PTA to HIT? Life is best taken one day at time...

I've made a major decision not to reapply to the Physical Therapist Assistant program. I dropped the Intro to PT course I was going to take this semester and decided to wash my hands of it. It's not that the field of work doesn't interest me, it's more that it doesn't interest me enough, and the job prospects aren't promising enough for me to devote two more years of my life to, particularly at this point in my life. Had I been accepted into the program this year, I would be devoted whole-heartedly and enthusiastically right now. But after the rug was pulled out from under my feet, and I got up and dusted myself off, I was forced to look around for something else to do with my academic time, and this coding direction I started taking has made me feel like I might have a knack for health information technology. It all seems to come fairly easily to me. Furthermore, I have to think of using my education as a means to secure skills that could lead to a type of employment that will carry me through traditional retirement age and beyond. As much as I have tried to deny it, my body being what it is - or isn't - is not going to want to perform physical therapy tasks on other people for that many years. I think I'm being sensible.

At the same time, I made a physically therapeutic re-discovery this week - kinesio-tape! My MRI of my foot didn't reveal anything more than plantar faciitis and a cyst on my ankle (Oh, and by the way, plantar faciitis is not something I should refer to as "nothing more than" - it hurts like hell, and takes forever to heal), and so the foot specialist told me to continue with the exercises (which produced more pain), and using the night splint (which produced more & different pains), and the heel cushions in my shoes (which produced some cushioning but no significant relief). But this week a co-worker told me about how she uses "magic tape" on her foot, that she gets at the running store she goes to. When she told me about it, I remembered that a chiropractor once tried using it on my back to relieve inflammation. She brought me a box of kt tape to try and I'm shocked, but my foot feels better! I actually had some relief the first day! I highly recommend kinesiotaping for whatever ails you. Maybe I could go to KinesioTape U. and get a bachelor of kinesiotaping arts degree? Maybe kinesiotape can eliminate all sorts of irritations - like an irritating boss or an irritating neighbor!

Don. That might be his name. Or it might not. But I'll call him Don for the purpose of this post. I've taken to going to one of the student lounges to study over the last couple of weekends. I've been getting over to school to concentrate on my homework a bit later in the day, so rather than set myself up in the library, only to pack it all up & move after a short time, I've set up in one of the lounges. It's not a silent study area, and I'm not surrounded by the walls of a study carrel, eliminating visual distraction. So for an adult with ADD, this isn't always the best spot for serious homework. But on the weekends, the people using the lounges are basically working just like I am, so they are relatively quiet. As is Don. I've seen him around campus. Being a college campus it's quite ordinary to see people carrying large bags full of books, laptops, water bottles & snacks. Don's probably a bit older than I am, and I noticed him in the corner of the lounge reading a book, his backpack & another bag by his side. Occasionally, he would get up & go for a walk, perhaps to smoke, and then he'd return & pick up his paperback again. Some time after the last of the other three students left the lounge for the evening, he opened his bag and took out two reusable plastic bowls and began to warm his dinner in the microwave. When I had seen him previously, sometimes he'd be in the library at one of the computers, other times watching television in the SRC, I'd suspected that he was homeless, but seeing him set up his dinner, I felt pretty sure about it. I hadn't made any conversation with him, even though we were the only ones in the room. I actually was concentrating on getting my work done, and know enough about myself that once I allow myself any verbal distraction, the work is doomed. A campus security officer came by and I wondered if he was going to send Don packing, but instead he greeted him in a friendly way and suggested they get a pizza next time - his treat - and said he'd come by later to talk for a while. Listening to the exchange and finally hearing his voice, I realized how Don was just like me or anyone else. A regular man who through some misfortune did not have a home of his own. It made me feel a little sad, but also respectful of his cheerfulness. I got to thinking about what life must be like for him and what might have landed him in the situation he was in. Did he have a job? He had money for his food and his own utensils that he brought with him, and he got an iced tea from the vending machine. I felt such an awareness of how fragile our life situations can be. We always think of life being fragile, as in life & death. But the realization that anyone could be an illness or a job loss away from loosing home and possessions overwhelmed me. Then I thought - no rent, no mortgage, no property tax - is that the up-side of the situation? A quiet place to read a book, a library with free use of a computer and lounge with a microwave to warm dinner. Yes, it was a crazy mix of thoughts & emotions as I finished the reading & work for my computer class & packed up to go home for the night. And Don curled up on the small couch. He was in the same lounge the next day when I came back and we said hello and talked briefly about the sunny weather before I started on my coding homework and he sat down with his book.

