A Teaching Moment, or Two…

Today is the second day on the new antidepressant scrip.  The drug is a generic

version of something called Lexapro.  I Googled it. So far, it looks to have the same side effects and most others of its kind, so I’ll just have to watch myself and stop at the first sign of becoming a Stepford Wife.  Or something like that.

Spent another uneasy night followed by a morning of nausea and eventual vomiting. Showered and shaved which made me feel better, and hightailed it to the cancer center for the Lab work and the “teaching survey” related to the upcoming Chemo “Revlimid” which, it turns out I may receive before the weekend.  We shall see.

Results of today’s blood work are not bad; at least the numbers are steady and not rocking and rolling as in the past. In any event, I’m to receive one unit tomorrow morning, JIC another quick dip occurs over the weekend. I am to arrive at 7:45 am, so ought to be finished and unplugged by 11 am. Like I say, We Shall See!!!

The Revlimid must be a pretty toxic medication. Most questions and information related to straight men and women and their sexual desires. Seems Revlimid (lenalidomide) is in some way related to thalidomide, which as we all know caused thousands of birth defects 50 years ago, and which is why the sexual relationships are so important to address with the patient.  If they only knew! 

The survey was intensive and the company has a rigid followup policy. I must check in on their website on the same date every month I am taking the medication, to answer questions and bring them up to date on any possible adverse side effects that may surface down the road.

If I sound thrilled about this new drug, I’m not. As the saying goes, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”  So what else is there to do?  Nuttin’ honey.

As I mentioned earlier, the CBC test results are steady, some even rose a tad, but from what I’ve read today Revlimid may take away that good news during the initial 2 or 3 weeks.  See why I’m not so thrilled about this whole thing?  

I guess it beats one or two of the alternatives, but only just.  I think I’ve said this before, but “We Shall See.”

And so it goes.

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Let’s Put On a Show!

I just returned home from half a day at the Cancer Center (more on that in a later post) overhearing various rather scandalous conversations boldly spoken aloud by people I don’t even know.  Well, I don’t know them personally, except they’re usually getting Chemo or transfused on the same days I am.

It was only when one of the nurses got into the conversation I realized something was amiss, here. Turns out they were discussing some reality show or other and didn’t know the people they were talking about, either.  So, there!

Honest to Pete, people.  Isn’t your own life bizarre, boring, exciting, intriguing, mundane - well, you know, fill in the blank - already?  

How about this…Since they are all really  “pretend” anyway, why not pretend your life is your very own reality show?  No, really!  Think about it. If you have to set the mood, or make it worthwhile, set up one or two cameras (dummy or real) around your space (where ever that may be) so that you can occasionally break through the 4th wall, glance at one, roll your eyes, and/or otherwise show your emotions to any episode of your life. Right here. Right now!

If you set up real cameras you can record the show and play it back a few years from now when you know how it all worked out. Relive the drama as it happened, the stupefyingly dumb-ass, or brilliant decisions that helped you along your path; the best part is that you already know the ending…

No waiting for “seasons” to be released on DVD or Blu-Ray. You might even rent the "show" out to your friends, as well.  See, it’s a money-making and money-saving device, too.

From the YouTube clips that have made their way to me from sources who thought I'd give a shit - I don't, you couldn’t be anymore tacky, vulgar, or vile than many of the things on the tube.

Just my 2 cents, FWIW.  No need to thank me now. 

And so it goes.

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Random Thoughts & Checking Off Lists

The innards have finally settled down pretty much after the bout with the side effects from the Augmentin. The stomach is still a bit queasy at times and I’m not eating much solid foods, but well, “every day in every way”  as the saying goes…

Organizing the new desk I’ve decided that I need to go back to a laser printer for the crisp, clean copies I am used to. I don’t trust inks to be permanent - they still run when wet - anything I need to print must be either filed here or sent to the hospital for filing.  Laser toner once heated binds to the paper permanently.

I’ll use some of the tax refund for the purchase. $100.00 will cover this small footprint job at right (includes extra toner cartridge) which will fit snuggly on the "Z" shelf next to the desk. Since the Epson is my MAC scanner, a good and fast printer is all I need. Toner cartridges have dropped in price, too.  I wonder if the price drop has to do with the increased popularity of the inkjet printers. Dunno, and don’t care. I’ll take the lower price and better quality. Maybe fools will catch on later.

