Cass and Cashmere, I hope everything goes as well as it can with your families.

I just talked to my Dad; he had a chemical stress test today (not a treadmill stress test; a chemical stress test is where the doctors give the patient medication that increases the heart rate and simulates the effects of exercise on the body), and the doctor said he saw "some things in the back." That's a quote from my Dad, who isn't very medically savvy; I'm assuming the doctor was more precise in his explanation, but I talked to Dad, not the doctor. I have no idea what part of the heart "in the back" refers to, and I have even less idea what "some things" are supposed to mean.

And that just amps up my stress and frustration. It's not Dad's fault; he really, really just doesn't grasp complicated medical terminology. And he's made a real effort to educate himself about heart disease, and he knows a lot, but only in broad strokes, in a big-picture sense.

For instance, take the current situation. He knows that the doctor saw something not quite right on the stress test; given Dad's medical history, he (Dad) knows it's likely to be more blockage. And that's all he needs to know.

But I feel so helpless and frustrated, and it would help *me* be less stressed if I knew what "some things" meant and what part of the heart, exactly, is "in the back."

Anyway. He's going to have another angiogram on Monday, to go into the veins/arteries and see what's what. And *that* frustrates me, b/c he just HAD an angiogram on Tuesday! Yes, 5 days ago. Why in the hell didn't the "some things" show up on THAT angiogram?

So he has to stay in the hospital until Monday at the earliest, and possibly Tuesday. Balls.

Also, I'm really, really tired and I don't know why and I have been for about 2 weeks and it's really annoying me. Tired, like suck-all-my-marrow-out tired. I would go to the doctor, but that's a really non-specific symptom, and there's nothing else wrong with me, and I hate looking like a hypochondriac, and *everyone* is tired, you know? Bah.

I'm sorry for the frustration with your dad's flow of medical information. I hope you can hear what you need to hear on Monday. I'm glad he went to the hospital, rather than assuming he was over reactiing.

Sometimes, the change of seasons/allergies make me tired. I have been really tired for a couple of weeks. Stress makes you tired. Fewer minutes of sunshine makes you tired. Are you using Ray yet, Teppy? Oh, too, maybe your BP meds could be cut, or something, too?

Tep, I'm glad your dad is, for the moment, more or less okay. I hope that the "some things" turn out to be nothing.

I wish I could send you a bowl of corn chowder - it would make you happy. It makes us happy.

I vote stress + season chane and general fustration with lifre is makeing you tired - however I don't think it hurts to go talk to a doctor - there are bunches of things that can make you tired. esp whenit has been two weeks.

Maybe you need a thyroid test. My mom's stopped working, but she's doing well on synthroid.

My grandmother apparently fell and hit her head earlier today (of all the dumb things) and, after going down to lunch because she couldn't reach anyone on the phone, went to the hospital (and thence to another hospital) and is now being given a less than 10% chance of making it through the night. (Fewer than 10%? No, percent is continuous, I think.) And if she does make it, they'll put her on a palliative care ward because she wants no extraordinary meaasures (this implies some pretty serious head trauma, I guess). So I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be hoping for -- whatever she'd prefer, I suppose. So can I get whatever-grandmother-wants vibes?

(I got this thirdhand: my mother called me after getting a call from my aunt in California about my grandmother who lives in Kansas, so all the details I have are those contained here.)

Oh, Emily, I am so sorry. Peace-ma to you and yours.

Oh my goodness, Emily. Hugs to you and your grandma.

{{{{{{{Emily}}}}}}}}} {{{{{{{Cass}}}}}}}}} {{{{{{{Cash}}}}}}}}}

Storm coming through, may lose internet connection.

Daniel and I had a great day at the 35th annual Minnesota Renaisance Festival. Saw lots of costumes, including one man in a kilt and fishnet stockings. After wandering around awhile, Daniel's cramped toes caused him to stop to take out the extra insoles from his boots. These are boots which cannot be left where the Sammie cat can get to them, as she views them as her own scratching posts. She apparently also thinks of them as her personal toy chest as well. Along with the insoles, Daniel removed a small toy mouse from the toe box of one boot.

While viewing various jewelry shops, I was keeping my eye out for a nice crystal pendent to replace the aqua aura crystal I broke several weeks ago. We had covered most of the grounds, and were meandering toward the main gate to leave, when I spotted a lovely loose crystal on a display - green mostly, with a bit of pinkish-lavender in the center. I picked it up, and immediately wanted it - I could feel it warm to my hands faster than the other crystals I had touched, could feel its vibration. When I inquired as to the price, the proprietor responded that the raw, loose crystals were generally not for sale, and if that particular one were for sale, he would charge $125 for it. Then he added, "But for you, it's free."

Dumb as a post, I was, and blinking like an idiot. He told his assistant, "Go talk to her, she's looking at me funny."

Assistant said, "He does that every hour, gives something away. The festival has been very good to us, and he wants to give something back."

Daniel told the fellow, "On Andi's behalf, because she's too overwhelmed to speak, I thank you."

nice to be blessed Andi... I would say that crystal was ment to be yours

best and what grndma wishes ma~~~` going out. Strenght and peace to you and your family Emily