Today I gave a lot of thought as to how I could solve the problem of the seepage from my leg. The staple had come completely off and one next to it, too, when I removed the adhesive tape over it. The tape, of course, had come loose due to the fact that I hadn't really found a way to close it off right.
So, tonight I made a trip to Walmart and looked around. I found some of that tape that sticks to itself they are using more of at doctor's offices and even at the hospitals. I picked up some wide (2") tape like that and then strolled over to the sanitary napkin dept. Wow! Has that changed over the years. I picked out some thin ones and then went back and picked up some one inch cloth tape...just in case! I had something in mind but didn't know if I could make it work. The sanitary napkins were to use instead of the terry cloth rags because they are disposable. I really am tired of having to keep washing the rags. I was going through a dozen or more each day. That's a lot of fluid to be losing.
So, I go home and try out what I had in mind and.....it worked! The tape was/is strong enough that it does keep that area pretty much closed and the napkin was there for the small amount of seepage that was still getting out. So far, I have just used the second one but I changed it because I am going to be going to bed shortly. The one I removed was saturated but it's a very thin one so I think that bodes well for it working. At least I should be able to get through dinner tomorrow without a problem from it. I hope.
My friend, Carol, went and ordered a cake for the Beast and I from our local bakery. He was told he could pick it up after noon tomorrow. As if she hasn't done enough..... She is such a good-hearted person and I am grateful to be her friend. I wish she were healthier because I hate the idea of her suffering at all. She has several health issues, including migraines (which are a horror!). She had one today and had to spend the day in a dark room. I've been there and it's no fun.
It's still on the cool side today. Our high was 72 degrees F. But that's a comfortable temperature and means a nice cool night for sleeping. We have a 50% chance of a thunderstorm tomorrow. Figures since we are going out to eat for our anniversary. Oh well! If it rains, it rains!
Good news about Mustachio! Today, suddenly, he has no pain in his hand. None. Zero. Zilch! AND.....the numbness is almost totally gone. He said it was amazing. It was almost like he suddenly got a big shot of morphine or something and the pain disappeared. He was so happy, he almost cried. He's been in constant pain for almost 8 months and now....no pain! I was so damn happy for him. He was looking forward to going to sleep without pain or worry about how to position his hand for the least amount of pain to allow him to fall asleep. Thank you for any prayers you might have said on his behalf. Just goes to show you that he DID need this last surgery.
That's it for today. Love you all. Be good. ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
I Get A Baby Boost....
The Princess dropped off Chewlee today because she had to take a trip to Huntsville and Chewlee didn't want to go with her. Chewlee helped the Beast plant some new flowers in the flowerbed out front and then we just chatted while she was watching one of her downloaded movies on her Ipad.
When the Princess got back and came to pick her up, she came in with Gunner and put him in my arms (I had been resting in the recliner). What a sweetie. His face lit up when I talked to him and he has the sweetest smile. He's gained weight and looks like most babies do when they are filling out into a person. His short little legs kicked when he smiled and he jiggled all over. He also seemed to be filled with gas and Chewlee and I laughed at him when he let it out. You could hear it. Baby farts just seem so damn funny for some reason.
When she took Gunner from me, she took him outside so the Beast could take some pictures of him. Chewlee and the Princess looked at them as soon as he had put them on his computer. He's almost two months old! How time flies! Later on, the Beast printed up some of the pictures and I have one sitting on my desk right now.
As far as my leg goes, I took large strips of adhesive tape to close up the open area and it's slowed down the leakage a lot. My hope is that it will heal in that area in the next week. Even if I have to keep the darn tape on. The biggest problem is the leakage eventually loosens the tape up so I have to keep checking it and keeping the pressure of the terry cloth rag on the area.
But I feel good and have a healthy appetite. The Beast bought me some protein shakes to drink since the doctor wants me to have at least two of them every day along with my meals. He got me ones that are French vanilla flavored and they are really tasty. The flavor is mild. When I first saw what they were, I got worried. If I didn't like the taste, I know me. It would have played hell on my taste buds and I wouldn't have liked drinking them. But the taste is good and I don't mind them one bit.
The weather has been very mild and clear. Dennis is loving that because the work on his house seems to be going much faster with the milder weather. He's got all his doors and windows in now and everything fits perfectly. You have to know that he is a perfectionist and the windows and doors are truly square. Now that the doors are in place, the finish work on the floors is almost done. The walls are ready for painting and so is the siding. Why he put up siding that is going to need painting every five or six years is beyond me. We just clean ours up every spring (it DOES get mildew on the south side of the house). I would rather pressure clean than paint, wouldn't you?
Love you all. Drive carefully and treasure your family and friends while you can. Life is short. ***Hugs***
When the Princess got back and came to pick her up, she came in with Gunner and put him in my arms (I had been resting in the recliner). What a sweetie. His face lit up when I talked to him and he has the sweetest smile. He's gained weight and looks like most babies do when they are filling out into a person. His short little legs kicked when he smiled and he jiggled all over. He also seemed to be filled with gas and Chewlee and I laughed at him when he let it out. You could hear it. Baby farts just seem so damn funny for some reason.
When she took Gunner from me, she took him outside so the Beast could take some pictures of him. Chewlee and the Princess looked at them as soon as he had put them on his computer. He's almost two months old! How time flies! Later on, the Beast printed up some of the pictures and I have one sitting on my desk right now.
As far as my leg goes, I took large strips of adhesive tape to close up the open area and it's slowed down the leakage a lot. My hope is that it will heal in that area in the next week. Even if I have to keep the darn tape on. The biggest problem is the leakage eventually loosens the tape up so I have to keep checking it and keeping the pressure of the terry cloth rag on the area.
But I feel good and have a healthy appetite. The Beast bought me some protein shakes to drink since the doctor wants me to have at least two of them every day along with my meals. He got me ones that are French vanilla flavored and they are really tasty. The flavor is mild. When I first saw what they were, I got worried. If I didn't like the taste, I know me. It would have played hell on my taste buds and I wouldn't have liked drinking them. But the taste is good and I don't mind them one bit.
The weather has been very mild and clear. Dennis is loving that because the work on his house seems to be going much faster with the milder weather. He's got all his doors and windows in now and everything fits perfectly. You have to know that he is a perfectionist and the windows and doors are truly square. Now that the doors are in place, the finish work on the floors is almost done. The walls are ready for painting and so is the siding. Why he put up siding that is going to need painting every five or six years is beyond me. We just clean ours up every spring (it DOES get mildew on the south side of the house). I would rather pressure clean than paint, wouldn't you?
Love you all. Drive carefully and treasure your family and friends while you can. Life is short. ***Hugs***
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
A Sad Day For Me.....
I was at my doctor's office bright and early, anticipating the removal of my staples. I had found an opening on my leg where one end of a staple had come loose and that is where the majority of the seepage was coming from. I had put a clean pressure bandage over it when we left and it was soaked by the time I got into the room for the doctor to see me.
He looked it over and decided that the staples should stay in for another week. I was SOOOOO disappointed, I can't even begin to tell you. He told me to keep a clean pressure bandage on it until next week and I said to him, *Are you kidding? I can't afford to change this as often as it would need it. I am using clean terry rags and, even though they are bigger, I still have to change it several times a day*.
He laughed and said, *As long as they are clean...* Oh, sure! Like I would use anything else and take a chance on infection? Sheesh! I swear that men think we are all idiots. I love my doctor to death but even HE is a MAN at times.....LOL.
So, we will be going out to dinner on Friday with my leg full of staples still. I asked the Beast to pick me up some butterfly bandaids when he goes to Walmart next time. I'm going to try butterflying the open area and see if that helps the seepage some. I'm hoping so anyway.
I decided I will wear this long black dress I bought a while back and wore once. It has a pretty white lace jacket that I wear over it and it looks nice on me. I will go have my hair done at the Beauty Shop in Walmart and it will have to do for our anniversary. I'll have to take my cane (how I hate having to use that thing) since my leg tires too easily if I don't use it. It's weird how something that small can make such a difference.
Love you all. The cool weather from Canada hit us and it was fantastic sleeping weather last night. It only got up to 75 and there was a nice breeze (10mph), too. I hope if it hit you that you enjoyed it. It will be good sleeping again tonight for us. I hope your week is going well for you. Be good and drive carefully. ***Hugs***
He looked it over and decided that the staples should stay in for another week. I was SOOOOO disappointed, I can't even begin to tell you. He told me to keep a clean pressure bandage on it until next week and I said to him, *Are you kidding? I can't afford to change this as often as it would need it. I am using clean terry rags and, even though they are bigger, I still have to change it several times a day*.
He laughed and said, *As long as they are clean...* Oh, sure! Like I would use anything else and take a chance on infection? Sheesh! I swear that men think we are all idiots. I love my doctor to death but even HE is a MAN at times.....LOL.
So, we will be going out to dinner on Friday with my leg full of staples still. I asked the Beast to pick me up some butterfly bandaids when he goes to Walmart next time. I'm going to try butterflying the open area and see if that helps the seepage some. I'm hoping so anyway.
I decided I will wear this long black dress I bought a while back and wore once. It has a pretty white lace jacket that I wear over it and it looks nice on me. I will go have my hair done at the Beauty Shop in Walmart and it will have to do for our anniversary. I'll have to take my cane (how I hate having to use that thing) since my leg tires too easily if I don't use it. It's weird how something that small can make such a difference.
Love you all. The cool weather from Canada hit us and it was fantastic sleeping weather last night. It only got up to 75 and there was a nice breeze (10mph), too. I hope if it hit you that you enjoyed it. It will be good sleeping again tonight for us. I hope your week is going well for you. Be good and drive carefully. ***Hugs***
Monday, July 28, 2014
I Was Thinking.......
.....about life in general. It's like this...I would never, ever have believed that I would be married for 50 years. Never. And yet, on the first of August, that's when I will celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary.
A friend sent the Beast and I a gift certificate for Red Lobster (I had mentioned that is where I asked him to take me for dinner). Now I am thinking that, if I didn't have this damn incision to worry about, I would try to look good for that special night. You know what I mean..maybe a new outfit...get my hair done and my nails. I haven't had so much as a manicure in about 10 years. I would ask the Princess to come and do my makeup for me (she is so good at it!). That way I would feel more upbeat about the day. But, oh well! I can't really plan on doing anything except maybe have my hair done on Friday. That will help boost my spirits a lot just by itself.
Another thing that's been on my mind is that all the idols I had when I was young are either dead already or look like they have one foot in the grave. The new movie stars are relatively unknown to me except for a few that I have their movies on DVD. But I no longer harbor those feelings that they might park their shoes under my bed one day...if only! LOL! The only reason they might these days is because they need mothering while ill ! I have NO illusions left. Sigh! Too sad.
The Beast had a taste for a steak and cheese sandwich that a local Italian restaurant makes so I called and order us each one and a side order of Pepperoncini. It comes with fries but I usually only eat two or three of those. It tasted wonderful for a change.
Love you all. I have to get this leg up for a while now so I am going to post this early. I hope you are having a wonderful week. Cross your fingers for me for tomorrow. If nothing else, my leg should be more comfortable when I need to extend it. No more pinching from staples. ***Hugs***
A friend sent the Beast and I a gift certificate for Red Lobster (I had mentioned that is where I asked him to take me for dinner). Now I am thinking that, if I didn't have this damn incision to worry about, I would try to look good for that special night. You know what I mean..maybe a new outfit...get my hair done and my nails. I haven't had so much as a manicure in about 10 years. I would ask the Princess to come and do my makeup for me (she is so good at it!). That way I would feel more upbeat about the day. But, oh well! I can't really plan on doing anything except maybe have my hair done on Friday. That will help boost my spirits a lot just by itself.
Another thing that's been on my mind is that all the idols I had when I was young are either dead already or look like they have one foot in the grave. The new movie stars are relatively unknown to me except for a few that I have their movies on DVD. But I no longer harbor those feelings that they might park their shoes under my bed one day...if only! LOL! The only reason they might these days is because they need mothering while ill ! I have NO illusions left. Sigh! Too sad.
The Beast had a taste for a steak and cheese sandwich that a local Italian restaurant makes so I called and order us each one and a side order of Pepperoncini. It comes with fries but I usually only eat two or three of those. It tasted wonderful for a change.
