Tid BIts

Well, for once we missed driving in the heavy rain on the way to the SSB. They got over 4 inches (we measured 4.38) on Thursday night. My brother in law and sister in law were in the midst of it all the way from Austin. I understand the driving got a little scary in places, and I know it must have been. Those places can be scary for several days after a rain. The town got 6 inches. Wow. And this is the semi-arid place. But the wild flowers are absolutely beautiful. That is one thing I have to say about Texas - our wild flowers in spring are really beautiful. A cold wet winter really did wonders.

_______________________________ ____________________________

Before we left, I had to move some things in the attic because we were having insulation added. I hope it will control utility bills some. Of course, I tease G telling him if we caulked the windows that would help - a lot. But the part of the attic I was in isn't tall enough to allow standing - at least for what I had to do. So I got down, and finally sat. As soon as I was on my butt, I had a thought. How in this world was I going to get back on my feet. I really thought I would be there forever. There is nothing to grab onto to hoist myself up. I thought I was doomed, but I managed to get on my knees, a feat I thought was impossible. I had never put weight on the incision before like that. Well, obviously, it worked, and I am up

_________________________________________________________

I am definitely looking forward to tomorrow. I am set to get the second in the series of injections in my back. It has been screaming again. At least the pain isn't radiating down the leg to the feet any more. I hope by the time I get the third (and final) injection, the pain will be gone. I hope it is like the dragon. It is pushed back a little at a time, and then disappears.

_____________________________________________________________

This morning the crew for the insulation showed up at 7:30. Yes that is a.m. I managed to corral Simone. She took her pill, ate her breakfast, and went out to do her little jobs. Then I put her back in the bedroom so she could retire to her crate. That is her usual place anyway. After a bit, and after calling and calling, there was a black streak heading to the utility room. That was Shadow. After they left, I went to look for him. I called and called. I left the door open. No cat. Now we are talking about less that 50 square feet there I think. I finally figured out he was behind the washer and dryer. So I moved the big tote of dry dog food, all the bottles of things I store on the floor, picked up all the leashes and collars that once belonged to Taz, Sam, and Katie, who are in doggie heaven. Basically cleaned the utility room to give that darn cat room to get his fat rear up and out! After a few minutes, he was in the breakfast room where I set up my work station, rubbing on my legs. Fat boy!

___________________________________________________________________

Just before noon, SIL called. Lady Bug was home from school ill, and he needed to call on a client. Every time he does this, it is at meal time, and the child has not eaten. Now how can I not feed a hungry grandchild? So we made sandwiches after a bit.

I had collected wild flowers with the intention of pressing them to use for jewelry later. I got her to place some so I could put them in the microwave. I have a really neat little presser that uses the microwave (really?? since I just talked about that) to begin drying the flowers. When I was in college, one of my classes was a taxonomy class (where you find the scientific name of the plant). We had to choose a family of plants to press and mount to add to the collection the school had. I chose legumes, like clovers, etc This little thing is great. I can do in one minute what the old way took a week or more depending on the plant.

She did one "tray" then got hungry. So we ate, and she lost interest. Sounds normal.

So I am back, and all things are normal in this part of the world! I probably won't be here tomorrow. If it's like the last time, I will be sleeping it all off!

Peace be with you.

Breaking news!

On May 27, I shall become the bionic woman. That is the date of replacing the right knee. I can't wait!


Ok - back to your regular programming.

Whose idea of a joke is this?

Last night I set about making dinner - late because G was working late. All was going pretty well. It was to be a simple meal. It was some pre-seasoned pork ribs. Then I began my search for a side.

That's where the problem was. I decided we would have some of the little frozen corn on the cobs. That would go well.

The first problem was getting into the package. I think there was iron in that plastic packaging. I poked and prodded with everything I could think of. Finally I took a knife to that stupid package.

I finally extracted the little coblets, and then I tried to determine how long to nuke them. The printing telling what the product was was huge. The printing talking about the quality of the product was a good medium. When it came to cooking times, that printing was microscopic. I could not see that at all.

I moved to the window for better light - no good. It was still just a blur. I moved under the vent-a-hood light. Nope.

Finally, I just made an educated guess. I shoved the little cobs into the microwave and punched in 5 minutes. I hoped for the best. Sure enough, things were fine, but I am still wondering who thought it would be funny to make the heating instructions the smallest print on the package. I would like to have a word or two with that joker!

Peace be with you.

Hey - pass the cheese over here, I've already got the whine

I don't have any more PT ordered. I guess I am a graduate - at least for now. But I have a very unhappy reminder of PT. My right calf is so sore I can hardly walk.

See I told you, there was a lot of whine here. I should just shut up about it, but then again I don't usually do the things I am supposed to do.Working on the left leg must have put more strain on this right. Doing the high step (remember those Jude?) or rising up on tip-toes. Don't know, but it is really stiff and sore

I am really moving slowly these days. Tomorrow I go to the bone doc. I am going to mention it to him, but he will probably tell me he knows nothing about muscles! Either that or he will tell me more about himself. He is a true surgeon - a real prima donna. He loves talking about him, him and more him. But he is good, and I guess that's all I can ask.

I just remember, thinking about that appointment, that I forgot to call to make sure they had the CT report from last week. I am going to have our insulation added to. It's only been 36 years since there has been anything done to the insulation in this house! So I have been dealing with that. I will just have to have faith.

Well, enough blabbering! Time to get busy.

Peace be with you.

Another day to starve

I had m appointment at the Pain Doctor's office this morning. That is always a trip. The clientele is interesting to say the least. There are those who definitely were hurt on the job. They appear to be migrant type workers who are getting Worker's Comp. There are those who have some sort of genetic abnormality and have pain from that. Then there are the true weirdos.

One of those came in this morning. She was dressed in flowing clothes. Her hair was more windblown than the day supported. Her eyes were rather wild. She asked what time out appointments were. Actually they were running surprisingly on time. They were only about 15 minutes late. She was out of sorts with that.

Unfortunately, I was called back before she really got started. I would have loved to have listened to her. It was bound to be interesting. She was still out there when I came out, but I don't know what she was saying. But it was clear she had been talking!!

I didn't see the doctor. I saw one of his assistants. I couldn't understand things he said for the most part. I did understand one thing however. MRI. I said no, no, no!! So after all is said and done, I will get my injections next Wednesday -at 9. At least I can sit around here - or sleep longer -NPO. It will be late - regardless.

I go on Thursday of this week to see what the Ortho doc says. We are looking at May I believe. I just hope it goes like it did last time. If so, I am not going to keep myself home as long as I did!

Such an exciting life. At least there is no more PT for at least two weeks!

Peace be with you.

He won

After more than ten years, my son won. What exactly did he win? It was a contest he didn't even know he was in.

You see, he moved back in with us to try to save some money before he got married. That was good. We all agreed. Since I had already claimed his old room as my craft room, he moved into the guest bedroom - his sister's old room. It was a lovely room decorated with an antique crocheted bedspread on an antique bed. It was lovely - and neat.

So he stayed with us a while. He made the room his own, sort of. Then he got married and moved out again. Well, he left his mess behind. He didn't even make the bed. I decided I would wait until he came to bring the room back to its before condition. I waited, waited, and waited some more.

Then the loving couple moved in with her mother. She was reported to be allergic to cats, and they had two. I said I would keep the cats. They would bother my poor little blind Ralph for at least two years. All the time, I was waiting for him to restore that bedroom - which had now become visiting cat headquarters.

They bought a house, and the cats went to live with them. I was still waiting for the room to be put back in it's original condition, but now G brought a computer, printer, and HUGE monitor from work. They were free you see. He had plans to set up the computer for himself upstairs.

So we were living in a three bedroom plus study (that has a bed) house. How many working bedrooms did we have? One - and the study, sort of. You see - son never did come to make up the "guest room." I have a full craft room. Come to see us, probably sleep on the floor.

So today, I gave in. He won after at least ten years. He doesn't even know of his victory, and probably never will. We are going to have insulation added to the house. They are coming Wednesday to give us an estimate. I will not have the woman who does this see my upstairs in the condition it was in.

So, beaten into submission, I am putting the guest room back in order. Want to visit?? It will be pretty once again - just don't venture across the gallery - it might be too scary in there!

Peace be with you.

Well, I am done - stick me with a fork!

My day began with PT. It was at the ungodly early hour of 9:30. Well, that's not really early, but I thought I would say it was! I have it down now, so I stayed here until 9:15. Ohhh, I am really the dare devil pushing the clock so! I still made it with 3 minutes to spare. She called me back 5 minutes later.

