Sunday Afternnon, November 7, 2010

we slept in - we're trying to get over whatever it is that has decided to live in our intestinal system. I'm feeling a bit better, but not super. I put on a load of laundry and then asked DH if I could get him something to eat (not much, mind you) before I headed to "my" room to read email and possibly do something that I wanted to do. "Nom, I'm fine for now, thanks." So, I go to my room and open email which leads to reading FB postings. As son as I start that, here comes DH wanting something to eat. I try HARD not to say something. I send DH to kitchen to look in pantry to see what we have in various small packages (soups, potatoes, rice, etc.) bc he can't have much. He brings me all the small packages - one being for potato soup.

Pkg indicates heat 8 cups of water to boiling, add soup mix, turn down heat, simmer for 15 minutes. Simple. DH says he can wait 'til I finish...I try to read emails/FB postings but I hear sounds/noises/cursing coming from the kitchen. Shortly DH appears at the door..."You're going to scream and yell at me." "Why, what happened." "Well, it all boiled over on the stove and I can't clean it up until the stove cools down." "I thought you were going to wait until I finished here."

I went to the kitchen to find the biggest mess I've seen in a LONG time. Burned, scorched potato soup all over the stove top, back of stove, front of stove, the pan, everywhere. This is my brand new $1200 cook stove with smooth top now with what I know are scorch marks that will NEVER come off the stove. I went totally ballistic. There was no need for this, and I do not intend to live with this piece of SSSSSSSSSSS in my kitchen. I know that I am going to have to spend the next hour or so trying to get this stove cleaned up enough that we can live with it until the 15th of the month at which time DH will be purchasing a new stove for the kitchen. He's in there "dabbing" at what can't possibly be cleaned up without dynamiting the mess. I am livid, I can no longer live like this, I don't want to live like this. It has been almost 2 years since DH decided to do himself in and since I've had to live with the consequences of his actions.

I've worked hard all my life, I don't deserve this, and I don't want to continue this. I don't want a child in an old man's body. I hate coming home to my house any more.

Too much honesty? Well, I guess what I've learned through counseling is that there is NOT too much honesty. I'm tired of living a life of covering up the truth.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

It's really 1 a.m. on November 7, but it's still Saturday to me! Things have been a little rough around here for a few days...DH has intestinal nastiness that is not getting better even with prescrip. Doc says no need to go to hospital bc they will only give him IV fluid and then send him home. So, he's on Gatorade, bananas, rice, broth, fresh or toasted bread (bagel), no coffee/tea/soda. I had a touch of it myself on Thursday and Friday and thought I was ok but got to share in the experience again today. So, we've been house bound. Med says "may cause drowsiness" -- what an understatement!

I took last weekend off from major sewing projects - took time to finish some things and to do a little clean up and rearranging of the "sewing/computer/doll/everything/junk" room. Got another table set up adjacent to sewing table so quilts will have a place to ride along while I'm sewing rather than falling into the floor pulling on the needle. On one end of that table I've set up my Singer 301 so that I can work on a separate project from what is on the major sewing table. DH and I put up another shelf in the room so I could get stuff out of the floor (machine cams, monogrammer, attachments).

Got a box for collecting strings and scraps - during my self-imposed respite from major projects I've done some fun string/scrap blocks (8.5" squares) that will eventually go into a quilt for DH and me. I love these bc I'm using strings/scraps from quilts I'm making for children/grandchildren - somehow connects us to the family.

Two of my children - the oldest and youngest - had birthdays this week...hard to believe one is 41 and the other is 35...where did the time go. Just yesterday I was rocking them to sleep. I still miss them so very much.

Went to doc this week (endocrinologist) - blood sugar levels still way up there. All the anti-rejection drugs I take for the kidney transplant cause sky high glucose levels. BUT, blood pressure has been great! Finally!!!

I have finally started on a new lap quilt for another granddaughter. This one will be done with half square triangle blocks, but will be quilted with quilt-as-you-go technique. I saw a different technique on a Fons and Porter quilting show (BYU channel). For this one you do not have to put sashing strips on front and back. Instead seams are made to the FRONT of the quilt, seams are pressed open, and then the seams are covered with sashing strips or ribbon, or large rick rack that's been braided, or any number of other things. I will choose to do sashing strips.

