Getting Closer

The surgeon's assistant phoned yesterday while I was having coffee with my dear friend, Sue. Apparently, the 12/23 date means nothing. No procedure is scheduled for me. Thank goodness! I don't have to worry about missing our Palm Springs trip! She said that she printed out my pathology report for the doctor, would show it to him at the end of the day and that he or she would phone me. Nothing yet. I do expect to hear from one of them today.

Sue. We met when our children were in kindergarten together. She is a teacher who retired in June and is loving every minute doing all the projects in her house that she has been putting off for years! We enjoyed a 3.5 hour coffee break together with plans to do it again in January. We are always amazed how we just pick up where we left off. We run ideas past each other. We tell funny stories about our teaching experiences. We share updates about our children. A dear friend.

Back to rehab this morning!

Christmas is arriving to our house on the weekend, inside and out. We are doing a less decorative indoor this year, just one Christmas tree, but it will still be very festive. Few presents under the tree, as well. We all decided not to share this year, except for mom. We will still buy ourselves gifts from mom and gave our special presents for her. We think we have decided where we are spending Christmas early dinner, a Prime Rib place here on the peninsula close to mom's home. The plans are coming together!

Sad Goodbye

Step one happened yesterday afternoon. I phoned the surgeon's assistant, left a message and received a return call from a colleague. She said that she would be speaking with the assistant today and would pass along my message. I told her that I noticed that I am scheduled for some kind of procedure on December 23, as I received a message to view a video about anesthesia again. I just wanted to know what was the procedure and what was the findings of the stomach biopsy?

She was amazed that I knew so much and told me that I would hear from the assistant today or Thursday. We will see.

December 23. A bit close to December 26 when we are scheduled to leave for our four days in Palm Springs, an eight-hour car trip from our house. Will I even be out of the hospital? Can the procedure be done endoscopically as the surgeon once suggested? That would be fantastic as I would be home that evening.

If I am not feeling well enough to take the chance for a road trip, I will send Michael and William without me.

Other news: I was saddened to be told by the RN at rehab class that my friend Richard had died. What a man. I wish I could write all the stories he shared with me. Having personally known so many famous people at the school where I got sick, no one was more interesting and intriguing that this gentle, 77-year old Texan.

He was very connected in Washington, worked for the State Department at one point, was a professor at several universities and began life on a ranch in an area of Texas that was founded by his German ancestors. He arrived to grade school knowing no English. He shared that, as a younger man, he flew his plane through the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and since it was daytime, people reported his plane numbers and his license was pulled. It took many years and a lot of hoops to get it back. He still was flying his 23-seat plane, the last trip was cross country over a year ago.

Sherman and I learned to be quiet when he would begin to speak. As he would pause, we would put our fingers on our mouths so we could not speak. If we waited long enough, Richard would continue and he would become even more interesting. I learned that just this year, he gave testimony and answered seven hours of questions to a closed door, very important committee in DC. Realizing he was far more that a simple professor, I began a search on the Internet. Nothing. It was if he never existed. I will never find out. For me, he was the most interesting person I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I will deeply miss him.

Waiting By the Phone

Still waiting. Maybe today I will hear from the surgeon with the biopsy results. Mom and my friend Lois reminded me that it might take a week for the results so I will contact his office tomorrow, if I hear nothing today. The waiting is the hardest part of the whole process.

My mom was given her first computer when she was 80-years old and it has fun to watch her grow to the point where she panics if she is offline for a day. She loves her computer but sometimes she hits buttons she shouldn't. That happened over the weekend and she, somehow, stopped her email account. After a call to Comcast, we headed to the store for help. Slimy guy biting his fingernails then tapped her computer keys and had an insolent attitude towards us did not gives us any confidence. Very nasty guy.

He didn't fix it.

This morning, mom is heading to her friend in a private computer store who has helped her out but refuses to accept any money from her. He loves that an 89-year old woman knows how to use a computer. A really good guy.

Today, Jeannie and I head back to the rehab class after the holiday, which is really not a lot of fun but more like a chore. I so miss the teasing and fun with my two rehab boys. Before class, I am going by two banks and city hall then catch a tiny lunch at the organic market.