I’ve discovered that I am up to my gonads in wires and chargers associated with all the ‘wireless’ devices accumulated over the years. Though the chargers belonging to the old cell phones went with those phones to their new home via the State Police program for battered women, I still have more than enough to contend with. There are also old mice and keyboards from the PC days that I keep trying to give away but no one seems to want.

Years ago, Ron - the dear gossip - at Retired in Delaware, insisted that I purchase a web camera so we could video chat via Skype.  So I bought one.

Why?  I don’t know.  We lived about a half mile from one another, so I gathered it was just a fun toy he wanted to play with.  Then the old PC died and the old web camera wasn’t compatible with the new one.  Ron’s Skyping calls had dwindled by then, but I bought a newer web camera just to have it handy.  A wasted investment.

A year later Ron made the jump to the MAC and that was the end of Skype. So, there are 2 Logitech webcams floating around this place, too. Now that I have the MAC iPad, iPhone, and iPod, they are gathering dust and sometimes under foot at the most inconvenient times. Yes, now I have FaceTime, which is more sophisticated than Skype ever was, not that it matters.  

Now that I think of it, I wonder if the newest web camera could be used with the MINI…my monitor isn’t an Apple, therefore has no builtin camera.  I’m wondering if I could plug the camera into a USB port, check for new drivers and see what happens.  Seems a waste to throw the thing away. 

There are 3 stand microphones from the old (?) days of early voice recognition, which again, are of no use any longer. I could go on and on, but it's making me depressed so I'll stop for now.  Anyway, you get the idea.

The old PC is waiting for Eddie to return from Romania to remove my personal files and photos from the HD before chucking it, or repairing it for someone else. Yes, it's been sitting by the front door for over a month (where else can I put it?) and I can't wait for his return next week before Easter.  

When I have the strength and energy the old Laser Printer needs to go to the tech & electronics recycle center, which is not nearby anymore.

Anyway…I’ve gotta get rid of all this stuff!!?!!

I’ve organized all the relevant cords, cables, wires, and chargers with the devices I use today; they sit neatly wrapped and labelled in two covered, plastic containers on a shelf where all such things live. Nice and clean.  Though these items too, seem to multiply for some unknown reason.  Sigh!

Got a call from the Oncologist’s office acknowledging that I discontinued the Augmentin over the weekend and letting me know the doctor will be looking into a replacement.  They also told me that they called a prescription for an antidepressant, which I can pick up either this afternoon or tomorrow.  

I guess that may be in response to my complaints of short-temper while on the Prednisone, which may be carried over to the Danazol - but I haven’t detected increased agitation since I made the change.  Don’t know what the new drug is, so I can’t look it up, but I’ll find out soon enough.

I may have mentioned this before, but you know a year ago I was only on ONE prescription medication - for the high blood pressure.  Now I am washing down 9; some are taken more than once daily. This new antidepressant will bring that total to an even 10.  

Say, do I get some kind of award for that?  New washer and dryer? Trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico?  Hoboken, NJ?  Hey, I ain’t fussy.

The sister’s birthday is tomorrow so I caught her this morning by phone before she had the chance to leave the apartment.  She was happy for the call, but remains quite scared about the open heart surgery coming up next week.  Can’t say I blame her, but she’s strong, asked lots of questions, and her medical team has been available for anything she needs going into this last week prior to the operation. They’ve covered every inch of what will be her physical domain during recovery and there’s no more they can do, except be there for moral support.  Me too.

I really need to put some solid food into my system today, but nothing sounds interesting or the least bit appetizing.  I’ve down the last yogurt and I am tired of canned fruits.  Maybe something will jump out at me when I do the shopping tomorrow.  Trouble is, I can feel myself getting weaker every day.  

That said, I don’t think I’ll be driving to the drug store for the new prescription today.  Just not up to it, is all.  

And so it goes.

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Song of the Golden Dragon

As I searched for more information of the other Pern books by Anne McCaffrey, this video popped up and seemed appropriate for the present reading situation.  I’m not making this up, you know!!!

I had heard of this Russian guitarist, Estas Tonne, before, but never seen him perform.  Quite a standout, if you ask me. Also, easy on the eyes.

One can almost visualize Ramoth as she rises to mate with the big Bronze.

More later.

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R.I.P. - Mickey Rooney

Very sad news, indeed.  Not something I wanted to read or hear about today.  

