Bonnie's "Back2Back" Birthday

So, in my humble opinion, neither the Rogers Centre nor the Blue Jays organization was much interested in promoting Joe Carter's Back2Back Reunion weekend (aka Bonnie's Birthday Bash). In fact, I don't think the Blue Jays even care that there is a history worth celebrating. They certainly weren't much concerned about ensuring that fans participated in a "Reunion" weekend or that every fan who attended went home with a memento of the event.

Here is why I can make such statements.

• We made the trip from Almonte to Toronto to attend the Back2Back Reunion weekend
• Bob, our host in Toronto, bought a nose-bleed ticket to Friday night's game (published attendance 30,795) so he could try to get Joe Carter's autograph for me. He received the fan hand-out (souvenir Back2Back hand towel). We did not go to the game.


• We attended the game on Saturday, August 8th (published attendance 28,613) -- players were seated at autograph tables (with huge line-ups) positioned outside the stadium; no evidence of programs for sale; no "party" atmosphere; not aware of any fan hand-out
• We attended the game on Sunday, August 9th (published attendance 27,464) -- no evidence of player presence other than Tom Henke throwing out first pitch; fan hand-out (Tom Henke figurine) to first 10,000 fans (we did not get one)
• We came home having attended two of the Reunion weekend games and we have photos to prove we were there -- but we were unable to buy a souvenir program and we personally did not receive a single promotional hand-out (but see my August 9th post to read about the surprise birthday gift I received from Blue Jays management).

Have you ever attended a sporting event and been unable to buy a program as you enter the stadium? Wasn't bad enough that we couldn't buy a program as we entered, but we couldn't buy a program once we entered either. Nope. We actually had to ask where we could find programs. "At the souvenir stand." Of course! Huh? Since when do you go to the souvenir stand to buy a program? Well, that's what we were told! Yup! Except, when we got to the souvenir stand, we were greeted with, "Sorry, we sold out on Friday night." Can you believe it?

We're talking a commemorative issue program, marking the 2009 Back2Back Reunion Weekend, celebrating the Toronto Blue Jays' 1992/93 World Series championships.

Joe Carter worked very hard to put this weekend together and I think that the Blue Jays organization had a responsibility to ensure that every fan who attended any one of the games should have left the ballpark with something more than the memory.

Let's do the math here. The total published attendance for the three days was 86,872 people. Apparently, there were fewer than 30,000 programs printed for this series because they sold out on Friday night. I highly doubt that each and every fan who went to the game bought a program! If your ballpark holds 50,000 people, and you're planning a 3-day weekend commemorating a special time in your history, you should have predicted that you would need more than 30,000 programs for the weekend. And programs should have been available for sale at each of the games over the weekend -- not only at the first night's game.

At Friday night's game, the fan hand-out was a commemorative hand towel. Bob was able to get one because he bought a nose-bleed ticket so he could get in the line-up to try to get Joe Carter's autograph on my jersey (he wasn't successful in that effort, unfortunately.) Bob, being the sweetheart that he is, gave the towel to me since this was my "birthday bash" weekend. Every fan who walked through the gates that weekend should have received one of those towels -- not just those who attended on Friday. There were only 86,872 people attended the entire weekend. It would not exactly have broken the bank to supply that give-away to everyone!

At Saturday's game, to my knowledge, there was no fan hand-out at all. Alumni players were positioned at signing tables in groups of four outside certain gates to provide autographs to the hoards of fans. So here we had people lined up to the ying-yang waiting to get signatures and they didn't necessarily have to have a ticket for the game. So fans who paid for tickets may or may not have been lucky enough to get the autograph(s) they wanted. Buskers were everywhere. But once we entered the gate, there was absolutely NO celebratory atmosphere about the park. It was simply another Blue Jays ball game; just a day at the ball park.

Sunday's game was even lower key. This time, there was nothing going on outside the gates. This was the day we tried to find a program. Unbelievable! The fan hand-out for this game was a Tom Henke figurine -- to the first 10,000 fans only! Now why, on such a weekend, would the organization limit the hand-out to such a low number? When I asked about the lack of programs, I was told, "Yes, sometimes on a Yankess or Red Sox series we often run out too." My point is, this wasn't just a weekend series. This was a series that was also marking a very special time in the Blue Jays history. Apparently, the Blue Jays organization didn't see it that way.

I truly believe that, as the crowds exited the Rogers Centre on Sunday following Roy Halladay's 7-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles, we should have been dancing to the tune of Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days" -- because that is what this weekend represented, a lament to what Blue Jays baseball used to be. I'm sorry Joe, but Toronto evidently doesn't give a damn!

In other news:

These new meds continue to do their thing. I am tired and sore today and I'm using this day as an R&R day, although I do have "catch up" stuff to do after being away for four days. All in all, I feel remarkably well considering that I was away and the amount of activity I undertook over the course of that time. In the past, I (a) would not have been able to participate and (b) would have been in absolute agony for several days afterwards.

John and I both enjoyed the weekend tremendously and I know that a large part of that enjoyment factor comes from the level of my involvement in the weekend. Usually, when we go to Toronto, Bob and John go off and do their thing while I stay back and wait for them because I can't do all that walking. But this time, I was able to go to back2back ball games (that would never have happened before!) and I lived to talk about it!

This past weekend was a real test of the new meds. And they truly passed. Four consecutive days of demanding physical activity -- and I'm fine! Wait 'til I tell my physiotherapist this one!

We made it home safely!

And would you believe that after a hugely successful weekend that both of us enjoyed tremendoulsy we almost missed our train home!

That's right. We came within minutes of missing that sucker!

How could such a disaster occur, you ask?

BECAUSE I, DUFUS THAT I AM, FAILED TO CHECK OUR DEPARTURE TIME, that's how. I went about my business confident in the knowledge that our train left at precisely 10:00am.

We left Bob's home at the appropriate time to arrive at the station accordingly. No point arriving sooner -- trains can't leave early!

So, we get to the station, with lots of time to spare as it turned out and we are told that the train is ten minutes late. OK.

As we leave the counter to make our way to the gate, we hear the announcement telling us our train is fifteen minutes late. OK.

We arrive on the platform and, thinking we have up to a half hour to kill (based on our early arrival plus a fifteen minute delay), I look for somewhere to sit and wait. Well, my butt is no sooner on a bench when a train rolls in. John asks the attendant which train it is and finds out that it is the Ottawa train.

So we board.

And it leaves immediately!

We are some confused! What the heck is happening? Trains are not supposed to leave early!

Then I think to check our tickets.

Oh look! Our train was due to leave at 9:50am -- which is precisely the time it was when the train pulled out of the station (not sure why the reports of ten and fifteen minute delays).

So, had we not arrived early for that train, we would have surely missed it. And then we would have had to pay the difference in fare to change our booking -- which would have been a total and complete bummer to an otherwise fabulous weekend!

In other news:

Following a three-day holiday, which included two four-hour train rides, other than being very tired, I am pleased to report that I have no pain! This is absolutely amazing -- this past weekend has been a true test of these new meds which have now officially passed with flying colours. I'm thinking everyone should be on this stuff!

What a day this has been!

Wow, where do I start?

We went to the ballpark today and I must say that both John and Bob are very good at keeping poker faces!

Our butts weren't in our seats five minutes when a young lady was standing in the aisle looking for Bob Scott. Of course, as soon as she asked for Bob Scott, the gig was up. I knew immediately that they had cooked up something!

She was a Blue Jay official and she was carrying a bag which she handed to me, but she seemed to know that photos were going to be taken.

As I was attempting to open the card that accompanied the package that was handed to me, Jennifer (I later learned the young lady's name from Bob) insisted that I bee-line for the box -- "that's the exciting part," she explained.

Bob was grinning from ear to ear.

John was trying to position himself to ensure he could capture proper pictures.

The story is:

Way back when I first bought the tickets for this venture, John and Bob hatched the plan to try to figure out a way to secure Joe Carter's autograph on something for me. Bob was tasked with the job of pulling it off -- he does, after all, live in Toronto, which is the home of the Blue Jays.

It would seem that after months of being harassed by one Bob Scott, the Blue Jays organization finally broke down and, failing in their ability (or willingness) to assist with the project, they eventually agreed to give me a "memento" of my weekend in Toronto. But they wanted Bob to pick it up at the courtesy desk and give it to me.

Bob would have none of that. If they would not co-operate in securing an autograph for me, the very least they could do is personally present whatever to me on the day of my birthday.

So, it was eventually organized that someone would deliver a gift to me at me seat, during the game on the day of my birthday.

Turns out we almost had a disaster though. There was a mix up in communication and an attempt was made to deliver my birthday gift to whoever was sitting in those seats at Friday night's game! Fortunately, whoever it was in those seats on Friday night didn't pretend to be Bob Scott when approached -- or Bob and John would have been the ones to have been surprised on Sunday.

Anyway, the Blue Jays management presented me with a Joe Carter 29 figurine as well as a very nice birthday "card" -- a handwritten greeting thanking me for spending my day with them (which I think was a rather nice touch).

