From later on today, until Friday morning. There are, I know, a lot of pieces of the recent story missing. I will get to them, I promise. My Health Care Advocate (HCA), Sara, is helping me escape the land of West Hotdog (West Frankfort) for a little R&R in Columbia, Tennessee.

I haven't had much chance to escape these particular confines in a while. I visited she and her husband a couple of times before now, and had a great time. She has helped me so very much with so many things...this is but one more. She is a Registered Nurse, and is the Administrator of the Hope Clinic, a non-profit, faith-based Clinic in her town that caters to those citizens who either do not have, or cannot afford healthcare. She is one of those people "of the hills" who was taught, as was I, that merely saying something isn't enough. With 3,000 + patients on their roles, the twice-weekly clinic uses volunteer Doctors and staff to see to the health concerns of those across several counties who would not otherwise find medical care.

Yes, I am very proud of her. I am proud of them all. She has an amazing, dedicated staff of devoted volunteers who make the clinic work twice a week. Up to 15 patients per evening (in 3 hours, no less) find reason to feel just a little better because of the selfless sacrifice this group displays through their love, attention, and care. If I were asked, I would quickly encourage you to donate to this desperately needed cause. Donations can be made to the Hope Clinic via it's medical director:

Charles Ball, M. D.
Director of Medical Staff
Maury County Regional Medical Center
Columbia, Tennessee 38401

Just put ATTN: "Hope Center Donation" on the envelope. He will see the Clinic gets it.

Every dollar goes directly to the clinic.

Sara and I have been friends since about 1972. We dated for a couple of years, and thought we might even get married. While that didn't work out, those were among the very happiest years of my entire life. She happened back into my life in June of 2008, directly as a result of my being on WDC. You will find her here on occasion. I hope you would stop by and say "Hello!" to her. Budroesgirl is a truly remarkable person. She is a superior friend. And she has all my love.

Those who know me will readily admit that loving me can be a bit of a challenge sometimes. Sara and her cast of cronies do it often, and very well. Even though I have issues, she looks over them. She can be a tough task master, but she always does it with my well-being and health as her first motivation. She has the luxury (?) of having known me for most of my life. She, too, has some rather startling medical issues which she faces each day with grace, humility, and honor. As long as I have known her, she is one person who has always known me. I am so very grateful for her in my life. Her family has made great sacrifice, too. She travels--regularly, between the two locations for my sake. She pays the freight, both ways, and brings joy, peace, tranquility and happiness to my otherwise chaotic life. I have so many caring friends here, and around the world who love me, pray for me, and take me to task from time to time. Sara is their leader. She is MY Warrior Angel.

Sara asked me, when she first read this blog, to say "Hello!" to her in here sometime. Won't you help me welcome her to the site, and to this journey "officially?" I think she would like that. I know I would.

Four specialists to be set up with appointments. A grand total of 29 medications to take daily. Blood sugars to see, and meals to live with. Sometimes, it is really hard not to be a patient. I don't do it very well, and when I have to do it for an extended period of time, I get...well,,. grumpy. I've been hearing a lot about what it is to be a curmudgeon. (Harrummpphhffff!!)

That's my hint to flee stage left. I'll take a few days, and see if I can enjoy some time away from all the security of home--but just for a bit. Lord knows, we wouldn't want me to begin feeling normal!

I'll keep in touch. Maybe I'll even go as far back as March 31st, 2009 and fill in some of the recent details that had me in the hospital, talking to doctors about bilateral amputation of my legs. So far, that hasn't happened, but I'm still not walking. It gets very frustrating and humbling to see other people taking care of you, doing those things that only a little while ago you could do for yourself. I have a great team, though. And, sitting atop the pile of countless people who love, support and encourage me is the one person I truly believed I would never see again: Sara. ~~~waves at Sara! Say "Hello!" to the people, Sara Reed! :)

I am off to Tennessee. Yet, I do remain,

In His Care,

Budroe