A legend, genius, and consummate hollywood star dead at 93. I think he was best paired with Judy Garland in all those MGM backyard films and the Busby Berkley Musicals.  At least that’s how I’ll remember him most.

Mickey Rooney, an award-winning actor and Hollywood legend who appeared in more than 300 films and TV programs, died on April 6, Variety reported. Cause of death was not released. He was 93.
Born Joe Yule Jr. in Brooklyn, N.Y., Rooney was only 17 months old when he took the stage in his parents' vaudeville act. After adopting the stage name of Mickey Rooney* at the age of 7, he appeared in his first film, launching a career that would span nearly his entire life.

* He was Mickey McGuire before changing his name to Rooney.

Rooney was still a teenager when he played Andy Hardy in the 1937 film "A Family Affair." The popular character, as played by Rooney, would appear in 14 more films and make him a top star at the box office. During Hollywood's golden years, the five-foot-three cherubic-faced actor worked with many of the silver screen's greatest leading ladies, including Elizabeth Taylor in "National Velvet," Judy Garland in "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry" and "Babes In Arms" and Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast At Tiffany's."
Rooney was the first teenager to be nominated for an Oscar in a leading role and received a special juvenile Academy Award in 1938 after appearing in "Boys Town" with Spencer Tracy. He would earn four additional Oscar nominations for his work in "Babes In Arms," "The Human Comedy," "The Bold and the Brave" and "The Black Stallion," and receive an Academy Honorary Award "in recognition of his 50 years of versatility" in film. More recently, he appeared in "Night At The Museum" (2006) with Ben Stiller, and "The Muppets" (2011) starring Amy Adams and Jason Segel.
Rooney's work in television was no less lauded. He appeared in dozens of programs from 1954 to 2009, received two Golden Globe Awards and won an Emmy for his tender performance as a mentally challenged man in the 1981 TV movie "Bill."
According to USA Today, Laurence Olivier called Rooney "the greatest actor of them all."

There were many critics who thought that bringing Rooney and Ann Miller to Broadway in the musical "Sugar Babies" 25 years ago would be a disaster. Boy, how wrong could they be.  The musical was everything the late-70s weary New Yorker wanted (needed) to see.  Covered all the bases from vaudeville, slapstick, to dance and Burlesque.  It was a huge hit. Brings back fond memories, too.

You done good, Mick.  Thanks for everything.

And so it goes.

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Side Effects, Stupidity, and Sarcasm

Suffered severe side effects with the Augmentin on the third dose. Knew immediately it was the culprit. Informed the doctor’s office who called Walmart Pharmacy. Couldn’t figure out their reasoning, until they told me that Rite-Aid wouldn’t have the drug  until Monday or Tuesday.  Wow! That’s some reliable pharmacy, don’t you think?

Crawled out of bed, dressed, and made the drive to that dreaded retailer keeping the mask on - the place is always crawling with kids and other filthy things - and got in line for pickup. As I got to the window, the obese cherub (body of a mastodon - face of an angel) behind the counter glanced at the hospital bracelet, then to the mask and asked - “Are you sick, or somethin'?”

There was a sudden hush on the line. I was still queasy and weak, having puked my guts up all night and I just stared at her for a minute hoping to get some hint that she was making a funny of sorts.  She wasn’t. When her gum popped in my face I found my anger bubbling, and said quietly and darkly as possibly, “no, it’s my kinky habit to wear an isolation mask, stagger into pharmacies and taunt stupid people like you.” 

She wasn’t too happy with that and unfortunately replied,  “well, I was only asking.” At that, the older gentleman behind me suggested quite loudly that she would be of better use in the toy department. An associate (who had heard the whole thing) came up and swiftly took over her station, sending her far, far away. 

The gentleman behind me said something about how much he hated having to use this pharmacy. The new associate sniffed, “well, why DO you, then.” Without missing a beat, the gentleman spat out, “because I think that woman’s twin works in my doctor’s office and called the prescription in here by mistake.”  That got a chuckle from others in line, making me wonder just how many were there for the same or similar reasons and not because they wanted to be there. 

Finally, with new drug in my hot little hands, I got back to the car and drove home as fast as possible. A cold sweat hit me as I got in, so I fell into the bed and covered up.  Woke up a half hour later feeling that vile nausea again. 

Waited to take the new med at the same time as others (I’ve already got three kitchen timers going!), brushed teeth and went back to bed. No appetite, so no food. I managed to get an Ensure to stay down; ; that was all I could handle.