I was quite upset though when, while I was trying to put the figurine back in the box, Joe fell and his right hand broke off. We searched the immediate area but could not find it anywhere. Later, I suggested to both John and Bob that perhaps the loss of Joe's right hand was symbolic: This past weekend very much marked the end of the "glory days" for the 1992/93 World Series boys (more on that topic in a later post).

It's time for Joe to "put his glove away" -- just as his "glove hand" was left somewhere at the Rogers Centre earlier today (notice, that not only is his right hand missing, but his left fingertips are chipped too!)

Didn't Get It!

Well, I still don't have Joe's autograph on my jersey. But it's not for lack of trying.

Bob took it with him last night -- turns out he had bought a $9.00 ticket to the 500 level seats just so he could try to get Joe's autograph for me -- isn't he a sweetheart of the highest order?

The original plan was for him to take our vintage Jays hat and have Joe sign that for me -- but once John bought me the jersey -- it was a no-brainer that it would have to be the jersey that he would take! But alas -- it was not to be. He said there were thousands of people lined up (and he was nowhere near the front of the line) -- with a mere 45 -minute window for everyone to get their signatures, he didn't stand a chance. But it was beyond noble of him to attempt it!

Anyway, off we went to today's game and it was one heck of an exciting game!

Before we went inside at Gate 12, we had to pass the table where Ed Sprague, David Cone, Tom Henke, and Dave Stewart were signing autographs. The line-up was incredible!

By the second inning of the game, the couple sitting immediately to the left of Bob had become engaged to be married and our entire section was joining in the celebration. The gentleman sitting behind them even bought the happy couple drinks with which to properly mark the occasion.

Brett Cecil pitched a marvelous game until he was injured and had to leave the game. Then Brian Tallett came in and was masterful for another five innings. We went into extra innings and won the game in dramatic fashion with a walk-off double that scored the winning run.

The place erupted! The man sitting in front of us jumped up; I jumped up; he turned around; we high-fived. It was fantastic! We had quite a little family-like gathering going on in our little corner of the world.

So I guess John and Bob were right. The boys were waiting 'til I got here so they could see me wearing my jersey! Yeh, that's it!

But the absolute best piece of news I have to report is: I have just spent a day walking a great distance, and sitting a very long time, and I'm happy to report that, while I am tired, I have no pain! Those pain meds are some good stuff!

Finally - Departure Day!

We made it!

We didn't sleep in; we found a great restaurant that served a fabulous breakfast on the way to the train station. The train left on time and arrived in Toronto within five minutes of our scheduled ETA -- not a bad start to the day.

And I am some impressed with these new meds let me tell you. An hour's car drive to the train station, followed by a four hour train ride. It wasn't until the final hour of the trip that my leg started to bother me. That is some good stuff!

Now, here we are, in Toronto, I've rested for an hour and I have no pain! I am quite ready to enjoy the Back2Back Reunion weekend. And I gotta find Joe Carter so he can sign my jersey!

Obviously that's not going to happen today since we only got here at 1:00pm and we came directly to Bob's place and got caught up on news and yada yada yada. Now Bob has abandoned us for the evening -- seems his son got him tickets for some soccer superstar event that is happening here tonight (Ronaldo who?)

Joe Carter is signing autographs in Section 513 prior to tonight's game but we're not going. We'll watch tonight's game from here -- Bob has left us one of his fabulous home-made pizzas to have for dinner since we're on our own. There's wine and beer and whiskey -- all the amenities of home. He even baked and put up an assortment of pies for us to choose from for dessert -- that Bob is such a forward-thinking host. So we are here, without transportation, for the rest of the evening (well, OK, we could jump in a cab and compulsively attend tonight's game but I'm too cheap for that).

Tomorrow, Joe is apparently signing autographs at noon at the Dufferin Mall, which is more than a few blocks away from the Rogers Centre. The game starts at 1:00pm so I'm not too sure how that would work! And love Joe as I do, I just cannot imagine showing up at the Dufferin Mall at 6:00am to get in the line-up that I'm sure is going to be there waiting for his scheduled noon arrival! The players were supposed to be holding a signing spree prior to the game ON THE GROUNDS. Guess Joe isn't part of that melee. I had already figured I didn't want to be caught up in that zoo so I guess there's no point in changing my mind on that score if Joe won't even be there!

Anyway, it's already been a long day and we're still a couple of hours away from first pitch on tonight's game. Sure hope my boys can pull a win out tonight!

ONE MORE SLEEP ...

... and hopefully, we won't sleep in tomorrow. We have to be out of here by 7:00am to get to where we're leaving our car. From there my girlfriend will drive us to the train station and it's off to TO ... for the Back2Back Reunion weekend.

Again last night, my "wearing of the jersey" wasn't very successful against the Yankees. John says the Jays are waiting for the weekend when I'm right there wearing the jersey. Sure hope they do win the games we're at (just for the record, I have not attended very many live Jays games where we were on the winning end -- apparently my presence in the stands has a jinxing effect). Maybe the addition of the jersey will make the difference?

I'll spend today getting ready, of course.

Have to make sure I don't forget anything.

Like my Carter hat.

And my Carter Jersey.

OK, I'll take other clothes and stuff too.

John is in charge of packing his own stuff (including his baseball glove).

Four years ago, we were also on a train for my birthday, but on the west coast.

That year, my job required that I be in Castlegar for an event so we made a holiday of it and flew to Calgary to "start our trip."

We took the train from Calgary to Kamloops, through the Rockies. It was spectacular! We were guests of the Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours - http://www.rockymountaineer.com/ - what an awesome experience (thank you again Peter, your generosity has not been forgotten).

We happened to be enjoying this experience on the very day of my "25th" birthday too! After lunch, the crew gave me an autographed souvenir book of the railtour (the owner had already signed it), and they served birthday cake to everyone on our car (which all the other riders really enjoyed!) In Kamloops that evening, when we arrived at the dinner theatre (included with the tour), the staff were waiting for us ("Are you the Fowlers?"). We were escorted to a table that had been reserved for us at the front of the room so that we would have an unobstructed view of the production. We were treated like royalty all day!

After spending the night as guests of the Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours at a Kamloops hotel, we reluctantly had to split from the tour (it would continue to Vancouver). We rented a car and drove to Castlegar to meet my work commitments. For our return trip, we drove to Calgary and flew home from there. In all my work years, that was without a doubt the most incredible trip I've ever "had" to take!

But, I've certainly had a few memorable birthdays over the years:

• In 1975, I spent the night in the hospital trying to have a baby (false alarm). My daughter was born 20 days later but I still think that qualifies as a fairly special birthday present.
• In 1994, I took me to Toronto to see the Blue Jays for my birthday (to catch Joe Carter's balls!) The infamous strike -- the one that ended what would have surely been the Expos' run for the World Series -- started the next day! Some birthday present that was!
• In 1995, I met John the day before my birthday. I figure that was a not-bad birthday present that year!
• In 1996, I landed my "dream job" one month after my birthday. Following three years of unemployment, that was a fabulous birthday present that year!
• In 2005, I spent the day of my birthday on the Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour (for free -- a spectacular birthday present)
• In 2009, I will be in the stands of the Rogers Centre at the Back2Back Reunion weekend ...

... And yet, I WILL STILL BE just 29 ...

In other news:

Welcome home to Euna Lee and Laura Ling, the two American journalists who were held captive in North Korea for four months. It's been painful watching their ordeal and we're glad to see them back home with their families.

Two More Sleeps ...

... almost time to go ... that Back2Back Reunion is getting closer and closer.

Unfortunately, my "wearing of the jersey" didn't quite work last night for my boys. Doc tried but he just wasn't up to snuff last night -- he pitched the complete game but lost it 5-3 (and this time, it was his loss). The boys tried real hard to get the win for him but they just couldn't deliver those runs!

I did eventually find the location of that new massage therapist yesterday. I actually called my regular therapist and asked "where the *&*&* is that place anyway?" Once she gave me the exact description of "they just look like a string of homes, I guess" I had no problem recognizing the precise place!

So I did have my massage and all was right with the world.

Until I left the grocery store to head home.

And the skies opened.

And the thunder rolled and roared.

And the lightening lit up the sky for miles (kilometres?) around.

Drivers were pulling off the road everywhere because visibility was down to about nil.

But I trudged on -- I just wanted to get home!

And I did -- safe and sound.

But all tensed up again!

So much for the relaxing massage!

Anyway, today should be another R&R day but I have decided to go into Ottawa to deliver my hearing aids so the replacements can be made.

The last time John had an appointment, you will recall, the audiologist also took moulds of my ears so that new hearing aids could be made for me that would give me what I paid for -- two microphones. Bi-directional hearing comes in especially handy in noisy environments (ie restaurants, our porch when it rains, baseball games).