Time? to Pause? to Think? to Write...

I've been wanting to get to this for some time now. As little as I think happens in my life, I'm sure there is plenty I could write about, for your benefit as well as my own. Fall semester ended. The holidays are over. Spring semester has yet to begin. So here I go...
First let me start by mentioning my reconnection with Diane ("Simone", in some circles - which happen to include just me and Diane, and Stacey, who has known Diane since she was a toddler I think, and connects with her spiritually when in need of good energy and a good parking space.). Dee & I have been friends for over 20 years I think, and though we have been separated from time to time, either by geography or by time constraints, we are never apart from each other. But this fall we met for dinner after not seeing each other for a couple of years I think, and again just before the holidays. I am hopeful that we will get together again in the next couple of weeks, before my school schedule is in full swing. Her birthday is just around the corner and she marks a milestone this year. I think it's...hmmm...49! Yes, I think that's it - 49. She can correct me if she needs or wants to when we meet next. When I think of the good friends I've lost because they passed too young, I just have to say "Happy Birthday, Simone! You mean more to me than you know and together we are forever young!"
Today I started the day with an MRI of my foot. I've been having pain in my heel & up the side of the back of my heel since July, when I had to do some hand-walking of Biff in my western boots, which are not very supportive to my feet. I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis by a PA just before we visited Eric & Chandra in August. I did the exercises & the icing thing for a time, but probably left out the resting part of the therapy. While there has been some improvement, I still have problems with pain on the outside of my heel. So now, after a visit to the foot specialist, its time to see what might be causing that. Now, he did tell me to keep up on the plantar faciitis exercises etc, and I'll give that.
After the MRI, I went to the COD Bookstore to get my books for this semester, but alas, the financial aid office still hasn't given my scholarship info to the bookstore, so I have to go the the FA office on Monday and get a voucher for my books.
From COD, I sent myself over to BR Ryall YMCA. There I took a tour, talked with one of the assistant managers, and signed myself up. With Biff in Missouri now I need to make myself spend some time in physical activity. If I don't I'll allow myself to spend all my time either behind the desk and on my feet at work, behind a desk in class or behind a desk studying. I love to study and work on schoolwork, but it is not always the healthy thing for me to be doing. My plan is to start swimming, work out some in the fitness center, and eventually join some classes that will hold me accountable. In order to keep myself from making excuses from the start, I immmediately began my search for swimwear. It's a scary proposition, but I have to get into some and get into the water. I was not able to make a purchase today, but I think I have an idea where to go.
Backing up now, the holidays were wonderful. Eric & Chandra were here and Stacey made her first trip home from Missouri. Evan, who has moved into an apartment near school was here, of course too. Ted, Kelli & Meghan, Bill & Sarah, and Phil & Christie and all my buddies were here for Christmas Day. Christmas Eve we spent with the Anderson side at Byron & Pam's in Lake Zurich and celebrated Marv's mom's 80-something-th birthday. It seems we don't get together with Byron & Pam but once a year, which is too bad, because I always enjoy our evening with them. My hat is off to them for having us all, especially Pam who is a wonderful hostess.