Got my Singer 645 out of the shop and set it into my Gidget sewing table only to find that it is not setting level. The cause? One of the rubber feet did not make it back home from the shop. So, had to locate another set of feet on Ebay and now need to wait until they get here before using the machine. GRRRRR!!!

Singer 648 is ready to be picked up...had all 5 gears replaced and machine cleaned/oiled/lubed. And what am I doing? Looking for another sewing machine!!! Always looking -- been looking at Singer 185J's. Someday I want a great big room (studio) where I can set up multiple tables with all my sewing machines so I can have all the projects going at one time.

Oh well, I need to go to take meds and go to bed. Goodnight world.

October 26, 2010 Again

Forgot to say, we have done a FEW things. We managed to go to the State Fair - had a good time...yummy Fletcher corn dogs. We also went to the Senior Citizen Craft Fair and we signed up to show some things next year. We went to the quilt show, and I learned that I am a traditionalist. I admire the "showy" quilts (art pieces in my opinion - wow!), but I love bed and sofa quilts. Another thing we did was go to Homestead Heritage - there's a grist mill, pottery house, blacksmith shop, fiber center, and a wonderful deli/restaurant. There's a big craft fair held there over Thanksgiving weekend so we may go back - would love to take grandchildren. Thru the fairs and places we've discovered that we can do a lot of the things that are being done and shown.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Wow, I haven't been on here in a while. I've been extremely busy sewing like crazy...nights til the wee hours and weekends. All children and grandchildren are getting lap quilts for Christmas, I hope. Thus far I've completed 7 of them and #8 is almost finished...at least 4 more to go unless I can muster up the energy and have the time to make 7. I don't think that's going to happen, but we'll see.

DH's surgery went very well! He is recovering nicely and feeling much better. He has become involved in doing some crafts (decoupage) and is exploring many things to discover what he might like to do. He wants to take more music (guitar) classes when he's over this neck brace, and he has become involved in the activities of his high school graduating class.

We made a decision to give up the motorhome...Ken hasn't been able to operate it well in a couple of years and it was costing us a payment every month plus storage and insurance - and a little in maintenance. But no point paying for something that is just setting in storage.

I'm still working full time, but have been suffering with blood pressure problems. It was raging over 200 (219+). It is finally down most often to 130 or below, but I am taking more meds to keep it there.

I would like to post pics to this blog, but haven't figured out how. I'm not very good at this. would like to show some of my quilts on here.

That's all for now -- see you soon.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

We talked about having a wake up call this morning, but didn't need one...we were both awake before 5 a.m. and finally got up at 5. We took our time packing, got everything together, called for valet service about 6, went by the hotel clerk to check out, broke down the scooters and loaded the car, and we pulled out of the hotel valet area at 6:24 a.m. We stopped at Cracker Barrell in San Marcus at 7 for breakfast. I forgot to let DH drive through Austin but I did it and it wasn't so bad early Sun. morning with not too much traffic. North of Austin he took over the driving, we made one stop at Hillsboro to see if there was anything at the Outlet mall (how sad it is so vacant now), and then straight home. Once we hit Hillsboro I consider us home anyway, and Alvarado is our back door. We were in our garage shortly before noon. So glad we came home early. I had intended to get here late tonight, but since the stores at San Marcus were not open at 7 in the morning, we saved a lot of time.

Needless to say, we haven't accomplished anything the rest of this day...read email, slept in front of the TV, filtered through FB, posted to this blog. And now, folks, that's all!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Man, if DH doesn't learn to sleep in I am going to have to start renting separate rooms. I was so tired...NOTHING is open at 6 in the morning so I don't know why he gets up so early. I did finally wake up, showered, dressed, and we went to breakfast buffet at the hotel (yes, they had it on Sat. because occupancy was up). It was ok, but we've been to better. After breakfast we got the scooters and went back to the Alamo where we purchased tickets to see the Alamo: Price of Freedom "movie" (1988) (semi documentary) at the IMAX theater at the River Center Mall (actually adjacent to our hotel and the Alamo). Don Swayze (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0842023/) stars as Travis in this film (yep, Patrick's younger brother). An ok flick, short (about 45 minutes), a little fantasy, a little truth. Before going to see the flick we wondered around the Alamo area because there were enactments, shows, etc. More going on because of the weekend.

