Goodbye for a Bit

I have been thinking a lot lately about taking a break from blogging everyday. Being stable and just dealing with problems mostly due to longterm use of prednisone is not so interesting. When major changes happen, I will blog. Until then, I am going to take some time away.

Picture me the garden or on the road with Michael.

Thank you for all of your support. If you are new to this blog, a ton of interesting facts are at the very beginning of this blog beginning in 2009. It tells a good story. Begin there if you want information about ILDs, pulmonary rehab, being properly diagnosed, disability insurance and so much more.

See you soon.

Healing

Typing is still difficult. Two fingers. Eight more days before the large bandage is removed by the surgeon. I will hit the thick wrapping by mistake and can feel the area with the stitches. Still tender and a bit itchy, probably a good sign that it is healing.

I tried to sleep a lot this past weekend and went nowhere exciting. Michael had to mix and shape our meatball dinner last night. He also washed my hair again, actually getting pretty good at it! He talked to me throughout the shampoo as if I was his client. Hilarious. Laughed the entire time.

Mom has another hearing aid appointment today then we are on our own. We'll see what trouble we can get into! On Friday, we reviewed her Medication gap insurance options for next year and did the paperwork. A big sigh of relief that chore is done. She is ready for 2019.

Transplant Today

Yesterday, I was told that the woman from my rehab class who I ran into at my university campus two weeks ago (she had just been listed for lung transplants) had been hospitalized for days. This is very unusual so she must have experienced a major downturn, which pushed her to the top of the list.

This morning, I got an email from a rehab classmate to announce that this woman is being transplanted today. My thoughts will be with her and I so hope it all goes well. A good woman. A strong woman.

Another strong woman, I will be with mom today as we go over her Prescription Insurance options. It will be a challenge to present a lot of data to her and to step back to allow her to make the choice for next year.

I phoned my insurance to insure all was well and that I was continuing my medical and prescription plans. After a great conversation, the representative was sending my contact information to their advertising division. Maybe they want a quote, too! I am expecting to hear from my surgeon's PR department today. They want a quote about my experience for their brochures. This, after the 90-minute interview with the ATS's data gathering company. I feel so important!

Public Relations

Difficulty typing so just an update. I still have no pain and continue to flex the joint several times a day. It was suggested that I skip rehab class today as they don't want the opened wound to get sweaty. I still plan to drive Jeannie to class and will take a walk while she is working out.

The big excitement is the thought of my hair being washed in the kitchen sink later today. Michael is willing to give it a shot. The bathing thing will happen this weekend.

Two public relation companies contacted me yesterday. One just needed a quote while the other turned into a 90-minute interview. We bonded. I think I will be used for their bigger campaign. Should be fun.

I was also contacted by a former parent from the school where I got sick. They had moved to the East coast, I really enjoyed their son and just learned that they are now living in our little town. Nice. We plan to meet for coffee soon!

No Cyst Anymore

It was a lot more serious than I expected. Removing the cyst was treated like any surgery. What I loved was that the surgeon was thinking. The cyst was a relative minor problem but he realized my immune system was compromised due to over a decade of prednisone use. He ordered an IV of antibiotics to help avoid an infection at the surgery site. Smart.

There was no pain during the procedure as a doctor deadened my fingers, which finally were back to normal by 2:00 this morning! I have no pain, though I left with a prescription for major pain drugs. It won't be filled today. No need.

The whole surgery took about 30-minutes but the set up took two hours. It was wrapped afterward, which can't be removed until I see the doctor in two weeks. No showers. No hair washing.

It's going to be interesting.

Best Friend

After Costco and Target, mom and I went to a great placed owned by a Greek family with a full menu but I love their Greek food. Delicious. As we were walking to the rest room before heading home, there was an older woman enjoying breakfast food seated at the end of the very cool bar with lots of panels of changing lights behind it. As we took the turn around her towards the rest rooms, I said, "Good for you! I love that you are here enjoying lunch."

She looked up at us and that, my friends, was the beginning of what will be a long relationship. She was 84-years old and she and mom immediately bonded. Mom has found her new best friend. It was magical to watch. We talked for at least an hour and walked out together after exchanging email addresses with a promise to meet for coffee at the same restaurant.

The surgery on my finger is today. I must arrive at noon and the actual surgery will begin at 2PM. What a joy to get the stinking thing off my finger. Details tomorrow.

Forced Relaxed Weekend

Scores of people were expected to make their way to our town on the weekend. Road were clogged. Travel times are crazy. It forced us to stay home so it was a restorative weekend. We have never been so relaxed and we each took naps several times a day. Michael is usually so hyperactive, it was wonderful to see him stop. Relaxed. He enjoyed football and baseball games, car shows and old movies on TV.

We have not heard how many people visited our little town this Pumpkin Festival weekend. It was cool and foggy most of time. They are gone now but the line of people traveling to the coast in search of the perfect pumpkin continues to the end of the month. Every single day. Traffic will be a challenge from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas as families also make their way to our town to cut down their Christmas trees.

What no one knows is that January is the most perfect time to visit the coastside. The weather is usually mild and there are no tourists until the summer.