Woke up when the alarm went off to take the Danazol at noon.  Made it to the kitchen, downed the med with a 10 oz. glass of water and crawled back into bed. Drifted in and out of uneasy sleep. 

Woke at the sound of the alarm again at 8 pm, took the Danazol and had another Ensure.  Back to bed again sleeping fitfully until this morning at 3 am. 

Started this day with a small bowl of cereal followed by Danazol (and the other dailies) at 4 am. Took note that there were no new side effects from the replacement drug - thanks to the green Goddess.

Currently doing everything in my power to stay out of bed.  A hot shower and shave top my gay agenda today. I feel dirty - probably because I exposed myself to Walmart - and I think a change of bed linens are in order, too.  For that, I need to store up some real energy.  That chore alone could take a half hour to an hour to accomplish and leave me spent.

Ain’t life grand, huh?

Day's Tarot card insists that I am up to meeting anything that comes my way today.  May it be so.

And so it goes.

The Brink? Or Scenic Overlook?

It was foggy with a light drizzle. The drive to the Cancer Center was a challenge, but I made it; grateful the tea with ginger stayed down. It was a battle of will all the way, though. Physically, I was sliding downhill so fast that when I found a place to park, I had no energy for the walk to the doors.

How long before I cannot make the drive myself?

Spotted by one of the Lab nurses (I must have looked a frightful mess) she tapped on the window and offered to get a wheelchair, or help me inside herself. Not wanting to make a scene (or risk being swept off to hospital) I asked for her assistance. 

Once inside there was no waiting. I was wheeled (like it or not) back to Infusion and with 3 nurses hovering, prepped for the transfusion as vitals were taken. Most of what happened is a blur now but somewhere along the line a mild panic ensued when they discovered my fever.  I thought it had subsided, but I was wrong - it was now at 100.2 and usually a red light, for some reason. 

Blood pressure was very low (even before the Benadryl injection), the room was spinning, my stomach bouncing like a beach ball, my head was pounding and I couldn’t breathe. 

Other than that, everything was fine.  

Arranged comfortably in an infusion chair, covered with warm blankets and legs elevated,  I was given 2 Tylenol and a Compazine (sp?) and ordered to remain still and quiet as more blood was drawn to check for possible new infections. 

I’d lost an additional half-pound of body weight since the day before - on top of 2 pounds lost in the last week. What can I say? 

I nodded off, or passed out. I was disoriented when I came to, realized there was supposed to be a doctor appt before the transfusions and asked what happened. Seems the oncologist thought it best to start the blood products to settle me down first. He came in later, sat in an adjacent chair and went over treatment in the immediate future.  Anyway, this happened later, much later.

Took a while to find a good vein, but finally an IV drip was begun. When the nurse saw the multiple poke marks where porting was unsuccessful, she asked why I didn’t want a PICC port? Because I didn’t know if I was a candidate, or if I qualified, and no one ever suggested it, that’s why. She made a quick note for the doctor in my computer chart, patted my arm and began to pump the Benadryl as the new blood began to flow slowly. 

Vitals were checked again after 15 minutes - fever was down to 99.9, but blood pressure remained too low for their taste.  It was decided that another unit of blood was needed and I wouldn’t be going anywhere for the duration. Like I had somewhere to go?

Doctor arrived waving lab results and offering new suggestions for the next course of action.  Yes, it all happened like that and that fast. First, he studied the latest blood results and my answers to the usual “how you doing” questions. Wrote a prescription for an antibiotic to address the boils and acne, another one for compazine for the nausea, one more for the increased back pain (from lying in bed too long) and then got down to the next phase of my treatment.

He started the ball rolling for a new oral chemo drug called Revlimid.  Which turns out to be not that new, after all.  Revlimid is primarily used to treat anemia caused by Myelofibrosis and other myelodysplastic blood diseases. I say started the ball rolling because it seems this stuff requires a long drawn out procedure to get started. 

I am running out of patience with this long-drawn-out waiting shit and told him so.

Initially, the request is made for the drug from a special, authorized pharmacy (drug not available from your regular corner drug store) which can take up to 2 weeks for approval. The patient is contacted for who-the-fuck-knows what reasons, then the drug is delivered directly to the patient’s home. No, really.  I’m not making this up.