She had another patient. That usually doesn't happen, but today she was crowded. There was one who came in as I was completing my wonderful heat/electrical simulations on my back. She started me with the sissy leg lifts. Easy, easy. Even with the five pounds. Then I was to do the side lifts, and then the other side where I am like a pretzel, and then the small lifts on my stomach with two pounds. Easy, easy.

Then I decided to do the killer myself - with the weights. It is the straight leg lift. I have had to struggle to do three sets of 10 on these leg lifts. They hurt - a lot - and in the groin. What?? Why there? Anyway. I set about doing these with a two pound weight. Won't Paula be impressed? So I did ten - easy. Twenty - easy. Thirty - a bit of a challenge. Forty - ok, not bad. Fifty. Well that is getting there isn't it. To boil it down, I did EIGHT sets of ten. That was our goal - without weight. Wowie zowie!! I did the other exercises, and got my treat -- the heat and the stimuli. And I was on my way. I graduated today. This was what was prescribed. Tuesday I go see the docs. I think there is ore PT prescribed for my back.

Speaking of that back. It is not so good, but I will get to that later. After PT, I had 1 1/2 hours to wait until I went for a CT. I knew I needed the old fashioned TV antenna. If my cable goes out, we are dead in the water. The HDTV won't pick up anything without help. So I got that.

The decision for lunch was there. I scanned all the fast food places available. There was Sonic. Nope - that's for travel since we have to eat with the animals on the road. There was ChickFila. Don't like chicken sandwiches that much. Some sort of Panda Express or something. I still am not crazy about Chinese after chemo. Then I thought of Panera. Great choice. I had time to waste, and that place screams for you to spend/waste time. Got a good sandwich, really good iced tea, and read my book for 45 minutes. Nice.

I headed off the the CT place. I was there early, and they took me in early. Great. It was just the right knee. Do Bones wants to see that right knee more. It has its own problems - like probably there is bone stuck in the tendon to the knee cap. Great.

After that I was trying to think of what I needed to do. I thought I would go ahead and hit the grocery. I am out of tonic water. That's my big evening cocktail. Wow - what a wild chick. But then the pills give me the buzz of four drinks.

While hitting the isles of the grocery, I found the back isn't fixed. There is just not shooting pains down my back. Just stabbing in the middle back. So I think there are definitely more shots. The next ones will probably address the spinal problem - the stenosis. Let's just get is "fixed" before the right knee surgery.

But I was away from the house from 9:15 to 1:15. That's a record for the last few months!

Have a great, peaceful weekend.

Peace be with you.

The start of the day

The start of my day yesterday was certainly different. To begin the day, I had to pile out of bed at 6:10 AM! I haven't had to do that in years with the exception of surgery. But I was out, made breakfast for myself (G does his own weekdays), dressed, and out of the house by 6:50. Felt like the old days when I had to wrestle 150 seventh graders!

But yesterday, instead of seventh graders, it was three grandchildren! Daughter had a meeting at 8 am, and SIL was still out of town. So with great trepidation, I was off to tame the wild throng. She told me they needed to be up by 7:30. OK, a few minutes to gird my loins. Remember, I only live a mile, so I was there by 6:55. When I got there, Doodle Bug was up, sitting on the counter with Daughter making lunches for the other two. I knew I was in deep doo!

Shortly, here came the other two. Monkey Boy has been really good these recent days, but I remember when he could set your nerves on edge with his behaviors. Lady Bug, at nine, has become s wonderful helper.

Finally it came time for Daughter to leave - actually we were past time for her to leave. Doodle BUg went into hysterics. She threw herself on the floor. I convinced Daughter to just leave. That, in itself, was a problem, by I gother out. Doodle Bug stood at the back door and screamed.

We went about our business -getting breakfast for the older ones. I had assumed that DB had eaten. After a bit, DB came to me to be held. She finally was quiet - for a while.

The older ones were getting their lunch boxes. DB wanted HER lunch box. Lady Bug thought it was in one of the vehicles and set about finding it. Monkey decided that it was his time, so he began chanting he needed help with his shoes. I told him he could wait for a bit.

Lady Bug kept trying to find the right key to the specific vehicle, Monkey was going on about his shoe, and Doodle was happy. In fact, she forgot about the lunch box. We got shoes on Monkey, and it was time to go. Things were looking great. Everybody was getting their backpacks. Doodle ooked around and wanted HER "pack-pack." My spirits fell. I just saw the whole thing sinking into a melt down.

Somehow we got her out of the door and into my vehicle. That was amazing in itself. Doodle had never been in my vehicle yet, so she was busy looking around. We got Lady Bug dropped off at elementary school with no problems. One down. On to day care for Doodle. That went off flawlessly!

So it was on to the Bridge program for Monkey. They want the kiddos there at 9:10. Not before, not later. Well, it was 9:05. Not good, but we went in anyway. There were already kiddos and parents (and grandparents because the parents work and cannot meet the strange times of this program). We waited and waited in the hallway. The kids getting more and more agitated and wired. Finally at 9:20, here came the teachers. They had a staff meeting. Great, but I had PT at 9:30.

I made it to PT with a minute to spare, but Paula never takes me back on time. All ended well. It was one of the best sessions yet. She stretched the muscles in my thigh. I was on my stomach, and she took the left calf and pressed it up against the thigh. Delicious almost pain! Wonderful!

Later in the day I went to the Ortho doc. I need a CAT of the right knee. He wants to make sure that I don't have a piece of bone in the tendon above the knee. After that, we are looking at perhaps May. They are still amazed at my healing with the left. It usually takes at least three months to get where I am at only two months past surgery. I am proud!

Peace be with you.

BLUEBONNETS!

These are just a few of the pictures (they only let me post five here on blogger) from the weekend. In some, the bluebonnets sorta fade into the background, but they were there - about a foot tall.


Picture one - lots of prickly pear cactus, a cedar, a mesquite tree that is about to bud out. They are the real things that show spring. They don't leaf out early!!

More of the bluebonnets, still prickly pear!
On a hillside.
Here you can see them a little better - along with dirt. Ohhh that red dirt! I wanted to add pictures of my crazy cat and the hummingbirds. I will do that one tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will post news about knee #2.


Peace be with you.

Weekend

This Easter was much more quiet than others. All the grands were somewhere else. My niece was at the SSB with her family, and the joke is that if E is there, hold on, the weather will turn ugly! That has happened before, but this time it was beautiful.

I had long lamented that we didn't have any bluebonnets on our place. Well, Saturday, G came in and told me to come with him. We went to the far back northwest corner. There were fields and fields of bluebonnets. They covered the hill sides. I have pictures to post, but I don't have time today.

Then when we were leaving to go to the BIL's house, we say a hill side covered at the southeast corner. So we do have bluebonnets. The wild flowers are just beautiful this year in the hill country of Texas. The weather, while difficult to deal with, was great for the spring flowers. The cold, wet winter has brought a beautiful spring.

I am finding the medication I am taking from this pain place makes me really goofy. I feel like I have had five or six strong drinks - all the time. When I am not dozing, I am giddy and off balance! So if these blogs sound weird, well they probably are. Bear with me!

Peace be with you.

This may be bad!

Today was sewing club. Boy, they have found a project that is really challenging. It looks like it will take at least three meetings to get through! The project is a sewing machine cover, and it is really beautiful. It is challenging my sewing skills though! I hope mine looks fairly good.

After club, I picked up G's prescription. Instead of drive trough, I went in. I shopped. I spent money. That is not good!

The reason is isn't good is because I came home to have lunch, then headed out to Wally World - again. This time to get more capri's they have. I also bought daughter a set of pj's they were closing out - $9 for pj's that are like sleeping pants. They are sooo comfortable. I wore mine last night. I was going to get the bread and the tonic water that I forgot when I went grocery shopping yesterday. It wasn't on the list - not on list, not on mind! They didn't have either, but they did have a non-poison mouse trap. I'm not sure we solved that problem two weeks ago.

Then I was back at Hobby Lobby. They had jersey double knit on sale. I bought four pieces to make new shorts. I think the price for shorts is highway robbery. But even so, these are $8 for just the fabric.

Since Wally World doesn't carry tonic water, and I didn't see the bread, I stopped once more at the grocery store - again. Through all of this, I never hurt. It is wonderful! My outlook on life is so different. I just don't know if my bank account can weather it all!

Peace be with you. Happy Easter to you. He is risen, he is risen indeed.

Success - so far

Today was the real test for the injections and PT. I went to Wally World. That is a huge walking experience. I made it all the way through what I needed. That is an accomplishment because the fools had changed the layout of the store!

