Delay

out of Las Vegas due to San Francisco weather. My flight on US AIR was running about an hour and a half behind schedule. I was truly hoping it would not be delayed any further as I have a rescheduled RA appointment at 4:00pm. As a standby employee, I was cleared immediately by the nice male gate agent who gave me an aisle seat close to the front of the aircraft. With another SFO flight that was scheduled and now delayed, the agent working that one started piling passengers onto my flight which was now going to be very full. Needless to say, I made it. While waiting in the boarding area, I noticed "Dog, the bounty hunter", from Hawaii sitting at the slot machine area being closely watched by his co-worker/body guard. In a few seconds, his wife Beth showed up by his side and you can't miss her! I tried to dish out my camera from my bag but they were gone at the sound of the 1st class boarding announcement for Phoenix. That would have been a sweet picture.My flight home was a little turbulent as we landed in raining San Francisco a little after 2:00pm. I drove home to check up on my son and my home . I had not seen my RAtologist since December when I started my Humira injections. In between that time, I have taken a few blood tests at the lab and so far, he is very pleased at where my marks are. My SED rate when I first started in August was over 100 when my Primary doctor diagnosed me. My RA, one week later pegged it at 96. Today, he stated it was at 32. He lowered my Prednisone from one and half tablet to one only. I'm still taking one folic acid and one multi-vitamin daily. 4 tablets of Methotrexate is still taken weekly. He was also very pleased to hear that I have not taken any Aleve or Motrin for pain. I would really rather feel the pain than NOT to feel any pain. How else can I identify if my body is hurting? My visits with him will be twice a year and hopefully down to once a year unless anything significant happens between now and then. I'll still be coming in monthly for more expanded blood tests which he will CC to my primary doctor. I am very happy that he's happy. I feel wonderful right now and very pleased with the results of my medication. Sure, I've gained a bit of weight versus the pain but to keep myself in check and back to normal, it's worth a little weight gain.

Poolside

at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas as I am comfortable in my lounge chair feeling the gentle breeze of the wind waft over my body and the warmth of the sunshine upon me. What a grand feeling knowing that I don't have to be anywhere at anytime with anyone, decadent! So far, I have not won anything on the silver mechanical monstrosities called slot machines. My budget was very low coming to Vegas in the first place with only one thing in mind....picking up my Starbucks coffee kit. Relaxed as I am, this will be my last night here in this beautiful hotel. I will be leaving early in the morning to catch whatever flight that will get me home in time for my RAtologist appointment at 4:00pm which was originally scheduled for today. About an hour in the sun was good and called it a day for the pool and started towards the spa for another workout on the treadmill and bicycle. I love my Diamond Card and all the perks that go with it. After an hour of working out, I made my way back to my room to rest and take advantage of my tub for a bubble bath, delicious! Only to shower off and take a short nap before going to the Diamond Lounge for something to eat. I met quite a few personable waitstaff while here in the lounge and it shows that they truly enjoy what they're doing. Rustin and Mario remember me from previous nights ago and nod, "Good to see you again!". I make my way over to my usual corner of the dining room in my two seat booth tucked away in a nook. Again, sandwiches are the main course with crispy chicken wings and dim sum rounding out the hors d'oeuvre menu. Drinks flow freely here and the patrons come and go. I take my white zinfandel and a cappuccino for drinks while noshing away on the canapes, deserts and appetizers. My belly full again, I bid adieu to the staff that has treated me as if they have known me for ages and set out to find a winning machine.

Building closed

was the hand made sign taped to the glass door of my primary physician's office. I was due for an appointment to receive a consultation on a pelvic examination that I completed last week. California is still battling the storm front that arrived a few days ago, leaving in it's wake, no electricity, closed schools and businesses. Upon entering the facility parking lot, it was completely empty of cars. Number one indicator telling me that they weren't open for business. I guessed that they wouldn't know how to call me with having no electricity. The grey ominous skies and heavy rains were still hanging around and the brunt of it would be here in a few hours. I had to drive the perilous highway to San Mateo and visit my RAtologist. Getting there was half of the problem with the recent and current rains creating havoc on Highway 101. With a few inches of standing water, vehicles were hydroplaning and throwing off an exorbitant amount of water on, often times, other vehicles. People were still driving way too fast for their own good. After giving my monthly blood allotment and making sure my certification papers for my returning to work was in order, I had the arduous task of driving back home. The grey skies had grown darker, winds gusting and the rain streamed steadily down from the clouds. Traffic had tripled due to the rush hour and luckily had slowed down causing everyone to drive at a snail's pace. A sea of red brake lights illuminated the darkness, drivers content in their metal tube on wheels, listening to their music or chatting on their phones, protecting them from the elements outside. How did the caveman survive? As I approached my home, it was like a war zone. Garbage cans and recycle bins were strewn everywhere, a thick padding of pine needles, leaves and greenery adorned the streets like a homemade carpet and fallen heavy branches and the force of the strong winds, ripped and torn away from it's mate, lay in a mangled clump of wetness. What power mother nature has. In her most awesome of fury, unbridled, we are diminutive in her wake.