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Wednesday, August 25, 2021

PRAYING

 Hoping the people in Afghanistan can get out before the Taliban start shooting all of them.  I do not know where Biden's mind is.  He's let in all the non-Amerians across our southern border, and now we have to find places for all of the Afghanisties.  Where will we put them, educate them, give them jobs so they don't bleed our coffers by giving them money to live? The Bible says, give a man a fish, he eats for one day, but teach him to fish, he can feed his entire family.  Is that really going to happen under his rule?

We need that wall at the border finished, I don't care what others say.  It is for our safety.  Too many unsavory people are getting across the border.  Now with Afghanistan, how many terrorists will sneak in, papers or not?  And, how many have already crossed through the southern border?  

Too many American people like holding out their hands and taking government money instead of having some pride where they go to work and earn a living and care for their families.

What is going to happen in years to come for our children and grandchildren?  Will they have a good life of freedom and democracy like we had, or be under the socialist rule?

It is difficult to believe that the democrat party and voters blindly follow him with whatever he says.  Why do they vote unseeingly for the party and not the man/woman who can get the job done?  Who is pulling Biden's strings?  He is incompetent to do the job.  He was not a good vice president either.  People constantly complained about his ineptness, then they vote him in as president of the United States.  Does the Democratic party want a puppet in that high office so they can manipulate him to do their bidding?

Remember the book, "Of Captains and Kings?"  Everyone should read it.  By Taylor Caldwell.  1973 Random House 816 pp. ISBN-13: 9780449205624

PAIN AND AGONY

 I'm so tired of having this bad back and being able to comfortably walk a short distance without feeling that my spine is compressing.  On top of all that, now my left hip and left shoulder are giving me fits.  I've emailed the nurse practitioner to order MRIs of the entire back, but she does not respond.

Today, I called the office to see if I could get an appointment with my internist on Friday.  He is not available for a week.  Again, I had to set up an appointment for tomorrow to see the N.P.  I need a shot of cortisone in my hip and shoulder, and the MRI's.  I usually walk at a fast speed and to be so slowed down really depresses me.  I wonder if N.P. can give cortisone shots?

I've had shoulder surgery for rotator cuffs in both shoulders, and am glad I can manage by using both arms to get my stuff done, especially my hair.  Right arm goes over my head with no problem, but the left arm has to be raised up with my right arm.  Difficulty trying to dry or curl my hair using implements.  I really do need a haircut and a good wash.  Difficulties bending my head over the sink.

Do not want to step over the tub edge to get into the shower even if there are rails and a non-slip bottom to the tub.

Now that I've had my 'crying' moment of the day, this will be short.

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Another Sunday evening

 I'm sitting at the computer playing games.  How boring.  My back is no better and I left an email for NP to set up an EEG and/or MRI.  Need to see what's going on and whether I need more injections at the site.

Jim has his Moh's surgery this week.  He was told to plan on spending at least four hours there.  My EGD isn't until Aug 31 as I mentioned before.  Now must call for an appointment for a haircut.  It's been months.

TV is so boring.  Wish I had the stamina to get out my quilt projects and work on them.  Time would fly by then.

My daughter sent me pictures of the great-grandchildren.  The eldest is starting kindergarten already.  My nephew's dog had heartworms.  She survived the treatment.  Now she has a heart murmur but needs surgery for malignancy in the chest area.  Hope she survives.  I think she is nine years old and her name is Rain.

At dinner, Jim became upset with the man sitting at our table.  The man is a neat freak, always clearing every and piling it up at a corner on the table, and removing all the crumbs.  Not the first time, he again told Jim he eats too fast.  Of course, it's none of his business and it really irks my hubby being told that.  The man's not that perfect either.  Of course, his hands are crippled up and I don't know the cause, so it makes it difficult for him to grasp the eating utensils.  Ergo, lots of clanking and banging on the dishes to accomplish eating.  Jim doesn't comment about that.

As you can see from my entries, I lead a boring life.   Be back later.



Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Covid delta now rampant in south areas

 Well, my sis's ablation was canceled because of the subject matter.  Jim had carpal tunnel surgery and is doing well.  He has to wait 2 weeks before seeing the doctor so the wrap can be removed.  It is getting raggedy.

I have a tele-visit tomorrow to discuss my back and neck problems.  The mattress is four years old and shouldn't be giving me grief, but I have a difficult time rising each morning.  I wonder if the Sleep Number people have a twin bed with the head part being able to raise.  My hubby says I need more exercise and I know he's right, but not very good about getting it done.  I do knee bends and bend over attempting to touch toes while keeping knees straight--that's a laugh.  I do make attempts, however, to bend over and stretch the ligaments and tendons behind the knees.  Also doing neck exercises, shoulder rolls, and twist at the waist from side to side.  Now suffering at areas below the gluteus areas.  


I get out of bed and the bones in my feet crackle.  Oh, for the love of getting old.

Want to buy a brush volumizer and save me from raising my arms so much to get hair groomed.  The one I purchased from Sams Club was by Revlon and way too heavy for me to hold for long. (I've had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders.)  Now spending too much time online to find a lighter-weight one and not as large a brush.

Need to make an appointment at the dentist and get the lower plate relined with a soft lining.  The other problem I had with part of denture rubbing on the gums--very painful-he fixed.  I found a different general dentist as I didn't like the way the lady at the front desk at the other place was neglectful with filing insurance, and/or forgetting to call when the insurance money is paid to her.  We have always paid our bills in full.

Month after month, year after year, I am getting more and more homebound.  Do not like going out of the apartment, even down to the dining room for lunch and dinner.  Of course, dining is another subject of its own.  Can't say much good about our new exec. director.  A remodel has been started on our floor.  Wallpaper has been removed, patching done, light fixtures down--what a mess.  Perhaps they will paint this time rather than paper.  After all that is finished, new carpeting will be installed.  Surely wished they would replace our front door.  It is so warped, hall light can be see through it.

Yesterday morning, Jim had another visitor in his bed.  It was a sewer roach.  YIKES!  Yes, the second one, only this one was a lot livelier.  The exterminator was here this past month, but I guess with all the remodeling being done they are literally coming out of the woodwork.  A lady moved out that was next to our apartment.  She is legally blind and now needs more help than is afforded here.  We'll miss her.  The maintenance crew is remodeling her apartment.  Completely remodeling the bathroom, etc.  We surely didn't get that treatment when we moved in.  We got a paint job and new carpeting, however.

Since the exodus of 24 residents moving out within a two-month period, our place has hired three salespeople to fill the rooms.  It is also one of the reasons why they fired the former director.

My friend in UT has 4th stage kidney disease and has been on kidney dialysis for a while now.  It came about after she had a 'widow-maker' heart attack.  Tests were performed on her using the 'with contrast' method--the dye caused the kidneys to shut down.  Now she writes to me that she doesn't want the dialysis anymore.  It has been stopped.  Her doctor said it shouldn't be long before everything starts shutting down and that will be the end.  So sad.

I also haven't heard from my friend who moved to NM.  She got breast cancer and then lung cancer with it.  She doesn't answer any of my e-mails.  Don't know for sure whether she is still around or not.

The hour is upon us for beddy-by time.


Saturday, July 3, 2021

Jim and I

 My EGD was for stretching my esophagus.   Hope that's all.  They've found H Pylori before.  Had it stretched again as food was sticking in the esophagus and caused me to regurgitate.

Jim's EGD showed he has gastritis.  Changing his diet has helped the pains in the stomach a lot. 2021

Jim has glaucoma and the light really bothers him.  He faithfully takes care of his eyes, but they still bother him.

Eye doctor said I have building blocks for macular degeneration in right eye and that my eye lids don't close all the way.  I'm having a lot of trouble with my eyes and feel that my far-sightedness is worsening.  Before it was the nearsightedness.

Jim will be scheduled for carpal tunnel surgery in a month.  He also needs to see a Moh's surgeon regarding a skin cancer on his forehead and one on his chest.  He swears they have done the one on the head.  If so, shame on Moh's surgeon.