After the flick we headed to the river again, on scooters. Finally found an elevator down to the "other" side of the river. We made our way to the Original Mexican Restaurant where we indulged in too much food again. We then made our way on down the river bank to find where they sold tickets to ride the boats. After that we made our way back but got confused about where to find the elevator. Luckily we had been adopted by a rather strange younger fellow our first night in town and he happened to see us. He knew where an elevator was and took us there, actually requesting that folks dining in the area move and let us get access. The river walk is way too loaded with folks on the weekend for us to be on scooters. People were stepping out in front of us, practically stepping on and over us, etc. but alas, we made our way to street level.

We went to the River Center Mall because we had been told that there was a boat launch on the lower level. Sure enough there is, but it is about as far away from the hotel as the river walk. So, back to the hotel, rest/nap time for me. We later slowly made our way on foot to the river - boat side. We took the boat tour and learned that the river is drained once a year and that all kinds of things are found...cameras, sun glasses, wedding rings, chairs. They actually have a "mud festival" at this time -- any reason for a festival (party), I guess.

After the boat ride I am about on my last breath...we make our way back north, we actually climb the steps to cross one of the bridges, cut through the Hyatt Regency and across the Alamo shopping strip to get back to the hotel. We did not stop for dinner on the river. Instead we are both so tired we make our way to the hotel dining room where we had some lovely food. We started with baked brie (baked in filo dough), served with grapes, strawberries, grapefruit slices, followed by crab meat lobster bisque with summer salad made with portabella mushrooms and greens. Afterward we headed for the room where I went to bed/asleep at 9 p.m. Something I never do!

One interesting thing that happened in the hotel today...while we were downstairs a young boy was so excited...he was on the ghost hunting tour at the hotel. He had captured several "ghosts" (some kind of energy, for sure) in pictures and showed those to us on his digital camera. We have, of course, been told that the Menger is haunted by several ghosts, including the chambermaid who was murdered by her husband. Apparently she is still on the job delivering clean towels and linens to the rooms!

Friday, September 3, 2010 again

I forgot one thing we did on Friday. One reason I wanted to go to SA was because there was supposed to be arts/crafts on the river that weekend. Inquiring about it we learned there is a first Friday celebration every month in the King William district (about St. Mary's and Alamo streets). We caught the trolley and went there...stayed about 5 minutes! Not much of a fiesta, just about a block...some shops set up tables out on sidewalk, some residents do, too, a few low rider vehicles/decorated vehicles, but didn't look like the safest area I've ever been! DH says it reminds him of an old hippy neighborhood...it reminded me of an old biker 'hood! We caught the trolley back to the Hilton pretty quickly!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Wasn't feeling well, but Friday morning started off great...quick shower, dress for the day, headed for hotel restaurant. One of several reasons we booked at the Menger is because it advertised its breakfast buffet. BUT, they didn't have the buffet! Buffet depends on hotel occupancy. Due to economy, occupancy is down, so no buffet. We told them they need to take it off their advertising. We ate at the restaurant anyway, and everyone was super nice to us...in fact, everyone in the hotel (staff) is super nice, very friendly.

It was raining...in fact, we drove to San Antonio in the rain (at lest it wasn't hot). Rain had let up a little bit, so after breakfast we started out on the scooters for a little sight seeing. Unfortunately I very quickly became ill and had to make my way back to the room. For the next couple of hours I thought I was going to die. Thankfully we had remembered to bring meds and by about noon I was feeling well enough to try to go out again. We ventured down Alamo street to La Villita. Wow, this place was so dead...the shops were not booming, few were open, we went into only one...supposedly hand woven items...didn't find it to be so...machine woven. Some beautiful things, including gorgeous Mexican dresses...$150 up. Since I have no where to wear one (Walmart? Kroger? Work?) I told DH I thought I could pick up something at the Mexican market for less.

