Merry CHRISTmas to one and all. I hope everyone gets to spend some time with your families.
365 Day Photo Challenge 359/365 “Merry CHRISTmas”
24 Thursday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
Author Archives: Tim Hughes Living with CML
365 Day Photo Challenge 358/365 “Waiting on the Storms”
23 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
As I’m writing this we are under a tornado watch. By watching all the news and weather you would think this would be the Storm of the Century. So far it’s been all hype, at least for our area. I’m not complaining mind you and I do agree that the information needs to get out there for everyone to know and to prepare, but so far all we’ve gotten is some rain earlier this afternoon.
The tornado watch is expected to continue until 4 am. I’m no meteorologist but from what I’m looking at on the radar I just don’t see anything happening, major that is.
I have my weather radio by the bed and helmets at the ready just in case we get notified of a tornado warning so we are prepared for the worst. After two near misses you learn what to do and what not to waste your time on. Tomorrow we’re supposed to have more bad weather but tonight is supposed to be the worst of it.
Someone I know made a comment today that I thought fitting for such weather as we are having these past few days and into the next. “Mother Nature needs to get into the Christmas Spirit.” Here it is the 23rd of December and we haven’t had any cold weather to speak of. Especially for the month of December.
“Life Goes On!”
365 Day Photo Challenge 357/365 “New Hobby”
22 Tuesday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
When I was just a kid my dad and I would visit my grandfather on the mountain and I would help my grandfather rob the bees. I can’t tell you the times I got stung. My grandfather would have his hood on and long gloves and he would have his smoker to calm the bees. The bees never seem to bother my grandfather because, as I found out later, the bees were used to him being there. Since a kid I had always wanted to tend to the bees as my grandfather did but never found the time.
My grandfather never made a lot of money with the honey because he didn’t really try to sell it. Most of it went to the family. He even traded some of it for food and clothing. At one time my grandfather had thirty-five hives. Most all of which are gone now either by weather or by rot.
I’ve decided sometime ago that I’m going to retire in less than three years. I have several hobbies already but none of which are profitable. Beekeeping, if done right, can be very profitable. I have given myself three years to start this hobby and try to make it a profitable business. I have several friends already keeping bees and have already offered their help. So, with all that said, I ordered my first complete hive last night. Should be here Thursday. It will be later on before I can get the bees. I’m looking forward to it.
“Life Goes On!
365 Day Photo Challenge 356/365 “To Be Pain Free For a Day”
21 Monday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Cancer, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Chronic Pain, CML, Cycling, Diabetic Nerve Pain, Pain Relief
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/2015-Cheaha-Challenge/i-p3mcRJb/A
I was thinking earlier this afternoon when the last time I had a day that I went pain free. Yesterday. I would have to say yesterday I was relatively pain free for a day. Lately it’s been my feet giving me problems and now my kidneys. But yesterday I was pain free because I didn’t have any pain in my feet and my kidney didn’t hurt. Today, however, my feet were barking toward the end of the day but my kidney remained calm and pain free.
As I sit here whining about my pain, I’m reminded that there are a lot of people that are worse off than I am. There are days that I hurt, a lot. But, like yesterday, I didn’t have any pain whatsoever. Some people can’t say that. They have to live with chronic on a day to day basis. There is no pain medication that can give them any relief whatsoever. Knowing this makes me feel like a heel complaining of my insignificant pain when on most cases I can take a pain pill and for the most part feel better within thirty minutes or so. There are those that medications can’t do anything for them. I can’t image that.
I’ll say a prayer for all those in need of pain relief and I’ll include myself in this prayer.
“Life Goes On!”
365 Day Photo Challenge 355/365 “Another Good Day, Sort of”
20 Sunday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Cabin Fever, College, Cycling, Kidney Stones, Kids, Pain, Pain Free, Pain Meds
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/2015-Cheaha-Challenge/i-Mh4RqHf/A
I have had all my kids here for the past few days. My son left earlier this afternoon to go back to school to play at a basketball playoff game but he’ll be back tomorrow night. Anyway, I got up early and cooked breakfast for everyone and spent the remainder of the day relaxing and spending time with the family.
All in all a pretty good day without much pain. I did get out for a little while with the wife when cabin fever kicked in and I couldn’t stand being inside any longer. You got to remember I’ve been cooped up in this house since Tuesday of last week with the exception of the half an hour I spent attempting to go to work. It felt good just being outside if only for a little while.
