BO

Bo died today. Hail to the Victor Valiant. "'Michigan-Ohio State tomorrow, [Dan] Dierdorf correctly said Friday, "will just be the football game that was played the day after Bo died.'"

*******
MITCH ALBOM:

DETROIT - The biggest game doesn't seem so big anymore, because the biggest man in the history of Michigan football won't be watching it.

Bo Schembechler is dead. I never wanted to write that sentence. They've asked me to construct his obituary and I don't want the job, because I don't want to fashion a world that doesn't have Bo in it. He used to joke with me that he was an accident, because he was born in 1929, the year of the Great Depression, and "anyone who wants a baby in 1929 is crazy."

But he wasn't an accident. If ever a man seemed destined to be in a certain place at a certain time, it was Bo Schembechler prowling the sidelines of a Michigan football game on Saturday afternoons. He seems permanently painted into that picture - and while the players are bigger and stronger, he is always the largest thing in the frame. Bo could cast a shadow in rainstorm. His voice could be heard on the moon. It is being heard today, in the heads and hearts of the thousands of men who are balding, overweight, nursing sore backs and knees, but who still can hear their old coach's shrill but powerful urgings, telling them to block harder, to tackle harder, to do things "the Michigan way" and good things will happen.

"We are heartbroken," said Dan Dierdorf, one of the more famous of those former players, talking Friday night on a cell phone in a parking lot a short distance from Bo's home, where he was going to do something he never wanted to do: pay a condolence call.

Dierdorf, like anyone who ever played for Bo, knows the old man's voice will never be silenced. And yet the man himself is gone, done in by the very organ that truly defined him: his heart.

It was tragic and sudden and awful and shocking and it was exactly the way we knew it would happen. Bo told me once, "I will die one day from a bad heart."

As usual, the old man was right. We should have seen it coming. Thirty-seven years ago, he was walking up a hill in Pasadena, Calif., alone, in the dark, and he felt a stabbing pain and he grabbed a tree to hold himself up. He was only 40 then, but that incident - the night before his first Rose Bowl - was his first heart attack. Friday's incident, when he was 77 - the day before the biggest Michigan-Ohio State game ever - was his last.

In between there were too many surgeries, procedures, EKGs, a pacemaker, too many scary rushes to the hospital with everyone thinking, "Is this it?" But Bo came back from them all. Sooner or later, there he was, Michigan's Lazarus, in a natty sports coat with a maize-and-blue tie, and he'd be barking his same old bark and telling people he was a medical miracle, and, well, after a while, you just figured he could straight-arm anything, even mortality.

But if death doesn't get you at the shoulders it will get you at the knees, if not by the front, then from behind. And so, during a taping Friday morning of his weekly television show on Channel 7, doing the thing he liked second-best, talking about football - coaching it would always be No. 1 - death tried blindsiding Bo once more.

And this time, the only time, it took him down.

Checking out Michigan

I likely will fail at this assignment, because I cannot focus on what posterity should know about this man. You start with facts about Bo Schembechler but you quickly drift to anecdotes. It can't be helped. Bo made memories even better than he made history.

I can tell you he was born in the small town of Barberton, Ohio, the son of a fireman, and that long after he'd left he still could name you every factory in that town. I can tell you that he had two older sisters who teased him constantly and a mother he adored and who could match him stubborn for stubborn. I can tell you that his father once had a chance to get a cheater's advance copy of a civil service exam but he refused, and he finished one point behind a guy who cheated, and he didn't get the job he wanted. Bo said that night taught him more about integrity than anything ever would.

I can tell you Bo, growing up, was an excellent athlete. I can tell you that the first time he set eyes on a Michigan football field was as a senior in high school, on his way home from a family vacation. They drove through Ann Arbor and the Wolverines, by luck, were practicing. Bo and his father approached to take a peek. Not wanting to be noticed, they watched from near a field that was then open space.

Today there is a building on that field.

It's called Schembechler Hall.

You realize, by that geography, that while Bo played for Miami of Ohio and coached several other places (including Ohio State) he was, and will always be, all over Michigan football. Everything you see now has ties to him. The head coach, Lloyd Carr, worked under Bo, and the coach before Carr, Gary Moeller, worked under Bo. The radio announcer, Jim Brandstatter, played under Bo, and as he gets older he sounds more and more like Bo.

Brandstatter was one of those guys from Bo's first U-M team, the 1969 team that put him on the map - guys like Dierdorf, Jim Mandich, Garvie Craw, Don Moorhead, Billy Taylor - his first team, his most beloved team, the one that shocked the nation in upsetting Woody Hayes' Buckeyes, then ranked No. 1.

It has been 37 years since that game, and yet those players still can tell you every moment of it, every play, every exuberant shout, how in the locker room at halftime, they knew they were living through an historic moment. Bo was their drill sergeant, their tormentor, their teacher and their father figure. He has been the glue that has held them together all these years, the catalyst for their conversations - Hey, remember when the old man whacked that yardstick through Brandstatter's legs?" - and they always spoke about him with love, laughs and reverence.

Today they will be speaking through tears. Many will no doubt see each other again the way too many of us see our old friends again: at a funeral. And they will likely be saying what the voice in my head, maybe your head, too, is saying now: Bo cannot be dead. I refuse to believe it.

He was there for too many of them. He came to their golf tournaments, he stood up in their weddings, he spoke to their sons, he visited them in hospitals. Once, he even walked a former player who ran afoul of the law virtually to the prison door, urging him to stay strong and remember who he was. If you played for Bo, you were granted permission to a special club; you were always one of his boys. Bo had a sign above the locker room door his first grueling season at Michigan: "Those who stay will be champions."

He could have written underneath it, ". . . and will always be welcome here."

A visit with The King

What else can I write? Did you know Bo met Elvis once? It's true. He was in Las Vegas and somehow, after the show, he ended up backstage with The King. Bo didn't really know what to say, so he paid the singer a compliment on his jumpsuits and next thing he knew, he was back in a private closet with Elvis showing him his collection of rhinestone-covered costumes. He told Bo how much they cost, and that he never wore them more than once and then they were shipped to some museum. There was, Bo recalled, an awkward a pause, just the two of them, alone with those jumpsuits, and then they came back and joined the crowd.

Years later, I asked Bo what he thought of that encounter.

"I thought, `I don't want to be him,' " Bo said.

He wasn't. Bo was the King around here, but not in private counsel with secret dressing rooms. He was out among the people, everywhere, at banquets, at charity functions, slapping backs, punching arms, bounding through the press box. Bo genuinely liked people, interesting people - in later years he even mellowed with sportswriters - and he could just as easily strike up a conversation with a janitor as he could with a president of the United States. And he did. Bo knew Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Bo Derek and the guy next door. He embodied that Rudyard Kipling poem that celebrates a man who "can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch."

He as a great storyteller, you hung on his words, and he was one of the funniest men you would ever meet. He loved to laugh at himself, and he used his hands to communicate, pounding on tabletops, poking fingers in chests - I once sat next to him at a basketball game and my arm was black and blue from all the times he slapped me when he got worked up. He used phrases like "dad gum" and "by god" and "now you listen to me ..." It is the mark of his combustive personality that he is remembered today by a sentence he bellowed at a news conference: "A Michigan man will coach Michigan."

You had no doubt that a Michigan Man was saying it.

Battling with Woody

He won more football games than any coach in his school's history and his teams won or shared the Big Ten title 13 times in his 21 seasons. He held a small edge in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry - 11-9-1 - and a one-game edge over Woody Hayes in their 10-year war - 5-4-1. His relationship with that irascible coach was as deep and as complex as any in sports. Bo played for Woody, he worked for Woody, and he was ultimately burdened with trying to defeat Woody. It was the son battling the father. The student battling the teacher. Yet for all their fierce battles, their traded tantrums, the most emotional moment came years later, in 1987, when Hayes was long retired.

There was banquet for Bo in Dayton, Ohio. Hayes, despite failing health, insisted on coming to introduce Bo. He was using a wheelchair at this point, but he spoke for 15 or 20 minutes, fond memories, compliments, the kind of thing a friend does for a friend.

The next night he died.

And just as Bo was forever shaped by Woody, so have all the coaches and players who labored for Bo been shaped by him. They have spread out over the land, become pro athletes, lawyers, doctors, some have taken head coaching jobs and come back to play Michigan. But they remain a unique fraternity, ribbons around the maypole of Bo Schembechler.

Bo was passionate about what he did. "Some of the finest people I know are football coaches," he once told me. "They're smart. They're tough. Good thinkers. Hard workers. When I say I'm a football coach, I'm damn proud of the fact that I'm a football coach."

His later careers - athletic director, Tigers team president, TV analyst - were all well and good, he made some nice contributions, but you always knew they were things that he did because he couldn't do what he really loved to do anymore. He told me several times had he had it to do over again, he would not have retired when he did in 1989.

Then again, Bo never really retired. He kept an office at Michigan, close enough to chit chat with any coach or player if he wanted. He served as the elder statesman, the grandfather at the table, Don Corleone sitting in a side chair after he'd turned the business over to his son Michael.

"A guy from Michigan State once told me Bo's still coaching there," Dierdorf recalled. "They just use a different name `Bo-Mo-Carr.' "

There is some truth in that. Bo is the cloak from which the cloth is spun. And it is impossible to imagine what today in Columbus, Ohio, will be like for Carr, who has to guide his young players through one of the biggest games in Big Ten history, while everywhere he looks he hears and sees his old boss and friend.

"Michigan-Ohio State tomorrow," Dierdorf correctly said Friday, "will just be the football game that was played the day after Bo died."

Living a good life

I can tell you he loved his wives. Millie was his partner on the way up, gave him a home, a family, three adopted sons and one more they conceived together. After she died, Bo might never have married again, had he not found Kathy, a perfect partner for his later years, a loving, supportive woman whose strong will probably kept Bo alive years longer than he would have done on his own.

He is survived by Kathy and his sons, the ones who share his name and the thousands more who do not, the ones who wore Michigan helmets and have no blood ties, unless you count bleeding maize and blue a family trait. They all remember him, and if you live on through memories, then Bo is far from dead, he will not be dead for generations.

Maybe I can best end this rambling remembrance with a personal account. Bo and I spent more than a year together writing his autobiography. During that time, by his admission, I spent more time with him "than my wife!" (He usually added a few expletives after that.)

It was a whale of a time. We talked, we argued, we reminisced, we argued, we talked and talked some more. We took planes and cars, we sat in offices and in locker rooms. We ate. He loved to eat. One time, en route to a banquet at the Naval Academy in Maryland, he spotted a Fuddruckers hamburger joint. He loved those places and he gave a forlorn look. I told him he couldn't eat a hamburger because he had a big steak banquet coming up.

But I, on the other hand, was going.

