Big update coming tomorrow..... stay tuned
Cheers,
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
The sky is falling! (C-Day)
Well it started as a little joke in the office, about a month ago I said hey guys my vision is a little blurry. (insert instant diagnosis from colleges in the nearby cubicals.) And so it went for a few weeks. With me saying if this doesn't clear up next week I am going to the doctor. Well it didn't clear up. So I scheduled an appointment with an ophthalmologist thinking the worse ( detached retina). On Friday the 20th of June I went to the doctor, and after running through all the test with the optical assistant, she confirmed that I was having trouble seeing out of my left eye. Now time to see the doc, after peering into my virgin dilated eyes for about 5 minutes. I was informed that I did indeed have a detached retina and needed surgery immediately. Although I could not really see the look the doctors face as my pupils were dilated to the size of a dinner plates his tone spoke volumes to the seriousness of the situation. So a quick phone call to the retina specialist and everything was set. Drive about 5 miles up highway 159 and you will see the office on the left. Ok, I can drive, but I can't see the buttons on my phone to call Jennifer and let her know that I would be needing a ride home after the surgery. Well, after much fumbling about, I did reach Jennifer and tell her that I would need a ride, but I would call back after seeing the new Doc and getting more info..... ( oops one way street pay attention son your going to kill yourself before you get there). Ok after a false start I continued on to the surgery center, boy I hope they have a really big sign, because I can't see so well. Needless to say I Was driving about 10 miles an hour below the speed limit trying to make out the signs, but then there it was, a large sign in front of a non nondescript medical building "Laser Surgery" nice one, I made it.
It was now about 3:00 pm and the the office was empty as I approached the receptionists window. "Hello, I am here to see doctor Flemming". "Are you Paul". "yes". "please have a seat".After a couple of minutes staring at the magazine rack, in the spacious , waiting area, I was ushered into the exam room. Only I felt a little like a rock star from the attention I seemed to be getting from the ladies at the desk and in the office area. I don't know if this feeling was generated by the fact that they were disappointed to see an emergency retina surgery on a Friday afternoon, or because I was about to become one of the 1,345 in 300,000,000+ people in the United States to win the annual Choroidal Melanoma (eye cancer) lottery.
So after a repeat of the last 5 min exam I was first informed that I do not have a "detached retina". At first there was the slightest sense of relief maybe 5 seconds. Something did not feel right the Doc then took another quick peek and sat down in front of me and asked me if i knew what melanoma was, sure "skin cancer" I replied. Doc Flemming then informed me at about 3:15 pm that I had "skin cancer", IN MY EYE. That takes a minute to process to be sure.
So that is were we will start. I can assure you that I will try and keep a lightness to this blog as I document my experiences.
It was now about 3:00 pm and the the office was empty as I approached the receptionists window. "Hello, I am here to see doctor Flemming". "Are you Paul". "yes". "please have a seat".After a couple of minutes staring at the magazine rack, in the spacious , waiting area, I was ushered into the exam room. Only I felt a little like a rock star from the attention I seemed to be getting from the ladies at the desk and in the office area. I don't know if this feeling was generated by the fact that they were disappointed to see an emergency retina surgery on a Friday afternoon, or because I was about to become one of the 1,345 in 300,000,000+ people in the United States to win the annual Choroidal Melanoma (eye cancer) lottery.
So after a repeat of the last 5 min exam I was first informed that I do not have a "detached retina". At first there was the slightest sense of relief maybe 5 seconds. Something did not feel right the Doc then took another quick peek and sat down in front of me and asked me if i knew what melanoma was, sure "skin cancer" I replied. Doc Flemming then informed me at about 3:15 pm that I had "skin cancer", IN MY EYE. That takes a minute to process to be sure.
So that is were we will start. I can assure you that I will try and keep a lightness to this blog as I document my experiences.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Day One of the Custommasterpieces.com Blog
Day ONE just to bring everyone up to date.
We have finally returned to the US to live. No more jumping around Europe. We have settled just outside of St. Louis Missouri (in Illinois) to be close to family. Mackenzie (8), Emma (6), and Keira and Kylie(3) are adjusting to living in the States very well. They also love being closer to their grandparents. (Now the proper spoiling begins). We have also added KIA , a 4 year old golden retriever, to the family. (yes I know another girl..) My day job is with (DISA) the Defense Information Systems Agency.
So after 3 yrs in Berlin, 3 yrs in southern Germany, 5 yrs in Belgium and 3 years in Kosovo it is time to start fulfilling the potential of Custommasterpieces.com. I am hoping to accomplish many things with this blog.
1. Provide a place to build and maintain an informal relationship with customers of Custommasterpieces.com
2. Provide some insight into the trials and tribulations of building a business from scratch.
3. Share the stories behind the paintings and the emotions that are involved in both creating the perfect painting and the special moments that are created by the people who receive it.
We have finally returned to the US to live. No more jumping around Europe. We have settled just outside of St. Louis Missouri (in Illinois) to be close to family. Mackenzie (8), Emma (6), and Keira and Kylie(3) are adjusting to living in the States very well. They also love being closer to their grandparents. (Now the proper spoiling begins). We have also added KIA , a 4 year old golden retriever, to the family. (yes I know another girl..) My day job is with (DISA) the Defense Information Systems Agency.
So after 3 yrs in Berlin, 3 yrs in southern Germany, 5 yrs in Belgium and 3 years in Kosovo it is time to start fulfilling the potential of Custommasterpieces.com. I am hoping to accomplish many things with this blog.
1. Provide a place to build and maintain an informal relationship with customers of Custommasterpieces.com
2. Provide some insight into the trials and tribulations of building a business from scratch.
3. Share the stories behind the paintings and the emotions that are involved in both creating the perfect painting and the special moments that are created by the people who receive it.
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