Love you all. I have to get this leg up for a while now so I am going to post this early. I hope you are having a wonderful week. Cross your fingers for me for tomorrow. If nothing else, my leg should be more comfortable when I need to extend it. No more pinching from staples. ***Hugs***
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Sheepie Comes To Visit Me.....
Sheepie came to visit with me for a while. I really, really enjoyed it. She doesn't talk about anything important but she is still interesting to listen to. I was so happy to have her here to sit with me for the couple hours she was here. Teach was spending some time with his nephew...one-on-one...so he dropped Sheepie off here.
She ended up sharing a recipe for tuna salad made with cucumber instead of celery and it had a few different spices that I wouldn't normally use. The Beast didn't like it as well as he likes our *regular* tuna salad so I told him I wouldn't make it for him again but....I will probably make it for myself only without the dill relish and celery salt. I've had it before but not with those things in it, I don't believe. But it IS a different taste. Sheepie did most of the cutting up of everything. It was kind of fun to share that with her.
She even went to the store with the Beast to get the ingredients for it that we didn't have in the house....and some fresh bread. The Beast has a *thing* about fresh bread so we end up with a lot of bread for the birds. I always have plenty of bread if I decide to make stuffing too. No need to worry about THAT....LOL! You would probably be shocked to see the bread on our counter at any day of the week. Our friends, Dianne and Dennis often make comments about it.
My staples are getting loose. I made the comment to Sheepie that I could probably take some of them out myself and she freaked out at the idea! I laughed and told her to relax. I wasn't planning on actually doing it.
The Princess dropped by, briefly, earlier today and stopped into my computer room when I was up and at my keyboard. I gather she and Johnnycakes are finally going to have that church wedding his grandparents were hoping for within the next couple of weeks. I may not go but haven't decided quite yet and here is why....there are certain members of family that she said she wasn't going to invite. She actually blamed Johnnycakes by saying it was him that didn't want it. BUT.... I think everyone should be grownup enough to be forgiving and let bygones be bygones. It hurts me that it would even be considered. It's not very Christian, is it. And it definitely is not a good way to start a marriage.....not to me, anyway. Family is family. And I love ALL my family, not just part of it.
Not much in the way of pain today, thank goodness. But I still have a lot of leakage. It's all coming from one basic area that I will point out to the doctor when I see him on Tuesday. He may not want to remove the staples from that area just yet. It couldn't be weeping if it was sealed.
He should be happy to know that the iron I was given IV at the hospital (which turned my arm a rather strong shade of tan from just below my wrist to my elbow), has worked and has improved my blood count. I know my regular doctor sent the info to him after I had my tests on Friday. The doctors here seem very good about sharing that information with each other. He made me promise to go to the emergency room if there was any change in the area of the incisions since blood can pool behind the skin at times and need to be removed or infection set in and antibiotics will be crutial. I promised, of course.
I do check it often and I take my temperature a couple times a day just to be sure I am not starting to get sick with an infection. That would be a real disaster. I do not want to be off my feet like I was when I had the first bypass in my right leg. It took me almost a year to be able to move around well. But, I did have other problems I was fighting at the same time so......
It was really hot today but it felt good to me. My BP must still be low. I even had to put socks on my feet because I felt they were cold (they weren't...I checked and both feet were warm to the touch). But, I put socks on anyway just for the psychological value to me.
Love you all. Hope you had a great weekend and got some good weather. Remember to tell your family and friends that you love them every single time you talk to them and say goodbye. A simple *love you* will do. Just in case since life can be short. ***Hugs***
She ended up sharing a recipe for tuna salad made with cucumber instead of celery and it had a few different spices that I wouldn't normally use. The Beast didn't like it as well as he likes our *regular* tuna salad so I told him I wouldn't make it for him again but....I will probably make it for myself only without the dill relish and celery salt. I've had it before but not with those things in it, I don't believe. But it IS a different taste. Sheepie did most of the cutting up of everything. It was kind of fun to share that with her.
She even went to the store with the Beast to get the ingredients for it that we didn't have in the house....and some fresh bread. The Beast has a *thing* about fresh bread so we end up with a lot of bread for the birds. I always have plenty of bread if I decide to make stuffing too. No need to worry about THAT....LOL! You would probably be shocked to see the bread on our counter at any day of the week. Our friends, Dianne and Dennis often make comments about it.
My staples are getting loose. I made the comment to Sheepie that I could probably take some of them out myself and she freaked out at the idea! I laughed and told her to relax. I wasn't planning on actually doing it.
The Princess dropped by, briefly, earlier today and stopped into my computer room when I was up and at my keyboard. I gather she and Johnnycakes are finally going to have that church wedding his grandparents were hoping for within the next couple of weeks. I may not go but haven't decided quite yet and here is why....there are certain members of family that she said she wasn't going to invite. She actually blamed Johnnycakes by saying it was him that didn't want it. BUT.... I think everyone should be grownup enough to be forgiving and let bygones be bygones. It hurts me that it would even be considered. It's not very Christian, is it. And it definitely is not a good way to start a marriage.....not to me, anyway. Family is family. And I love ALL my family, not just part of it.
Not much in the way of pain today, thank goodness. But I still have a lot of leakage. It's all coming from one basic area that I will point out to the doctor when I see him on Tuesday. He may not want to remove the staples from that area just yet. It couldn't be weeping if it was sealed.
He should be happy to know that the iron I was given IV at the hospital (which turned my arm a rather strong shade of tan from just below my wrist to my elbow), has worked and has improved my blood count. I know my regular doctor sent the info to him after I had my tests on Friday. The doctors here seem very good about sharing that information with each other. He made me promise to go to the emergency room if there was any change in the area of the incisions since blood can pool behind the skin at times and need to be removed or infection set in and antibiotics will be crutial. I promised, of course.
I do check it often and I take my temperature a couple times a day just to be sure I am not starting to get sick with an infection. That would be a real disaster. I do not want to be off my feet like I was when I had the first bypass in my right leg. It took me almost a year to be able to move around well. But, I did have other problems I was fighting at the same time so......
It was really hot today but it felt good to me. My BP must still be low. I even had to put socks on my feet because I felt they were cold (they weren't...I checked and both feet were warm to the touch). But, I put socks on anyway just for the psychological value to me.
Love you all. Hope you had a great weekend and got some good weather. Remember to tell your family and friends that you love them every single time you talk to them and say goodbye. A simple *love you* will do. Just in case since life can be short. ***Hugs***
Saturday, July 26, 2014
More Family Moves Here...
My nephew, Michael, turned up with his sister, Tara, today. It turns out that he and his wife are moving to our area now. I was surprised, to say the least, but glad for Tara. And, next year when my sister, Cee, moves here, both her kids will be close to her. It's been a long time......
What is so funny, to me, is that the Beast and I were originally here all alone. No family near us. Then we brought up the Princess and Chewlee. Then my niece, Tara, came to visit with her kids on her way to Tallahassee (she thought) but she fell in love with the area and decided to stay here, instead. Then we found Sheepie and kept bringing her here for various Holidays. She ended up living with her mother in KY. Once she graduated, she moved here to be close to her fiance (Teach) and that was more family here.
Now it's Michael and his wife. OMG! And we have another granddaughter (and great-grandson!) that lives about an hour away from us in AL. And the rest of my kids are fairly close, too. Enough that we can have a family reunion of our own now. LOL!
I am feeling good, still, but really can't wait to get these staples removed. I am still weeping a lot in one area but hope that will end soon if that area finally seals. At least I can now (sort-of) walk around. I pulled what feels like a tendon in the back of my knee the other day. That is a bad area for me now but I am hoping it will heal quickly.
At least we got to visit for a while with Michael and his wife before Tara decided to take them for a bit more of a ride-around the area. From what he said, they have a Uhaul with their stuff in it and pulled the car behind it. They said they stopped here and there at some of the gas stations like Pilot and Raceway just to stretch their legs and say *Howdy*.
Tara will help them look around and find a place to rent. No matter what, it's a lot cheaper than it is in Florida. His only regret is that he leaves his 6 yr. old daughter behind with her mother. She, however, travels between S. America and Florida so it's a kind of never-never land thing because the mother could decide to live in S. America again with a new husband. Who knows what the future holds?
Time to get some sleep and get the leg up over my heart again (LOL!). I sure don't want a reversal of problems with it. Love you all. Be good and have a great Sunday. ***Hugs***
What is so funny, to me, is that the Beast and I were originally here all alone. No family near us. Then we brought up the Princess and Chewlee. Then my niece, Tara, came to visit with her kids on her way to Tallahassee (she thought) but she fell in love with the area and decided to stay here, instead. Then we found Sheepie and kept bringing her here for various Holidays. She ended up living with her mother in KY. Once she graduated, she moved here to be close to her fiance (Teach) and that was more family here.
Now it's Michael and his wife. OMG! And we have another granddaughter (and great-grandson!) that lives about an hour away from us in AL. And the rest of my kids are fairly close, too. Enough that we can have a family reunion of our own now. LOL!
I am feeling good, still, but really can't wait to get these staples removed. I am still weeping a lot in one area but hope that will end soon if that area finally seals. At least I can now (sort-of) walk around. I pulled what feels like a tendon in the back of my knee the other day. That is a bad area for me now but I am hoping it will heal quickly.
At least we got to visit for a while with Michael and his wife before Tara decided to take them for a bit more of a ride-around the area. From what he said, they have a Uhaul with their stuff in it and pulled the car behind it. They said they stopped here and there at some of the gas stations like Pilot and Raceway just to stretch their legs and say *Howdy*.
Tara will help them look around and find a place to rent. No matter what, it's a lot cheaper than it is in Florida. His only regret is that he leaves his 6 yr. old daughter behind with her mother. She, however, travels between S. America and Florida so it's a kind of never-never land thing because the mother could decide to live in S. America again with a new husband. Who knows what the future holds?
Time to get some sleep and get the leg up over my heart again (LOL!). I sure don't want a reversal of problems with it. Love you all. Be good and have a great Sunday. ***Hugs***
I See My Personal Doctor....
I had my appointment with my regular doctor this morning. Trust me, I was not looking forward to it. I felt weak and a bit nauseous when I was getting dressed. Also, I was leaking like a sieve from the incision where the leg attaches to the upper body.
I couldn't stand on my feet for long and thankfully, the doctor's office had several wheelchairs available for patients to use. The Beast got one for me so I didn't have to face walking down the long corridor to the patient rooms. Although my leg was not as swollen as it had been, my foot and ankle were.
My blood pressure was extremely low (76/56). My bloodwork showed that my hemoglobin had increased over the last time it was taken in the hospital so the iron IV was working. Hell, you can still see the discoloration it caused on my arm. I look like I have some strange kind of tan from my wrist to my elbow. It is supposed to eventually dissipate. The doctor looked at the area of the incision where it is leaking and was a bit freaked out. He is NOT a surgeon so he had to ask me if the edges (which were kind of red) was normal. I told him I had called the doctor's office and asked questions about the swelling AND the leakage. It is normal (I really hadn't remembered it being so profuse) I was told AND I was told to keep my leg up over my heart to alleviate the swelling.
I had spent two days pretty much on my back doing just that. I took my pain pills like a good girl until the day before this appointment. I was told to TAKE THEM. That's what they were for. My bff, Carol, from California, also yelled at me for not taking them. So I took one when I got home then lay down with my leg up over my heart (again) because the doctor's appointment wiped me out more than I could believe.
BUT....an amazing thing happened when I woke up from that nap. My leg was soooooo much better that it took me by surprise. I kid you not. It wasn't swelling up (although my ankle and foot are still a bit swollen). If I knew what I did with my support hose they put on you at the hospital, I would put it on to help the muscles pump the fluid better. I will look for them tomorrow morning.
I was able to stay upright for several hours, then lay down for a couple hours. If I would stop leaking fluid, I would actually feel damn good!
The Beast got his refills for his blood pressure medication since he was with me and able to talk to the doctor. I got refills on all my drugs and got one of them refilled unexpectedly when the Beast went for his. The others can't be refilled until the 30th he was told. Whatever! At least I am set for now.
Tuesday I see the vascular doctor and I hope I still feel this good. I am tired again so I am going to go lay down and keep my leg up over my heart. But, like I said, I feel much better than I have since leaving the hospital. My regular doctor says I look anemic but he knows that has to be the result of blood loss from this surgery since it has never been an issue on any of my cbc's.