And then ... I went to the grocery store. I had to traverse the isles instead of just walking around the outside for just fresh stuff. I made it through the entire store without pain. Usually I am hurting so bad by the time I'm 2/3 through, I can't even remember things that are on the list. Well, today I made it!

When I got to checkout I was really worried. I was fifth in line, of course the stupid woman in front of me had three items. She wasn't going to walk down to the express line. Bah!! Then she didn't have her card, so she had to have instructions on entering her phone number. I don't believe the three items she bought are covered by the card!

Anyway, I got through standing there. Then I had to load the cart onto the belt. I wonder whatever happened to the old belts where the checker unloaded the cart?? But that's off the subject. I got that done, and then realized she had no sacker. I got into action there. I sure glad I don't have to make a living doing that. Customers would be complaining in droves! The great news is I made it through all of it. I could load it all in the truck without pain, and then I could get in (pretty well) with the bad right knee.

All the hassels were worth it I think. To be without pain is so wonderful. My life had gotten so sad. I never went anywhere. I used to like to walk in the neighborhood. That was not happening. Making it to the mail box on many days was more than I could do. Making it back to the house was a miracle.

Hope your day is/was as great as mine!

Peace be with you.

Tardy with post

Yesterday was really a good/terrible day all in one. I had the steroid injections yesterday. Well, the mystery about those is gone. All in all, I think it may work out to be a good experience. I know, or at least I think, I have two more in my future. But I have learned the ins and outs.

The worst parts were getting up early, being NPO, and WAITING, WAITING. We were to be there at 8. I wasn't in the procedure room until about 11. I didn't know what to expect, so I send my book, and the like out to G in the waiting room. I can't stand waiting without a book. HATE IT, HATE IT! So I slept for some part of the time. I was getting nauseous from not eating. It was a way to deal with that.

Finally they escorted me to the room. The anesthesiologist put a nasal cannula in my nose, and it irritated my nose terribly. Then, he administered the Versaid. That took away all worries. I wasn't aware of the injections at all, but I knew that from my previous colon thingies. I am always fascinated by watching the little scope snake its way through my lower intestine!

Then after a Diet Coke and a package of peanut butter crackers (I guess so I would be able to ambulate), I was sent back to PT where I got the heavenly electrical stimuli with the heat pack. Heaven on earth for me. It makes PT worth while. Love, love, love it!!

The down side was I had a splitting headache. I had it most of the weekend, but yesterday I had it in spades! I guess it must have been a virus. G asked me if was ravenous after he (finally) picked me up at the rear of the building where PT is. I asked what he was thinking about. The &%^*%*^% had already eaten. I flat told him that he was the one that makes me wait until 1 or 2 in the afternoon when we are traveling. I was a little pi**ed at him. The headache didn't help. SO we stopped at the local burger drive through for me.

I was freezing after that. I am usually the one who is burning up, not so much these days. I guess the burning fires of menopause and Femara are finally lessening. For a change, cold nellie, G was hot. Anyway, I went to bed and slept for over two hours. I thought I would be wide awake last night, but I was more than ready for bed at the usual time. I slept right through even his getting up for work.

I have some little twinges of headache still roaming around, but it is nothing like before. I hope it doesn't escalate later. I have PT in about an hour. Hopefully that doesn't make it worse.

I mentioned the other day I was wondering about this facility. Well, the place we went yesterday was a remodeled CVS pharmacy. They did a great job with it however. But still . . .

I think the next time, I will take a late appointment for this procedure. At least I can be comfortable here at home! The problem would be the traffic, but I will run this idea by G. We have a couple of weeks to think about it!

Hope all is well with you! Oh, and the back feels some better - I think. Haven't really pushed it though!

Peace be with you.

PT - only not

I had an appointment for PT on Friday. We had planned I would go as usual, and then we would go to the SSB as soon as I got home. Well, Thursday night, we got a call from G's brother. Their mother was in the hospital again with another heart attack. It was thought it was minor, but she was in the hospital never-the-less.

At first I was going to go to PT as normal. Since we go through Austin on the way to the ranch, G was going to stop. With this (blasted) daylight saving time, we could do everything and get to the ranch before dark as well as make the Community Club meeting. I thought it over and over, and I decided I would cancel my PT.

So after calling when we got back to set another appointment for today, strange things happened today. My phone rang twice this morning at 9. I have caller ID, so I knew it was their office. I thought they may have dialed the wrong number and realized it, hanging up before I answered.

I got to the office for PT. After sitting for several minutes, they opened the magic partition. You know the kind - glass partition that only disguises whoever is speaking! Anyway, they said that they had tried to reach me three times, and never got me. They said it went to a message that said to not leave a message.

That answering service is from At&t. It is call notes. I don't like it. I prefer my regular answering machine. The reason for that preference is very simple - it has a toll saver feature. That is great when we are away of even if the power is off (and by all saints it better never be!). When I am away, I call home. If the phone rings three times, I have no messages. If it picks up on two, I can get the message. That was especially important when Dad and Vivian were alive. I never knew when something would go south or Daddy would escape from the Alsheimers Unit. With call notes, I had to let that service answer to find out there were no messages. Not my preference. I also discovered when we became close friends with Ike that I could determine when and if the power was on again.

I can fully believe the girls. I told them the phone did ring twice and showed their office. I think they really thought they were lying. I didn't - phone service can do strange things. I put it right up with several things that can give warped outcomes. When I got home, I saw they had tried again at 11:14. My caller id only shows the most recent calls from a specific number.

So I have had a week with no PT. How I have formally four days without pain meds. I'm not too unhappy about the four days. I have a stash of pain pills. My surgeon refilled my perscription the day before the initial meeting with the pain management people. Also perhaps I won't now fall asleep if I sit still for five minutes. Perhaps I can wake in the mornings. The pills I won't have are the Lyrica and the Elavil. We'll see what happens without those two. While it is true they allowed me to sleep the entire night - I wanted to sleep all morning (at least), too.

So my busy schedule now has me going to the NOrthern Woods for the shot(s) in my lumbar region on Monday. Then I go back to the office on Tuesday for PT and regular (cancelled from the 23rd) doctor appointment. My, my!

Oh, and by the way if I forgot to tell you, the Doppler of my lower left leg showed no clots. Thought so, but wanted to be sure. Have a great weekend. I probably won't be back until Tuesday afternoon - if I survive that busy, busy day!

Peace be with you.

To be seen

The first visit to the pain management people was like a whirl wind - especially at the end when it was time to set new appointments.

The first thing was to set the appointment for the injection. It will be in the Woodlands which is about 40 miles from here. They wanted to set me for a 7am appointment. G went rather ballistic. It could have been worse, but he didn't want 7. Since I have to be NPO (nothing per oral) before I go, I was fine with that. He was pushing for 10 or later, and I was still wanting the 7. We finally settled on 8am.

After that we were setting the time for my next appointment. I didn't have my daytimer with me at the desk. If I had, I would have seen that it was conflicted with our return from the SSB. I went on our usual schedule of returning on Monday. Probably G would have been fine with coming back on Monday, but I wasn't going to push it. As it was. I didn't want to come back at all!

So what's the big deal, you ask. Well the happy pills they gave me run out today. I doubt they will allow a refill without me coming back. In fact as I was writing that sentence, Dr Injection's nurse called to confirm the appointment on Monday. I told her I would be out of pills today. I asked if they would renew - and, you guessed it, the answer was no. They will do it on Monday. I'm not supposed to have them, but I have a full prescription from Dr Ortho.

I don't know why I am concerned about the pills. They don't seem to help, but when I forgot to take them Saturday, I knew I forgot them, but then, I was sedentary all morning working on different projects.

So - now we wait for the big day. I am really scared of having someone mess with my spine, but I've got too much pain as it is.

Peace be with you.

Yes I'm back and fighting mice

Things have kept me hopping, so there was no blogging! Between PT and going to the SSB, I haven't been here.

The SSB was quite an experience this time. We hadn't been there in about 10 weeks, so I guess the mice thought they had a new residence. We used to be vigilant about anything being left out that could be considered food by vermin. Well, we left a bag of bird seed on the kitchen counter.

When I walked in and turned on a light, there were bird seed hulls scattered all over the one counter in the kitchen! I was sickened. I hate mice in the house - unless they are pets. Wild mice do not belong in my house. I have to say wild mice because I was the one who accepted a rat as a pet when I was teaching and cried when we had to put her down due to cancer.

But in this case I could tell they had made themselves at home. The first thing I did was to check the drawers. They didn't make nests there this time. So G got the vacuum cleaner to get all that up, and I set about sterilizing the counters and the things on them.

