Sleep at last, I hope

So the flight started, and I was on one of those tiny regional jets, crammed in close proximity to a guy I didn't know.  There wasn't enough leg/foot room, but I lost myself in a good book and didn't think about it.  By the time we landed, I was starving, and D.C. was gray and cold and rainy.  I hoped this wasn't an omen for the weekend.

I was able to grab a quick sandwich at the D.C. airport, so I didn't starve to death.  The place said "best grilled chicken on earth", and I'd say it didn't even make the top 10, but I was starving, and the fries were good.  I found my connection with very little difficulty, even though that place is pretty darn big and a shuttle was involved.

This flight was on another small jet, but each row had one seat on one side of the aisle, and two on the other.  I was in the lone seat on the left.  YES!  It was still tight, but better.  I kept reading for the one-hour flight part of  my journey, then arrived in Greenville.  Holy CRAP!  It is SO beautiful here.  The weather is great and the area is just pretty.  It was refreshing.

Although the hotel shuttle driver got stuck in traffic and made me wait 45 minutes outside the airport, he was genuine and sweet.  I was the only one on, so we chatted about Nascar (sorry Russ) and football and small towns and his girlfriend, who sounds like quite a girl. 

The hotel is pretty, but the coke machine on my floor doesn't work.  I should tell you some time about my luck with vending machines in hotels.  If you buy them in the gift shop, they're $1.50 a bottle!  What a scam.  The gift shop also carries no gifts.  Why not call it a "stuff you forgot" store.  It's handy for that.  How can I buy overpriced souvenirs for my kids?  I guess I could buy them toothpaste and a tampon and shaving cream, right?  Just kidding.  I'll find something at the airport.

Well, I did 2 hours of trade show booth tonight, and I've been up since 4, so it's time for me to crash.  Do I get to say it's 10:15, even though my body doesn't think it is?  LOL  Gotta make it sound more pitiful.  Good night friends.  I'll try to get more pictures tomorrow.

Sittin' in the airport...waiting

If any of you are under the assumption that Kansas City's airport is in Kansas City...think again.  You have to drive for miles and miles of no-man's land to get here.  Why is it that I always have to get here in the dark?  What a boring drive.  I've never been to another airport that was this far removed from the city.  Anyway, I got here...on time.

They now have free wireless here.  That's cool.  Makes me glad I borrowed mom's laptop with wifi.  It's like being on dial-up, though.  I was trying to IM with Mom, but gave up.  The delay made me nutty.  I'm so spoiled by DSL.

I stopped for fuel this morning, and figured I'd stop at the only McDonald's on the way for a bite to eat.  My next chance won't be until around 1:30 this afternoon.  That little po-dunk McD's doesn't open before 6am!  ACK!  Don't deny a fat chick her food.  I also left my mints in the truck.  My mints are sort of an addiction, so that'll make for an interesting trip.  I have the laptop and a couple of books, though, so all is well.

I got the "pat down" at security.  That's a first for me.  Mom usually gets chosen, which is funny, if you know my mom.  Not exactly terrorist material, although neither am I.

Well, 10 minutes until we board, so I better hit the bathroom one more time.  I don't want to break my record of never using those little airplane bathrooms.  Makes me think that if the plane goes down, I don't want to be hovering over a dirty little stainless steel bowl.  I'm just sayin'.

South Carolina Bound

Well, here I am.  I have to get out of bed in about 6 hours, and I'm too vamped to sleep.  I have packed all that can be packed (some toiletries need to be packed after my shower in the morning) and the proper travel documents are secured.  The batteries for the camera are charging, and the laptop is ready for action (thanks Mom.)

For the first time on any business trip, Natalie expressed a concern over me flying.  I explained that it's safe, and that I'll call at each stop, but she's worried.  She fell asleep in the guest room, next to my mostly-packed suitcase.  As we were talking, I could see her trying to be rational, but wanting to cry at the same time.  She's a big girl, but she's only 9.  She's trying to process it all.  I have to balance the comforting words with the understanding vibes.  Sheesh.  Parenting is tough!

