%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
 Being Retired now, I thought that it was time for a new name to this Blog |
|
Talk about perks, my career had one of the best I can think of! I traveled in the course of business, delivering classes for my employer. I was a Senior Training Specialist for Motorola Solutions, and taught classes on a wide variety of subjects centered around 2-way radio communications. I knew that when the time arrived that I would retire, and I have. I've always said that if you can't stand the heat in the kitchen, get out! I can't handle the heat anymore. I was qualified to deliver approximately 32 different classes, but about half of those were 'Legacy' classes, and were not in demand anymore. My students were technicians, those who maintained, programmed, calibrated, and repaired large 2-way radio systems. Some of these systems are statewide, and use TCP-IP networking to allow sites to communicate with others. Some are small, traditional type radio sites. The size doesn't matter, in each case the systems must be kept operational at all times, since many of them are Public Safety Systems. So I traveled, sometimes frequently, 3-4 weeks in a row.... where have I been? Some of the places I've been (I can't list them all here, the list would be too long) are pretty interesting. 1. Hawaii - Four times, Oahu, Maui (twice), and the Big Island 2. BangkokThailand, twice 3. Frankfurt Germany, twice 4. Algiers, Algeria 5. Melbourne Australia 6. Bismarck North Dakota, Summer & Winter 7. Los Angeles, Too many times to count 8. Washington DC, Too many times to count 9. Seattle three or four times 10. Texas, all over the state 11. Florida, all over the state 12. New Mexico, HOME! Several times  Best Cultural And Regional Honorable Mention |
Medications, Medications, Medications ... As you might imagine I take quite a few prescribed Medications, as well as many vitamins & Supplements. There's a love/hate going on with my meds though. First, I was taking nothing at all in 2008. That was 17 years ago though! That changed after I had that very minor heart attack on St. Patrick's day, 2008. It happened about 11 pm as I was driving a fellow server home after our shift at Pappadeaux. It was just a slight chest pain, it wasn't moving down my arm or anything. I told him about the pain and that instead of going home, I would head to the hospital. He insisted on coming along to make sure I got there safely. All I remember about it was that the ER staff essentially hurried another patient out of his curtain area so I could be seen. After that, I don't remember much, it was now after midnight and I fell asleep. I remember essentially signing my life away giving them permission to do what was necessary. I know they put one of those large needles in my groin so they could look at my heart. Once that was done, I underwent Angioplasty. I slept thru the whole procedure. I only remember the nurse telling me not to bend my right leg that night. The needle was removed in the morning and I was back to normal. This happened on a Tuesday night, I was released just after noon on Thursday. That's why I always say it was a minor heart attack. After that I was placed on several medications of course. As I've aged, and with the onset of Multiple Myeloma, those medications have increased in numbers, but not in strength. I also take supplements to help me. In fact, the number of medications has decreased slightly, and one medication's strength has been lowered. The medication I wanted to discuss today is Dexamethasone. It's a steroid, I take it to combat any ill effects I might have from taking Revlimid, the Chemo drug I've been on since 2021. There is one major side effect from that medication though. Insomnia. I usually take it on a Thursday because when I was working, I didn't want to lose sleep that week. Thursday was chosen because I typically traveled home, plus Friday was always a half day. It worked, it seemed. I took it this past Thursday, and did not sleep a wink that night! I tried to nap yesterday, no-go. When I went to bed about 9:30 last night, I slept like you wouldn't believe! Almost 9 hours, and up only once, so a good night's sleep overall. I am much better today, I'm not a complete Zombie. However, I'm not 100% yet, nor will I be until tomorrow or Monday. About the time I get back to normal, it will be Thursday again. A vicious cycle every week. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
I'd order it now, but I don't want to chance having it delivered while we're gone, so I'll wait. I did bookmark the page so I can get to it easily. Cross your fingers everyone!
Non-interchangeable parts - now there's a surprise. There are times you can't interchange parts for two editions of the exact same car that vary "only" by model year.