When the patient receives the drug a call must be made to the Cancer Center prior to the first dose.  The patient must report receipt of the drug to a specific person in the oncologist’s office. Don’t ask, there is no reason for, nor explanation given for this extra step.  

Keep in mind, this all hinges on the patient being accepted for the drug and by that I assume the patient’s ability to PAY. The insurance, if any, and the level of coverage the patient enjoys are, I am sure, major factors. 

As usual, the side effects read like a bad horror movie, and as usual, are downplayed as being “rare and isolated.”  Yeah, sure.. Uh-huh.

It was mid-afternoon by the time the second unit began flowing that the fever was down, the nausea was almost gone and while the BP remained low, it wasn’t in the danger zone. Oh, and I was one hungry puppy.  All good signs. 

Carefully, I picked at half of a chicken salad sandwich followed by a fruit cup and was pleased when all settled well. Must admit, that tiny bit of food filled me up quite well. Curious, that. 

The doctor’s nurse appeared with news that a PICC port had been approved, and gave instructions for the initial appointment with the surgeon assigned to the procedure.  This will be a permanent addition to my chest and eliminate the vein search problem once and for all.  Many patients sport them and seem to experience no discomfort.  I’m all for that.  No more blown veins!  Yay!

So in about 2 weeks time I will be implanted and there will be yet another new twist in my healthcare and my body. 

The sun was setting as I was released from all tubing and I was eyed carefully by the nurses as I made my way (on foot) out to the car. The prescriptions were waiting for pickup at the pharmacy, so I pushed myself to make that one stop before heading home. Though I staggered like a drunkard, I was successful and home within a half hour.

Changed clothes, made a tea, and began reading through the pile of new documents received (and signed for) throughout the day. Nice to be more coherent than when I left home this morning. What a difference new blood and a new medication can make in such a short time.

Back from the brink, again? How many more of these trips can one person endure? I wonder. The decline seems to occur more rapidly each time, but for some reason they don’t scare me as they used to.

Thanks to the pleasure of re-reading the “Pern” trilogy by Anne McCaffrey, I’ve been able to put most of the pain out of my mind this past week.  Even after 30+ years, the stories, human characters, dragons, events, and world of her books are still alive and well.  It’s been a great joy to rediscover that world and immerse myself in her characters and their lives.

I dare say at least one of them would make a great Pixar film.

Anyway, that’s enough. The long and short of it. I’m not well and so it’s off to bed - just me, my trusty painkillers, and my book.

And so it goes.

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Moria Caturday

"Fly, You Fools!

More later.
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The Ugly Has Returned.

Not doing well - again - and have spent  the last 2 days in bed either asleep, reading, or fighting off nausea. The body has rebelled against one of the new meds by presenting plagues of acne, and nasty, painful boils. No appetite to speak of; no food sounds enticing or even interesting. No energy for its preparation, either. I eat what I can, when I can, and pray it stays down. 

It amazes me how quickly things can change - I mean, in a matter of a few hours - and life is miserable all over again. To top it off,  I knew there was trouble when I spiked a fever of 100.1 this morning. Slammed right into that big wall of WTF!  Really.

This turn of events is a far cry from only a few days ago. I felt like taking on the world. Now I can barely put on my own socks and shoes without resting between each process. It’s like there’s not enough oxygen in the room.

There's a doctor's appointment this morning before transfusion where I will learn the next course of action he has planned. I think it may be a chemo.  We’ll see.

Reading has taken my mind off what I’m dealing with, for the most part. Since I spend most time in bed, I’ve not read, or kept up with my favorite bloggers.  I hope that will change after today’s transfusion. 

Though I am scheduled for one unit, something tells me that 2 are in my future once they do a new blood workup. We’ll see.  I also want the nausea issue to be addressed, because that’s really the worst lately. Tea with ginger and lemon help, but not for long and only if I lie down immediately.

I find dry heaves painful and exceedingly unattractive. 

We’ll be back after these messages…

And o it goes.

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First Look: New Tarot Deck

The Visconti - Sforza or The Golden Tarot

A Sample: The Pope = Il Papa  (Hierophant)

The Enclosed Guide Description:
In real life, the Pope possesses the right to crown the Emperor, and his position in the Trump story appropriately places him above the other rulers.
The Pope’s right hand is raised in a sign of benediction, and in his left hand, he holds the papal cross. He wears the three-tiered crown that symbolizes papal authority and represents the unity of mind, body, and spirit. His white beard is an archetype for wisdom, while his white tunic represents purity of the soul.
Together, the robe, crown, and cross stand for ceremony and ritual, imparting historical significance and gravitas dot his bearing. In spite of the Pope’s lofty title, all power is temporal, symbolized by the Pope’s position within the Trumps.