It's Jan 2022 and his back is still bothering him.  I had MRI's of back and neck.  Had injections on both sides of my lower back-to no avail.  Suppose to begin P.T. in February 2022.  Nothing like waiting over a month for an appt.  That partly due to The Core Institute.  The PA's assistant never made the phone call until I wrote him on their Portal.

I've put on so much weight since moving to this senior community and I don't mean our home.  I'm almost 200 pounds now.  That's a lot of weight to put on in three years.  I am so unhappy here, but it's a lot my fault as I don't go out of this place and join groups available to me.  Want to get back to quilting and machine embroidery and all I do is sit at the computer and write.

No more complaining about pitiful me.  No more victim wanting attention from anyone who will listen.  What got me to this place?  My last marriage?  I wonder.

Right now I would rather spend my days sleeping and eating junk food.  Not able to get out of this rut by myself and really do not want therapy anymore.

A friend passed away a few month's ago.  My friend in NM--don't know if she is still around since her cancers.  She does not answer my emails, but it doesn't look like her account has been canceled.  A shirt tail relative I met through Ancestry.com has jumped ship.  For some reason she will not write or talk to me and I don't know why.  She was such an outgoing, bright individual, I really enjoyed corresponding with her.  A mystery.  She was into so many things and had a variety of jobs, one of them being a pilot.  Sandy read my stories and commented on them and I so appreciated it.  No one else cares about reading them and commenting.





Worried about my sister.

 Per Maureen, Had my EGD this morning and this is what doctor found.  Follow up for gastric antral intestinal metaplasia.  1-Small hiatal hernia,  2-Eroded and nodular mucosa in the greater curvature of the gastric body.  Biopsied.  3-Erythematous mucosa in the antrum.  Biopsied.  

4-Erythematous punctate white spotted, texture changed and white speckled mucosa in prepyloric region of the stomach.  Bioposied. 5-Normal examined duodenum.
This doesn't look good.  Plus, her atrial fibrillation is getting worse.  See ablation procedure she has to have for that.

What Is Heart Ablation Surgery?  

Cardiac (heart) ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to destroy small areas of heart tissue that cause irregular heartbeats.

Certain cells in the heart produce electrical signals that travel along pathways to the chambers of the heart, causing the heart’s upper and lower chambers to beat in the proper sequence. If these cells are abnormal, they may create disordered electrical signals that result in irregular or rapid heartbeats called arrhythmias. If this occurs, the heart can not pump blood effectively and patients may experience symptoms such as:

  • Faintness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness
  • A sensation of pounding heartbeats

What is Heart Ablation Surgery Used For?

Cardiac (heart) ablation surgery is used to treat:

Medications are often used to treat rapid and irregular heartbeats but when they don’t work, doctors may recommend cardiac ablation. 


Thursday, June 24, 2021

ESOPHAGRAM AND EGD

      JUNE 24, 2021, got phone call today that esophagram showed narrowing of esophagus.  Now scheduled Aug 31 for an EGD.  Bad news, driver is not allowed inside  building.  Hubby will have to find someplace to go until it's over.  Darn the 103 degree weather and the pandemic.

     Before having the procedure, I have to take my temperature every day and  clear liquids the day before.  I guess they have to stretch esophagus again.  My sis is scheduled for July 1 for hers.

     Had a good report from dermatologist.  That's to say no skin cancers.  My fingernails are 2 tone.  White and pink, and very deep white spots on end of nails.  Guess they have raised from nail-bed.  Have to cut nails as short as possible and hope they reseat; no guarantee.   The doc took pics of both hands. Doc freeze-burned one spot on upper left chest cause I irritated it.  I also have seborreah dermatitis on the scalp.  Gads, it's terrible getting older.  Let alone all the age spots on arms, legs, and face; and seriously dry skin.  Living in AZ doesn't help the situation.