Because of various scheduling considerations, we had worked out a timeline wherein I would drop off these aids on a day of my choosing (anytime on or after August 5th) so they could be sent to the lab for the replacement aids to be made. I would get my new hearing aids and would have my follow-up check up visit in September, prior to her departure for maternity leave. We have decided that continuity of audiologist is important to our optimal care.

That was all well and good. Except the timeline we had developed had me taking the hearing aids in after our Toronto trip -- some time AFTER August 10th -- which would have meant I would not get my new hearing aids until probably, around August 20th.

But I got to thinking that there might not be much mileage in my having these hearing aids in Toronto anyway -- they don't work in noisy environments and we are going to be in VERY noisy places all weekend.

So, since the audiologist is back from her vacation today, I'm going to take my hearing aids in to her today, this being August 5th. They will leave by courier tomorrow morning.

John already has an appointment to see her on Friday, August 14th -- with any luck, my new hearing aids will be back by then and I can be fitted for them at the same appointment.

I have a "back-up" hearing aid that I can wear in my right ear which will afford me some hearing assistance in the interim (it is the old, single hearing aid that I wore prior to requiring aids in both ears). It's not great, but it's better than nothing and I'm going to have to resort to using that solution at some point in any event. May as well get it over with!

Three More Sleeps ...

... until the Back2Back Reunion weekend in Toronto.

I'm taking it easy today - resting up after a couple of busy days and before a few very hectic days.

Today, I have an appointment with a "back-up" massage therapist. Did I tell you the story of how my regular massage therapist took herself out of commission? She surprised her Mom with a visit for Mothers' Day, and while helping to clean up around the outside, she fell off the sidewalk and broke her ankle. So she's been unable to work for a while -- but that wasn't immediately known.

So I kept waiting ...

And hoping ...

And waiting ...

And three weeks turned into five ...

And five weeks turned into two months ...

And two months has been extended ...

So now, because my physiotherapist is also away this week ...

I had to take drastic measures and break down and find a back-up massage therapist.

The replacement massage therapist happens to be my regular massage therapist's massage therapist (doesn't everyone need one?) Except I can't find the office.

I have the address.

I plugged it into my GPS and tried a trial run on Sunday since I was in Carleton Place anyway.

I went right there.

My GPS took me into the parking lot of a Price Chopper store. There was a small Home Hardware store on the other side of the parking lot. My invalid massage therapist has told me that her massage therapist is "right behind the Price Chopper" -- so I know I was in the right vicinity.

Call me stupid, but I couldn't find anything that looked even remotely like the "Optimal Health and Wellness Centre" that is pictured on their website ... www.optimalhealthccc.ca/gallery.htm

The location that my GPS took me to ... matches exactly the description of where my massage therapist told me this place is.

So where the heck is it? I could really use a massage but the stress of trying to find the place might undo any benefit the visit might otherwise provide!

Four More Sleeps ...

... til the Back2Back Reunion and I'VE GOT THE JERSEY so I'm good to go.

Yes, John gave me my birthday present a full week early (OK , I picked it up my ownself and I brought it home and I put it on and I showed it to him and I gave him a big kiss and told him thank you and that I LOVE it and then I asked him to take my picture)

Had a most interesting lunch with my daughter yesterday.

Turns out she was under the impression that John had paid FIVE times more than he had for this jersey -- hence her reaction to the gift.

You see, I am hearing challenged. When we were discussing the matter, she had asked, "How much did it cost, $250.00?" but I had heard, "How much did it cost, $50.00?"

And the discussion had gone from there, with my replying, "No, more than that," and her asking questions, increasing the amount by asking, "twice? three time? FOUR TIMES that?" with her voice rising with each increase in price, until she was almost screeching when I finally said, "well, yeh, with taxes." Of course, I thought she had started at a much lower dollar value than she had.

By the time we met yesterday, she was ready to have me committed for paying $1,000.00 for a baseball jersey! And frankly, I can't blame her. Had I actually done that!
Once we sorted out the confusion, we had a good chuckle! She has now given me her blessing to enjoy my birthday gift in good health, claiming that I actually got John a pretty good deal!

She telephoned me a few hours later to ask if I had told John about the amusing confusion over the price and I told her that John said she should have known better than to have even entertained the thought that we would pay that much for such an indulgence. Her response? "Not when it comes to my mother and Joe Carter!"

During the 1992/93 World series runs, I wore my Jays sweatshirt and hat for every game because I was convinced that if I didn't, they could not win that game. So, as of last night, I am wearing the Jersey and my Carter 29 hat (a 1994 birthday gift from my daughter!) while I watch each game.

And obviously it's going to work -- right out of the starting gate, my boys scored five runs in the first inning yesterday! They went on to win the game 7 to 2. And all because I was wearing my Carter Jersey!

Anyway, I'm all set to celebrate my 29th on Sunday, but I still haven't figured out how to explain that name ....

In other news:

Woke up this morning to the welcome news that Karlheinz Schreiber has finally been extradited to Germany -- it's about bloody time! I would have liked to have been there last night to wave farewell as his flight left Canada. Good riddance!

Only Five More Sleeps ....

... until I leave for the Back2Back Reunion weekend.

Can you tell that I'm looking forward to it?

John has been bugging me about what I want for my birthday -- every year that's a problem for him. He never knows what to get me.

Back in 2005, when I bought my new Chrysler Pacifica, he bought the snow tires for it -- cost him a pretty penny! But he loves me lots and lots!

So this year, he's been on my case big time.

On Friday, I met a good friend for lunch. After which we walked around checking out various stores.

"Oh look, a sports paraphernalia store! Let's go see what they have in here," say I.

It didn't take the clerk long to pick up on the Joe Carter-specific interest of the two ladies (OK, one of the ladies) who walked into the store. So he mentioned that there were vintage Carter jerseys available -- he just didn't have any cuz he sold the two that his store received. But he knew that there were some at the other stores and he could have one brought in for me if I was interested.

My girlfriend was no help of course.

She goaded me on.

And on.

My birthday is coming.

And John has been asking.

So.

I bought it.

It arrived at the store yesterday.

I can pick it up any time (that will happen today since I'm meeting my daughter for lunch at the same spot!).

My daughter is absolutely in shock. She cannot believe it. She has instructed me that I "best be getting that puppy autographed for what John has paid for it!"

When I told John how concerned my daughter is about what he paid for this jersey, he said that she could contribute towards it if she wanted. I thought that was a pretty good comeback.

John figures that the price of the jersey was worth it if it means he has bought me something that I really want and I will actually wear.

Oh, I will wear it alright.

Certainly I will wear it next weekend -- how else will Joe find me in amongst the crowd?

But I will wear that baby so much that John will be sick of seeing it on me!

I realize that I will have to up my forever age to 29 since I will now have the jersey to prove it!

It's been fun being 25 all these years and I guess I can handle being 29, under the circumstances ... but will I have to change my name to Carter???????????

Return of The Whirling Dervish

A Whirling Dervish -- that's how I often used to be described.

In the not-so-distant past (OK - seems like forever ago) I used to wake up in the morning ready to greet the day head on.

I was always an "up and at 'em Adam Ant" kind of person -- in fact, that is exactly what I used to say to my daughter when I tried to prod her out of bed.

When our children were small, my girlfriend and I would plan occasional "adventures" with our kids -- overnight trips to somewhere. Didn't matter where we were going, for what purpose, no matter what time we had to arrive somewhere -- we hit the road at 6:00am sharp! And when it was time to come home, we reversed the process. Didn't matter that we didn't have to get home at any particular time either -- we left wherever we were at 6:00am sharp! Whoever wasn't ready, was left behind. (OK, not really, but you get my drift.)

I've noticed since these new pain meds are really starting to take effect that my "whirling dervish" behaviour seems to be slowly resurfacing.

• Because I'm sleeping better, I'm naturally waking feeling more refreshed than I used to.
• Because I'm waking feeling refreshed, I'm ready to face the day (that's a treat!).
• Because I'm ready to face the day, my old "up and at 'em Adam Ant" attitude is resurfacing.
• Because I have no pain, I CAN DO.
• Because I can do, I MUST DO.
• But "do" what? Doesn't matter.

Point is -- I can do! And when I do, I do as though I am a whirling dervish. It is, apparently, my nature -- and these new meds appear to be letting the "old me" return. Watch out world, here I come!

OK the Black Cloud is Grey ...

VIA Rail came through.

I sent my complaint e-mail this morning.

By the time I arrived home this afternoon I had a very short response telling me that my booking had been cancelled and the fare had been refunded in full.

That action, of course, allowed me to rebook our trip to Toronto for the Blue Jays Back2Back Reunion weekend at the reduced fare -- taking advantage of the discount being offered to travelers in recognition of all that inconvenience that the two-day strike caused us.

Yeh that's it -- I was highly inconvenienced by that strike and I should be discounted for my trip. Right!

Anyway, thanks VIA Rail, for showing once again that the squeaking wheel indeed gets the grease (or -- you can't get if you don't ask, or whatever other cliche you want to fit in here)!

About that Black Cloud ...

"You really do have a black cloud don't you?"

