OOO, EEE, OOO AH AH TING TANG
Tests, I have never liked them. Visits to the Doctor, I never liked them, either. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the combination of both would not be something I would like. However, the math has happen and the two have come together in my life.
See in the past the only time I would see my doctor was when I went in for my yearly physical. However, I am getting older and this year I have seen my doctor a lot. Earlier in the year I had about two months were I was very sick with pneumonia and some other things; so I had to keep going the doctor till I was better.
I thought I was ok and it was back to just yearly physicals. Wrong. A few months ago, I started having a problem where many times a day I would feel like I am being chocked and I would start gagging. It was like there are hands around my throat trying to stop me from breathing. At first, I thought heart burn or stress or both. However, the problem really bugged me; so back to the doctor’s I went. Then after some time with him, he has sent me off to do some test.
The first test was a endoscopy (EDG). That is the visual examination of the upper intestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum). This exam was performed using a flexible tube called an endoscope. They sprayed my throat a local anesthetic to numb it which did not taste good, but probably the worst part of the whole deal. Then they connected a IV to me and gave me some sedative and out I went in just a few seconds. The first time in my life I have ever been put all the way under. A strange thing, but I did not want to be awake when tubes went down my throat. While I was out, they looked at everything and did a biopsies.
The second exam was a Barium Swallow Test. This is atest where you stand in front on a machine that sends X-Ray/Radiation through you while you eat and drink various things covered in very disgusting tasting Barium. Then they watch as it goes through you throat and to your stomach. As nice as the five ladies who were there given me the test, I must say I really did not like it because of the Barium. Yucky. If there are more test, I hope I get one that does not include things that taste bad.
Well, at this point, I still have a follow-up with my doctor to see what the test tell us, and to figure out what is next. I hope they find some before long. I was kind of worried that this was going to be a big drain on our pocketbook. Well, I no longer worry, I know. Why, you ask? No, I have not gotten a bill, but a revelation. The other day I a saw a car with the license plate, “SCOTDOC”. Now I know. 
LikeDANCIN’ CROSS THE DESERT – PART III
Editor Note:
This entry is a part of multiple entries about our trip to Palm Springs, CA for my brothers wedding.
Part 3: Wedding
The big day was here, but this is entry is about Brian and Shawn’s wedding not the Broncos/Raider game. This Sunday was about the joining of a man and woman before God, family, and friends.
They had their share of normal wedding plans that did not quite work, but all it all things had to come together nicely. The biggest problem I know of that they had, was the golf course where they had the wedding and reception double booked them with another wedding. So that is why their wedding was moved to Sunday instead of Saturday. Thus explaining why they would have the game during a Bronco’s game. I was glad it was not during the Super Bowl.
When we got to the golf course, we were not sure that we had found the right golf course. After a little exploring, we did find an area that was setup for a wedding. So we hung out there hoping it was Brian and Shawn’s wedding and sure enough it was! The ceremony took place looking overlooking the ninth hole near the club house. I had a deep urge to yell four during the wedding, but some how I was able to control myself.
As for the ceremony, it was a short, simple, and nice. Shawn’s uncle performed the wedding (who is a minister in Arizona) and it come off just fine. The reception was good, the food was good, and the chocolate wedding cake was a big hit. All in all things went smooth and now my favorite brother is married. Ok, he is my only brother, but sitll he is my favorite brother.
We flew out Monday afternoon. Our flight plan was to go from Palm Springs to LA to Denver. However, our LA flight got canceled and we got moved to a much later flight. The customer service rep at Skywest Airlines (the airline Brian and Shawn work for) was AWESOME and got us on a direct flight from Palm Springs to Denver. So instead of staying in LA for a long time, we actually got home much sooner than we orginally were planning on.
It was nice to get back to Denver where it was cool and snowing instead of the heat of Palm Springs. Mindy and Lynzee disagreed with me on this, but they had their time of year already. It is it time for me to get to enjoy some cool weather instead of that horrible heat.
All and in it was a nice trip and we welcome Shawn to the family.
DANCIN’ CROSS THE DESERT – PART II
Editor Note:
This entry is a part of multiple entries about our trip to Palm Springs, CA for my brothers wedding.
Part 2: Comparison
With some sleep, Mindy and I with Lynzee got up and went to breakfast with Mom, Dad, Aunt Phyliss, & Uncle Delbert at Coco’s. Then we drove around, took in some sights, and did a few things we needed to get done . The weather was a miserable 89 degrees. Ok, miserable for me. I hate heat and any temps above 70 degrees as that is too hot for me.
Then later that afternoon, that big moment in life finally came. The one you hear about all the time at church or from friend, that you know someday it will happen to you. Now here it was, my first visit to a In-N-Out.
I must say I was surprised by the crowd there. It was 2 PM and that was place was just packed out. It was hard to find a parking place (it was kind of like being stuck on an interest state) and the line for food was still long. I have learned from Californians who are transplanted in Colorado, that they tend to be addicted to In-N-Out. So it was exciting to finally eat at one of the shines they worship at.
The food was good, better than any other fast-food burger joint, but not by a lot. I am not sure it was worth the fighting of the traffic and long line just for it. Oh, I know I just afforded so many friends here, but hey, it is what it is. It was nice to visit a place where customer service was good, but it just was not the event of a lifetime. I will not be doing any 12 hours trip out west just to go back.