"You dawg!" he exclaimed.

And of course he went with me. And he ate a hamburger - no pun intended - with more relish than I have ever seen a man eat one, he was like a kid getting away with playing hookey. He told me that was the "most outstanding idea" that I had ever had.

Why can I still remember that moment almost 20 years later? Because Bo filled the most normal moments with a sky's worth of wonderful, boisterous air.

Today they are saying "it was his time." But I disagree. Friday morning in a hospital was not his time. His time was Saturday afternoons from September to November, his time was on the field, making memories, his time was chomping on a hamburger, his time was looking up from his desk and seeing an old player pop his head in, accomplished, proud, a man.

His time was the time he lived, not the moment he died. When we finished our book together, the publisher asked if there were any dedications or thank-you's we wanted to insert. I listed dozens of Bo's relatives, friends and former players. Bo only wanted to put in one sentence. He wrote, "I want to personally thank Mitch Albom. The poor son of a bitch had no idea what he was getting into."

He was right, but not because it was worse than I thought, because it was better. A million times better. My days with Bo, like so many others days with Bo, were a carpet ride with a sultan, a balcony address to a cheering crowd, a sidecar on a speeding bike through glorious, chilly football afternoons.

There was a time around here when they chanted, "Bo is God! Bo is God!" He wasn't of course, but now that he's gone, everywhere you turn you hear their names in the same sentence. He will be missed. God, how Bo will be missed

*********

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The game of the year in college football has yet another storyline — a sad one. The first No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup between Ohio State and Michigan comes a day after the Wolverines lost their most celebrated leader, Bo Schembechler. The longtime coach, who played a starring role for two decades in the century-old grudge match, died Friday at age 77.

An Ohioan who became a Michigan icon, Schembechler cut across this rivalry and helped make it the biggest — and at times bitterest — feud in football. Now even his death will be forever linked with The Game.

"He will always be both a Buckeye and a Wolverine, and our thoughts are with all who grieve his loss," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.

Now, the second-ranked Wolverines enter Saturday's showdown, with the Big Ten title, a spot (or two) in the national championship game and perhaps the Heisman Trophy at stake, with heavy hearts.

"We have lost a giant at Michigan and in college football," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said in a statement released by the school.

Carr, a Schembechler protege, declined to speak with the media when he arrived with his team at Ohio Stadium on Friday. The Wolverines (11-0, 7-0) went through a quiet 25-minute walkthrough, putting the finishing touches on their preparation for the top-ranked Buckeyes (11-0, 7-0).

Schembechler brought Carr to Michigan as an assistant in 1980, and Carr was promoted to head coach in 1995. But Schembechler was never far from the program or Carr. Carr's office is in Schembechler Hall, right down the hall from his former boss.

In fact, Carr asked Schembechler to speak to the Wolverines on Thursday.

Schembechler's Wolverines were 11-9-1 against Ohio State, 5-4-1 while Woody Hayes, Schembechler's mentor at Miami of Ohio turned Big Ten rival, patrolled the Buckeyes' sideline from 1969-78.

Carr, who won the national title in 1997 that always eluded Schembechler, hasn't fared so well against Ohio State lately. Carr's Wolverines have lost four of five to the Buckeyes since Tressel took over in Columbus.

Carr has drawn the ire of impatient Michigan fans for being on the short end too often against the hated Buckeyes. Winning one for Bo on Saturday — especially one this big — would no doubt appease many critics.

It's hardly fair considering these Buckeyes might be the most talented Tressel has coached, including the squad that won the 2002 national championship.

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith directs one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and he's been at his best against Michigan the last two seasons.

"My success is credited to everybody else around me," Smith said. "It's not just that I'm 2-0 against Michigan. Everybody who has played on the field against them is 2-0."

True, but no one is more responsible for that 2-0 against the Maize and Blue than the multitalented Smith.

He passed for 241 yards, ran for a career-high 145 and accounted for three TDs in Ohio State's 37-21 upset of Michigan in Columbus two years ago. Last season, Smith threw for 300 yards, ran for a touchdown and led two long, late scoring drives to beat Michigan 25-21.

If Smith has another magical day against Michigan, the senior can all but wrap up the Heisman Trophy race. Smith has thrown 26 touchdown passes and only four interceptions while completing 66 percent of his throws.

"First of all, he's a great leader for their offense," said Michigan linebacker David Harris, the leading tackler on a unit ranked No. 1 in the country against the run. "He has a great arm. He has good mobility in the pocket. He's their guy."

He's not their only guy. Speedster Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez make up one of the country's best receiving duos. Antonio Pittman has run for 1,032 yards and 12 TDs.

"You can't really just focus on one guy," said Michigan defensive end LaMarr Woodley, who leads the team with 11 sacks. "It's an all-around team. They have other weapons in there."

Woodley is the catalyst for a tenacious defense that has 41 sacks and is allowing 29.9 yards per game on the ground.

"It's safe to say he's probably the best defensive end in college football," said Ohio State offensive lineman T.J. Downing, whose father, Walter, was a captain on Schembechler's 1977 team. "So we're just going to have to get after him. We're going to have to hit him in the mouth every play and just go from there."

What Next?

If it ain't one thing, it's another. Sciatica, leg weakness, pre-cancerous thingy on forehead (actinic keratosis), dentist says I need a new crown starting next week, today I was told I have gout in my big toe. (Did you know that doctors call it the great toe?) And through all of this the aqua therapy people think I'm some kind of a deadbeat because I've had to cancel appointments that conflict with the dentist, etc. Anyway, I got some kind of a strong anti-inflammatory prescription which is suppposed to eliminate the gout by Monday. Sounds too good to be true, and you know what that means!

These are all minor afflictions and I'm really not complaining because in the infinite scheme of things I'm really very lucky in every way. Today we got the news that one of the Northern Michigan Geocachers (Crafter Cat) has died from complications of a stroke. We were merely acquaintances of hers - did not know her well at all, but as John Donne wrote, "any man's (woman's) death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind..." I feel especially sorry for her husband and son.

Here's a list of foods to avoid and foods that are OK to use if you have gout - a lot of it is counter-intuitive, recommending white bread and white rice, for instance. I'm including this list just for my reference - ungouty people can stop reading here!

The following foods have very high purine levels, and should be avoided completely:

Anchovies
Bouillon
Brains
Broth
Consommé
Dried legumes
Goose
Gravy
Heart
Herring
Kidneys
Liver
Mackerel
Meat extracts
Mincement
Mussels
Partridge
Roe
Sardines
Scallops
Shrimp
Sweetbreads
Yeast (baker’s and brewer’s)
Yeast extracts (e.g., Marmite, Vegemite)

These foods have high purine levels:

Fish
Shellfish
Poultry
Meat (except those with very high purine content, noted above, or those with moderately high purine levels, noted below)

These foods have moderately high purine levels:

Asparagus
Cauliflower
Legumes
Lentils
Mushrooms
Oatmeal
Peas (dried)
Soy
Spinach
Tripe

Best bets:

Beverages (carbonated)
Butter
Cereals and cereal products
Cheese (all kinds)
Cocoa (however, caffeine is prohibited in Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome)
Corn
Cornbread
Eggs
Fruit juices
Fruits
Gelatin
Ice cream
Milk
Noodles
Nuts
Refined wheat flour
Tapioca
Vegetables (except those noted above)
White bread and crackers (but not whole wheat, which is moderately high in purines)
White rice

Partners

We went on a mini-geocaching expedition today. It started with lunch in Alden at the Wild Onion, and then we finished the Alden Historical Tour cache. It was on the chilly side today - I should have worn my winter coat. Brrr. It was good to be out with my partner again.

On the way home we went back woodsing and Dick found a cache at Guernsey Lake. It was interesting to be in the woods with all of the deer hunters. They are out in force in their orange outfits and their guns. We didn't see any deer.

This morning we went to the store, and Thanksgiving dinner is now in the freezer and the pantry.

On My Own

Dick was at training again today. He said it was very interesting to learn some new things pertaining to Native Americans- there were 8 or 9 of them in attendance from 3 different counties. They have to deal with Elders who receive payments from some treaty settlement which are not regarded as income. The payments have an impact upon their applications for Medicaid.

Meanwhile, I began the day by going to have my teeth cleaned. This was another appointment that we had to cancel in September - that's why so many appointments have piled up in November. Dr. Kevin is from the U of M, so we talked about the upcoming game. He's worried. (Imagine that.) Then I found out that one of his patients showed up this week in an OSU sweatshirt. I said - Do you accept that kind of patient? He said - Yes, but I charge them double.

The next event was more pool therapy - it was pretty much a repetition of the first session. Today I found out that my therapist is allergic to the bromine in the water. She has hyper-sensitive skin, and being in the pool makes her itchy. She said she showers and scrubs for 15 minutes after her 3 hours in the pool. Such irony - to be allergic to your work environment. The pool was less crowded today. When I watch the other patients, I feel very lucky because I have no pain. It was obvious that some of the others are really suffering. My therapy is for weakness only. After the pool I went to the grocery store.

So today I feel like an effective, independent adult woman - I was out and about on my own from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Another first on the road to recovery.

F & P

Dick has more all day training today and tomorrow.

Don't laugh, but I got my gift wrapping station set up downstairs, and I actually wrapped six or seven gifts. I know it's early, but I want to do it gradually instead of having a last minute rush. Christmas will see four of us here (Dick&Nan, Jana, Mom), and four of us in Florida (Laurie&Chip, Dylan and Tom) - so we have a lot of shipping to prepare for.

After his meeting, Dick went geocaching and found Whitard's newest puzzle cache.

Dick brought in the mail when he got home, and we had a package from Frank and Peggy. Two stocking caps were inside - beautiful colors of the forest, with images of deer, and personalized with our names on the front. They are really spectacular. Such a pleasant surprise. Thank you Peggy!

Bones, Burritos, and Bikes

Dick worked at the Agency. I had another wonderful medical morning (hah), a bone density test closely followed by a mammogram. The density test is a breeze. You just lay on a special table fully clothed and stay still for a few minutes and that's it. The mamm. was not as bad as I remembered - not bad at all really. Maybe I'm just getting accustomed to it.

We met for lunch at La Senorita, and it was very nice. It was Senior Citizen Day so we got 25% off the total. Such a deal! Then we went to the library to do some more research on recumbent bikes, and then we went around the corner to McClain's and bought one! It's being delivered this afternoon at 4 o'clock. It's by Vision Fitness. I think it will be a big help. I tried it out and it was wonderful to have a back rest and a big seat. Hooray! It was $100 off, and the salesman cut the delivery and setup fee in half, so we got another good deal. I personally think that the cane creates sympathy...I could be wrong.

We drove home in a beautiful snowfall, with big fluffy flakes. Makes me think it' s about time to buy the Thanksgiving turkey.