A Sample:  Death = La Morte

Guide Description:
This eerily animated skeleton is the starring figure in an allegorical work of art called the Dance of Death, created in response to a plague that decimated the population in the fourteenth century.
Death holds a bow in its left hand and an arrow in its right. Its piercing eyes stare menacingly out of deep, shadowed eye sockets.
We have seen that Strength, having triumphed over unrestrained ambition, has been trumped by the pain and suffering of the Hanged Man, and now, by Death.
It is no coincidence that Death's rank in the Tarot deck is the unlucky thirteen. But it's obvious from Death's position in this allegory that all is not lost: there are many more trump cards left in the deck.

This deck is a marvelous treasure and worth the wait of so many years. There is much pleasure to be had and much to learn about this new (old) deck. I look forward to spending lots of time in its company.  And, oh my, the cards are very large. Yes, even for my notoriously large hands.

More later.
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No Jinx, Please.

I’m almost afraid to type it for fear of bad Ju-Ju. 

Truth is, I’ve felt quite good, almost myself, for the past 3 days. No ill side-effects from drugs.  Only negatives are an annoying outbreak of teenage skin, caused by the Danazol and similar to the problem with the Prednisone; and the continued issue of poor circulation in both hands.

Saturday was a day full of new adventures and rain.  Sunday was a day full of friends, conversations, shared cocktails with co-workers at Dos Locos and rain. Well-rested and content with the world and my new place in it. 

Monday lunch with a friend at another place I’ve never been. A great find. Another hidden gem of a place with great food (most everything made on site) and, as witnessed by the lunch crowd, well worth the price and waiting time.  You want fresh, you wait for it. Period. 

It’s been a time of not caring when I sleep or how long; wake refreshed, calm, almost serene. No negativity to ruin my mood or insinuate itself into my world. I am loving the new experience.

The sun is out for the first time in 5 days and it looks like a grand spring day ahead.  Maybe a perfect day for a drive to the Indian River Inlet to take in the fisher folks and surfers, just for a change of scenery and to get fresh ocean air in my dusty lungs.

I came across a recipe for Fried Rice which is likely to be on my gay agenda for supper this evening. It’s quick, light, and meatless.  I have all ingredients - and then some - so additional goodies may be included in the mix before they go bad in the fridge.

The new Tarot card for April has been drawn and it seems a good one for positive energy and balance. I can certainly use a lot of both as I prepare for the possible upcoming Chemo treatments. 

One step at a time. So far, all steps in the right direction.

And so it goes.

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Note:  For whatever reason, Blogger chose not to post this yesterday. I found it in the "Drafts" folder this morning.  Don't ask!

Power Drain

Yesterday in mid-afternoon there was a tremendous rush of sound and thundering noise of group of low-flying military aircraft (probably out of Dover AFB north of here) that shook the building and rattled things all around me.

No sure what happened. I know I didn’t dream it. It was too sweeping and happened too fast to comprehend at first.

Within a a half hour of the flyover everything run by batteries, or using battery backup, in my apartment began to die. Total power drain of every single device.

Sudden warnings that the cell phone needed a charge, as did the Nexus. The wireless keyboard went, the weather radio, followed by the batteries in the cordless phone handsets - both of them! 

The kitchen timers and then the cordless mouse. The kitchen wall clock stopped at 2:40 pm. I have 2 battery operated watches and they both stopped working within minutes of each other - also around 3 pm. 

The cellphone had a full charge in the morning and the mouse batteries had been replaced less than a day earlier.

Finally, all batteries were replaced, cell phone and Nexus charged last evening. All seems back to normal now.On standby overnight, those 2 devices had used less than 2% of their stored power.  WTF???

I have no answer for this odd and curious happening.  I just know it happened. Not imagined. I am no longer on Prednisone and one cannot hallucinate this stuff when the tangible evidence (a dozen dead batteries of all types) is sitting in a baggie ready for the recycle center drop off.

No, this is not an April Fool joke.  I’d feel better if it was.

Was the government up to something, or did I take the short bus to the Twilight Zone? Both possibilities are scary.

And so it goes.

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