Day 129 ~ Checking my Blood Pressure - Everyday

My blood pressure this morning

My blood pressure has been a bit on the high side so when I went to the VA Clinic for the very first time, they said they would mail me a Blood Pressure machine. It is simple to use.

relaxing, taking my BP

The nurse (named Patty) told me to take a deep breath first and then press the button and then breathe normally.  The deep breath relaxes you a bit.  I have started taking blood pressure meds and it did help in bringing it down which is good but I should lose weight and cut down on the salt and that would be a better way to control my BP.

My back up record

The machine records my stats each time I use it so I have to make sure no one else uses the machine. I have to bring the machine with me when I go back for a check up so Dr. Wong can read the results.  I make a written record on a notepad to back up what is in the machine.

See you tomorrow.

Day 126 ~ The VA Waiting Room

empty chairs at the VA

When I went to get Lab work done at the VA last Tuesday, I took a shot at these empty chairs. Why? Because if I had taken pictures of people sitting in them, these ex-marines would have beat the crap out of me! :) That's one of the hazards of going to the VA Clinic.

I must say, every time I have been at the VA, I have not had to wait but always the appointment time was honored! I can't say that about my civilian doctor....Way to go, VA!!!!

Day 124 ~ The Prez!

The President and some other guy

So I went to the VA Clinic to get some lab work done and I thought I'd take a picture of the front wall where you check in.  Sorry it's so blurry.  I know that is President Obama on the left but I am embarrassed to say I don't know who the man on the right is. Can someone enlighten me?

See you tomorrow.

Day 117 ~ A Valentine at the VA Clinic

A Valentine's Day Card for Vets

I went to the Veteran's Administration Clinic to get my blood pressure re-checked (It was a bit on the high side 2 weeks ago) and as I sat at the desk to schedule my next appointment, I notice this stack of Valentine's Day Cards. Evidently, a school group made these for the Vet's and, if I wanted to, I could take one.  How sweet!

inside of the card

 It turns out when you open the card it is really a word find. I imagine it is for people to pass the time while they wait to see a doctor. I am not much on word finds and don't really find them amusing so I didn't take one and thought I 'd leave it for someone who did like them.

What I did like was how the Vets are still being remembered by our school children. God bless the teacher who led the class to do this and the kids who actually put them together.  At the VA clinic I see a lot of Vietnam era vets and even some Korean war heroes. To me, those guys really deserve respect. I am not downplaying my own veterans status and it was an honor to serve but I am truly grateful for these guys who faced more hardships than I ever did. God bless our Vets!

See you tomorrow.  

Day 104 ~ A VA Appointment

This is where my "clinic" is

Losing my job meant losing my health Insurance so one of the first things the Military Representative at the Unemployment Office suggested I do is apply to the VA for health benefits. I did that way back in November and I had my intake scheduled for this past Monday. The one thing about the VA it does take a long time to get an appointment. 

VA Entranceway

 Here is the entranceway. It was very crowded in the parking lot but, amazingly, my appointment was on time and I really like my doctor, Dr. Wong.

A Funny Sign  by the "Check in" Station

When I saw this sign while I was being checked in, I laughed. I have an appointment  in 7 months to do routine blood work to check cholesterol, ect and I actually go back in two weeks because they want to check my blood pressure. It was slightly high. They are sending me a blood pressure measuring machine in the mail so I can monitor my own BP.  Thank you, taxpayers!

See you tomorrow.

Day 17 ~ Vets eat Free!

Holding a postcard they gave out

Apple-bee's honors Veterans by giving them a free meal. So Karen and I went out to eat! It was a bit crowded but we really didn't have to wait that long to be seated, only 15 minutes.  I ended up getting a Bacon Cheeseburger with fries! It was a nice night. Thank you, Apple-bee's for the free meal and thank you, all veterans, for serving with me!

At Target, after we ate, to do a little shopping. Christmas is just around the corner!

we also went to Petco

just me being me 

close up of the postcard