Category Archives: Photography

Update 3/4/2018

04 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Cancer, Leukemia, Photography

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I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted an update and I do apologize for that. With my health such a roller coaster and my job is as crazy as it is well, I just haven’t taken the time to write.

First of all, let me say that I’m feeling better today than I have in years.  Seriously, with all the crap my body has been going through, it’s about time.  But, I have a feeling that it’s about to change for the worse again.

We found out that the meds for my CML was causing all the fluid to build up around my heart and lungs; more so the lungs.  In short, the oncologist took me off my meds and my pulmonologist took 1.5 liters of fluid off my left lung.  He left fluid in my right lung due to him not wanting the infection to set in on either or both the lungs.  A heavy dose of Lasix and now my right lung is clear of fluid.  In two weeks I see my oncologist and a new med will be prescribed and one of the main side effects is fluid retention.  Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

At this writing, I will be retiring on August 15th of this year.  After 32 years I’ve finally had enough, well, I’ve had enough long ago but I can officially retire when I turn 55 so I’m turning in my notice.  I’ve got a lot of hobbies so I know I will stay busy.

I’m working on a Youtube video about the tornado that went through our city back in 2011 and I’m doing some test shots with my drone.  Let me know what you think of it.  In the video that I’m working on, I will hopefully show some areas of our city that still shows some damage that the tornado left.  I will also show areas of major improvements that wouldn’t have happened if the tornado hadn’t visited our city.

There’s a lot more going on but I’ll post about it later.  I hope you enjoy the video.

 

Tim

Caney Creek Falls

11 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by in Nature, Photography

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I’m a bit late posting this but I’ve just now got around to it.  This trail head in the Jasper/Double Springs area of the Bankhead National Forest.  If you’re ever in this area I would highly recomend this place.

The trail starts off down hill for about twenty yards or so.  Which is fine but you’ve got to come back up.  The trail itself is rather nice.  It’s farly wide for the most part but does narrow down to a single person for a bit before reaching the falls.

My wife and I followed this trail for about a mile and a half when we saw a young lady sitting on a log off to the side of the trail.  Surrounding her was another female and a male friend.  The lady on the log looked like she was having some heat related issues.  I offered one of my bottles but they refused any help from us.  Evedently, the hill going down to the falls was steeper than I had read.

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Going down this hill was tough on my legs but not near as tough as going up it.  Once to the falls you had to climb down to the creek to get any pictures of the falls.  There were several young people swiming and I feel sure the water was cold.  My wife didn’t venture down to the falls because she was afraid she’d fall.  The same thought had entered my mind as well but I just walked a little over a mile to get here and I wan’t going to let a little climb turn me around.

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As we guessed, the climb out of there was slow for me.  It took me a while for me to reach the flatter area because I had to stop and catch my breath several times.  Once we made it to the top of the hill it wasn’t so bad getting back to out truck.  With the exception of the last twenty yards.

For anyone with breathing issues or congestive or heart issues, I would not recommend this trail.  All others, have at it. Simeple two mile in/out trail.

 

Good to See Improvement

02 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Cycling, Photography

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It’s hard to believe that just over a month ago I couldn’t walk to my bicyle much less ride it.  Today I completed a little under 14 miles and I’m really excited about it.  A couple of months ago I asked my cardiologist if I would be able to ride by bike again and he assured me that I would be back on it this Spring.  At that time I wan’t able to walk any distance at all without getting out of breath so no, I didn’t believe him.  Now look at me!!

I’m just now getting to the point where I’m enjoying my rides. When I first started I wan’t able to do anything but concentrate on my breathing.  I wasn’t able to look around and enjoy the beauty or take in the smells.  Today brought back a lot of memories when I used to ride all the time.  The smell of BBQ grilling on the grill, the smell of freashly cut grass and the smell of dead animals on the side of the road. (You got to take the good with the bad).  My breathing is still off but I know that will get better over time.

Untill next time, Happy Trails!!