Dad is letting Kevin borrow the car for the weekend, since he's leaving on the Bike with Mom.  That is great.  Kevin doesn't have to leave at 5am to take me to the airport, or get home after midnight Sunday from picking me up.  The plans are in place, and going quite well...so???

So why the nerves?  Why am I still awake?  Am I worried about my first solo trade show?  No, I'll be fine.  I've traveled with losers that depended on me for every decision.  Am I worried about the long flight?  No, I borrowed a couple of good books.  Am I worried about the lay over in D.C.?  Maybe.  Just a bit.  But it's no biggie, right?  Am I worried about the lack of chances to eat tomorrow?  Probably.  I'm a fat chick, remember?  I like my food!  I need to remember to pack snacks.

Around 8, I leave KC.  Around 11:20, I hit DC.  Around 12:20, I leave DC to land in SC around 1:45.  That leaves 5 hours to check in, set up the booth and EAT before the 7-9 show hours.  Then, on Sunday, the REAL show happens.  It is from 12-4, so I can sleep in if I need to catch up.  At 4, I have to tear the booth down like a mad woman, and head to the airport.

I leave S.C. for D.C at around 7 on Sun. evening, with a 1 hour lay over. From D.C., I fly to KC, arriving around 11:10.  After collecting checked baggage, I'll get home around 1:00 am. 

I've stated the times so that my friends and family can think of me.  I've said before, this is my first solo flight/convention.  I'm OK with it, but I'm a bit needy when it comes to thoughts and prayers.  I can handle the convention, but I'm more worried about flying than I've ever been.  D.C.?  Hell, check my bags, I am NOT a terrorist.  Also, while you're at it, check the bags of EVERYONE getting on my plane, ok?  LOL

I'm scared and excited.  I'm happy and worried.  I'm wide awake and tired.  I'll post again from South Carolina tomorrow.  Thanks for reading.

Not much

A haircut, stop at the drycleaners, fueling the truck, and a WalMart shopping trip in under an hour total?  Priceless.

I work well under the pressure of an impending business trip!

A tag

Four jobs I have had in my life:

    1.  day care teacher

    2.  nanny

    3.  receptionist

    4.  Customer Service Representative

 

Four places I have lived:

    1.  Oak Grove, MO
    2.  Buckner, MO

    3.  Carthage, MO

    4.  Coffee, MO

Four TV shows I love to watch:

    1.  Grey's Anatomy

    2.  Survivor
    3.  Big Brother
    4.  ER, but there are SO many more!

 

Four Movies I have watched over and over:

    1. An Officer and a Gentleman

    2. Smokey and the Bandit 
    3. Hooper 
    4. Breakfast Club

 

Four Places I have been on vacation:

    1.  Rocky Mountains
    2.  Branson, MO
    3.  St. Louis, MO

    4.  Mission, Texas

Four of my favorite foods:

    1.  MOM'S POTATO SOUP!

    2.  Pizza

    3.  Lasagna
    4.  Onion Rings

Four places I would rather be right now:

    1.  Colorado
    2.  California
    3.  Myrtle Beach, SC

    4.  Waverly Hall, Georgia

P.S.  For all of the above, I mean for a visit, not to live.

Exaggerating

Everyone exaggerates.  EVERYONE.  You can't use the word "never" or the word "always" unless you're exaggerating.  "Holy crap!  There's about a thousand deer in that field!"  Yeah, we know it was 12, and that's a lot.  You aren't lying, you're making a point by exaggerating.

Here's when it turns ugly.  Don't tell me that you have 15 voicemails to attend to, when I saw your phone, and the readout said 6.  Yes, 6 is a lot to deal with.  15 is a lie.  You didn't say "a shitload" or a "ton".  That would have been an exaggeration.  You told a lie.

My feeble mind tends to draw these grey area lines.  They are mine.  It's probably irrational, but it's me.  Is it OK to exaggerate?  Is it OK to lie?  Where is your line?