On the way back to the hotel we saw the Little Rhein Steak House next to the Palacio Hilton...we decided we wanted to have dinner there that evening. DH made reservations for 6:30. Back at the Menger we called for our car, loaded the scooters and made our way to the market. This was a fun adventure...I found exactly what I wanted at the first store inside the door...bought 2 Mexican blankets and a bright orange long Mexican dress...first time I've ever found one to fit me...most of the time can't find size HUGE. We had fun going through the rest of the market...DH talked to a fellow from Mission, Texas who's relative is the former owner of RV Ranch (now Rustic Creek) which is kinda like home away from home for us. I managed to find a blue coconut snow cone - which made the entire trip worthwhile! Most of the shops sell about the same silly stuff, but the shop owners are friendly. I found a rooster to add to my collection, DH bought a U. S. Border Patrol baseball hat to wear when he wants to clear out places, and we picked up a couple of pretty heavy Mexican painted wine glasses. I was going to buy some fabric but couldn't decide when or if I would ever have use for chili pepper fabric.

Afterward we went back to the hotel room to rest. Whatever is wrong with me is taking its toll...I get so sick and so weak. I napped until about 5:45. We decided to try to walk to the restaurant for dinner so that we could eat out on the patio by the river. Reservations were for 6:30 so we started out at 6. It is a 2-block walk, or in my case, shuffle. We made it, but we stopped a couple of times along the way to let me sit down.

Dinner was wonderful...a glass of white zin for me; apple martini for DH. Appetizer was 1/2 avocado stuffed with crab meat salad. So good. Followed by beef steak tomato salad...cannot describe, was so good. We shared a rib eye steak, or as DH says, 1/2 a cow. Sides were mushrooms and rosemary potatoes. We were stuffed. We left about 7:45 and made our way down to the river via the elevator at the Palacio Hilton. We wanted to go to Durty Nelly's, the Irish Pub at the Hilton (we both remember it from when we were much younger), but we found it to be way too loud for us now (can you imagine?), so we went to the other Hilton place (Ibizas?). I had a wonderful Pina Colada, DH had a sour apple martini. We then made our way to street level via the elevator at the Hyatt Regency and wondered down the street to Pat O'Brien's...yes, there is one in SA now. We managed to about shut down the dueling piano room - so much fun...and we were drinking diet coke (worst ones we've ever had). We made it back to the hotel about 1 a.m. where we crashed. That's the latest we've been out in many years.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

DH and I needed to "Get out of Dodge" a few days to escape reality. We booked into the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio. Our wonderful friend Helen agreed to babysit the critters. We left very early, stopped in West at the Kolache shop (yum), then in Salado for early lunch. We ate at the tea room...cucumber & cream cheese sandwiches with tomato basil soup with ice tea...yummy. DH drove from Salado through Austin because I hate driving through Austin. we stopped at the outlet mall in San Marcus for a break...went into the Pottery Barn where we didn't find anything I wanted (believe that?), and then on to Lane Bryant where I could have spent the afternoon but didn't. I bought one outfit, thinking I would stop on the way back north.

I drove from Salado on to San Antonio - we got there as planned about 3 o'clock...wanted to miss the 5 o'clock traffic. Got checked in quickly...hotel and surrounding area was dead...nobody there. OMG, the room we had was the tiniest hotel room we've had in forever! No room to maneuver, but we made do...even with 2 scooters. And the bathroom was a joke. In addition, there was mold on the ceiling above the shower, the tub was stained, and the calking around the tub/shower needed to be replaced. Since we got it at such a good deal, we didn't ask to move. But we won't stay there again.

The Menger is located at the Alamo plaza next to the Alamo, so we had easy access. After check in we took our scooters on over to the Alamo and have been there many times. It never loses its hold on us. I was over at the donation box on one side of the Alamo and DH was going around reading the plaques with the names of the Alamo heroes. I heard a big commotion and a little scream/yell and people running. DH's scooter had turned over backwards and dumped him off on his back (and neck!!!) and he was on the ground. People were rushing all around him. Thought I was going to have to knock people out of my way to get to him. This is the second time his fancy scooter has done this. Altho' his scooter is snazzy, we are going to have to get a regular handicap scooter for him. Anyway, he managed to get up and I managed to get his scooter back together and we went on our way...to the building next door that sells Alamo memorabilia (sp?).