Wow. All of the Maize and Blue Faithful are really looking forward to next Saturday's game with Ohio State, (a know-nothing party school). It's a major rivalry every single year. We used to sing their fight song with different words "Liquidate Ohio State and humble Woody Hayes." I don't have a song for Coach Tressel.

This year the game takes on national significance because it's between the number 1 and the number 2 teams in the country, and the winner will play in the National Championship game. I think our team is ready, and up for the challenge. OSU has many outstanding athletes, but they may not have the chemistry and team spirit that Michigan has. No matter what the outcome, it has been a great season for Lloyd and his team, and we're naturally wishing them all the best.

Meijer Wipe Out

The last Concord Place newsletter asked that we make sure that our resident has hat, gloves and boots in case it becomes necessary to leave the building. I knew that Mom's winter coat was there, and I also knew that she didn't have any of the other things with her. So we went to Meijer to get those items and to do some grocery shopping. I found just the right hat and gloves, but they didn't have boots the right size for Mother. I got my big feet from her.

Somewhere around the cottage cheese section, I got very tired of walking (limping) around, and headed for the front. I should have known that would happen - Meijer is just too big for me at the moment. I always get over-tired there, even with a cart to lean on. Dick checked out while I sat on a bench with two really old gentlemen.

We visited Mother - she likes the hat and gloves very much. We had a nice visit, but a short one because I wanted to go home.

Game Day/Veterans' Day

HAPPY VETERANS' DAY
Lest We Forget


November 11, 2006 Site: Bloomington, Ind. (Memorial Stadium)
Score: #2 Michigan 34, Indiana 3
Records: U-M (11-0, 7-0 Big Ten), Indiana (5-6, 3-4 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Nov. 18 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 3:30 p.m.

Breaston Shines as Michigan Defeats Indiana

---

Event Recap | Boxscore | Player Participation | Postgame Notes | Photos

---

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Fifth-year senior Steve Breaston (North Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills HS) broke loose with a pair of touchdowns as No. 2 Michigan defeated Indiana, 34-3, Saturday (Nov. 11) at Memorial Stadium. Breaston scored on a 62-yard passing play and added a career long 83-yard punt return for a touchdown as the Wolverines (11-0, 7-0 Big Ten) won for the 50th time against the Hoosiers (5-6, 3-4 Big Ten)


Michigan battles top-ranked Ohio State in the 103rd renewal of college football's greatest rivalry next Saturday (Nov. 18) at Ohio Stadium. The Wolverines and Buckeyes will wage battle in a nationally televised game by ABC at 3:30 p.m. EST

Cushy

Mother's new seat cushion arrived today, and this one wasn't defective. Dick was volunteering at the Visitor Center, so I had a solo outing to deliver the cushion. Mother liked it - her old seat pad was really unsatisfactory - so I'm hoping she'll be more comfortable now. The dining room there is decorated for Thanksgiving, and it looks spectacular!

Since I was out and about, doing errands and such, I stopped in at the Visitor Center and surprised Dick. I was the 4th visitor of the morning! It was such a slow day. Kathee said it was like the middle of winter during a blizzard.

Geocaching Adventures

Dick spent the day geocaching in the Bellaire area. I think he found approximately seven for the day. His favorite was at the grocery store in Bellaire - the clue for the coordinates is a grocery list - it was very clever.

I'm still not ready to sit in the car that long. I went grocery shopping, did some walking, and the Sit and be Fit exercises. Soon I hope to be Dick's partner again intead of sitting home alone.

Dems Rule

The Democrats have control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 12 years! It looks like they will win control of the Senate also, depending on whether there will be a recount in Virginia, and on which caucus Joe Lieberman votes with. As an Independent, he could go either way.

Dick got a kick out of the news that the last two Republicans to concede were named Burns and Allen. (Conrad Burns and George Allen). Goodnight, Gracie.

Jennifer Granholm won re-election as our Governor, And Debbie Stabenow retains her Senate seat.

With the Democrats in charge, we're hoping to see movement on the minimum wage, Medicare reform, etc. As far as the war in Iraq goes I'm not sure how easy it will be to clean up the mess that the Bush Administration has made. Somebody should have told the candidates "Be careful what you wish for".

Whew!

This is the day I've been looking forward to. Not. First came the annual physical exam, which I passed with flying colors - hooray for me. My counts were the best they've been since 2000 and everything checked out well.

Next came the first session of aqua therapy. Now this was kind of a challenge for me, as I have never been a pool person, and I wasn't looking forward to limping around a fitness center in a bathing suit. But I am so brave (ha) that I did it anyway. That shows you how badly I want to improve my mobility.

The pool is long and narrow and very warm, thank goodness. It doesn't have a deep end. The deepest it gets is armpit high for me. I think that it's only used for therapy - at least today everyone was being "therapeutic". I may have been the oldest, but I was not the fattest, believe it or not. (Inside joke).

The therapy is one on one, and that is a very good thing. My therapist (Kari) is very friendly and pleasant. She explained why we were doing every exercise, and how it would help me. She was very encouraging and helpful. We did a lot of walking - then she told me exactly what I had to change to walk correctly. It's easy to move in the water, but I still was having balance problems - sometimes it felt like I was going to float away. In addition to the walking, I did shoulder exercises, balancing exercises, weight shifting exercises, and such like that. The session lasted for 40-45 minutes, and Kari thinks I'll need more appointments than I have scheduled. She's going to call me if there are cancellations. She thinks that my hips are weak also, as well as my left leg, most likely from having been immobilized for a month.

The locker room is lovely, with great benches and nice carpeting. I was able to change out of my soggy suit with no embarrassment because there were only a couple of others in there and they were ignoring me anyway. The main reason I changed is that a wet bathing suit is not very comfortable, and it was dripping all over the carpet. My original plan was to slip into sweats and change at home, but I think that would have been most uncomfortable.

We went out to lunch at the Big Eazy, which was close, convenient, and yummy. Dick had etoufee and I had a quesadilla. It was so good. It was listed on the menu as an appetizer, but I brought home half of it.

Talked to Dylan twice today - before school and after school - so we are the luckiest ones!

Yesterday was mid-term Election Day, and most of the Good Guys won. It was a spectacular election. Now we get to see how power corrupts Democrats. Power did quite a job on the Republicans. We still have two more years of W. Oh well.
In Michigan, we kept Jenny and Debbie, and that's a Very Good Thing. In the House, the Democrats became the majority and in the Senate the Virginia seat is still up for grabs. If the Democrat wins, they'll have a majority in the Senate, too. The Democrat, James H. (Jim) Webb's name wouldn't fit on the voting machine - it just said James H. (Jim). I'm wondering if in California the voting machine said Arnold Swartz.

W. fired Rumsfeld today. What an impeccable sense of timing. Last week he said that Rumsfeld was doing a fantastic job. If Rumsfeld had been fired last week, maybe the election would have had a different outcome. Interesting.

Election Day

Dick had more MMAP all-day training today. I went to the drug store and got some Aleve for Mother and went in for a short visit. She has no interest in elections anymore, but she definitely leans Republican. She hasn't really kept up with what's going on in the outside world as far as pre-emptive war, imprisonment, removal of basic rights, and torture. I believe she's more of a Milliken Republican - the kind we had 50 years ago.

Dick left his meeting a little bit early so that we could go vote before the after-work crowd. We went to the fire house first, and then realized that voting must be at the township hall. We finally got to the right place, and it was not the least bit crowded, and there were only a couple of people ahead of us.

The early returns from around the country were very encouraging. The Democratic candidates are winning from coast to coast. We went to bed early but happy.

Rejoining the Human Race

I'm feeling human again. I haven't used the cane for 2 days, although I'm still slow and a little limpy. I keep finding bills that haven't been paid, and one that was paid twice!! So that kind of evens out. I found an appointment reminder for September that got lost in the shuffle - but it was just the annual dermatology checkup, so not exactly vital. I'm doing that tomorrow.
I've driven twice, once by myself. Today I went to the beautiful shop (inside joke) for the first time since June! That's the main reason that I feel human again. After that, Dick took me out to lunch (Red Lobster) for the first time since July! Now there's an odd reason for feeling proud of yourself!

The news is full of John Kerry's botched joke. The reporters seem to have forgotten about Bush's Botched War, which is not a joke. http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ta/2006/ta061101.gif

Last Sunday we went to the Concord Place Halloween party! I'll bet you're jealous. After that kissing game last summer that Laurie and Chip played along with us and some other couples, Dick swore that he would never again play a game at a Concord party. Ahem! This time he was shamed into doing the ghost walk...and he didn't even win anything! I think that Mother had a good time (and that's what it's all about) - she waved at all of her fellow residents, ate a lot for lunch, and stayed for an hour and a half. A real party animal!

Jana says she's feeling much better, and is back at work. She sounded great on the phone. Tom sent a picture of his latest mountain biking incident - a lacerated arm (no, not that arm, the other arm.) Evidently his biking buddies are making sure that someone has a camera to record whatever happens, because they're sure that something will. For Christmas, Tom is getting a lifetime supply of Neosporin, a biker's first aid kit, and a new sling,

Dylan hasn't called for two mornings in row, so we don't have a report on trick or treating or on the field trip to the Environmental Study Center. We don't even know what the spelling words are for this week. (Heavy sigh)

This week I was a widow for two days in a row. Tuesday I was a geocaching widow, and Wednesday I was a Medicare volunteer training widow. I was lucky, though, because when Jana was here in September, she left a couple of good books!

We had an inch of snow this morning at Basswood Bend. We drove into town, and there was nary a flake to be seen. More snow is predicted for the next two days.

Blustery Game Day

What's your pleasure? Rain, sleet, snow, high winds, sunshine - we had all of those this afternoon while we watched Michigan win:

Football: #2 Michigan 17, Northwestern 3
Football Earns Homecoming Victory Over Northwestern

The No. 2-ranked Michigan foootball team forced five Northwestern turnovers and held the Wildcats to -13 yards rushing for a 17-3 victory on a rainy, blustery Saturday afternoon, Oct. 28, at Michigan Stadium. David Harris led the Wolverines defense with six tackles, while LaMarr Woodley stopped Northwestern's initial drive by forcing and recovering a fumble, and Leon Hall added an interception and a fumble recovery. Mike Hart rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown, while Chad Henne threw for 116 yards and one TD.

MSU did not fare as well:

10/28/06
Spartans Fall Short In Bloomington
Kellen Lewis threw five touchdown passes, including a school-record four to James Hardy, and ran for another score in leading Indiana past Michigan State 46-21 on Saturday. Michigan State (4-5, 1-4 Big Ten), a week removed from pulling off the biggest comeback in Division I-A history, grabbed the lead with a touchdown on the opening drive of the game.