Love you all. Be good and please, take care of your health! It makes life a lot more pleasant if you are healthy. ***Hugs***
I couldn't stand on my feet for long and thankfully, the doctor's office had several wheelchairs available for patients to use. The Beast got one for me so I didn't have to face walking down the long corridor to the patient rooms. Although my leg was not as swollen as it had been, my foot and ankle were.
My blood pressure was extremely low (76/56). My bloodwork showed that my hemoglobin had increased over the last time it was taken in the hospital so the iron IV was working. Hell, you can still see the discoloration it caused on my arm. I look like I have some strange kind of tan from my wrist to my elbow. It is supposed to eventually dissipate. The doctor looked at the area of the incision where it is leaking and was a bit freaked out. He is NOT a surgeon so he had to ask me if the edges (which were kind of red) was normal. I told him I had called the doctor's office and asked questions about the swelling AND the leakage. It is normal (I really hadn't remembered it being so profuse) I was told AND I was told to keep my leg up over my heart to alleviate the swelling.
I had spent two days pretty much on my back doing just that. I took my pain pills like a good girl until the day before this appointment. I was told to TAKE THEM. That's what they were for. My bff, Carol, from California, also yelled at me for not taking them. So I took one when I got home then lay down with my leg up over my heart (again) because the doctor's appointment wiped me out more than I could believe.
BUT....an amazing thing happened when I woke up from that nap. My leg was soooooo much better that it took me by surprise. I kid you not. It wasn't swelling up (although my ankle and foot are still a bit swollen). If I knew what I did with my support hose they put on you at the hospital, I would put it on to help the muscles pump the fluid better. I will look for them tomorrow morning.
I was able to stay upright for several hours, then lay down for a couple hours. If I would stop leaking fluid, I would actually feel damn good!
The Beast got his refills for his blood pressure medication since he was with me and able to talk to the doctor. I got refills on all my drugs and got one of them refilled unexpectedly when the Beast went for his. The others can't be refilled until the 30th he was told. Whatever! At least I am set for now.
Tuesday I see the vascular doctor and I hope I still feel this good. I am tired again so I am going to go lay down and keep my leg up over my heart. But, like I said, I feel much better than I have since leaving the hospital. My regular doctor says I look anemic but he knows that has to be the result of blood loss from this surgery since it has never been an issue on any of my cbc's.
Love you all. Be good and please, take care of your health! It makes life a lot more pleasant if you are healthy. ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 24, 2014
More Bad Days Than Good Right Now.....
I spent most of yesterday with my leg elevated up above my heart, which is not easy when you have to keep piling up pillows and then try not to move your leg off them all while dozing! I tried to sleep as much as possible to help pass the time as well as to help make the lessening of the swelling happen without making me totally nuts.
I finally woke up late last night and got up to talk with Bratfink for a bit on one of our game sites. We played a couple bingo games together and then both signed off for some sleep (yes, I slept even more!). It's like I can't sleep well enough with all the pain from the swelling and so I always feel half dopey. By the time I actually wake up, the leg starts right back into swelling up and it becomes a round robin.
The seepage? It's as bad as ever. When I woke up a bit ago, I had apparently tucked in the hemline of my dorm shirt into the area that was seeping. It was totally soaked darn near halfway up!
The Beast keeps trying to feed me but he doesn't understand that, right now, it's fluids I need, not food. I really don't have an appetite. If I manage to stay awake longer this time, I will probably need something but not at the moment.
I see my regular doctor tomorrow for some blood tests and the Beast will go with me to see the doctor, too. He needs a refill of his Norvasc (for his blood pressure). I gather the pharmacist hasn't had any luck getting the doctor's office to respond to their request. I just have to hope my leg allows me to get around long enough to get in and out of the doctor's. Then, on Tuesday, I have to see the vascular doctor to get the staples taken out. Not that I think that will solve the whole problem but it sure will help not to have them pulling and tugging at the wounds.
Gotta get off my butt now for a bit so I can get this posted before it rains. Love you all. ***Hugs***
I finally woke up late last night and got up to talk with Bratfink for a bit on one of our game sites. We played a couple bingo games together and then both signed off for some sleep (yes, I slept even more!). It's like I can't sleep well enough with all the pain from the swelling and so I always feel half dopey. By the time I actually wake up, the leg starts right back into swelling up and it becomes a round robin.
The seepage? It's as bad as ever. When I woke up a bit ago, I had apparently tucked in the hemline of my dorm shirt into the area that was seeping. It was totally soaked darn near halfway up!
The Beast keeps trying to feed me but he doesn't understand that, right now, it's fluids I need, not food. I really don't have an appetite. If I manage to stay awake longer this time, I will probably need something but not at the moment.
I see my regular doctor tomorrow for some blood tests and the Beast will go with me to see the doctor, too. He needs a refill of his Norvasc (for his blood pressure). I gather the pharmacist hasn't had any luck getting the doctor's office to respond to their request. I just have to hope my leg allows me to get around long enough to get in and out of the doctor's. Then, on Tuesday, I have to see the vascular doctor to get the staples taken out. Not that I think that will solve the whole problem but it sure will help not to have them pulling and tugging at the wounds.
Gotta get off my butt now for a bit so I can get this posted before it rains. Love you all. ***Hugs***
Monday, July 21, 2014
Ack! I Find I Have Lost A Lot Of Patience.....
Let me start this off with a bit of good news about Mustachio. It seems he is getting back some feeling in his hand. Not a lot because he says it is still more numb than anything but....he's recovering some feeling that he didn't have pre-surgery. Also, it seems one of the fish in his fish tank gave birth. He's only spotted one little hatchling but it was a bit of a shock to him to see it at all. He says it seems to spend most of it's time hiding in the greenery but he managed to relay to me a picture of it. Small but obviously a baby fish.
Now....I am getting really worried about my leg and all the weeping it's doing. Today it was swollen...and I mean noticeably swollen. My left foot alone is almost double the size of the right one. I really have tried to keep off that leg most of the time and have spent much of my day dozing. Now, perhaps that's not the best thing but it was too late for me to call the doctor's office about it when I finally got a bit worried. I will do that first thing in the morning. Maybe I am supposed to be doing more being on my foot than I have been to make sure I am making the blood flow through the new bypass. I just don't know. I DO know that the swollen leg weeps more due to the fact that it is pulling on the staples. So, I will have to find out more tomorrow for my own satisfaction, if nothing else.
I am going nuts with my craving for tortilla chips and the Beast forgets when he goes to the store. Or, perhaps he is hoping I will just die from the longing...LOL!
I am truly not good company and am not noticing anything else going on in the world except that James Garner died. Sigh! Another of our idols (and a damn good actor to boot!) has left this plane of existence. It makes me feel incredibly old and I really don't know half of the actors and actresses nowadays.
I am cutting this short and, despite what I feel, I am going to get this leg up once again and hope it helps. I love you all and miss being able to get out and about. I will let you know what the doctor has to say. Meantime, YOU have a great week. I don't wish this suffering on anyone! ***Hugs***
Now....I am getting really worried about my leg and all the weeping it's doing. Today it was swollen...and I mean noticeably swollen. My left foot alone is almost double the size of the right one. I really have tried to keep off that leg most of the time and have spent much of my day dozing. Now, perhaps that's not the best thing but it was too late for me to call the doctor's office about it when I finally got a bit worried. I will do that first thing in the morning. Maybe I am supposed to be doing more being on my foot than I have been to make sure I am making the blood flow through the new bypass. I just don't know. I DO know that the swollen leg weeps more due to the fact that it is pulling on the staples. So, I will have to find out more tomorrow for my own satisfaction, if nothing else.
I am going nuts with my craving for tortilla chips and the Beast forgets when he goes to the store. Or, perhaps he is hoping I will just die from the longing...LOL!
I am truly not good company and am not noticing anything else going on in the world except that James Garner died. Sigh! Another of our idols (and a damn good actor to boot!) has left this plane of existence. It makes me feel incredibly old and I really don't know half of the actors and actresses nowadays.
I am cutting this short and, despite what I feel, I am going to get this leg up once again and hope it helps. I love you all and miss being able to get out and about. I will let you know what the doctor has to say. Meantime, YOU have a great week. I don't wish this suffering on anyone! ***Hugs***
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Bad Day At Black Rock......
Not a good day for me today. I was in pain and had to take a total of two pain pills today just to make it to the bathroom when I needed it. The staples seem to be loosening a bit but that only makes it painful to stretch out the incisions. The seepage is less but in a more definitive area that I don't like.
The Beast was good about seeing that I got something to eat once he knew I was awake. But he keeps forgetting that I need a lot of fluids right now. Especially with this seepage going on. I have to keep reminding him and, I swear, it's a man thing that he keeps forgetting that.
I used that pseudo-cane/chair thing twice today to go out to the kitchen and took my sweet time doing it and tried not to stretch the incisions too much. I really feel isolated right now. I'm not able to go out into the world, even to my front porch or the deck. I swear, people are afraid to come and visit me, too. I have kept my phone charged up but I really don't know why. Bratfink says it's because I never answer it but that's because NO ONE CALLS ME! So why should I keep my phone by me all the time? A real round robin question.
I miss my Chewlee, who never came to visit me at the hospital because the Beast never thought to pick her up even. I didn't expect the Princess to come because of the baby but I also didn't realize they took a trip to Atlanta during the same time until I read her facebook page. Oh well.
Since I am imprisoned in my computer room, I have played my Jewel Quest 2 game more than I can believe. I am even playing it under aliases since I have owned this game for over 10 years now. I tried to buy the 3rd game but can't get IWIN (the game makers) to let me buy it for some damn reason. I would ask the Beast to look for it at Staples when he goes but I know he won't remember. So, when I play it, I have to put up with the commercials they keep interrupting the game with. Sigh!
Enough of my problems. I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine sucked....lol! Love you all and remember to tell the ones you love that you do every time you talk to them. Remember...saying goodbye and love you! is nice and simple but speaks volumes. ***Hugs***
The Beast was good about seeing that I got something to eat once he knew I was awake. But he keeps forgetting that I need a lot of fluids right now. Especially with this seepage going on. I have to keep reminding him and, I swear, it's a man thing that he keeps forgetting that.
I used that pseudo-cane/chair thing twice today to go out to the kitchen and took my sweet time doing it and tried not to stretch the incisions too much. I really feel isolated right now. I'm not able to go out into the world, even to my front porch or the deck. I swear, people are afraid to come and visit me, too. I have kept my phone charged up but I really don't know why. Bratfink says it's because I never answer it but that's because NO ONE CALLS ME! So why should I keep my phone by me all the time? A real round robin question.
I miss my Chewlee, who never came to visit me at the hospital because the Beast never thought to pick her up even. I didn't expect the Princess to come because of the baby but I also didn't realize they took a trip to Atlanta during the same time until I read her facebook page. Oh well.
Since I am imprisoned in my computer room, I have played my Jewel Quest 2 game more than I can believe. I am even playing it under aliases since I have owned this game for over 10 years now. I tried to buy the 3rd game but can't get IWIN (the game makers) to let me buy it for some damn reason. I would ask the Beast to look for it at Staples when he goes but I know he won't remember. So, when I play it, I have to put up with the commercials they keep interrupting the game with. Sigh!
Enough of my problems. I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine sucked....lol! Love you all and remember to tell the ones you love that you do every time you talk to them. Remember...saying goodbye and love you! is nice and simple but speaks volumes. ***Hugs***
Saturday, July 19, 2014
THE LOST IS FOUND!
It's not like I didn't have enough to worry about but I woke up this morning and Mustachio and his car were gone. This is before 7am. The last time I saw him was at 10:30pm last night when he stepped outside to have a smoke and took his drink with him. He had this strange, kind of vacant look in his eyes at the time that I hadn't seen before. I wondered what was on his mind.
So, some time between 10:30pm last night and 4:30pm today (that's when he returned my calls), we found out he had gotten a wild hair up his butt and returned home. No real reason, just he felt he needed to be at home. I was upset that he hadn't even said goodbye to anyone and even his father was worried about him. I had visions of him setting out to go....somewhere....and being pulled over by a cop that decided he was *under the influence* and jailed him. I was totally worried about that and very relieved that was NOT the case.
But how he could be so thoughtless is beyond me. I can tell you this....I know he was worried about his darn fish and the tank water (which had been showing ammonia in the water that could have killed the fish if it had climbed much higher). But it's not an acceptable excuse as far as I am concerned. He keeps saying he's sorry but I am still a bit upset over it all. Especially the worry he caused us all....Marcus, Sheepie, Teach, the Beast and me.
