14-22 May Gunny Update

So much for keeping up with my postings but I'm sitting here watching "Tudor's" with Kristine and Jake and decided to use my time wisely and update what has been going over the past 10 days..

On my last posting I mentioned the 14th I would have my baseline MRI. However, before I did I met with a new friend I have developed since I was diagnosed with the brain tumor. Jillian has been a part of the "Race for Hope" since it's inception. She lost her father to a GBM tumor and along with her family made a committment to continue supporting the race and any other function which will help us find a cure or at a minimum provide options to doctors on treatments for patient. I had to go to WRAMC beforehand for some blood tests the chemo oncologist ordered. Once done I headed to Bethesda to meet Jillian for the first time..although we met up for lunch and had plenty of time before I headed to NIH we never ordered lunch because we just connected real well and spent the entire time chatting it up. She is someone I plan on leaning on for fund raising ideas but more looking forward to developing a strong friendship with Jillian and my family.
I left in time to get to NIH for my baseline MRI and went through the process of getting an IV put in me so they could put dye in my body during the MRI. I have to admit they stuck me real close to where blood had been drawn the day before so it goes without saying my arm was sore. Had to wait my but once I got in, it was pretty routine and once in the tube I slept while it the machine did it's thing. Note to self, on my next scheduled MRI I won't accept a 1400 or later time because of traffic around here in the beltway..although it being a Friday probably just made it even worst.

15th - So after some further discussion with Kristine we made the command decision to remodel the entire bathroom. I must admit I was shocked she was willing to do it but it will give me something to focus on while I sit at home by myself until I return back to work on the 3rd. We went to Lowes and picked out the tile for the flooring and walls plus picked up necessary tools I'm going to need.

16th - We get up have breakfast, then Kristine and I get our work clothes on to start our bathroom remodeling project. I have to admit when we started this I didn't realize how much stuff (crap) we had in that little room. Needless to say we emptied it out and started ripping up the flooring and tearing down the walls. After lots of effort finally was able to get the wash basin removed and although I had turned off the water at the shut off valve I had a leak on the hot water valve. Went to back to Lowes which is becoming a recurrent trip over the coming days.. Needless to say the one I bought didn't work and had to return because if I didn't I was going to have to be up every hour to empty out the bucket I had in place or I was going to cause a bigger mess in the basement area we just had remodeled 3 weeks ago. Anyhow, I purchased 5 feet of tubing which I placed over the nipple and then ran the other end of the tubing into the toilet.

17th - Finished pulling all the tile from the walls of the tub and went out to Home Depot since Lowes didn't have the shut-off valve I needed. Found what I needed and then went back to Lowe's to pick up durarock (cement wall board) I need to complete the project. Maddie was suppose to have her District softball game tonight but weather remains dreary/raining and cool and so it's been cancelled. Ripped out some drywall that needs replacing but I'm trying to be careful because I don't want to rip out more than I need to. Since Maddie doesn't have a game plus me being at home I'm on the hook to cook dinner as well so my day of remodeling is cut short.

18th - Early rain today but it quits early; however, dreary and cool so Maddie's game is cancelled again. I start working on getting up the sub-flooring and trying to avoid the destruction of the base flooring. Also had to read up on how to remove a toilet..an easy task but nasty endeavor. Once done and got it out the sub-flooring around it was all rotted out.. Finally got all the subflooring out and then noticed I was going to have to replace a section of the base flooring. In addition, I'm going to have to pull the tub out now..this project just keeps getting bigger by the day.. uuugghhh!!!

19th - Kristine left for Dallas today to take a class for an advanced property mgmt classification..going to miss her and especially on the 21st which is our 19th wedding anniversay. Kristine and I have grown up together and we both will tell anyone that marriage is a second job and we won't deny there have been some rough patches along the way but it has only made us a stronger couple. Kristine, I love you and glad we've made it this far and look forward to many more ahead of us. Maddie's district softball finally was played but unfortunately we ran out of inning's and lost the game.. We also found out this week Maddie was selected as "honorable mention" for district honors.. Maddie, your mom, Jake and I are so very proud of you..

20th - Today was a tough day..I have head aches.. not a head ache but sharp pains so not much getting done in the bathroom.. Kristine is gone so she can't nag to much.. :-)

21st - Not much going to get done in the bathroom again because there is a going away luncheon for my friend and my old contract project lead (Brian P) down in Stafford.. and then the kids and I also have tickets for the Nats/O's game..we also take our other son with us.. Mike Counts.. Between he and Jake those two young men have kept Kristine on our toes over the years... They have nicknames like "peaches and cream" and one that I won't share on the net but needless to say each summer they do something we get a laugh at much later but when we first find out I want to strangle them both. Fun day today.. Happy Anniversay Babe..hope your having fun in Dallas..

22nd - I get up early to get back to work on the bathroom..plus with Kristine coming home I need to show some progress :-).. I have a neighbor that is a general contractor and ask him over to give me some tips..plus I've been struggling for a few days to get the drain out of the tub..so I can get it out to get to the base floor. My neighbor comes over takes the special wrench along with my large ratchet and breaks it free with one turn..talk about feel foolish. Maddie decides to join me today and actually was a big help.... got the tub, cut out sections of the drywall that needed replacing, and actually was able to cut out a section of the base floor....Mom (Kristine) gets home..glad she's home but she is tired..appears she had some fun the night before and then with an early morning to catch her flight she is feeling the effects of not doing this more than once or twice a year..