I found cookie cutters...at least that's what they sell. For me they are quilt stencils...one is a large Texas, the other is a boot. I also bought a "green" Alamo bag for carrying the "stuff" we pick up in SA. DH bought a new baseball hat and a mug.

From the Alamo we crossed over the plaza down Crockett to the Hyatt Regency and used their elevator to the river walk to find something to eat. The places all have steps up it seems...at lest the places on the Alamo side. But we stopped at Michelino's Italian place, left the scooters at the foot of the steps (took the battery off DH's and key out of mine) and ate on the patio. Had chicken alfredo. Ok, but nothing to write home about...Italian food to me is something you eat/fix at home when you don't have much $$!!! As a friend says, kinda like fried chicken...good, but not something I'm willing to spend a lot of $$ on!

Doctor Visits September 1, 2010

Wednesday, 9/1/2020...DH had follow up appointment with neurosurgeon. Did not get to remove the hard neck brace. Next surgery is scheduled for September 23. This time doc will go through the front of the neck to get to the back of the neck in attempt to stabilize it. Hopefully this will work this time. DH is so tired of this brace.

At same time DH had doc apptmt I had apptmt at kidney transplant clinic. Labs look good but I am sick...nausea, chills, itchy, itchy skin, hands/fingers/feet/toes stinging. Am being sent for a "glow" test to see if kidney processing fluids like it should. Doc and I discussed whether or not I will be willing to go back on dialysis in event this transplanted kidney fails...my election is "no."

Ramblings, August 27, 2010

Been a while since I've posted. Life has been busy. DH still in heavy duty neck brace...have no idea how he has survived the summer. He has doc apptmt nxt Wednesday. Hopefully we'll learn if/when next surgery will occur.

We started our Dave Ramsey plan...we got rid of the motorhome which means we don't pay storage or insurance either. IRS will be happy about that because it frees up $$ to give to them on what they claim we owe.

Finally had plumber out last week ... have had no water in front yard since pipe froze last winter, but couldn't afford re-do until now. And of course this week we have had the AC fixed...can you count the pennies for that one!! But two days in a hot house and one will pay almost anything for cool air.

Still working on quilts. I am so ready to have daughter M's finished. I have one for grandson N in work, and one for daughter B started. Hopefully will complete one or two tomorrow. Also need to help DH with the little one he has started, but we need to find some lighthouse fabric to use as the back for his.

Would love to see my children/grandchildren. I don't think there's any hope of that happening. but they stay on my mind day and night anyway, just like they have since before they were born. Maybe some day.

Thinking 'bout taking a short trip (to somewhere other than the funny farm this time) - have not had vacation in a long time. Would love to go to Colorado Springs, but not right now; maybe after the first of the year. Too much to do between now and Christmas.

That's about it for now. Over and out.

July 18, 2010, Sunday - Hubby's Battle

DH was feeling really good and strong when he came home on Friday - I thought we might be "home free." He was tired, went to bed, slept most of the afternoon, ate dinner, went back to bed. He has been sleeping almost around the clock for 2 days - at first I thought it was the pain pills. Then I realized he wasn't taking them. I made DH get up this morning - he doesn't need to be sleeping around the clock and I wanted to check on what was going on with him. He ate a little breakfast but went back to bed. I made him get up about an hour later and check his blood sugar...511...normal is 75-125. I gave him 10 units of R insulin and told him the pump is apparently not working. I made him stay up. (He had put his insulin pump back on when we got home. Apparently it was not managing his glucose.) I told him we either get it down or its 911/hospital for him, cause those are coma/stroke numbers.

DH changed his pump attachments, reset it, and his BS was down to 275 when I fed him lunch at about 1:15. He gave himself a bolus through the pump to get him over the intake of carbs from lunch. I will recheck in about an hour. If its still high, its another shot of R.