We couldn't believe that Indiana scored 46 points! MSU is really on a roller coaster this season!

Happy Birthday Tom!

Hello San Diego, and Happy Birthday!! You helped me pass out candy to trick or treaters when you were 5 days old! All of the neighborhood kids met you right away.

I'm doing well. I'm trying to walk more and more without the cane. I do tire easily, but expect improvement day by day. The aqua therapy starts Nov. 8. The prescription is for 1 to 3 times a week for 4 weeks to strengthen the left leg.

After that's done, depending on how things go, Dick and I could both re-up at the fitness place, or do the Senior Citizen thing in the pool at the Civic Center. We're also shopping for a recumbent stationary bike which was recommended by one of the Drs.

I have a sad feeling that we won't be going to the Michigan games any more this season. Dick is staying home with me again this coming weekend. There are only 2 home games left - Northwestern this coming Saturday, and Ball State the weekend after that. To be honest, I don't think I'll be ready to sit on bleachers for the Ball State game either. . Of course I'm very touched that he stays with me and I really appreciate it, but I feel bad, too, because these games are important to him and I hate to see him miss the opportunity. Makes me sorry to be the cause of it all, but I'm not depressed or anything because I'm happy to be making good progress.

I have been able to go grocery shopping a couple of times, visiting Mother, shopping for the bike, and cleaning my bedroom closet - so I'm not entirely useless. I've even fixed a couple of suppers. Dick is still driving me everywhere.

Dick is busy getting the yard ready for winter, doing some geocaching, plus he's still doing most of the cooking. Generally speaking all is well here.

Recumbent Bikes, Bedrooms, & Burqas

We're shopping for a recumbent stationary bike for both of us. It was recommended by one of the Doctors because it's easier on the back. We think we want the Schwinn, but I think we'll have to have the bike shop order one because nobody seems to have one in stock. We don't want to buy on the internet because of service, instruction, etc. Today we went to 3 different bike/fitness shops, and we've been to a couple of others previously. We're closing in on decision time.

Today I cleaned my room, which in some cases means taking things from a pile in my room and putting them in a pile in a different place (heavy sigh). Anyway, now I have cleaned out one half of my closet of dark despair plus my room. Next I'll sort out the other half of the closet of d.d., and after that I'll probably have to clean my room again! (The never-ending battle with clutter continues.) Then I'll start on drawers, which is easier because you can do drawers one at a time.

Dick found a great article in the Washington Post by Anne Applebaum. She writes about how disconcerting it is for the Western world to accept veiled Muslim women in the workplace and in schools. She points out that it's not discrimination, it's just our custom to "look each other in the eye" and take notice of peoples' facial expressions. I think she did a superb job of articulating how people should behave in a country that has established rules of behavior and communication. I loved the article. See it at the link above (click on the title). Here is a short excerpt:

"And yet, at a much simpler level, surely it is also true that the full-faced veil -- the niqab, burqa or chador -- causes such deep reactions in the West not so much because of its political or religious symbolism but because it is extremely impolite. Just as it is considered rude to enter a Balinese temple wearing shorts, so, too, is it considered rude, in a Western country, to hide one's face. We wear masks when we want to frighten, when we are in mourning or when we want to conceal our identities. To a Western child -- or even an adult -- a woman clad from head to toe in black looks like a ghost. Thieves and actors hide their faces in the West; honest people look you straight in the eye."

Your Name

This is fun to play with, but it's not perfect. It tells me that there are 14 Nancy Steigers in the US but I have a feeling that there are more than that. Also, it says that there are 0 people named Kanitz, which is obviously bogus. But as I said, it's fun.

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 14 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Offense vs. Defense

Today has been a most interesting sports day in Big Ten football. The 2 games that we watched today really demonstrated a defensive donnybrook by Michigan, and an offensive onslaught by Michigan State.

Michigan and Iowa had super defenses, and it was a very hard-played, hard-hitting game. Iowa was held to 2 fieldgoals for their total of 6 points. State and Northwestern scored a combination of 79 points - wow, that's a lot of offense.

Starting with our favorite, the U of M, they beat Iowa 20-6 - it wasn't easy, but they did it. My Dad, the football coach, always used to quote the old adage "The best offense is a good defense." Michigan is still undefeated and still #2 in the country. This from mgoblue:

************
Football Remains Undefeated With Win Over Hawkeyes
Mike Hart rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns to lead the No. 2-ranked Michigan football team to a hard-fought 20-6 win over Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Michigan Stadium. After Iowa tied the game 3-3 in the third quarter, Steve Breaston returned the ensuing kickoff 64 yards to set up the go-ahead drive, with Hart punching it in from nine yards for a 10-3 lead. Hart, who surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season, clinched the win with a 10-yard TD run with 3:59 left in the game, and Garrett Rivas booted two field goals.
************

Earlier, Michigan State set an NCAA record for the biggest comeback win of all time. Nothwestern had the game won 38 to 3 in the middle of the third quarter. Who could have predicted that State would go on to score 38 points from then on and win the game 41-38. What a performance. This from USA Today:
************

Trailing 38-3 with 9:54 left in the third quarter against Northwestern, Michigan State scored the next 38 points, the greatest comeback in NCAA Division I-A history.
Sometimes a comeback results in more than just a win. Sometimes it even saves a season. With the 41-38 victory, Michigan State (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten) ended its four-game losing streak.

Aqua Therapy? Por Moi?

Dick has gone geocaching in the Walton-Manton-Cadillac area. He called in to report that he was First to Find on two of Treeplanter's new hides. Dick was having a really good time until he got caught in a downpour and got soaking wet. He says that the car heater has him all dried off now. He's off to do some more looking.

Today I called and made appointments for aqua therapy through the Munson Community Health Center. They use the pool at Premier Fitness on Garfield.

I'm quaking in my boots because I'm so afraid of re-injury. The neurosurgeon gave me a prescription for aqua therapy 1-3 times a week for 4 weeks. I trust him to recommend the correct treatment, but..... this won't be starting until the first week of November and I'm already worried. I'm afraid I'll throw my back out climbing that ladder up out the pool.

Also, I had that bad experience at MCHC physical therapy when I was re-injured by the pelvic traction. That episode set me back for six weeks so far. So I think I have good reason to be cautious.

I've been doing some research on Google, and I found this excerpt encouraging:

****************

Experts agree that rehabilitation exercises in the water may improve and accelerate healing time and reduce the potential for re-injury.
Flexibility and stretching exercises are performed more easily in the water than on land, where gravity is a limitation
During all exercise, the resistance of the water matches the applied muscle force. This dramatically reduced the likelihood of re-injury caused by exceeding tissue tolerance levels.
Rhythmic movements in the water (both swimming and walking/running) provide a gentle and non-impact environment for improving cardiovascular fitness.
Aqua therapy is especially suited to the rehabilitation of neck and back injuries and recovery from orthopedic surgery.
Aquatic therapy provides an exceptional and unique environment for promoting normal movement patterns and building strength, usually with pain reduction and reduced the risk of further injury. Aquatic therapy in many cases is the only alternative for rehabilitation when land-based programs have not provided adequate results.
****************

Januvia

Evidently lots of research is being done for people with diabetes type 2. Januvia sounds like an ideal medication. The following article describes it, and also mentions several other new medications on the horizon.

I'm putting the article in the blog just because I want to keep it and maybe discuss it with my Doctor, except my last HbA1C test was so normal that I probably don't need it anyway. I don't think it has much interest for anyone else but me.

Januvia targets the pancreas but I didn't see any reference in the article to pancreatic side effects.

***************

The Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved a novel once-a-day pill to treat Type 2 diabetes that lowers blood sugar levels without causing weight gain. The FDA said the drug, called Januvia, is ``important" because 70 percent of diabetes patients cannot adequately control their blood sugar using existing treatments.

Januvia is expected to become a billion-dollar blockbuster treatment for its maker, Merck & Co., and will be priced at $4.86 per tablet. Newly diagnosed patients can use the drug on its own, along with diet and exercise, to control blood sugar levels. And because it doesn't cause severe side effects when used in combination with popular diabetes drugs already on the market, Januvia also can be used by those whose disease is more advanced and requires more medicines.

The drug leverages the body's natural ability to control blood sugar by producing more insulin and lowering glucose. Controlling blood sugar can help stave off the need for patients to take insulin.

Diabetes affects about 21 million Americans and occurs when the body builds resistance to insulin needed to break down food, causing blood sugar levels to spike.

About 95 percent of adults with diabetes have the Type 2 form. They either do not produce enough insulin or their bodies fail to use what is produced. Those with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily because their bodies do not produce any insulin.

Unchecked diabetes can cause blindness , kidney failure , and heart ailments and can lead to amputations . The number of people with it is rising because of expanding waistlines and sedentary lifestyles, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In clinical trials, Januvia did not have the side effects typical of older treatments, such as weight gain, and dangerous drops in blood sugar. The most commonly reported side effects in trials have been minor: runny noses, coughs, colds, sore throats, diarrhea and nausea. But some in the medical community fear that could change when millions begin to use the new drug.

Analysts and physicians said Januvia offers a ``modest" reduction in a key measurement to gauge how well a patient's blood sugar level is being controlled. Elevated values increase the risk for eye , kidney , nerve, and heart damage.

A Boston man with Type 2 diabetes who has responded well to metformin, a generic treatment for diabetes, said he would use Januvia even if it only slightly improved his blood sugar value.

``I look at it as almost like a scale," said Marc Onigman , 56 . ``If the drug can help me keep that number dead-even, bring on the drug. As long as it doesn't have side effects that lay me out for a week."

Januvia boosts insulin levels when blood sugar levels are high, but cuts off the supply ``when the blood sugar goes down to normal," said Dr. Edward Horton , director of clinical research at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston . ``It's taking advantage of the body's own mechanism to respond to a meal."

Because Januvia helps the body better manage insulin levels, he said, it is much less likely to cause hypoglycemia -- dangerously low blood sugar levels -- than older treatments.

Horton, a Harvard Medical School professor of medicine , is a paid Merck consultant. The company has made him available for interviews about Januvia and has sponsored diabetes treatment sessions for doctors featuring him as a speaker.

Januvia targets an enzyme that is involved in activating many of the body's hormones, which worries some doctors because studies of how it affects patients have been limited. FDA approval was based on studies involving 2,719 patients. Roughly 440 of them had taken Januvia longer than one year and only 160 had taken the drug for two years.

``The concern always has been that the regulation of some of those hormones may be very important in subsets of patients that we don't yet understand," said Dr. John Buse , director of the Diabetes Care Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and president-elect of the American Diabetes Association . Because Januvia is the first drug approved in its class, it is not surprising that some people will approach it with caution, Buse said.