It was bedtime when I opened the drawer that I keep my PJ's in. Apparently "they" found something cottony to make the bed/nest from. I was almost sure that I would find the little wiggly pink babies there. But I didn't. All PJ's went into the washer.

At about 4:30 the next morning (no one knows for sure), the power went off. There went all things electrical, and alas, our house is all electric. There was no breakfast to be made, no coffee (gasp), no washing of mouse infected PJ's. So, we went to town.

The roads, being dirt, were in terrible shape. The main road that leads more directly to town had been closed because at least two people had gotten stuck. At any rate, our truck looks like some kid had it and gone far, far off road. It has about 10 pounds of mud stuck on it.

The trip to town was good. Not only did we get delicious breakfasts, we got to the grocery store to find items to fight the invasion since the little pile of bird seed I set out was gone. I bought sticky traps because with Shadow and Simone in the house, I didn't want poison. When I opened them, the sticky is about 2 inches by 4 inches. On the package they are rated for mice and rats (????).

I set one out the next night. (oh, our lights came on about 5 pm) When I got up the next morning, I looked at the sticky trap. The creature was able to eat the sticky glue as well as the bird seed that I put there to attract it.

The following day we went to another town. They only have one store, a feed store. G decided we would get poison to throw under the house. We did. I thought the creatures were getting in around the dryer vent that has to go through the floor, so we flooded that with caulk. I also thought that the door from the utility room to the kitchen was tight enough it would keep the creatures in the utility room. I'm not sure.

So upon leaving, I used duct tape to put two sticky traps together and left it on the counter. I also left the package of poison - sealed. We'll see. The mice were in other places, but I think the entry point this time is the utility room. Hope the stuff under the house works.

Hope you are critter proof!

Peace be with you.

Almost late

The pills the pain specialist gave me are working - at least for sleeping. I was really sleepy when the alarm went off for G to get up for work. So I managed to get to my old friend, the sofa. There I went back to sleep. I don't even remember him leaving!

Well that was all well and good, but I had a 9:30 PT appointment. I woke when the 9 o'clock program came on. I was up like I had an electrical shock. And of course everything that could go wrong went wrong.

I knew I needed something for breakfast. I really have been trying to eat small meals several times a day. Breakfast is important. I decided peanut butter toast would have to do. I fixed it, and ate it in the truck. When I parked I looked at the clock, and I was three minutes late.

I got into the office and signed in, and then had to sit for several minutes (didn't have my watch) before I was called back. Humph! So much for being on time.

PT went well. She gave me a copy of the exercises to do at home. My intentions are good. We'll see what the body actually does.

Peace be with you.

It was all good

I had the customary Sunday night dinner at my house - again. I wasn't really happy about it, but what I planned to eat was simple, simple! The roast simmered on the stove for 2 1/2 hours, the potatoes then went in and cooked for 40 minutes, and the leeks then went in for 20. There was a little time making the gravy, but it was minimal. The house was clean - I finally feel like keeping it.

The children were all happy last night! There wasn't one time anyone cried! So I was able to snag this picture of the crew. From left to right: Doodle Bug, Lady Bug, Monkey Boy, and Wiggle Worm. I was going tom upload a picture of Lady Bug alone. She came in an outfit straight from the 60's flower child time. Her dad bought it for her when he had traveled to the capital city here. It would fit perfectly for the old show Laugh In. You can actually see her socks in the photo. Oh my!

The massage that the PT gave me has done wonders. My knee is more loose than ever. It doesn't pull when I sit. I feel guilty that I haven't done the exercises here at home, but I really don't remember them. Hopefully I will be more alert tomorrow than I was Friday! I was so out of it. I never fall asleep like I did with that wonderful heat pack on me.

The weather here is really nice. I can see that we will most likely have another hot, hot summer. I guess that's the trend now - hot, hot summers and cold, cold winters. Oh, well. Hope your weather is good today.

Peace be with you.

Too smart for my own good.

I made the appointment for the PT session for this morning. I need to see Dr Poison for a follow-up appointment next week. That means more blood work.

Now those things don't seem to have a common thread, but wait they do. Both are in suburb medical centers. The Pain office (where I take PT) is close to a lab for blood work. I thought I was being really smart by deciding to make an appointment for blood work at 8:40 since it had to be fasting. The PT was 9:30. They are about three long blocks apart which is closer than going to the other place that is close to Dr Poison.

I was so happy with myself. Kill two birds with one stone, that is until I figured out this was fasting. I was going to be in PT a while with no breakfast. A few years ago, that wouldn't have been a problem. I wasn't a breakfast eater. I probably could have managed today, but I wasn't sure. So I began thinking about fast food places.

Believe it or not, there are not an overabundance of them in the area. It's like that at the other place too. Anyway, I found one. I was there until 11, so I found another for lunch.

Sad.

Peace be with you.

New meds

The pain specialist asked me if I were sleeping well. I told him I was sleeping fairly well. I do wake during the night from pain - either knee which is not so much now, or back. He gave me something that would "fix" that. He told me it wouldn't make me GO to sleep, but allow me to sleep. He was right - in spades. It was so very difficult to wake this morning.

The alarm went off, and I was so fast asleep! My first thought was to quietly cuss G for still working! So I stumbled into the den where I fell on the couch and promptly fell fast asleep again. That couch has put up with my sleeping on it for several years now. After the mastectomy it was my best friend in the world. Anyway, he was getting ready to leave about 45 minutes later, and I thought we had just gotten up!

I slept about an hour more, and finally pushed myself off the couch. I am still a little foggy! I can't believe how strong that little thing was. Of course, he also put me on Lyrica. I thought that was an anti-depressant, but I read it was also used in pain management. My first thought was that it would interfere with the Femara (the cancer drug), but it hasn't been shown to do so.

Tomorrow I get to do my most favorite thing in the world - Physical Therapy. But I guess it is necessary. It would be such a wonderful thing to be able to walk pain free again.

I don't know how the timing for the right knee replacement will be affected by all this. I know this treatment will stretch into April, and I wanted the knee done late April or early May. All I can hope for is to get it done in at a good time. I have a craft show I want to do July 10!

I was able to get to the craft room yesterday. While there I got it straightened a little, and I got the quilting done on Lady Bug's scrap book cover. It looks really cute. I will hopefully complete it today, and then I can start on my friend on the next mountain at the SSB. She has done so much for me, I want to do something for her. She can put her grandchildren's pictures in it.

So that is the news from here. The weather is beautiful. Hopefully after PT tomorrow I can get to the nursery to get plants to replace those that froze. We have really been lulled by our previously warmish winters. We paid this year!

Peace be with you.

Layla Grace and my back

Those two absolutely have no connection, but anyway. Layla passed yesterday early morning. She fought a valiant battle. It is so sad to see such a tiny baby have to face so much in a young life. Her parents are devoted to spreading the word about neuroblastoma, which they knew nothing about before Layla was stricken. They learned, too late, it can be diagnosed by a simple urine test. It is a disease that strikes young children. But Layla is at peace, and now prayers are certainly in order for her family (mom, dad, sister (9) and sister (3)) as they try to put their lives back together. Thank you for past prayers, but keep the family in your prayers.

Yesterday was my appointment with the pain specialist. To say the least, I was nervous as the appointment time grew closer. When we walked in, my first impression was it that was a fly by night operation. I was not impressed - at all. They were located in what used to be a medical supply store.

My first task was to fill out about 100 pages of information. That irritated me greatly. That took me 30 minutes, and I have learned a secret from my step mother. I have a card with my medical history on it. It lists all medicines, all allergies and all surgeries (which are mounting!). So that saved some time.

I finally got in, and, of course, we sat. At one point this really tall guy came in to get the spine model. G remarked that certainly they could afford more than one spine model. I wondered! After what seemed like forever, this guy came back. He gave us a little of his history. It seems that he had to work his way through school. Between med school and his specialization, he somehow was working in a nursing home or something.

When he bagan taking my health history, which was on the 100 page book I filled out, I was sure he wasn't a doctor at all. I really didn't like him. It was difficult to get things straight. I was ready to bolt! I honestly thought he was stupid. But then, the physical exam began. He had me lie on the table on my side. He got G over, and told him to watch my hip. He began manipulate my leg/hip. HURT! This was done on both sides.

To make a long story shorter, he descried the way I walk and how it is putting pressure on my lower back. I walk that way because I already have problems - pinched nerves, arthritic changes, stenosis, and other generative changes, but the way I walk makes it worse.

Sooooo, the upshot of all this is simple. I come back to that location for PT. In about three weeks (because of my schedule - I'm not missing the SSB trip), I will go about 45 miles away from here for the steroid injections in my spine. Insurance will pay for three - should be six. Sounds about like insurance doesn't it.