I am hoping this is a problem with the pump (his operation of it); otherwise this can signal infection...we do not want another bout of infection at the wound site like we had last fall.

I am trying to get him somewhat on his feet today because I will be gone for a long work day tomorrow and Tuesday, and will be in a video conference room unable to accept phone calls from DH. Needless to say, if his glucose level is sky high it will be a stressful day for both of us -- he will be ill and I will be worried.

July 16, 2010 - We're Home

Phone rang before alarm went off...DH says doc said he could be discharged after rounds. I told him it would be later - I had to go to work first. Finished what I had to do for work about 10:15, called hospital and told hubby to have them meet me at valet parking...I didn't want to park in the garage, get the scooter out and put it together, go over to the hospital, make a trip back to the car, take scooter apart, reload the scooter, get out of the parking garage and then find a place to pick up hubby. To my amazement, they did it. Staff and hubby were waiting for me at valet at the arranged time of 10:45. We got home, hubby got pump hooked back up, I fed him, he took meds, crashed in bed with 2 dogs and 2 cats. I went back to work (from home).

At the end of the day I checked on him, he was still knocked out from the drugs, so I ran to the sewing center and picked up my Singer 645. I can hardly wait to try it out...I'm going to hook it up tonight to see if it runs/sews like I need it to, and then tomorrow I'm going to start working on daughter's project again. It was supposed to be for her birthday - maybe she'll get it for Christmas?

Hubby woke up before dinner (I woke him up checking on him). A little bit later I heard a crash in the kitchen. I thought he had pulled out the ice maker tray and spilled it all over the place. Turns out it wasn't the ice maker tray - it was him. He lost his balance and fell on the tile floor. I hope to high heaven he hasn't done any damage to his neck/back. Can you say here we go again?

Looks like things are kinda back to normal - its the weekend! Next week will be a tough one for work...I'll be teaching a 2-day class to folks out of state (via video teleconferencing), which means strange work hours for me. I'm always tired after those events. But its a short work week.

Looking forward to some day being able to sing the following song - to the tune of "There's a Song in the Air."

"There's a smile on my face,
tho' mem'ries I embrace;
There's a song in my heart,
tho' from you I must part.

"For I've worked all my life,
Seems forever and more;
But thank God its over,
and I'll toil no more."

That's by me, a little jingle thought out today as I was thinking this morning on the way to the office about the fact that I am worn out from burning the candle from both ends!!!

July 15 - Hubby's Status Today

We thought DH would make it home from the hospital today, but doc decided he needed to stay one more day. Glucose is settling down (low) and he had to reject an insulin shot for dinner - no way could he take the ordered 12 units when his level was 77 and he was about to eat a diabetic diet (very few carbs). The will recheck later tonight.

He is off everything, dressed, tired, ready to come home. Still on antibiotic "just in case." All his normal meds have been restored so he is more like his "normal" self - and that's about as good as it gets. The two dogs, two cats, and I are ready for him to come home -- I'm worn out from the trips to the hospital, going to work, trips back to the hospital, etc. We're looking forward to the break of coming home before the next surgery.

So, now what do I do??? Hopefully I can get back to playing with my antique sewing machines. I hope to pick one of them up from the shop tomorrow. I was in the middle of completing a project for my daughter's birthday (July 1) when my life changed and took a different turn. I am so close to finishing that one - I really want to get it done and delivered. I have another project to start coming right on the heels of that one...a grandson has a birthday coming in September and I have a snuggle blanket waiting in the wings for him. I need to get it made and to him before he grows too old - he'll be 7 in September. He is the cutest thing...just a sweetheart. Of course, all of them are, he's just the next one in the birthday line!

July 14, 2010 - DH's Evening Status

It's been a great day...DH is doing well. They got him up, he had a sponge bath, they removed all the drains, took him off the IV but left the port for antibiotics later, he has on his own clothes, he's been all around the hallway with PT, he's still in quite a bit of pain, but his blood sugar is MUCH better - in fact, it bottomed out before dinner and they had to give him OJ and graham crackers. I am afraid they have overloaded him with insulin before dinner - gave him 15 units and his level was only up to 98 at the time. That's too much insulin to cover his diabetic diet. If everything stabilizes I may get to bring him home tomorrow evening - if not, maybe on Friday. Still waiting for cultures of course.