I did like that the hamburger wrappers had Revelation 3:20 on them, that the soda cups had John 3:16 on them, and that the cups for shakes had Proverbs 3:5 on them. However, why don’t the fries has a verse on their wrapper? Are fries too evil for a verse or did we miss it?
Afterwards, we went back to the hotel and hung at there before heading to Brian and Shawn’s for the rehearsal dinner/BBQ. At the event, Brian and Shawn had lots of foods and pies (because they thought cousin Greg was coming but he had to cancel at the last minute). The burgers were big, not some little skinny things, it was most of the cow. They have lots of left over food, mostly because Greg did not show up. So if you are his neck of the woods, just stop by they can feed you.
As part of the entertainment, they had a projection screen set up in there back yard to play a video, which I made for a Christmas gift about 10 years ago of the family. I was shocked to see that they would torture their guest with it, but hey it is Better Than A Picture of Brian. They also had a more update to date, computer presentation of Shawn and Brian that they made and it was cool.
The rest of night was talking Brian and Shawn, her family, my family, some of his friends I had met before, and some I had never met but had heard about.
DANCIN’ CROSS THE DESERT – PART I
Editor Note:
This entry is a part of multiple entries about our trip to Palm Springs, CA for my brothers wedding.
Part 1: Waiting
We left the airport on a flight to Palm Springs, CA on Friday evening. This flight marked the third time I had flown on a plane that there was a good chance my brother, who is an mechanic for the airline, might have worked on it. Who is says I do not live life on the edge? Just kidding he is a great mechanic and I feel very safe being in any thing he has worked on.
We had no problems with the flight and we arrived right on time (although for some reason some of the family thought we were two hours late, so to them I say read your email with our flight info next time). My brother and dad (he and mom had driven to California during the week) picked us up at the airport and we headed over to his home. At his house we got to meet his bride-to-be and some of her family. Also, at the house was my mother and my Aunt Phyliss and Uncle Delbert (who drove from Kansas to be there).
After a bit, we headed off to our motel. Years ago, I had to do some business travel for the company who employed me; so I have my share of bad business trips and hotel problems. I have had a room with a dead rat in the shower, one with blood on the bed sheets, another one had a heater that would not shut off when the temperature was around 100 degrees with 99% humidity, and there are a few more fun ones like those. However, I must say this one bugged me the most because it was the worst customer service I have ever seen.
It was already late and we were tired from the travel and the time change. We got in the lobby of the hotel and it took the four people behind the desk 35 minutes to acknowledge us and help us. Bad sign. Then the first guy did not know what he was doing so we had to wait for one of the other three. Even when they gave us help they acted like it was worst thing they ever had to do. Yep, that is wonderfully customer service.
Finally, we get our room and walk around the hotel to get to it. When we go there, it was a smoking room that we could not stand (we had ask for non-smoking). So we had to walk back to the front desk, wait to be talked to again. After awhile, we convinced them to help us and change our room. So about one hour and half after we got there (around 12 AM PCT) we got a room we could sleep in.
The room itself was extremely dirty, filled with ants, spiders and hard beds. At least it was a place to crash. So if you go to Palm Springs, CA, avoid staying at the Ramada Resort in Palm Springs, CA unless you enjoy bad rooms and horrible service. I know we will never stay there again.
At this point, I was just hoping the rest of the wedding weekend did not go so bad.
FIRST TO FIGHT FOR RIGHT AND FREEDOM
Just wanted to take a few seconds to say a big THANK YOU to the Veterans (both past and current) who have served my county. I am truly grateful for your sacrifice and service for us.
Monkey Meditations
- News: Hollywood Sign Gets a Face Life.
- My Thoughts: Why not, everyone else there gets them.
- Sure Brady beats Manning in most football games, but the real questions is who has the better commercials?
- Both guys have pretty funny ads, but there is something about Peyton’s presentation that makes me laugh more.
- Taking a line from Kravitz, I say lets put Bill Belichick and David Stern in a room and see what happens to each other’s dress code.
- News: Eagles sit T.O. for the rest of the season.
- My Thoughts: A miracle, a NFL team cares more about doing the right thing over winning.
- Time to push new blogs by friends!
- First, Movedon.org Blog. Which is being writing by my good friend Bill, and it should be a fun read.
- The other blog, I am very excited about; as it comes my friend A.B. I been pushing for her to start one because she is a great writer with a great ministry. I am sure she would have started one without me talking to her about one, but my ego wants to take some credit! Check out Concrete Cross.
- News: UBC Tragedy.
- My Thoughts: Wow, life can be short and we never know when our time on earth will end. A big heart-felt sympathies and pray to Kyle Lake’s wife, three kids, the rest of the family, friends, and members of his church.
- The Dodgers are looking at a woman for their open GM job. Good for them, but I really do not care if they hire a man or a woman. I just want someone who will do a worst job than the Rockies. That is all I ever ask of the Dodgers.
- Rockies biggest off-season loss will be Triple AAA pitching coach, Bob McClure, who took a “step-up” to the Royals pitching coach job.
- How many ex-managers will the Yankee’s hire this off-season as coaches for their manager? Bet Joe Torre is feeling safe in his job, huh?
- News: Newspaper Circulations Continues to Drop
- My Thoughts: Duh. Finally, a story the LSM gets right without much need for research.