I am still weeping from the incisions but in a smaller area. I have high hopes of it trailing off to nothing as long as I take it easy. The weather today is much nicer than yesterday. It is a nice 82 degrees, a light breeze, sunny and just a few clouds in the sky. Weatherbug says that will change later this evening and more storms in store for us. That's fine with me. I'm comfy and don't really have many needs that can't be taken care of by the Beast (when he is around). He's taken to being out of the house a lot today. Another reason I am still a bit mad at Mustachio but I will get over it...eventually.
Love you all. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. ***Hugs***
So, some time between 10:30pm last night and 4:30pm today (that's when he returned my calls), we found out he had gotten a wild hair up his butt and returned home. No real reason, just he felt he needed to be at home. I was upset that he hadn't even said goodbye to anyone and even his father was worried about him. I had visions of him setting out to go....somewhere....and being pulled over by a cop that decided he was *under the influence* and jailed him. I was totally worried about that and very relieved that was NOT the case.
But how he could be so thoughtless is beyond me. I can tell you this....I know he was worried about his darn fish and the tank water (which had been showing ammonia in the water that could have killed the fish if it had climbed much higher). But it's not an acceptable excuse as far as I am concerned. He keeps saying he's sorry but I am still a bit upset over it all. Especially the worry he caused us all....Marcus, Sheepie, Teach, the Beast and me.
I am still weeping from the incisions but in a smaller area. I have high hopes of it trailing off to nothing as long as I take it easy. The weather today is much nicer than yesterday. It is a nice 82 degrees, a light breeze, sunny and just a few clouds in the sky. Weatherbug says that will change later this evening and more storms in store for us. That's fine with me. I'm comfy and don't really have many needs that can't be taken care of by the Beast (when he is around). He's taken to being out of the house a lot today. Another reason I am still a bit mad at Mustachio but I will get over it...eventually.
Love you all. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. ***Hugs***
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARCUS AURELIUS !!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON. LOTS OF LOVE AND I WISH YOU THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!
Friday, July 18, 2014
Another Forgotten Part Of Healing.....
Today another aspect of the healing process that I had forgotten popped up. Seepage. Oh, it's clear, not bloody but not a good thing since it hinders the healing of the incision. The head nurse from the hospital called to check on me today and, when asked if I had any concerns or questions, I asked her about it. I was afraid that I might be remembering it wrong and was just telling myself it was normal. However, she set my mind at ease and said it really WAS normal. What I had to be concerned about was if it turned yellow or green (ICK!) or got bloody. She said if it did, I was to contact the doctor about it immediately!
What's bad is that it means I am having to change my pj bottoms a couple times a day even though I have put an absorbent rag next to the worst area (my upper thigh). I had to stay laying back in my recliner most of the day (and dozing off due to the pain pill..bless them!). My leg swelled up a bit because I was trying to do too much, too soon. But, right now, the leg is back to it's normal size and the seepage has gone down a lot.
The Beast went out and bought me this unusual combination cane and folding seat. I gather it's for when I feel I must stop and rest. It has a velcro strip that unwinds and allows the *cane* to open up into a sling seat. It's not MY idea of a cane but it works. I can get to the bathroom with much less pain since I can take the pressure off my left leg when I use it. I know he has to have thrown out my real cane and that is why he felt compelled to get me this. I think Mustachio went with him while I was asleep to buy it and may have had a hand in it. I had mentioned the severe need to sit at times when I did too much walking pre-surgery. With the need to heal, I think he had that on his mind and may have talked the Beast into getting it instead of a regular cane.
Mustachio discovered my walking staff that is here in my computer room, sitting in a corner. I told him that I could probably use it but it was really meant for when we walked here on some of the mountain trails. That's why I bought it in the first place. I discovered those mountain men weren't wimps, they were smart! The staff helps keep you from getting winded on those uneven trails. When the Beast and I were visiting some of the many waterfalls located here in Alabama, I was sooooooo grateful I had it. Those trails can be a real bear! I have a feeling they might also be a tool to discourage any critters that might want to take a taste of you....LOL!
Mustachio went to visit Sheepie since she was off work. They went out to eat at a small local restaurant and visited. She wanted to come visit with me and I was so glad he brought her over. We had a nice visit ourselves although I know she was horrified at the sight of my staples. But she is always fun to chat with. When Mustachio brought her home, she discovered her keys were missing so they called the restaurant (no one remembered finding any keys when they called) and came back here to see if she had left them. But, no! So they went to the restaurant and, lo and behold!, the keys had been left on the table. The waitress must have just held on to them figuring they would return and, of course, they did!
Mustachio just laughed at her since it seemed so like her to lose track of those things. She has never had her own apartment, mailbox key, etc. before this and is still getting used to needing such things. She told me that when she is alone in the apartment, she keeps the door locked, shuts the blinds and keeps in mind that she has a gun and knows how to use it. I gather she has a real schitzoid neighbor or two so she isn't going to take any chances. Knowing Sheepie and Teach, when their lease is up, they will be looking at a different apartment complex and hoping for more *normal* neighbors...LOL!
It was overcast and rainy here today. I had chancy internet connections and even my TV was *iffy*. But that seems to be over for now. I haven't even looked at the weekend forecast yet but it couldn't be any worse. Not that it bothers me. I'm stuck inside, regardless. I hope YOUR weekend is better and you get to enjoy it. Mustachio disappeared on me. He may be outside smoking and enjoying his drink. My lovely son made me a drink earlier but I can't walk out to where he is right now. He would probably have a fit if I did, anyway. Knowing him, he will be going to bed soon and so will I.
Love you all. Take good care of your health. Trust me, it matters...LOL! ***Hugs***
What's bad is that it means I am having to change my pj bottoms a couple times a day even though I have put an absorbent rag next to the worst area (my upper thigh). I had to stay laying back in my recliner most of the day (and dozing off due to the pain pill..bless them!). My leg swelled up a bit because I was trying to do too much, too soon. But, right now, the leg is back to it's normal size and the seepage has gone down a lot.
The Beast went out and bought me this unusual combination cane and folding seat. I gather it's for when I feel I must stop and rest. It has a velcro strip that unwinds and allows the *cane* to open up into a sling seat. It's not MY idea of a cane but it works. I can get to the bathroom with much less pain since I can take the pressure off my left leg when I use it. I know he has to have thrown out my real cane and that is why he felt compelled to get me this. I think Mustachio went with him while I was asleep to buy it and may have had a hand in it. I had mentioned the severe need to sit at times when I did too much walking pre-surgery. With the need to heal, I think he had that on his mind and may have talked the Beast into getting it instead of a regular cane.
Mustachio discovered my walking staff that is here in my computer room, sitting in a corner. I told him that I could probably use it but it was really meant for when we walked here on some of the mountain trails. That's why I bought it in the first place. I discovered those mountain men weren't wimps, they were smart! The staff helps keep you from getting winded on those uneven trails. When the Beast and I were visiting some of the many waterfalls located here in Alabama, I was sooooooo grateful I had it. Those trails can be a real bear! I have a feeling they might also be a tool to discourage any critters that might want to take a taste of you....LOL!
Mustachio went to visit Sheepie since she was off work. They went out to eat at a small local restaurant and visited. She wanted to come visit with me and I was so glad he brought her over. We had a nice visit ourselves although I know she was horrified at the sight of my staples. But she is always fun to chat with. When Mustachio brought her home, she discovered her keys were missing so they called the restaurant (no one remembered finding any keys when they called) and came back here to see if she had left them. But, no! So they went to the restaurant and, lo and behold!, the keys had been left on the table. The waitress must have just held on to them figuring they would return and, of course, they did!
Mustachio just laughed at her since it seemed so like her to lose track of those things. She has never had her own apartment, mailbox key, etc. before this and is still getting used to needing such things. She told me that when she is alone in the apartment, she keeps the door locked, shuts the blinds and keeps in mind that she has a gun and knows how to use it. I gather she has a real schitzoid neighbor or two so she isn't going to take any chances. Knowing Sheepie and Teach, when their lease is up, they will be looking at a different apartment complex and hoping for more *normal* neighbors...LOL!
It was overcast and rainy here today. I had chancy internet connections and even my TV was *iffy*. But that seems to be over for now. I haven't even looked at the weekend forecast yet but it couldn't be any worse. Not that it bothers me. I'm stuck inside, regardless. I hope YOUR weekend is better and you get to enjoy it. Mustachio disappeared on me. He may be outside smoking and enjoying his drink. My lovely son made me a drink earlier but I can't walk out to where he is right now. He would probably have a fit if I did, anyway. Knowing him, he will be going to bed soon and so will I.
Love you all. Take good care of your health. Trust me, it matters...LOL! ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 17, 2014
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN...JIGGETTY JIG!!!
Once I woke up from the anesthesia after the surgery was over, I realized that there was a lot about my first surgery (on the right leg) that I had forgotten. I think it was more that I developed a type of amnesia that we all sometimes do to protect ourselves. I forgot about the PAIN! And I mean pain with a capitol P. Just trying to stretch my leg out fully was a nightmare. This time I had special bandages over the incisions. A nurse told me that there was an antibiotic on them to help keep the chance of infection down to a minimum.
I kept moving it, regardless and it eventually did become less painful. I knew I needed to be mobile before they would let me leave and I was determined to be able to walk the hallway without the need for any help. I made it...obviously...LOL!
Mustachio made it down here to stay with me for the first few days. He'll do some visiting while he's here. He wants to go and see Gunner...the newest addition to the family. He also wants to see Sheepie and Teach. Plus he will go visit with Tara and her kids for a bit. He's planning on stopping to see Marcus on his way back home so he'll get to see all the family as well as helping me out for a bit.
This is going to be short because I have been sitting up a bit longer than I think the doctor thought I would be able to and my leg is feeling it. I need to get it elevated as soon as I take my pills. Love you all and I missed you. It's been a while since I was offline this long.
Have a great Friday and an even better weekend. ***Hugs***
I kept moving it, regardless and it eventually did become less painful. I knew I needed to be mobile before they would let me leave and I was determined to be able to walk the hallway without the need for any help. I made it...obviously...LOL!
Mustachio made it down here to stay with me for the first few days. He'll do some visiting while he's here. He wants to go and see Gunner...the newest addition to the family. He also wants to see Sheepie and Teach. Plus he will go visit with Tara and her kids for a bit. He's planning on stopping to see Marcus on his way back home so he'll get to see all the family as well as helping me out for a bit.
This is going to be short because I have been sitting up a bit longer than I think the doctor thought I would be able to and my leg is feeling it. I need to get it elevated as soon as I take my pills. Love you all and I missed you. It's been a while since I was offline this long.
Have a great Friday and an even better weekend. ***Hugs***
Sunday, July 13, 2014
An Early Post.....
My day isn't over yet but I want to get this post up. I won't be posting for a few days while I am in the hospital for the surgery on my leg. I will admit that it makes me nervous. Mostly because the incision will be so damn LONG! To do an arterial bypass is no small thing. A vein is removed from part of my leg and then it is attached above and below the area that is blocked. It's very invasive, as you can imagine.
The Beast should be home from church shortly. He left a bit early today so he could distribute the photos he had taken at the wedding. He did a really nice job on them. I was kind of surprised because he had never been interested in taking wedding pictures like the ones he did yesterday. His were always more snapshots than portrait quality. The subject of any picture he takes has to interest him if he is to do a good job. I guess the wedding yesterday fell into that category for a change.
It's very warm but overcast today. It's not humid, thank goodness. I dried off quickly after my shower. I smeared on the lotion they wanted me to use and I have to do the same tomorrow. I hate how it makes my skin feel, however. But I don't want any unnecessary infections so I am being good and applying it.
Mustachio says he will be here on Thursday. I'm looking forward to that. He is good company for me. Baron loves him, too. He will be very excited to see him.
The roses that the Beast's friend, Jason, brought over the other day still look wonderful. I cut the ends of the stems off like they say you should do and I mixed the powder they always include with flowers into the water. Whatever is responsible for them looking like they did when I first got them, I love it!
I'm trying hard to keep my activity to a minimum since I can't even use deodorant and I DO sweat when it's warm even if I DO love the heat. Funny, but since I have to go to the hospital for a couple days, I am actually doing more than anticipated. I'm clearing my desk and cleaning up my computer room. My wastebasket is nearby so I really don't have to move much for those things that are just trash. Why do we keep things around we really don't need?
