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Another year down. Last significant MS attack was in 2007. I expect my appt to be a fun session of talking about racing, life, and future plans. There will be a small discussion about my ankle (pondering possible foot drop or spasticity). I will talk about my thyroid going south, and prep for an upcoming medical procedure that will prevent me from eating for 24 hours. My med requires that I eat, so I have to ask...Do I take it, or avoid it for one day? I will also talk about heat intolerance, and I don't expect to hear much other than things I already know. When I got diagnosed, there was a moment in time where I felt hopeless. Luckily, my strength carried me forward to fight and get myself better. He will ask me to get another MRI, and I plan to comply. It has been ten years since the last one. Seeing new results will give us an idea of how this is progressing or not.

The corn feeder drama continues. As you can see, it's not only bears who don't mind the barbed wire. HoSmudge walked around to the back to set up the ladder to add corn into the feeder. I heard, "That sonofabitch!" So now he has to figure something else out. I quietly chuckled and went about my business. (He used a piece of ridge cap to patch the hole. We're pretty sure it's on the ground today.) I went inside and made a cake, went back outside and picked sticks off the lawn, and eventually went for a bike ride. The leaves are starting to turn. I wanted to ride at camp cuz there is a lot of two-track so I can just spin. It was a nice 10 miles. Just before I got back to camp, I saw this big mushroom. Apparently, once it matures it looks like a fried egg! I got back to camp and made supper. We decided we would have cudaghi. They come four to a pack, so we each had a double! We were hungry, so that worked out well. While we were having supper, so were a few deer. (Look in the center of the pic.) And it's good to be the new matriarch of camp and making new rules. The rain was just starting when we (my bike and I) got back from our ride. My bike was not staying out in the rain. So ya, a good day at camp.

Well they inserted 3. I own them now.

I saw this for the first time yesterday. It was still posted today. Like many areas we have those DOT electronic message signs along the highways. They typically tell you how many minutes to a specific exit or warn of lane closures ahead. They might also give you the latest sats on traffic deaths in the state. A sign coming into Grand Rapids now read "Pass bicyclists safely Know the law" A small step.

Her name is Marley, and she is 7 months old.

The first major symptom wasn't so obvious to me and hard for me to diagnose. Shortness of breath. Climbing stairs and sucking air. Mowing the lawn and having to stop every 5 minutes or so and take a break. As a former hardcore athlete I had a problem with this. I spent the first 25 years of my life engaged in competitive athletics and was in really good physical condition. I always thought I was just out of shape, that I needed to become more active. And even though I thought my rate of decline was abnormal, I had also just turned 50 and thought maybe this is just what happens as you age. I mean it does happen, right? The second major symptom I had was feeling lethargic, tired all the time and having difficult motivating myself to do physical activities. Lounging just seemed like so much a better option -- even though I knew I should be getting out there. in short, my desire to engage in physical activities was working against me because I knew it was just more work and not so much fun. Another thing I noticed is that I was taking deeper breaths throughout the day to keep my system in equilibrium. I was light headed often or even slightly dizzy. But as things worsened, I think the final symptoms were even the cpap machine which I bought a year and a half ago no longer seemed to do it's job. That is, when I bought the machine I felt amazing the next morning after a good night's sleep. But now I was feeling just as bad or worse than when I got it. Not being able to get proper rest even with my cpap machine was another indicator. It was then I became aware that I was having to take deeper breaths during the day to catch up even if it was minor activities. On occasion I did have some minor chest tightness. But the straw that broke the camel's back was when I rode a simple 23 mile bike ride on relative flat surface and after 7 miles of riding I had to stop and rest for like 45 minutes. I felt sick and terrible. I knew something was wrong. This never happened to me. Keep in mind, I had also been to the doctors office in the past trying to identify my problem and even visited the ER twice in 5 years to have my heart checked out and every time my test results came out squeaky clean. What also played into my mind was I had a history with high cholesterol. It was off the charts but 20 years ago when I got serious about it, ate the right things, and jogged 2-3 miles every other day, it plummeted. Unfortunately I returned to old habits over time thinking psychologically that I could turn it on whenever. Bad mistake. The hospital is littered with former and current athletes thinking they don't need medicine or they can control their outcome 'when they set their mind to it'. I feel very lucky to have found this early. It was me who took the initiative and asked my doctor about a plaque scan. I had to pay for that out of my own pocket. Best $200 I ever spent. I honestly say I can feel the difference right now some 8 hours after the surgery. I can breath easier. It's my job now to do what I can to get the most mileage out of these stents.

That cat sure has big ears.

The one with the most money.

Damn it Jim Good Luck...and follow doctors orders.....

Update. 10% raise.

What a shame. Glasses at 7 months. Poor kid.

