Day 22.

Day 15 was the last day I took a blood pressure pill because the readings dropped dramatically on Day 11. I have been on them for over two years. Saw my GP today to review the change in pressures as I was taken aback by the substantial decrease and a little worried they might be too low with a few such as 96/58. He was very pleased about the pressures and much more so about my abstinence which he did not know about (long story).

The bruises from slight bumps are fading MUCH faster and I don't get them so easily. Although I only had one small cut, it stopped bleeding MUCH faster. The joint pain in my legs, arms and hips is still bad and VERY bad most mornings for the first few hours (knees are the opposite as they get worse as the day goes on). My GP said the bruising and bleeding should be "normal" in several months and that the joint pain shouldn't increase but the damage done and associated pain would mostly remain. Can't take anything like aspirin or acetaminophen or ibuprofin so I have to search out "natural" stuff. Maybe I should take up the ganja?

I am sleeping fairly well for up to 6 hours some nights with NO sweats. The shaking in my left hand is less than a tenth of what it was and it's less than that in the right hand. I can type without needing a few drinks.

The house continues to get cleaner. Some chores that are months overdue are getting done. I am getting a lot more fresh air and exercise. The "mental mason jar" containing my "booze money" is looking more impressive every day - I figure my trips to the bank for cash are cut in half. THAT REALLY makes me rue the boozing I did but I tell myself I can't change it now so forget about it and look forward but it's not easy to not be upset about it.

I am still absentminded as all getout at times but there has been more improvement albeit slight. Crosswords are far easier, even in the early morning.

Here's something else that upsets me when I let it. I have been getting a lot of stuff done. One can do so when one has an extra EIGHT to TEN HOURS PER DAY not affected by alcohol. The last three years have been such a waste that the only way I can deal with it is like I said, like others have written above - don't beat myself up about it and don't repeat it.

I have thought fondly of having a few several times but I just say to myself, "You don't drink. It's not an option. Period."

Here the latest installment of "One more thing." I am finding more time to connect with relatives and maybe even some old friends in future rather than spending as little time as possible in anyone's company other than talking with Alfred and with other surfers.

I still read the posts every few days. Even though I skip some because I know them by rote, I am reminded of their content. I read every new post daily. It helps a lot.

Okay. That's enough prattling on.

I sincerely wish the others that have posted in similar fashion have success with their efforts. It's worth it. I see that much more clearly every day.

Thanks again.