spoke way too soon

the following week, I missed work most days. Friday though, for the T'day party, it was raining and I drove, but couldn't find parking except at the hospital employee lot (long walk sans umbrella) in an "A" section. Walked back after the party, moved the car to the far end of the Cantor museum parking, double long walk. Big pain in my side by end of day, enough that I couldn't do exercises with Alan on Saturday morn.

Then, Saturday, went to Big Game with the Hollars, and we all listened to Jenny hollar for da Bears. "Go, Bears". It would be Stanford's only loss in the final four games, games that most figured they'd lose all four. But instead, they wreaked havoc on Oregon (league champs), USC (perennial league champs), and even Notre Dame last night.

Meanwhile, I awoke with huge pain in that side (kidney area on right), and shooting pains going up my right arm. So, about 2am, we went to ER. Lots of students in there, "sleeping it off". One awoke about four, was ready to go, said "where are my shoes?" to which the orderly said, "you didn't wear any in". A gal slept peacefully as the doctors shook her bed, screaming "earthquake". A third, at eight in the morn, upon leaving, said, "would you mind telling me whether that is eight in the evening or eight in the morning?"

One said, "I had a lot to drink", and they said, "wine, beer, hard liquor?" And she said, "yes, all of those, and more". An orderly told us that usually the Stanford students come in before the game, and the Cal students afterwards. Another averred that both schools raise idiots, that if you go to a school like San Diego State, they teach you how to party.

I felt relieved when they told me (after multiple tests of various kinds) that "it isn't life-threatening". Good words to hear.

A week later, the pain persists, but is "under control". Don't climb on ladders.

spoke too soon

Well, the hematoma swelled, eventually being a major swelling on my right thigh. Maybe it was not wise to get on the plane to Minneapolis, but Madi had her new driver's license and we really wanted to see her. She has a 'new' car, a Jeep Liberty with 22,000 miles. Is she proud! And a very good novice driver, not too timid, and not too aggressive. We 'trucked' all over the place, when I wasn't napping (and that story has to do with the leg damage). Great fun

Madi has a schedule not unlike that of other members of this family -- gone by 7am for band, seven major classes during the day, and dance practice from 5:30-8:00pm, every day. She is at a dead run, not exactly panting from the exertion, but certainly looking a bit mobile.

Coming home, Jenny insisted on upgrading me (at no mean expense) so my leg had some 'legroom' so to speak. It was nice, actually. And then, I stayed home the next couple of days too, just to keep a heating pad on the spot (especially after they tried to 'aspirate' the wound on Monday and that didn't work very well).

Meanwhile, the patio off the living room has been surfaced, w Connecticut Blue Stone (hauled by covered wagon from CT, I think, judging from the price). It is gorgeous, might even be ready for the neighborhood Holiday party December 6th.

Otherwise, about back to normal here