Day 153 (Three days to surgery) Travel Day

This morning was chaotic, with more chaos for lunch and then in the early evening. I rose later, around 7, and started working on getting an upgrade to first class for my Chicago flight. For about the cost of picking a seat and having a checked bag, I could do first class. So I paid it and then tried to figure out how to get my bag counted. I gave up (you do it at the airport). The phone then rang, and I remembered I had an 8-ish phone interview for the hospital where I was having my surgery. The RN reviewed my history and meds and updated Providence My Chart to match the Legacy and OHSU versions. Ugh. I was unimpressed as I had waited three months for this process. These questions could have been asked months ago and not at the last minute.

I learned that they needed to validate my blood type (which has not changed recently), check my A1C, and check if I had an infection in my nose. I was flying tonight to Michigan, and they were able to find a 5PM (17:00) appointment for me. So, I had to drive and get this done this late afternoon. This took an hour plus for the call with the RN, and it left me a bit disconcerted. I let the RN know I thought this was more comedy than medical, as they had three months to plan this. They seemed to be doing everything at the last minute. This is f**king brain surgery–they need to step up their game. I called the doctor’s office and let them know I was losing faith; they said it was a process. I was unhappy. There was nothing to do but rush and get it done.

I made a half-sandwich and then got a note that Scott W was looking for me. Puke, I had lunch plans, and the sudden medical items had me forget. I dressed (I managed to finish the blog and all the calls, but not to get dressed), shaved fast, and was only twenty minutes late. I had soup as I had already had half a sandwich at the house—my usual beef, cheese, and coleslaw. Scott and I talked, no longer about work, as we both were now retired from Nike–both of us getting the package. We talked about trying to spend the next six months trying to get refocused.

I received my official severance package letter, which I electronically signed and returned to Nike, Inc. This includes 48 weeks of pay and Cobra coverage. I was hoping to get this done before leaving. Excellent. I printed out a copy, and the payout will be on 28 June 2024, which is my last paycheck from the shoe company. Yes, I get paid for May and June, too.

I finished packing and took a load of Susie’s items and clothing to Goodwill. It makes me sad to do this, but it is time to let some things go. The house is slowly emptying of many of the items from our years together.

Finally, it was near time to leave for the tests. I took Air Volvo across Beaverton and into the edges of Portland. I parked and then found the pre-surgery test folks, and they soon had me out. No time at all, and they were happy I was early and had the work done before my actual appointment time.

I forgot my hat and a couple of other items. It was a lovely day, so I used Air Volvo on the backroads and headed back to The Volvo Cave. While the traffic was heavy, it moved, and soon, I had my hat and other things and headed to the church. More driving.

I planned on playing a game of Concordia with Z for our usual Wednesday gaming, but a second game (often including Andrew) was unlikely and did not happen. Z played a hard game and soon had me on the run. I managed to recover and bought lots of cards after losing the Farmer and Weaver cards to her. I finished my trading houses just a turn before her and thus ended the game and got 7 points for that. As I won by only 15, this was a close game and had Z pulled a few more cards, I would have lost. Z is a tough opponent in this game–we both love it!

After that, we packed the game, and I said my goodbyes. I then reached PDX without issue, checked a bag (now able to add it), and printed the label. Security was the same, and I managed not to be exposed without my belt.

I had only light food. I stopped at Henry’s Tavern in the C gates and had a BLTA and a nice large beer. It is now hard to write as I am falling asleep. Perfect. I have to run and will finish this in Michigan or Chicago. Thanks for reading so far.

The plane showed up, and we boarded about on time. This is the usual uncomfortable 737 cattle car MAX for inside USA flights, but I have a comfortable seat in first class. That means drinks—just Ginger Ale for me. Overnight, for four hours, I do not get food.

I could not get comfortable, and then we had a bouncy ride for the last hour. Compared to the flights I have been doing, it was easy and short. The gate broke after we landed, and we waited ten minutes for someone to make the gate work.

After that, it was a trial run on our short connection on Saturday. Both flights are in Terminal 3, and I was able to reach G17 (the f**king last gate and take escalators down to make it even further) in fifteen minutes. I switched out the red carry-on to a wheeled Nike bag for this trip.

I am at Chili’s Too near gate G9, which opened at 5:30, and happy to have a customer. My waiter loves my laptop cover (it looks like a book) and decided she would get one for Christmas.

I had spicy breakfast tacos with bacon and potatoes. Excellent. Flight boards in three hours.