``There are many patients and, maybe, even more doctors who are relatively reluctant to use a new drug in the first six months or year after it's released," he said.

Merck said it will conduct additional tests of Januvia in combination with insulin and another class of diabetes drugs.

``Type 2 diabetics use a variety of medications to control their condition," said Dr. Mary Parks , the director of the FDA's division of metabolism and endocrine products . ``We want as much information" on the effectiveness and safety of Januvia taken in combination with other products, Parks said.

Some 400 different treatments for diabetes are in development. Recent innovations include inhaled insulin, which eliminates the need for injections.

Deutsche Bank research analyst Barbara Ryan , in a note to investors, called diabetes treatments ``hot, hot, hot" with a market size capable of supporting ``multiple new blockbuster opportunities."

Novartis AG is hot on the heels of Januvia with its own new-generation diabetes pill, Galvus , expected to receive FDA approval next month .

By shipping Januvia quickly, Merck aims to take advantage of ``a short window before Galvus gets the green light," Morgan Stanley analyst Jami Rubin wrote in a research note. Rubin forecasts $350 million in Januvia sales worldwide in 2007 with $1.6 billion in sales by 2010 , a conservative estimate.

A Reuters survey of 60 physicians found ``the vast majority" intend to prescribe Januvia and Galvus immediately.

Unsettling Visit

This has been a beautiful, blue skied, sunshiny day. Couldn't ask for anything better. The fall colors are past their peak, but still gorgeous in certain areas.

It's been a very quiet day here at home - a Sunday papers kind of day.

We made our regular Sunday visit to see Mother, and it was most unsatisfactory. This is the letter I sent to Betsy, the Director of Concord Place:

**************************
Dear Betsy,
We visited Mom today (Sunday, Oct. 15) and we wonder if you would check out a couple of things for us.

First of all, her telephone line is so full of static that she can't hear me when I call her. If you just pick up her receiver, you can hear the static along with the dial tone - check it out. We brought in a new phone because we thought maybe her phone was broken, but the static was on the new phone also. There's definitely something wrong with her phone line. I'm in the habit of calling her every day, and it's frustrating that for the past week she hasn't been able to hear me over the static.

Second, we don't know what happened to the pink box that her new Sylvania TV came in. The manual for the TV is in the box, and we'd like to have it.

Also, the box elder bugs are infesting her window again. Somehow, they are able to get inside - today they were on the windowsill and on the heater. While we were there one landed on Mother's hand, and it was quite unsettling. She told me that they have been on her bed as well. I would have thought that the freezing temps we've had would have killed the bugs, but no such luck. What do you think about using a can of Raid on the outside of the window? We'll be glad to pay for the Raid if that's a problem.

Thanks in advance,

Nancy and Dick Steiger
**********************

Let's hope this letter will achieve a positive result!

Fall Fun Day

Dick spent most of the day at the MiGo Fall Fun Day out at the Boy Scout Camp. I guess it was well attended in spite of the lousy weather, and it sounds like a good time was had. I know Dick and Tim&Susie had a good time.

Michigan beat Penn State tonight but it was close. It was an exciting game to watch, and a little scary too. This from mgoblue.com.

Football Sacks Penn State Behind Swarming Defense

The fourth-ranked Michigan football team sacked Penn State's quarterback seven times en route to a 17-10 victory Saturday, Oct. 14, in State College, Pa. U-M scored on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter to lead 10-3 at halftime, with Chad Henne throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Arrington and Garrett Rivas booting a 23-yard field goal. Mike Hart, who rushed for 112 yards, added a third-quarter TD run, while Rondell Biggs and LaMarr Woodley led the strong defensive effort with two sacks each.

I Can Cut Back !

Jana went home today - her IV therapy is finished and she feels better already. She's been told to stay home from work on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm hoping she will rest and heal and recover completely.

It's a nasty day - the worst possible weather - 40 degrees, cold rain, and high winds. Our power was out for a couple of hours this morning.

Saw Dr. Burke this afternoon and he agreed that I can cut back on my blood pressure medication. Hooray hooray!

He was surprised that the spinal injections worked for me (so far), I'm not sure why he was so surprised. It's a little sobering to me because I'm sure he knows more about it than I do. A visit to the lab for blood tests, and that was it.

Tim and Susie were over here geocaching today, and came here for burgers afterwards. Susie made a delicious pasta salad. We watched the Tigers beat Oakland, and had a great time.

Sort of a Snowy Medical Day

First of all, Jana is having some health problems. She was feeling discomfort when she was here in September, and it's just been getting worse and worse.

It turns out that she has an internal abscess in the pelvic area. She's in George Washington University Hospital receiving antibiotic IV therapy for 24-48 hours.

I just hung up from talking to her (4:40 p.m.) and they had just come in to start the IV. She has a lot of pain, but she seems to be in a really good mood. She's just glad that it's being taken care of. And so are we !

We woke up to a snow-covered landscape. It's been cold and snowy all day. A lot of it has melted already, but more is forecast for tomorrow. It seems really out of place for the middle of October.

Meanwhile, we went to see the neurosurgeon and got a really good report. He was pleased with my progress (!). He says no physical therapy or pool for 2 more weeks. He just recommends normal common sense activity and walking around. He said, "Every step you take will make it better." So now Every Step You Take is my new theme song. He wants me to practice walking without the cane right away, even if I am wobbly. I guess it's possible to get addicted to the cane.

Reception

I have no pain since the spinal injections, but the leg is very weak, and I'm walking slowly with a cane - which is far better than sitting all day! My leg is really trying to get stronger, and I'm trying to do a bit more each day. I still am slow and wobbly though.

The only position that gives me trouble now is sitting upright. I've just been using the recliner. However I can ride in the car for short periods - the car seats give you more ease or something.

Today I'm doing my laundry and changing my bed, and that's the most activity I've done yet. Yesterday I was able to visit Mother, and I actually went up there twice, so I was very proud of myself. She's having trouble with her TV reception. We think it's the cable because we went out and bought a new TV and that reception was just as bad. By the end of the day today, the cable people (or somebody) had it repaired and she was back in business.

Dick has to drive because I'm not supposed to try that yet. I'm trying to be very careful because the last thing I want to do is to re-injure anything.

We see the neurosurgeon tomorrow at 2, and Dr. Burke Friday at 2:30.

Solo Sunday

Jan left here around 9 a.m. Dick left Canton about the same time, and Tom boarded his plane then too.

I spent the day reading, dozing, and watching TV - still no appetite - still drinking the Pepto. I should buy some stock.

Jan stopped by in Houghton Lake to pick up Diann - they shared the drive back down to Belleville.

Dick geocached his way up north - he called five or six times to check in and to announce his finds. He found 3 before he even got on the expressway. He arrived home around 5 or 5:30. It was fun to hear his stories of the tailgate and the game.

Game Day

Still no appetite - weight keeps dropping, which is not a bad thing, but it's happening very fast. I'm just hoping it's not all muscle. Still drinking the Pepto.
I think my leg is getting stronger.

Jan and I had a very restful day reading and chatting and looking at magazines. We watched a Broadway musical DVD.

Neighbor Shirley came by with a treat and a card, and we had a good visit with her. Her husband is off duck hunting in upper New York State until Wed.

In Ann Arbor, Dick, Tom, Peter G. and Bill went to Steve's tailgate - they had 100 people there (not all at the same time) and grilled ribs for everyone, along with salads, potatoes, cakes, etc. It's quite a do. The guys really enjoyed the game, and it was fun to watch here, too. This from mgoblue.com


Henne on the Mark Again as Football Defeats Spartans

Chad Henne threw three touchdown passes for the third time in the last four games to lead the No. 6-ranked Michigan football team to a sound 31-13 defeat of Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Michigan Stadium. Henne tossed scoring passes of 13 yards to Adrian Arrington and 41 yards to Mario Manningham to help U-M to a 17-0 halftime lead, and Henne hit Manningham again in the third quarter for a 27-yard TD play to make it 24-0. Mike Hart rushed 22 times for 122 yards, and Brandon Minor added a 40-yard touchdown run.

Then we watched Walk the Line on HBO and went to bed.

Dick Leaves, Jan Arrives

Still feeling ill this morning. Hoping it goes away soon.

Dick is off on a great weekend of geocaching, football, male bonding, tailgating, and being with Tom. He has arrived safely in Canton and should be picking up Tom at the airport right about now.

Jan got here around 3, and we've been talking ever since! She's my combination friend, caretaker, and companion. She's really here so that Dick can have a worry-free weekend.

I"m feeling better today.

Lousy

Not so hot today. Somehow I've picked up some kind of a bug which I hope is the 24 hour variety. A crummy day.

"Funny" Mistakes

We've been laughing about the dumb things I've done during the past couple of months because of the pain medications. I've forgotten whole days, whole conversations, whole events. Dick tells me that I have an appointment with the neurosurgeon surgeon on Oct. 12 - you could have fooled me! I suppose it's just to see how the injections are working out. Those strong drugs really do impair your thinking skills - always take somebody in with you!

Today we remedied the worst mistake - at the bank. While I was still "druggy", I was so proud of myself for paying the bills online and keeping up with everything. Ha!
I paid our bills all right, but I also paid Mom's rent and Mom's medical coverage out of our account, resulting in an overdrawal! Now that will put a dent in your budget. Luckily we have some kind of overdraft protection so nothing bounced, but there is a fee of some kind which I have to figure out how to pay.

So I'm not quite as proud of myself as I was before, but at least our bills got paid and Mother was kept covered and that's the important thing.

Strong storms last night - we got about 3 inches of rain. There was a tornado south of us in Missaukee County and high winds causing quite a bit of damage around the countryside. We just got the rain and the thunder.

A Very Sad Monday

Two very sad funerals today. The first one is Tim and Susie's Mother Shirley Swedine. We've never met her, but our hearts go out to her whole family and especially to Tim and Susie. Susie's Mom died in February, and it just seems like too much to deal with for one year.



Shirley E. Swedine
(September 12, 1930 - September 29, 2006)

Shirley E. Swedine - Age 76, of Owosso, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 29, 2006. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, October 2, 2006 from Grace Bible Church, 201 Michigan Avenue, Owosso, with Pastor Roger Rose officiating. Final rest will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM Saturday; 2-4 & 6-8 PM Sunday at Mowen Funeral Home. Mrs. Swedine will lay in state at the church on Monday from 9 AM until service time.

