Billi Pod Updates - Nick Sudzina - Yogi Berra - Clint Curtis

Thursday==>Yes, my loyal and faithful readers and followers, your favorite Sunshine State blogger is alive and feeling mostly well following his surgical procedure on Tuesday.

I hope you will understand that he just hasn’t felt like sitting in front of this ‘puter and writing ... but ... he does recognize his obligations to keep you informed ... so ... without further ado ... let’s get started with an update, in summary form ... beginning with ...

Tuesday. I was up at 6:00am. Ubered to Florida Hospital in downtown Orlando. Was at the checkin area at the scheduled 8:00am. Lots and lots of paperwork and signing and initialing etc.

Taken back to the surgery area. More paper work and “interviews” with nurses, assistants and doctors. 

Was zonked out around 10:00am and was back in recovery about 10:30am.

Woke up. Felt amazingly good. No pain.

Checkout process began with tons and tons of more paperwork, interviews, and post-op instructions.

Basically I was told to just take it easy, not shower for 48 hours and cut back on the walking for 3 full days.

My dear friend, Renzy Hanshaw, arrived and I was released to him around 12:30pm. Much earlier than I had anticipated. Was back at my apartment around 1:00pm after dropping off a ‘script for pain medicine at Publix.

Thank you Renzy for being such a friend.

In about 30 minutes I slowly walked over to Publix to pick up the med. No pain or dizziness.

When I got back, took one pill just to be safe and then I crashed for about 2 hours.

Spent the evening in front of my TV watching the Yankee/Blue Jays game, won by the Yankees 6-4 in extra innings, on a 3-run HR from rookie Greg Bird.

Didn’t do my usual walking regimen during the game.

After thanking my Higher Power for getting me though the day, I crashed around midnight feeling good but tired.

Wednesday. Woke up around 8:00am. Felt OK ... not great ... but OK. No pain or discomfort.

Walked over to Publix to pick up the daily papers ... no pain or discomfort.

At noon I met up with my dear friend Nike Sudzina, who is the Trial Court Administrator for the Tenth Judicial Circuit, located in Bartow, FL.

We leisurely walked over to Winter Park Village where we had an awesome lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.

We did some much needed/wanted catching up. I especially liked being updated on what was going on in the Tenth Circuit.

I would guess it was around 1:30pm when Nick left.

I suddenly felt very tired so I lay down on the bed and ... OMFG ... it was 5:30pm when I woke up. Have no idea where that came from.

As instructed, I took off the bandage. No bleeding. Was somewhat surprised to discover that the incision was less than an inch long. Wow.

Spent the rest of the day/evening watching baseball, including the final Yankees/Blue Jays game, won by the Jays 4-0 on Russell Martin’s 3-run HR.

The win extended the Jay’s lead over the Yankees in the AL East to 3.5 games and, in my opinion, sealed that part of the post-season race. I still believe, however, that the Yankees will make the playoffs via the wild card.

Didn’t do my usual walking regimen during the games.

Crashed around 1:30am. No pain or discomfort.

Thursday. Woke up around 8:00am. Feeling kinda blah.

Walked over to Publix for the papers.

After having breakfast I suddenly felt drained, so I crashed for about 2 1/2 hours.

It is now 2:30pm and I feel much better.

I think that sleeping issue is a reaction to one the meds prescribed to address the prostate cancer issue(s).

Anyway ... I will continue on my “take-it-easy” program for the remainder of the day. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to do a walk and wander session because I am getting really antsy.

As previously reported==>I have an appointment with my oncologist on Wednesday, September 30th, for my diagnosis/prognosis and, hopefully, a plan to do you-know-what.

Will remain in front of my TV this afternoon and tonight watching baseball.

Tonight at 7:05pm from Yankee Stadium, The House that Greed and Ego Built, will be game 1 of the 4-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

On the mound for the Yankees (83-68) will be Michael Pineda (11-8), coming off an excellent game against the Mets vs. Chris Sale (12-10), who is 0-3 in his last four starts, for the Sox (72-80).

I will not do my usual walking regimen during the game.

The Yankee Universe, joined by baseball fans everywhere, are mourning the loss of Yogi Berra, who died on Tuesday at the age of 90.

During his long history, no player won more World Series Championships or better personified the wonder of professional baseball.

He was known for his “Yogi-isms” including my favorites ...

