Trick or Treaters

Mom and I checked off all of the stuff on my list and I have more on the list for today! Natalie and family are due around 6:15, I will be cooking dinner for everyone before they head out the door to trick or treat. Last evening, I put together little gift bags of candy and little toys for Winnie and Oliver but also made one for Lily and two for the little girls, Cora and Ella. So much fun.

Today, I am making the dinner this morning, will dust and vacuum the house, clean the front door, buy Halloween cookies in town and go to the rehab class. A busy day ahead. A fun day.

I still have not heard from the surgeon's assistant regarding my endoscopy. The not knowing when is driving me crazy so I must just give in and phone her tomorrow or Thursday. Just a reminder to schedule it. Please.

My biggest worry is that the surgery to fix the problem will happen before Christmas and maybe interfere with our plans to enjoy Palm Springs together just after Christmas. I want to be well enough to still spend time with our son on a vacation together. In a way, I want to push it to happen quickly but on the other hand, I want it to happen after all the holidays. I guess it will happen when it happens.

Halloween Prep

We worked side by side in the gardens and it felt like I had a good workout when it was finished. It also looked great! It had been a long time since I cut the plants along the driveway and the four other ones between Ron and us. Lots of work. Lots of picking up the piles of trimmings to put into the recycling bin. Into the back yard, the old lilies needed to be pulled and everything needed watering.

It felt so good to move my body. I did wrap my knee and only felt one twinge while I was tromping around. When it was finished, I was soaking wet and breathing hard. There was some coughing and I am a bit worried about it. It was not my usual short, non-productive cough but it sounded looser and it was a longer cough. Keeping my eye on it.

It all looks good for Natalie and her family arriving Halloween evening. The house will get a quick dusting and vacuuming tomorrow and I am making a simple dinner for the entire family so they have energy to trick or treat as many houses as possible in our neighborhood.

My list for today is ready. Shower and hit the road. Food shopping. Mom. Costco. Pay bills in person. Every year, I put together small bags of toys and goodies for the neighborhood kids. We have two very little ones in the corner house and I still make one for Lily, who is in 7th grade. Winnie and Oliver will also get a special bag. I am going to put those together this afternoon. Next year, we will have two additional kids on our street. The very first house on the cul-du-sac has just sold to a family with young children. Wonderful. Keeps the neighborhood young!

The weather has finally turned to Fall. It will be a jacket day and a chance to wear my new boots. I love everything about this time of year from the smells in the air to the pumpkins to the planning ahead for the holidays. But, it is also the beginning of cold and flu season. Just a reminder to wash your hands every time you arrive home and keep your hands away from your face. Keep the germs at bay.

Just Got Out

After a nap yesterday morning, Michael and took off to the best mall on the Peninsula, near mom's university hospital. We wanted to just get out of the house and have been meaning to buy a new coffee cup at Williams Sonoma. These are the best mugs, I bought one every year with my Christmas money from mom and I broke one several week ago. They are white ceramic, not too large, not heavy and are usually $24/cup. They were on sale! Twenty percent off! Done!

We walked through the mall, looking at the fantastic flowers and the windows of the all the stores. It was early but we had dinner at Max's. My favorite Russian Cabbage Soup was so satisfying and Michael had a cup of Chicken and Dumpling soup. He also had crab cakes and took home a piece of Carrot Cake.

Even though it was around 5PM by the time we were trying to go over the pass, the last weekend before Halloween brought even more tourist to the area. We sat in traffic, moved inches, sat some more. It was a long ride home.

During the World Series game, I fell asleep and slept the night through.

This morning, I want to trim some hedges in the yards and water the pots. That is the goal. Food shopping tomorrow in preparation for Winnie and Oliver and their parent's visit on Halloween. Something to look forward to.

New Baby Smell

I didn't hear from anyone yesterday. Okay, I bet that the medical procedure to take a look at the Nissan fundoplication surgery site and the hernia I got during that surgery causing acid reflux, is off. Remembering that they were going to try to arrange it before the surgeon went on vacation, I doubt there will be time to get it done before he takes off.

There was worry about having to cancel mom's appointment today with the investment company, No problem now.

Years ago, when I was having to take a lot of tests and my future looked very bleak, I would have the night terrors worrying about all the things that could happen. After driving myself nuts, I made a vow to not worry about something until I had proof that I had to worry! Waiting for this medical test and the probably future surgery, is difficult. All the "could happens" float to my brain, especially at night. I need to renew my vow to let it go and not worry about it until the tests are completed and the surgeon gives us his opinion of our options. If there is something to worry about, that will be the time to worry. Not now.

