Running Some Errands ..................

After the surgery last week, I was a bit self-conscious about the bandaging so I kept a low profile. As I mentioned in the last post, those bandages were removed this past Monday and replaced by a coating of bacitracin ointment covered by a couple of non-stick pads and wrapped in gauze. Starting on Tuesday, I did the daily bandaging myself, which was basically the same but without the gauze wrapping.

Although, as I mentioned, the bandages covered my forehead, I was no longer self-conscious about them and started going to some of my usual places - including Dunkin' Donuts where the counter girl asked about them. I kinda shrugged it off because she knew me, but it's happened every day since then.

For instance, yesterday I went to the Verizon store by the Woodbridge Center Mall. I'd bought a phone there several years ago that came with a package of screen covers. The one I had on my phone had gotten scratched up a lot over the years and I couldn't figure out how to replace it myself. As I sat there waiting for my name to be called, the manager came out and took a long look at me.
"Weren't you here yesterday?", she asked. "You look very familiar."
I looked up at her and saw the reaction in her eyes. She saw the bandages under my cap. "Nope... Sorry.... I think you really would have recognized me."
She got a bit flustered and I got my screen cover replaced.
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Have you ever noticed that when you run out of something you start to notice other things that you're really running low on? That happened to me this morning. Actually, I didn't run out of toilet paper but when I put in a new roll and it's the last one it's time to restock. Then, while I was washing my hair, shaving, and replacing the bandages, I realized that I was gonna need some bar soap. And, while I was at it, I could use some new kitchen sponges.

Today would be a day for running errands.

It was a little before 8 when I left. I had several stops to make but most of them weren't open yet. I headed to Shoprite first. I took Rahway to Freeman towards St. George. On Freeman, I saw this guy mowing his lawn.

Judging by the condition of his grass it looked like he was gonna be busy for a while. I drove on by. I was only out today to run some errands.

I bought a four-pack of toilet paper (store brand, two ply) and a package of scrubber sponges (a 3-pack with a bonus sponge thrown in) for what I thought were reasonable prices but I couldn't bring myself to buy the soap there. I knew where I could get it cheaper.

I drove down St. George, made the right on Main, and stopped at the Loewe's strip mall. They have a Dollar Store there. I picked up a 2-pack of Irish Spring for $1. It was getting close to 9 when the Pharmacy at Walmart would open.

I've used this Pharmacy since July of 2008, when I was first diagnosed, and I've never had a problem.Sure, there's been some personnel changes but they've always made sure that I had what I needed even if they were still waiting for authorization for a renewal.

There was some roadwork being done to the main entrance so I had to drive around back.As I pulled in, this guy was just up ahead of me, not paying too much attention to where he was or what he was doing.

I just drove on by. I had a prescription to pick up and I needed some over-the-counter stuff.

(Interestingly, the new pharmacist was the only one there when I got to the counter and she started up the system. She doesn't know me yet so I had to go through the "name-and-date-of-birth" routine. After a minute or two, the young girl who normally works the register came in and, as soon as she saw me , asked what had happened to my head.)

My next stop would be the Woodbridge Main Library but, since this is August, I knew that they wouldn't open until 10. I had time for breakfast so I figured on just going to the nearby Dunkin' Donuts. I cut through a couple of parking lots to get there and came across this guy loading some stuff in his trunk.

I figured he was doing what I was doing - running some errands. I drove by.

I don't go to this Dunkin' Donuts often but I enjoyed my breakfast and, surprisingly, they were giving away the paper for free.

It was about 20 minutes to 10 when I headed for the Library. The fastest way is to take Ford's Avenue to Route 1 and cut through the Shoprite parking lot to St. George. I had all 4 windows open and was enjoying the day. I even slid back the sun roof even though I should stay out of the sun. I figured that I deserved a little break. Just up ahead I could see this woman jogging.

She was enjoying the day, too. I drove on by.

I got to the Library a few minutes before 10, parked in the small side lot, and joined the 4 or 5 people waiting by the front door. I was here to print out a copy of my checking account statement and to make some copies of a log sheet that I use to keep track of my daily vital signs - blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate, and weight.

I do this every month.

(I know .... I can look at my checking account on-line, and I do, but I'm kinda anal about balancing my check book). The woman at the check-in desk remembered my name but made no comment about my bandages. It only took about 10 minutes to get the printout and make the copies.