He said my back is serious. If we don't step in seriously now, I will be in really bad shape in the future. We're talking wheel chair here.

Now I am wondering how this will fit with my other knee replacement. I still want it ASAP, but right now I think this back problem is the main concern. I will call the ortho doc later today to see if they want to see me now, or after all the back stuff is taken care of.

A brief follow up

The little girl at the end of the last post, Layla Grace, is being followed world wide. I am amazed. It looks like the end is possibly very near by the last tweets.

I didn't know of her until about a week ago.

If you want more information: www://laylagrace.org.

I just can't imagine the lives of the family, especially now.

Please remember the family in your prayers.

Thanks, K

Wild Weekend

I wish! I haven't had a really wild weekend in years and years!

I generally do not babysit my grandchildren. Wiggle Worm is the only one (for now) for Son. His other grandmother babysits him. He's her first and only.

The other three I kept as babies - one at a time - but I usually am not the sitter. Monkey Boy can, and has been, quite a challenge. But Daughter and SIL got on one of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo committees. I don't know if Daughter really wanted to be on said committee, but she was signed up. Last night they were to be on duty.

When I do this, Pa is not involved. He can take children in small doses these days. Don't get me wrong, he loves them, but he loves them more when they get older. Lady Bug is getting to the right age at 9!

Since today is a school day, their usual sitter couldn't do it, so I was asked. I really don't mind. I love those kiddos so much. I knew it was going to be a rather late evening. Of course, anything after 9 pm could be construed as a late evening for me. But I was apprehensive. MB and Doodle Bug can have their moments!

It was decided I would have family dinner here. I wasn't going to fix it, then haul it to Daughter's house. So Son and family were here. Dinner went well. I got finicky eater MB to eat cucumbers! He usually won't eat anything green. His usual fare is chicken nuggets and ketchup. Oh and almost any carb! It came time for Son's family to leave, so the other three and I packed up and went to their home.

I put the Academy Awards on. That's not my usual fare, but I hoped it would be boring for the younger ones. We settled in. MB sat beside me on the couch, so I decided teeth brushing and bed clothing was certainly in order.

That went suprisingly well. They all did it like little troopers. I don't think the teeth got the full attention they deserved, but, hey, I was a fill in! Doodle Bug decided to have a temper tantrum, but she soon settled down. Monkey went to the pallet and was soon fast asleep.

Lady Bug held Doodle to calm her until she somehow was spooked by the show (?), and she wanted me to hold her. She was asleep in five minutes. So by about 9:45 all was quiet.

I was proud of Daughter. She only called once to check. They got in at 12:30, and I was on my way home to my bed. All in all a good night.

I was so proud of Monkey I couldn't stand it. He has come a looong way! He really was a brat for a long time, but he has come so far! I had a wonderful time with my grandchildren.

That brings me to something I wasn't really going to write about here, but I feel I must. We have a 22 month old in our area who is dying from neuroblastoma. It is stage 4 and she is terminal. She had no chance, and her body is shiutting down. She is at home -to die, and this has been going on for about three weeks now. Her name is Layla Grace. If you think of it, please pray for her parents as they are helping her to the end, as well as her 9 year old and 3 year old sisters who are with grandmother at this time so they remember Layla as she was before, not as she is now.

Peace be with you.

Yesterday

I got out yesterday!! I went to the sewing club meeting. It was the first one for this year I have been able to attend. It was so very nice to get out and see people. The photo at right is the project we did. It's rather hard to see because I chose to do tone on tone. It is an embossed fingertip towel.


It's not exactly perfect because the computerized sewing machine did what a lot of computers do - it had a silicon fart. I managed to get the towel even in the hoop, got the stabilizer all set and tacked down so it would be perfect, and then pushed the button. The machine began stitching right up the center and the needle hit the hoop. Thankfully nothing broke, but jeesh! All in all I'm pretty proud of it.

I spent the morning trying to upload this photo and get it posted here. Sometimes I wonder about my skills. Of course when I was downloading, I tried to do it while reading something else. I used Photoshop to download, but I'm not sure where I approved of storage. I finally manually pasted the picture into My Pictures. The file is supposed to be there, but...

Enough silliness. Things are still the same around here. Nothing exciting is happening, it's just all the same stuff. I thought about going out but part of the reason for my going isn't happening. I called in my pain pills since I still have until next week before the steroid injections in my back. There is still pain there. So far, that request hasn't been approved.

I guess that means I have no more reason to put off cleaning up this den. Last night I devised a schedule for myself to do what I hate the most - cleaning. It's amazing just what I can find to do instead of that chore. I get really motivated about 10 pm. That's not a good time since G goes to bed. That motivation evaporates with the daylight.

I have always been a night owl. That changed for the time I taught since my first period class began at 7:30 (yes, a.m.). I was always sleep deprived then. I am, unfortunately, reverting to my real biological clock. That doesn't fit with living with someone who still gets up to go to work.

Well, I hope you have a good weekend with moderate weather for a change. That would be a good change, wouldn't it?

Peace be with you.

What's new?

Well, nothing. It feels like the same old same old around these parts, at least for me. I am still recuping the knee. I think there is something not quite right, but I keep putting off calling the doctor. It feels like something will roll out of place. It feels like I need to "pop" the knee, and it hurts then. We'll see what happens.

Tomorrow is sewing club. I have missed the last two meetings, and I really want to go to this one. I want to get out and DO something, and I want to learn how to embroidery on a tea towel. I am not crazy about the design, but I really want to get the technique right. If you don't do it correctly, the embroidery sinks into the towel - never to be seen again!

I have ventured up the stairs once. Going up wasn't bad - the coming down is scary as the devil. Neither knee is really dependable when going down. I am supposed to start out with the "good" knee (what an euphemism) going up and the surgically corrected coming down. That means trusting what is not strong with either knee coming down. I have been contemplating coming down on my butt - on purpose, silly!

But I am not at all going to be able to bring that machine and all associated stuff down with me. G can be such a jerk about it. In fact, when I told him I was going, his remark was how I was going to get the machine into the store. I told him at least THEY would help me!

I have asked Daughter, but she has her own stuff going on. They are in the process of adding an addition above their master bedroom. The progress has been slow and tedious. They have had a heck of a time with our local inspector. He kind of reminds me of Barney Phyfe on the old Andy Griffin show. He thinks because he has a title, he is powerful. I have had to deal with him on the other house and this one, and I'm glad it's over. The next time I may ask him if he has the bullet in his pocket.

Anyway, Monday morning, Daughter's ceiling collapsed from accumulated rain water that seeped under the tarping that the framer didn't put down correctly. Now in addition to the stuff going on upstairs, they are down to the studs in their master bedroom. I really hate to ask her to come here to bring that machine down. She assured me (prior to the disaster) it would be fine - even with SIL out of town and all the family stuff falling on her shoulders. I'll see how her day goes today before I bring it up again.

So that's the news from here in Swampland Surburb. Hope your news is good!

Peace.

Men - honestly!

G and I have been married 42 years in August, and he still pulls some boner stunts that amaze me! I will swear he is getting worse as he ages!

Today I was here in my usual place during the morning time, reading emails and blogs, dressed still in pj's, when I see the meter reader coming up the driveway. I didn't think anything of it. They come once a month. It's OK. Then the door bell rings, and a knock at the door.

Of course, Simone acts like she is the guard dog that will rip you to pieces. I thought my protective husband would come from the bedroom in the back to answer the door. (He is off today) I waited a bit. He is still back there. I was wondering because I knew he had already spent his half hour in the "study." Fortunately my slovenly housekeeping allowed me to have my robe in here on the tote that we take back and forth to the SSB.

I grabbed my robe, finding that the sash wasn't with it, and head to the door. I am half way there when the charging boxer stops dead in her tracks. I guess she realized that she would get there before me. That might mean she would have to face the intruder on her own. Still no brave husband.

I stumble around the dog and get to the door. The meter reader has to get into the backyard to read the meter. For some reason when we finally got that meter for the generator installed, they put in a regular meter - not one that sends the information. Great. This will be a monthly thing, but where has this guy been for the last few months??

I turn to go to get the gate key. Still no brave man. As I reach the key holder, here is comes. Alas the hero to the rescue. His comment about what he was doing. You won't believe.

"I was in the middle of combing my hair."

WHAT?? I still can't believe this.

Anyway - peace.

A litle this, a dab of that

The other night when I was having trouble sleeping, I decided to explore an antiqe wash stand that sits beside the bed. Two drawers used to hold hose - when I was teaching and had to wear the vile things everyday.

