Halloween was a success and loads of fun.  The spooky front yard certainly caused some excitement in the neighbourhood.  We had approximately 150 children stop by.  The only disappointment was that by the time the kids came to trick or treat I was much too tired to get dressed up.  The high light of the evening was the trick or treater who came and stayed a while, namely Grandson.

I finally had all the blood tests done that No Name ordered on October 29th.  The lab tech at the clinic lab made the arrangements and I am so very grateful to her.  She had the hospital in the city send out all the tubes, special instructions, dry ice, and what ever else was needed.   The tests were done on Friday, November 1st.  The urine tests took a bit longer to organize and I will have to wait until next week to complete the last one.

As of Friday, November 1st, I was able to take melatonin again.   I took two pills at bedtime on Friday night and slept for a total of 3 1/2 hours.  You cannot imagine how different I felt the next morning.  On Saturday night, November 2nd I took one pill at bedtime and slept a total of 4 1/2 hours.  This was a miracle, especially after my totally sleepless nights last week.  Sunday, November 3rd I slept a total of 6 hours.  Even though I did not sleep 6 hours in one stretch or even 4 hours in one stretch, the melatonin made a huge difference.  At least I was able to sleep!  I sleep deeper, and even though the adrenaline jolts still wake me up, I am able to get back to sleep faster.

I have no idea why the melatonin helps but it does.  Until the charlatans who are responsible for my medical care come up with something better, I will never again be without melatonin.

According to my research, melatonin is made in our bodies by the pineal gland.  The pineal gland is a tiny structure located at the base of the brain.  Maybe my pineal gland makes no melatonin?  Do ya think?

For the last three days I have been frantically bringing in and cleaning up the patio furniture.  A good soak and scrub in javex and an industrial strength cleaner whitens it right up.  Cleaned up all the toys in the sandbox and covered it for the long winter ahead.  Wish our summers were longer.

Yesterday morning I went to the clinic to have the 24 hour blood pressure monitor put on.  The results were not good.  It came off today at 11:30 AM which was none to soon.  I, of course, was left with huge bruises on my arm.  I suppose I will be put on high blood pressure medication.  I wish they could tell me why I have high blood pressure and fluid retention.  Maybe if some doctor took the time to figure out why, something could be done about the root cause.

I spent most of today in the mall with my daughter.  She participated in a craft fair and had her handmade jewelry on display.   When I got home at 5:00 PM I literally crashed.  I had no idea these all day mall events could be so tiring.  I got up to have pizza with Papa and Grandson and then went right back into bed.   Sounds alarmingly like the behaviour one would expect from a 90 year old.