Soccer

By Beebe4

I have started playing soccer this winter (I know kinda dumb time to be playing, but so far it hasn't been too cold). Our team isn't very good and we are playing in Division I (should most likely be in Division II). But I am out there for the exercise and to get rid of some of my manly testosterone. I played defense in High School (which was the peak of my soccer career) but I have apparently gotten slow in my old age, last weekend I was getting burned left and right and always chasing people as they blew by me. But I have gotten better (with age) and playing smarter and playing midfield and forward, so I have two assists (I think we have scored 3 goals total) so not too shabby.

Will update the games as I play them. We are currently 0-2.

 

Long time no blog

By Beebe4

Merry Christmas everyone! Sorry I have been so non-present lately. Just been doing holiday stuff and nothing has really struck my fancy as interesting lately... so I've just been living. But I have gotten some complaints about depriving some peeps of their once a month entertainment so I figured I would take some time on this Christmas-eve-eve and write down some thoughts.

PEARL
After Thanksgiving Pearl told us that the doctor had gotten a 2nd opinion and that the second opinion concluded that there was some cancerous cells in the tissue surrounding the removed colon. This scared Pearl, but after talking to the kids and talking to the Chemo doc (Dr. Tan) she is feeling better about it.

Her treatment has always been expected to include post operative chemo in anticipation of some cells still lingering around. So all this information tells us is that some definitely exist and it helps the team of doctors know where to concentrate their treatments. So they have decided to include post-operative radiation in hopes of offering the best offense against her cancer.

She goes in Jan 3rd to have the temporary ostomy bag removed which is a big mental thing for her and will help her feel more "normal" (even though I think she is pretty damn normal already). She is looking really good... she looks healthy and she has started gaining some weight back which is great news.

CHOLESTEROL
So my weight loss is great, all of my "health statistics" are doing wonderfully, but given that Beebe3 died at 50 and Lois1 has high Cholesterol my doctor has decided that I should start taking some Crestor. Main side effects are sore muscles and potential liver problems, so I am going back to have my blood work done and have the liver checked out in 2 more weeks.


In case you are curious, here is a snapshot of Ben's Cholesterol:


Date Weight Cholesterol HDL LDL "LDL/HDL Ratio"
---------------------------------------------------------
12/23/97 200 223 51 149 2.9
03/14/01 242 220 39 147 3.8
03/25/03 240 227 46 157 3.4
02/02/04 235 221 39 167 4.3
05/17/04 197 216 46 149.6 3.3
11/24/04 192 237 54 165.4 3.1

On the bottom of the blood test reports is the following chart:

LDL/HDL RISK FACTORS
MEN WOMEN RISK FACTOR
-----------------------------------------
1.0 1.5 1/2 Average Risk
3.6 3.2 Average Risk
6.3 5.0 2 Times Average Risk
8.0 6.1 3 Times Average Risk


The February appointment was my baseline to see what was going on prior to starting the Atkins Diet. And it worked, there is no doubting that... my weight loss was significant and my cholesterol levels improved dramatically, the doctor was very pleased, but given family history it is still wise to be on medication.

But since the drug has a potential side effect of liver problems and Atkins has a potential side effect of liver problems I have decided to switch back to the a low fat diet, trying to eat a lot more fruit and vegetables... less meat, keep the bread and refined sugar intake down, and so far so good... I swelled up there for a week, but today I was down to 188 which is right around my low anyways so I am pleased.

POKER NIGHT
So I have two groups of poker players that I play with... one is from work, the other is the boys in the family. I hosted the family poker night last month and had a good time... all in all I broke even (as I think I have every time I have played recently) so I have no problem playing for a few hours and not spending any money... to me that is a win. Hopefully I can get a game or two in during the break. I have 11 days off in a row (staring tomorrow) during the holidays so I am pleased to be able to finish up on the house and just relax.

 

Easy SkyMiles...

By Beebe4

I just played a super cheesy skymiles promotion game and apparently won 10,000 skymiles. Check it out at Dash to the Gate. Free skymiles are a good thing!

 

Poker night

By Beebe4

We are having a poker night on Friday with the young men from Sherry's family. Franklin, Mark, and Joseph will be representing the Everett's, Shawn and I will be representing the Tureman's and Chuck will be representing the Fergeson's.

Should be fun... will let you know how much I win!

 

Not much has been going on... we had a wonderful Thanksgiving here in town and then departed to go spend the rest of the long weekend at Sarah's house since the rest of my family was going to be there. It was good to see everyone.

Pearl is doing good, she is driving herself around and in really good spirits despite her lack of having my daily computer lessons.

We got to see Alison (Sherry's college roommate) and Chris last week as well. Apparently they have lots of new friends and don't need us anymore, but we do appreciate them stopping by to say 'Hi'.

Other then that... same ol' same ol' I need to do some stuff around the house and get it ready for visitors.