The surgery on my finger is tomorrow. The exact time has not been established yet but I expect to hear from the clinic today. I don't think the doctor is going to let me do rehab for a day or two. I'll also bet that I will not be doing the weights and upper body workout for a few weeks.

Mom and I will be together in Costco for glasses for her and Target for me. I love to give out regular sized candy bars for Halloween. They have the best selections and deals but I hope I am not too late. They sell out quickly!

Pumpkin Weekend

Another successful return to the treadmill in pulmonary rehab yesterday. My knees are not even sore this morning! I do admit that I made sure to ice down my left knee after I got home so I think that may have helped. It felt so good for both my body and soul.

I am counting down the days until Tuesday's surgery on my hand. This morning, the lump is larger and very hard. I so just want it gone.

Today is going to be a challenge. Mom and I are returning to the Mini dealership to have her thermostat replace and, hopefully, we will be out of there in three hours. With Friday traffic, I should be able to get home with an hour to spare before I have to be back in town for an Irish Fiddling gig. I'm not feeling good about it. Michael is prepared to meet me in town with my instrument at the gig if I am running late. Love that man.

I should never even think of complaining as Leslie has returned from buying their retirement house in Ireland last evening and she is still committing to playing tonight, jet lagged and all. She is tough!

We are planning a quiet weekend in our house as thousands and thousands of people work their way over the pass to celebrate pumpkins.

Flu Season Has Begun

It was a heck of a day. The service went fine on mom's Mini until they told us her thermostat was leaking at a pretty good rate. They wanted us to rent a car...nope. I phoned Michael, he told us that we would be able to get home then back again on Friday to have it replaced. It all worked out great. But, by the time we got back to mom's, it was well after lunchtime and we were starved. While eating lunch together, Michael phoned as he just passed a three car accident on the pass. Great. It was going to take longer to get home.

The long day became a bit longer and I was so happy to finally get home. As I pulled up to the house, he was cutting the lawn, which made me smile. I am going to water this morning before rehab class.

My knees loosened up yesterday and there is no pain this morning. This should help as I return once again to the treadmill today.

Just a heads up: I have run into several people who have already experienced the flu. It seems a bit early this year but just beware. We are washing our hands immediately when we enter the house. We try to keep our hands away from our faces. We try to be aware of not touching things out in the world. This time of year always brings on a bit of anxiety as the flu and/or pneumonia could kick me into lung transplants.

Hello, Treadmill

IT WAS GLORIOUS! I was finally back where I belonged! The treadmill! In pulmonary rehab yesterday, I handed the rehab staff my note from the vascular doctor giving her permission for me to return to my full workout routine, which included the treadmill. It felt fantastic to kick up the speed and do my usual time with joy in my heart. My whole body felt like it straightened up and everything was in alignment. I tried to not chat during the class but to focus on the exercise so I could leave as quickly as possible to grocery shop. There was no food in the house and it was my last chance for the week.

My saturation numbers were very good, surprisingly good. The only downside is that this morning, both knees are a bit sore. I continue to ice down the left knee and, since the surgery on my finger is next Tuesday, I am unable to take any kind of over the counter pain reliever.

Pumpkin Festival is this weekend. They are expecting over 100,000 people to arrive in our tiny town. We have stayed home the last two years but Michael is making noises about their Pumpkin Rolls and coffee. I have a feeling we will go into town early in the morning before the crowds and back home before the parade at noon. It gets crazy.

Mom and I will be together most of the day as her Mini Cooper needs service. My playing cards are already in my purse and we will be playing Shanghai. So much fun and it makes the waiting time fly by.

Oh, Baby

Wearing support hose on my left leg, we made our way to visit our favorite baby yesterday. It was actually the perfect time for a visit as Shelley's husband was not going to be home overnight. He works two days a week a few hours north. Then, she had a problem with her car so it was going to be in the shop overnight. To say she was very happy to see us is an understatement. She desperately needed a bit of adult conversation.

The baby was adorable in the cute bib set mom bought for her. We did bring a few gifts, we all got to hold and smell the baby before Michael and I went out to bring lunch back to the house. Mediterranean food. Delicious.

We stayed three hours and it was so worth the four hours in the car. The baby smiled and cooed and was not bothered at all as we handed her around. A really mello baby.

Shelley heads back to work at the end of the month then Russ is staying home with her for six weeks. They found a wonderful daycare situation for her after that time and Shelley was grated another three months of working from home two days a week. The baby is so happy, they are in a great routine and they are dealing well with this new little one who has turned their world upside down. She and Russ are such fantastic new parents.

On the Road Today

After a very quiet weekend, we are ready to hit the road to pick up my mom then drive almost three hours to visit Shelley and the almost 5-month old Hailey. Mom is excited to get her hands on them both. Michael is driving, thankfully, and we will bring lunch to their house from a local restaurant.

Babies always remind me that life continue. And, there is just something about how they smell that makes me swoon.

On Friday, I met with the vascular doctor and my leg is normal, just needs compression hose due to...wait for it...longtime use of prednisone! I am grateful there was no major underlying problem. She even wrote a note to the rehab staff stating that I could return to my beloved treadmill.