Well, I hope your week goes well and it flies by for you. I wish you great weather, too. Love you all. ****Hugs****
The Beast should be home from church shortly. He left a bit early today so he could distribute the photos he had taken at the wedding. He did a really nice job on them. I was kind of surprised because he had never been interested in taking wedding pictures like the ones he did yesterday. His were always more snapshots than portrait quality. The subject of any picture he takes has to interest him if he is to do a good job. I guess the wedding yesterday fell into that category for a change.
It's very warm but overcast today. It's not humid, thank goodness. I dried off quickly after my shower. I smeared on the lotion they wanted me to use and I have to do the same tomorrow. I hate how it makes my skin feel, however. But I don't want any unnecessary infections so I am being good and applying it.
Mustachio says he will be here on Thursday. I'm looking forward to that. He is good company for me. Baron loves him, too. He will be very excited to see him.
The roses that the Beast's friend, Jason, brought over the other day still look wonderful. I cut the ends of the stems off like they say you should do and I mixed the powder they always include with flowers into the water. Whatever is responsible for them looking like they did when I first got them, I love it!
I'm trying hard to keep my activity to a minimum since I can't even use deodorant and I DO sweat when it's warm even if I DO love the heat. Funny, but since I have to go to the hospital for a couple days, I am actually doing more than anticipated. I'm clearing my desk and cleaning up my computer room. My wastebasket is nearby so I really don't have to move much for those things that are just trash. Why do we keep things around we really don't need?
Well, I hope your week goes well and it flies by for you. I wish you great weather, too. Love you all. ****Hugs****
Last Day Before Surgery
You know the saying, *Which came first? The chicken or the egg?* Well, I am wondering just how much of a relationship my pain and my pain pill have to each other. I think that the pill might actually be making the pain worse because it puts me into such a sound sleep that I think my leg is in a strange position and that is why the pain wakes me up. I'm just not sure and the Beast doesn't pay attention to those things. He doesn't even notice.
I spent most of the day sleeping due to taking the darn pain pills. I couldn't help it. When you are in too much pain to walk, and the pain doesn't pass, there is no sense suffering. Even the pain alone makes you tired. I never took a pill any closer than six hours apart (once it was even 10 hours) but it was a nightmare that started yesterday and dragged on all night and all day long. I suppose I will be glad if the surgery gets rid of that problem, although then I will have pain from the incisions. **Sigh** You can't win for losing!
Today was the wedding of the young couple from the Beast's church. They looked like a very sweet young couple from the picture he took of them after the wedding then rushed home to print up to give them as a wedding day gift. He admitted he was showing off by doing that but the picture was really a very nice one. The bride was just thrilled and almost didn't want her groom to hold it....LOL.
He came home and started printing up some of the pictures he took of the guests so he can give them to the bride (or her parents) tomorrow. I don't think the bride and groom are actually going away for a honeymoon for some reason. They are the type that will stay at a nice hotel for a day or two but will be at church tomorrow. Know what I mean?
Good news from Mustachio. He says he has his pinky and ring finger back, which means he can now feel them and they are not totally numb as they were before. He is very upbeat over that and happy about it. So am I and TY for your prayers on his behalf.
He decided he wanted some kind of a pet to distract him. He can't have a dog, he's not crazy about cats either so he decided on a tank of fish. He says watching them is relaxing and calming so he set out to *build himself an ecosystem*. The pet store actually delivered it to his apartment since they could see he was injured and he spent enough money on everything he bought. He spent a day filling up the tank with water and treating the water to get rid of the chlorine, adjust the pH and whatever else needed doing. He had rinsed the rocks, set them in place, also the plants and other ornaments. Then he went to pick out his fish. We won't discuss the goldfish fiasco. He had no idea that goldfish are bullies, especially in the numbers he had. So he started over with six *striped* ones and three colorful ones. He didn't remember their names but I think the colorful ones are cyclids. The striped ones ended up bullying the cyclids until he removed the one he thought was the more aggressive of the six. Sure enough, they calmed down and peace reigned in his underwater kingdom.
Then two of the cyclids started chasing the third one around to exhaustion. She (yes, it is a she and she is full of eggs) finally was pinned down. He is hoping to get some little juvenile fish in there now but I told him not to count on it. Eggs are still food for fish and some even eat their own eggs. I told him that fertile females are usually put in a separate tank to lay their eggs or to bear them alive, depending on the fish. If these are cyclids, the female will carry the eggs inside her until they hatch and then she will guard them much like an alligator mother does her brood. If threatened, she opens her mouth and they rush inside. After the danger passes, she opens her mouth and out they come.
Anyway, he has something to look forward to watching intently for a while. As long as he can't work, he wanted a distraction. He certainly has one now. He wants to add a few more fish, little by little. He has a 38 gallon tank so he has room for more. He is planning on coming down here for a few days after my surgery and he says he is going to hire Buttmunch (to make sure she feels obligated to come) to stop by and feed the fish. I told him to ask about a vacation feeding block that slowly softens and the fish can eat the food off the block. I read about them when we had our tank. That way he can be sure they won't starve while he is gone. I would hate for him to cut his visit short because he's worried about his fish!
The temperature climbed into the 90's today and it's 3am and the temp is only down to 72. But that is still a nice temperature for sleeping, which I am going to try doing without the use of a pain pill since I am not in pain right now.
Love you all. I hope you have a nice, calm and happy Sunday. ***Hugs***
I spent most of the day sleeping due to taking the darn pain pills. I couldn't help it. When you are in too much pain to walk, and the pain doesn't pass, there is no sense suffering. Even the pain alone makes you tired. I never took a pill any closer than six hours apart (once it was even 10 hours) but it was a nightmare that started yesterday and dragged on all night and all day long. I suppose I will be glad if the surgery gets rid of that problem, although then I will have pain from the incisions. **Sigh** You can't win for losing!
Today was the wedding of the young couple from the Beast's church. They looked like a very sweet young couple from the picture he took of them after the wedding then rushed home to print up to give them as a wedding day gift. He admitted he was showing off by doing that but the picture was really a very nice one. The bride was just thrilled and almost didn't want her groom to hold it....LOL.
He came home and started printing up some of the pictures he took of the guests so he can give them to the bride (or her parents) tomorrow. I don't think the bride and groom are actually going away for a honeymoon for some reason. They are the type that will stay at a nice hotel for a day or two but will be at church tomorrow. Know what I mean?
Good news from Mustachio. He says he has his pinky and ring finger back, which means he can now feel them and they are not totally numb as they were before. He is very upbeat over that and happy about it. So am I and TY for your prayers on his behalf.
He decided he wanted some kind of a pet to distract him. He can't have a dog, he's not crazy about cats either so he decided on a tank of fish. He says watching them is relaxing and calming so he set out to *build himself an ecosystem*. The pet store actually delivered it to his apartment since they could see he was injured and he spent enough money on everything he bought. He spent a day filling up the tank with water and treating the water to get rid of the chlorine, adjust the pH and whatever else needed doing. He had rinsed the rocks, set them in place, also the plants and other ornaments. Then he went to pick out his fish. We won't discuss the goldfish fiasco. He had no idea that goldfish are bullies, especially in the numbers he had. So he started over with six *striped* ones and three colorful ones. He didn't remember their names but I think the colorful ones are cyclids. The striped ones ended up bullying the cyclids until he removed the one he thought was the more aggressive of the six. Sure enough, they calmed down and peace reigned in his underwater kingdom.
Then two of the cyclids started chasing the third one around to exhaustion. She (yes, it is a she and she is full of eggs) finally was pinned down. He is hoping to get some little juvenile fish in there now but I told him not to count on it. Eggs are still food for fish and some even eat their own eggs. I told him that fertile females are usually put in a separate tank to lay their eggs or to bear them alive, depending on the fish. If these are cyclids, the female will carry the eggs inside her until they hatch and then she will guard them much like an alligator mother does her brood. If threatened, she opens her mouth and they rush inside. After the danger passes, she opens her mouth and out they come.
Anyway, he has something to look forward to watching intently for a while. As long as he can't work, he wanted a distraction. He certainly has one now. He wants to add a few more fish, little by little. He has a 38 gallon tank so he has room for more. He is planning on coming down here for a few days after my surgery and he says he is going to hire Buttmunch (to make sure she feels obligated to come) to stop by and feed the fish. I told him to ask about a vacation feeding block that slowly softens and the fish can eat the food off the block. I read about them when we had our tank. That way he can be sure they won't starve while he is gone. I would hate for him to cut his visit short because he's worried about his fish!
The temperature climbed into the 90's today and it's 3am and the temp is only down to 72. But that is still a nice temperature for sleeping, which I am going to try doing without the use of a pain pill since I am not in pain right now.
Love you all. I hope you have a nice, calm and happy Sunday. ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Getting Ready For My Surgery.....
Today I had my pre-op testing. Talk about being thorough! I had an EKG, they drew five ampules of blood, checked and double-checked all my medications, asked about 100 questions about all the surgeries I've had, medical problems of my siblings and parents....then instructions on using this awful smelling cream prior to surgery. I have to start using it on Saturday and even on Monday before I go into the hospital. It has to be applied everywhere from the neck down except in the *private* area. Sheesh!
After I was finally done, I went to the Walmart store in Boaz since it's only a couple blocks away from the hospital. I needed to get a robe or coverup in a summer weight material. What I found screamed *old lady* at me even though the print is a nice floral one on white background. But I felt like the Beast's Auntie Em. When I put it on tonight (just for shits and giggles!), I showed it to the Beast and asked him who I reminded him of. He was floored and knew immediately what I meant. He laughed. I didn't think it was quite as funny as he did but there wasn't a whole lot of choices. I wanted it for the hospital , however. If I have to wear that ugly gown, I will but at least I can cover it up with this robe.
I admit that I cruised around the store for a bit (I had one of the electric carts I was using) and realized that the Walmart in Boaz is much more upscale than the one near to our house. I was stunned by the differences. I also bought some snacks for the Beast and a couple for me. The Beast loved everything I bought and immediately opened up the bag of miniature Mounds bars. I am looking forward to having some of the peanut butter patties I got. That's one of my weaknesses. I do love them.
(Note: after talking about them, I just HAD to go get a few..LOL). I meant to pick up more Glucerna while I was there but I will let the Beast pick some up for me this weekend. It was 88 today and we expect to be in the 90's tomorrow. At least it IS cooling down at night. It's 72 at the moment but it's expected to go down to around 65 or less within the next couple of hours. I have my window open and the fan is working away. I will sleep like a baby tonight.
BTW....Mustachio's surgery went well. He was surprised that they DID put him under for it. He said one minute they were asking him how he felt and the next he woke up with a flexible cast on his arm. It took the whole day and a few hours into late night before all the anesthetics wore off. Yes, he has pain but the nerve that was released will take a few days to recover. It may take a few months for it to recover completely from the damage that first cast caused. TY all for your prayers. Now it's just a *wait and see* time for us.
Love you all. Be kind to one another. Life is short. ***Hugs***
After I was finally done, I went to the Walmart store in Boaz since it's only a couple blocks away from the hospital. I needed to get a robe or coverup in a summer weight material. What I found screamed *old lady* at me even though the print is a nice floral one on white background. But I felt like the Beast's Auntie Em. When I put it on tonight (just for shits and giggles!), I showed it to the Beast and asked him who I reminded him of. He was floored and knew immediately what I meant. He laughed. I didn't think it was quite as funny as he did but there wasn't a whole lot of choices. I wanted it for the hospital , however. If I have to wear that ugly gown, I will but at least I can cover it up with this robe.
I admit that I cruised around the store for a bit (I had one of the electric carts I was using) and realized that the Walmart in Boaz is much more upscale than the one near to our house. I was stunned by the differences. I also bought some snacks for the Beast and a couple for me. The Beast loved everything I bought and immediately opened up the bag of miniature Mounds bars. I am looking forward to having some of the peanut butter patties I got. That's one of my weaknesses. I do love them.
(Note: after talking about them, I just HAD to go get a few..LOL). I meant to pick up more Glucerna while I was there but I will let the Beast pick some up for me this weekend. It was 88 today and we expect to be in the 90's tomorrow. At least it IS cooling down at night. It's 72 at the moment but it's expected to go down to around 65 or less within the next couple of hours. I have my window open and the fan is working away. I will sleep like a baby tonight.