We had a fantastic night with dear friends, Dave and Lori with their son Joel, his wife Mindy and the new baby Evie. I got to hold a baby!! There is nothing like that new baby smell and she was one cutie! We had planned to stay for just a couple of hours of appetizers and conversation but after the new little family left, we continued to visit. We finally got home about six hours later! It was so very fun.

Waiting...

Still waiting to hear from Veronica, the surgeon's assistant. She said she would phone either yesterday or today to let me know when the endoscopy is scheduled. The cell phone will be on me all day today! Is the procedure tomorrow as initially planned? I am assuming not. We will see.

I did drive into the city for the blood tests and the X-rays in anticipation of the endoscopy. After the drive home, I cooked dinner early, ate lunch, digested then took a walk along the ocean. That was a mistake. It was early afternoon, really warm with a slight breeze while I headed for a long walk. Before I realized it, I may have gone too far. I was dripping wet and short of breath. The walk back to the car was a constant uphill all the way. I paused several times to gather my strength but was totally spent by the time I fell into the car.

It took time to recover and to continue with the day.

Today is going to be fun. This morning, I am going to try to have a pedicure since I am not going to rehab class. We have plans. Dave and Lori have invited us to meet their new granddaughter. We were so touched to be invited to their son's wedding several years ago and thrilled that this baby has arrived. This afternoon, I will make some appetizers to share and we will probably spend just a couple hours together. Should be fun!

Still Waiting

I have full empathy for people living in warmer climates. Yesterday, it was 94 degrees when we returned to the coast from rehab class and it stayed hot most of the night. Remember, no one here has any air conditioning and it was difficult to function inside the hot house later in the evening.

Brilliant Michael cracked open our bedroom door, put a fan in front of it and pulled the cooler outside air into the room all night. It made sleeping possible. The good news? The expected high today is 76 degrees. Still warm for we tender coastsiders but so much more livable. I can breathe again!

Endoscopy update: The surgeon's assistant phoned yesterday afternoon to give me an update. The test also needed to have a gastroenterologist present and they had not been able to nail down his schedule. He is expected in clinic today and she will nail him down. She told me she will phone me with the time and date of the endoscopy today or tomorrow. The expected date was Friday. If that is still on, I need to cancel an appointment for mom with her investment company. If it is Monday, we are in deep trouble. Cancelling that appointment will be impossible so we will have to figure something out.

To prepare for the procedure, I am driving to my university hospital this morning for a chest X-ray and a blood test. My endocrinologist also wants some blood to look at my calcium levels since having the Prolia shot three weeks ago. Killing two birds...

Adventures with Mom

Veronica, my best friend at the moment, is the surgeon's assistant and I have been waiting to hear from her. Is the endoscopy actually going to happen on Friday or Thursday or not until the surgeon gets back from his vacation? No word yesterday so, I am going to phone her this morning for an update.

Mom and I had one wild day yesterday and I crawled home exhausted but feeling like we got a lot accomplished. After food shopping over the pass, I picked her up, we did two errands for her, drove back to my house to put the food away and toured the gardens, bought a Starbucks, bought baby presents for our meet and great a new baby on Thursday evening and got mom to her dentist appointment right on time. I felt like a baseball player sliding into home base when we flew into the dentist's parking lot. We made it! On Time! Safe!

While she was in the dentist's chair, I took off to buy some gas when the low oil light came on. Phoning Michael, I discovered he had been sitting in traffic on the pass due to an accident and was just beginning to move. He met me at the dentist's parking lot, we exchanged cars and he took mine home to put some oil into it.

Mom was confused when we went out to the parking lot after her appointment. Where was my car?

It was that kind of day.

After I got home, I watered the pots and enjoyed the weather. It was hot and windy and sleeping was pretty difficult last night.

Today, pulmonary rehab class! No Irish Fiddling rehearsal tonight! I am a free woman.

Non-Holiday Luncheon

It worked. I was worried, especially in the first few minutes, but it worked. We all met for lunch half way between us all. Russ could not join us as he was at the management desk dealing with the last of the fires. Mom and Michael were in the rest room when Lee and Jeff arrived and they came in with no smiles. Oh no. This was going to be rough. But, when mom returned to the table, they lightened up. Michael also helped. He was good at getting everyone relaxed and talking. Shelley arrived a bit late but it was marvelous to see her.