1) "I worked my ass off all day cleaning up this yard!" 

2) "I've put a million dollars into that car!"

3) "He never gets my jokes"

4) "He has never lifted a finger to help"

1. is an exaggeration.  It didn't take all day, but the emotion was made more powerful by these words.  I'm OK with this.  You know it didn't take all day, and I know it didn't take all day.  But the 4 hours you spent made the yard look great!

2. Yup.  It's an exaggeration.  We all know it was a couple grand, which is too much, and feeling of hopelessness is conveyed by the tale.

3. An exaggeration.  He got that one about the chicken and the road.  And the one about the blonde plumber.  He just isn't very deep.  It's OK to let folks know that by exaggerating.

4. A lie.  If he EVER helps, it's not fair to paint him in this light.  Maybe he doesn't help enough.  Maybe you wish he'd do more.  Unless he has literally never done anything, you shouldn't say this.

Am I crazy?  Yeah, I know, so don't answer that.  Is exaggerating as bad as lying to you?  Am I nuts for giving it this much thought?  Probably.  Have a good night.

Thundering thoughts

OK, I don't know where this post is going, but I swear I'll keep it short.  I can go DAYS without knowing what to post, and today there are 4 good ideas in my head.  I might post some random thoughts, so I'll remember what I was going to do in a couple of them...it's for my sad memory, so ignore it.

1) Exaggerating

2) Work Dumping

3) Missed opportunities (or not)

Now, for today's post.  Sorry, I'm a bit disjointed tonight. I'm going to the South Carolina convention next weekend.  Last year, I traveled with a good friend, and we were on Myrtle Beach.  This year, it's in Greenville (I hear it's the West side of the state, no ocean) and I'm going alone.  It's my first solo convention, but I can do it.  I'm SUPER REP!  I'm worried a bit, because it's a first, but I can handle it. 

Thanks to Mom, I'll have a laptop to use.  I can take pictures and post them from Greenville!  Thanks to Kevin, I don't need a sitter.  It's only for the weekend, and he's here with the kids. Thanks to temporary disability, we won't be stone cold broke.  Bills will be paid.  I'm good with this trip.

When they asked (as in "you're going, are you OK with that?" which means "you're going") I said "yeah" with very little reservation.  Now, after the fact, I found out more details.  I have a lay over in Washington D.C.  Russ?  Any messages you want to send along?  A couple of folks almost got stuck in that airport on a business trip last year, so I'm a bit worried about the lay over.

After I said "yeah" I found out that there was a drawing for Nascar tickets.  The race is in KC that weekend.  I couldn't get in the drawing, because I'll be gone that weekend.  GO EDWARDS! GO STEWART! GO MCMURRAY! GO JR!  Please, nascar fans, cheer for a Missouri boy, or a good guy....please?

I was told that it was only a 4 hour trade show, Sunday afternoon.  Cool, easy trip.  Fly in on Saturday, set up the booth, and hang out until Sunday at noon.  WRONG!  There are two hours that I have to be there Saturday night.  Then, a gathering after.  Then, the 4 hours Sunday, which leave me short on time to catch my flight home.  After all of that, I land in Kansas City at 11 pm on Sunday, and have to go to work on Monday.  I'll probably get home around 1:00 am.  Oh yeah, I'll be LATE on Monday. 

Anyway, S.C. is pretty this time of year, and I love our customers there, so it's OK.  Kevin's home to tend to the kids, so it's OK.  I am a good rep and can handle myself and this trade show, so I'm OK.  Anyone in South Carolina wanna visit?  LOL  I'm OK.

Good things

Well, I sent the email, and got a very favorable response.  I am excited.  I am ready to do more and better things, and it looks like I'm going to get the chance.  Thanks for the prayers and thoughts.  You guys just KEEP coming through.

Is it too soon?