Facing the Week

Back to the action. Monday. I am expecting to hear from the surgeon today with the results of the biopsy and next steps to fix the Nissan site. Hopefully. If I don't hear from him today, I will phone his assistant tomorrow to see if the he plans to phone or shall I make an appointment. (He told me that he would phone me.)

The bank statement came in and it needs to be balanced, the bills need to be paid, I need to phone Morgan Stanley, Michael is out of breakfast food so I need a quick stop at the market on the way home from spending the day with my mom. We have nothing on her calendar so it will be fun to see what she wants to do after I arrive at her home this morning.

It is amazing, since the biopsy, I have stopped coughing and I am feeling so much better. The fatigue is still present and I drop off to sleep at the drop of a hat, but I am not as short of breath when walking quickly and I even climbed four flights of stairs at British Don's yesterday.

In preparation of his move, he and Michael moved a lot of stuff to the trash in the garage of his loft (no elevator), while I chatted with his huge cat! He never took his eyes off of me, was very suspicious that I was his new babysitter and seemed convince his owner was never coming back. He sat by the door and complained loudly.

We had a marvelous lunch at the French restaurant and we all ate too much! Just when I was feeling thin again! This morning, I am feeling better as we did not have any dinner last night. I will eat lightly for the next two days and I am returning to the rehab class tomorrow, which will help.

Time Out

This has been such a lovely, relaxing, long holiday weekend that I feel totally recovered and energized for a good week ahead. The final bit of fun will be today. It is beginning with the final Formula 1 race of the season live from Dubai right now then later, we will be with British Don so Michael can help him pack up a few more of the larger items for his move to Oklahoma. Somehow lunch will be involved and we will be thoroughly entertained by him, as usual.

It is pre-dawn right now but a nice storm is due in an hour or so and will continue throughout the day. Yesterday, Michael cut the grass then we suddenly had the garage filled with the neighbors, we served cocktails and enjoyed an impromptu get together. We are blessed to have lovely neighbors.

Leslie and her family arrived home last night from a week vacation in Spain.

Susan and Ron arrived home last evening from almost a week in Palm Springs.

Kevin, Kelley and their two girls arrived home from a week in No. Carolina.

The new family on the other side of our challenging neighbors have moved into the house.

The neighborhood feels alive with kids! Thank goodness!

Towards the end of each year, I have always admired Michael for actually reviewing the year and setting goals for the new year. Yesterday, we were talking about a simple re-do of our kitchen, it is time, and maybe give our bathroom a face lift. We want to remove a lot of landscaping in the front yard to make it easier to maintain and the house needs to be painted. Lots of plans.

Thanksgiving Photos

It was a success. Our new tradition of staying local, celebrating in a restaurant with a lunch of traditional foods and being home before most people begin their holiday meal was a success. It worked well.

Mom, Michael and I had no traffic problems as we drove to the harbor north of us. The luncheon began with cocktails and fresh calamari, which my 89-year old mom had never tried before. She liked it! Check that off her bucket list! A plate of traditional holiday food was perfectly cooked and properly portioned. We even brought home some leftovers for today.

Our change of tradition has been a challenge but I think we agreed that it was so much better for us. We didn't spend 5+ hours in a car in holiday traffic only to come home exhausted. We were home by 3:00 and in bed at our regular time.

We are going food shopping this afternoon and I am going to try to get a pedicure appointment for both of us. I have been working on Michael to begin to have someone take care of his feet. When he mentioned he was ready yesterday, I want to jump on it quickly before he changes his mind. I may even take before and after photos!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! My best wishes for a wonderful day to enjoy with family.

Our day is the beginning of a new holiday tradition. We are just the three of us today: mom, Michael and me. We decided that the two-hour drive in holiday traffic to my sister's house and driving home in horrible traffic at midnight was enough. We have lunch reservations at a lovely restaurant here on the coast, which has a special Thanksgiving plate. No buffet. No all-you-can-eat. Just a nice plate of the traditional foods of the day.

Perfect.