While there, I did run into Martha from my rehab class and learned that she had just been officially listed for lung transplants. She said I could share the news with the class. Fingers crossed that her wait is short.

AND, I was contacted by the American Thoracic Society who asked for my support of their campaign about the importance of Pulmonary Rehab. Yes!! It is one of the reason I am still alive. Good doctors and good medications are the others. They will be in touch within the next two week for a conversation and next steps. Exciting.

But, the most important thing we did yesterday was to get a flu shot. Just a gentle reminder.

Meeting and a Doctor

Everything fell into place yesterday and we arrived to the PFAC meeting with time to spare. There were no meetings during the summer and it was a room filled with friends returning after months of not seeing each other.

But, it is not an easy group. We are known for being very honest when our opinions are requested. Sometimes, I worry that we are a bit too honest! Yesterday, the nicest woman had the guts to return to another meeting with us. She really knew her stuff, answered all of our questions, heard our complaints and we teased her that she left the meeting unscathed. What really surprised her was that we offered to take on something that she was having problems getting through the vetting process. We look forward to working with her again.

There was a bit of frost on the pumpkins this morning. Fall has truly arrived.

I will make sure to grab a jacket when I drive into the city later this morning for the meeting with the vascular doctor. It will be interesting to hear what she thinks about my leg and I am sure she will be impressed with the tremendous purple/yellowing bruise near my knee! When we were there last evening for the meeting, the Blue Angels were practicing for their big show this weekend. It was loud but so amazing to watch. They may make another pass or two today.

While I am there, Michael will be with mom for her monthly macular degeneration shot in her eye. She loves being with him and they plan to have lunch together afterward. Doctor day all around!

Conversations

During our conversation yesterday, Barbara and I agreed that there was nothing like old friends. Conversations just continue. No history needed! What was kind of funny was, at our age, a lot of the conversation had to do with our health! People laugh that the older we get, the more we talk about all our health issues but, I believe, this is how we all learn from each other. "Have you tried this?" or "I found that this helped my mom."

The two hours flew by and we promised to meet more often as she was now retired.

Jeannie and I will be leaving rehab a bit early as Michael and I need to get into the city for the PFAC Board Meeting at my university hospital. I have so much news to report to them. During our last meeting before the summer break, I shared once again that I was still waiting to be seen at the Rheumatology Clinic after turning in the referral by hand last October. Today, I will announced that I finally have been treated and announce the diagnosis of Pseudo gout.

Also, I have been asked to share my experience with a telephone appointment with my doctor in the Liver Clinic, as I was the first one on the Board to have one of these meetings. It was very successful, I didn't have to drive into the city and pay for parking. Loved it.

Humid

My knee bothered me all day. It actually began to throb around dinnertime, which brought out the ice. Stairs are an issue, both up and down, so I avoid them when possible. The vascular people will be seeing me on Friday.

Our power company shut off the juice to do some work here in our neighborhood. We pulled all of the important plugs before the power was shut off right at 9AM. After a haircut in town, I did the grocery shopping over the pass.

Two things:
1. This morning, both knees hurt.
2. I really feel for those who live in states with humid weather.

Both knees hurt and I am a bit concerned that I am beginning another flair of the Pseudo gout. I am going to have to resort of some Aleve today, a rare event.

We had our first rain of the season in the early morning from a tropical storm from the South. It was warm and humid. By the time I tried to haul all the groceries into the house, I needed supplemental oxygen. I can't imagine having to deal with the humidity for months, as so many people with lung disease have to do if they live in certain regions.

On a positive note, newly retired Barbara and I are meeting for lunch to catch up on her recent travels. So looking forward to it!

Quiet Except for a Parade

It was a very quiet weekend. Lots of household chores, watering the gardens and just being home. We even bought two pumpkins for the window boxes. It is truly Fall. The next few weeks are going to be very busy.

Mom has some issues we have to deal with this morning, which will take some time. I know she is going to need to run a few errands as well.

My knee is better but I am still icing and wrapping it as the large bruise beings to change colors. I meet with the vascular doctor next week. My liquid oxygen tanks were finally filled Friday evening and I am happy to have it instead of my concentrator at night. I sleep so much better! My breathing has been a bit difficult since it has been humid as we wait for the first rainstorm of the season tomorrow.

Yesterday, we decided to go out to lunch to a place on Main Street. We sat on high chairs at a bar in the front window and watched the tourists and traffic go by. Suddenly, the Sheriff blocked the traffic at the end of the block and we realized that the traffic had also been stopped from the other end as well. What? No traffic. A truck began to pass by our window with a priest speaking Spanish into a microphone from the back. He was leading a parade, a celebration from the Catholic Church a block behind us. They were circling the block. There were four statues surrounded by flowers carried on the shoulders of several people. A long parade followed with people of all ages from babies to the very old walking slowly with walkers or canes. It ended with another Sheriff's car and the traffic began again.

We looked at each other and commented that we loved living in a town where this sort of thing happens. We live in an area that is rich with Portuguese and Mexican traditions. Lunch with a parade. Pretty great.