 

Update 12/17/2016

17 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by in Cancer, Family, Photography

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It’s been over a month since I’ve been in the hospital.  I count that as a good thing.  I’m still very fatigued, short of breath, these nitro patches are giving me headaches and I get fairly dizzy when I stand up from a sitting position but other than that I’m feeling pretty good.  I have all my kids home at least for a little while so that’s making me real happy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

Have I Told You Lately How Much I Hate Hospitals??

15 Tuesday Nov 2016

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To get it out of the way and I know everyone is tired of seeing pictures of the “Super Moon”,  here is the one that I spent over an hour trying to get the exposure correct.  Not exactly happy with it because it’s still a little out of focus.

A lot has happened since my last post and I’ll try to make it short as to not bore anyone.  But a brief recap is in order.  Back in August I had major breathing issues and I checked myself into the hospital thinking it was my heart.  They did a stress test, an echo-cardiogram and a heart heart cath. and found that I had 70% blockage in one of my arteries where they placed two stents.  My breathing had not improved any.

They then decided to do some breathing tests and ordered a CT scan.  They found fluid in my lungs.  They drew out 2 liters of fluid from my right lung.  I felt great afterwards.  They think that it’s my CML meds causing the fluid retention.

Two months later, in October, my breathing started getting bad again. My pulmonary doctor ordered another CT scan and found more fluid in my lungs.  He pulled just over a liter of fluid off my right lung.  Keep in mind that they haven’t touched my left lung.

Since all the fluid has started building up in my lungs, all three of my doctors (cardiologist, pulmonary and oncologist) agreed that a reduction of dosage in my CML meds.  It was reduced from 100 mg to 80 mg.  But my problem returned even quicker after my last fluid withdrawal.

Last Monday, November 7th, I couldn’t take it any longer.  I had to get some relief.  I couldn’t do anything without stopping and catching my breath.  Tuesday, after I voted, I went to the emergency room. I told them what I wanted them to do and they proceeded to do x rays. X rays showed nothing so they proceed to do another stress test and echo cardiogram.  But not after I sat in the emergency room all day on Tuesday.  I was finally admitted late Tuesday evening and they started doing the tests on Wednesday. Wasted a full day on Tuesday.

I was released on Friday evening but not after having another liter and a half removed from my lungs and another diagnosis of diastolic heart failure.  So, I’m on nitroglycerin patches to help me breathe and a whole lot of other meds as well.

 

Another Round

16 Sunday Oct 2016

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Flying High Over Recovered Strip Mining Land

For those that have been following, my breathing had gotten pretty bad as of late.  I’ve been passed around different doctors for several weeks now and finally I was able to get a little relief.  I had to take a full day off last Thursday but I was able to meet with my pulmonologist and he pulled just a little over a liter of fluid off my right lung.  I feel that he could have pulled more out but every little bit helps.  I’m not breathing as well as I was when I got out of the hospital a couple of months ago but they were able to pull 2 liters out last time.  Their not exactly sure why I’m retaining the fluid but they have an idea that it’s the CML meds causing it. They weren’t able to test the fluid last time because the doctor didn’t tell anyone to test it.  This time he took several samples to send to the lab so hopefully they’ll be able to narrow it down as to the cause.

It’s been 28 days since we’ve gotten any rain here.  The picture above shows an area that is normally very green.  As you can see it’s all covered with brown grass.  Can’t wait until we see some rain.

Trying to Stay Up!

01 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Cancer, Depression, Leukemia, Photography, Weight Loss

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Pleasant Grove High School

This blog was supposed to be able to help others that are going through the same stuff I am such as CML, Diabetes and being over weight, deal with life’s up’s and downs.  However, all I seem to be doing is bringing myself down.  How can I be helping others if I can’t seem to help myself.  I keep telling myself that once I get my health back on track I’ll be able to use  this experience to help others if and when they go through something similar.