Mrs. Swedine was born September 12, 1930, in South Branch, Michigan, the daughter of James and Florence (Burr) Humphrey. She married Carl J. Swedine in South Branch on June 19, 1948. Mrs. Swedine was a homemaker and lived all her married life in Owosso. She was a graduate of Mio High School, Class of 1948. She was a member of Grace Bible Church of Owosso. She loved music and playing the piano. For a while, she also worked and played the piano in the youth groups and Sunday school. She liked to read and was a good golfer, bowler, loved to sew and do needle point. Mrs. Swedine loved tending her flower gardens, family get together's and making photo albums for all her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include: husband, Carl; children, Tim (Susan) Swedine, Kevin (Marion) Swedine, Melody Livingston, Eric Swedine, and Nancy (Jeff) Bateman; six grndchildren, Quincy, T.J., Erica, Ryan, Nicole and Nathan; four great grandchildren and two on the way; also, sisters, Marjorie DeVoe of Durand, Doris (Don) Mainprize of Higgins Lake and brother, James (Mae) Humphrey of Alabama; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister.

Memorials are suggested to the Grace Bible Church of Owosso.
********************

The second is Pauline Brigham Lather, who was a classmate of mine since elementary school. We went to Union Street School and were together all the way through graduation from Central High. Pauline was an amazing woman with a strong will to
live. Suffering from leukemia, she underwent a bone marrow transplant provided by her son, who was a perfect match. She went through a lengthy recovery, and even got back on the bike path and became quite active again. Evidently leukemia is even tougher than we are. She was a wonderful person, and her husband Dave was also in our junior high and high school class - he was always so pleasant and kind. I know it's been a struggle for him for many months now. At least Pauline's struggle is over.

Lather, Pauline Yvonne
TRAVERSE CITY — Pauline Yvonne Lather, 71, died on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006, in the arms of her husband and surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with Leukemia.

She was born to Harvey Vernon and Eva Mae (Brighty) Brigham on April 25, 1935, in Grant Township, Grand Traverse County.

Pauline attended Union Street Grade School, graduated from Traverse City Central High School and Michigan State University.

She met the love of her life, David, in their junior year of high school; They were married by the Rev. Donn Doten at Central United Methodist Church on July 6, 1957.

She valued good health and an active life style. She enjoyed most outdoor sports, including sailing, skiing, cycling, roller blading, snowshoeing and hiking.

Pauline's greatest love was her family and many friends. She always saw the best in people. Pauline's faith was very strong, a faith she passed on to her children.

She was an active member of Central United Methodist Church, her Yokefellow Group, and was a Stephen Minister. She was office manager of Central United Methodist Church and retired as their bookkeeper-treasurer.

Pauline is survived by her husband, David; son, Brantley (Michelle) Lather of Midland; daughter, Lori (Jan) Hesprich of Traverse City; sister, Susan (Wallace) Tuttle of Traverse City; three grandchildren, Henry, Conrad and Sarah Lather of Midland; and mother-in-law, Leona Lather of Traverse City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Eva Mae Brigham.

In accordance with Pauline's wish, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Monday, Oct. 2, 2006, 11 a.m., at Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City. Visitation will begin one hour before the service. The Reverends John Ellinger, Tamara Williams and Dean Bailey will officiate. Inurnment of her cremains will be in the church columbarium.

Memorials may be directed to Central United Methodist Church or to the West 4 Oncology Unit at Munson Medical Center, Traverse City.

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
Published in the Record-Eagle on 10/1/2006.

Hello Mother

After Dick got home from the Agency, we got into the car, did a couple of small errends, and went to visit Mother.

I was very nervous about walking up and down the ramp, but we did it - we did it and it wasn't that bad. I haven't taken any pain pills all day and there is no pain. I'm still walking very slowly with Dad's cane, but we did it. We visited with her for an hour and everything went well. She seems fine and we had a good talk. Then I came home and slept for two hours!

It was a beautiful drive around town. The trees and the hills are all in their fall colors and really quite imppressive. It's a warm wonderful, beautiful day.

Sunny Sunday

It feels like fall today. I think it's around 45 outside, and some of our leaves are turning.
I am continuing to improve - haven't taken any pain meds since yesterday afternoon. I still have a slight ache in my left calf, but hardly enough to mention. My left leg is considerable weakened, but my new hobby can be strengthening it.

Dick has gone off geocaching south of Kingsley. It looks like a nice series along the Manistee.

Next weekend Dick will be going down to the Mich-Mich. State game and staying at Sniders. Tom is flying in from San Diego to go also, and Peter is driving up from Cleveland. I think that Bill will probably go to the game with them, so they should have a great time. They plan to go to Steve Koss' famous tailgate party pre and post game. Jan is driving up here to stay with me for the weekend, so I won't be lonely and "overdo". It should be a great time for all of us.

Post Injection(s)

What a great morning. So far it's 10 a.m. and I've had no pain. At all...just a little achiness once in a while. I even took a shower and washed my hair with no pain. Are you listening? Whoop, whoop, whoop! Not since July 17th could I say that. So I'm clean and shiny and happy. And I'm planning to follow Dr. In-Jecto's advice and do nothing today and tomorrow. Monday should be a lot of fun.

Sharon sent great pictures of Kevin's wedding - everybody looked so happy. I can't do the picture part of my blog yet - my upstairs computer chair is bad for my back, and I can't upload the pictures on my laptop down here in the recliner - but next week I'll be able to put the pictures on the blog, and I'm excited.

On the more serious side of life, we heard yesterday that Tim and Susie have lost Tim's Mother, Shirley Swedine of Owosso. She has suffered ill health for quite a while - but it's always heartbreaking to lose your Mom, as a lot of you already know. Our sincere condolences to the whole family.

On the lighter side of life, Michigan held on long enough to beat Minnesota tonight. Minnesota made several serious but fruitless threats, and Michigan went home with the Little Brown Jug. This from mgoblue.com:

Henne Tosses Three TD Passes as Football Claims Jug
Chad Henne made sure the Little Brown Jug's stay in Minnesota lasted just one year as he threw three touchdown passes in the first half to help the No. 6-ranked Michigan football team to a 28-14 win Saturday night, Sept. 30, in Minneapolis. Henne connected with Adrian Arrington on scoring passes of 16 and 37 yards for a 14-0 Wolverines lead and later found Mario Manningham for a 41-yard hookup and a 21-7 halftime edge. Mike Hart rushed 31 times for 195 yards, and Kevin Grady added a short TD run.

Heavily favored MSU was beaten by hapless Illinois with a last second field goal in the rain on homecoming day. We are well acquainted with that feeling.

Dr. In-Jecto

Double your pleasure. Not one, but two lovely spinal injections. Dr. In-Jecto found the sciatic nerve all right - 3 times. What a thrill that was -3 times. It felt like being struck by lightning. OK, mild lightning, but still not at all pleasant. The second injection was not bad at all, except that I couldn't relax waiting for a repeat of injection #1. Oh well, it's over. The Doc says that by Monday I could try out for the Lions. I'm shopping for a uniform. I think I could be on special teams and keep the ball out of the end zone. How hard could that be?

Dick brought me roses yesterday -gorgeous yellow and pink roses. Best ever. Right now he's out geo-caching.

Sorry for the Blog-Lag

A couple of our wedding outfits if we had gone to the wedding. On the left you see our glorious evening casual ensembles. On the right is obviously the daytime casual. Can you tell that Jana is holding me up?
tsyle="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2370/443/320/HPIM0504.jpg" border="0" alt="" />

The poor blog has gone to pieces It doesn't react well to my pain meds. Maybe later, I'll fix it up. Maybe not.

Bye Bye Jay Bird

Jana's flight took off around noon. I'm so glad she came - we had a good time and she helped Dick take care of the crip (me).

Jan and Eileen stopped in shortly after. Jan brought the cutest plant in the cutest pot and I'm really enjoying it. It was great to see her and catch up on all of the news from California. It was fun to see Eileen - I always forget what a dynamo she is. She keeps things hoppin'.

Dick is still the world's best caretaker. Mother and I are trying to help him slow down a bit and just enjoy life. I'm as comfy as anybody could be, and so well taken care of and loved like Marmee in Little Women - remember?

Kevin's Wedding Day

Laurie, Dylan and Tom called from San Diego this morning. They were eating eggs for breakfast and getting ready to go to the San Diego Zoo. Kevin and Amy's wedding is later on this afternoon (see link above). More Later.

Meanwhile, back in Michigan:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan football team claimed a 27-13 victory in its Big Ten Conference opener against the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday (Sept. 23) in front of 111,058 fans at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines defense held the Badgers to six straight three-and-outs to begin the second half, and Michigan tallied four sacks and held the Big Ten's leading rusher, P.J. Hill, to 54 yards rushing on 20 carries.



Meanwhile, MSU looked terrific for most of their game. State had it won by the time I went to bed. I could have fainted the next morning when I saw that the final score was Notre Dame 40, MSU 37. Unbelievable.

I Know What Day It Is!

It's Wednesday! Aha! I'm on top of things now!

When I taught school every classroom was responsible for putting on a program each semester about something we were studying. One year it just so happened that we had the names of the days of the week for spelling words so off we went to do some pretty heavy duty second grade research on Freya, Woden, Thor,etc.

We divided into groups, made costumes, wrote poems and music, made signs
and came up with a pretty good show.

The point of all this is that the other day in some office I saw the secretaty write out an appt. for Wen., Sept. 21. Any one of those 2nd graders would have bopped her with Thor's hammer.

Dick and Galadriel pulled in around 9 p.m. complete with a big celebratory presentation box of champagne (checked, of course). Dick fixed some supper while I dozed in my chair. Wonderful to see her. She traveled in her morning brunch outfit (daytime casual), so she's one up on me and we haven't even started yet.

We both loved her business plan....sh..white collar spies are everywhere.

Dick is for Real

Monday - at least I know what day this is. Have to be proud of something. I'm proud of Dick, anyway. He went to the Agency first thing and helped people all morning, and then came home and helped me all afternoon.

What Day is This?

Dick went out to do errands this morning and accomplished a lot.

I'm feeling like somebody else today - can't seem to keep things straight in my head. Mom says I never called her yesterday. Some daughter she wound up with! I just feel like sleeping all the time.

Talked to Laurie this morning. They're excited about going to LegoLand with Tom on Friday. (see link above).

We're all wishing we could be together this weekend. I'm wishing I could visit Mom. Maybe roller skating to California would work. I'm wishing I could remember what day this is.
A couple of Dick's errands this morning involved office supplies for the upstairs computer room. When I finally get strong enough to visit Mother, I want to take her pictures from the terrific half of our summer. I was preparing the digital photo printer and picking out the pictures, ding ding ding ding - the picture printer ran out of paper. No paper in this drawer, that drawer, or the other drawer either. So I might as well begin working on a different project - Jana's birthday present. Computer is all warmed up, Epson is up and running. I finish a page and press Print. Holy moly, that's a strange noise. It appears that all of the inks have run out.

Labor Day Weekend

My pain meds were running low, so on Friday at 9 a.m. I ordered refills online. It didn't work - the pharmacy never got the order. It has worked before, but not this time.