She and I were able to sit across from each other and had a good chat about her job and her recent speech in Chicago. She also talked about where they are in the process of closing on their new house. I shared my acid reflux issues, the Endoscopy maybe this Friday and the issues on the future surgery. She got it. My sister? Not so much. She said, "You're not still thinking about lung transplants, are you?"

I explained that it depended on if and when they crashed. She turned away. No other comments.

After almost three hours, we said our goodbyes, drove mom back to her house then headed home only to hit pumpkin traffic at 5PM! Nuts.

But, we are now done for the holidays. Free to start new traditions. Thanksgiving? Lunch in a restaurant with mom! Christmas? Presents here then lunch at a great restaurant with mom and William! Simple. Easy. No cooking. No drama. No all day company.

Returning to the Ocean Walk

It was beautiful here on the coast yesterday. No wind. Mild temperatures. Just lovely. I decided to challenge myself to see if I could walk along the ocean bluffs. I have not been able to walk any distance and I really miss my walks.

So, after filling my oxygen tank, several good puffs of the inhaler, sniff in my nose spray, load down my pockets with Kleenex, garage door clicker, iPhone, drivers license and some cash, I grabbed the car keys and drove up the road. I wanted to walk along a specific path.

The ocean was stunning and I had forgotten how much I really loved to stand and just watch the waves make their way into the shore. I walked right along the shore on a road that was fighting not to fall into the ocean. It is lined with large boulders. Suddenly, I saw the top of a head below me. Typical tourist problem. They don't realize that the tide ebbs and flows. It was coming in so fast that the water was hitting the large boulders. The ocean was now taking over all of the beach. There was no safe place to walk. I climbed closer to see if the person was okay or needed help. It was then that he popped up near me, having climbed up the boulders with the waves chasing him.

We smiled at each other and walked closer. "I saw you and was worried," I said. He replied that he was so surprised that the tide had come in so fast but he got the shot he wanted. Seeing his camera around his neck, I smile and told him that he is lucky to be young and agile enough to climb the rock wall.

After a quick hug between strangers, we went our separate ways.

My goal was to walk along this road then onto a gorgeous flat path through a field, above the water with vistas of the harbor, the waves and the traffic (ugh!). I love this part of the walk. It is where I go after we return from a long road trip. It is home.

With the downturn of my breathing and the rehab of my fractured knee, would I be able to complete my walk? Coughing happened. I slowed down. I made it to a bench about halfway in the open field. Sitting, I took in the smells and the sound of the ocean and was once again reminded why I love this walk.

The walk back to the car was a challenge but I made it and felt better for it. I also slept like a baby last night.

New Traditions Begin this Weekend

Fridays. My favorite day of the week. Traffic lite. A day with mom. We have nothing we have to do today so no stress at all. No hurry. When I am driving home after the day together, I can feel the weekend coming on. I relax. I think about a quiet evening.

This Sunday begins the new family holiday tradition of having a luncheon before the holidays, take the time to chat with each other in person and look forward to spending the holidays in a new way. Lots to share. We hope to see photos of Shelley and Russ' new home and we will share all the latest about our son. He currently is in Mexico for a series of concerts through the weekend, working on new projects and has a lot on his plate.

At rehab yesterday, my car pool buddy Jeannie was having a very difficult breathing day. I was concerned. She spoke with the RNs, they worked with her and she looked better by the end of class. She is seeing her pulmonologist this afternoon. I have been watching her deplete these past few months, she does not have the support or living environment to qualify for lung transplants and the doctor told her at the last appointment that she was approaching the point of no return. Was she sure she couldn't arrange for relatives to help her through the process? No. She has made the decision not to consider transplants.

I was rolling onto my side in bed a few nights ago and realized the sound of my cracking spine did not happen. Prolia. I really do feel a difference already. Janet, in the rehab class, has been taking the injections for quite a while and says that she can feel when she is scheduled for the next injection. I didn't understand that but now I do. Since my mom also takes Prolia, I asked her if she feels anything before or after the injections and she said that she feels nothing. Interesting.

The bone issue is due to constant prednisone since 2005. I have all the side effects but the best one is that I am still alive. I'll put up with the rest.

We had rain last night! It knocked down many of the fires and the air is so clean and crispy. A good breathing day.