Doyle was standing by my car when i got back to the lot.
"Hey, Denny! Nice wheels!" He gestured behind him.
We shook hands.
"Thanks, Doyle. I got lucky and it was a good price."
"So I understand." He chuckled... Seriously ... He chuckled.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, when you registered the car you put down that the purchase price was $50. I'm just sayin' that seems like a really good price for a '99 Honda Civic."

He had me there so I tried changing the subject.
"So .... is everything OK? I haven't heard from you in, like, a month and it must be closer to two since I've seen you. Have things changed with Gordon?"
He shook his head.
"Nope. Nothing new there. He's still keeping us busy in the Delmarva area. He's like 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'."

I was kinda stumped by that. I knew who the character was, of course, but I was surprised that Doyle would make that kind of reference.
"Wait .. What? Where did that come from?"
He grinned. "I read. Well .... I used to read, when I had the time. I think the quote goes ..'They seek him here, they seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That demned elusive Pimpernel.'"
"HA! You never cease to amaze me." I thought about that for a second or two. "So, if there's nothing new there then why are you here, Doyle?"
He looked embarrassed. "Well, to be honest, I felt bad that I wasn't able to come up last week after your surgery but this was the best I could do. I understand that everything went well but I wanted to know how you were doing."

I told him everything that had happened since last week and he didn't interrupt, just nodded from time to time. When I was done, he actually slapped me on the shoulder.
"Good for you, Denny. Happy to know you can change a bandage by yourself."

I understood what he meant. We're guys. Again, I tried to change the topic.
OK. So .... what are the plans going forward?"

He grinned. He understood, too.
"We keep doin' what we've been doin'. I don't know any other way."
"OK, then. .... Good luck, Doyle." I stuck out my hand.
He grinned and took it, then walked down the hill to where I could see a black SUV parked. He got in and drove away.

I got in to my own car and sat there for a few minutes. It's funny what can happen when all you planned to do was ...

running some errands.

Almost Back To Normal ...................

I've mentioned before that I've been had this situation with a recurring carcinoma on my forehead, just above my left eyebrow. Well, a week ago I went down to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for some same-day surgery. (Thankfully, my daughter drove me down and stayed through the whole process.) I was knocked out completely but, I understand, the Oncologist went first and the Plastic Surgeon finished up with the reconstruction. When I came to in Recovery, I had this incredibly ugly-looking set of bandages covering my entire forehead and instructions on not getting it wet until I got to see the Plastic Surgeon again.

I had to wait until yesterday for the office visit, which meant that I couldn't wash my hair and was reduced to sponge baths for this past week. Thankfully, I found an old Rangers cap that I could wear over the bandages  so that I didn't feel too self-conscious going outside.

Yesterday, one of the nurses took off the bandages and the doctor took out some staples and some stitches (both of which I was unaware of). He said that everything looked good. Then the nurse applied some more bandages, wrapped my head in gauze, and gave me an appointment for two weeks from now. I would have to change the bandages myself every day until then but at least I won't have to use the gauze "turban".
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This morning, to be honest, I was a little concerned about the bandages but everything went well. I washed my hair, shaved, and put on the new dressings without a problem. Of course, the new bandages still cover my entire forehead but they're nowhere near as conspicuous as the prior ones.

I was feeling good and I decided to take a ride and see what would happen.

I was tempted right off the bat. While getting into my car, I noticed this guy doing some landscaping across the street.

Conditions were good but it was just too close to home. I drove away. I stopped at Shoprite and wound up buying a sandwich that I could have for supper. This meant that I would need to swing back by my place to put it in the refrigerator. I took Freeman Street back and, as I stopped at the sign on Church Street, I saw this guy across the street.

This is one of those strange intersections where you really have to look around for traffic before proceeding. There was no one around and I made the left turn.

Point, press, Flash.

I dropped off the sandwich and headed towards the Dunkin' Donuts in Avenel. This would be the first time since the surgery that I felt comfortable enough to eat out. I had a Ham and Cheese Breakfast Wrap and a medium Iced Tea. Although the counter-girl did notice the bandage under my cap and asked about it, no one else paid any attention to me. As usual, I had a book with me and just sat there enjoying my breakfast. When I was done, I decided to head towards the Metuchen Library.

I drove up the block and made the right turn heading towards Avenel Street. That's where I saw this guy.

There was no one around but, as I watched this old guy push himself to keep going up the hill, I decided to drive by. I figured that if he could drag himself out to take a walk who was I to interrupt him.

