Latest happenings

THE EYE!  It is continuing to improve.  I am beginning to get to the end of the drops.  Next week I will be down to one drop per day.  And I am really happy about that!  Now I am ready for her to do the vision exam so I can get the lens in my glasses changed and perhaps see out of that eye.

My vision in that eye will never be normal because that eye is no longer normal.  Back in 2000 when it was finally discovered that I had an aneurysm, it was treated with a laser, but the retina is now distorted.  The doctor at the time was amazed that I have the vision I have.  So I am not expecting crystal clear nondistorted vision.  It will always be sort of like a funhouse mirror. 


OLDEST CHILD ILL!  My oldest - you know the 73-year-old male, has a cold.  He thinks he is going to die.  When he speaks, it is a low mumble.  I almost wish I were the one with the cold.  We are on day three, so the symptoms should be subsiding soon - I hope.

That's what is happening around this place.  Some good, some not so good!

Hnmmmmm.

I am a little conflicted about writing about this, but then when have I been known to really keep my mouth shut?

Last weekend I THOUGHT Katie was going on a recruiting trip to UCSB (Santa Barbara). At least that's the way her father pushed it - and he "never elaborates" on anything. (Smirk).

They were going to be gone from Thursday evening to Sunday evening.  Usually, they ask me to keep the remaining children - whoever that might be.  That is until last fall when they went to Cabo with some friends who were going on a honeymoon (that was six months after they got married ?!?!?!?).  They went for a long (childless) weekend and left all three kids at home with Katie in charge.

I wasn't happy about this - at all.  I know she is mature.  I know she is capable.  I am very aware of the fact we live in a very safe neighborhood  - actually a small city with our own police force.  And I know they are close to all of their neighbors.  BUT STILL.

So I guess when this leech couple, who wants to monopolize their total time to the exclusion of other friends, had them over, it was decided THEY would keep the children who weren't going to California. 

G does not trust the man.  He thinks he is a pervert.  And for good reason.  This man and first wife are divorced.  They have a daughter who is now 17.  She came back to live with him for a while.  She now refuses to have anything to do with him.  Frankly, the man is a functioning alcoholic.  He is a total paranoid gun toter.  He brags about carrying in the car and has said he would use said pistol if he were cut off, etc.  His home is a fortress of alarms and cameras.  Now - I know there is a reason for this thinking - if you live in a dangerous area or out in the wilds.  We have a pistol - that is most usable at the SSB.  We don't carry it everywhere we go.

So the kids were with them.  When we had family dinner, my daughter was not a happy camper.  It seems they had let my grandson go back to the house to get his game console.  He is not to be on that thing.  He is addicted to it.  AND they took him to Target - to buy a new game.  They also let the youngest spend $30 "on school supplies."  The school year only has 8 more weeks.

So I sad there.  Smug.  I. Am. Terrible.   I can't believe I can be so vindictive.  SIL has a man crush on this guy. SIL always embellishes on everything.  This guy feels into it - all of it.  So they are besties.  The trip to Cabo was SIL's idea.  He went once on business.  He thought it was just fabulous.  He couldn't get my daughter to go another way - so ...  And the trip was a flop. Daughter was not impressed with Cabo and got really tired of this buddy. 

Some lessons are hard to learn.

More on London

When someone tells you who they are, or when they originally react to an idea - that is the truth and believe them,

This family who has been transferred to London for a couple of years is a family of five.  She is, if not this title a high up never-the-less, the Chief Financial Officer of a major oil company.  They have always lived in LARGE homes.  I have heard the house in London is three stories with an indoor pool.

That is really beside the point.  The real thing is that in the ten years we have known them, they have NEVER invited us to something they might be hosting.  When we have been to the two houses they had here, it was because my DIL was using their houses for a child's birthday party.

I told DIL they have done this, but she tried to negate that saying this couple would be just fine.  When G talked to the husband there was great hesitation and he voiced worry about transportation, etc.  SO - we backed out.  She says he has changed that attitude and really wants us to come, but I know what underlies the whole thing.

Yes - I would love to tour especially with their family.  BUT I don't want to be uncomfortable for two weeks with additional travel to Paris and Brussels.  Nope.  "Not gonna do it."

One must go by what they are told originally.