And the Doctor Said

Well, it was one heck of a day. We did the week's food shopping before a fantastic lunch on the coast (at the tiny airport, for goodness sake) before driving to my university hospital for the appointment with the surgeon. We were there to discuss the test results from the four tests of my esophagus and acid levels in my stomach.

I was worried that the tests would not reveal the acid reflux, as I had taken some medication days before the 24-hour test, and that the sensor in my stomach would find no reflux. Two of the other tests were benign but one showed a slowing down of my esophagus. The cause? The doctor began the sentence with, "As we get older..."

Fortunately, the 24-hour test did show a higher level of acid that normal. The question was then, what to do?

If the problem was being caused by the loosening of my 2009 Nissen fundoplication, that was going to be a problem. That surgery is considered very safe. If it needs to be re-done, the fatality rate soars. Not good.

If the problem was being caused by the hernia at the Nissan site, that would involved hernia surgery.

The doctor believed that the Nissen was actually popping in and out of the hernia, making it larger and causing problems. He also believed that the acid reflux problem might be the result of that interaction.

Next steps? Within the next two weeks, I will have an endoscopy to "see the landscape" and give us more information. This involves a chest X-ray and blood tests, which I will do next Wednesday when I need to have blood taken to check my calcium levels after the Prolia shot.

Why all the drama? Even with medication, microaspirations can make their way to the lungs to cause flares. If I need new lungs, this must be cleared up before damage can be done to the new lungs.

I must admit that when he mentioned that the goal of any doctor was to always help the patient, he was concerned that my lungs may not do well during a surgery and that it, in fact, could cause my death or a very long stay in ICU, it gave me chills. That was how my dad died. Same day surgery to fix a problem. He died after thirty days in ICU. In November. Twenty years ago.

Facing the Surgeon

With Doctor's Week and the horrible air quality, the past two weeks did not include exercise and my body missed it. Yesterday, after a really hard workout, I felt terrific! So much energy! Shirts were ironed, dishwasher was emptied and I kept busy after I got home. Could not sit down.

I LOVE when that happens.

Sleeping well was also another side effect of exercise. It always surprises me how much better I feel after a good workout. We will be doing a lot of walking today then back to the rehab class tomorrow.

Mitch was at the class for the first time in many, many months. He had a terrible genetic liver disease, which caused a ILD to kick in. By the time he received a liver transplant, he was needing 10 liters of oxygen to function. What was so sad was that he had two of the sweetest young sons who clearly adored their dad.

It has been two years since the liver transplant and the ILD has receded so much that he was on NO supplemental oxygen! We had a great chat before the class and I watched as he worked out. The man did 15 hard minutes on the elliptical as fast as he could go. I can do about two minutes. And, not fast! It was marvelous to watch how far he has come physically. He is preparing to pass his physical to return full time to his job working for the county Sheriff's Department. The boys have their dad back.

The Irish Fiddling rehearsal was going to begin really late so I just popped over for a few minutes. One of our members discovered that her breast cancer had returned after ten years. She had shared that with me almost two weeks ago but wanted to tell the group when she was ready. It was yesterday. She sent an email with the details to the group, they immediately started making plans to help after her surgery next week, flowers were bought, cards were signed and they served cocktails to offer their love and support to our fellow bandmate. It was sweet. I am so lucky to be a part of the group of these very caring, lovely people.

Today. It is a big day for me. Michael is going with me and I am practicing my wordage. I am remembering all the management skills I had trying to manage a group of highly regarded, internationally known musicians. I am facing the surgeon who messed up ordering the tests for my acid reflux. We both agreed that the probable cause of the recent problem was either the Nissen Fundoplication or the hernia, caused during that surgery, right at the site. The tests he ordered never went near that area. He ordered two tests for my esophagus. Nope. Not there! Well, duh.

I fully expect him to say that there is no proof I have any acid reflux. Michael is primed to then mention that I have it 2-3 times a week even when I am careful with what I am eating. No green peppers, onions, hot sauce, dark chocolate, and so much more. So, doc, I have it and it is affecting my lungs. What are we going to do now?

It is going to be interesting. I will report back tomorrow.

Working Out

Back to pulmonary rehab today! The fires and winds are waining so the air quality is better on the other side of the pass. But, it is still warmer than usual and I am just itching for Fall weather, including cool nights. It was so hot in my kitchen last evening that I couldn't cook a proper dinner. Instead, I threw a few shrimp in a pan to cook, tossed a Caesar Salad and done. Dinner. This morning, I am going to make dinner before the rehab class so it is ready for tonight.