I haven't been through one of the sections in a looooooong time. So I opened it. There were papers there which upon closed inspection turned out to be old scrap books. I mean 1930's old. One that is particularly brittle was my mother's scrapbook from high school! She graduated in 1932 to give you a frame of reference.

I found all sorts of pictures there, including a tin type of a great grandfather. So I decided I would get a really nice album to put these pictures in. I have done that once with some pictures that only went back about 50 years. I nicely labeled them, posted them, and gave the album to Daughter. I am going to do the same with this.

I know I want the pictures in it, but I'm, not sure what I want to do with some of the other things that were collected by a high school girl. She has all sorts of awards and other school paraphernalia there. I will probably put it in the album.

That got me thinking about my own high school scrap book. It is gone. It can never be found again. It was in the house at the lake. I saw bits and pieces of it scattered about the house post vandals. Now that property is gone. G would have had a fit had I gone about picking up those things. He is not the type for that!

I worked on that for about 2 hours, and then decided I was tired. I tried to get up and was reminded in full force that I overdid it yesterday!

G was going to the grocery store. I announced I was going along. Well, it cost a fortune, but at least there is food in the house to eat. With him having gone the last month, we sometimes come up lacking on somethings. I usually don't eat a full meal at once, so I like a little snack in there. Now I have some low calorie things that hold me over until the next meal. But I made the entire store!!

Then I wanted to take Lady Bug to the craft store so she could pick out her fabric for her scrap book that I will make a monogrammed cover for. I also wanted to look for glass bricks. I understand Hobby Lobby had them, and I think they have a light with them, for $10. I have an idea for our summer craft show.

We got the fabric, and I was starting to feel the "good knee" (as in not operated on yet) really hurt. I did make it across the store to get the album I needed, but honestly, I didn't think I could finish. I never found those darn bricks.

So I'll have to go again some other day - when I'm not sore. I am now. I really overdid yesterday, but it was so nice to get out and be free again!!

Peace.

Another battle

I have been thinking about this for several days now. When reading blogs the other day, one blogger said she didn't know how a woman could "let herself go." You know, that is a really good question. If the answer were an easy one, whoever found it would be a multi-billionaire.

I have battled weight for most of my life. It is only recently, while looking at pictures of myself in childhood, that I wasn't as fat as my parents let on. I also have come to this realization after looking at my children and grandchildren.

One of my earliest memories was shopping for school clothes. My dad made a comment because I was X age (can't remember!!) and wore a X+ (some size up). His idea was, for example, if you were six years old, you wore a size 6 dress. That stung me. I worshiped my dad.

My kids, and now my grandchildren, all wear clothes that are larger than their age. Skinny Lady Bug is 9. She wears a 10 or 12 shirt. That child is not fat. Wiggle Worm is 1, he wears 18 mo to 2 year. This was the same with their parents.

So, with me, the dye was cast. My role was to be fat. I wore clothes bigger than my age, so that was that. I was not obese however, but I was larger. I look at my daughter now. She is probably about my then size. She is not fat. She also has a positive body image that I never had - I never said anything about her weight nor size. And I sure didn't make it a bad thing that at age 8 she wore a 10-12.

So what does this have to do with where I am today. I think my body image. I held onto the notion I was fat. So what did another 5 pounds matter? In those early days, weight loss was easy. I remember my dad telling me that later it wouldn't be. Boy was he right.

I was also an only child. Food became my friend early on. With every hurt, every insult, all boredom, it was a constant. Then there was cleaning up the leftovers from the kids and so on. It just built up and built up.

Two years before the cancer diagnosis, I lost about 50 pounds (yes, there was more to go). Then I got the diagnosis, and with it chemo. With chemo they gave me high doses of steroids. Now, we all know about steroids, don't we?

I never made the connection with the weight I had gained with the drug until I was sitting in the radiation waiting room. Another breast cancer survivor said she turned down chemo (gasp!) because she didn't want to gain the weight that went along with it. Well, that helps to explain it. I knew the feeling of despair that I had which lead to me not caring about what I was eating, but wow! It was true - I had nearly absolute zero nausea. (I thought chemo would make me lose weight - I envisioned the "typical cancer patient".)

Well - here we are today. I thought I was doomed because I just couldn't find the will power. I'm here alone all day - bored. When I finally snapped I could spend the day upstairs - away from food - crafting, I also decided I would have my knee done. I hadn't lost any weight though - even staying upstairs all day.

I had the knee done - stayed in the hospital for five days - the first two on a cardiac diet. Food turned on me. It tasted terrible. I lost about 10 pounds according to my cardio doc's scale. Food still doesn't taste good most of the time. I am on the weight loss train again.

Will it last? I don't know. Menopause is not kind to us, women. The anti-cancer pill keeps estrogen from being produced. That adds to the problem. It isn't going to be nearly as easy this time, but I am on my way again along this well traveled road. The ruts are deep. I just hope there is something worthwhile at the end.

It has taken a lot for me to not delete this post. I really am not feeling sorry for myself. The issue of weight is not pure and simple. A doctor I had 30 years ago was from Alabama. He said that he remembered those razor back hogs. Some would gain weight easily, and some never gained an ounce. He thought people were like that too. I believe it. Son, Lady Bug, and my dad were that way. Mom, Daughter, me - nope. The issue of over weight is so complex. I wish there was an answer.

(Just a little side note here. My bathroom scale is a trip! Depending on where it is on the floor and how I stand on it, I can lose 10 pounds by just moving it!)

I knew tthat - just didn't think

I am a voracious reader. I read in the car on the way to the SSB. I can't think of a better way to spend 5 hours! I read while waiting for appointments. I read before I turn off the light at night. SO stage is set.

Last night I was reading a book by an author new to me. Usually I like to read mysteries, but then there are many times I do branch out to other "just good ole stories" (my own personal genre). This book is set in Kansas in modern times, but the heroine, who married into this family, is enamored with the history of the land. I can fully relate.

Before she married, she found a journal written by the woman who was the original owner's wife. Ooh, I hate that. Sounds like chattel!! The woman describes how life was in those early days, and how little they had.

She talks about living in a tent in the beginning until another farm family had enough wood to build them a modest shelter. There was no glass for the windows, and there was no real door. The openings were covered with a burlap like materials.

She then went on to describe the weather. That is the hot topic everywhere these days. Extreme cold, extreme snow, the summer extreme heat, etc. The point was made as to how Kansas could experience the bitter Canadian cold in the winter, and the Northern Mexican heat in the summer. Now, I knew that. Did I think about it before - really, no.

At least I can sit here in Swampland Surburb and know that while we occasionally have exremes, like last summer and this winter, basically, at least so far, we have a pretty even range of temperatures. We should know that the summer is going to be hot and steamy (it's not the heat - it's the humidity), and usually most of our winter is light jacket weather.

That's kind of how it is in life. We know that things can be so much worse, but they usually aren't. We just forget. With spring right around the corner, I hope it can jog our memories so that we can think about just how good things really are! It is, after all, a time of renewal.

Peace.

Weather forecasters

Following a summer where those clowns on TV couldn't stand in front of a map of the tropics to shout total destruction by a hurricane, we now have an unusual winter. It really is, and they are really enjoying the strangeness of the situation.

Most of Swampland will not have any snow today. It will fall more to the north. Here in Swampland surburb, we may get a stray flake or two, but it won't be anything but rain. Cold, miserable rain. Our freeway overpasses and other bridges may freeze, but that in itself isn't too unusual for winter.

This silliness began last week when they saw this particular front out there on the west coast. One weather clown began with the s word. Soon they were all following suit. Now they are all saying they were the first to forecast snow! They are also busy looking at the weather history to see how this winter aligns with other winters.

It's sad to say that as soon as we get out of this weird weather we will be close to hurricane season again. I. Can. Hardly. Wait.

Peace.

CAUTION; FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE

That pretty much sums up family relationships around this place. I have known that DIL is especially edgy, and I try to handle her with kid gloves as it is. Our previous history wasn't good. When she and Son were dating, she would break up and then they would go back. It was about to kill him. At this point I have to add that she was 18 at the time and he was 23. Still, it was killing him, thus it was killing me. I had finally had enough and advised him to just move on. They got back together, and DIL and I have gotten closer (I think).

SIL and DIL really do not like one another. SIL is loud, brusk, and brags too much about nothing. We all know this. It comes from his family. They never had anything. When he was in high school, they moved over 15 times. Usually the move involved leaving owing money. This all happened in a small town. He had a rough time. Anyway they mix like oil and water, but make an effort (I thought).