Is it too soon to ask for prayers again?  Especially if it's a job thing, not a health thing?  Is it bad to ask for prayers for a job, when I *have* a job?  I just want a change.  I only want it if it is meant to be, so pray for that, ok?  Sheesh, I'm specific, huh?

Tomorrow, I email my boss.  It's the only reliable form of contact, so please don't think I'm avoiding a face-to-face.  The plans have been in the works for a while, and I'm ready to finally send the email. 

Deep breath.  Here we go.  This could be great for me.

Worst case scenario?  She says "no".  OK, move on.  I'm doing it.  I'm sending the email.  Shit or get off the pot, right?  I'm shitting.  ICK, sorry for that visual.

Surgery scars, balloon injuries, and drivin' stuff

This post is green, because Kevin likes green.  It is a bunch of pictures and nothing more.  Within lies a balloon wound, a surgical wound, and a lot of driving pictures, because I haven't done that in a while.  Just nonsense.  It was a crap day at work (well, mostly the afternoon) and I was so happy driving home, that I had to share.  Everyone should be this happy and excited to get home.  I love this place and my life.  I love my family and the feeling I have when I get home to them. 

Scrubbin'

Well, I stayed home today, so Kevin wouldn't be alone.  He would have been OK for the most part, but he needs some help.  For instance: If he drops something, he can't pick it up.  Neck movement is limited, so when I scream and shout "Hey!  Look over there!" it hurts him.  LOL, just kidding...I only did that once.  (not really, but I thought about it.)

I left him for a short time today.  He was ready for a nap, and I needed to get a few things from Wal-Hell.  I did get a kick-BUTT new mop.  I've been using elbow grease and a cleaning rag for a while now, so it was time.  This one has a scrubbing brush on the other side, so you can flip it and scrub the back porch!  (or whatever YOU need to scrub...my back porch is concrete, and houses a non-trained puppy.)  It's cool.  I also got some carpet freshing stuff (then my vaccum broke, but I made it finish the job,)  other cleaning stuff, Diet Coke, fuel in the truck, and smokes, then home.  I hurried as fast as I could, and he was still asleep when I got home.  SWEET!

My basement drain was clogged.  It was slow, then slower.  Finally, it couldn't keep up with the washer unless we did small loads (less water).  As of this week, it was done.  Even a small load flooded part of the basement.  Sheesh.  Since we go through three FULL size loads of laundry each day, this was going to be a struggle.

I thought I'd try to snake the drain by myself.  It had to be worth a try, before calling a high-dollar plumber to look at it.  I asked if Dad had a snake, so he came and fixed the drain.  I felt silly not trying the obvious like he did, but I'm glad it was done in minutes, and free of charge.  Did I mention lately that I LOVE my daddy?!

Mom and Dad went to Grandparents Day at the school today.  I haven't heard from them, but the girls had a BALL!  They enjoyed the heck out of it, and talked about it for a long time.  Did I mention lately that I love my Mommy AND my Daddy? 

Now, homework is done (rare for a Friday night around here,) the laundry is CAUGHT UP, and the house is pretty darn clean.  Sure, there are a few projects for morning, but most of the weekend work is done.  That feels great.

Thanks again for the well-wishes and prayers.  Kevin is going to be OK.  In fact, earlier he said "Honey?  My right arm doesn't hurt!"  That's a first for a LONG time.  His right arm ALWAYS hurts.  I guess the spinal chord is thanking him for the relief, even though his spinal column is griping about the intrusion.  A chronic pain traded for a short time severe pain...we'll live through it, and it will be a good trade.

I'm better now, what about Kevin?

Sorry about no update yesterday.  I went on very little sleep, followed by one L-O-N-G day.  For the quick answer, Kevin is home and better.  For the longer version, read on:

Tuesday, we got to the hospital at 11 as ordered, for a 1:00 surgery.  The nurse came in, took his vitals, asked some questions, and confiscated his clothes.  Here he is in a hospital gown...and nothing else.  NOT a look he was in to.  The we waited.  Waited and waited and waited. At 12:45, we asked what was up, and found out the surgeon was running behind, due to one operation taking longer than expected.  Kevin had no food after midnight, no cigarette after 9, and no pain pill since the day before.