“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”

“When you come to a fork in the road ... take it.”

“Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.”

“You should always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they won’t come to yours.”

RIP YOGI.

In closing==>On Monday I lost another longtime friend, attorney Clint Curtis, of Lake Wales, FL.

Clint was 83 and lost a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was one of the nicest guys I have ever known. He was a devout family man and an attorney known for his professionalism and knowledge of the law. He will be missed by so many. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to every member of his loving family, especially my high school classmate Flo. She and Clint were married for 62 years.

RIP CLINT.

OK, my loyal and faithful readers and followers you are now up-to-date ... so ... let’s ... 

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Yesterday’s mileage==>2.10 miles (or, 9,176 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,076.72 miles (average 4.05 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

Yankees/Mets - Dinner with Bill - Medical Update

Monday==>Good morning my loyal and faithful readers and followers. Let’s get started with ...

Last night at Citi Field in Flushing, NY, the Yankees delivered an 11-2 ass-whipping to the NL East leading Mets on an excellent outing from CC Sabathia, clutch hitting from Carlos Beltran, HRs from Dustin Ackley and Greg Bird, and sloppy defense by the Mets.

It was a very exciting game to watch, for a Yankee fan.

The win gave the Yankees a 2-1 record in the Subway Series and allowed them to pull within 2.5 games of the Blue Jays for the lead in the AL East.

It also sets up an critical 3-game series against the Blue Jays, beginning tonight at 7:07pm in Toronto.

On the mound for the Yankees (82-66) will be Adam Warren (6-6) vs. David Price (16-5) for the Blue Jays (85-64). Price has a career record of 12-7 against the Bronx Bombers.

Of course, your favorite Sunshine State blogger will be in front of his 42” flat screen TV biting his nails and watching the game.

Moving on ...

Last night my son Bill III aka The Bill and I had a great meal at our favorite Winter Park restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, on Aloma Drive. We both had sirloin steaks and they were excellent.

On the way back to my apartment we made the usual stop at Krispy Kreme to pick up the some sinfully delicious chocolate glazed donuts.

Moving on some more ...

This afternoon at 2:15pm I have “Pre-Admission Testing” (whatever in the f**k that means) at Florida Hospital in Orlando, in preparation for the biopsy procedure tomorrow.

I will Uber to and from the hospital.

Then, tomorrow at 8:00am I report to the hospital. I have been advised that the procedure will probably begin around 10:00am. I will be zonked out.

It is an out-patient procedure and I should be ready for release around 3:00pm.

As some of you will remember, Bill is the coach of the Lake Howell High School’s Boys Golf Team. Well, tomorrow they have an away tournament ... so ... we have made arrangements for our friend Renzy Hanshaw to pick me up and take me back to the apartment.

I now have an appointment with my oncologist, Raul Castilla, scheduled for 10:15am on Wednesday, September 30th. Bill will be with me for this.

Hopefully I will finally get a complete diagnosis/prognosis and then a plan for me to ...

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

In closing==>I will not post on this blog tomorrow but I will on Wednesday, I promise.

Oh ... speaking of Wednesday ... I am having lunch with my dear friend, Nick Sudzina, who is, as you know, the Trial Court Administrator for the Tenth Judicial Circuit, in Bartow, FL. Really looking forward to some much needed/wanted facetime and catching-up.

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Yesterday’s mileage==>4.19 miles (or, 9,176 steps)

Total mileage for the week==>28.33 miles (average 4.05 miles per day)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,068.43 miles (average 4.06 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

Saturday Was A Great Day - Gators - Sports - Kathi & John

Sunday==>Saturday was a really great day (with one exception, details later) for your favorite Sunshine State blogger who is, as you loyal and faithful readers and followers know ... an avid sports fan. Yep, Billi Pod spent most of the day/evening in front of his 42” flat screen TV watching sports, baseball and college football.

So ... let’s get started with the first highlight ...

My New York Yankees beat the Mets 5-0 behind excellent pitching from our starter, Michael Pineda and the bullpen, and homers from Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann.

It was a very exciting game to watch. The win tied the Subway Series at 1-1.

Tonight at 8:08pm, from Citi Field in Flushing, NY, will be the final game of the 3-game series. 

On the mound for the Yankees (81-66) will be our former ace CC Sabathia (4-9), coming off of his best start of the season last Monday against the Rays, vs. Matt Harvery (12-7), who got pounded in his last start, for the Mets (84-64).

