What's in a name ... anyway?

One thing I've always thought would be fun to have is a nickname. I've never really ever had one, not really. Mom, if asked, I'm sure could tell you a pet name she had for me when I was little but still, I've never had a nickname. Once I started school it's always been Ken, Kenneth, or Kenny. Nothing exciting there at all. I always envied those who did have them. Maybe it was Spike or ... you know ... something masculine. Nope, never had one. What's in a name ... anyway?


Over 34 years of marriage you learn a lot about the woman you are married to. A story I've heard Karen tell time and time again is about how she used to disappear when she was little. I'm not talking about just wandering off somewhere. She had a purpose in her disappearance. She had to go potty. Most kids would just go home ... right? Not Karen. Karen would use the bathrooms of homes in the neighborhood. No, she didn't knock and ask permission. She just walked in. For whatever reason she had a fascination with bathrooms that belonged to other people. Her mother often had to phone neighbors to ask if Punky was at their house. Could they please check their bathroom. Now there's a name for you, Punky. How or why was Karen tagged with Punky? In later years she was called Patty. That one was easy, her middle name is Patricia. Where did Punky come from though? Hmmm ... inquiring minds want to know. Maybe Karen or her mother will enlighten us at a later date.


In Karen's hospital room there is an information board. The board contains lots of information, date, room number, phone number for room, preferred name, target discharge date, goals/needs, nurses name, et cetera. It's a convenient way for communication between staff and provide information for the patient.


Karen's been in the hospital eight days now. I've been there with her most all day everyday. I go back to the hotel to sleep and ghost write this blog. While with Karen we can visit, watch television, I can read, or sleep, and the last two days we've played cards. In other words I've experienced a little boredom now and then. So what does a husband do when he's bored out of his skull?


You will note Karen's preferred name (Punky), target discharge date (Last Week), and I hope I didn't offend anyone with the daily goals (at least the first two). Karen laughed. She's used to me. The nursing staff wasn't very amused. Oh well ...

I suppose I had better give everyone an update on Karen. Her creatine kinase levels continue to drop. The last count we received today was about 2480. That quite an improvement from the high of 7800. They told us today that they will keep Karen until Thursday now. They still want to see the numbers drop some more.

I've told you about Karen's leg swelling from the procedure. She also gets blisters from all the fluid in her leg (the fluid has to go somewhere). The doctor told Karen today they will lance a blister that is on her foot. It's gotten to the point where she can't walk well at all. Karen wanted to memorialize the thing with a photo. Why I don't know. I decided to share it with you. It gives me another chance to show you a picture of ...

The ol Blister

What's in a name ... anyway?

Ken