Let's just say, he was NOT at his best.  He was getting crankier by the minute.  At one point, he said, "I'm gonna TEAR THIS PLACE UP.  But first I'll need my pants."  LOL  He even cracks me up when he's crabby.  He also said that they better hurry up, or he was going to turn the gown around and roam the halls, and could NOT be held responsible for his actions.

They finally took him in at 2:30 to get him prepped.  Linda and I hadn't eaten either (we were NOT going to eat in front of a starving man) so we went down and got a piece of VERY old pizza from the cafeteria.  ICK.  At 4:15, we asked what was up, and was told that things were delayed, so he'd only been in for 30 minutes because of another delay.  *sigh*

At 4:50, the surgeon came out and told us that he was done.  They fixed the two disks and fused the three surrounding vertebrae with screws.  We should be able to see him in 20 minutes in his room.  I made some "he's out" calls, and went back in to see him.

As you saw from my last entry, we didn't see him until much later, and he wasn't in his room until after 7.  His pain was pretty bad, and he was very uncomfortable.  Thankfully, when I got back yesterday morning, he was doing a bit better.

By mid-morning, Kevin was taking walks in the hall.  He got real food (not Jello and broth) and wasn't needing anything for pain until it was time for it.  He sat in the chair more than the bed, and was READY to get out of there.  We played the waiting game for 400 hours, and he was released a bit before 2:00. 

The ride home was pretty rough.  He hadn't taken anything for pain in over 4 hours, and here I was without so much as a Tylenol.  As soon as we left, I could tell this was going to be a rough trip, so I stopped 4 blocks from the hospital and bought him a couple of Advil.  We finally got here, after the 17 hour drive home.  (So I exaggerate, big deal!)

Now, he's happy to be home.  He gets pretty sore, and moves pretty slow.  He can't do some things on his own yet (reaching and bending) so I'm staying home today.  That gives us the weekend to get him to a point where I can go back to work.  If the improvement today is equal to the improvement yesterday, he should be doing back flips in no time!

Thank you all for the prayers.  I needed them desperately.  The surgeon does this all the time, we don't.  What's routine for one can scare the daylights out of another.  That's my second scary time in that hospital this year.  I'm done.

Kevin

Kevin's surgery went quick, when they finally got him in, over two hours after they had planned.  It was eerie to sit in the same waiting room that we logged so many hours in when Dad was there for open heart surgery.  I never want to see that place again!

The surgeon came out and said everything went well, and we could see him in about 20 minutes.  40 minutes later, no Kevin.  We asked, and they said 30 more minutes.  We waited 40 minutes, but still no Kevin.  We asked, and they said 30 more minutes.  Kevin's Mom demanded to know what was going on.  The girl at the desk said, "I'm sure he's fine."  Ummm, that is NOT an acceptable response to us.  They called down and said they were having trouble controlling his pain, and he couldn't come up until it was under control.  We freaked.

Linda finally found a very sweet nurse lady, who came to the waiting room and said "let's take a walk.  I'm going to let you see him, so you know that he's really all right, but you're not supposed to be down there, so 30 seconds is about all you have."  I love that woman.  I will love her for all time.

We saw him, and he looked good.  Said he still hurt real bad, but that he was fine.  Hearing it from him, and giving him a kiss helped a ton.  Linda headed out to pick up the girls from Mom's and bring them home.  I finally got to see him in his room shortly after 7.

I don't EVER want to see him in that much pain again.  I stayed until after 10, then found out I couldn't stay the night in that room.  It's not a private room, so for the other guy's privacy, I'd have to leave soon.  Kevin (after his 9:30 dose of meds) was actually getting some sleep.  It hurt him terribly to change positions, but he kept trying something different.  We finally got him on his side with a pillow to lean on, and he fell into a REAL sleep.  The first one since the surgery.  I kissed him goodbye and told him I'd be back early in the morning.