Mom and I ran errands and had a special lunch together yesterday. She told me that my niece had phoned to share that she and her husband just bought a house. I am so thrilled for them. As we are all getting together for lunch on Sunday, I messaged her yesterday to bring photos of the new house. They close the day before Thanksgiving. So exciting!

The holidays. The new traditions are happening but they are easier for some than others. My sister's family is meeting us for our first pre-holiday lunch on Sunday. This luncheon will determine if we do these luncheons twice a year, not involving any holidays. I hope it goes well.

I am looking forward to rehab class and to seeing everyone. My body needs a good workout. The little Irish Fiddling rehearsal is tonight, too. It should be a fun, busy day.

Still Unhealthy Air

The air was unhealthy here on the coastside all weekend but it did not smell like 100 fireplaces. No odor but still unsafe. We stayed inside as the temperatures outside rose to the mid-80s. On the coast. In October. Nuts! The good news is that rain is expected on Thursday to cool things down but it will also help knock down the fires.

We stayed inside, I did a lot of paperwork, cooked, picked up the house, read a book, slept a lot and all was well. Michael needed a few tools over the pass so we climbed into the car on Saturday evening and found the sweet spot where the tourists were still enjoying the festival while some headed home. Later, on our way back home, the tourists were stopped and the backup was on the entire pass heading out of town. We were very lucky.

It felt good to get away.

All the neighbors were out and chatted with us during the weekend. Ron and Susan gave us wonderful apples from their tree. Michael told Ron that I was going to make applesauce with them and Ron told us that Susan had never eaten applesauce. (Susan is from China.) So, yesterday morning, I made applesauce and Michael took it next door while it was still hot. A success!

It brought back so many memories for me. I got the recipe in William's Klutz Cookbook for Kids and have used it throughout his childhood. When we are together in Palm Springs in December, I might just make some. A taste from his youth.

The good news: Michael is having the stitches removed from his finger. I am going along to watch the action!

Breathing Headaches

Breathing is difficult. The air quality is getting worse again today. I had a headache on and off last night and I am one who never gets a headache. Yesterday, I quickly went into town to pump gas in my car then drove home for the day, windows shut and the news on the TV. More fires. Whole town evacuated. The winds are expected to kick up today through the weekend and more fires are expected to break out.

When will this end? The stories of the people who have died and the numbers of missing people is so very sad.

Today, mom is scheduled to have her monthly shot in her eye and she can't drive afterward. I must be with her. The goal is to be outside on a very limited basis, wear my oxygen and a mask and then get home as soon as possible. I have a barking cough and my lung just do not feel very happy.

Michael's sister, Anna made the two flight connection and arrived in Knoxville to visit their mom. She has been looking at this visit as the final time she will see her as Mary has an aneurysm in her aorta, which is inoperable. I tried to work with her so she can look her mom in the eye and tell her she will see her again next year when she leaves at the end of the visit. We have told Mary we will see her in May. Sometimes a person needs something to look forward to.

She and Michael have been texting and talking and Anna is having a good time. She will be the first person to admit that she has OCD and Mary is taking full advantage of that! Refrigerator? Cleaned! Reorganizing the kitchen cabinets? Done! She is attacking a freezer today. By the time she leaves, the entire house will be shining and organized and...perfect.

As I peeked into next week's schedule, I was reminded that I finally am meeting with the surgeon about my acid reflux and the results of the testing. I am not feeling very positive about the experience. Just getting all the testing was difficult. The major test was ordered incorrectly and the actual site of the suspected source of the reflux was not even tested. It is also the worst run clinic I have ever experienced, thanks to the queen who runs the front desk. Michael is going with me, has heard my tales about the clinic and this will be a chance for him to see it all.

Offline

I have never seen Michael so relaxed, so happy, so thrilled with a medical procedure than after the colonoscopy. It was like a spa experience. Warm blanket? Private room? The Versed and Fentanyl did their job and he slept the sleep of a baby during the actual procedure. He did have an 8mm splenic flexure polyp removed and should hear about the biopsy results tomorrow. We carefully walked through a parking lot to a sweet little cafe for a light breakfast of eggs and toast. It all tasted so good but he still tried to eat it slowly.

