Out with the old, in with the new. So far, this storm has only hit us with rain. We’ll see how long that lasts.
Meanwhile, Swan and I took advantage of a rare sunny morning and journeyed out to Castillejos for our stroll. Took a mostly familiar route, but if you only do it a couple of times a year, just how familiar can it be?
I had a four p.m. appointment with Dr. Jo, and she provided me with some meds that will hopefully clear my lungs of the phlegm I’ve been coughing up. I suggested to Swan that we head out to Baloy Beach after the appointment, but as we began walking, she changed her mind. Well, when the plans were altered, we were standing in front of the Outback Resort, so we took that as a sign.
We moved on to Sit-n-Bull for dinner.
After our meal, Swan wanted to revisit the newest bar in town, Cyclone.
During our previous visit, I’d picked up mostly positive vibes. Last night, not so much. They didn’t have wine again, which makes no sense, especially since the other two bars with the same owner (Cloud 69 and Nipsey’s) serve it. And the music, WTF? Loud rap-like shit in what is supposed to be a sports bar? We were the only customers, so I suppose the girls felt like they could play whatever they liked. However, the problem is that if you don’t cater to your potential audience of old, grouchy expats, you won’t have an audience. The owner was present, but didn’t greet me or otherwise give me a reason to stay. So, we didn’t. One drink and out. I’m not saying I won’t be back, but I’m not in any hurry to return.
For the hell of it, we went next door to Cloud 69 for our nightcap. Once again, we were the only customers, and the music playing when we entered almost made me turn around and leave. However, to the bar’s credit, once we had taken our seats, the music was changed to something more appropriate (classic rock). I appreciated that. My regular waitress, Sheryl, wasn’t working, and I was afraid that maybe I had indeed gotten her fired over my previous incongruous remarks to the owner about being scammed. I was relieved to be told that Sheryl was just late arriving. Swan got her wine, the beer was cold, and the music was good. We enjoyed our brief visit, then headed for home.
I had some dessert (a slice of pumpkin pie from Sit-n-Bull), checked in with the internet, then headed for bed. But when I stood up, I felt some excruciating pain coming from the back of my left leg. It was also hard to walk. When I got into bed, the pain continued, and I finally took some aspirin to dull my suffering. I didn’t get much sleep, and the leg was still sore this morning. I had hoped I could walk it off, but after walking the dogs, the pain still persisted, so I bailed on the Friday group hike. The pain has eased somewhat as I write this, but I’m clueless as to what is going on. I didn’t slip, trip, or fall, so it’s not a classic injury or muscle pull. Hopefully, it goes away soon.
My final post of 2013 was something a little different. One of my early retirement projects was to read all the back issues of Life magazine. In a 1955 story, I learned about an American captured by the Chinese during the Korean War. He was finally released and returned home to find out his wife had remarried. There were some twists that followed, which I covered by sharing a post from another blog. Anyway, it was something different than my usual drivel here at LTG, and it was good to read it again.
Today’s YouTube video is just some scenes from Manila in the 1970s. Looks like I might have liked it more back then. Maybe I’ll pay a visit during my do-over life.
The funny business (YMMV):
Anyway, here’s hoping I have a leg to stand on as I move forward with the remains of the day. Check back tomorrow to see how it goes.
I had a four p.m. appointment with Dr. Jo, and she provided me with some meds that will hopefully clear my lungs of the phlegm I’ve been coughing up.
Were you given a diagnosis? Is this the return of the same condition as before? Is it something worse? Something not as bad? Is it COPD-related? How long might the problem last? Is there a chance this condition might worsen, following the trajectory of the previous breathing problems (to the point where you needed an oxygen tank)?
Anyway, my sympathies. Being woken up by your own lungs can’t be pleasant. I hope the new meds work, but I also hope you’ve done your homework as to what this problem is. Just giving meds for symptoms without explaining underlying conditions is less than optimal. I’m no doctor, but if I were, I’d want my patients to know as much as possible, and I’d also want them to be curious about their condition.
I didn’t slip, trip, or fall, so it’s not a classic injury or muscle pull. Hopefully, it goes away soon.
Jesus, dude, see the docs and get a diagnosis. Along with more meds.
I’m not good at spotting AI images. I admit to the agony of defeat.
Looks as though they used Ana de Armas as their model. Gotta hand it to her.
Re: leg pain
Could it be sciatica? Maybe related to your earlier back pains?
Whatever it is , hope it resolves itself soon.
Re: T-shirt
Long time ago, I read about a company that was called Pen Island, obviously specializing in high end pens, inks etc. Existed pre internet, but I believe did have a mail order presence. When the internet came around, they dutifully registered their company. Oops. http://www.penisland.com
If that pain is in your calf, be extra careful. If you can’t put it down to a strain or an injury it might be DVT. At best that could a mean a stroke. At worst death. Best get it checked out.
Thanks, Aloysius. The pain was in the upper rear of my leg and is now gone for the most part.
Brian, no, it was the same as what I experienced before that may have been sciatica-related. Whatever it was, it has now dissipated, and I’m almost back to normal.
That Pen Island situation is hilarious. Here’s hoping I never find myself on penis land.
Kevin, no, I pretty much diagnosed myself. The phlegm buildup was the prelude to last year’s breathing issues, and I wanted to nip that shit in the bud. I asked Dr. Jo what meds the pulmonary doctor had put me on to clear my lungs, and that’s what she gave me, along with an antibiotic. I already seem to be hocking and coughing less. If this doesn’t work, I’ll go back to the pulmonary doc.
What was weird about the leg was that the pain and weakness came out of nowhere. And 24 hours later, it was pretty much completely gone. Hopefully never to return!
“Gotta hand it to her.”
Yep, she appears to be a stand-up girl.
Kevin, no, I pretty much diagnosed myself.
You’re seriously telling me you walked out of the doctor’s office with a prescription for meds but no actual diagnosis? That’s crazy.
Kevin, it was more like a refill of a previous prescription. The diagnosis was the same as the previous one pertaining to fluid retention in the lungs.
I’ll take them for a week, and if things don’t clear up, I’ll go back to the pulmonary specialist for an updated diagnosis.
And more thing – it’s fine you being a wino but getting Swan addicted to your poison is crossing the line. Keep your addictions to yourself, champ.
Maggot, Swan is a big girl and can take care of herself.