We are planning to walk the pier after lunch and maybe even buy a few fresh crabs for dinner or maybe even lunch tomorrow. It is going to be warm and beautiful here on the coast. We may even spot a whale or two!

The exciting news is that my niece and her husband got the keys to their first house yesterday. They are now homeowners. We will give them some time to get settled before we drive mom up to see it. She is also excited about the new traditions and they are beginning some of their own now that the "tradition" bonds have been broken. Changed. Updated.

Enjoy your family traditions but realize that it is okay to adjust them if our health requires a tweaking. Adjust and keep moving forward.

The Endoscopy

It didn't begin well. We arrived for the procedure at 9:30 for a 10:00 check-in then waited until 11:45 to be called upstairs for it to begin. It was a long wait. I slept a bit but was worried about being in a room of a lot of sick people waiting for surgery along with their families.

Upstairs, we ran into a well-oiled machine. These people knew what they were doing. One woman brought me to a bed in a corner, told me to undress and put everything into the bag. When ready, a young anesthesiologist peeked in and began to ask a lot of questions about my health and what medications I had taken in the morning. Then, the anesthesiologist arrived dancing. I fell in love. She was so amazing and we found out that she had 38 years of experience. Perfect! Just what I wanted.

Initially, I thought we might have a problem. She wanted to give me general anesthesia, which would put me into ICU for a couple of days. I told her about my experiences with the liver biopsy and my nose implant where I asked to have mild sedation and it worked just fine. I was tough.

She was worried about aspirations flowing into my lungs during the procedure, causing a specific kind of deadly pneumonia. We talked back and forth before she said, "I choose to phone a friend." Just like the TV show. And she did. She actually phoned the anesthesiologist who deals with the lung patients. They chatted and he supported light sedation along with several other things like a certain spray on my throat and a horrible drink of something to knockdown all the acid in my stomach.

I told her that I absolutely trusted her and whatever she decided was the safest choice was fine with me. She decided to go with the light sedation. Thank goodness.

The surgeon arrived. He confirmed to her that the entire procedure should take 15-20 minutes, which also seemed to confirm her decision not to give me general anesthesia. When the surgeon was leaving, he pointed to her behind her back and mouthed, "The best!" to me.

She talked to me throughout the procedure. I was floating and drifting and sleeping but remember gagging while the instruments went down my throat, but was not concerned as I had a lot of lovely drugs on board. She kept checking in with me. In the end, she asked how I was and I replied, "Fine." She said, "You are an amazing patient."

Thank you very much.

I was wheeled to recovery, met a nice nurse who was amazing that I was awake and doing so well so quickly. I had no pain. I had no problems, even standing up to get dressed. We were out of there by 2:00. So unexpected.

Now the bad news. The doctor spoke with Michael while I was in recovery and told him that he was shocked that the Nissen was too loose, the exact opposite of what he had expected. He also told Michael that they found something "odd" in my stomach and took a biopsy. I should know what it was in a few days. I so pray it is not stomach cancer.

I think the results of the biopsy will determine the next steps regarding the Nissen. Again, everything is on hold.

Mentally Ready

The weekend was restful. I feel ready for tomorrow's endoscopy. Today, mom wants to hit Costco to buy a Jitterbug phone but we may have to make another stop afterwards.

On Friday, she told me that she had been up eight times to use the bathroom the night before. Eight times. A record. I think she had a UTI or bladder infection. She has a good immediate care place near her, feels comfortable going there and likes the doctors. I suggested that she have it checked out on Saturday. If she didn't, I will take her today.

I probably won't write a blog tomorrow morning as we will be heading into the city early and I really want to focus on all the things I need to bring with me, the medications I need to take, the shower with Dial Antibiotic soap on my belly, to wear the appropriate loose fitting clothing and so much more. Focus.

Wednesday, I am expecting to stay home all day so I will write all about the experience. Hopefully, the doctor will decide the next steps after the test.

Now Michael?

My goal this weekend is to rest, take a few walks, water the garden and take lots of naps in preparation for Tuesday's endoscopy. But, who I am more concerned about, is Michael. The past couple of months, I noticed that he was short of breath after exertion, ran out of air at the end of a sentence along with a light, non-productive cough. I have slipped my saturation meter on his finger and his numbers have been fine. This all leads me to the possibility that he might have some blockages in his heart.

