Thursday I drove to Boulder AM so I could see if I qualify to take part in this clinical study for a new MS drug that has had great success in Europe. So I got poked and prodded for a few hours, filled out a bunch of forms, learned just how messy I could sign my initials by the 125th time, and fell asleep in an MRI tube while they took pictures of the inside of my skull and sent them off to Boston. I’m curious to see what they have to say – on one hand, if I get accepted, that means that I have enough lesions in my head to make it worth their while, and while that sucks that I’m so far along while only being 6 weeks into my DX (short for ‘diagnosis’), it means free treatment for the next 2 years. On the other hand, if they don’t see enough lesions to accept me, that’s a good thing too, right? Then again, if that’s the case, why do I have so many symptoms?
My left foot is starting to drop as well – I think it might be because it’s taking the brunt of the punishment I normally dole out to each leg equally. Who knows. Good thing my shoes have no traction on them, because getting around these days involves me sticking my cane out in front of me and dragging my feet towards it. Annoying. Bringing in groceries is a major ordeal anymore.
Anyway, did the AM thing in Boulder, and went to the coolest hardware store on the planet: McGuckin Hardware. If you know anything at all about hardware stores of the past (20-30 years ago or more), and can’t stand the warehouse feel of Home Depot or Lowe’s, you’d LOVE this place. You can find anything you want there, and people are willing to help you, and the stuff is quality, and – I could go on and on. Even people who normally hate hardware stores like this place a lot! Even though I only got an allen wrench to adjust the bridges on my jazz basses, I had a great time there. Lotsa cool stuff.
Went to Chipotle afterwards, ate some food, and promptly fell asleep on the table. Pooped already, and still with a gig to go to that night. Not a good sign.
Drove to the gig to set up early, and who should I meet there but my friend Pete Martinez, local country star made good, entertaining a few of his lovely female fans. He sheepishly came up to the stage as I was setting up and asked if I’d be able to accompany him on a few tunes – ON BASS. He knew, and I knew that he knew, and he knew that I knew that he knew, and you know, that’s what made it okay. We went through a few Eagles tunes and a few country standards – I had to play bass, guitar, and drums for him all at the same time (as it were – I had to make my bass sound like all three!), and to be honest, it went over pretty darned good. We joked about going on the road as a duo – more money per performer that way! – and I left to go have coffee with a friend.
That friend would be Carol, a new acquaintance I made on CraigsList while looking for a few beer aficionados who weren’t interested in getting drunk. Carol’s terrific – she’s about my age (hope she doesn’t mind my saying that!), great conversationalist, Christian woman, terrific laugh, smiling eyes, long bright red hair, and a taste for the finer things in life. Not to mention a terrific hugger. She’s teaching me about wine, and I’m returning the favor regarding beer. And she makes a mean carrot cake – I can personally attest to that!
The gig was awful. I was spent before I played my first note. Getting around was very difficult, and Jennifer told me a few of the servers asked if I was ‘okay’, meaning I looked drugged. Not good. Regardless of how I feel, I have to LOOK okay to the patrons and everyone else. I don’t want to be a charity case or detract from the show in any way shape or form. So this night taught me about how much I can take during the day, and how important it is for me to get my rest and save myself for the gig. So no more teaching on afternoons that I have a gig in Denver for me. It’s not worth the risk.
Working my way towards buying a condo on the east side of town. Having to jump through a whole lot of hoops because 1) I’m still only separated from my wife, not divorced; 2) I keep the world’s crappiest records; and 3) I’m self-employed, which makes things even MORE interesting. This is a terrific place, though; all brand new, I’d be the first owner, everything is up to current code, it’s all warrantied, stone countertops, cherrywood cabinets, Pergo flooring in the kitchen and dining area, security alarm, wider doorjambs than normal should I ever have to enter ScooterLand, and there are NO STAIRS. Plus it’s near the pool, and if I have to explain to you why that’s an advantage, you’ve obviously never lived in a college town. 
Sunday I played 2 services at 2 churches yet again. I think I’m spent on the double dose for awhile; it just takes too much out of me. Plus I’m busy every Sunday afternoon for the rest of the year: get-together at Kevin K.’s house (Kevin’s an UnbeLIEVEable jazz guitarist here in Fort Fun) this Sunday, watching the Seahawks/Broncos game with Carol (!) the next, gig with Dave B. after that, gig with Kevin K. the next, and then it’s Christmas Eve, and then New Year’s Eve. Funny… doesn’t look like limiting my church services is going to increase my amount of rest and relaxation come the middle of December…
Monday was my first walkthrough of the new apartment. The property manager asked me to bring a few documents over, and I had them folded up and stored in a standard envelope box (don’t ask). So, in my rush, realizing I was late, I grabbed the box, went out the door, set the box on the railing, turned around to lock the door, and made my way to the car… leaving the box on the railing. Drat.
Came back… no box. Hadn’t fallen where I could see it. To this moment it has not been found, which really sucks – there’s some pretty important stuff in that box. Dunno why someone would take it, or what they’d do with it, or why. But I hope it turns up very soon.
Taught all afternoon yesterday, and all day today, and went to my MS support group afterwards. Everyone was very interested in the study I might be taking part in. I promised to keep them all informed.
Upon leaving the MS group, my legs decided that it was too cold to do anything and just stopped. This was pretty freaky for me – I have no idea what I might have done without my walking stick. And I still had Wal-Mart to go to afterwards (gotta get my sugar free Heinz Ketchup, you know!). So I got to use the cart again. Wal-Mart’s carts are pretty zippy – good speed on them, good turning circle. I can execute a Y-turn in the middle of an aisle with ease.
So now I’m home. I probably forgot most of the other interesting things that have happened to me since I posted last, but if I remember them, I’ll do my dangdest to post about them here, because, as we all know, you’re hanging on my every word. 
A final note – my eyes are not interested in allowing me to proof this, so if you catch weirdness or grammatical errors, you’ll just have to deal with it for now.
Sure hope this study takes me under their wing – pray for me, wouldja?
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