I share a lot on here and maybe a little too much. That is why I won’t go into detail as to what I’m going to say next. I stayed in the bathroom for nearly two hours tonight. Everything finally passed and I felt like I gave birth to twins. I’ll find it hard to walk in the morning. I guess all the meds are making me dry up. Even with that I think I’ve shared too much. Oh well.
“Life Goes On!”
365 Day Photo Challenge 354/365 “It Was a Better Day”
19 Saturday Dec 2015
Posted in Cycling, Photography
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/2015-Cheaha-Challenge/i-wh67MV6/A
Compared to yesterday, today was like a breath of fresh air. The kidney stone still has not passed as far as I know. I’ve been drinking plenty of water and going to the bathroom more times that I care to count. I still have a little pain in my lower back but I can deal with that as long as it doesn’t get any worse. I’m hoping to go to the store tomorrow and get some stuff together for our upcoming Christmas dinner.
“Life Goes On!”
365 Day Photo Challenge 353/365 “Friday’s Failure”
18 Friday Dec 2015
Posted in Cancer, Leukemia, Photography
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/Mechanical/i-Mttww8p/A
I got up this morning, pain was somewhat minimal. I got a shower and started getting dressed when the pain started increasing. I went ahead and got dressed and took my pain meds before I left for work. The temperature had dropped and caused my windshield to be coated with a heavy coat of ice. By the time I scrapped all the ice I was in considerable pain. I was determined to make it to work my I just couldn’t make it. I turned around just before reaching the interstate. I made it home just as my wife was leaving for work. I went inside and took two ibuprofen PM so I could at least get some rest. I woke up at 2pm when my oncologist called to tell me that my medication had been approved by my insurance company. After a few phone calls to the pharmacy and to the drug manufacturer I went back to bed. It is now 10:30 pm and I haven’t been up long. I’ve already taken my pain meds and I’m going to take a shower before going back to bed. I haven’t eaten anything all day because I just haven’t felt like it. Maybe I’ll feel better tomorrow.
“Life Goes On!”
365 Day Photo Challenge 352/365 “New Medication”
17 Thursday Dec 2015
Posted in Cancer, Leukemia, Photography
I heard from my oncologist today and I’ve got a new drug to take for my CML. The survival rate is no more than the previous drug but as long as it keeps me alive I’m good. It also has about the same side effects as the other so unless there’s something I don’t know about I guess I’ll be ok with it as well.
I stayed home again today with this kidney stone that has yet to pass. I had to get up early this morning to take a pain pill but so far today I’m moderately pain free. I’ll be going into work tomorrow regardless if I’m pain free or not. I’m low on time so I have to go in.
365 Day Photo Challenge 351/365 “Lazy Day”
16 Wednesday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/Botanical-Gardens/i-LpJ69bk/A
Before I went to bed last night at 10:30 pm along with my regular diabetic meds, I took my pain meds and two ibuprofen PM pills. I woke up around 2 am hurting like I’ve not hurt before so I got up and took another pain pill and another ibuprofen PM. At 6:30 my wife woke me up so that I could text my boss and let him know that I wasn’t coming in. I also took another pain pill and yet another ibuprofen PM and went right back to bed. I didn’t wake up until nearly 2pm. I don’t recall ever sleeping that late ever. The best thing is that I’ve been somewhat pain free since I woke up. I haven’t had to have a pain pill since I’ve been up. I’ve been using the strainer that the doctor gave me but I haven’t seen anything in the cup so I’m not sure if I’ve passed anything or not. Kidney stones are not something to laugh about. They hurt.
“Life Goes On!”
365 Day Photo Challenge 350/365 “Can’t Seem to Catch a Break”
15 Tuesday Dec 2015
Posted in Photography
Tags
365 Day Photo Challenge, Alabama, Botanical Gardens, CT Scan, Kidney Stones, Morphine, Pain, Pills, Rose
https://tchphotography.smugmug.com/Botanical-Gardens/i-mNLXTDk/A
Kidney Stones are a pain in the a$$. I had just left the house this morning when I started feeling the pain. Within about thirty minutes I was hurting real bad. I did my morning rounds and left for the doc in the box. They ran some tests, hooked up an IV and gave me a shot of morphine. They then sent me to the hospital for a CT scan where the found some kidney stones. I made it fine with the morphine shot until about 5pm and then the pain hit again. The doctor did give me a scrip for some pain pills but it’s nothing like the morphine. I’m hoping to pass the stones soon so I can rest.
“Life Goes On!”
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