It's 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday morning and I can't sleep. I have been up since 5:15 a.m. I didn't get to bed until almost midnight last night...which is late for me. Hmm.......I'm not sure why this is happening to me.

I finally got my flu shot yesterday. Thanks to Laurie Williams at the BIDMC and the City of Somerville for enabling me to do so. Ahh.....to be in a high risk group. I feel ready to fight any flu that comes my way.

Happy gay marriage anniversary to folks in Massachusetts. Unfortunately the debate isn't over in this country. Our President is determined to allow...even encourage legalized discrimination. Lets keep fighting.

I'm not sure if I already reported on this or not....but my liver enzyme tests are back to normal. They want me to stay on my maintenance dose of Imuran and Prednisone until I see my doctor in February. I have a new Hepatologist. I haven't met her yet, but I hear she is very nice. The last docotr I had moved to Washington.

I was in Hartford, CT recently and went for a tour of the Mark Twain House and Museum. I suggest stopping by if you are ever in the area. The building is quite beautiful.

My mother is doing well. She is in a medical office manager certificate program and seems to be enjoying it. Her health has improved and she appears to be enjoying life.

I went to get on the bus the other day and I had some bad pain in the part of my tibia I broke a year and a half ago. This always scares me. I am going to have to work on exercising that leg more.

Speaking of broken legs. My friend Theresa recently fell 20 feet from a ladder and broke her tibia. They put her back together with one screw and a washer. I know from experience that the next year isn't going to be fun for her or her leg. I wish her the best of luck and a quick recovery. Remember to do your exercises Theresa. That makes three people in my book group who have broken their legs in the past four years. This is not a good statistic.

I went to my poker group recently and won three hands. I started the night with $5.00 and went home with $6.20. I was very proud of my playing. I never win at poker. I'm getting good...my fellow poker players....you better look out....World Series....here I come.

My hepatologists office got some flu shots...and I was on the list, but it appears that some other patients took higher priority over me. I still haven't gotten my shot.

The City of Somerville called to say theyw ere having a flu clinic next week. I cannot make it on that day. I am going to try to make it on the other day of their flu clinic. I need to get a letter from my dictor explaining why I am at "high risk."

I am having one of those days where I am annoyed with the lack of care we get from the medical community. My eye doctor's office said that they did not take my medical insurance card. They say I need to file a claim on my own. I find out I have an eye discount program. My doctors office doesn't believe me....I'm not in their system they say. I call the vision discount program again. They say to call the doctors office again. My health insurance has this "better than nothing" policy with paying dental bills. Maybe my beef is really with the insurance company. I feel that I spend more money for healthcare now than I ever have before.

I am really upset about the recent election. Democrats don't have the House...or the Senate....or the Supreme Court........or the Presidency. 11 States voted against gay marriage. I am convinced that this country is made up of backwards folks who do not understand the concepts of democracy, freedom or acceptance.

Aside from all this craziness I am very happy about the recent World Series win by the Boston Red Sox. Yee haw! Finally. I am planning on heading to Landsdowne Street on Saturday to buy some World Series gear. I hope it's not too busy.

I am having bloodwork tomorrow. I wasn't able to get a flu shot this week. Maybe the next time around. I am currently taking 75 mg of imuran and 5 mg of prednisone.