A Second Surprise

The announced pregnancy of Annie and Thomas was a big surprise but not unexpected.  It had been a matter of prayer for some time.  That same announcement by Nathanael and Cynthia on October 1st was, on the other hand, a compete yet still welcomed surprise.

Baby Disher is due in early December.  But her cousin is due perhaps in June.  Click on the card that Cynthia made for Annie to open at Cynthia's birthday party, held on Sunday the 1st.  Her birthday is actually on the 2nd.

Great grandma Ginger, as we can now call her, had a classic reaction to the news.

Nathanael and Cynthia traded in Cynthia's car for a 2017 Honda Fit.  I certainly would have suggested a 2011-2013 model, but these decisions are long past my say so. 

October 14th, a Sudden Ending to a Big Commitment

With this brief email, the weekly Saturday Morning Men's Bible study that I had been a member of for 28 years, came to a sudden end.  I had written about the most recent regular members of this group back in April.  Bob Whitford, on oxygen since I've known him and with an awful hip joint problem, began hospice this fall.  And Wayne Pommer is moving to Buckley this month.  So when Dr. John Ulvila announced that he was joining another study with his wife, Ned Freer took the opportunity to bow out as well.  We completed the book of Acts (Acts 27 and 28) on October 14, 2017 and ended the group that hour.  Warren Berger, an intermittent attender seemed stunned.  I saw it as God's surprise but clear timing.

 John asked to give me a big hug.  I'm good with that.  I'm terrible with goodbyes.   Members of the church staff sent kind words.  And members of the group wrote their thoughts to me. Warren Burger emailed...

Dick,

I still struggle to believe our Bible Study came to an end. Perhaps it was time. Nevertheless, thank you for your faithful service over the years. I admire you for the time, effort and willingness to sacrifice your time for the hoped for betterment of each of us.
May God Bless you and your family all the days of your lives.

Your pal, wb

Ned Freer sent a card.

Dear Dick,                                                                                                                                                                          10/23/17

Thank you so much for your faithful leadership of our Saturday morning Bible Study.  You don't know the number of "Sleightisms" that I came home with to share with Cass.  My journal is sprinkled with them.  I can only imagine how your students must feel after class.  This was a hard decision for all of us and I can only attest to God's leadership.  I wish you the best going forward and thanks again, Fondly, Ned

Wayne Pommer was not at our last meeting and sent his own response to the surprise news.  Brother Randy was actually in attendance at the last session.  I knew he would be, but that didn't explain the vivid dream I had the night before that last Bible study hour.

I dreamed of that very study session.  What was most vivid in the dream was that I was NOT there, and that Randy came home, walking up the ramp to the front door with a big clear plastic bag of green apples.  In reality, both Randy and I were at the study, and my friend Coach Ed Sloan stopped in briefly to drop off a big box of red-yellow Honey Crisp apples (and enjoy an offered maple bar). Thanks for the warning, God.

My Health Puzzle

I've finally recorded a number of glucose readings even below 100, here toward the end of October.  Overall, my glucose numbers are down by over 60 points since starting insulin, and moving even lower.  There were weeks in early and mid-summer when I could hardly get below 200.  When I had some symptoms I called feeling "jittery," I checked my blood and came up with a score of 89!  I had finally experienced hypoglycemia.  Low blood sugar is the most common side effect of insulin. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, trouble concentrating, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, and fainting.  Low is good.  Too low is very dangerous.

On the other hand, I have three other physical ailments that concern me. 

The first, my right shoulder, is likely a case of Mouse Shoulder.  "Mouse Shoulder is a term that has been used to describe a specific collection of neck and shoulder symptoms noticed in people who use computers for long periods.  (That's me!)  Mouse Shoulder can present as a pain over one side of the neck, spreading into the shoulder.  The pain is often described as "burning" or deep aching (Yup, the later), and is associated with repeated or prolonged mouse use.  It may take several weeks or months to develop, but once established Mouse Shoulder can take less than one hour of mouse use a day to maintain this repetitive strain state." 

This one was easy to diagnose since my mouse ergonomics are often exactly what the medical folks say not to do.  I'll switch back to a trackball mouse and support my wrist, a method I used to use.

My second issue is my left hand.  The ring and pinky fingers, and that side of my hand, regularly have a mild tingle.  It may also be an overuse issue, but I have not researched it.

Finally, my knees and legs are giving me trouble.  The pain behind my right knee is understandable, and is clearly some type of injury.  I expect it will heal in time.  The sore knees in front (both knees) may improve with weight loss.  But I have no explanation for my aching muscles, especially in my thighs, when I get up and walk.  Even jogging for the bus is painful.  I have no pain when sitting.