There are many details that I will fill in later, but I hope he gets some much-needed rest, without the horrid pain that I watched him suffer through.  I need to get a couple of hours of sleep, so I can get back up there.  Thanks so much for the prayers.  I know they helped a ton.  Just imagine, good thoughts and prayers going up from all different parts of the country, for MY Kevin!

There are many that I planned to call, but it was all so up-in-the-air for so long.  I didn't want to say "all is fine" until I knew it was, and I am barely sure now, at 11:30!  I know it WILL be fine, but it's not yet, and I'm a worrier.  It's what I do, and I'm good at it!

Kevin 'N Stuff

Well, we're trying to be upbeat around here.  Kevin will have surgery tomorrow at approximately 1:00 pm central time.They will go in through the front of his neck, and repair what they can of the 2-3 disks with the problems, then fuse three of his vertebrae together with screws.  As he said today, "no matter how you look at it, I'm screwed!"  LOL  If there's one thing we do well around here, it's joking.  We joke to keep us from crying.  I even told him that I intend to return to work on Friday, since he should be able to do some light housekeeping by then.  Sure, no laundry, but dishes should be ok...right?  LOL

I am worried about work.  Who will take care of my stuff?  I know the answer to that.  Who will pick up the slack for my coworkers who sit around and do little or nothing? I know the answer to that.  Who will be there early to route work?  I know the answer to that.  The fact is, I need to be distracted from the REAL drama, so I'm thinking about the other stuff.

Natalie is asking a lot of questions, and that's good.  She wouldn't even TALK about stuff before her grandpa went in, so every discussion is a bonus.  She tears up, but keeps talking.  An open dialog is always good.  I'm scared to death, but it keeps me calm to talk to her about it.  When I HAVE to be the calm one, I'm good at it.

I didn't want to sit up there alone.  I would have asked Mom to go, but what if the girls had to get home before he was done?  Now, Grammy (Kevin's mom) is coming up to be there.  She worries as much as I do, but it's company.  We'll calm each other down while we freak out inside.  She has lost a son, and worries about her living children.  I have a strong husband who will be weak for a time.  Yes, we'll both be basket cases, but we'll make it through. 

I need support.  I need prayers.  I need good thoughts.  I need whatever you've got.  I need to know that one of my best online buds can hang in there.  I won't give up if you don't, Russ.  I'll hang in there if you can.  I can do this, but I need a support team.  Any volunteers?  Emailing me a phone number will result in a call.  It might be an "all is good" call, or it might be a "it's started now" call.  Tell me what you want to hear, and I'll make the call.  I'll need the distractions...honest.

I thank you in advance for caring.  You've all been great in the past.  Please watch my mom's journal tomorrow afternoon, for an update.  She will have the chance to post, long before I do.  I love you, my 2-3 readers.  Thanks.

BTW, fierro6@earthlink.net is the best email.  I'll check the AOL one, if there's time, but earthlink is the first one I check each morning.

Not much of an entry

Well, the mouse problem was simple.  Same puppy got it that got the phone line.  It was just such a small place that I didn't see it last night.  I'm using a sad mouse now, that has been in the shed for a while.  It's a bit groggy, but I hope it gets faster.  It's an optical mouse, so it's not like it needs cleaned or anything.  Maybe condensation?  Who cares!  I have my own PC back.

I brought a professional camera and tripod home from work.  I try to read the book when I have a question, but seem to find the answer better myself, by trial and error.  Might not be the best method, but it works for me.  Sorry, B.  LOL  (B is the one that gave me the lesson, book, and tripod/camera combo for the weekend.)

We crammed both adults and both girls into the truck today, to go to dinner for Natalie's birthday.  With the pending issues, it may not have been the best plan, but my daughter was promised a nice dinner with all 5 of us and Grammy for her Bday.  Grammy had a blow out and had to cancel.  Brett had a schedule change at work and had to back out.  Poor kid was heartbroken on both counts, so I *couldn't* tell her "no".  We went to Red Lobster, and it was awesome.  We ate a bit before noon, and had leftovers for supper tonight.  The nice waitress even sent home some extra Cheddar Bay Biscuits for us! 