Avenel Street becomes Chain-of-Hills Road which turns right into New Dover. As I drove along I could see that some of the side streets were closed due to different kinds of street work. On a whim, I turned up Wood Avenue and came across this guy working on some overhead wires.

This one was easy.

Point, press, Flash.

I kept going and made a left onto Inman.

I stopped at the library and picked up 2 new books. I thought about heading towards South Plainfield and the thrift store up there but decided against it.

I headed home, taking Main Street to Route 27. When I got to Grove Street, I made the right and headed up to Amboy Avenue. No particular reason, just enjoying the ride. That's when I saw this guy heading towards me.

It was quiet. It was peaceful. And he was already in the shadows.

Point, press, Flash.

I made the left on Amboy, the Right on Woodbridge, and followed that around to Rahway, parking on Claire.

It had been a good day and I was feeling ..

almost back to normal.

They Remain The Same.......

Over the last couple of weeks several things that I've had for years just stopped working.

 First, it was the Blood Pressure Monitor that they gave me when I left the hospital back in December of 2008. I had to replace that. It's a different unit but the readout is the same.

Then, there was the pedometer that I've been using since early '09 but I didn't replace that. Frankly, I really haven't been keeping track of how far I walk each day so wearing the pedometer was more of a habit.

Then my watch stopped. I thought about not replacing it but I've worn one for over 50 years and that quick-glance-at-the-wrist gesture is hard to break. Besides, I prefer analog to digital when it comes to telling time. I had to replace it. It's a different color but the make and model is the same.

Now we come to the big one.

A week ago Thursday, I dropped off my car because I had a problem starting her up in the morning. When I went back Friday morning, my mechanic showed me that there was a gas leak in the engine and said that I was lucky that she hadn't burst into flames while I was driving. He'd never seen this before and it would cost at least $600 to fix the problem, assuming he could get the part from the Dealer. (I know what you might be thinking, but I trust this guy. He's treated me well over the years.)  He said he'd hold onto her until I decided what to do.

Of course, I would have to replace her, but I wasn't sure how. That's when I got lucky. A friend was selling a car to someone else who had an older car but was going to donate it. Long story short, I got the older car which, interestingly enough, is still newer then the car I had. The price was "minimal".

And this was how things went.

This past Tuesday, we all got together to arrange the exchange.

There was a lot of hurry-up-and-wait, and we had some trouble getting the plates off both cars, but Tuesday night is the late night at the MVC and we got all the paperwork done. I drove home in a 1999 Honda Civic.

Wednesday morning I went back to my mechanic. He agreed to just take the car and sell it for parts and I spent some time emptying the trunk and cleaning out the inside.

I drove away, leaving my old 1991 Chrysler New Yorker behind. I still had some things to take care of.

I ran a couple of quick errands then stopped at the Woodbridge Municipal Center. Because of the easy access to New York City by bus or train, we have some interesting parking restrictions where I live. I needed to get a Resident Parking Permit Sticker for my window so that I wouldn't get ticketed.

The last thing I had to do was to return the license plates (I had agreed to return them all). I went to the MVC office in South Plainfield and the whole exchange took less then 5 minutes.

Thursday and Friday were spent getting used to the "new" car - adjusting the driver's seat and the mirrors, learning the lights and wipers, just getting comfortable. I found out that the radio didn't work, which wasn't a big deal since the radio in the Chrysler didn't work either. (Again, a friend tried to help me out but that didn't work out).

When I woke up this morning it was raining but it had stopped by the time I went out. I had a few errands to run and was in no rush.

I stopped at the Post Office in Avenel and mailed my rent check.

I stopped at Shoprite for the paper.

I stopped at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast.

I stopped at the Menlo Park Mall and sat in a comfortable chair in one of the side courts, reading the paper and doing the crossword puzzle (It's sort of a Saturday ritual for me.). When I left there, the sun had broken through. I took the long way home, enjoying the ride and the hum of the engine. That's when I saw this woman up ahead.

I couldn't resist.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove on. I was feeling good. Maybe 10 minutes later I saw this guy up ahead.

I caught up to him just as he reached the trees.

Point, press, Flash.

I headed for home.

I was thinking that over the last week or so I'd had to change my Blood Pressure Monitor but the display was the same. I'd had to change my watch but the make and model was the same. I'd had to change my car but the color and number of doors stayed the same. It just goes to show - the more things change, the more ...

They remain the same.