BTW....Mustachio's surgery went well. He was surprised that they DID put him under for it. He said one minute they were asking him how he felt and the next he woke up with a flexible cast on his arm. It took the whole day and a few hours into late night before all the anesthetics wore off. Yes, he has pain but the nerve that was released will take a few days to recover. It may take a few months for it to recover completely from the damage that first cast caused. TY all for your prayers. Now it's just a *wait and see* time for us.
Love you all. Be kind to one another. Life is short. ***Hugs***
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
No Word Yet From Mustachio......
Tomorrow is the day I go for my pre-op. I really am NOT looking forward to the *op* part. I know what to expect. I will be cut from mid calf on the inside of my leg clear up to mid-belly. No one in their right mind would be eager for that! It took me so long to heal. *Sigh* It wouldn't be so bad if the Beast were better at nurturing but he will let me just stay in my room and never even ask if I would like some ice water or a cup of coffee. That's what he did to me the last time. Even after 2-1/2 years, my memories of that time are not fun ones.
Mustachio had his surgery this morning. His doctor told him it would take approximately 3 hours and I figured he would have to spend some time in recovery before they let him go home. One of his buddies was driving him there and was taking him home afterward. When we talked on the phone last night, I told him that I knew he would need to rest once he got home and just chill out for a bit. He promised to call me this evening but we didn't set a time. I have no idea when I will hear from him but I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything went all right. He needs to regain the full use of the hand.
I am setting my hopes on the fact that his doctor is one of the best doctors in the country for hand problems. He did the first hand transplant or reattachment that was successful. He has an amazing reputation and I am crossing my fingers that it is deserved and Mustachio gets the full benefit of it.
The Beast spent the day just resting and trying to get over the past week's activity. I told you he ruined his *Sunday-go-to-meeting* shoes due to his dragging his left foot, right? He MUST have been tired of all the walking since it gets worse when he's tired. The shoes were like new when he left. Now they look like they are a few years old and barely worth throwing out. He picked up a new pair when he was in NC at his aunt's house.
Did I tell you his aunt's health has really deteriorated? Her Parkinson's is really bad and all four limbs shake like crazy. Plus they had to put a stomach tube in her because the same nerves that control her ability to swallow are affected by her Parkinson's. Three times a day, his cousin has to use a special funnel to pour in a liquid nourishment for her and they told Auntie M that she has to have the tube for a minimum of three months due to the probability of an infection if they try to take it out sooner. Auntie M keeps yelling that it is coming out NOW! She's 94 come September and, knowing her, she has to HATE what he life has become.
Her shaking is so bad that the Beast tried to make her laugh by telling her that he was going to drive her down to Lowe's and get her a job as a paint shaker. She DID laugh at that idea. He's also fairly certain that Auntie M is more than likely going to die soon. She is just miserable with what is going on and says she misses her hubby and is looking forward to seeing him in Heaven soon. His cousin hates when she talks like that but the woman doesn't live in real life nor does she want to admit that her mother is miserable the way she is. And there's no hope for improvement. I'm glad that the Beast and his sister got to see her this time since it is more than likely the last time he will see her.
The Beast doesn't do illness very well and it makes him uncomfortable. That's why he pretty much stays away from me when I am recuperating from any major surgery or illness. He damn near let me die when I had the flu a couple years back. I could barely crawl to the bathroom to pee and it was the only way I got any water to drink during the three days I was sick as a dog. When I told him he had to have been hoping I would die by the way he never even asked me if I wanted water or some soup, he said, *I know how you like to be left alone when you don't feel well.* Yeah, sure!
He just shut the bedroom door and had the TV on so loud, he couldn't hear me when I tried to call him. That is how he *handles* such things. But, oh, how different it is when HE is sick! He pisses and moans and groans and becomes as demanding as a baby. He whines and wants to be waited on hand and foot. I really get tired of it since he is so bad about returning the favor. Plus, he really is never THAT sick. Know what I mean? I guess it's a *man thing* since other wives have pretty much the same kind of complaint.
Oh well. Hope you had a great Hump Day. The Beast threw out the boxes I had piled up with nary a complaint. Why not? We had almost no garbage this week and it didn't even fill up the trash container. He threw them in and wheeled out the container last night so it would be picked up this morning. That was the extent of the work he did other than wheeling in the empty container this morning when he went out to drop off his clothes at the cleaners and fill up the Prius with gas. Then he came home and chilled for the rest of the day. After he took his bath, he had me rub on some ointment on his left shoulder since he said it was stiff and painful.
Love you all. Be good and be kind to everyone. ***Hugs***
Mustachio had his surgery this morning. His doctor told him it would take approximately 3 hours and I figured he would have to spend some time in recovery before they let him go home. One of his buddies was driving him there and was taking him home afterward. When we talked on the phone last night, I told him that I knew he would need to rest once he got home and just chill out for a bit. He promised to call me this evening but we didn't set a time. I have no idea when I will hear from him but I am keeping my fingers crossed that everything went all right. He needs to regain the full use of the hand.
I am setting my hopes on the fact that his doctor is one of the best doctors in the country for hand problems. He did the first hand transplant or reattachment that was successful. He has an amazing reputation and I am crossing my fingers that it is deserved and Mustachio gets the full benefit of it.
The Beast spent the day just resting and trying to get over the past week's activity. I told you he ruined his *Sunday-go-to-meeting* shoes due to his dragging his left foot, right? He MUST have been tired of all the walking since it gets worse when he's tired. The shoes were like new when he left. Now they look like they are a few years old and barely worth throwing out. He picked up a new pair when he was in NC at his aunt's house.
Did I tell you his aunt's health has really deteriorated? Her Parkinson's is really bad and all four limbs shake like crazy. Plus they had to put a stomach tube in her because the same nerves that control her ability to swallow are affected by her Parkinson's. Three times a day, his cousin has to use a special funnel to pour in a liquid nourishment for her and they told Auntie M that she has to have the tube for a minimum of three months due to the probability of an infection if they try to take it out sooner. Auntie M keeps yelling that it is coming out NOW! She's 94 come September and, knowing her, she has to HATE what he life has become.
Her shaking is so bad that the Beast tried to make her laugh by telling her that he was going to drive her down to Lowe's and get her a job as a paint shaker. She DID laugh at that idea. He's also fairly certain that Auntie M is more than likely going to die soon. She is just miserable with what is going on and says she misses her hubby and is looking forward to seeing him in Heaven soon. His cousin hates when she talks like that but the woman doesn't live in real life nor does she want to admit that her mother is miserable the way she is. And there's no hope for improvement. I'm glad that the Beast and his sister got to see her this time since it is more than likely the last time he will see her.
The Beast doesn't do illness very well and it makes him uncomfortable. That's why he pretty much stays away from me when I am recuperating from any major surgery or illness. He damn near let me die when I had the flu a couple years back. I could barely crawl to the bathroom to pee and it was the only way I got any water to drink during the three days I was sick as a dog. When I told him he had to have been hoping I would die by the way he never even asked me if I wanted water or some soup, he said, *I know how you like to be left alone when you don't feel well.* Yeah, sure!
He just shut the bedroom door and had the TV on so loud, he couldn't hear me when I tried to call him. That is how he *handles* such things. But, oh, how different it is when HE is sick! He pisses and moans and groans and becomes as demanding as a baby. He whines and wants to be waited on hand and foot. I really get tired of it since he is so bad about returning the favor. Plus, he really is never THAT sick. Know what I mean? I guess it's a *man thing* since other wives have pretty much the same kind of complaint.
Oh well. Hope you had a great Hump Day. The Beast threw out the boxes I had piled up with nary a complaint. Why not? We had almost no garbage this week and it didn't even fill up the trash container. He threw them in and wheeled out the container last night so it would be picked up this morning. That was the extent of the work he did other than wheeling in the empty container this morning when he went out to drop off his clothes at the cleaners and fill up the Prius with gas. Then he came home and chilled for the rest of the day. After he took his bath, he had me rub on some ointment on his left shoulder since he said it was stiff and painful.
Love you all. Be good and be kind to everyone. ***Hugs***
Monday, July 7, 2014
Pressure Cooked Chicken STINKS!
Of course, the fact that I also cooked some gizzards with the chicken thighs (Baron food) may have something to do with it but....oh lord! Does it STINK up the house once you relieve the pressure valve. Yuk!
I had a busy day today. Perhaps knowing the Beast will be home tomorrow has something to do with it or perhaps it's just TIME. Know what I mean? It started with my filling my pill box for the week, which I should have done yesterday but I was just too damn tired. Baron had me up darn near every hour. I think he might have been constipated. You never think of that happening to a dog but I swear, it does happen. Anyway, last night I slept fairly decently and Baron only woke me once so his problem must be over now. I fed him a big bowl of veggies with his chicken yesterday and that may have helped him out.
Today there was garbage to go out since we have to put the can out for collection on Wednesday. I had both the garbage in my room plus the one from the kitchen. I dragged out the collection of boxes I had stacked in here (the ones Chewlee played with on her last sleepover) and, if I can, I will just put them into the garbage can instead of leaving it for the Beast to burn. He hates to have to cut them up first so, since I know he is going to be a basket case when he gets home, I thought I would save him the trouble.
I ran up to Walmart since I had discovered I was low on two of my meds. Important ones. I bought the chicken for Baron to cook up since his supply is low. No sense the Beast pushing himself if I can prevent it. I was smart this time and took the little motor cart the store has for people like me that have a problem with walking. That way I came home and still felt good.
I had a full clothes hamper full of clothes so I decided to wash them while I was feeling decent. They are in the dryer right now....well, most of them. I DO have another load washing. Thankfully, it's a small one. It's pretty much hanging clothes so I can take my time folding up my pj's and underwear that makes up most of the folding stuff.
I have to admit, I haven't felt this energetic in ages. I just wish I had the energy to go out and weed the garden. It looks awful! There are a few weeds that almost smother one of the Beast's tomato plants. I kid you not. I wish we had a kid here we could hire to do the weeding for us. Neither the Beast nor I are really up to the bending (or crawling) that you need to do to get it done. Oh well! What can I say? We are definitely OLD people.
The Beast told me he's ruined his good shoes with all the walking he had to do in Atlanta. I told you he drags his one foot (the one affected by his strokes) and it's worse when he gets tired. He says he's worn the sole out on it and the front is ruined, too. Now I understand why he goes through his sneakers the way he does. The shoes were NOT cheap, either. His sneakers are but not his Sunday-go-to-meeting shoes. Sheesh!
My pre-op testing is on Thursday at 1pm. They will tell me what time to be at the hospital and any other instructions. I'm sure I am going to get more of the damn soap/lotion since it involves most of my leg and part of my abdomen. The surgery, I mean. Not a fun time.
Mustachio was supposed to have his surgery today and I have been worried about him all day long. I tried calling him but all I get is his voice mail so I gave it up. I am sure he needs his rest after all the stress I am sure he has been through. He had to have been very scared. I just hope it worked and he gets the feeling back in that hand.
Well, the dryer is calling me so I am going to close and get that done. Love you all. Hope your week started out great after the three day holiday. ***Hugs***
I had a busy day today. Perhaps knowing the Beast will be home tomorrow has something to do with it or perhaps it's just TIME. Know what I mean? It started with my filling my pill box for the week, which I should have done yesterday but I was just too damn tired. Baron had me up darn near every hour. I think he might have been constipated. You never think of that happening to a dog but I swear, it does happen. Anyway, last night I slept fairly decently and Baron only woke me once so his problem must be over now. I fed him a big bowl of veggies with his chicken yesterday and that may have helped him out.
Today there was garbage to go out since we have to put the can out for collection on Wednesday. I had both the garbage in my room plus the one from the kitchen. I dragged out the collection of boxes I had stacked in here (the ones Chewlee played with on her last sleepover) and, if I can, I will just put them into the garbage can instead of leaving it for the Beast to burn. He hates to have to cut them up first so, since I know he is going to be a basket case when he gets home, I thought I would save him the trouble.
I ran up to Walmart since I had discovered I was low on two of my meds. Important ones. I bought the chicken for Baron to cook up since his supply is low. No sense the Beast pushing himself if I can prevent it. I was smart this time and took the little motor cart the store has for people like me that have a problem with walking. That way I came home and still felt good.