As a typical man, he had lots of excuses, even this morning when I told him I would be making an appointment with our primary doctor to look into the symptoms. "It is not bad. It only happens sometimes. I was tired."

I am now done with the excuses. An appointment will be made.

Endo prep

As scheduled, the anesthesiologist and I connected regarding next week's endoscopy. What a well-oiled machine! It did not take very long, we reviewed my medications and over the counter drugs, I told her about my problem with general anesthesia, allergy to latex, my low blood pressure, severe lung disease, blood transfusion when William was born and my supplemental oxygen needs.

She then emailed a five page document of our discussion, which also included helpful hints like no jewelry or makeup the day of the endoscopy. Also, it listed the drugs and vitamins I needed to stop immediately and the ones I cannot take the morning of the procedure. Immediately? No vitamin E, Omega 3 fish oils, melatonin and Ostro Bi-flex. The morning of the surgery? No Miralax (for my UTIs) or spironolactone. I was also instructed to bring my inhaler.

At the end of the conversation, I asked if the assigned anesthesiologist would be prepared and experienced to deal with all the issues of my advanced lung disease. She told me that I would be meeting the anesthesiologist that morning and could ask any questions directly to him/her at that time. It was then that I told her that I was not as nervous about this procedure but more concerned about an upcoming surgery to fix the problem that would be revealed during Tuesday's test.

"My family and I are very sensitive about anesthesiology issues because 20-years ago yesterday, my dad died after elective same day surgery. The problem was with the anesthesia. My mom is very concerned and she doesn't want to lose me, too" She paused then responded, "I understand."

What I hope that meant was that I will be assigned a more seasoned anesthesiologist and maybe a notation on my file for the next, more difficult surgery. Fingers crossed.

Waiting By the Phone

After my hair appointment this morning, I will be home waiting by the phone for my interview with an anesthesiologist. This is preparation for the endoscopy next Tuesday to take at look at the valve inside my Nissen Fundoplication surgery site and possibly the hernia. The valve seems to not be working properly, which is allowing acid reflux to flow into my lungs.

I want to confirm with them that I will be given light sedation for this procedure but I want it in my file that I, like my mom, become very ill after general anesthesia. We also need to review my medications, what I can take that morning, what I need to stop taking immediately, list of previous surgeries and a couple of other questions.

There is a two-hour window for this phone call so I will be just hanging here at home. That is not a bad thing as a big storm blew through last night and it is expected to rain on and off all day. A good day to stay home.

Michael has a Boys-Night-Out tonight. They are meeting at the same restaurant where we have a reservation for Thanksgiving luncheon. I am so grateful that he has a large group of male friends, several whom had dealt with illnesses and one a death of a spouse. He can talk about living with someone dealing with a chronic fatal illness and the reality of being a caretaker. They understand. They are his support group.

When William was in kindergarten, I met a woman who was a transplant from Boston with a son in his class. JR and William became friends as did their parents. Sue continued her teaching career and just retired last June. I sent her an email last month wondering how she was doing not getting up early every morning and heading into the classroom. I received her reply this morning. She wonders how she ever found the time for work! Her son, wife and grandson are living with them as they save to buy a house so they are keeping her hopping. We are making plans to meet for coffee and a good chat. Our lives have been so busy that I hope we will now have the time for a proper friendship with lots of conversations and coffee and walks along the ocean. Old friends are the best.

Two New Gentlemen in Class

I was shocked at Jeannie's appearance when I picked her up for our rehab class yesterday. Expecting a weak, pale person, she moved the fastest I had ever seen her make her way to my car. The last two weeks of rest really helped her lungs to recover and she looked fantastic. Her color was good, she was smiling and so thrilled to be back out into the world. We had a fun time together.

While I was absent from the class last week, two new people joined the group. Gauging the staff's reaction to the younger gentleman, it was clear that my read on him was right on. He was a loud, obnoxious pain. We will see if I can settle him down. I'll work on him.

