My dad's back home and I try the 5-hour energy drink
The hospital was able to bring my dad's fever down and they sent him back home early this morning with a prescription for some mega-antibiotic. So he's home resting, albeit not comfortably, but at least he's back at home. And he's been referred to another kidney specialist since this episode was kidney related and he needs to get a second opinion on that kidney cancer anyway.

Now I could have used a heck of a lot more sleep before heading off to work today, but as one of the few people scheduled on Saturdays I couldn't really justify calling in. Unfortunately my ration of two cups of half-strength coffee didn't do much to help me get moving and I wasn't going to drink more than that and send my blood pressure any higher than it already was from lack of sleep and worry. So I decided to stop at 7-11 on the way into work and give the 5-hour energy drink a try. I've looked at it before and it seemed like an interesting formula that's now available with no caffeine, but it's pretty expensive so I've never tried it. This morning though, I was feeling a little desperate seeing how Saturdays are always hectic and I really needed a boost of some sort. With more caffeine off-limits, it seemed like the logical choice. Now I don't know if it was a coincidence, but I was actually laughing and smiling at work this morning, and on a Saturday no less! The only downside was that it had the usual side effect that B vitamins have on me so I was STARVING long before lunch time. And any extra boost I might have had is now gone so it's definitely nap time. But I think I'll get some more and experiment with it next week. If it continues to have that sort of effect on me on mornings when I'm dragging then it will be well worth the cost.