Hi Donna,

As usual, your timing is impeccable! I saw the cardiologist yesterday. Yes I
still have a heart!

He said the stress test came out fine. Spent a good half hour with me
talking and we are doing

other testing. One, a new cholesterol blood test to see if I need my lipitor
increased. The last showed high ldl,

but I told him it was 'cause it was a non-fasting test. Scheduled an appt.
for an vascular ultrasound on both

legs to see why they cramp up when I try to walk any distance. Could be
blockage, could also by my buddy

arthur in my lower spine.  Supposed to take 2 hrs to do this. This will tell
us more. And lastly, getting an echo?

cardiogram to test for valve leakage which the stress test doesn't show. 30
yrs ago they did one and I was told

I had a deteriorating flap in a valve. There was nothing to be done then, so
I was to forget about it and move on.

This guy thinks 30 yrs is too long to wait for a follow-up. Ya think?!! So
I'll be a busy guy for the next few

weeks. So, Monday = cholesterol/fasting, 22nd abi on legs, 1st echo, 8th pcp
for results and recommendations.

Mike is doing well. He just finished his mid-terms yesterday. Grades have
been very good 'cept Math. He does

fine in class and homework, but tests poorly for some reason. Told him to
take his time and double check his

answers before turning in the test. We'll see. Been inquiring to various
culinary schools for him. Wow, those

babys are pricey! His back has been doing fine, far as I can tell anyway.
Has girls hanging all over him these days.

That's my boy!! :-)

My back has been generally consantly aching these days. Having the dogs in
my bed at night doesn't help it any.

It's only a twin and the lab takes up a lot of room. Tried to lock him out,
but then got no sleep from the

scratching and whining at the door. Looks like we need a bigger bed! I need
room to move around at night to

keep my back loose. No room to move right now.

Chubbs (lab) and Poe (shi po) are growing up just fine. Ran into Poes
brother the other day getting them shots.

Poe is a good 5 lbs heavier. I guess wrestling with a lab all day will do
that! Poe has adopted me as his pet.

Never more than a step or two away from me and very protective and jealous
of the attention I give the lab.

They remain best of friends though. So all is good in thier world and as
good as can be expected in mine

(all things considered.)

10 below zero outside (f) right now and is supposed to stay this way for the
next couple of days. This is the part

of winter I hate the most!

Love you all and I pray you all have a pain-free day today,

GaryZ