     Eye doctor said I have building blocks for macular degeneration on right eye.  If so, why can't they give meds before one loses their eye site?  I looked it up on the net.  I guess there's wet and dry macular.

     Also, found out that I have dark rings around the irises of eyes and a ring around the pupils.  Now what does that mean?  Another problem?

     Jim had an appointment at dermatologists today as well.  She cut out 2 pieces for a biopsy and freeze burned many more places.  He was done in after all that.

     Got to see my youngest granddaughter yesterday.  My daughter called on Messenger and the baby hadn't gone down for a nap yet.  Little boy was napping and mommie took the oldest girl to have a tooth pulled and a spacer put in.  The children are growing so fast.  One will begin school next year.  Now in pre-kindergarten.

     Good news.  Both of my grandsons in CO got engaged around C'mas in 2020 and are planning a June and a fall wedding for 2022.

     My great nephews are doing well in school and are expert mountain bike riders with their parents.  They also skateboard and I know one plays soccer.  The oldest one has let his hair grow-out from being very short, and he looks very handsome.   Both boys are good looking.  One looks like mom, and one like their dad.

     I am prejudice, of course, that all 4 of my grandsons are handsome and the great grand children have the biggest eyes.  Makes your heart melt.

     Bye for now.




Monday, March 29, 2021

The Dining Room Opens

 It's Monday.  The dining room at Solstice is full service for the first time since last year.  I wonder what they will be serving?  I really liked having a menu left at the door.  We filled it out and brought it to the first floor.  In that way, we knew a day ahead what they would be serving.  They brought styrofoam boxes to our apartment, three meals a day.  Now I have to get up earlier to put on make-up before going downstairs.  (You know me-vanity.)

Woke up with another backache.  I believe it was caused by doing some exercise in bed.  It moved muscles and bones that have been dormant for a long time.

April 8, my friend, Lois and I are going to Grandview Terrace.  It is a retirement home as well.  They sent a flyer inviting us to different activities throughout April.  We chose the movie and popcorn day.  They don't mention the name of the movie, however.

Waiting for the time for us to go downstairs to the dining room.  At least I'm fixed-up in time.

Andee in AZ



Thursday, March 25, 2021

PANDEMIC STILL HERE

 Listening to Biden's press conference.  He says the same thing over and over.  Nothing is discussed other than immigration.  Have the questions by the press been previously prepared?  Will he call on Ducey of FOX News to take his questions?

We have been isolated in our apartment for the most part.  A couple of employees and one resident has had Covid-19.  We've gone from red zone to orange, then back to red.  We are now in the yellow zone, and the dining room has been opened this week for lunch only.  Next week it will be serving 3 meals daily.  Heard the chef has resigned--good.  Surely hope they hire someone that knows how to prepare meals for seniors.  Also heard that 11 apartments will be vacating by April.  A few are upset because their rent was raised.

My two grandsons in Colorado have gotten engaged to lovely ladies.  They both proposed in December 2020.  One has a wedding planned for June 2022.  They are now all currently working.  Good news.

My great-grandchildren are gorgeous.  The last one, born in August 2020, is the cutest baby.  She is always smiling.  The little boy had to get glasses and has eczema badly, and is allergic to many things.  He is only 3 years old.  The oldest has a lot of charisma.  She should be a child model.  So glad there is face-time so that I can communicate and see them.  They live in Florida, and I no longer travel by plane.

I have stage three B kidney disease (moderate).  Just had my labs done, and the appointment with the  Nephrologist is in April.  Hope the GFR's have risen from the low 40's.  Also, being troubled with GERD.  Some foods not staying down.  Doc gave me another medication to help it.  He has referred me to Dr. Kothur for a UGI and colonoscopy.  Waiting for the call.

My bedroom in this apartment does hold all my sewing and computer paraphernalia, but I cannot access it easily.  Do not have an ironing board, so use my twin bed to iron on.  Oh, my aching back.

Jim keeps complaining about his back again.  He has already had two surgeries.  Now he has severe carpal tunnel on his left wrist.  He keeps hemming and hawing about whether to have the surgery or not.