Weeks of March 3 and 10, 2025

The big thing this week: I was in the hospital Monday through Thursday. I woke up with severe pain in my left side around 3:30am Monday, which I thought might be a kidney stone given family history. The pain escalated to the point of making me vomit and writhe, so I went to the ER. Lots of tests and consultations later, I learned that I have blood clots in my kidney and no one is quite sure why they are there. So I have lots of follow up appointments with specialists coming up and I’m on blood thinners.

The pain is almost gone, though I still occasionally have a dull ache that comes and goes. I had no idea blood clots were painful.

Unfortunately I have lots of brain fog right now and find it difficult to focus, think clearly, recall things, etc. I don’t feel sharp, and it is incredibly frustrating.

That’s where I’m at. I’m hoping to learn this week, when I visit a hemotologist who ordered a lot of special blood tests, what likely caused the clot, whether or not I need to be worried going forward, and whether or not I need to take blood thinners for the rest of my life.

This was first time being hospitalized, getting CT scans, EKGs, IV medications, etc. Not a fun week. I feel like I’ve been jolted into middle age.

A few things come to mind last about week (with assistance from looking through my photos):

In Peekskill, Bucko! shut down and the Bantam Tools folks (Bre Pettis) opened a machine art gallery.

For the first time I remembered to order a King Cake before they were all sold out or too late. It came on Fat Tuesday and it was delicious. Charlie was fascinated with the baby. I intended to make red beans and rice for dinner, but work got away from me and I didn’t plan well enough, so I didn’t. Maybe next year.

My parents came to visit last weekend (pre hospital) and we had a nice visit. We ate at Slainté in Peekskill, Meyer’s Olde Dutch in Beacon, and Chipotle to support the local library. We also went and checked out the Amawalk Outlet, the pier, and played outside and inside.

One evening Dad and I figured out how to refill SodaStream CO2 canisters from a larger tank. The trick (besides for the right adaptor) is to freeze the receiving tank for a temperature differential and flip the main tank upside down. Also to open the valve very slowly to avoid blowing the pressure pin. Weigh the small tank before and after.

We also recharged the freon on a small cooler/fridge in my basement, and cloned two old Mac laptops.

I did some good fly tying last week pre-hospital, and some frustratingly slow and crappy fly tying this week post-hospital.

Pre:

I’m proud of the hotspot gnats, peacock and purple wet flies, and the hot glue ants. The pink squirrel variations and different nymphs were experiments to see what I want to double down on and tie more of.

Post:

The basic worms, zebra midges, and leeches took me all day Friday to tie (usually 2 hours max), and the Sexy Walt’s with the fur hackle took me a couple hours (usually under an hour). Bleh.

That’s all I’ve got. Here’s to feeling better and sharper this coming week.

post-publishing addendum:

The world outside seems to have woken up this week. Swamp cabbages, garlic, tulips, and peonies have all emerged out of the ground. Crocuses bloomed and the daffodils look close.