Saturday was Wiggle Worm's real party. It was held at the home of friends - not family. They are well off, and the party was outside. The weather wasn't really conducive for an outdoor party, but they have a pool house. I knew I wasn't going to be walking around, so I found a glider and sat. I talked with one of DIL's aunts and a couple of cousins until they moved on to something else.

When G's elderly aunts arrived, they sat near me until we really got cold, so I suggested we move into the pool house. One of the aunts had knee surgery about six months ago, and we sat together for a while comparing notes.

The party was to go from 2-5. At 4, the cake hadn't been cut nor presents opened. The adults were around the bar getting their antifreeze downed. Someone finally suggested we do the pinata for the kids and the cake thing. No move toward the presents. It was 5. G didn't feel well to begin with, so he was ready to go. Daughter and her brood were going, and the aunties were going - they had a 25 mile trip home, and don't drive at night.

The next day, Daughter called me to tell me that DIL's brother was "bad mouthing" us to the rest of the family. He was saying that we thought we were so much better than anyone else and on and on. It was like someone had punched me in the stomach. We have always been friendly with that family. G even was talking to him right after we got there. I could go on, but really am dumfounded.

Daughter posted on Facebook. DIL saw it, and she texted Daughter. Son called Daughter, and was told what happened. This was all before we had dinner here. I was really worried about dinner last night. I didn't know if there was resolution or not. Apparently there was. Things went smoothly. But it still bothers me.

I just don't know what we did to this young man. I haven't heard from Daughter yet today. I really don't know what is going on at this point. But as I said, family relationships are very, very fragile. I really thought we had a good relationship between these families. You just never know.

Peace

Free!

Well, sort of. Today is the first day in about 18 that I haven't taken any pain medication - at all. No muscle relaxers, no pain med - nothing like that.

My brain is a little clearer than it has been. The eyes are really blurry, but it's just one of those days with thickened corneas that happens.

We (Daughter, Lady Bug and Monkey Boy and I) went out for Wiggle Worm's first birthday cake. It was special. I feel really bad about being upset about it before. It was the grandparents (well, minus G), DIL's God mother, and auntie (minus uncle and Doodle Bug). It was really sweet to share that first birthday cake with that little boy.


He's not too sure about all this. "All the other times I would be "disciplined" if he made a mess, and now they want me to!!" It was sweet, and I am glad I was there.

Now I am going to sneak upstairs. I made him a shirt for tomorrow - the official party, but I don't like it. When I get an idea, I tend to hold on to that idea and make the project. Now I have thought of a better way. That's why I bought two shirts!

Peace.

Oh, my!

The words of Dr Bones when he was reading the CT scan. That was followed up with something along the lines of "I don't know which was worse, the knee or the back." Great.

They he went on to say his goal is to make the knee hurt worst than the back. Well, thanks Doc! I love you too. His theory is that because the nerves are so impinged, the pain signal from the knee isn't getting through, so I am sitting here in bliss because the pain signal is blocked.

He has referred me to the Pain Management people. They (and he) do not believe in back surgery. I knew I loved him. So the plan is that I will see them, they will numb the back and give me four epidural shots.

Between you and me, I don't think the numbing of the back will do squat for what is coming! But I have to look for what will come. He is thinking 90% improvement. I would like to think 100%, but that is the school teacher coming out in me - shoot for the best.

So if I haven't heard from them by late morning tomorrow, I will call. Then the appointment will be made for sometime next week. Oh, please let there be relief. I could feel the pain shooting down from the lumbar region through my right buttocks heading for the leg. The left has twinges, but that right is ready to give me hell.

If I don't have considerable relief from this nerve impingement, I will not have the right knee done. I can feel now that a good deal of the pains I have felt are from the back problem. We'll see what each day brings.

Peace

Still going on

I tried to cut back on the muscle relaxers and pain pills yesterday. That wasn't such a good idea, so I am taking what seems to be the lowest amount I need. It still makes my brain fuzzy, and thoughts are so hard to form - and remember! But anyway!

One thing I wanted to share was Monkey Boy's comment about the scar on my knee. It is about 18 inches long, and I finally took most of the bandages off Sunday. Monkey Boy was sitting on the floor, and when he looked over he said "Grandma, that's a bad cut you've got there!" From the mouths of kids . . .

One of the effects of these pills is to make me a little more emotional. I knew it would happen, but I am so tired of being here. I don't think it would be so bad if I could go upstairs. Were it not for the pills, I think I could. But lightheaded and stairs don't mix well.

Another thing that is causing me a bit of a problem is Wiggle Worm. His birthday party (total blow out) is Saturday. His real birthday is tomorrow. They (parents) have decided that they will have cake tomorrow about 6:15-6:30.

This is a tough time for us down here in what DIL considers close to the "hood." G has been getting off at 4:30 to come home to care for me. He is behind at work, and plans to stay a little later for the rest of the week. Even so, we all down here (us and Daughter's family) don't eat until late.

We don't have a "rush hour." We have "rush hours." The time they have chosen are right in the middle of this time. It will be a bear to get to them. But if we don't. All hell will break loose - at least our ears will be burning like I don't know what.

It's really sad, but we don't know Wiggle Worm. We are the ones who come in last. After all DIL's family has been seen, and they do all the things they want with them - we are given a crumb of time.

With that last statement - it is time to stop! I don't know what/who is speaking here. I need to find out before this goes on. I may need to get these feelings buried again. Soon.

Peace

More drama!

After leaving Dr Bone's office, I made the appointment for the CT scan for Saturday. Happy, happy times. I thought I would be well on my way to healing by Wednesday and the world was bright!

Saturday we arrived for the scan. They had me for an MRI. The receptionist was going to argue until I whipped out my copy of the orders. She then looked at her second page, which was my orders. There it was - CT scan. The problem - no technician to do that scan.

So we made the appointment for Monday. I already had an appointment with Dr Heart ( and I still can't figure out why), but I thought he wasn't that important. The scan was for 9am and the cardio was 10:15. Easy. I hope.

The dawn comes yesterday, and I haul myself out of bed. We eat a quick breakfast and head over the the center. We are there early, and there are just a bare sprinkling of other patients. I complete some forms and pay (first things first, you know). I go over to sit, and I am there for only about 5 minutes before I am called back.

I change clothes, fight with the lock on the locker, and then find they are waiting for me. I go to the room, hop on the table, get situated, and bam, I'm done! It is 8:45.

So we head over to Dr Heart. I get in - on time, but that meant a 30 minute wait anyway. I could tell he wasn't sure why I was there either, but that's ok. We were home by 11, amd G was on his way to work.

That meant I could take a nap. Which I did - until 3. I don't know why I slept so much, but I did.

I was amazed how well things clicked yesterday. Saturday, I was really upset with the whole thing. Now, hopefully, I will hear from Dr Bones today, and I will be on the way to no pain.

With no pain that means I will have my brain back. This fog is getting old. I don't know how the addicts do it. My brain just gives me little starts and stops. I hate it!

Peace

Same, same

I am so tired of being held hostage in my house. It wouldn't be so bad, but I am really afraid to venture upstairs. It's not going up that scares me, although right at the top there isn't anything to hold on to. That is scary.

It's coming down. When the sciatic nerve really kicks in, my left leg feels so weak. I just don't trust it. I have the walker close by. It wouldn't do stairs well. I can picture it now - me and the walker, at the bottom of the stairs, in one mangled mess!

Taking muscle relaxers and pain pills make me want to sleep - sleep - sleep. The weather doesn't help. It is nasty, cold and wet, but it isn't too cold. We are lucky in that. It could be so much worse. But put me on the couch in a blanket, and the temperatures are just perfect! Then before I know it, I'm asleep.

I'm anxious for the CAT tomorrow. I don't know where we go from there. I wish they hadn't been so booked up and we could have gotten in on Wednesday.

At least the pain in minimal because I haven't done any of the PT exercises. I talked to SIL last night and jokingly accused her of getting even with me for not having any pain. I also emailed G's aunt. I didn't want his uncle putting more pressure on her. He thinks she wasn't getting well soon enough.

So I'm off to rummage for something for lunch. I really don't know what I want. Then another dose of pills. And then ... yep, sleep - I'm sure.

Have a great weekend. For those in the snow and cold, I hope that stops soon.

Peace.

New development

This isn't exactly new, I have been having back problems for many, many years. I didn't mention this to Dr Bones because no other ortho really listened.

So yesterday was the day for my follow up visit. They took me back to take an x-ray. I told them the knee was great, but my back - oh my back. Dr Bones ordered a lumbar film too.