On the other topic - granddaughter seems to be leaning toward Kona!  Guess we will try to go to Hawaii again.  Last year that was the "snake-bit' trip that got canceled at the airport the day of departure.

First week

I went to the doctor for the checkup. I knew my vision was better, but when looking at the eye chart, I could see all the way to the third line - whatever that equates!  Last week I couldn't even see the letters at all. 

When the doctor came in and examined me, she said how very pleased she was with the progress and expects my vision to be much better.  I did tell her that I wasn't really expecting a lot because this poor eye has had an aneurysm that has "wrinkled" the retina (when that occurred, that doctor was amazed I got the vision back like it was), glaucoma, and not macular degeneration!  The poor thing - I really need an eye transplant!



I forgot to tell you before.  We almost made plans to go to London in June.  My son and family are going and they begged us to join them.  The fly in that ointment was they would be staying with friends who are in London because of her business.  There would have eight of us.  When she talked to the man, he was understandably hesitant for that number of people. 

I am not really all that mobile, and I really felt that I would be the anchor that would drag everyone down.  My son and his wife keep begging us to change our minds, but I am just not really ready to go to London.  I really don't want to go to Europe.  But if they go next year - we MIGHT go.

We have talked about taking our oldest granddaughter on a trip as a graduation present.  Right now, depending on if we go at spring break or after school is out we are thinking Hawaii or Alaska.  I haven't heard which she would prefer - and we have a year to settle the plans.






















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Happy and Blessed Easter

And April Fool's Day.  What a mixture!

I stopped by to tell you the vision is clearing.  It isn't absolutely clear, but the blurry almost blindness is going away.  There is hope!

We will spend this afternoon with family - and eye drops!  I am so tired of eye drops, but I will survive. (Wish I could put that clip of that song here, but ...)

Hope your day is wonderful.

Day three

And it's me again.

Pain gone.  Vision is improving.  Still not clear, but I AM seeing images. 

The drops (at least one) is so thick that I believe that may be part of the problem.

Today I can wash my hair.  Tried to shower last night.  I thought my fancy dancy shower head could be turned off at the shower head.  It wasn't last night, and I soaked the bathroom.  Getting water off the floor without bending is a new Olympic event!

Me and three bottles

Three bottles of eye drops, that is.  Yes - one every two hours, one four times a day, and one once a day!  What an exciting life.

The vision is (hopefully) clearing, but honestly, it is where it was with the vaseline like covered cataract.  I hope it isn't wishful thinking that I can see more clearly, but I sincerely hope so.  At least the pain from the scratches on the cornea are better.

I guess if nothing else, I could have a corneal replacement - too.  I hope not.  Guess I have to take the thought that at least the retinal doctor can see into the eye to the retina now! (I hope)

The good --- and the bad

Surgery was yesterday.  I had to arrive at 6 a.m.  That is horrible - I don't do 6 anymore!  But I was first.

Talked to the anesthetist, and then the nurse anesthetist who would be with me.  I was going to get a combination of drugs for the twilight sleep.  I was surprised I wouldn't be put in one of those stylish hospital gowns, but I was just covered with blankets.

They started the drug cocktail, and I began floating.  Apparently, I was given quite a lot of the cocktail because frankly - it hurt.  I do have memories of the pain, some lights and being told not to move.  I had two parts of this - one the cataract and the other was opening a duct for more fluid to leave to alleviate glaucoma some.

When we were leaving, I certainly knew WHY you have to have a driver.  I was higher than a kite.  All afternoon, I wasn't with this world.  G asked a question and it took me a while to answer because I couldn't remember the answer.  I was SO sleepy too!  But the dreams I kept having were really strange,

I had a lot of pain also.  I am not going to lie about that and say it was all wine and roses.  About 7 last evening, I took some Advil.  I really didn't care if had anti-coagulant properties or not.  I was hurting.

The most irritating thing was my throat was sore - probably from the gallon of eyedrops that would run into my throat and the runny nose from the tears that would run into my nose!


I was able to sleep through the night without a problem, but we had to be up at 5:30 for me to be in her office at 7.  At first, no pain, then it hit again.  That passed into just a dull pain.