That was the opening line of an e-mail from my daughter this morning.

Why?

Her next line was: "Saw on the news that VIA is now offering 60% off tickets ..."

You will recall that John and I are going to Toronto for the Blue Jays' Back2Back Reunion weekend in August.

• We are taking the train.
• We booked our travel on 18 July (cancellation, exchange fees apply yada yada yada)
• The charges were posted to our Visa on 20 July.
• Tickets have not yet been issued (that won't happen until I physically go to the station and pick them up)
• VIA went on strike on 24 July.
• VIA came off strike on 26 July.
• Tickets for our trip have still not been issued (although they have been paid for)

VIA is now offering a 60% discount for anyone who books travel by July 29th to travel by 14th December. Hello. I'm picking up our tickets on 29th July and our travel date is before 14th December.

Had I not already booked our trip prior to the strike, and only booked it today, it would cost me $92.40 less than what I paid prior to their two-day strike. I've sent a note to VIA officials letting them know what I think of that!

Add this black cloud to the airline fiasco surrounding our trip to Nova Scotia, and I'm not liking travel very much (not that I ever DID like travel very much).

It just doesn't pay to be prepared! Apparently, I should leave everything to the last minute cuz it saves money big time. But could my constitution bear all the last minute scrambling and worrying?

Did I Jinx Them?

The Blue Jays that is.

In yesterday's post, I ended with, "they are up two runs after one inning. Yippee, their bats are alive." Their bats were alive -- they were up eight runs after six innings. Yet they still managed to lose the game when they went into extra innings.

I just don't know what it's going to take to bring my boys back to life.

For the past while, I've noticed that whenever the cameras pan the dugout, the players are lined up on the bench looking quite forlorn and dejected. None of them looks like he really wants to play ball, or like he is "into the game."

And poor Cito Gaston -- he just looks like he doesn't know what to try next. I sometimes wonder if he's thinking, "What the hell was I thinking when I agreed to come back to manage these bad news bears?" But we know that he is far too professional to say anything negative or to renege on that contract. He will do his utmost to be successful with this team.

But he can't be successful if the powers-that-be won't co-operate with him or won't give him anything with which to work.

Gaston can't improve team morale if he has nothing to offer the team that will help boost their morale. He can't calm team fears of losing their best pitcher when he himself doesn't know what is going to happen. When the whole team is worrying about losing their best pitcher, they are all affected by team plans. You've heard of the "trickle down" effect ...

Of course, each player recognizes that he is not contributing as he should, so he goes up to bat determined to make a difference. Result? He tries so hard he fails.

Individually, each player wants to succeed but just can't pull out of his own personal funk.

As a team, they absolutely want to succeed, but they can't pull off the wins because of individual failures on the field or in the batter's box.

The Blue Jays' biggest problem is hitting with runners in scoring position -- "cleaning up".

When upstairs doesn't talk to downstairs, the people downstairs start worrying. And when the people downstairs are worried, their performance suffers -- they don't "clean up" as well they might.

A large part of the game of baseball is played "between the ears."

It follows that communication is the key.

VIA Strike is Over

My post yesterday was titled, "Back on Track"

And just like that ...

Voila! They are.

The VIA Rail strike is settled and the trains are "back on track."

So our trip to Toronto for the Back2Back Reunion weekend can proceed as planned via the train.

Now if we can just get those Blue Jays back on track playing winning ball ...

Back on Track

I feel so much better today. I got a good night's sleep last night.

I loafed around this morning, reading my one newspaper until almost 10:30am. (Once again, the second newspaper will have to wait for later.)

I didn't serve breakfast until 12:30pm (yes, John almost had to resort to his "I am faint with hunger" whine but he decided to sleep through the wait time instead). It is such a joy to be able to make John his "big breakfast" without suffering agonizing pain for having done it. I used to have to wear the TENs machine to allow me to stand for the amount of time involved in making it. Since these new pain meds are working so effectively, I have no difficulty making the feast for him and I am now even able to sit down and enjoy the meal with him.

I didn't turn my computer on until 1:00pm -- that's a first! Fortunately, there was nothing in my e-mail that needed urgent attention (ha ha -- gosh I crack me up sometimes!)

It is now 1:30pm and my Blue Jays are already two runs up on Tampa Bay after only one inning -- yippee!!! Their bats are alive!

What is it going to take?

Roy "Doc" Halladay has just pitched nine full innings of absolutely brilliant baseball, just as he usually does when he takes the mound.

And still he doesn't get his 12th win of the season (they went into extra innings so even if the Jays win, he can't get the win unless he's pitching those extra innings).

It's enough to break your heart.

In past seasons, there were several games when he pitched a masterful game, only to end up with a no-decision because the bullpen let him down, or the game was lost for lack of run support.

He should easily have 15 wins by now. But the team just isn't giving him the run support he needs. They just can't hit with players in scoring position. The object of the game is to "get him on, get him over and get him in" -- and the Blue Jays simply aren't doing that lately. They often get him on, and sometimes they get him over, but they just can't seem to get him in often enough.

And don't even get me started on the number of one-run games they've lost this season -- there have just been too many to think about (obviously, not just when the Doc starts).

The pattern has been that the Blue Jays don't win in extra innings. Tampa Bay scored two runs in their half of the 10th inning -- and once again, the Jays took the loss on this one too!

What on earth do they have to do to put a win on the board -- and maybe convince Halladay that there might be reason to stay?

I Blew it Again !

Another rocky night in the Fowler household, at least for me.

I had difficulty getting to sleep last night.

I had difficulty staying asleep last night.

I finally got out of bed at 2:00am; did some e-mail; watched some canned TV (God I love that DVR!).

I went back to bed at 5:30am thinking I was once again sleepy enough.

I woke again at 6:30am when I heard John rustling about.

That was it.

I had to get up cuz we're having dinner guests this afternoon and I wanted to make dessert :)

I reached for my morning meds and -- Oh, look -- I never took my meds last night! No wonder I wasn't able to sleep.

This is unbelievable! Do you know what the routine is in this household? John retires early to read the newspaper (I have to stay up to find out what's happening in smut land -- Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell and Nancy Grace). At some point during these programs, I go and give John his meds (we call it our "Florence Nightingale" routine). And then I take my meds. EVERY NIGHT! I can only guess that last night, after giving John his meds, I must have been sidetracked -- most likely I had to pee really badly (or some late breaking news was being delivered on TV which called me away) -- and I forgot that I hadn't taken my pills.

The really strange thing is, along about midnight, I got up and took a codeine pill because my legs were so sore and it never occurred to me that perhaps I hadn't taken my meds.

I have tried to go back to bed twice -- with no luck. I just can't get that missing sleep. I guess I'll have to wait 'til tonight. But I'm guessing I'll have no problem then. I just hope I wait until after our guests leave before I do that!

OK so perhaps I was premature !

Well, maybe not premature, really, but a tad enthusiastic in my praise maybe?

After declaring the new pain meds an unqualified success, I guess I have to qualify that assessment. I'm not retracting it's success rating per se, just qualifying it somewhat.

You see, it seems that it did its thing for my outing on Monday. As I reported here I had quite a run-around day in Ottawa that day and I arrived home quite exhausted but I had no pain. I even slept reasonably well that night.

I took Tuesday as the requisite rest and recovery day and all was good with the world. I was tired, as is to be expected after the kind of day I had had on Monday, but I had no pain!

Then came yesterday. I was still quite fatigued yesterday and I should have been recovered. We went on a few errands -- involved stops in both Almonte and Carleton Place. By the time we arrived at Carleton Place I could barely move. My right hip was screaming in pain and there was no way my leg was going to let me walk another step! The pain continued through the night because I awoke this morning aware of having had difficulty trying to get comfortable. And I continue to be very fatigued today -- three days after the outing to Ottawa.

So the pain meds do a masterful job of preventing the message from getting through to my brain that I am experiencing pain while engaging in various activities. But that doesn't alter the fact that I am nevertheless inflaming the problem area while engaging in those activities! Just because I can, does it mean I should?

I know that I'm supposed to put a "day of rest and recovery" between days of outings. My body simply cannot handle back-to-back outing days YET. And I did that. And I know that I am supposed to take an extra 1mg capsule of my pain meds on days that I am going to be going on "outings." But I really don't think that an "outing" is an errand to Almonte or Carleton Place (my local shopping holes) so I shouldn't have to take that extra dose on those days. In any event, I don't always plan those days ahead of time and I have to take the extra dose in the morning on the days I'm going to be gallivanting. No more impromptu outings for me I guess!

When we travel, I will have to take that extra 1mg capsule on consecutive days to allow me to tolerate the time we are away from home. Then I will have to make sure I don't schedule anything for at least a week after we return so that I can recover from the abuse that will have been heaped upon my body.

Hopefully, with time and gentle exercise, my body will eventually become accustomed to a more demanding activity level. But my doctor's message appears to be, once we find the answer to dealing with my pain, that is what I will be doing for the rest of my life because I will never be "completely free of pain." And these meds are the closest answer we've found -- so I guess now we just need to figure out how best to use them!