The game will be carried on ESPN meaning it will last forever.

Then it was time for some much wanted/needed college football.

First was the Auburn/LSU game, won by LSU 45-21, as former Gator coach Will Muskrat’s defense got crushed.

Next was the Georgia/South Carolina game, won by the Bull Dogs 52-20. It looks like the Gamecocks are in for a long disappointing season. Sorry Steve - NOT!!

Then it was time for the Gator/Kentucky game at 7:30pm, from Lexington, KY.

The Gators winning streak over the Wildcats was extended to 29-games with the nail-biting 14-9 win. Our defense saved the day. It bent but did not break.

QB Will Grier played the entire game and did just well enough to lead the Gators to our 3rd win of the season.

Well, folks, as “they” say==>A win is a win.

And, finally, one of the most exciting games of the day/evening ... the Alabama/Ole Miss game.

Ole Miss beat #2 ‘Bama, 43-37, in Tuscaloosa for only the second time in history. Yep, this game featured enough bizarre plays, close calls, no-calls, funky bounces and momentum shifts to last a lifetime.

As many of you loyal and faithful readers and followers know, my son Bill III aka The Bill is an avid ‘Bama fan. I was pulling for The Tide to win (I can pull for his teams, but he can’t pull for mine for some reason). This was a bitter pill for him to swallow and he is still is a state of disbelief.

Oh well ...

The further highlight of Saturday was the walking mileage I was able to accumulate with an early morning walk and wander session and then the usual walking regimen during the games, baseball and football. 

When midnight arrived I had clocked in==>5.27 miles. Not bad, not bad at all.

Moving on ...

Today will be another day/evening of watching sports, this time baseball and pro-football.

Then, for the evening, Bill and I will have our usual Sunday night dinner at our favorite Winter Park restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, on Aloma Avenue.

In closing==>the downside for Saturday was learning that my daughter Kathi Bendeck and her husband, Dr. John, of Columbia, SC, had to postpone their planned trip down to Florida. Bill and I were really looking forward to seeing them. Oh well ... 

They plan to reschedule it for sometime in October.

My TV is calling for me ... so ... time to close this out and ... 

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Yesterday’s mileage==>5.27 miles (or, 11,522 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,064.24 miles (average 4.06 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

Another Medical Update - Baseball - The Gators

Saturday==>I will bring you loyal and faithful readers and followers up-to-date on the status of your favorite Sunshine State blogger’s schedule for his upcoming medical procedure, an excisional lymph node biopsy of one of the enlarged nodes in my pelvis.

The procedure will take place at the Florida Hospital in Orlando and this is the schedule ...

Monday - 2:15pm - pre-admission testing. I will Uber to an from the hospital.

Tuesday - 8:00am - report to hospital. Procedure should be around 10:00am. I will be zonked out. It is an out-patient procedure so "they" say I should be OK to be released around 3:00pm.

It will take a couple of days for the analysis to be completed and forwarded to my oncologist, Raul Castilla. On Monday I will call his office to schedule what will hopefully be an appointment for me to finally get my prognosis and the doctor’s plan for me to ...

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

So ... let’s move on ...

Last night was spent in front of my 42” flat screen TV watching the first game of the Yankee/Mets 3-game Subway Series from Citi Field in Flushing, NY.

Before the second largest crowd in regular season history at Citi Field, the Mets blasted three HRs to win 5-1 as the Yankees lost more ground to the AL East leading Blue Jays.

The second game of the 3-game series is scheduled for 1:05pm.

On the mound for the Yankees (80-66) will be Michael Pineda (10-8) vs. rookie Noah Syndergaard (8-6) for the Mets (84-63).

Syndergaard has a 7-1 record at Citi Field.

Of course, your favorite blogger will be in front of his 42” flat screen TV to watch this game and then more college football until it is time for the Florida/Kentucky game at 7:30pm, carried on SECN.

The Gators are favored by 3.5 points. Yeah, right ... don’t bet our life savings on this spread.

OK, everyone ... time to post this and then do a little walking and wandering before the Yankee game.

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES AND GO GATORS!!

Yesterday’s mileage==>2.72 miles (or, 5,946 steps)

Total mileage for 2015==>1,058.97 miles (average 4.06 miles per day)

Billi Pod

“Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”