I did have some meds. I have tons of darvocet, which makes me physically ill. I'm having a bit of a bad tummy anyway - last thing I want is more of that! I have tons of regular Tylenol. The recommended dosage doesn't come anywhere near what I need.

The pharmacy heard nothing on Friday or Sat. and of course the clinic is closed for the holiday weekend. So like the drowning man who clutches at the straw, I stupidly tried ordering refills online again, knowing full well that no human eyes would see it until Tuesday morning.

I have totally lost my appetite, but desparate for some darvocet (which must be taken with food) I asked Dick to fix me toast and eggs for breakfast. I took the darvocet, kept it down, and noticed some pain relief. I think I took a second dose after proper preparation, and again I had good results. But, I'm sorry to say, I just can't eat meals - makes me feel sick just thinking about it.

Dick found a bottle of tylenol 3 with codeine dated March, 1999. I'll admit to taking 2 of those, and they do seem to make me more relaxed. I'm keeping them around for times when sleep seems the best optiom.

Sat., Sun., Mon. with no pain meds. Hey, come on - we contribute to Doctors Without Borders! Where are they when we need them???

Hooray it's Tues! I'll have meds before noon! I called the clinic. I spoke to an actual person who asked all the right questions, and she promised to give my order ro Dr. Burke's nurse. Heavy sigh of relief. Right? This always works, right? We've never had a failure between the clinic and Rite Aid, right?

Well, we waited a proper length of time, and phoned the pharmacy to make sure that the prescriptions had been called in. No luck. So we waited another proper length of time and repeated the process. Rite Aid hasn't heard a thing.

We went for a little ride, with me stretched out in the back seat in my one comfortable position (which isn't as comfortable as it used to be way back when I had some vicodin.) We just happened to be in the vicinity of Rite Aid, so we went to
the drive-thru pharmacy pick-up. Even eye to eye, the man said he had nothing for us.

Back at home, I called the clinic to set up a consultation with Dr. Burke concerning my inability to get medication for my sciatica. They gave me an appt. for THURSDAY MORNING. (Pardon me for shouting.) Dick called the clinic at 3:51 p.m. to speak with Dr. Burke or his nurse, and was told that they had both left for the day.

So I was facing another night with no meds, plus I was really feeling sick with flu-like symptoms. It was not a good night. So I asked myself, WWLIWD? (What Would Laura Ingalls Wilder Do?)

This morning (Wed) Dick called the clinic at 8 a.m. to order the refills (4th time). He's really on the job now. He's planning to call someone every hour, either clinic or pharmacy, whoever's turn it is. So I have a good possibility of getting some pain relief today, right? Today's the day, right? I can't hear you..

As of 10 a.m., I have my meds, I have my meds, I have my meds, I have my meds. Nothing looks better than Dick walking into the room with a pill bottle in each hand!!

Dr. Burke put refills on each bottle - I'm so grateful. He is now the world's 5th best doctor. He'll just have to work his way back up to first.

I have my meds. Thanks, Dick

The Pizza Cart

There have been some wild and crazy drug induced dreams in the past month,believe me. They are so realistic that even after I wake up I think it's still going on.

I just woke up from a hotel pizza dream - I heard the announcement in our room (It was the Van Something Hotel) - very posh. "Steigers, your pizza is ready. Call such and such for delivery when you're ready". I was barely awake, so I just assumed that Dick would call.

I have no idea how much time passed, but eventually I realized that nothing was happening, so I began to wake up. As I looked around the hotel room, I saw that the list of hotel amenities was beautifully and skillfully woven into the lovely rug on the floor. It had phone numbers, shuttle buses, menus, etc. One of the pictures on the rug was a cute little pizza delivery cart.

I waited for Dick to do something, and it seemed to me that I was awake in real life at that point. Still nothing was happening, so I actually said out loud, "Dick, did you hear that?" No response. OK, by now I really was waking up, although I could still see the black and white rug. I said a little more quietly this tme, "Dick, are you in here?"

Well of course he wasn't - I think he's outside somewhere. I'm in here alone with my powerful pain relievers. Luckily, I'm not hungry, and the pizza would be cold by now anyway.
.

Not Today

There's an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" in which Ray's annoying mother Marie scolds him by saying, "Someday you'll turn around and I won't be here anymore." Ray quickly spins around, glares at her and says, "Not today."

Someday I'll get up in the morning and my leg won't hurt.

Out of Bed At Last !

Today, thanks to the steroids, I am back in the recliner, well-iced, and
feeling like I'm in paradise. I'm sitting in the sunshine with the door and
the window open, and it's almost like being out on the deck. I'm able to
walk around periodically, but still can't stand for long. I also can't sit,
which puzzles me because one would think that sitting would be the easiest
thing. Go figure. Before my relapse, I was able to ride around in the car
for as much as an hour and a half. Now I'm back to zilch.

Today I learned that it's a mistake to try to walk around right after taking pain meds. Not only do you topple over and scratch your nose, but you also anger your caretaker who works diligently every hour of every day to improve your condition and expects you to do the same and not to put yourself in peril. I'll have to get used to asking for more help. My fear is to become too demanding. It's a delicate balance because I'm beginninng fo feel more able to try to do things.

Today Dick went to visit Mother. I'm so glad - I want her to remember that she does have family out here somewhere. Hooray for Dick. He reports that he thinks she's beginning to suffer short term memory loss.

OK, Here's the Deal...

My physical therapy session last Thursday did me in. I'm literally worse than I was when the sciatica first flared up.

Still can't sit, because I seem to be unable to find an un-achy sitting position.

Still can't stand or walk without cane and pain. (The kind of pain that my Dad used to say, "Made ya moan, didn't it!", with a
cute, wicked grin. Sometimes you just have to wonder about football coaches.)

I'm spending all my time in bed, which sounds pretty enjoyable to most hard-working people, and really isn't too bad for the first eight or nine hours. I've been here since 5 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and it's now Monday at 10:30 a.m. You could say that it's the opposite of geo-caching.

My only comfy position in bed is lying on my right side with knees bent and ice packs on the left hip and thigh. Dick has a great icing system going, and so I'm the world's luckiest icee.

I've lost my appetite. I'm blaming it on all these high-powered pain-killers. They also sometimes make me physically ill and unusually sleepy.

Since I flunked physical therapy, Dr. Burke cancelled all of the PT appointments and came up with a new plan. Here's the deal:

1. First we'll re-run the steroid medrol pack. He has confidence it will take away the pain the way it did before. That starts today, and lasts for 5 or 6 days.

2. After the pain is gone, I'll have an EMG on Sept. 11 to determine nerve damage and muscle weakness.

3. If necessary, I have an appointment with a neuro-surgeon on Sept. 21 to check out my bulging disc.

Here's my soft, cuddly present for being sick. His name is Fleming Bearie Steiger. I'm beginning to feel slightly better this afternoon. Some might say it's due to the steroids, but I know it's because of Fleming and Dick.

Random Thoughts Since Thursday

[This is just an attempt by me to catalog my experiences so I won't forget the chronology.]


Sciatica is not such a big deal.

Mine began on July 17.

A little inflammation, a little discomfort, a little medication, a little rest, a little therapy, and voila! You're good to go.

I spent a lot of time in the recliner, where I could find a couple of truly comfortable positions, helped by either ice or the heating pad.

I also found a comfortable position in bed, which was almost totally pain free.

We followed directions to the letter.

I have kept track of every pill taken since July 17.

I haven't cooked a meal or cleaned the kitchen. I have been able to do laundry. I have trouble standing.

Before the first therapy appointment I was totally off all pain meds except Tylenol for 2 1/2 days!

I was walking slowly and with a limp, but hardly any pain.

I was feeling very proud of myself. (That's what goeth before a fall, you know.)

But when we got to the therapy part, we were blind-sided by something...who knows what.

After the first therapy session I was walking slowly, assisted by a cane.

When I got home I took some pain pills just because of the jostling of the clinician's evaluation.

After the second session, I couldn't walk or stand without the cane.

The pain was worse than anything I had felt since the onset.

It's too painful for me to sit or recline for any length of time.

I can find no comfy position in either the recliner or the bed.

Walking (with the cane) is horribly uncomfortable.

When I walk into the bathroom, if no one is around, I whimper like a 4 year old (not my usual style).

I called the clinic on Friday to explain my situation, and to ask for suggestions for something I could do to help myself.

Rest, they said. Rest and call back on Monday.

I wish I could find a position really conducive to rest.

So I've been in bed all day Friday and Saturday, with one more day to go.

We have seen no improvement, not even one small improvement.

There is constant discomfort despite the pain meds.

I have totally lost my appetite.

Dick has been very watchful and helpful. He's really good at keeping me iced.

He got me a beautiful teddy bear named Fleming.

We had thought that I was far along on the road to recovery.

What the hell happened?

Photographic Evidence of Traction

After getting some kind of a clinical dispensation, the tech was allowed to photograph the traction. Nobody had ever asked to be photographed before. I simply cannot imagine why (!). There's a harness around the midsection pulled very tight to keep the upper spine immobile. The hip harness is what pulls your spine toward the end of the table. The little machine at the end of the table is what provides the pull. It cycles between 40 pounds of pull and 100 pounds of pull. It cycles for 20 minutes.
The cord draped over my chest is a call button for the tech in case I should need her for anything. The little box on the wall is a kill switch in case the machine goes perquackey and starts pulling me like Westley in The Princess Bride.





The cord beyond my feet is what pulls on the harness. You actually can feel your spine stretching - it's a good feeling - a good stretch. After the traction, the clinician comes in and has you do exercises. The tricky part is not to hurt yourself. Today I felt hurt when she was finished. I went to visit Mother, and I shouldn't have done that. I should have just come right home. When I got here, I started in on pain meds again, and even some valium. I kind of resent have been marginally "re-injured", but maybe that's just the way it goes. I'm going to ask about it next time. I don't go back until Monday.

PT 2006

Physical Therapy has changed quite a bit in the past 25 years since the other time that I had sciatica.

First of all, this time the first encounter was longer. The whole visit took an hour and a half, with poor Dick sitting in the waiting room the whole time. The therapist spent about an hour doing an "evaluation", which means that I spent an hour walking up and down the hall 14,000 times for her, balancing on one leg after the other, pivoting, lying down on back, belly, right side, and left side while alternately raising my legs, bending, stretching, twisting in every position (Does this hurt? How about this?), standing on my head, waving my arms, and quacking like a duck.

The second part was a half hour of pelvic traction. The object of this is to "decompress" my spine. I also had cane practice. I'm not allowed to limp because limping negates the benefits of the traction. I have to use the cane just right so that my pelvis stays level. I use the cane at all times, even around the house.