Is There a Dark Cloud Hovering Over Me???

I just don't believe it! VIA Rail is threatening to go on strike. With that announcement, I shrieked. John's reaction to the news was, "Do you have a dark cloud following you around or something?" Let me explain.

A while back, we received news that a good friend of John's was getting married on August 22nd. The happy couple lives outside Halifax, Nova Scotia. John was honoured to be asked to be best man at said wedding. We did some comparison shopping, and the cheapest fare available was through Porter Airlines. Lo and behold, my daughter had a promotion code for a 15% discount off any fare booked with Porter before the end of May. Naturally, I took advantage and booked our trip to Halifax.

Not two weeks after booking our flights, the groom telephones John to inform him that their financial situation has changed and they must move the wedding date! They are now getting married on October 3rd. So we have to pay the rebooking fee for our tickets. And, most likely we will be hit with paying that additional 15% discount that we saved since it is now after the 31st of May. Fortunately, the base price of the fare has gone DOWN so that should mean an adjustment. The total fee (for changing both our tickets) could run us as much as the cost of one return fare to Halifax!

We won't talk about the seat sales that West Jet has since been offering for Ottawa-Halifax at $19.00 one way before taxes and fees -- that's a full $100.00 less than Porter's best price!

As I've mentioned on more than one occasion here, we are traveling to Toronto on the week-end of August 7th to attend the Blue Jays Back2Back Reunion weekend. Last week, we decided to look at the train as a travel option. John loves the train and it does offer some conveniences and comforts. Taking the train would also save wear and tear on my brand new car. Anyway, we bit the bullet and bought the train tickets on Saturday. The charge just showed up on my Visa yesterday!

And this morning, on the news, we hear that VIA Rail is going on strike. Can you see that dark cloud?

These new meds are FANTABULOUS!

Well, this is it. I have to declare these new meds an absolute, unqualified, success.

Without a doubt.

And I couldn't be more pleased.

This morning, I had to go into Ottawa for physio. So, I took my extra 1mg of the pain med. It works.

Following physio, I met my daughter for lunch, after which we went to Walmart (always good for a great deal of walking). Then we went and picked up my favourite boy at his day care and that involved a whole bunch of unexpected walking as we roamed about the place trying to locate the children (we arrived earlier than normal pick-up time). On the way home, I had to stop at the grocery store -- more walking.

By the time I arrived home, I had been gone a full seven hours!

I'm tired but I have no pain! And that is huge. That is phenomenal.

An interesting by-product of this stuff is the calming effect it has had on me. I noticed during my drive into the big city that I no longer get upset when someone moves into "my space" or cuts me off or just generally drives like a jerk. Stuff like that used to send me right 'round the bend but just doesn't get a rise out of me any more. I just sit back grooving to Rod the Bod, knowing that I will get where I'm going, eventually. I am decidedly more relaxed than I have ever been.

"They call me mellow yellow ..."

Joe Carter, I'll Be There!

(Repeat of posting from 14 April 2009)

My beloved Blue Jays are having a Back2Back Reunion from August 6 to 9 this year. Most of the team members from the 1992/93 dyn-o-mite roster that put the Jays on the map way back then will be there.

I have been a fan of the Blue Jays since their inception in 1976, having been a baseball junkie since I fell in love with catcher Elston Howard back in 1963. I can remember racing home from school to catch the last of the Yankees' afternoon games; I had just turned 13 years old! I have had a soft spot for catchers ever since; but then along came Joe ...

During the Jays' drought years since 1993, I have remained a loyal fan. Some would say I plan my social calendar around the Jays' schedule. Can I help it if I love my boys in blue? or black? or whatever colour they might decide to be wearing in any given year? Point is, I love the Toronto Blue Jays.

When I met John in 1995, he was an Expos fan. Today, he is a Blue Jays fan. How's that for conversion (persuasion) skills?

Anyway, the point of this entry is that on the weekend of August 7-9, I will be in Toronto to take in two live Jays games and it happens that Joe Carter will also be there, as will several other players from that era: Rob Butler; David Cone: Kelly Gruber; Juan Guzman; Tom Henke; Pat Hentgen; Jimmy Key; Randy Knorr; Al Leiter; Candy Maldonado; Paul Molitor; John Olerud; Ed Sprague; Mike Timlin; Devon White; and Roberto Alomar. Rance Mulliniks and Pat Tabler, who usually call the games today, will be there as part of the reunion. Wonder who will call the games for the reunion weekend? And yes, Cito Gaston, the most winningest coach of all time, who is back to coaching this year, will also be part of the festivities.

Imagine, all these ex-Blue Jays will be in town to celebrate my birthday -- what fun!!!!!!!!

Love Them Blue Jays!

I know, I know, they're a game under 500 mid-way through the season but I love them anyway.

Today's game -- a beauty pitched by Roy "Doc' Halladay -- was another gem. It was the type of game that I fondly refer to as heart attack inducing -- there are some plays that I just can't bear to watch! When Doc is on the mound, I so badly want him to get the win I worry about every play until that final out is recorded. And over the years, there have been far too many no-decisions because of lack of run support when he's been pitching.

Doc's last two outings were somewhat questionable. The Jays didn't get the win on either of those outings and both losses were clearly Doc's; he just wasn't quite on his game. (The Jays have only won five games in July so we can't blame Doc for all of their losses.) Could all the trade talk have been upsetting the apple cart?

He was brilliant today; back to the same, focused Halladay that we're used to seeing. Perhaps he has made up his mind about the trade situation so that nonsense is no longer cluttering his mind.

He may have decided to move on to a possible contender so that he has a chance at the coveted World Series ring that he so richly deserves. Or he may have decided to stay where he is, in his much-loved Toronto, and take his chances for a possible win with the Blue Jays. After all, life has no guarantees. He could move to a contender who doesn't win.

Whatever his decision, I'm sure he will one day end up in the Baseball Hall of Fame -- wearing his beloved Blue Jays jersey -- because he will surely be entitled to be there as the greatest pitcher ever.

I Love Lazy Saturdays!

One of the greatest pleasures of being retired is the pure joy that comes from NOT having to get up and go anywhere in the morning. And I especially enjoy taking my time reading the morning paper(s) over a cup or three of coffee. Most days, that activity takes place in my bed. So I can honestly say that if I don't have to go anywhere (like into Ottawa for physio), sometime I don't "get up" until very late in the morning, although I have usually been awake since between 5:00a.m. and 6:00a.m.

Saturday is one such day when, quite often, I don't leave the bedroom until 11:00am or later -- sometimes I will have to start a second pot of coffee so there will be some for breakfast.

That particular morning pleasure makes for some very interesting eating patterns in our household. You see, over the years John and I have established a "split of responsibilities" that works very well for us most of the time (there are, naturally, variations as required). One of those splits in responsibilities relegated me to breakfast duty. Works for me -- most days, John is on dinner duty!

As for breakfast duty, six days a week, it doesn't take much to pour cereal in a bowl, pop a bagel in the toaster, and Bob's your uncle. BUT, even that doesn't happen until after I've read my morning paper and done my puzzles (I have to do the daily Jumbo and the Sudoku --- I just have to!) On some days, you'll hear John roaming around the house moaning something to the effect of, "If I don't get food soon, I'll fade away" or "I am faint with hunger!" The poor baby really is hard done by because he apparently has no idea how to fend for himself at breakfast time (perhaps that's why it became MY responsibility?).

But Saturday breakfast? That's another story altogether. Once a week, I treat John to a "big breakfast" -- the works: bacon, poached egg, home fries, blood pudding, fried tomatoes, hollandaise sauce, English muffins. He loves it, when it finally lands on the table! Today, I outdid myself. We didn't sit down to this delight until 12:40pm; we finished just as first pitch was happening on our ball game (which we are winning, for a change).

And I didn't even open the second newspaper this morning! That will have to be my bedtime reading tonight.

I have to declare it a Success!

OK, the new meds are absolutely, positively, without a doubt, working. How do I know, you ask?

We left this house at approximately 9:45am on Wednesday to head into Ottawa for what turned into a very long day indeed; we didn't walk back in the door until 10:30PM -- almost 13 hours later! That's a marathon day for most people but especially for someone like me. But I had taken my extra 1mg capsule of pain med that morning. I suffered no ill effects from the extra drug and other than fatigue, one would not have known that a month ago I could not have even considered such an outing! That night, my legs did not give me any extra grief and I slept remarkably well.

Yesterday, I puttered around here taking care of a few things that needed tending to and we went into town to run a few errands. Other than the fatigue factor, I was able to manage almost like a normal person. Last night again, I slept very well.

My legs still feel like they've walked a marathon (muscles aching in that "wow, you haven't used me in a very long time" kind of way). But all that tells me is that I must have been walking like a normal person and engaging muscles in a normal fashion (something that is not "normal" for me). However, I don't have the pain in my hips that had been such a problem for me and was preventing me from walking any distance. And that is the pain that we were trying to address with this new medication. Now we know that the 6mg daily maximum dosage is what works for me, and I just filled a 30-day prescription yesterday -- cost $1329.00 (good thing I have 100% reimbursement insurance!)