They got me into the room, and G and I sat for a bit. (the story about G is another one for later) It wasn't but a minute before Dr Bones blew into the exam room followed by his nurse (who is his right hand! She amazes me.) He looked at the x-ray of my back and said "oh, my!" Not good.

Nurse V began cutting the staples. Now that was an experience. It is what I shall dread about knee number two - if we can get this back under control. So, here they go - both talking and doing their thing. She is cutting, he talking about my back. I was about to just faint away!

To sum it up - I will have a CAT scan on my back. We had hoped for today, but they can't do it until Saturday. That's good. No one has to take time off. Then I will have some sort of injection in the nerve at either L5 or L6. I don't know if anyone ever heard me say that it is hurting on both sides, just the left is worse.

He said fixing the knee irritated the nerve more, and that's my problem. So until further medical action, it's pain pills and muscle relaxers for me! Being medicated like that coupled with this cold, wet weather, I sleep a lot. Thanks for all the comments and wishes. Means a lot.

Peace.

I called bone doctor's office yesterday morning. At least, I thought I did. My back and leg were hurting so much that I took two pain pills yesterday morning. I was concerned about taking more PT. I didn't think the session should cause this much pain.

When TJ the PT (I just had to do that), got here, I told him what was going on. There was only one exercise I cut back on. After PT I did feel pretty good, but that was a situation that didn't last long.

About 6:30, bone nurse called - finally. She said to not do some of the exercises that involved the hip, and come in tomorrow, as is scheduled. I think more is going to added to PT. I think TJ the PT thinks so too. He said I should call him when I get home, and then he will come for theapy.

I really wish my daughter would take a good long look at what I am going through. She is so much like me. If I hadn't been bull-headed when I was young, I don't think I would be in the shape I'm in. I moved furniture without help - so does she. Things that would be better waiting for help, she (and me in my day) just goes ahead and does whatever.

My mind is half fog right now. The single pain pill I took a while ago is kicking in.

Peace.

Weekend pains

I thought, hoped, prayed, that my reaction to physical therapy would be a one time offer. I suffered through Friday, and Saturday wasn't bad at all. By Sunday evening, I was really suffering again.

The pain really does originate in the back, but the real pain is in the shin area. That muscle cramps terribly. And so it was doing Sunday afternoon. By Sunday night it was terrible again.

This morning when I opened my eyes, things were not bad. I thought it was over. Nope. It got worse and worse. I ended up taking two pain pills. In that fog, I called the doctor's office - come to think of it they haven't called back.

I spent the day sleeping - and another PT session. So far so good. We'll see what happens.

Today was a really nice day. Tomorrow, it will be the pits. There is talk about snow again. Wait, wait!! We live in the SOUTH!! That means no snow!

I feel sorry for those who are trapped in such snows. I know you are tired of it. We can only hope for some moderation of the weather soon.

LB got into a bit of trouble at school last week. I'll share it tomorrow. I think the couch is calling me for another nap!

Peace

The great equilizer

Physical therapy. Yes, that brings us back down to reality. I had my first serious PT session today.

TJ came to the house. We started with ankle flexes. OK! Can do those all day. But then things got more serious - a lot more serious.

Earlier in the day, I got an email from SIL. She was glad that I had weathered the surgery so well. She said her first two days were sheer hell, and probably even a half working epidural had helped. I'm sure it must have.

In the last of her email was to be nice to the physical therapist. Now I understand.

I am supposed to do those *&^$^&&(, I mean rehabilitating, exercises three times a day. Hummmm, I really don't think so. This afternoon I noticed that I was leaking a little more, and it was rather fresh. I wonder what those staples look like.


Ah, the might has been brought to her (wait for it) knees.

Peace.

It hurt

I never had an epidural - ever. With my first child, the OB-GYN knocked me out when the time came. This was 36 years ago, and I guess he was a little "old school" for even that time. But it was OK. G wasn't allowed in the delivery room - as if he would go!

So when I was getting one for this surgery, I didn't know what to expect. I remember when Daughter was giving birth to Lady Bug they wouldn't give her one until she got to a 4 or 5. She was progressing slowly. She had been hospitalized the night before with the cervical softener which didn't seem to be doing it's job.

She was progressing slowly the entire next day. About 5:30 pm she said she had to go to the bathroom. I looked at the nurses like they had three heads when they said she could get up and go. What? I know the birth procedure in the hospitals had changed, but ... When she got into bed, she requested they check her again.

What a flurry of activity. They said she could have the epidural, and the doctor would be there immediately to give it to her. They didn't request we leave the room - which happened with both the other two and mine even. She was like a wilted daisy. Son in law was there to hold her still, and she just laid on him. As soon as the medicine went in, she sat up like a puppet on a string. She was "bright-eyed and bushy tailed!"

Well, I was with her on at least one of the next two, but I never saw her flinch with the insertion of the needle or the drug. That wasn't the way it was for me. IT HURT. When the medicine went in the sensation down me left leg was like the device used in old science fiction movies that consisted of the two poles with the static electricity running up them at intervals.

I was really surprised with that epidural. In addition to me not knowing it would hurt, it came loose on the second day. I would push my button, and my back would get wet. The nurses checked it, and all looked well. The pain doc on call came over after things calmed down in the birthing center. It looked ok.

The next day, when it was scheduled to come out, my bed was soaked. It is our (nurses, doctors, me) conclusion that I didn't have the epidural stopping the pain properly. Wow. I will tell you this, there was no difference between the pain of day one and day two.

I got my hand slapped!

Yesterday I was sitting here with the home health nurse finishing up our certification when the phone rang. It was Dr Bone's nurse. She asked me if I had "the machine" and I smartly replied that I did not - I didn't think I needed it. She told me that I certainly did need it, and she was going to call the company to get it delivered to me. So.

Poor Andre. I had told him I didn't need it earlier in the day, and when he called about delivering it, I apologized - profusely. He was true to his word, he was here about 6:45. In comes this monster. He looks at me reclining on my antique sofa and said he didn't think it would fit. I didn't even, so we headed back to the bedroom.

The worst thing about this whole ordeal is that after having breast cancer and it's associated treatments three years ago left me completely wiped out during that time, and then knees got really bad about the same time. Moving was a pain (sorry for the pun). My house is the pits. I had to let a stranger into the bedroom. I was just so humiliated.

Anyway back to the saga of "the machine." He set it up on the bed, and I could see that it was every bit as heavy as the one in the hospital. All the nurses complained about the weight. We got is all set up, I got attached to the thing, and we ran it for a bit making sure it worked. This thing is to passively move my leg - pulling the knee up to the chest while I am laying there. I should use it 6-8 hours a day (!?!??).

At bedtime, there was the behemoth. Still there. I don't know why G didn't move it when he tested its weight earlier. So, bull headed German I am, I moved that rascal. Just about killed me too, but I'll never admit it!

I just don't know how I am supposed to use this thing. I cannot put myself in it. According to nurse Valarie, it is to keep blood clots from forming. I think I better get really good at wiggling my toes a lot.

Right now the only fear about knee number 2's replacement is my butt. The second day after surgery, I was so sore. I couldn't move without so much pain - in my butt muscles. It got worse day 3. They still hurt. I remember this is part of what happens to me in the hospital. I don't know why. It doesn't seem to happen to others. Right now I am sitting on a pillow because these chairs simply don't have enough padding, and mine, while being ample, is too sore to sit on it.

In fact, I just took a pain pill, and the effects are being felt! I better close or this little post will be illegible - even with spell check, et al.

Peace

Home again, gigidy gig

It took everything and then some to get me out. The doctor finally came by to make his observation. It seems that the norm is to be released to a rehab hospital. That means at least one and more like two weeks. No. Nope. I don't want one more day in a hospital. And here it is 1:40 and I am still in my pjs. That wouldn't happen in a rehab hospital as I was told. We would all be up and out of the rooms. Nope.

I do have home health coming to do PT three times a week. She is going to be here in a minute.

The doctor was amazed at my progress. I thought the PT people in the hospital were thinking I wasn't walking like I should, but he said I was blowing the top out of that. I am doing well. My hindrance it really the right knee. It still hurts like crazy. I have to admit, I have surprised myself. I didn't realize just how bad I was before.

Fear does that though. The unknown kept me afraid. I was so afraid of the pain. But I knew I couldn't go on the way it was. I was in such pain. My spirits are soaring now.

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. They helped!

Peace

Live from the hospital

Going to be brief Still in hospital, just got computer last night. Hopefully going home today, but there is nasty talk about a rehab hospital. Had some ups and downs. My only regret is that I waited so long. It wasn't bad at all.

More to come.

Love and peace