Thanks. I've put in a request that storms go on hold, until I am fully back in action.

It's hard to believe at 51 I am literally getting one of these things. Procedure is scheduled for 6:00 a.m. PST. They'll evaluate the three main arteries in my heart and if over 70% then they'll insert stents. I honestly do not think I have 70% plaque blockage but then I didn't think I would have the scores I have. I've lost almost 25 lbs in 2 months and feel better but notice I breath heavy and gasp for air climbing stairs. I'm not sure if I will be awake for the procedure or not but they go in through my wrist. I'm drinking a lot of water tonight. In some ways, I think it would be cool to be awake and watch but then I think maybe how much easier it'd be if they just put me out.

I’m scared that my blood clots have returned. My varicose veins have become purple and inflamed, and my breathing has gotten worse. Two of the main symptoms when I had my DVT and Pulmonary embolism in 2012. It started the day I drove to Rhode Island- a couple weeks ago, but I didn’t want to go to the ER on my vacation. I have a Doppler scan tomorrow afternoon which will tell me if there any clots in my legs. 2 years ago, I had a similar scan and it came back fine. If I don’t make it, I want Kzoo to get my sense of humor. SW can have my post count. Dottles should become the forum Badass, and RG can have my community reputation.

I hope you own them for many decades to come.

That can't be Maxx. He would shirley have his rigged with radio control.

So, if your hand brushes the back of Nate's head, does he wait to see if the pass is complete, than fall to the ground as if his spine turned to jelly and curl up in a ball?

You are an inspiration to us all.

Is this it?

I have been on Xarelto since my last cycling accident 7 years ago when it was found I had a clotting disorder. It is a very safe and non-invassive treatment requiring no blood testing and has no food restrictions. Coumadin has it's place and that is killing rats. Don't be afraid of Xarelto, I am surprised you are not already on it with your history. Maybe another doc is in order. Good luck Jim.

A little known fact: Greenville Indiana actually won that, not the wannabe Greenville in South Carolina. Fearing an influx in hippies, the citizens of Greenville Indiana got together and raised enough funds to pay off the author. We had her switch the story to Greenville South Carolina. Our little town has managed to somehow remain hippy free. Well except for for the Ferazzi family, but we kinda like them.

That’s my girl, Yiva, good doggeh. btw, I’ve just got up, and the sight of your big fat stogie has made me gip, so you’ve already pissed me off twice.

...impressive. It reminds me of the time I tried (unsuccessfully) to put myself on ignore.

One down... just $6,000 to go..

Looks like it still requires wearing pants, so that's a non-starter for me. Tom

We have kind thoughts, and real concern in abundance. There is also a bit of bad advice & a wee bit of sarcasm But the concern is for real

Glad you came out the other side still posting.

The more you talk the clearer the picture......... focus......... focus.............

I gotta say, though, that this looks like someone with a shotgun got trapped inside and blasted their way out. Normal metal might not work in this situation. Adamantium might be required. Tom

Cleveland and Buffalo both won on the same weekend. When is that likely to happen again?

Watch out for the right cross.

This 75-year-old spends his days napping with kittens.

Thankfully no hills. And yes, I took a trade in and bought a new J Deere yesterday evening after coming down from my rant. There are simply too many advantages to having a lawn tractor in addition to it's regular use for mowing. After searching around I found prices to be roughly the same for other brands that did not have the advantage of in town service with pick up and return.

If that storage thing was made out of metal, wouldn't that help? I wouldn't bother patching it or trying to further tweak it. Find some metal and use that. Tom

I just figured the stories would start repeating again eventually and it would start making sense. Tom

I don’t know, really, but a one time GF of mine called Patricia did not shave her pits, and I quite liked that, neither did she ever wear underpants, which I liked a lot, and I took on the practice myself.

I don't want your stuff. Stick around and keep it. Your doc is probably good at this stuff.

I assume that they are mostly in the northern parts of the country.

I have an idea and have no problem saying it.

...I have no idea, but I just can't say that.

Good luck Dottie..you got this

Good luck! You have to stay healthy so that I can meet you when I'm in Washington next month!

Good luck with your doctors. Likewise, make sure you like your doctor, understand your doctor, and feel like the doctor is actually treating you as an equal, not just patient 123. Also, STOP with the "driving to Rhode Island" nonsense if you can possibly avoid it. Not all clots will behave this way, but sitting for long periods like driving and flying is awful for us. It is worse for folks suffering from clots. Tom

Well to be honest, I think the choke option might have been the better way to go.

The girl in the middle had her shit together.

I gave you a like for your sense of humor, and fairness in distributing your forum goodies. But I really hope everything is OK and you get to keep your stuff. Pullin for ya...

If only he got paid instead of being a volunteer, it would be perfect!

Did he touch you in the bathing suit area?