So now that we've FINALLY gotten rid of the hip pain, I need to "train" my leg muscles -- because I plan to be walking so they best get used to it!

Our Family Just Got Bigger

So now I can tell you what we were up to yesterday afternoon.

John's #1 son (my step-son) got married yesterday! Last Saturday evening, after other guests had left our dinner party, they announced to us that they were "eloping" on Wednesday. Now, once they had told us, of course, the "elopement" was out the window. I naturally invited us to attend the ceremony so John and I crashed their wedding at Ottawa City Hall.

Our blended family has acquired another daughter, two adult grandchildren, and a few great grandchildren! John is really getting old!

My new step-daughter-in-law and I were enjoying a new level of fun yesterday (we usually do enjoy our time together but yesterday was particularly special). I told her that she had to, just this one time, call me MOM. So of course, she complied -- all evening. And it follows that her adult children will now have to call her new husband DAD (at least once anyway). God help me if they call us Grandma and Grandpa (and what about those great grandchildren)!

The funny part? John is 18 years older than I and his #1 son is eight years younger than I. Our newly acquired "child" is a year older than I; her children (our new grandchildren) are older than and the same age as my daughter (we won't have any trouble remembering our new granddaughter's name -- it is the same as my daughter's). As John said at one point, if I keep this up, pretty soon I'll be my own grampa!

But, my new daughter-in-law queried a much larger problem: I am Mrs. John T. Fowler Sr and she is Mrs. John T. Fowler Jr. And that's OK because my husband is senior and her husband is junior --BUT she is senior and I am junior. What ever are we going to do about that?

I say, listen to your Mom!

Wow - I Did it!

Well, I finally did it -- I SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!

That might sound like a very minor thing to some people but for me it is huge! I went to bed at 9:00pm last night and read for perhaps a nanosecond. I don't actually recall putting the book down and turning out the light. But I must have because when I woke at 5:30am the light was off and the book was where I would have put it. I hadn't even wakened to go pee once!

To what do I attribute this new found phenomenon? The new meds must have a cumulative effect and are finally kicking in to their full benefit. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. At least we'll see if I continue to have sleep-through-the-night events.

Today is one of my go-into-Ottawa days so I have taken the extra 1mg of pain med. Hopefully, it will sustain me through the day because what a day it's going to be. I can't tell you now what we're up to but John has to come with me and after my physiotherapy appointment, we have to hang around in the city because a very special event is happening later today.

By the time we get home tonight, I'm sure I'll be too tired to post, so I'll tell you all about it tomorrow ...

A Pattern is Emerging ...

A pattern of wonderful news is emerging with respect to my pain level.

Remember my doctor told me to try taking an extra 1mg of this new-fangled controlled substance on those days that I was going to be running about and needed extra pain relief? Well, the first of those days happened to be this past Thursday. However, rather than take a full 1mg of the stuff, I still have some .5mg capsules left from the early days of this test, so I thought I would try just taking an extra half dose. The way I figure it -- why take any more drug than I need?

Turns out .5mg isn't enough for outings to Ottawa, but at least I tried. I guess my doctor knows of what he speaks. However, once we got home and I rested, my leg returned to a comfortable level quite readily and did not cause me any extra problems that night.

The next day, yesterday, we had to go into town to do some light grocery shopping. I'm pretty sure that was not the type of outing my doctor and I were discussing when he suggested I take the extra dose. Naturally, I didn't take extra. I made it until half-way through the massive grocery store; by the time we got to the cash, I was dragging my right leg. But again, once we got home and I sat down and rested, the pain subsided very quickly. There was no residual tooth-ache like throbbing that I used to be left with after such outings. Nor did my legs cause me any extra discomfort last night.

My conclusion? These new meds are obviously doing something positive because I can assure you, prior to my taking them, sitting and resting most certainly did not bring relief. Come to think of it, I no longer have the ever-present, constantly throbbing pain in my hips -- and that speaks volumes!

My Hearing Aid Saga

You might recall in an earlier post I mentioned that my accompanying John to his follow-up appointment for his hearing aids proved to be quite beneficial indeed. Now I'll explain.

Naturally, John and I go to the same audiologist. Actually, we go to the audiologist whose office is shared by my ENT specialist. John only needs to see the audiologist but I also have to see the specialist because I have "ear" issues. Let's back up a bit.

In my early teen years, I spent many week-ends auditioning loud rock bands to play at our Saturday night community dances. Saturday evenings, of course, were spent enjoying the sounds of those bands playing in the school gymnasium. My hearing suffered. (Some of the bands? The Guess Who; The Staccatos; The W-5)

I was left with, for lack of a better description, a rigid stapes bone in the right ear, which basically means that sound doesn't get through on that side very well. Back when this hearing loss was first diagnosed, the only solution was risky surgery -- and I am not a risk taker so I opted not to go that route. Since my early 20s, I relied primarily on my left ear to do my hearing for me.

Then, in 2005 when I couldn't hear my beautiful boy talking to me, my daughter convinced me that I had to do something; my hearing was definitely getting worse. By then, technology had advanced such that a hearing aid was finally an option for my right ear. While there was evidence of hearing loss in my left ear, it was not yet "ready" for an aid. So I've been wearing a hearing aid in my right ear since September 2005, and my goodness, what a difference. I could not believe how noisy a place this world really is!

Then, last summer during my annual hearing test, it was discovered that the hearing in my left ear had declined to the point where I now needed assistance for that ear as well (a fact that was not lost on my daughter). Of course, we won't be surprised to learn that I have what is known as "awkward hearing loss" -- each ear's hearing loss is from a different cause and is of different degree (most people, as they age, lose their hearing in both ears equally). So, last September I bought top-of-the-line, super-duper, Cadillacs of hearing aids. These babies are programmed for my specific hearing loss and are fully automatic: they know when I enter a noisy room; they know when I leave a noisy room; they know when I pick up the phone; they know when I hang up the phone. I'm surprised they don't change their own batteries (I wish they would change their own batteries!). But my oh my, the sounds I had to learn all over again! Would you believe I didn't recognize the ticking of the wall clock in the bathroom? I actually went in search of what could be causing that funny noise!

Now, back to the visit a couple of weeks ago for John's follow-up. The audiologist asked John how his aids were working in certain settings and there ensued a discussion about how they work in a restaurant. After he described how his worked, I described how mine worked (very unlike his). The audiologist offered to take a look at the programming of mine after she finished addressing all of John's issues (his hearing aids ended up being sent back for adjustments).

Fast forward to her review of my hearing aids. She asked several questions; she attempted to reprogram the aids; she consulted my file; she consulted a colleague. "Mrs. Fowler," she says, "the reason you are having the problem you describe is because you are supposed to have two microphones and you only have one." Effectively, what is happening when I enter a restaurant is, the one microphone is shutting down because I'm in a noisy environment, but I'm left with no means of hearing the people I'm dining with (the function of the second microphone).

A very interesting discussion followed about why, if I SHOULD have two microphones, there is only one; why I didn't get what I paid for; why it wasn't noticed before now since I had been in complaining of this same issue on two different occasions (to two different technicians mind you); how isn't it interesting how this might never have come to light had I not accompanied my husband to his appointment.

Anyway, today, we took delivery of John's new hearing aids (with which he thinks he is going to be VERY happy) and new moulds were taken for my new hearing aids -- the ones that will have TWO microphones.

The audiologist is heading off on holidays so it will be late-August before I get my new hearing aids but hey, that's not too bad. A mere eleven months after I paid for my high-end, super duper, Cadillacs of hearing aids, I will actually take delivery of what I bought!

Alright, already, I'll update ...

Sorry for the absenteeism. But I can explain. You see, John thinks I work for him. He thinks I am his own personal computer guru. And as fast as I solve one computer-related problem, he finds another.

Unbeknownst to me, John was sitting not-so-idly by as I explored the wonders of blogging and worked out the kinks that would surely be present for fussy people like us.

Now that I am somewhat rolling on this venture, he has decided to launch his blog promoting his stock photography business.

Naturally, he needed me to show him how to get started, which I did several days ago (I don't recall exactly when).

Then he needed me to show him the many idiosyncrasies of blogging (you can be sure I haven't discovered ALL of them yet).

Then I left him to his own devices to build his own blog.

And he was off to the races. He built his own blog.

Well, a little learning is a dangerous thing, as the saying goes.

John built his blog and did things he didn't know he shouldn't have done -- and frankly I think it works better than what this blog hosting site intended. So of course, I had to re-examine the site!

That caused me to spend a lot of time examining various aspects of what's available and apprising myself of some new features. I hope you like the slide show that I've added. I plan to rotate through a few different themes on an as-yet-to-be-determined schedule (any suggestions of frequency?) This week: "My Beautiful Boy" -- favourite photos of my grandson.