After that, we went to Wal-Mart for the weeks groceries and essentials.  I HATE that place on Saturday, but we made it through.  Natalie picked out a Girltek Password Journal, which is speech-activated to open, close and turn on the light inside.  Sheesh!  The kid is already a techie...although, the recording part leaves something to be desired.  It doesn't understand what you want a lot of the time, and it's caused some frustration.

The puppy was chasing her tail for over 5 minutes, before I remembered to get video.  As soon as the camera was out and ready, she was done.  She is now sleeping.  *sigh*  Another moment lost.

Tomorrow, we mow the yard, clean up the place, and finish cleaning the house.  Monday, we go to Mom's for my neice's Bday dinner, then I take a bazillion pictures to hope for 10 good ones.  That's the plan, man.

The Dr. answering service was of no use.  Nobody ever called.  After all, it's not THEIR spinal column, right?  What do THEY care? 

:end bitter moment:

Have a great holiday weekend, peeps.

How much is too much?

Well now, where do I begin.  This week has been "Too much shit for a nickle" (a quote I borrowed from Kevin's grandma.)

Work sucked.  I am behind on my work because of others being absent and the fact that I'm attempting to do the work of 3 people.  It's busy work, too...not the "go home feeling good" kind of work.  BAH!

The transmission went out on the van today while Kevin was driving to work.  He limped it home, taking sick pay for the rest of the day so he doesn't get a short check.  The cost to fix is double the value of the van.  GRRR!

My computer is broken.  It was fine when I used it this morning.  It was fine when Mom used it later in the morning.  Now, it doesn't recognize the mouse, and the cursor doesn't move.  I plugged in a serial mouse (the other is USB) and it not only didn't work, it kept my keyboard from being recognized, forcing a hard shut down.

Before I realized all of the PC problems on my end, Kevin said he couldn't get online.  Several checks later, I realized that a certain puppy had chewed through a certain phone line.  ARRRGGGG!  Replacing it got Kevin's PC back up and running, thus my entry.  ACK!

Now, for the scary crap:  Kevin's MRI was back at the surgeons office on Tuesday.  They called to tell him that his appointment, which was scheduled for 9-8, had been moved up to 9-5.  9-5 is the first day that the surgeon will be back in the office.  Scary?  Maybe, maybe not, but we wondered what the hurry was.  Of course, the girls calling couldn't tell him anything except "yeah, there's something going on in the shoulder, but the neck is what he's looking at."

Hmmm.  OK, something to think about, but let's not worry, OK?  Tonight, after limping a broken van home and charging the battery on the sad-ass LeBaron (needs MUCH work to be road worthy) he gets a phone call.  "Hello, this is ___ from Independence Regional Health Center.  I need to do your pre-admittance interview."  Kevin says, "Ummmm, huh?" (he's always been quite a smooth talker.)

She says, "yes, we have you scheduled for surgery on 9-6, and need to ask some questions first."  When Kevin told her that he knew NOTHING of an operation, she got uncomfortable and said this had never happened to her before.  She left her number and said to call back when he knew what was going on.

Now, I was slightly worried when they bumped his appointment to the soonest available, but to find that they scheduled surgery before he knew what was going on?  ACK! GRRR! BAH!  Just WHAT did that MRI show?  What do they know that hasn't been revealed to us yet?  What, for the LOVE OF GOD is going on?

Now I'm scared he's going to move wrong or something.  Sure, he's been carrying heavy doors and windows at work all week, but now I don't want him to lie down wrong!

He DID call the surgeon's office, got the answering service, and explained the situation.  She said that either the on-call Dr or his own Dr would call, to let us know what's up.  It's been 2 hours, and I'm trying not to hold my breath.  Breathe in, Breathe out.

P.S. Kevin has no short-term disability through work.

*sigh*