The rest of the day, he rested, slept a bit, laid low, ate more benign foods and told anyone who called what an enjoyable experience and everyone should have a colonoscopy!

In the meantime, I was struggling with the horrible air quality, which suddenly turned really bad while we were over the pass. It was worse than Monday, I was unprepared without my oxygen and I was coughing constantly. On the coast, it was even thicker.

Around 2PM, my internet went out. I phoned Comcast, they reported no problems in my area, we tried to reboot and it was determined that I needed a new router as mine was really old. I was not happy. The closest store was over the pass in an area with just two ways in, both always packed with traffic. I even confirmed with Comcast that it was the closest store to get a new router. So, I hopped in the car, with my oxygen in tow, and headed over the pass again! I worked my way to the difficult location and it was a YOGA STUDIO! I phoned Comcast. Nope, I had the correct address. I asked for the next closest location. Nothing close.

It was then that I noticed a tiny note on the door of the Yoga Studio. Comcast had moved to one town south. I hopped back into the car, fought through all the traffic and found it! Apparently, they moved in May but the home office still has not accepted their new address. Gee, thanks! Within minutes, I had the new router and heading home through pumpkin tourist traffic.

Home.

We hooked it up and NOTHING. It would not come online. All the other lights were working except ONLINE. I phoned Comcast. Here is comes. You know what is coming, don't you? The woman told me that the service was out in my area and had been since 2:05PM and was expected to return around 11PM.

The entire trip over the pass was unnecessary.

This morning, I am online.

The air quality this morning is even worse than yesterday. It smells like I am surrounded by 100 fireplaces burning wood. The sunset last night was red. Rehab class is still on today but the RN phoned yesterday to say not to come if the quality of the air was bad. I am staying home with all the windows shut.

Just Wants it Over

Michael is prepared and ready for this morning's colonoscopy. He made it through yesterday just fine but he wants it done. Tired of the prep and waiting. Hungry? Yup. Dreaming about what he is going to eat afterwards? You bet. I do remember that it was advised that the first meal include soft and benign foods. No hot sauce, no salads or roughage. Simple foods. Eggs and toast. A plain turkey sandwich. For dinner tonight, we are planning some salmon and rice for him.

We leave in an hour.

The big Pumpkin Festival that brings over 100,000 people to our little coastside town is this coming weekend. We are staying home the entire weekend but I will run to Safeway this afternoon to pickup some final food items for us. Between tomorrow and the weekend, the shelves will be empty.

The fires to the north of us are still raging and new outbreaks are happening. The smell is only on occasion here on the coast but I don't know about over the pass. I expect to hear that the rehab class is cancelled tomorrow.

The Irish Fiddling group had a good rehearsal last night. It felt good to play, work out some issues and to look at a new piece of music. We don't have a gig for a couple of weeks so we were able to focus on specific pieces of music that needed attention.

Prep Day

Fires. It has been so sad and the entire region of several counties has been decimated. Famous old hotels, new hotels, country clubs, golf courses, huge homes, mobile home parks, wineries, housing complexes are all gone. I read an article about a couple who died in the fire. They had just celebrated their 75th anniversary, he was 100-years old and she was 99. They could not get out of their house in time. Horrible.

At mom's, it actually was a bit easier to breathe compared to here on the coast. I think it had something to do with the wind direction. The supplemental oxygen and a mask still helped quite a bit. The rehab class has been cancelled for today, due to the warnings for people with breathing issues to stay indoors.

So, I get to be with Michael.

It is going to be a challenging day. Clean-out day, so to speak. Prep day. Stay at home day. Michael is dealing with clear liquids only today and at 1PM, he will take the Suprep for tomorrow's colonoscopy. He has to drink one bottle with a bit of water followed by two glasses of water within an hour. That's it. Then, at 7PM, he needs to do it again with the second bottle. In the morning, we will head over the pass for the procedure at 9AM. He has some delicious chicken broth, popsicles, green jello and ginger ale to get him through today.

This morning, Anna (Michael's sister) is flying to Knoxville to see her mom for two weeks. Mary has an aneurysm in her aorta and, due to her age, it is inoperable. Anna is going with the idea that this will be the last time she will see her. She may have a couple more years. Who knows? We hope to see her in May 2018.

Fires

We smelled the smoke before seeing the horror on tv. There are five fires burning north of us in the famous Napa Valley and in the other wine area of Sonoma Valley. Homes along the famous Silverado Trail are burning. Wineries are burning. An entire hospital in Santa Rosa is being evacuated. It was a combination of the winds and very dry grasses. Major winds kicked up yesterday, somehow one fire started in Napa and the rest is horrible news.