At her office, the bandages were removed.  Just that felt good.  But the eyechart thingy was lit.  I couldn't see the letters.  The assistant was, well, worried.  I could see it.  She held up two fingers and moved them for me to tell her when I could see them.

The doctor came in.  We discussed the meds I had to have, and we laughed about my reaction!  Then she looked at the eye.  Apparently, I have a corneal scratch.  That will heal. (I hope).  It just feels like I have something in my eye - had a scratched cornea before.

Now I have drops for every 2 hours, four times a day, and once a day.  Fortunately they give a sheet to mark them off and I have set my phone alarm for the two-hour interval.  This goes for 10 days!

The good from this is that I don't have to use the drop for glaucoma in this eye.  I hope that stays that way.

I go back next week - if not before.  I just can't bend over for that week.  That will be difficult to remember.

Almost D Day

Or rather S day!  Tomorrow - 6 a.m. 

I have been using eyedrops since Friday, well only one until Sunday.  One of those is once a day and the other is four times a day.  The flyer with them says to reduce pain and swelling, but I really believe the 4 a day also has some antibiotic properties.

I have spent the day trying to get chores done and errands run.  We needed screws for the garage door and G has a sit upon "valet" that he has managed to lose screws from.  Fortunately, I discovered that fact before it collapsed (again).  Of course with my mind - I forgot to take sample screws with me!  But I think the ones I got will work out.

I am doing my best to stay calm.  Saturday night we went with the church group (there is a group that goes out to dinner once a month - catchy name - Guess Where We Are Going To Dinner.  That is how it started, but has changed into an announced place that changes each month). 

We sat across the table from a couple who BOTH have had cataract surgery.  Everyone says it is easy.  So I am holding onto that.  If my blood pressure is high, they will cancel the surgery.  I most certainly don't want that.  I will be sure that I take my meds!!

That's about it.  I will (hopefully) be back soon to let you know how it went.

The countdown has begun

I started using the plethora of eyedrops today.  This one will be each day until Tuesday.  Sunday I add another (4 times a day), then surgery and after that yet another.  Yikes!

G had his spinal injection, and to his great surprise I believe - he can still walk.  He was so concerned even though I have had about 6 of these procedures.  In fact, he feels relief from the sciatica today.

Told him so!

Yes, it's meeeeee!

Time has surely flown by.  And some things have really happened!

First, we spent our Spring Break at the SSB.  That was early because we wanted to take advantage of the (slave) labor we were offered!  My son and his family were able to get away to come up to help get some heavy work done.  

Originally they were to spend a week, but the Houston Rodeo got in the way -they had tickets for Friday and Saturday.  Then Brian doesn't have much vacation time left (and I will get to that in a bit).  So they came up on Sunday and returned on Tuesday.  BUT we were able to get the old storage shed pieces to the dump, and we were able to move all the old wood pile into the pasture so it can be burned.

All this needed to be done because the new hunters' cabin is finished.  It is for them and us when we have an overflow.  Twelve people in our house is just too many!  So we are trying to make the enclosure where the two houses are cleaner and neater.  The storage shed had its roof blown off last year, so it wasn't much use!  The wood pile was leftover lumber from the various building projects that have been done.  Anyway -  we have an almost park-like setting now.  Thanks Brian and Christina!

He doesn't have much vacation left because they have friends who moved to London.  Their daughter is graduating from high school this year, so Brian and family are going.  Christina almost talked us into going with them.  To cut to the chase, we almost went, but now we aren't.  Traveling with a group of 8 is just too much for one thing.

The other reason is G is now having a lot of sciatica pain.  I guess I am going to sound not caring, but I have had all that pain for years (at least 40 years), and I have "sucked it up" and gone on.  Being a man, you would think he should be in a wheelchair now.  He is scheduled for the spine injection (the ones I have had for the last 7 years) on Thursday.  He thinks he will become paralyzed from it.  

I could go on with all the pains I have, but that would be letting them take over.  Plus, I really try not to spend that much time dwelling on them, and I do apologize for bringing them up and groaning about them to you.  My mother did that - constantly and I swore I wouldn't be that person, yet- here I am doing that.

I am gearing up for my cataract surgery now.  Last night I remembered I am to begin using some eye drops before surgery and panicked a bit thinking I should have already started with them.  Just what I needed to add to my insomnia.  But all it good on that front.