First things first.  I’m still dealing with my labored breathing.  I think the last time I posted that I was going to see my cardiologist.  Well I did and he scheduled a echo cardiogram of my heart.  Really!  The problem is not my heart but fluid retention in  my lungs.  Anyway, had the test done and after a few days I got a call stating that all was fine.  Then he scheduled a CT scan of my lungs this past Thursday, nothing heard as of yet.  I have an appointment with my GP on Tuesday and my pulmonary on Wednesday.  Keep in mind that every time I have to take off to go to the doctor I have to work over to make up for the time lost.  I’m so sick and tired of having to stay late it’s about to drive me nuts.  Of course, that’s another story.

In the mean time…my employer is stressing me out.  I’m not exactly sure what I’ve posted about this but my boss has noticed some memory problems going on with me.  I, of course have denied all of it but it turns out that I am having some memory issues.  They’ve run a bunch of tests including some neurological tests that are not covered by my insurance company.  I’ll be paying for these tests for years to come.  But it seems that I’m having some short term memory loss.  The neuro psychologist  has even diagnosed me with amnesia.  Seriously??  Now my employer is wanting to demote me to a lower pay grade because I can’t do my previous job because of some safety issues.  If it wasn’t for the money issues I wouldn’t mind doing the job I’m doing now because it’s a whole lot less stressful.  As of yet the doctors have not determined why I’m having these memory issues.  They’ve done a MRI of my head and of course they didn’t find anything up there. (Pun) and they’ve pretty much ruled out my medications as well.

On top of all this the associate health nurse is telling me to seriously consider disability.  I’ve checked into it and can’t afford doing the things it’s asking me to do.  For instance, if you make more than $1300 a month you will be denied right off the bat. With two kids in college, one at home, a wife and all my bills there is no way I can live off of $1300 a month.  I have got less than 23 months before I can retire.  I told the nurse not to mention disability again to me unless she want’s to pay my bills while I’m off making less than $1300 a month.  She didn’t much like that comment.

Regardless how I feel, I try to do something fun at least once a week.  Tomorrow I’m going to my girls college for some homecoming festivities.  Getting to the place is not the issue, it’s once I’m there having to walk the seven to eight blocks to where I can view the parade, that’s going to be the issue.  I’ll be able to spend some time with at least one of my daughters tomorrow but the other one will be busy with band stuff.  I’ll see her in passing.
I’ve also bought a drone.  It’s a Phantom 3 Advanced and so far I like it.  I’m still scared that it will fly away on me and I’ll never see it again.  It takes pretty good pictures and real good video.  I’ve already been asked to do some aerial photography of some upcoming events so at least I’ll be able to sit down while I do that.

Anyway, that’s what’s been going on lately.  Maybe I’ll get some relief for my breathing soon.  We’ll see.

Round Robin With the Doctor’s

18 Sunday Sep 2016

Posted by in Cancer, Depression, Leukemia, Photography

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I’m literally sitting here fighting for each breath I take.  I’ve been on the phone with three different doctors the last two weeks trying to get one of them to make a decision.  We’re all in agreement that we assume that my CML meds are causing fluid to accumulate around my lungs.  The problem I’m facing is finding a doctor willing to take responsibility and assisting me to drain the fluid.  I first contacted my oncologist thinking he would take me off my drug for a few weeks, he suggested contacting my pulmonary doctor.  My pulmonary doctor suggested for me to see my cardiologist.  I contacted my cardiologist and he suggested that I spend the weekend in the hospital.  I refused that option because my daughters were coming in for the weekend and that’s the last place I wanted to be.  So, I go see m cardiologist tomorrow at 3pm.  What the hell he’s going to do is beyond me.  The problem is not my heart it’s the fluid in my lungs.  I’m so put out right now I can’t think straight.