And my fall semester of college classes was a tough one, in that I was not studying anything I really wanted to. Not being accepted into the PT Assistant program at COD, I took a Billing & Coding class in an effort to find out if health information technology interested me at all. Well, I got an A in the class and I think I will do very well as I have decided to continue with that course of study for now. I'm not sure that a job in that field would be any more rewarding intellectually than the job what I have now, but if I need to possess a marketable skill, this is a good road to follow. Still, it is a desk job, and I need to find ways to MOVE. In addition to that, I took the second half of the math class I need as a prerequisite to any other college mathematics class I might have to take. I didn't need to take it for anything in particular at this point, but depending on what my future holds, I may need it, so I decided to get it done. I only got a C in that course and I blame that on the instructor for being a very poor educator. Given an instructor with an education degree instead of just math degrees, someone who genuinely desires to promote learning & success, I would have received a better grade in the end. I could go on about this, but I won't, as I know the subject is indeed debatable and in the long run, so goes life. I'll take the C and know that the instructor only earned a C. I learned much more than that grade suggests. The good news is that it is not a course that affects my college transcript. In other words, I still have a 4.0!
Gonzo. Gonzo is an absolute joy. Except when he steals the potatoes for roasting right out of the pan on the counter, without moving the pan. Then he is just our handsome and forgivable Gonzo. Just ask Marv. We love him, so we had couscous tonight instead of potatoes. He gets into bed with me at night and after Marv leaves for work in the morning. He is always available for snuggling & cuddling, and in fact, he often insists on it. After Baron left us I wasn't really noticing the effect on Marv & me, until Gonzo came and engaged us in what we have been used to for 30-some years - caring for someone other than ourselves. We need him. Oh, yea, we wanted to take him, but I realize now that we really needed him. He is a joy. I hope that soon Phil & Christie can begin to explain to Zachary where Gonzo is and that we will be able to take him to visit the buddies. I know they miss each other some and an occasional visit would do them all good. Z was telling me last time we were over at his house how Pinot and Gonzo were his best friends. He told me Gonzo comes on his bed & cuddles with him. I know what he means! It's nice. And I want to give him that sometimes. I'd bring Z over here, but we don't have a fenced yard for them to play in and in the house there's not enough space. Mom's would be a perfect meeting place, but that's not so practical either. In time, all in good time.
On the technology front, Evan & I got new phones this week. Droids. Sorry iPhone relatives, we wanted to stick with Verizon and since Evan was hot on the Droid, and they offered a deal, we both got them. He has the Motorola and I have the HTC Eris. Its really fun to be able to connect to the internet wherever I am and get what I want. On the other hand, the first bill hasn't come yet. I am thankful that Evan is aware of the cost and sharing in it, if not bearing the larger part. He takes good care of me on that front.
Eric & Chandra gave me Her Fearful Symmetry for Christmas and I just finished it night before last. Congrats to Audrey on another enjoyable literary adventure! I look forward again to the next and feel blessed that I was able to spend time with you on several occasions. I love your imagination. Thank you Chris for that connection. And now on to Michael Pollan who is already, in the first few pages of his book, Second Nature, is describing gardening just as I imagine it to be! Come May, we'll see what remains of the garden Marv & I started last May, and perhaps with inspiration from this book, we'll forge ahead.
Well, it's been good chatting. The cold/flu I've had for the last two weeks is taking it's toll for today and I'm wiped. It's 7:33pm and I have my glass of water, & regardless of the playoff games, am ready to climb into bed with my book & call it a day.
Tomorrow, belated birthday dinner for my Dad (since Marv & I were terribly sick last week), and the end of the semester break. Tuesday I have my orientation at the Y and I start classes this coming Thursday. They include Diagnostic Coding, Intro to PT, and Intro to Computer Info Systems. Wish me luck!