I had a full clothes hamper full of clothes so I decided to wash them while I was feeling decent. They are in the dryer right now....well, most of them. I DO have another load washing. Thankfully, it's a small one. It's pretty much hanging clothes so I can take my time folding up my pj's and underwear that makes up most of the folding stuff.
I have to admit, I haven't felt this energetic in ages. I just wish I had the energy to go out and weed the garden. It looks awful! There are a few weeds that almost smother one of the Beast's tomato plants. I kid you not. I wish we had a kid here we could hire to do the weeding for us. Neither the Beast nor I are really up to the bending (or crawling) that you need to do to get it done. Oh well! What can I say? We are definitely OLD people.
The Beast told me he's ruined his good shoes with all the walking he had to do in Atlanta. I told you he drags his one foot (the one affected by his strokes) and it's worse when he gets tired. He says he's worn the sole out on it and the front is ruined, too. Now I understand why he goes through his sneakers the way he does. The shoes were NOT cheap, either. His sneakers are but not his Sunday-go-to-meeting shoes. Sheesh!
My pre-op testing is on Thursday at 1pm. They will tell me what time to be at the hospital and any other instructions. I'm sure I am going to get more of the damn soap/lotion since it involves most of my leg and part of my abdomen. The surgery, I mean. Not a fun time.
Mustachio was supposed to have his surgery today and I have been worried about him all day long. I tried calling him but all I get is his voice mail so I gave it up. I am sure he needs his rest after all the stress I am sure he has been through. He had to have been very scared. I just hope it worked and he gets the feeling back in that hand.
Well, the dryer is calling me so I am going to close and get that done. Love you all. Hope your week started out great after the three day holiday. ***Hugs***
Cell Phones Can Be A Pain !
The Beast didn't call me until they had reached Auntie M's in NC. He said he got a message that my mailbox was full (it isn't!) but I could hear his conversation with his cousin about dying to get into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I called back and related that to him and he was flabbergasted because he knew that was what he had said. I told him that's one of the problems I have with the cell phone I have. We have a couple months left on our contract so we can't move our service just yet but I am taking notes, let me tell you!
I've been paying attention to the ads about no contract cell service and I told the Beast we might want to try one or perhaps even more of those and see what we find out. I just know that I do NOT like our current service even though it is a major one.
Baron has given up on trying to get me to go to bed like he does the Beast. And I found out that, when I DO go to bed, he is sneaking onto the couch to sleep. The Beast said I would and, sure enough, I surprised him when I woke up to go to the bathroom. He jumped up, guiltily, when he heard me. But I saw him via the light I left on over the sink so he was busted....LOL.
I'm ready to hit the sack again but I am feeling much better than I have for the past couple of days. No aches and my hip is back to normal. It was killing me when I had to go to Walmart on Saturday. I have to go tomorrow to get my prescriptions but I don't intend to do more than hit that department and head back home.
I spent a good half hour vacuuming my room up because of the ants I found in here. I still have no idea what, if anything, they are after. There is no food in here or even any crumbs. I vacuumed to make doubly sure of that and then vacuumed up every single ant I could find walking around in here. Damn ants!
Love you all. My son, Mustachio, has his surgery tomorrow (I think that is the date he gave me) so say a little prayer that it goes okay and he gets back the feeling in his hand. The doctor that is doing the surgery is top notch. He was the one that did the first successful hand reattachment a few years back. I pray he just gets my son's feeling back in his hand. That's all he needs or wants.
***Hugs***
I've been paying attention to the ads about no contract cell service and I told the Beast we might want to try one or perhaps even more of those and see what we find out. I just know that I do NOT like our current service even though it is a major one.
Baron has given up on trying to get me to go to bed like he does the Beast. And I found out that, when I DO go to bed, he is sneaking onto the couch to sleep. The Beast said I would and, sure enough, I surprised him when I woke up to go to the bathroom. He jumped up, guiltily, when he heard me. But I saw him via the light I left on over the sink so he was busted....LOL.
I'm ready to hit the sack again but I am feeling much better than I have for the past couple of days. No aches and my hip is back to normal. It was killing me when I had to go to Walmart on Saturday. I have to go tomorrow to get my prescriptions but I don't intend to do more than hit that department and head back home.
I spent a good half hour vacuuming my room up because of the ants I found in here. I still have no idea what, if anything, they are after. There is no food in here or even any crumbs. I vacuumed to make doubly sure of that and then vacuumed up every single ant I could find walking around in here. Damn ants!
Love you all. My son, Mustachio, has his surgery tomorrow (I think that is the date he gave me) so say a little prayer that it goes okay and he gets back the feeling in his hand. The doctor that is doing the surgery is top notch. He was the one that did the first successful hand reattachment a few years back. I pray he just gets my son's feeling back in his hand. That's all he needs or wants.
***Hugs***
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Darn Dog!
Even tho' I have been going to bed at a decent hour lately (figuring I will wake up after a few hours and be able to write my blog before I go back to sleep), the damn dog has been waking me up about every two hours...sometimes less. I swear, sometimes it's not because he wants to go out to pee or anything but just to bark at things only HE can hear! The result is that I feel twice as tired as I did when I went to bed originally. Sheesh!
I found out yesterday that the Beast isn't going to be home until late Tuesday. By late, I mean probably around 6:30pm or so. He and his sister are going up to see Auntie M today after they get out of the big meeting in Atlanta. It's only about a four hour trip or so from Atlanta to where they live in NC so they will get there kind of late. But they plan on spending the day on Monday just visiting. Who knows whether or not this may be their last chance to visit with her. At her age, she could go at any time. Especially since her health has taken a turn for the worse. Since Bonnie is this close, they figured they might as well make the trip.
The Beast has to have Bonnie at the Huntsville airport by around 4:30pm on Tuesday for her flight back to Chicago and he will be about a two hour trip from home (with his usual stop at Publix included) after he drops her off. I can tell you this much....the Beast will be WEEKS recuperating from this whole adventure according to what he told me about all the walking they had to do to the train station from the Dome to get back to the hotel. The trip today will be just to pick up the car since they had to check out before leaving for the Dome. But the traffic will be a nightmare with all the people that will be heading out of town from there. Even at it's best, the traffic in Atlanta is still a nightmare. I've traveled through it many a time over the years and it only got worse as time went on due to the growth of the area.
He told me about some of the pictures he took of the people from all over the world. The Japanese were there in traditional garb which he said was just beautiful. But it was the people from the Ukraine that blew him away in their colorful garb. He can hardly wait to show me when he gets home. I had bought a roasting chicken to make a good meal for him when he got home today but I guess I will just have to wait until Tuesday now. It's just as well. I'm too damn tired today to make the stuffing, etc. that I had planned on. If I can only get Baron to settle down at night......!
I went to put his bed next to my recliner the other day so that he would feel more comfortable in here with me when I was on my computer. LOL! That was a mistake. He got so upset at my moving it (with no faith I would return it, I guess) that he was trying to yank it out of here to put it back himself. I got the message and returned it to it's proper place (in his mind). He then plopped down on it like he was daring me to move it again....LOL! The Beast got a good laugh at that when I told him.
Now, if I fall asleep in my recliner, he will leave his bed and come and lay down in my room but, as soon as I wake up, he zooms off to lay down on his bed again until he sees I am not interested in it. Then he will relax and come and eat his food or want to go out to do his business or just sniff the air to see what's going on in the neighborhood.
It's been fairly cool (considering) the past few days with the weather hitting 84 as a top temp. We had a light drizzle today so Baron trusted me enough to actually lay out on the deck to enjoy the cool air. Today it got a bit warmer (86 degrees F) but we had a nice breeze going so it dried off the deck enough for Baron to lay down on it. Otherwise, he would never had done that. He does NOT like getting wet except for his bath and he will even fight that initially.
I caught Baron sniffing in the garbage today so I had to close the lid. I know what he smelled....the chicken bones from his chicken the Beast cooks up for him every week. When I looked at the time, I realized I was about an hour late feeding him his morning meal. Yes, he gets fed twice a day and always has the dry food he can snack on. Since he's not getting a run every day, he's not eating as much anyway but he wants it when he usually gets it even if he waits to eat it. He will check his dish just to see if it's there for him. He can be so damn funny at times!
I have to order my diabetes meds when I am done with this. I went to fill up my pill box and realized that I only have today and tomorrow's worth of them. That means I MUST make another trip to Walmart tomorrow to pick them up and I am dreading that. I really can't walk around that store without being in major pain in a very short time. But a walk to get the prescriptions and back out shouldn't be too bad, I hope. We don't need anything else that I can think of so I should be able to get in and out in a short time.
Love you all. Talk to you later. Have a great week. ***Hugs***
I found out yesterday that the Beast isn't going to be home until late Tuesday. By late, I mean probably around 6:30pm or so. He and his sister are going up to see Auntie M today after they get out of the big meeting in Atlanta. It's only about a four hour trip or so from Atlanta to where they live in NC so they will get there kind of late. But they plan on spending the day on Monday just visiting. Who knows whether or not this may be their last chance to visit with her. At her age, she could go at any time. Especially since her health has taken a turn for the worse. Since Bonnie is this close, they figured they might as well make the trip.
The Beast has to have Bonnie at the Huntsville airport by around 4:30pm on Tuesday for her flight back to Chicago and he will be about a two hour trip from home (with his usual stop at Publix included) after he drops her off. I can tell you this much....the Beast will be WEEKS recuperating from this whole adventure according to what he told me about all the walking they had to do to the train station from the Dome to get back to the hotel. The trip today will be just to pick up the car since they had to check out before leaving for the Dome. But the traffic will be a nightmare with all the people that will be heading out of town from there. Even at it's best, the traffic in Atlanta is still a nightmare. I've traveled through it many a time over the years and it only got worse as time went on due to the growth of the area.
He told me about some of the pictures he took of the people from all over the world. The Japanese were there in traditional garb which he said was just beautiful. But it was the people from the Ukraine that blew him away in their colorful garb. He can hardly wait to show me when he gets home. I had bought a roasting chicken to make a good meal for him when he got home today but I guess I will just have to wait until Tuesday now. It's just as well. I'm too damn tired today to make the stuffing, etc. that I had planned on. If I can only get Baron to settle down at night......!
I went to put his bed next to my recliner the other day so that he would feel more comfortable in here with me when I was on my computer. LOL! That was a mistake. He got so upset at my moving it (with no faith I would return it, I guess) that he was trying to yank it out of here to put it back himself. I got the message and returned it to it's proper place (in his mind). He then plopped down on it like he was daring me to move it again....LOL! The Beast got a good laugh at that when I told him.
Now, if I fall asleep in my recliner, he will leave his bed and come and lay down in my room but, as soon as I wake up, he zooms off to lay down on his bed again until he sees I am not interested in it. Then he will relax and come and eat his food or want to go out to do his business or just sniff the air to see what's going on in the neighborhood.
It's been fairly cool (considering) the past few days with the weather hitting 84 as a top temp. We had a light drizzle today so Baron trusted me enough to actually lay out on the deck to enjoy the cool air. Today it got a bit warmer (86 degrees F) but we had a nice breeze going so it dried off the deck enough for Baron to lay down on it. Otherwise, he would never had done that. He does NOT like getting wet except for his bath and he will even fight that initially.
I caught Baron sniffing in the garbage today so I had to close the lid. I know what he smelled....the chicken bones from his chicken the Beast cooks up for him every week. When I looked at the time, I realized I was about an hour late feeding him his morning meal. Yes, he gets fed twice a day and always has the dry food he can snack on. Since he's not getting a run every day, he's not eating as much anyway but he wants it when he usually gets it even if he waits to eat it. He will check his dish just to see if it's there for him. He can be so damn funny at times!
I have to order my diabetes meds when I am done with this. I went to fill up my pill box and realized that I only have today and tomorrow's worth of them. That means I MUST make another trip to Walmart tomorrow to pick them up and I am dreading that. I really can't walk around that store without being in major pain in a very short time. But a walk to get the prescriptions and back out shouldn't be too bad, I hope. We don't need anything else that I can think of so I should be able to get in and out in a short time.
Love you all. Talk to you later. Have a great week. ***Hugs***
Friday, July 4, 2014
HAPPY JULY 4TH EVERYONE!!!!!!!!
Tonight was the Beast's first night in Atlanta. He called me around 4pm and told me all about his day and how horrible his day in Atlanta traffic was. He said he had walked so much before and after his meeting that he thought he would collapse. He was on his way back to the hotel, which he said was really nice, for a nice bath and then sleep. He had to be at the stadium at 7am which meant he had to be up early to get dressed.