The other gentleman was an elegant looking older man. I began a conversation with him while lifting free weights and discovered we were both coastsiders. Until recently, he was a competitive tennis pro and I detected a bit of a British accent. He grew up just north of our British Don.

He wanted to talk with me about vanity. In his classes, he was appalled that a woman would not food shop as she would need oxygen and she refused to be seen in public with her cannula and tank. Another person also refused to use the oxygen as he was embarrassed. The gentleman asked what I thought.

I replied that in my personal experience, I initially was very nervous using oxygen in public until I discovered that people were actually very kind when they noticed it. Still surprises me. I really only had that one bad experience I have mentioned before, the horrible woman in the hospital elevator after working out at the other rehab. She looked me up and down and said, "You shouldn't have smoked!" I smiled back and replied, while leaving the elevator, "Funny, but I never smoked."

And, here is the time when I must mention that one of the major reasons to use supplemental oxygen is to protect your heart. When the heart does not get enough oxygen over time, a part of it hardens and will not function correctly. Sadly, this is very common in patients with longtime lung diseases.

Rehab Class

Jeannie phoned to ask if I could drive her to the rehab class today. She convinced the hospice nurse that she would feel so much better getting out into the world and moving her body. The nurse finally gave her approval to try it one day this week. I was thrilled that Jeannie had so much determination and guts. My kind of girl!

About an hour after we spoke, the phone rang again. It was her sister sounding very concerned. She wanted to give me her contact information but I could hear a nervousness in her voice about Jeannie returning to rehab. I told her that the exercise physiologist and the RN will be watching her closely to insure she did not push herself too hard on her first day back in a couple of weeks. That seemed to help.

My cough is better and I am feeling better, in general. The endoscopy is schedule for a week from today. I received a secured email from the surgeon's office, which included all the information I will need, for example, medications, food, vitamins, what to wear, what not to wear, etc. The only problem was that I could not open it. So, later this morning, I will be phoning their help line for help! Frustrating.

Video

My university hospital has an interesting process when a patient is facing a new procedure. They sent me a video accessed through their patient email site. Yesterday afternoon, I watched a 20-minute video about anesthesia. All the different anesthesia options. It may have fallen into the category of too much information. In other words, it scared me to death. Death? Yes, that was mentioned a couple of times during the video!

All this was in anticipation of the endoscopy next week and it left me with more questions than answers. I will be phoning the surgeons assistant asking if I was going to be given light sedation during the procedure, asking if I can take only the most important drugs that morning, where exactly do I check-in and probably a few other things while I have her on the phone.

The video was intended to give information so the patient feels educated before a new procedure but it left me feeling anxious.

Michael took me to lunch yesterday and we split an award winning (and featured on Drive-In, Diners and Dives) pastrami sandwiches on toasted rye with sauerkraut and dressing. OMG. I have never tasted such tender, lean pastrami. We split it but I swear I am still tasting it this morning. Burped all evening! Dinner was a scrambled egg. I will be eating very lightly today.

Mom has wanted to see the sweet park in her city that has a hidden Japanese garden, with koi, and beautiful paths to follow along the large pond. Today will be the day, if it is not raining. We don't have anything special on the calendar.

Also today, I will be checking-in with Jeannie to see how she is doing and if she needs my help to food shop.

Finally, yesterday morning when I unplugged Michael's phone, I noticed a missed call from a +00 number, usually an out of the country number. I looked it up and realized it was William's number but from Argentina. I panicked. He never phones when he is out of the country. Was he okay? We messaged him. Hearts pounding. Reply? Pocket dialing. Oops. He did write that the concert went really well, he had fun wandering around the city and had eaten an amazing steak. Deep sigh of relief. They are flying home today.

Slept Through

I slept throughout the day yesterday, right up to 30-minutes before walking over to the neighbors at 4:00. They were hosting a family and friends pre-Thanksgiving dinner for thirty people. We stayed for appetizers and lots of conversations. Most of the relatives this year were from Mike's side of the family, who we had never met before. Lisa's mom was there, which is always a treat. Their daughter had just returned from a vacation in Cuba and their son was visiting from Colorado. It was great to spend time with both of them.

We walked home, ate a light dinner and I promptly fell asleep on the couch.

