Mick McKellar Update--Day +86
Tomorrow is testing day. Today is resting day. The intrepid walkers did stretch our legs down to St. Mary's Hospital, enjoying the warm temperatures (65 to 70 degrees) under overcast, yet bright skies. And Marian did make a trip on the WalMart shuttle to get Vanicream Sunscreen for me. My rash does not like direct sunlight and several of my medications advise no exposure, unless protected by a viable sunscreen.
I sat, for awhile, on a bench in the small landscaped park near the hospital, in the shade of new leaves. Wearing my Darth Mick mask, sunglasses, and my new shapeless, broad-brimmed floppy hat, I am sure I frightened away many potential visitors and small children. Several weeks ago, a waif walking with his parents, pointed at me and asked, "Where's his mouth?" I prefer the directness of children to the side-long glances of so many adults. Besides, strange looking people wearing masks, is a common sight on the streets of Rochester. I should fit right in.
We are still seeing small improvements in the rash and my glucose testing numbers have been well within expected parameters. Everything else is numbers, and we won't have those until later tomorrow. I feel well generally and my energy level fluctuates by the minute...in other words, just like yesterday.
Without Ambien
For the last two nights, I have gone to sleep with only two-thirds of my hammer. I still take a lorazepam tab (anti-nausea, with a relaxing effect) and a benadryl tab (easier breathing, with a relaxing effect), but not the Ambien (my sleep bomb, with technicolor dream effect). I have successfully obtained at least 5 to 6 hours of sleep each night, about the same as with the Ambien. With my Prednisone dosage down to 20MG a day, I have even dozed once or twice.
I hope to continue resting without the aid of powerful sleep medications. One less prescription to fill, one less pill to pop before bedtime. Sounds like success to me.
While I was sleeping last night, I had a dream -- one that I recount in the poem below. It was a wonderful vision and I hope you like it.
Thanks for the prayers and good thoughts (even if they are not beamed to me as crystal bridge, illuminating the night sky) and for your communications, bringing home a little closer.
God bless and good evening,
Mick
And now, Crystal Bridges
I have long believed that, when we think about someone we care for, a connection is forged that is untouched and unstained by distance and time. Concern, compassion, and love are powerful emotions that, at least momentarily, change our state of being from internalized thought to a broadcast channel of immense power. The closer we are to each other, the more we can "feel the love," and sense the underlying compassion and concern. A hug can be a life changing event.
Sometimes, when I pray, I can feel a connection with God -- the slightest, ephemeral whisper of a touch, yet overwhelmingly real and profound. Perhaps it is but the yearning of my heart to reach out and touch the face of God, or maybe He simply took my call. And someday, when I am done here, and go home, I am hoping for a universe changing hug.
Mick
Crystal Bridges
In a dream, I saw a bright glowing world,
A crystalline network, arches aglow,
Uncountable brilliant branches unfurled,
Flashing in myriad colors below.
For each glowing soul, the power of light,
Just waited to be given direction.
With each kind thought a crystal bridge took flight,
Forging a momentary connection,
A glistening conduit, bright gleaming,
Unseen, with whomever they thought about;
And a power surge, silently beaming,
Delivered the good they were sending out.
The image that warmed my own heart so much?
Each soul grew brighter with each gleaming touch.
Mick McKellar
May 2011