Today is the anniversary of the event that first put me into the care of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center system. It’s a rather memorable day in itself in that the following occurred this lovely day.
The day didn’t start half bad. I had my usual hack, cough and retch from low blood sugar, (I suspect that is what is causing that), I took meds, had my lovely one cup of Fiber One cereal Shredded Wheat with light frosting. (I actually measure my morning cereal intake these days on advice of a very knowledgeable, and rather pretty, dietitian, and this lovely lady also gave me more realistic ideas of a diet I can live with, lose weight, maintain blood sugar, get what I need in calories, fiber, carbs, etc.) one percent milk. Did personal hygiene, woke up my weekend houseguests so that they could get on with their day, got to VAMC in one half hour, spent about an hour waiting to start a study using a machine known as an MEG, etc. The research assistant in charge finally arrived, and she was also a very lovely, pretty, nice lady. We spent some time in an interview for me to tell her my story and my current “snapshot” of my life. Then I prepared for the actual electronic portions of the study by making sure anything made of metal was off of my body, and putting on comfortable non metal containing clothes, and other various esoterica associated with same. The electronic portion of the study was conducted by two very good gentlemen who were concerned for my comfort and safety for the portion of the study that I was able to complete today. The study would have been completed today had the computer not decided to flake on the psychology technician gentlemen I mentioned earlier, and other electronic difficulties associated with electrodes and such. I was compensated for the portion of the study I completed that day, and was informed I would be given the opportunity to reschedule the MEG portion.
I went and had 2 baked chicken breasts at the VA cafeteria for lunch, along with my bottle of water, then I left the building after observing the usual restroom and hand hygiene guidelines required by the Joint Commission on Health Care Accreditation. I then headed home, and was on the road back to my cave when I blew my nose and started to have a nosebleed. I sniffed it to the back of my nose and throat quick, and let the nasty mixture of blood and snot drip down my throat and swallow it, and this kept up for twelve minutes as I was driving. Finally I drove to a safe place to pull over to the side of the road and called the VA Nurseline–the afterhours nurse advice line. In the meantime, the issue of blood and snot stopped for that time. I wound up waiting for about twenty five minutes to talk to the nurse with the usual recordings and other associated miscellaneonty, only to get a message to leave a voicemail with the information about myself, my facility, and my problem. I then proceeded to complete my trip home. I arrived, got in the house, got in my computer, and then a few minutes later, a nurse from the VA region called and asked what happened. I told her the story. She asked if I had high blood pressure, I replied yes and have medication to control it. I asked if the computer chart system was up, and she said it was. She stated that if by the clock the nosebleed does not stop, I was supposed to get it checked out. I asked her to document the incident, and she said she would. I then asked her if there was any other suggesti0ns she would have for me if this occurred again, but we were disconnected. At least there will be no further issues for today with this, I hope.
Other things happening….with the help of Chiropractics, the dietitian, and other factors, I have lost almost twenty pounds and am getting a lot healthier. I am learning a lot about how to better care for myself physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and financially. I have learned a lot and am willing to learn more and do more. The job is going a lot better then it had been, but we still had some staffing shortages due to illnesses and other issues. I just hope and pray that I don’t become sick. I do need to tell all that I have ceased the sexual purity group at Quest 180 at Eagle Brook due to personal issues and also due to not getting the necessary accommodations I need in order to participate in the program. This is in no way the fault of all the leaders, but I am at the point where I am dealing with some major stresses in my life in the way of my job, my health, and what’s left of my spirituality. I still have a lot of spirituality, and I still am a Christ Follower, but there are some things that had gotten out of hand that have since been resolved by God and myself in a manner that is between God and myself. There are plans in place for me to continue my walk with God, but in a manner that will ease the tension of dealing with the stresses of Phariseeic legalism and the ingenuous withholding of God’s grace by, not God, but certain persons and entities within the church, not just Eagle Brook.
So, that’s my day. I should still be able to hang with some peeps for chow tonight, and have a great and fulfilling day tomorrow at Blaine Campus of Eagle Brook. I can hardly believe that in one month or so Blaine will be open, and life can get to a new chapter of a new normal. In the meantime, unless you are the individuals responsible for making my health issue a challenge today (Not the research team), I wish you all a great weekend, and God’s blessings on you.