September 2, 2010

Me, Terry, Karen and Mom at Stub and Herb's after lunch

Today was a pretty lazy day. I slept in (9:30) and immediately FaceTimed with Grandpa on our iPhone4s. It was good to talk to him, especially where we can see each other. It's much more personal.

We proceeded to make our way across the Mississippi to meet Karen and Terry for lunch. We met them at Stub and Herb's, a local restaurant located on the University campus. On weekends, it gets packed with college kids before and after sports games. It's located about a block from the new Gophers football stadium, which is absolutely gorgeous. We had a lovely lunch, and ended up staying for about an hour after we finished eating, just talking. Once again, it was just great talking to Terry and Karen, and absorbing as much information as I could about his experience with the surgery and how it has affected him. They have both been so helpful, inspirational, and we all became fast friends.

It's funny how life brings people together. We meet because Karen saw my Angry Pancreas shirt, and asked me about my pancreas. If I was not wearing that shirt, we probably would not have met, and I would not have two new, great friends who I relate to so much. It is quite interesting how even with such different backgrounds, and different experiences in life, the four of us are brought together by this horrible disease. Terry was nice enough to show me all of his "diabetes gear" (meter, needles, lancets, carb book, etc.) and explain how everything works. It was good to see everything visually, and they both helped us understand better how the insulin and testing works. I pray for Terry and Karen, and only wish them the best as they go forward in their journey. Hopefully they get to leave soon, as they are planning to, because they have been here way too long. I am positive we will keep in touch, because they simply are awesome people.


After lunch, we went to our favorite grocery store, Lund's, for a few items, and I needed to return movies to Redbox and get a few new ones. When we got back to the hotel, we videochatted with Emily. She was in the senior lounge at school. I am still in denial that my little sister is a senior. I really miss her, and I can not wait to see her, even if it is going to be after surgery and I probably will not remember it.

At 4:30, we left the hotel bound for the Rosedale Mall. I got an eye exam at VisionWorld, because I have not had one in a couple years, and I am looking into getting a pair of Rx sunglasses. My Rx changed a bit, and we found out that our insurance covers a lot up here, so I got a new pair of glasses at VisionWorld. They should be ready tomorrow. For those of you who know me well, it's going to be a big change from my normal frames. I can not wait.

Mom and I then went to dinner at the Macaroni Grill, which was pleasant. They let you create your own pasta dish, so I was happy. I'm starting to get used to watching my carbs and sugar intake for after surgery. Mom and I have been talking about how much my diet and lifestyle is going to change after all of this. Fine by me. Much better than CP. After dinner, we stopped at a SuperTarget for a few things we needed for our humble abode, and came back to the hotel. I'm getting ready to go down to the gym and ride the bike for a while, and Mom is taking it easy. We don't have anything big planned for the next few days, except getting my new glasses and going back to the Mall of America for round two.

Thanks again to everybody for your continued support.

Dad, Emily, and Sitka: I miss you guys more than you know. Love you.

Written by Joshua Benson 9/2/10