and we prayed for each other and our families.
Week Two
Follow-up meeting with Dr. Rob. He said the stitches were healing and I can drive now. Elaine and I are walking in the evening, one house at a time. I hate taking vicodin. Why are they so concerned about people getting hooked on this stuff? I am down to one vicodin every four hours and can't wait to get off it. I call Nick every couple of days and we pray.
Week Three
My first driving was down to the mall, a walk to the food court, and home. The next day was to Walmart to get a new shirt. It is difficult to drive. I am concerned about someone running into me and damaging the surgery. The more that I drive, the more that I am getting over this fear. I am taking advil during the day now and only vicodin at night. Still hard getting up and down and in and out of bed. The pain seemed to vanish for a few days and I took no meds.
Speaking of driving, I drove to see clients to continue my work. Driving in the Vibe is painful as I am squished into this smaller car.
Week Four
Ryan and Brian came for Sunday dinner and to cheer me up. It was so good to see them and whenever I felt uncomfortable, I would look at the two of them and how happy they are. They made me feel happy. Aaron calls me from school and this helps, too. We talk about the Steelers, his comedy shows, and politics. It helps to get my mind off things.
The pain came back with a vengeance. I really hit rock bottom as I thought something was wrong with surgery and I may never work again. Thank God that Elaine was there to support me and help pick me back up. I called Pastor Joe the next day and we prayed. I called Nick and we prayed. God is using Nick in his sick and weakened condition to pull me through. From this day on, I feel like I am getting better, slowly, but making progress.
Week Five
Dr. Rob said that everything I asked him about is part of healing process. This is going to take much more time, but he says that I will get there. I needed to hear this. It is easy to have a good day and think that I have turned the corner, only to have a bad day the next and think that I will never get better. The worst thing that I have done in the depths of my despair is to research hernia recovery on the internet. I get focused in on horror stories of people whose surgery and recovery have gone horribly wrong and this really scares me. Thank God for Dr. Rob to reassure me.
Week Six
Walking has increased to one mile a day. Dr. Rob put a ten pound lifting limit on me and I am using five and five dumbbells to work my arms and shoulders. Getting in and out of bed is easier. Sitting down is becoming okay, but I still get stabbed standing up. Have been without advil two days, but tempted to take it for the sore relief. This will be a day by day moment by moment thing.
Friday nights have been chocolate ice cream night for the past six weeks. I am really trying to watch what I eat due to my inactivity. I do not want to be gaining weight, but I need the reward of the Friday night ice cream.
Elaine and I went to Giuseppe's for dinner Friday night. The week before was Grinders and the week before was Bob Evans, so we are getting out again little by little. I am working four to five hours a day, which is all that I can handle now. I do what I have to do during the week and rest up on weekend.
What a blessing to call and talk to my mother and father. It is truly a miracle that they are alive and of sound mind. They wish me the best and encourage me, too. This has been a real help.
Still doing much prayer and bible reading everyday. The Lord showed me that I need to be happy with what I have and stop beating myself up over what I don't have. This has really helped my mental state of mind. I hope that I can hold on to this the rest of my life. I cannot say enough about my beautiful wife Elaine. I do not know what I would do without her during this time. I thank God for her.
I am not healed yet. I have moments where I feel no pain or discomfort and times where I feel uncomfortable and sore. This has been the toughest and longest six weeks of my life.
To be continued.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Hurricane Gustav Cayman Islands
From what I am reading on the ScubaBoard.com, Grand Cayman appears to be windy, but okay. Little Cayman was hard hit. You can read the messages from Grand Cayman and see pictures of the destruction here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cayman-islands/250081-hurricane-gustav-3.html
Here is a webcam photo from Ocean Frontiers on the East End of Grand Cayman. I dove with this outfit in June.
From what I am reading on the ScubaBoard.com, Grand Cayman appears to be windy, but okay. Little Cayman was hard hit. You can read the messages from Grand Cayman and see pictures of the destruction here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cayman-islands/250081-hurricane-gustav-3.html
Here is a webcam photo from Ocean Frontiers on the East End of Grand Cayman. I dove with this outfit in June.
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