Last night, I woke up around 2AM and was wheezing and coughing. Not wanting to awaken Michael, I grabbed my pillow and a blanket and headed to the living room. After using my inhaler, both the wheeze and cough calmed down so I was able to drift back to sleep.

My goal today? Only one: water the pots. Michael is going to cut the grass for me so I will water this afternoon. This morning? I have a feeling there will be another nap. It was such a busy week, I really need to recover.

Birthday Recap

One more birthday done. It was a nice, quiet, easy one. Michael bought a very hip pair of black ankle boots with two, count them, two buckles wrapped around them for my birthday present. I feel empowered! I feel taller! I feel like I will wear them tonight at the Irish Fiddling gig at the brewery. Black jeans, black boots and a rockin' bass. Yup, perfect after a birthday.

We had lunch at a Chinese restaurant we used to go to years ago. Not so great anymore. Sadly. He also bought a piece of cake so I could plant a candle on it and make a wish. He covered all the birthday bases.

As a treat, our friend Randy dropped by. We met him when we moved to our coastal town, he was 16-years old and he is now 60! Long time friends. His dad owned the mortuary in town and his parents didn't like us at all as Michael was "blue collar." Old school people. He currently lives across the bay with his wife and three children, just over an hour away.

Randy was a local cop then got a job with the county sheriff's department, which was where he retired from about five years ago. As part of his retirement two days a month, he runs a driving course here on the coast for police officers and sometimes private citizens. When Michael was in Oklahoma City in September, they visited the shops from the TV show "Street Outlaws" and bought a t-shirt for Randy. He came by to say hello but to also pick up the t-shirt. A twofer.

It was such fun to get caught up, chat and to remember old times together. He stayed three hours, sang Happy Birthday over the birthday cake with us and lazed out on the new reclining love seat. A perfect ending to a nice, quiet birthday.

Mom and I will be together all day today with no plans. We can have some fun! Maybe I can get a nap in before the gig tonight. Or, maybe not.

Another One

Well, it has happened again. It's my birthday today. It's still such a surprise and a gift that I have lived another year after being told way back in 2005 that my time on this planet was going to be very limited. A couple of years. HA! Guess sometimes even doctors make mistakes.

Sometime today, William will phone. It will be good to hear his voice as he begins the journey to Argentina for a concert. He loves South America and can't wait to enjoy the food while there.

To celebrate the day, Michel and I are going shopping for some ankle boots for the rains then we are going to lunch. That's it. Well, maybe we will find a piece of cake somewhere so I can blow out some candles and make a birthday wish.

Simple day together. That is my idea of a nice birthday.

Out into the World

Yesterday, at four-thirty in the morning, the alarm rang. We were filled with coffee, then quickly dressed and out the door by 6:00AM. We were off on an adventure!

Michael and I promised mom that we would drive about two hours away to place fresh silk flowers on my dad's crypt for the holidays. We make this trek twice a year. It was a stress free trip with little traffic as the rush hours mess was in the opposite direction. We flew.

The cemetery has always been beautifully tended and was exceptionally pristine yesterday. Though it was icy cold, we still enjoyed our visit with dad and mom arranged the new flowers. She always talks to him and kisses her fingers then places them on his plaque. She still misses him so much even though November 13th is the 20th anniversary of his unexpected death. He would be so proud of her and how she continued to grow and even thrive after his death. She deeply misses him and still dreams of him every night.

After the visit, we headed into the Sierra Foothills, through tiny towns, even the very famous gold town of Sutter's Mill, on our way to an Indian casino. After an hour, we arrived and mom was in heaven. She could have gambled all day! By 3:00, we were done. She could have stayed a few more hours but we faced another three hour car ride home.

Mom was the big winner, Michael second and I was the total loser! Oh well, can't be lucky in everything! We all still enjoyed the day together.

At 7:15, Michael was dozing so I suggested we head to bed. We both were asleep in minutes and slept until 6:00 this morning. A quiet day of just grocery shopping ahead.