Our home is about a two hours drive south of the area but the smell of the fires woke us up this morning. It is going to be difficult breathing so I will be wearing supplemental oxygen and a mask today. Mom really needs me this morning but I probably won't stay over there very long. We have an extra mountain range between us and the smoke so it will definitely be worst at her home.

Yesterday, Michael and I did spent most of the day with British Don. It was his birthday and probably the last time we will spend it together as he will be moving later this month. The city was gorgeous, the Blue Angels were flying, there was very little traffic and it was just a lovely day.

Our thoughts are with so many acquaintances who live in the area of the fires. I am getting updates from many of them on Facebook and so far, so good. It is going to be a long, hot, smokey, scary day.

Birthday Luncheon

The Irish Fiddling gig on Friday evening was fun and very low key. Even after the craziness of Thursday, I wasn't exhausted afterwards. We both slept well then Michael had to run some errands over the pass on Saturday. I thought I would just sit on the couch for a few minutes...over two hours later, I woke up. I guess I needed that!

After Michael got home, we worked in the yards. I was able to cut back the hydrangeas, all five of them, which filled a huge garden recycling bin. It was a lot of work but it felt great being able to work physically. I am not sore at all this morning, except my right hand from the clippers.

This morning, we are meeting British Don for an early lunch at his favorite dim sum place for his birthday. We bought two t-shirts from a local surf shop with their very cool logo so he can remember his time here in our little town after he moves to Oklahoma City. It may be a bit of a challenge as there is a huge Bluegrass festival in the city as well as the Blue Angels air show. Lots of people. Lots of cars.

I can't believe how well I am feeling. My breathing is good but I do have a cough on occasion. Last night, I took my pillow and a blanket out to the couch as a wheeze was causing me to cough and I didn't want to disturb Michael. After a couple of puffs of the inhaler, I drifted off to sleep.

We look forward to a quieter week ahead. Only one doctor!

Final Day of Doctor Week

What a day! We left at 8:30AM and arrived home at 7:30PM.

After stops at CVS and Walgreens, my appointment with my super hip glaucoma doctor, with Michael in tow, was fun. They chatted about bourbon, our time on the bourbon trail in Kentucky and he gave the doctor the name of several bourbons to try. We had fun. As an aside, my eyes were stable. Thank goodness!

Into the city we drove and as we settled in to a quick lunch, we heard a tremendous sound. The Blue Angles were practicing over our heads! We scurried across the street to get Michael's security badge made but the computer was not cooperating. Finally, he smiled for the camera, the badge was printed and off we went.

Back across the street, we made our way to the infusion center for my Prolia shot. I had heard about this remodeled clinic but, as a patient, it was so much more amazing than I had anticipated. It was a creative use of a very difficult space. They offered juices or water while I waited sitting on a very cushy chair with a TV by my side and a gorgeous view of the city. There were those show off Blue Angles again! They really did put on a show! The actual performance is tomorrow morning but we enjoyed the preview.

Prolia. There was a problem with some lab work, or lack of lab work. There were discussions but finally, I was given the shot in my stomach. Almost immediately, I became flushed and I could feel it rising from my waist up. Everyone was a bit concerned. They called Michael in. We sat and waited. Finally, they let us go as we were going to be on the campus for a few more hours in the board meeting and, if there was a problem, I was to go to the ER.

We rushed down and back across the street to the former chancellor's office (nicer meeting space than our normal spot) where we all met for the first time since May. I can't blog what the meeting was about except I kind of felt badly for the team who came to ask our opinion on a program they had just updated. It was horrible and some of the people in the group were very blunt.

On a positive note, I was able to spend a few minutes with Jenica, whose dad was in hospice three years after his diagnosis of IPF. Her mom felt that if he could just not use supplemental oxygen, he would not become dependent on it. Wish I had a nickel for every time I have heard that, especially from older people. I usually tell them that I have been on 2 liters for sleep and exercise since 2005. He was refusing to use it at night and was even resisting using it during exercise, though he now needed it at rest.

