Day 157 (Zero days–less than 12 hours): Sunday

Here is the Google Doc that will be maintained while I am in the hospital: Status Document.

Here is a song to remember me: Fly With Me.

I rose at 6:30 and made coffee using all the Columbia coffee (thanks, Kramers). Later, I made NYC bagels for Linda and myself with cream cheese, of course. I finished the blog I had started while traveling. It feels so strange to finally get to these days I have planned for so long.

I dressed for church while Linda set up her office and worked out how to connect her device. I selected a sweater vest, pride tie, and grey-blue button-down shirt for church. Air Volvo had me there early, and I spoke to a few folks. It was easy for me to sing hymns today, and Pastor Ken continued with his discussion about the book of James. He had a bad cold and said the six-year-old himself was running the show today due to the cold. Anything could happen. We went over the second set of introductory verses that talk about the rich and temptation. Again, Pastor Ken said that God and Jesus did not promise an easy life but quite the opposite. In these verses, the rich are described as transient flowers that a hot sun will destroy and that resisting the temptation of the rich is worth merit. It is not about wealth but what one does with what one has to help make the community better. James is telling us to remember who we are and why we are here; we belong to God.

After the service, Pastor Ken led me in a healing prayer, with Dondrea putting her hand on my shoulder. Thank you!

Next, I picked Linda up, who was vacuuming and rearranging the furniture in the living room, to BJs for lunch/dinner. Linda had a ribeye steak, and I had prime rib. We shared a pazookee, which is a large hot baked cookie with ice cream for dessert.

Next, we took Air Volvo to Trader Joe’s to restock some easy frozen meals and get other goodies. My colon problems returned as I had not followed my usual process, and now I rushed to the restroom two times (and again at home) as the contents were unloaded. The cork and champagne problem had returned. I avoid this by just ensuring I use the restroom in the morning and early afternoon. While traveling, I could not do this. I will try to be more disciplined next trip.

I managed to avoid any embarrassment, and we restocked by returning with our goodies to the Volvo Cave. Corwin helped to put away the groceries. Next, Air Volvo left for the hospital. I had to do my imaging and leave the markers on overnight. I made a mistake, and we took a more scenic drive, but we arrived early.

I was tired, and while waiting for my MRI, now dressed in hospital garb, little stickers placed all over my head (to make a 3D map for the surgeon), and an IV in my arm, I nodded off. It was not until after 5PM that I finally got stuck in a tiny space and exposed to loud buzzing for thirty minutes, twice. You have to not panic and think happy thoughts with all the noise and the vibrations. At least the air is cool and fast, making it feel less confined. I keep my eyes shut so as not to panic as I try to imagine larger open spaces. Even with the supplied earplugs, it was terrible. Worse, I only heard the noise on one side. I am completely deaf now on the left side.

Linda and I decided ice cream was in order. We found Salt and Straw not that busy, and soon, I dropped ice cream on my shirt. I drove and ate, and soon we were home. I then stripped the bed and got all that going in The Machine. I need clean PJs and sheets for tonight.

I also saw that my roses are blooming. Here are some shots of the roses in the backyard.