The old adage - "if I had known I was going to live this long ..." - really holds true.  I certainly would have taken better care.  I tell my granddaughter this all the time.  She has injured her shoulder in water polo.  She finally had her MRI and will have surgery later this year.  She hasn't been doing the exercises to strengthen and especially loosen her shoulder right before games.  So she will have her surgery after the season - in May.

Surgery set

I was measured for the new lens that will go into my eye.  So this is all progressing!

I was told that I will be using a total of three drops associated with this surgery.  Two before the surgery and one (I think) after.  The person doing all this pre-op business told me there was a pharmacy that could get the drops at a lower cost to me.  But that place is a long way (and in an unfavorable area) so I decided to use my local national one.

With the hubbub that I have been hearing from other retired Texas teachers, I was a little concerned with the new that these drops were "expensive."  I have to remember that most of those with the horror stories of having things like their insulin costs rising to $1500 come from those under 65.  Those poor people are really getting hit hard - both with just the cost of their insurance but also the drug portion.  They are not eligible for Medicare, and with the Windfall profit ruling (and that's laughable when you see exactly how little Texas teachers get for their retirement) - where Texas teachers aren't eligible for their total Social Security they PAID in, they may not get Medicare possibly.  I was very worried about the cost of those drops.

I had a semi-pleasant surprise when I called and got the amount I was to be charged  The total cost was $75.  That is both a shock and relief.  That means that each bottle was $25, and that is what I pay now for my Lumigan - for glaucoma.  So even though that was $75 I didn't plan on spending, it wasn't that far out of line.

The other good news about the cataract surgery is that she can do another procedure to hopefully eliminate glaucoma in that poor ol' left eye while she is there.  THAT would mean only half the amount of the Lumigan!  At least that is my hope.

Little things can mean a lot

While I was at the water polo game, G took our recycling out front.  He saw a couple walking two Boxers, and was, of course, interested.  He didn't recognize them, and I don't blame him.  He only met them once.

It was the couple who are friends (and one a classmate) of my daughter.  They had fallen on really hard times a few years ago.  They had lost their jobs and were near eviction from their home.  They had only one vehicle and it was so hard to even look for work for both of them.

We had just purchased our SUV, and we weren't going to get but about $1500 for my beloved Pontiac.  We hate trying to sell a car outright.  There are just too many horror stories - one included when we sold one that never had the title changed on!  That Pontiac was the epitome of the vehicle "driven by the little old lady school teacher to and from school!"  And school was about 5 miles from home.  It was in impeckable shape.

To cut to the chase - we gave this couple the car. 

They live about three blocks from us on a cul-de-sac, so we really don't ever go by their house. We heard from our daughter the car was saved during Harvey.  Their house got water in it, but that little green Gran Prix was saved!

After tslking with them, G found the husband still drives that car daily to and from work!  I am so happy we did this one bit of paying it forward.  That act was never about doing anything for us.  It was to help a good but struggling family get back on their feet.  It still can make me happy though - especially because that was the car of my dreams when I bought it!  I am so happy it still lives and is functional!

To continue

This thing has gotten so much worse - so fast!

On Tuesday, I went to Granddaughter's water polo game.  It was at 5:30 and I drove - which is something I TRY to not do at all.  It was dusk when I got out.  First, with my diminished peripheral vision, I didn't see the step down in the parking lot.  I missed it and fell - fortunately on my butt.  That was embarrassing.  Then coming home, I was scared to death.  I really couldn't see that well as the night grew darker, and judging distance was really hard.

I knew all I see is blurry objects - letters disappear, but I just was kidding myself into believing it wasn't this bad.  It is.

So I go back next Tuesday to me "measured" for the lens.  And probably some other things as well.  I lost all she was saying - just to come in next week.  Then on the 27th is the surgery.

I love my doctor.  She is so funny.  I told her I was nervous with all that has happened to this eye.  She said I shouldn't be.  I told her that was easy for HER to say!

I really am thinking I don't have that much to lose.  I know, saw the "movie" about the surgery at her office, and she said I could lost my vision, but there isn't that much left!

Keep you posted as things progress!