She initially asked me about sleep issues and what I did to help my own sleep. I told her about melatonin and that he needed to exercise to work off the energy, or just move around the house. As we spoke further, she told me about his aversion to supplemental oxygen and her parent's becoming angry with her when she tries to step in. After the meeting, I realized that the probable sleep issue may be low saturation during sleep. So many people don't realize that in REM sleep, the body (saturation-wise) is working like during exercise. He might be waking every time he falls into REM sleep and he was actually sleep deprived. Sleep apnea might also be there but, my money is on low saturation rates. After we got home, I sent her an email.

We fell into bed later than usual, I will be spending the day with mom before playing a gig at the organic market with the Irish Fiddling Group! I will need recovery time this weekend!

Waiting for Biopsy Results

Doctor Week continues. Michael is learning about medical appointments and waiting rooms. I usually begin a conversation with someone and always walk away feeling like I either learned something or that it was a joy to meet someone. Waiting to be called to meet his dermatology doctor yesterday, I began chatting with a man in his 90s who had to have his nose reconstructed due to skin cancer but he also shared that he already had the top of his ears fixed. He was a very kind, nice man and we enjoyed our few minutes with him. When we were called in, he told us that we were a handsome couple and that it had been his pleasure to meet us.

A nice way to begin the day.

The doctor was excellent and removed a mole for a biopsy from Michael's back. So, we now have to change the dressings on his finger and his back! They were very impressed that he was up to date on his flu, pneumonia, tetanus and shingles shots!

We ran some errands, ate a light lunch then met with our primary doctor in town. She checked out the stitches, reviewed how to take care of them, made an appointment to have them removed then reviewed Michael's medical tests. All was good. His cholesterol was slightly elevated. She was not worried and asked that he look at his diet and make any minor changes that might bring that number down a bit. We were talking later and remembered that he had these tests after his birthday/our anniversary weekend where we ate foods not part of our normal routine.

His liver, kidneys and all other tests were perfect. We always worried about his liver because of the chemicals he has dealt with all of his adult life. Lacquer thinner, for one.

Housekeepers are due within the hour, we will be at CVS to pick up the needed First Aid items and other things before going over the pass to grab his "clean out" drug for his colonoscopy. Then, we will head to the city to my university hospital. It will be a full day. More tomorrow.

Doctor Week Plus One

Doctor Week began yesterday.

Doctor #1 - scan of Michael's aorta - was completed quickly after our early arrival and we were in a coffee shop having breakfast at the original time of his appointment. A phone call from the doctor an hour later confirmed that there was no problem with his aorta.

Doctor #2 - was the first meet and greet appointment before his colonoscopy next week. Also, we arrived early and were out the door at the time of our appointment.

We then arranged for his Shingles vaccine before driving home for a very simple late lunch.

A good day. No problem until...

Around 4:00, Michael stuck his head in the door from the garage and asked if I would put a bandage on something. I jumped up as this immediately reminded me of 40 years earlier when I heard these same words. Show me. He did and it was ugly. And, as it was 40 years ago, I threw him in the car and we drove to the tiny ER/convalescent home here on the coastside.

He had been using a hammer and a block of wood and somehow it slipped, taking off the skin of the knuckle of his pointer finger of his right hand. Nine stitches. He had to sleep on the couch with it raised all night. No pain meds. No aspirin because of the upcoming colonoscopy.

It must be all in the family as his sister Deb was taken away in an ambulance on Sunday and his mother is also seeing a doctor this morning. I wrote to his other sister Anna to tell her to be careful! She replied that she is having a procedure tomorrow. Is it our age or is it all in his family?

Today, Doctor Week continues. Let's hope it involves only the two doctors on our schedule! No more surprises!

Sadness

It was a good weekend as I dealt with a lot of paperwork and we were both able to get great sleep. We are feeling strong heading into Doctor Week, which begins tomorrow. Today, my mom has a hearing aid appointment at Costco so I will also buy some coffee and vitamins while I am there.

My knee is still an issue, unfortunately. I expected to have the swelling under control by today but it is being stubborn. More ice. Thought I would add an Aleve to the mix to see if that helps.

Around midnight, I woke up and saw the Las Vegas news on the TV. Stunned. Having a son working at these festivals and concerts that seem to be targets, I worry. My rehab class car pool buddy Jeannie says that I should not put any negative energy towards him with worrying but to keep praying for positive energy to surround him. I am learning but I did want to jump out of bed to check where our son was on tour. I waited until this morning to learn that he was home. As the news continued to unfold, it was horribly sad to hear the devastating numbers of the people who have been impacted by this tragedy.