My cough is getting slightly worse and I have been using my inhaler more and more. We only had to move once when someone sat at a machine next to me and lit a cigarette. The air quality in the casinos has been greatly improved from the old days. I made sure to keep my hands away from my face and washed them often throughout the day. Today and tomorrow will be recovery days and hopefully, I will be ready for an Irish Fiddling gig on Friday night!

Beginning of a Wild Week

It was a restorative weekend. I needed it as it is going to be a whopper of a week ahead. Just taking it day by day. Today? Rather simple. Mom has an eye doctor appointment and we need to get a new 2018 calendar for my purse from the book store. That is it. Well, maybe a bit of food shopping but that is really it. I think. Oh, I forgot to water the pots so I will do that after I get home but that is it. And, I need to phone Jeannie.

A simple day.

Tomorrow is going to be really exhausting.

I have been making an interesting breakfast for Michael, Avocado Toast. I brush a bit of olive oil on a slice of French bread and bake it until it is crispy. Then, after a rubbing of fresh garlic, I spread half of a mashed avocado on the toast and add of bit of pepper. He loves it. Something different. He will also have a bit of yogurt on the side. It keeps his blood sugar level until lunchtime, which is always the goal.

Happy Monday. Hold your hats. Here we go.

Hospice

After speaking with my rehab class car pool buddy Jeannie on Friday, I learned that so much had happened since we last spoke. She now was officially in hospice. Apparently, for the last two years, the people at the Sutter hospital where we have our rehab class had been keeping in touch with her since she was hospitalized about two years ago. When they phoned last week, Jeannie talked about how the fires and heat really hurt her lungs and all the other issues.

The hospice nurse arrived the next day. She was one wonderful woman who, through an interview and her observations, began to make big changes. Immediately, she had Jeannie take a leave from the rehab class so her body could heal. I had been so worried that she was going to do even more damage as she was really struggling through the workouts. Smart move.

At the recent pulmonologist appointment, he refused to give her anti-anxiety drugs that she so desperately needed. "Go see your primary doctor." The only problem, Doc, was that would take another long Ready Wheels trip and several weeks to get an appointment. Immediately, the hospice nurse was able to get her the drug, watched her take it then realized it was a bit too strong. She adjusted the dosage and Jeannie told me the drug had made a tremendous difference. She was able to function.

Remember when her oxygen supplier told her she used all of her oxygen tanks for the month during the fires and heat? No more for you. Sorry. Deal with it. Well, the hospice nurse fired that company and arranged for a larger shipment of oxygen tanks to be delivered immediately.

Jeannie had no experience dealing with hospice and was shocked when I knew so much and was telling her that she was not going to have to see doctors. Hospice would be the go-between and would provide all the drugs and care directly. She asked how I knew everything. I told her the story of mom's sister Rita, who I was responsible for from 1998-2007, when she died under hospice care. They had been amazing not only with Rita but with my mom and me.

The hospice nurse also arranged for her tiny studio apartment be cleaned twice a week and that woman was trained to take Jeannie for a walk, which she so desperately wanted. She has always been careful with her food choices all of her life and only ate as a way to improve her health. The food at the facility where she lives is pretty awful so she shops and cooks herself. She really wanted to continue to shop, not only to keep excellent food available for herself but for the act of getting out into the world. I have agreed to take her shopping every week. It is something I can do for her.

Comes the Rains

I think Michael woke me up to put me into bed around 6:30 last night. I was done. Yesterday was busy but fine. Mom and I met, did her shopping and dropped her off to meet her friend for lunch while I went to the rehab class. Jeannie did not car pool with me, I phoned her after the class, she asked if she could phone me back but she never did. I hope all is okay. I will try again this afternoon.

Michael and I were both up at 4:45 this morning, which was great. I need a shower before meeting mom to pick up her car. It is ready after breaking down on Tuesday. She is also having her shot in the eye to fight macular degeneration. A full day ahead as I also have an Irish Fiddling gig this evening. Two hours. I should be dragging by the time it is over.

No word from the surgeon's assistant about scheduling the endoscopy. I also have a nice cough, not yet into the bronchitis level but heading that direction. The goal this weekend is to take it easy and recover from a busy week.

And, the rains are to begin today. The first ones of the season. My gardens say thank you!