Big day - I guess

And I am nervous.  Last time I saw the Retinal Specialist, the doc said the cataract was getting to the point he couldn't see the retina.  SO - I see the ophthalmologist today - in about an hour.

I cerebrally know it will be fairly painless, and I will be happy with the results.  I know I haven't got a lot to lose.  I do still have vision, but it is like looking through waxed paper that has been smeared with vaseline.   But it IS surgery.  On my eye.

Nothing really new

Our weather is still bad.  I am so tired of being cold that I almost miss menopause!  Usually here in Swampland by this time of the new year, we have reached 80 at least once.  So far that hasn't happened.  Perhaps tomorrow when the forecast is high 70's.  I am doubting that however since we haven't seen the sun in days!

My arthritis is really kicking butt.  It is amazing that one session in the pool in July of last year sent my shoulders into such a state.  Many nights the pain accompanied by my insomnia means I don't get much sleep.  I know I have had problems with these shoulders since I was a teen, but they are both really bad.  The diagnosis is arthritis in the left and a torn rotator cuff in the right.  But the real pain began when I was doing some isometric style exercises in the pool.  I just don't understand.

But the shoulders, back, and knees (yes those titanium knees that still hurt) are going to have to wait.  I went to the retinal specialist yesterday. While my right eye is still ok (last time he was seeing some fluid build up), he said it is time for the cataract surgery.  I will see better - of course since I am legally blind in the left eye because I have a "filmy" cataract in that eye - that is a given. 

The state of Texas has done a real number on its teachers - both in service and retired.  Our insurance is costing us a lot more, and the coverage is poor.  I have been waiting to book this cataract stuff.  I really SHOULD have done it last year when the insurance was better.  I didn't think the same insurance company would become so terrible this year, but it has.  But I called to begin the process.  So we will see.

So here it has been another gripe session.  Moaning and groaning about health in general.  Sorry about that.  It seems that is life in these parts these days.  G has back problems that the ortho said is treated with surgery.  That didn't go over well at all.  So they are going conservative with injections and physical therapy.  Our days seem to be spent deciding who has what doctor's appointment.  So that's where the mindset is.

Stay warm!  Let's all look forward to spring!

FINALLY melted!

I took pictures after three days in the deep freeze, but I am just too lazy to download them from the camera, but we still had snow (ice) on roofs, cars, and shady places in the streets.  This is Southeast Texas for goodness sakes!  We are semi-tropical.  This is ridiculous.

Schools were closed for two days, and well they should have been.  Our temperature didn't get out of freezing both of those days.  I knew that the buses would not run.  And they didn't. 

I am not looking forward to our gas bill.  We have two furnaces that ran A LOT!  Fortunately, we had gotten our firewood before all this, so we were good on that.  Our fireplace is really an important asset to our heat in the den.  Even with new ductwork that should have been able to send the air better, the master bedroom gets the lion share of the air (both a/c and heat).  It gets so hot in there, but the den, kitchen, and breakfast room get just a little so we have been freezing!

Today we are to have (finally!!!) temperatures in the 60's, but it is cloudy with occasional showers.  That makes it seem a lot colder.  Tomorrow temps in the 70's.  I wish the sun were to be out, the rain will be greater.

So that is what is going on in Southeast Texas.  With the flu rampant, and the terrible weather, we are sticking close to the house.

Hope all it better in your neck of the woods!

This and that

First - there won't be much done today.  We are once again under mixed precipitation and a winter storm warning.  What??  Tropical Houston!  Yes - right now here in Little Sub of Houston it is 27 and falling at 10:00 AM.  My car and roof are covered in sleet.  Our neighbors are without power - with the repair being done with repair being done between 11 am and 4 pm.  Thank God for our generator (that we got for hurricanes but use more in the cold!).


I. Am. Tired. Of. This.  We were at the SSB with my son and his family for New Years. It SNOWED, and the temps ran in the teens.  People - we are in the south!  This isn't supposed to happen.

Today this freeze covers the state and all over schools are closed, governmental offices are closed.  The joke is that Texas is closed.  And, sadly it is true.  But it is a good thing - we aren't prepared for this stuff!

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In other news, my cataract isn't getting one bit better.  I really am legally blind in my left eye.  When I went to the Retinal Specialist last week I got the "wonderful" news that now there is a little fluid under the retina in the right eye.  That means the dry macular degeneration is affecting the right eye.   I am really upset.  That will mean injections in both eyes. 