Anyway, John has waffled back-and-forth on the template and colour scheme for his blog site but I think he is getting close to settling on something quite nice. Hopefully, I'll figure out the code to get it to correctly do what he wants it to do.

Not to worry though, he has already identified the next computer project that I need to turn my attention to ... and it's a particularly pressing priority too!

Quick Update on my "Bites"

I have to head into Ottawa today for a physio session so this will be quick.

My "bite site" has subsided quite nicely.

Itch is gone.

Welts are way down.

AND I SLEPT LIKE A LOG LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!! I am nicely rested this morning, sort of. Actually, I could probably still sleep some more.

Hence, although I should be trying my doctor's new plan this morning (taking an extra capsule of the pain med), I think that will have to wait until the next time I am going into Ottawa.

I already want to go back to bed, I don't think I should take anything that might push that to a need. In the interests of erring on the side of caution, since I don't yet know how I will respond to taking that extra dose, I will wait for more optimum conditions.

Oh to sleep ....

I know I will sleep again one day, really I do know that. But I am soooooooooo tired.

When I got home on Friday from the city, I was spending an inordinate amount of time reaching behind to scratch a particular spot on my back. Eventually, I decided to pay attention to what was so itchy. Of course, I couldn't see behind me so I had to call John to check it out. It felt fairly ugly.

I had been bitten -- by a pair of something, probably deer flies -- and the sites, immediately side-by-each, were swelling rapidly. The itch was driving me mad.

Since I was obviously enjoying my usual allergic response to insect bites, John suggested that I take an antihistamine. I reached for a Claritin and enjoyed a few hours of relief.

But I barely slept a wink Friday night. It didn't matter that I was really very tired. I simply could not sleep.

Fast forward to mid-morning Saturday and John is checking the status of my bites, which are again driving me mad with itch. The sites have now become large unsightly welts and are very sore to the touch. Since the itch is still so bad, John suggests that I take another Claritin. So I did; I took another Claritin.

Immediately after popping that second Claritin, I decide to check the packaging. These ones are to be taken every 24 hours and I had just taken my second one in approximately 12 hours! Talk about closing the barn door after the horses have left!

Last night, I was again very tired and figured I would have no trouble at all sleeping. Wrong! It was a repeat of Friday night.

By the wee hours this morning, I knew full well it was because of the Claritin that I was still laying there awake. I never could tolerate antihistamines; that's why I don't usually use them. It was Benadryl that I should have taken. That is specifically intended to control itch, and for some reason it does not cause adverse reactions in me.

So here I am on Sunday morning, absolutely exhausted, and for once it isn't because of pain. The bites are only mildly itchy and the welts have shrunk considerably. The area is not quite as angry-looking now and is no longer sore to the touch. Hopefully, by tonight everything will be back in sync and I will be able to sleep again.

Now, the burning question is: Why, if I don't usually take antihistamines, did I reach for the Claritin (not once, but twice) rather than the Benadryl? Am I getting dotty?

Things are Looking Promising ...

I saw my doctor again yesterday. I know, it seems as though I'm always seeing him lately. But when one is trying to establish one's therapeutic level of tightly-controlled pain meds, one must visit one's doctor frequently. This time, we're finally making progress, I think. Here's the scoop.

• After discussing various options, all of which I rejected for one reason or another, we realized that we weren't seeing the tree for the bushes.
• I am taking 2mg in the morning and 3mg in the evening of this controlled substance (the higher dose at night is to afford me the extra pain relief that I require during the night).
• We already know that the dosage I'm at is keeping me essentially pain free when I'm at home (as long as I stay off the exercise bicycle). So I needn't do anything on those days.
• The problem is when I have to make a trip into Ottawa or when I go out and about to run errands. On those days, because of the drive and the amount of walking, I end up in agony and it often takes me two days to recover.
• As a fibromyalgia sufferer, I always know which days I will be going anywhere because I have to pace myself very carefully. Whenever possible, I schedule my commitments to avoid making trips into Ottawa on two consecutive days.
• Solution? Since I always know which days I am going to be "doing things," I should take an additional 1mg capsule on that morning (putting the total dosage for that day at 6mg). Hopefully, that will head off the pain and allow me to go about my business for the day and I won't be any worse for wear. If this doesn't work, it will be back to the drawing board because 6mg per day is the maximum dose my doctor will allow.

So, here's hoping that this approach is the cat's meow and I will soon be enjoying relatively pain-free outings. As I've said previously in this blog, it is fabulous to have come this far but I want the whole enchilada!

Happy Canada Day!

It's July 1st so my favourite boy came for a visit! We have decided to call it a tradition -- I think this will make it the fourth time in his eight years that he has come here on Canada Day, so that sounds like fairly close to majority to me! It must be tradition by now.

In previous years, he has slept over on Canada Day but he decided this was not to be a sleep-over visit. It was fun seeing him though.

We had burgers - and potato salad - and cole slaw - and ice cream - and he did his usual spinning on my office chair.

He brought his computer and we called each other on Skype -- that was fun. He hadn't known about that before so we had fun playing with that. Now when he goes home, we are going to phone each other on the computer!

Grandpa slept -- and Dad slept -- and Mom rested her eyes -- and big Sis talked on the phone -- and Grandma just bugged him.

Now for some reason, I just up and decided that his name was Jason. Don't know why. Just decided to call him Jason today. We had a few good laughs over that one. I have no idea where it came from. Eventually, he simply said, "Stop calling me Jason ..." I decided the easy solution is to simply change his name ...

They've gone home now ... and we've cleaned up ... the house is back to normal ... John is already sleeping.

I'm tired too. I think I'll hit the sack. It's been a long day. But on a good note? My new pain meds obviously work because I HAVE NO PAIN!

I'm Figuring it Out

Gradually, I'm coming to terms with how this works.

• I have fibromyalgia, which causes generalized pain and fatigue. To alleviate that, I take Lyrica at the dosage level that we have identified that reduces the pain to almost nil and significantly eliminates the fatigue.
• I also have bursitis in both hips. My right hip area emits heat to the touch due to the ever-present inflammation from the bursitis that has remained unsuccessfully treated for the past 30 years. To alleviate the pain in my hips, I take another pain med to a dosage that keeps me essentially pain free most of the time -- until I engage in physically demanding activity that involves the right hip joint.

Have you ever thought about what activities you engage in throughout your day that DOES NOT involve the hip joint? Think about it sometime. Or, as you go about your day, try NOT using your hips.

So, now I know why I continue to have less than stellar success with these pain meds. I expect them to relieve my pain even if I engage in day-to-day activity. Is that asking too much? I guess the answer is, because I am soooooooo much more comfortable now than I was prior to starting these new pain meds, I should accept my new status because any amount of time spent pain free is a bonus. Just a matter of mindset, I guess.

I'm Trying, Really I Am !

Believe it or not, I really am trying to be positive about this but it's difficult.

During the course of this past week, I went into Ottawa on two different days, Tuesday and again on Thursday.

• On Tuesday, I had a physio appointment and then we joined my daughter and her family at a local restaurant for my grandson's birthday celebration. Then we came home via a few stops (naturally, if we go into town, there must be errands). I managed 15 minutes on the exercise bicycle in the early evening.
• On Wednesday, I had my "rest day" which is so necessary for me after a trip to Ottawa.
• On Thursday, we again had to go into Ottawa for John's follow-up appointment for his hearing aids (now that was an appointment worth keeping!) I had had a massage prior to making that trip. By the time we got home, I couldn't convince my legs to co-operate with me -- they were like lead weights. I decided to forego the exercise bicycle since my physiotherapist has impressed upon me the importance of not "aggravating" my hips and countering the benefits of the new meds. She said I can do the bicycle as long as there is no pain.
• Yesterday, Friday, my legs continued to feel like lead weights and they were extremely painful. Plus, my "get up and go" just "got up and went" -- I was lethargic beyond measure. I am truly hoping that the lethargy was due to the heat and not a result of this medication.
• Today, I awoke feeling quite rested and my legs felt more normal. I'm back to the "I have no pain" status that I have been enjoying of late when I am at home. So I made John his favourite "big breakfast" which I do most Saturdays and it was a pleasure to be able to do so without struggling through excruciating pain.

So early this afternoon, I thought I would get back to the exercise bicycle. I lasted all of three minutes -- the pain in both hips became absolutely unbearable and I remembered my physiotherapist cautioning me about pushing the envelope. She told me that it is one thing to keep going when you are tired; it is quite another to keep going through pain. She said that if you still have serious pain a half hour after you stop the exercise, you shouldn't be doing that exercise. I continue to have pain all night long if my hips get aggravated too much! In the case of trips into Ottawa, I continue to have pain for 24-36 hours, but there are some exercises you simply cannot eliminate.