The cane I use at home is the cane my Dad got when he graduated from the U of M. It has a block M on it, and under the M it says 3ED0, because he graduated with a degree in Education in 1930. The letters and numbers are in some kind of metal, but I don't know what it could be. Mother says I can't help but improve quickly using that cane!

I'll be going to PT three times a week for the next month. I think there will be pelvic traction each time. I hope we eventually get around to leg strengthening. I'm also trying some bed and chair exercises to counteract having been immobilized for the past month.

Today Dick did a lot of picking up and putting things away outside. He finished just before the rain started. Then we went to recycling, UPS, and Oleson's.

A Plan

I waited all day for a phone call from the Doctor. I kept checking the phone all day to see if there was a dial tone. We got 4 other calls, so I knew that the phone was working. Finally, I called the clinic yesterday afternoon 5 minutes before they closed. I very politely inquired as to when I might expect to hear the results of the test that I had 10 days ago. She very sweetly said that she would give Dr. Burke's nurse a reminder note, and that I could expect a call this morning. I guess all it took was that little kick in the pants!

Dr. Burke actually did phone me this morning. He called at 8:11 a.m. (Don't you love digital clocks?) The MRI showed a lot of arthritic changes in my spine, but he says that everybody over 60 has osteo-arthritis in their spine. It also showed several bulging discs in the lumbar region, but the trouble-making disc is L-4, which is bulging enough to pinch my sciatic nerve.

I'm starting physical therapy today at 3 o'clock. I'll do the PT for a month, and he says that by the time of the wedding I should be "moderately improved". I don't know what that means, but it doesn't sound too bad. If I'm not moderately improved in a month, then he says he would want to do some more tests.

A really good sign is that I haven't taken any pain meds except regular Tylenol for two days now. The pain is mostly gone, but walking is still difficult.

So, I have a Goal, a Plan, the Motivation, and a Cheerleader (Dick). I think I'll be good to go.

What The Heck, Go For It

My Doc didn't call again today, so I just went ahead and RSVPed to Joyce in California that we would be there for all of the wedding activities. I figure I have a whole month to practice walking. We just now mailed the post card.

Jana is always so inspirational - this is what her email said:

Actually I think it is kind of good to have a Goal to Work Towards, you
know? Especially since no one will provide any tunnel lightness for
you, you can come up with your own tunnel lightness.

I am being a nag here -- but, you know that katami bar? I think 2
minutes daily of using it to stretch would probably be really, really
good. I mean, unless it hurts. Remember -- stretching feels gooooood.

Thanks, Jana. And now I definitely do have a Goal!

Mom and a Ride

We had a good visit with Mother. She tires quickly, and confuses parts of the conversation because of her poor hearing. But generally speaking she's fine.

We did a little cache maintenance, stopped to look over another park for possiblities, and did our cruise. I was shocked at how weak my left leg is and how slowly I was walking. The sciatica pain is mostly gone if I behave myself, but there's still a lot of work to do.

No News

Since the MRI was a week ago, I was pretty sure I would hear about the results by Friday. But there hasn't been a phone call or letter, so the next possibility is not until Monday. I would really like to get started on some kind of rehab - my left leg is noticeably weaker, and I walk like a drunken sailor. I'm mostly just elevating it and resting it.

My shoes for California came, and they're all fine except for the dressiest ones which were way too tight - hope I can exchange them. I lke the style.

Rick emailed that Fritz and Ruth will be going to Traverse Manor on Sept. 2. It's a real relief that there is finally a plan for the two of rhem. They both need so much help, and they're so far from family. I know Fritz will be both frustrated and relieved. He hates the part about not being able to drive anymore, but he'll be so relieved to have help with Ruth, who is very high maintainance at this stage of her life.

Dick took some cachers out to Power Island this morning to find the oldest cache in Michigan. He said they all were successful and had a good time. I believe it was photobug2, rathergohiking & the Waypoint Kid, and the Farm Boy and the Teacher. I think he has plans to take another group out there on the 25th. He went caching with them yesterday too.

Kim is Home, Kim is Home

The ordeal is over for Kim and Mike! We got this email last night, and we were so happy and totally surprised! They sort of sneaked out of Minnesota at the first possible moment. Who can blame them!! I edited the email to remove most of the personal things and all of the medical numbers, etc. But I couldn't resist including it because I think it's so charming, positive, and romantic in its own way:

Arrived in CA at 0200 this am.1 day earlier than anticipated since all
apptments were done on Tues afternoon and the need was overwhelming to
scram. The gal needed to get home."Home." An interesting concept when
you relocate 2000 miles from 12 years ofdeep friendships andmost of
your family only weeks before losing an organ system temporarily and
downsize 50% in housing,But here it is,2 months later and our house
is NOW a home. Like when you bring your first kid back from the
hospital when they are born...but better. This team was short our power
hitter for too long this season.

The Kid was unbelievable. I would have crumpled. Temps in the 104 range
for days,pain, diarrhea, pulmonary compromise,full body edema,
nausea....Got on the plane late last night as instructed: scarf, hat,
leg wraps and filtration mask. Fellow travelers wondering....Jessica?
Garbo? Jennifer? They have no idea. She Belongs to Me - (Bob Dylan
http://bobdylan.com/songs/belongs.html)

We did it. Time to make living routine with more than a touch of
priority affirmation, thankfulness, and perspective. Thanks to everyone
for their support, thoughts and encouragement.

Hey! I Lost a Day!

Sleep is a wonderful thing - but are you really supposed to sleep for a whole day? I lay down yesterday afternoon for a nap. When Dick woke me up for supper, I fell asleep over my plate, and couldn't stay awake long enough to eat anything. So he very gently suggested that I just go back to bed, which I did with no argument. I did wake up at 1:25 a.m. and sort of watched TV for about an hour, went back to bed and was wakened by Dylan's phone call at around 7:30 a.m. Went back to bed and finally did get up and dressed around 9 a.m. Then Dick decided to go caching around 9:30. As soon as he left, I went back to bed. Holy cow. I didn't wake up until he called around 1 p.m.

I figure I must have slept for 18 or 19 hours. This just never happens. I hope I've caught up on my zzz's by now.

Just got a call from my cousin Virginia who told me that Aunt Effie died last night at the age of 108 1/2. She would have been 109 in November. When Aunt Effie was 100, someone asked her how it felt to be that old. She said, "Well, there's no peer pressure!" She had many descendants both living and dead. It will be interesting to read her obit. Mother is now the only surviving daughter-in-law of Grandma Kanitz's nine sons and daughters-in-law. Dad was the last surviving son. Makes sense because they were the youngest of the eighteen sons and daughters-in-law.
Here's a picture of the whole family - Grandma and her nine sons and their wives. In this pose, the men are seated according to age, with Uncle Walt and Aunt Opal on the left, and Mom and Dad on the right. Grandma, of course, is in the middle.
In this picture Mom is on the left. Aunt Effie is seated the furthest left by the big round pitcher. (It was green.) It must have been take the same day as the one above because doesn't it look like they're all wearing the same clothes?

It's hard to believe that Mom is the only one left.

Hi Mom

The Big Event of the day was going to visit mother. She was very glad to see that she really does still have a daughter.

We took care of all of the financial details, additions, balancings and such. We caught up on all of the Concord Place doings (there aren't any), and enjoyed recounting all of the cute Dylan stories from July.

Mother gave me all of the good motherly advice about taking care of myself, not overdoing, canceling the California trip and many other things that I should and shouldn't do. She'll be 98 in a month, and she's still mothering me! So watch out kids - I guess it never ends.

We had a great drive through town on a perfectly beautiful day, and Dick showed me the lot that L&C picked out.

And I didn't overdo, Mother.

MRI Redux

Had the test. Now mind you I've give up whining forever, so this is not a whine - this is a completely objective report.

This time the MRI seemed even noisier than I remembered, and quite uncomfortable because you have to lie flat on your back for the whole time, and that's the position I especially haven't been able to tolerate for the past couple of weeks. The test seemed to go on for an hour, but as I left the clock showed only 25 minutes had passed. It seemed to be a long time to stay motionless in an uncomfortable position. But it's over! That's the best part.

We went for a lovely ride and got iced tea and it was just like being alive again.

Downtown was beautiful and full of "touristers", and you wouldn't believe what's happening on Washington Street. The last half of the day was lovely.

The Iceman Cometh

The repairman from Max's came today and finished the refrigerator. So now we have a new gasket and a new ice-maker. No more buying bags of ice - hooray! No more condensation on the floor. Hooray!
I'm having fun ordering things on the internet while I'm sitting in my chair healing up. Mostly great stuff for scrapbooking, and some necessary wardrobe items. Yes, that's it - necessary items.

All we Can do is Cry

I'm a student of common sense and rationality, straightforwardness and integrity

http://www.slate.com/id/2147398/?nav=aisDr. C

What, Me Whine??

I actually am quite a bit better than I was 3 weeks ago, but to be honest, I thought I would be totally better by now.

It seems to me that I've been complaining a lot so I'm going to try to keep a stiff upper lip and stop being such a whiner - especially when I know so many people at the moment who have much more whinable situations than I have.

Just for one example, have you ever heard Aunt Odette whine about anything at all? Me either. (Well. maybe once I heard a sort of a whine about Uncle Doug, but nothing at all compared to a Nan-Whine.)

And our friends Tim & Susie for example - Susie's Mom died last Feb., and last Sunday Tim's Mom had a stroke of the more serious sort and are they whining? Nope - they're dealing with it.

Kimiko Marie is the least whinable person on the planet. Here she is, dealing with tests, proedures, pokings and proddings beyond our wildest imaginations, more closely threatened than we will ever be by life-ending situations on a minute to minute timeline, and yet teasing her Dr. hubby and blaming it on febrile delirium. A whiner? I don't think so. Michael sends daily updates and here's a sample:

Today pretty much the same..fever 39-40 which is not uncommon, every
antibiotic known being given, IV fluids, tylenol, Mag, Phos, Potassium
and gatorade orally as tolerated. A waiting game where, we are told,
cells start to produce anywhere from day 10-14. Today is 11. She is
strong and upbeat, resting with a fever. Still comes up with zingers
claiming febrile delirium. Ha.

(Haven't heard one whine from either of them yet. By the way a temp of 39-40 equals approximately 104* F.)

As for me, my leg hurts. Big whoop. Oh the tragedy of it all. I can't think of a better place to spend my downtime, or a better person to spend it with, or a better doctor, better neighbors, or more beautiful scenery out my window, or nicer weather. I'm the most fortunate whiner in the galaxy. To those who are sick of hearing about my stupid sciatica, I'm sick of it too - so this is the end. No more complaining. Amen.
(With the possible exception of my kids, who have earned a little mom-whining over the past 45 years. Some more than others. Sorry, kids.)