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My shoulders (right - torn rotator cuff, left - no cartilage to buffer bones) are terrible.  Now the sciatia isn't bad, but the degeneration is causing a lot of pain.  I cannot stand for much more than 15 minutes.

Getting old isn't for the weak.  I am lamenting as so many of us do - if I had known I was going to live this long...   Well if I had known I would fall apart like this, I think I would not have done things like moving heavy antique furniture upstairs by my self!

Peace to you all.

WOW!

I knew my vision was getting worse, but I didn't realize just how bad it really was until I began making some Christmas presents for my dear friends.

I had not used my embroidery machine since July when I hurt my shoulders.  They are upstairs, and those stairs are nicknamed "killer" because they are steep, and the very bottom one can be in a shadow - thus missed. 

The minute I sat down, I realized just how little I can see clearly in my left eye.  That cataract is really bad.  I know I am legally blind in that eye at this point. 

I was so thankful for a GOOD self-threader on the machine I was using.  It pretty much never fails, unlike the other one.  I have almost no depth perception.  Which is why I don't drive the main freeway that links my house with downtown and even church.  I take back roads because that freeway is under construction with extremely skinny lanes and lots of bumps. 

I guess sometime after the first of the year I will see my ophthalmologist for the surgery.  I don't know if it would be worth my while to wait for my next scheduled appointment which is in July.  The retinal doctor thought I would be doing the surgery soon. 

This whole situation with my eyes is so ironic anyway.  When I was teaching, our first week was spent on lab safety.  The kids were instructed to use safety goggles.  I would preach to them just how precious their vision was - "you only have one set of eyeballs."  Now look.  I am losing my vision. 

But the gifts got made, but the get together doesn't seem to be happening.  I put out the original emails and a follow-up, but I looked to them for setting a date and place.  That didn't happen.  If nothing else, I will just put the things away.  I can either participate in the craft show next year - or keep them as gifts either for these friends or someone. 

It was nice to get back to using my machines.  I have a "pig purse" to make for one of the granddaughters and I will do that probably next week.  But it pointed out just how old I am getting and how many faculties are disappearing.  I sat too long the last time pushing to finish, and that hurt my BACK. 

Geesh - getting old isn't for sissies!  I probably won't be back before Christmas - so Merry Christmas to all.

My new or continuing nemisis

Amazon.  While I have to be totally honest - about 99% of my transactions are great, there is still the nagging problem of getting my orders.

Back in early November, I ordered the book Wonder,  Now I know I can go watch the movie, but I don't want to do that for several reasons the primary being I am afraid I will fall in the theater.

That sounds drastic, doesn't it?  With my vision deteriorating as it is doing (now a special kind of cataract that has a "film" on it to further distort vision), I just don't see well with the macular degeneration coupled with glaucoma. Plus, after falling twice in about 2 weeks, well I have had enough.  So I don't want to go to a theater.

I also enjoy reading the book rather than watching parts of it in a movie.  So I ordered it.

Aaaaaannnnnnnnd - it was delivered.  Yes, it surely was.  The only problem, it shows it was delivered to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Yes, that is a little problem.  I happen to live in the Houston, TEXAS area.  Just next door, doncha know.

So I notified the seller.  Crickets commenced.  I notified the seller again.  Crickets louder.  I did the A-Z guarantee on Amazon.  You guessed it.  And today I requested a refund.  We. Will. See.

I do have to say all the Christmas presents I ordered arrived on time - one early. 

The early one was a problem too when I think about it.  I bought my kids cutting boards to go with the spices I had ordered from another company.  Amazon was out.  So I thought I would be sure to have my name ready when they came in.  We were going to be at the SSB, and if the boards were not in stock, they would be delivered when we got home.  NOPE!  They came on Wednesday when we were gone and not returning until the following Monday.  Fortunately, Krissi could come by to get them so the package gremlins that like to strike didn't get them.  She wanted to know what was in the package, but I put her off - since it was partially her Christmas present!!

So all MAY be good with Amazon.  Hopefully I get my refund, and hopefully, the bra I ordered months ago not knowing it had to come from China will be here on the 14th!