Obviously, the new medication is affording me significant pain relief. I am now essentially pain free when I am at home (other than when I am in recovery mode from an outing). The challenge becomes when I have to leave my home since getting to/from Ottawa is hard on me and shopping is always a pain in the ass (OK in the hips). I'm learning how to deal with restaurants (my ever present personal cushion sure makes seating a lot more comfortable!) In a perfect world, I guess the medical community would find something that would give me relief while I'm at home and would continue to work in those circumstances when I leave my home.

I'm having difficulty getting used to my body's new clock though. I always was an "up and at 'em" kind of person but of late, I seem to be a real slow starter -- very foreign for me. Has to be the medication, right? Can medication do that to someone? Or is that just a natural progression of age? I must admit, when I was retiring a few years ago, I do recall mentioning that I was in training for slow starts in the mornings. So perhaps I've just learned how to do it.

Progress is sooooooooo slow!!!!!!

Can you tell I'm somewhat of an impatient person? I want results now!

• I no longer have pain as I sit around my home doing nothing.
• I no longer have pain as I go about my "chores" within my home, such as doing laundry, or cooking a meal, or baking something scrumptious just because ...
• I no longer have pain as a result of preparing for and then having a small dinner party.
• I no longer have pain when I go out for an evening with my husband.

In a nutshell, I no longer have pain doing a lot of the stuff that used to cause me great bouts of agony. What is my complaint, you ask?

I still have serious pain under any of the above conditions if I walk too much. The problem is, I can't define "too much" -- I don't know when the threshold is reached: some days it's 15 minutes; others it's only five minutes. All I know is, I still cannot walk any great distance without inducing great pain in my hips -- especially the right hip. So my question is, if this stuff is working so well to alleviate my pain, why can't it alleviate ALL my pain?

These new meds are obviously working, but I want miracles. After all, I've suffered with this nonsense quite long enough thank you very much. Now that there has been offered up a hint of relief that is actually working, I want total and complete relief. Isn't that just a natural human response?

I DID IT, I DID IT!

I did 15 minutes on the exercise bicycle today! Yippeee!!! I'm back on track. But this time, I won't do "too much too soon" as my physiotherapist describes the syndrome. I have a habit of pushing too hard, apparently.

It is abundantly clear that I can't manage 15 minutes one day and 10 the next, so I have had to scale back to 15 minutes every other day. I will have to settle for that. Especially since it took me three attempts to get back up to 15 minutes again!

I'm not sure when I will start the walking program on the alternate day -- my regular physiotherapist is back next week so I will discuss that with her.

Today I went into Ottawa for a physio session and ran some errands before returning home. My energy level still isn't great but I'm thinking I need to get into better shape -- condition myself into "doing" things, if you will. I mean, after all, of course it hurts me to walk if I don't walk, right?

Progress, Perhaps?

So, we are, perhaps, making progress.

The past few nights have been quite promising, with limited interruptions and my going right back to sleep with little difficulty.

I put my body to quite a test on Saturday and seemed to have passed so I guess the new meds are working because I never could have endured the kind of day I had this past weekened, believe me. And I am none the worse for wear so I have to declare the new meds successful.

The ultimate test, of course, will be when I subject myself to a lot of walking -- that is something I haven't yet tried.

Today, I attempted to do 15 minutes on the exercise bicycle again. Only made it to ten minutes when I had stop. But that's better than nothing; and at least I'm still trying. My physiotherapist will be sorry to hear of my setback but that's what happens when one goes away for a holiday -- the whole world falls apart!

I'm Getting Really Discouraged!

OK, some may say it's early days yet BUT I like fast results, what can I say?

What am I getting discouraged about you ask?

Well, having increased the pain med dosage last Thursday night, I had hoped for increased pain relief. Didn't happen. In fact yesterday -- day four on the higher dose -- was a particularly difficult day. I hadn't slept well the night before so my energy level was low. I didn't do much of anything but I did do my stretches. When I tried to do my 15 minutes on the exercise bicycle, all I could manage was six minutes -- six lousy minutes! The pain in my right hip and leg was absolutely unbearable and my physiotherapist has always told me that if pain ensues, I am to stop. So I stopped. By the way, my bicycle regimen has been halted at 15 minutes every other day until I can discuss the program further with my physiotherapist.

Now this experience suggested that the higher dose was not very effective so I decided to follow my doctor's instructions to further increase it if necessary (seemed to me like it was necessary). So I doubled the bedtime dosage last night.

I didn't have a very good night last night. I had difficulty getting to sleep; I woke twice (just as I usually do) and had difficulty getting back to sleep both times. When I woke for the day I felt very groggy. When I actually got up and mobile for the day, my right leg was behaving as though I had a pinched nerve -- that's a new phenomenon! I'm attempting to stretch it out but it is very painful. Meanwhile, my head is in an almost constant mildly spinning state. Sure hope that settles down.

As of today, I am taking double the dose of the new pain med that I was taking two days ago. I will allow a few more days' testing before passing judgement. But if things don't improve, I think I might be pulling the plug on this drug as well.

My Apologies to my Fanbase ...

I must apologize for my failure to post. Apparently I have difficulty visiting my computer on a daily basis. Well, that's not really true -- I do check my e-mail each morning; and I check my bank account(s) each morning. Never miss. I just don't always have time to visit this site every morning. And then, once I get home from a day of activity I am too pooped to 'pute. So please forgive me; I promise I will try to do better.

Anyway, I did my 15 minutes on the exercise bicycle yesterday without wearing my TENs machine. Wow, was that ever a mistake; I paid the price big time let me tell you. By late afternoon, I was seriously dragging bottom. I couldn't walk the length of my living room without great difficulty; my legs just wouldn't work. My jet-massage tub was an especially welcome treat last night.

Today, I had to go back into Ottawa for another physiotherapy appointment and it was quite a bit earlier than usual so my morning routine was a little disrupted. John came with me because we had to go back to the hearing aid place. One of his brand new hearing aids is broken and had to be sent back for repair -- what a pain in the butt! We stopped in Carleton Place on our way home to do a few errands. By the time I was half way through the store, my leg was in agony -- and this was after a physio session! So I'm guessing that I still haven't hit the proper dosage of this new pain med.

Before coming home, we decided it would be prudent to check out a new restaurant in the area so we stopped and had lunch. The place passed -- good food at reasonable prices. Good to know there is a place we like nearby for when neither of us feels like putting a meal together!

More Changes Again

Well, I saw my doctor yesterday and he's made further changes to my medication again. He feels that I can get more pain relief at night than I have been getting so as of yesterday, I am taking slightly more at bedtime than I take in the morning. If this doesn't work, I am to double both doses. Time will tell.

Today was my first day waking up after having taken the higher dose at bedtime, so I can't really assess its efficacy yet. I'll reserve judgement for a few days. I had crashed really early last night because I for some reason was dog tired again once I got home from the city. Perhaps that will be par for the course -- I'll have to start watching for a pattern.

I managed to do my 15 minutes on the exercise bicycle today, after having missed the two previous days. Interestingly, I actually did miss the two previous days. Surprising how quickly one can get used to a routine, isn't it?

This afternoon, we went back into Ottawa so John could visit a camera store downtown before we went to pick up his new hearing aids. He's fairly sure one of them is not working right so it might have to go back, which is always a pain in the you-know-what.

It seems to have been a rather busy week, with several trips to Ottawa, or at least a lot of time spent in Ottawa. I think I'll spend the next couple of days at home, doing very little. Just resting up. I need to recoup; life has been too busy for me this past little while.

Another Difficult Night Again

Last night was difficult and long again. I don't know what the scoop is here -- one good night; one bad maybe? Beats me. All I know is once again, I was awake every hour or so, trying to find a comfortable place to put my legs. And my hips were burning! I don't recall having done anything too onerous yesterday to account for the difficulty.

In any event, when I woke this morning I had, and continue to have, a very stiff neck. So obviously, I slept in a weird position. I was also a lot stiffer and sorer than I have been the past few mornings; that tells me that I didn't sleep very well last night. I'm quite drowsy today too.

Oh well, in spite of it all, I still managed to do my 10 minutes on the bicycle. I absolutely don't want to suffer a setback on my exercise program.

I will not be posting tomorrow because I have to leave here by 9:00am to go into Ottawa for a couple of appointments. I will then be having lunch with a good friend whom I haven't seen in over ten years. Then I'm staying overnight at my daughter's place again (woo hoo I get to see my favourite boy again) in order to make my early morning appointment with my doctor on Thursday.

A New Beginning?

A new month; a new start.

I've started the increased dosage of the new pain med -- with significant improvement overall. Quite remarkable really. It would seem I'm tolerating the higher dose much better than I was the lower dose.

Our dinner party yesterday was a hit; I found it long and tiring but that's par for the course. I enjoyed the day nevertheless; it's always nice to see good friends and family. The food was good (so I was told) and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. My problem is, once there are eight people in the room, that's just too many people -- you can't really visit with anyone. I guess I'm just a one-on-one kind of gal!

I did my 15 minutes on the bicycle this morning -- wow was that a struggle! But I persevered and I did it. Tomorrow I'll do 10 minutes. In about two weeks' time, I'll introduce walking on the short day and see how that goes.