Hey!

I just returned from moving Stacey to Oronogo, Missouri. I still don't think I realize how far away she is from home. It'll come to me over the next few weeks, as I realize that I am not going to ride on the weekends and she is not here for Thanksgiving. Its okay though, as I need to focus on some other things that I have either rushed or neglected. I'm really going to miss having Stacey & Biff within reach. I wish I had kissed Biff's nose before I left and patted his neck. I'll go back in a few weeks & see how he is doing and see how Stacey has made the house she is living in her own. She is very nervous tonight about getting started, I know, but once she & Liz get to know each other & get into a rhythm I know they will be a great combo.
This is the point at which, I think, Marv & I are really becoming empty nester's. Ev has moved into an apartment. Stacey is out of my immediate reach. Eric & Chandra are out in Eugene. Evan is still close, which is nice. Hmm.
Gonzo has joined us and is really fun to have here. He really is a well behaved buddy for us. He needs more exercise than we have been offering him so far, but I just don't know if there is a more snuggly dog anywhere!

Times & Changes

Wow, it's been a while hasn't it? So much has happened and yet it all seems the same sometimes. I guess I left you in a bit of a lurch there, when Dad was just trying to get through the trials of his arrhythmia and the treatment thereof. Dad is much better now, but more aware of the effect of age on his body. I still choose to ignore that. He's just "Dad". He never changes in my eyes and in my heart.
The same goes for Mom, who slipped on the stairs last week and broke her wrist. She has it in a cast now. I'm hoping she can heal it up alright. I am fully aware that bones don't heal as well when we get older as they could have when we are young. She's had her share of broken bones in her life. I wonder if it gets to be "old hat" after a while!
I have to keep a closer eye on those two and it's hard to do when I'm working & going to school. Some would slow down, maybe give up the education, to get on top of these situations. Be critical if you must. But I know Mom & Dad are behind me on this college thing. So it's for them as much as me, that I want to finally get this education. I'm workin' on it. I'm in too deep to get out now.
As for the education - I'm taking a math class this semester (YUCK) and CPT Coding. Coding is what needs to happen in the health care industry for a third-party payer (aka insurance/Medicare) to pay. I was not admitted to my program of choice - Physical Therapist Assistant - and I am sorely disappointed. What makes that even worse is that my Coding class is directly across the hall from the PT Assistant Lab. I wanted nothing but that program for my educational goal and I'm not there. I'll give it one more try next year. I'll spend as much time as I can volunteering to get more clinical experience before I apply again. I have been accepted to take the Intro to PT course in the spring semester. In the mean time I will continue to work toward an Associate degree, so that I can continue toward a Bachelor degree if I need to.
Evan is out on his own now. This is especially wierd for me. Since he kept and worked such unusual hours while he was living here (and I'm quite sure that he probably still does), and he stops over frequently, nothing seems that different. Well, except I don't hear him playing his guitar. It was just after Marv & I returned from Oregon that Ev gave us the news that he was moving into an apartment with another weather geek! I think he's enjoying it and I'm happy for that as long as he continues his education. He's been wonderful about working his way through school on his own. That has to come first, and if his lease ends and he wants back in here that's fine. But seriously - who really wants to move back home once they have been on their own?
Our trip to Oregon was so wonderful! I loved being with Eric & Chandra in their own surroundings and with their friends. It was such a relaxing trip. Much needed. On previous trips we hiked and tried to take in all that we could in such a short time. This time we just chilled, hung out, played games, ate fresh fruits & veggies from their garden, enjoyed their culinary delights, their company and their community. I could live in that community quite happily. But not yet. I have some responsibilities and work to take care of.
And as Evan has moved into his own apartment, Stacey may be moving farther away than ever before. I went down to Missouri with her to interview for a new job with one of the elite Arabian horse trainers in the country. If all goes well, it looks like she will be moving in November. It's an amazing opportunity and I'm very excited for her.
We lost Baron on Easter. You likely know that. But I haven't posted anything about it. He lived to be 17. He was amazing and an incredible joy for all of us. After that, Marv said "no dogs". Guess what...
Now we have Gonzo! Phil & Christie just have too many tiny children to be able to handle him right now, and so he has come to live with us! He is so handsome and affectionate! He is a high energy dog - Aussies always are! - and I don't know if we can do him justice in the energy department, but we are loving having him here. He is adjusting nicely to his new situation & surroundings, and helps himself to bread & chips if he is hungry! Okay, that only happened once. He thinks he is a lap dog and if I get ambitious, I'll post some pictures of this phenomenon.
So this is how it is right now, right here. I'm sure I should be telling more. But this is what's on my mind at the moment.
And now it's time for sleep.