Life’s Changes

05 Monday Sep 2016

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I believe Heraclitus that once said “The only thing that is constant is change.”  This is so true.  How we handle change is what’s important.  There are those that can’t deal with it and go into some sort of mental breakdown while others it’s like water off a duck’s back, or they hide it very well.  My wife is one that can either hide it very well or she has found a way to deal with it.  I guess I need to talk to her to find out how she does it. She does not, however, like the time change.  She fusses about it all the time.  Me, it doesn’t bother me one way or the other.  That’s what I call the little things.  Little things in my book doesn’t bother me so much.  It’s the big things that, if I sit alone in a room and have time to think about it, I worry about it.  So much so that it bothers me; I lose sleep over it, my attitude changes and my temper get’s shorter.

This year alone has been full of changes and misfortunes.  If I had to list them by importance I’d have to say having my girls moving off to college was one of the biggest changes in my life right now.  All the crap with my health is a close second.  But dealing with my girls gone is quite challenging for me to deal with. It’s what I’m used to I guess.  I’m used to seeing one of my girls sitting in the recliner when I get ready to leave for work in the mornings.  I’m used to the same daughter saying grace at meal times.  I’m used to the hug I’d receive right before I’d leave for work in the mornings and the smiles I receive when I got home.  Now, I see empty beds at bedtime, an empty chair at the dinner table and only a phone call late at night to tell me how their day went.  I guess you could say that it’s the beginning of the end of life as I know it.

Anyone with kids will tell me that I’m not alone.  This has been going on for hundred’s of years.  You’d think they would have come up with a cure for this by now.  I know it’s been going on for years but for me, it’s only been going on for five weeks, two days and thirteen hours. I really miss my girls.  I try not to dwell on the fact that they’re not here and that if  I need to talk to them all I got to do is send them a text and when they can they’ll call me back.  Another thing, they’re only an hour away from me.  It’s not like some kids and be hours by plane from their folks.  Oh gees, I’m glad that they’re close by.

I guess there’s one good thing about missing my girls is that while I’m missing them I’m not dwelling on the issues I’m having with my health. That alone will cause anyone to go into deep, dark depression.

I’ve starting trying to get out more and getting more active.  Yesterday I went on a small hike, about 200 yards or so.  I walked down to this creek that our boy scout troop helped clear a path to several years ago.  It’s being used and I even saw some fire rings being used. One thing that I saw that I didn’t like is the amount of trash left by the campers.  Why can’t people pick up their trash?  I can never understand that.  Oh well, thoughts for another story.

Improving? Not so Much.

28 Sunday Aug 2016

Posted by in Cancer, Family, Leukemia, Photography

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I started back on my CML meds last Monday and to be honest I think my breathing has gotten a little worse. I’ve started climbing the steps at work a little more and trying to maintain at least 10,000 steps in a day. I spoke at length to my oncologist last Monday the day I started back on my Sprycell and he told me that the majority of the people who end up with water retention will do better at a lower dosage.  I’m now at 80 mg instead of the 100mg that I was once on.

I’ve decided not to just sit at home waiting to see if my lungs will fill back up with fluid.  I don’t really feel like getting out and doing anything but I feel that I’ve at least got to try  and get what little exercise that I can get.  I think it could only help matters if I get off the couch and do something.

Yesterday, my wife and I met our son at the university where my daughters are attending.  They’re both in the band, one plays the sax and the other is a band manager.  Yesterday was their parent preview show.  It was awesome seeing my daughter’s perform. I got to meet one of their roommates and enjoyed going out to dinner afterwards.  As usual it was hard for us to leave after visiting with them.

Today I went to my parents house to check on them as well as my bees.  It’s been at least two months since I’ve done either one.  The bee yard was grown up with weeds and it took everything I had to use my weedeater to chop down the weeds just so I could get to the beehive.  After about an hour of cleaning up I went and sat with my parents for a couple of hours.

It was hard to leave my parents. They are both getting up in age and their health is not as good as it used to be.  My mom had to have more surgery a couple of weeks ago on her diaphragm due to finding a hole where her colon and her intestine were coming through.  The doctors seem to think that this was caused by the accident they had back in February.

The above picture is of the band managers.  The young lady is my daughter.  What a  trooper.