His sister is flying in on an early bird flight tomorrow morning and will take the shuttle to the hotel and then take a taxi to the stadium. They will meet up there since she knows to just ask for him at the security desk.
Baron has been very unhappy. He made such a fuss about me moving his bed from next to our bed (I was going to put it here in my computer room so he would feel free to lay down), that I had to put it back in it's place there. He also was yelling at me (so to speak) when I didn't go to bed when he was ready. He finally settled down for a couple hours then came into my computer room and plopped down on the floor next to me. He wasn't happy about it but he settled down.
I got my potato salad and my fresh fruit salad made up and it's in the fridge now staying cool. I had a bowl of each, of course, for my dinner. Maybe not the best meal but it sure hit the spot. I will thin down the dressing on the fruit salad tomorrow since it is a bit thicker than I like it. I could have done it tonight but my hands were just too tired and sore. I did a lot of cutting and slicing up of all the veggies and fruits. I haven't made both things for the same occasion for two years, I think it is...or perhaps, three.
Mustachio didn't come down for a visit. It left me feeling a bit depressed since I was looking forward to it. We always have fun. He could have seen Gunner and visited with Tara and her kids in a relaxed but fun setting while we watched the fireworks. He said he would come down for a visit after his surgery next week but I have MY surgery the week after that. My surgery will be really invasive and not leave me very mobile for a while. It means going to the Wound Center weekly and having a nurse come every day for at least a month.
The Wound Center will be a several month course unless I heal better this time. All I can do is wait and see.
It's late and I am tired. I guess I will sign off now and get some sleep. Love you all. Hope you have a nice July 4th planned and enjoy the fireworks. Be safe. ***Hugs***
His sister is flying in on an early bird flight tomorrow morning and will take the shuttle to the hotel and then take a taxi to the stadium. They will meet up there since she knows to just ask for him at the security desk.
Baron has been very unhappy. He made such a fuss about me moving his bed from next to our bed (I was going to put it here in my computer room so he would feel free to lay down), that I had to put it back in it's place there. He also was yelling at me (so to speak) when I didn't go to bed when he was ready. He finally settled down for a couple hours then came into my computer room and plopped down on the floor next to me. He wasn't happy about it but he settled down.
I got my potato salad and my fresh fruit salad made up and it's in the fridge now staying cool. I had a bowl of each, of course, for my dinner. Maybe not the best meal but it sure hit the spot. I will thin down the dressing on the fruit salad tomorrow since it is a bit thicker than I like it. I could have done it tonight but my hands were just too tired and sore. I did a lot of cutting and slicing up of all the veggies and fruits. I haven't made both things for the same occasion for two years, I think it is...or perhaps, three.
Mustachio didn't come down for a visit. It left me feeling a bit depressed since I was looking forward to it. We always have fun. He could have seen Gunner and visited with Tara and her kids in a relaxed but fun setting while we watched the fireworks. He said he would come down for a visit after his surgery next week but I have MY surgery the week after that. My surgery will be really invasive and not leave me very mobile for a while. It means going to the Wound Center weekly and having a nurse come every day for at least a month.
The Wound Center will be a several month course unless I heal better this time. All I can do is wait and see.
It's late and I am tired. I guess I will sign off now and get some sleep. Love you all. Hope you have a nice July 4th planned and enjoy the fireworks. Be safe. ***Hugs***
Thursday, July 3, 2014
This Will Be Short....
Got the Beast's car all packed up for him. I found out one of the reasons he is leaving so early is because he has no idea how long it will take him to get to the stadium once he gets to Atlanta and he has a meeting there for the security people at 11 am. I have to remember to remind him that there is an hour's difference in the timeline from here to there. It takes about 2-1/2 hours to drive to Atlanta if you don't stop. He filled up the Prius with gas so he won't have to stop for that at least. All I have to do is make sure he eats something before he leaves or he will be stopping at McD's for breakfast. He loves their pancake and sausage breakfast...and it's fairly cheap. But he won't have the time depending on just when he leaves.
I am feeling a bit depressed. The family get-together won't really be happening like I had hoped. My son Marcus and his family are not coming and Tara's kids are going somewhere with someone (I don't know all the details) so she won't be coming for the barbeque at the Princess' house. Mustachio is still debating on whether or not he is coming down but he might because I am having my surgery (and it IS major) just a few days after his. I suspect he will come just because it will be kind of nice to visit without the Beast being around.
I am still planning on making my potato salad and some fruit salad for the barbeque. If nothing else, it will be a nice addition to whatever the Princess is planning. I know Johnnycakes is planning on smoking some meat. He's really good at that, too. I'll call the Princess and find out if she wants me to pick up some hot dogs or anything else since we won't be adding so many to her plans.
Later on we will go down to the lake to watch the fireworks but we will go early. That way we won't have to fight for space for our chairs. Chewlee wants me to bring her beach chair for her to sit in. It will be the first time it's seeing the beach....LOL.
The Beast's big worry is Baron. He's afraid I will neglect him. Like he would let me...LOL. The dog knows how to command attention when he needs/wants something. Oh well. Life goes on. I haven't seen the fireworks here at all yet. The Beast is not big on it and for the last couple years, I was recuperating from all the damn surgeries I've been through.
We are looking at some really hot weather the next week or so and I am loving it. No rain predicted. *Grin* I hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend. I'll let you know how mine goes. ***Hugs***
I am feeling a bit depressed. The family get-together won't really be happening like I had hoped. My son Marcus and his family are not coming and Tara's kids are going somewhere with someone (I don't know all the details) so she won't be coming for the barbeque at the Princess' house. Mustachio is still debating on whether or not he is coming down but he might because I am having my surgery (and it IS major) just a few days after his. I suspect he will come just because it will be kind of nice to visit without the Beast being around.
I am still planning on making my potato salad and some fruit salad for the barbeque. If nothing else, it will be a nice addition to whatever the Princess is planning. I know Johnnycakes is planning on smoking some meat. He's really good at that, too. I'll call the Princess and find out if she wants me to pick up some hot dogs or anything else since we won't be adding so many to her plans.
Later on we will go down to the lake to watch the fireworks but we will go early. That way we won't have to fight for space for our chairs. Chewlee wants me to bring her beach chair for her to sit in. It will be the first time it's seeing the beach....LOL.
The Beast's big worry is Baron. He's afraid I will neglect him. Like he would let me...LOL. The dog knows how to command attention when he needs/wants something. Oh well. Life goes on. I haven't seen the fireworks here at all yet. The Beast is not big on it and for the last couple years, I was recuperating from all the damn surgeries I've been through.
We are looking at some really hot weather the next week or so and I am loving it. No rain predicted. *Grin* I hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend. I'll let you know how mine goes. ***Hugs***
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Doctor's Orders....
Got a call from the doctor today. After reviewing the results of my angiogram, he didn't want to delay doing my bypass any longer than necessary so....the surgery is scheduled for July 14th. I won't get the exact time I have to be there until I go in for my pre-op on the 10th.
It's funny but I was sitting in my computer room earlier, thinking about my bypass on the right leg that was done two years ago. I realized that this bypass scares the crap out of me. It took me so long to recuperate from the last one and then even longer to regain strength in that leg. THAT is what scares me.
Also, the Beast is not a really great nurturer. He really doesn't have much empathy for others, just feels sorry for himself when he's in pain and he whines a lot. I don't like to whine and demand attention. But I do know when I am not getting any at all. That's the Beast. He does try to remember that I should be fed and he doesn't expect me to do all the things I normally do...like fold laundry if I am sleeping or in too much pain to sit upright. I have to ask him for anything I need or want. He doesn't just normally think of things, like water or even coffee, which he knows I could IV....LOL!
So, say a few prayers for me if you think of it now and then. I can use any you can send out for my recuperation. One of my friends says that I might just do better this second time since I already know what it will entail. I sure hope so. That would be nice for a change. This surgery I just had (the roto-rooting...aka balloon surgery) happens to be a bit more painful than my last one. It's the left foot that is giving me fits. If that is a sign, then I won't fight over getting the bypass done. It may mean the difference between keeping my foot or losing it. Not a nice thought, is it?
It was 92 degrees out and the Beast finally got the lawns done. He hasn't done the trim work yet but he still has one more day to do that. It's a man thing, I know. He will be able to relax a bit on his trip to Atlanta.
Love you all. Have a great week and keep cool. ***Hugs***
It's funny but I was sitting in my computer room earlier, thinking about my bypass on the right leg that was done two years ago. I realized that this bypass scares the crap out of me. It took me so long to recuperate from the last one and then even longer to regain strength in that leg. THAT is what scares me.
Also, the Beast is not a really great nurturer. He really doesn't have much empathy for others, just feels sorry for himself when he's in pain and he whines a lot. I don't like to whine and demand attention. But I do know when I am not getting any at all. That's the Beast. He does try to remember that I should be fed and he doesn't expect me to do all the things I normally do...like fold laundry if I am sleeping or in too much pain to sit upright. I have to ask him for anything I need or want. He doesn't just normally think of things, like water or even coffee, which he knows I could IV....LOL!
So, say a few prayers for me if you think of it now and then. I can use any you can send out for my recuperation. One of my friends says that I might just do better this second time since I already know what it will entail. I sure hope so. That would be nice for a change. This surgery I just had (the roto-rooting...aka balloon surgery) happens to be a bit more painful than my last one. It's the left foot that is giving me fits. If that is a sign, then I won't fight over getting the bypass done. It may mean the difference between keeping my foot or losing it. Not a nice thought, is it?
It was 92 degrees out and the Beast finally got the lawns done. He hasn't done the trim work yet but he still has one more day to do that. It's a man thing, I know. He will be able to relax a bit on his trip to Atlanta.
Love you all. Have a great week and keep cool. ***Hugs***
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggetty Jig!
I'm home! Made a mistake on the day I was to have my angiogram and, if the nurse hadn't called by mistake, I would have missed it! Thank goodness I seldom eat right away after waking up. I made it to the hospital in time for all the BS they put you through. There was an intervention so I had to spend the night (of course!) and got some bad news. I have to have another bypass but this time in the left leg. I knew something was wrong with that leg just from the pain I had when I walked any distance at all. A trip to Walmart that involved walking to the back of the store damn near crippled me. I was lucky to make it back to my car. Thank goodness it was the left leg and not the one I need to drive.
I can't drive now until I see the doctor in two weeks (Ha!). We'll see about that stuff. When I have the bypass surgery is up in the air at the moment. The doctor says if I don't have any more pain in that leg, we can postpone it for a while but.....I believe I will have to have it within the next month.
For someone who never really liked fatty foods or the kind of soppy, greasy stuff the Beast loves, I can't believe how I am having plaque problems in my arteries. Sheesh!
I did finally get my pneumonia shot before I left the hospital. It's only a year overdue but better late than never.
Well, I need to try to get some sleep. They woke me every half hour to check my blood pressure, temperature, incision and take my blood sugar. You can never sleep in a hospital, I swear! If they aren't waking you, those beds are uncomfortable as hell. I yearn for my own bed and my recliner. They are both more comfortable than any hospital bed....LOL
It's going to be really hot outside today (in the low 90's) and I am looking forward to it. They keep those rooms at the hospital cold as ice.
Love you all. Hope your week is better than mine! ***Hugs***
I can't drive now until I see the doctor in two weeks (Ha!). We'll see about that stuff. When I have the bypass surgery is up in the air at the moment. The doctor says if I don't have any more pain in that leg, we can postpone it for a while but.....I believe I will have to have it within the next month.
For someone who never really liked fatty foods or the kind of soppy, greasy stuff the Beast loves, I can't believe how I am having plaque problems in my arteries. Sheesh!
I did finally get my pneumonia shot before I left the hospital. It's only a year overdue but better late than never.
Well, I need to try to get some sleep. They woke me every half hour to check my blood pressure, temperature, incision and take my blood sugar. You can never sleep in a hospital, I swear! If they aren't waking you, those beds are uncomfortable as hell. I yearn for my own bed and my recliner. They are both more comfortable than any hospital bed....LOL
It's going to be really hot outside today (in the low 90's) and I am looking forward to it. They keep those rooms at the hospital cold as ice.
Love you all. Hope your week is better than mine! ***Hugs***
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