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.