IN WHICH BEAR'S HEALTH TAKES A TURN — FOR THE BETTER

Yes, it's time to celebrate! Roll out the carpet; bring on the band; light off the fireworks.  (Actually, someone on the riverbank has been letting off fireworks, but I don't know why.)

Before I start, though, a word of thanks to those who have been so supportive. It's not easy being sore! As you understand.

Now, the details.

1. Something undiscussed previously. I have received my set of "bionic ears." (Or, as Granddaughter K calls them, dismissively, hearing aids. I think "bionic ears" sounds so much more interesting! Move over, Steve Austin; you've got competition.) I can hear things so much better! I knew I was having trouble when I couldn't hear and keep up with the conversation in some of our ethics board meetings. 

Now, instead of hearing things that are just around me, I can hear J talking to me from the other end of the apartment. Major improvement! I feel reconnected to the world. 

2. My back, which became such a problem, is now much improved. I don't have to worry about taking relatively short walks. And as I keep walking, I continue to gain strength in my back. So that is good news.

3. My pancreas, which has been so "uppity," is finally learning to behave itself. I'm not completely out of the woods, but am feeling considerably better. I rarely if ever have any symptoms.

The challenge here is that the pancreas produces insulin, without which one becomes diabetic. That is one of the things we will have to watch — to see if my blood sugar rises. Hmmmm. 

4. The deep depression with which I have lived for most of my life is easing. I still live with a lot of the physical symptoms related to depression, from fatigue to physical pain. Yet I seem to be able to manage these better. I know that because I am taking much less pain medication.

Do I expect to be entirely symptom-free? Not likely. But I will happily take any improvement that I can arrange.

Meanwhile . . . 

In the construction department, things are moving ahead, at the back of the house . . .

and at the front.

I have no idea when the work will be finished, but I am excited by the fact that things are moving so smoothly and quickly. Our son T, who has worked in construction, says the workers are very good and very professional. I thoroughly expect the work will be done before the cold weather sets in. That will make everyone happy. I expect the Cubs will enjoy their new home. 

Temperatures here continue to push 38°C (or 100°F). "When you're hot, you're hot." J and I got married in late August one year, on the hottest day of that summer. So we have always expected the latter part of August will have hot weather. We are not surprised by this year's developments, though thy are a bit extreme.

Blessings and Bear hugs, folks! 

Footnote

Steve Austin was the central character in a tv series of 1974-1978. Austin (played by Lee Majors) was an astronaut badly mangled in a test flight which turned into a crash. He was re-created as the "Six Million Dollar Man" — half person, half robotics. Interesting premise, but coming with huge ethical challenges. (Yes, yes, I know; only your ethicist Bear would notice that. Nonetheless, I'll explore that issue in a future post.)