Frantic Moments

It was a fantastic day of getting caught up on emails and paperwork and even a nap. Lovely. We decided to drive up to the harbor around 3:00 to see if a restaurant was taking reservations for Thanksgiving yet. They were closed between lunch and dinner service. Back in the car, Jim phoned and we met him at his business south of town.

He and Kathy raised two sons, now both working in the business, and are very successful. They were local kids and now in their mid-60s. We sat in the kitchen and had a great chat and lots of laughs. I kept glancing at my watch. I had an Irish Fiddling rehearsal at 6:15 and we had planned to grab dinner out some place.

Time ticked away.

We were now at the opposite end of town and facing rush hour traffic on the little coastal road. No dinner and running late. Finally home, I threw together a good dinner while the messages were flowing about the rehearsal. They were now planning for all of us to meet at 6:30, hop in a car and drive to the other side of our neighborhood to deliver dinner and a song to our violin player who was recently home from cancer surgery.

I made it on time!

She looked tired but relieved. The doctor had just phoned before our arrival with the good news that all the pathology was cancer free. It had not spread anywhere. Her sister was staying with her and we all enjoyed seeing each other.

By the time we got back to Leslie's house, it wasn't worth unpacking my bass and hauling it over for about 20-minutes of playing. So, I am going into Friday's gig at the organic market without having played for a few weeks. No problem.

Today, I am not driving Jeannie to the rehab class. She needs to rest and recover. So, I am meeting mom and driving her around as her car is still in the shop. After I leave her to have lunch with her friend, I will head to the rehab class.

Another busy day.

Evening Filled with Children

What a night! We had about thirty kids swing by for their goodies, which was not as many as usual. I loved the little kids who were just so excited about the whole experience about being out at night with mom and dad and getting candy, too!

Our sweet neighbors with very young Cora and Ella were the first to arrive. Even their mom was dressed up! We had special gift bags for them, including a few little toys. Cora's best friend and 7th grader Lily (who is Leslie daughter, the head of the Irish Fiddling group) came back with another group of friends. I love that Cora was hanging with the older girls under the strict supervision of Lily. What a great neighborhood where her parents were comfortable with that! It made me smile.

My favorite family arrived right on time for dinner. Natalie, Ethan, Winnie and Oliver all were in full costume and excited about the evening ahead. Oliver loved his mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls while the rest of the family had my Italian Casserole and homemade applesauce. There were cookies for dessert. Winnie and Oliver also had gift bags of candy and small toys.

I have to say that I was stunned when I first spotted the kids. Having just seen them during the summer, I swear that each had grown a few inches and Oliver had matured so much since the beginning of school. It was fascinating to watch them both throughout the evening. Natalie and Ethan looked great, he is the final interview phase for a new job so our fingers are crossed for his success.

After they left around 9PM, I was not tired but energized. My soul was filled to the brim with all the conversations and just having kid interaction. I must admit that I fell into bed and slept like a rock, the first time in a few days.

Some sad news: I went to pick up Jeannie for the rehab class yesterday and she never came down to the car from her apartment. She lives in Senior Housing and there was no air conditioning during the fires and the 90+ temperatures. Her lungs crashed and she has not been able to recover. I phoned and she told me that the Hospice nurse was due to help with several issues. Hospice. It was hard for me to hear that but I saw how Hospice works when I was taking care of my aunt. It would help Jeannie so much in so many way that, in a way, I am happy that she is under their care. I will phone her today.

Other news: Mom. Her Mini Cooper would not go into gear and she was stuck in a parking lot. She had someone phone AAA, they couldn't get it going and had it towed. She tried phoning Michael with the tow truck driver's cell phone, he didn't recognize it and didn't answer. She phoned me after she got home, tired and hungry. She refuses to carry her burner cell phone as it is too heavy. We are going to have to talk about that. So, she has no car. I am going to meet her tomorrow morning, drive her to the mall to buy a birthday present for her buddy before they meet at a restaurant in the mall for lunch while I go to the rehab class. It is going to be a rough few days for her while the car is being fixed but it is a preamble to the time in the near future when she no longer can drive.