Life Without Running

​I first went to the ER on February 25th because I felt like I might be experiencing symptoms of a TIA or so-called minor stroke. My balance was off, I was dropping things with my right hand and at times when I was standing my knees would simply collapse for no apparent reason. And during one of those episodes I fell but managed to catch myself on the kitchen counter by the sink where I was making coffee. I described it as if I had passed out but didn’t lose consciousness.  I recently went back over my discharge paperwork from that visit and all they put is that I had gone to the ER for blurry vision. The only follow up they recommended was with an ophthalmologist. However when rereading notes I saw the following regarding my left carotid: “ There is a large mixed density plaque with stenosis of the proximal internal carotid artery likely 75 to 80%. Moderate plaque is present in the carotid siphon as well. Left ophthalmic artery is patent approximately.” Additionally, they wrote “t...

​Chase & Haley Hockey, Easter, Smitty & Joe Visit.  Getting to watch the kids play back to back games was a highlight of the season for me. And Kate and her family was in town to see it.  Traditional Easter dinner.  Smitty and Joe came for a visit and as we always do when we get together we had a great time and a lot of laughs. We took Charlie and went to Estes Park for a day and took him with us when we went to the brewery to meet up with Stacie and have a short visit with Tom between meetings.  Despite the pictures being out of order I think it’s obvious which are Estes Park and which are New Belgium. 😂 We had a really good meal at the Hogfish Tavern just up the street from my apartment and then Charlie got his couch back when the guys flew home. 😂

​I look at my last post from time to time and each time I think that I need to get caught up but I just don’t get started. Here it is May 20th and I’m finally going to try to cover the last four plus months a little at a time. First some thoughts from Instagram posts that I found relevant.  The end of the NFL season was a fun one for us and led to “a house divided” at the O’Connells. 😊 when the Broncos and the Patriots made it all the way to the AFC Championship game. Tom and Chase were able to go to the game and sit in a suite. It was a great experience for them. Stacie and Haley were in Madison, Wisconsin for a hockey tournament. I stayed at their house with the dogs  😊 In organizing the next part of this post I went through pictures to help. The next section of my “life in Colorado” continues with following the kids activities as much as possible. Between my damn cataract issues limiting my driving and so many games being so far away I watched the majority of their games ...