T minus 7…

Star Date 30092016

No. I cannot explain it. Nor can I recall the last time I saw Pinocchio. I know my kids never watched that one with me:

Yep…When You Wish Upon a Star. Of course I picked a picture that resembles Jiminy acting like I just got duped…or like he just farted. As farts are funny…what else is a cricket to do?

See? Funny…every time.

Fast forward. Hit the treadmill at an ungodly hour this morn…okay…all mornings. I suspect that will change…shortly. The hope was to take my mind and Charlie’s mind off today’s appointment. Yeah….that didn’t work. We arrived with time to spare…thankfully. AGH remains in a constant state of disrepair and upheaval. If the doctors weren’t so good, it would be a whole lot easier to go elsewhere. When we got to the correct office in the correct building with the correct doctor on the correct side of the office, I was told to fill out paperwork I was certain they must have on file already…given I have filled it out…the exact same paperwork…no less than four times now. I didn’t get half way through it and we were called back by an unpleasant MA. Alright…almost go time. Sit and wait. Doc shows up and asks about my history…also something he has readily available at his fingertips. We run through that. He does a neurological assessment…which just means things we as parent do to screw with our kids when they are babies. Testing reflexes. Pull my finger. Stuff like that. Amazingly, I passed. Dr. Wright explains that I have a tortuous carotid artery. Looks similar to this…although we did not get to see mine…maybe next week:

tortuous carotid artery

Normal:

So…instead of a dissection of an artery, mine just twists and turns. Green light for surgery, so countdown continues. Alas, Doc Yu will need to stay awake during my pumpkin carving, as the artery will present a bit of a challenge. I am assuming that is why he makes the big bucks. Upon hearing this news, Jess and I both started breathing…for maybe the first time in a month. Alright…no stroke. Matt M will be so disappointed that he doesn’t have to cart me off to one of the states that allows euthenasia. Bummer for many.

Fast forward. Ann and the baby are here. …another way to offset stress. Mostly because a toddler makes it so you cannot get any rest whatsoever. Additionally, we are getting stuff prepped for Charlie’s party, tomorrow. Weird to think that tomorrow is truly a celebration after the news from earlier today.

Fast forward. Heading to the Gandy Dancer to meet up with Norm. We haven’t been there in quite a while. Robert…our normal …rather…regular…hmmm. I don’t know his bathroom habits…Robert is the favored bartender. He should be there. Laughter to abound.

Final thought. Today was a stellar day. Amazing how a tiny piece of good news is enough to remind me how little sleep I’ve had and been functioning anyway. All of a sudden, I am tired. Good feeling.