I took DH a diet cherry limeade from Sonic today...he loves those. Still trying to encourage his appetite.

More tomorrow.

July 14, 2010 - Morning Status

Day 2 after surgery. Just spoke with DH. He's very groggy. Says he didn't get much sleep because staff was in/out all night doing things to him. Catheter has been removed, and as always he's worried to death about his blood sugar and insulin. He's back on a liquid diet and instead of eating what they bring him he tends to not eat anything because of fear it will raise the glucose level. Problem with that is, they give him insulin before he eats so if he doesn't eat everything they bring him he bottoms out. Hopefully someone will be checking on him often because I have to go to work instead of to the hospital. Hopefully by the time I post status tonight he will be better.

July 13, 2010 - 24 Hours After Ken's Surgery

After working from home this morning, I went by the hospital to see DH before heading to the office. It was ot a really good scene. He was so nauseous, just really sick to his tummy, and breakfast was setting in front of him. His glucose level was extremely high - he's off the pump, and all the stress, anesthesia, antibiotics, etc. is making the blood sugar spike. They were unable to give him his daily meds because he would be unable to keep them down. I warned them that they would regret it!! He get in a full-blown tiz without them. However, he actually was pretty good - he was just worried that he wasn't going to get enough insulin to bring the blood sugar down.

I went by after work - he was about in the same condition but a little more awake. He was sitting up in a chair, dinner in front of him, feeling sick to his stomach and hurling in a bucket. He was unable to eat the food. I had taken him a sugar-free strawberry smoothie and he was managing to get that down a little at a time. He had also, earlier this morning, been able to drink a can of glucerna and keep it down. We requested they bring him one for dinner as well. The nurse says they are going to put him back on a liquid diet because right now he's not able to hold food down. Gotta get all the gunk out of his system first.

He's doing very well for what he's been through. He's got pain, which is expected; and he hates the neck brace thingy; and he hates being hooked up to all the tubes. But one day at a time. I'm hoping he will be able to come home before the week is over.

Other news? I came home last night and thought our black cocker mix was dying. She would not or could not get up and took on so badly. The doxie and I went to bed and she never came to the bedroom. this morning I had a difficult time getting her to wake up to go outside - she lay there as though she was dying. But she's not...she takes on like this whenever her daddy is gone. Last year she sat at the door between the house and garage and cried the whole time. This time she just lays there as tho' she's taking her last breaths. Indeed the pets around here are just as dramatic as the rest of the members of this family. I'll post more tomorrow. I've got to find food...I am trying to survive but it's tough - there are no coke zeroes in this house - I failed to buy them over the weekend and I was unable to talk myself into stopping at the store on the way home. I may have to make a trip to CVS before going to bed.

July 13, 2010 - Ken's Surgery Yesterday

We showed up at the hospital at 1:00 yesterday afternoon as instructed only to discover the doc had been trying to get hold of us all morning to move DH's surgery up earlier. He had already turned off and packed his phone so didn't get the messages, so the surgery after us was moved up to before us. That surgery ended up taking much longer than anticipated, so DH's procedure started much later. They finally took him from pre-op to an operating room about 5:30, but didn't start on him until after 6. The procedure took about 3.5 hours and that didn't count closing him up. It was very late when I was allowed back to recovery to see him. At that time he was having a rough time - nauseated due to anesthesia, crying with much pain in his neck, etc.

Yesterday was difficult - not only the waiting, but DH had been without his meds as well as food due to the anticipated surgery. The anestheologist came by to talk with us during the afternoon and agreed to give DH an anxiety med through the IV. DH had also been without insulin all day and his glucose was climbing. It was almost 300 when he was taken back for surgery. The neuro doc was unable to get hold of our endocrinologist so came to me to talk about how to handle DH's glucose. DH is normally on a pump, but when Ken is not on a pump (ill or pump not working) I usually handle his glucose according to instructions I have from the endo.

I finally left the hospital after midnight, got home, took care of the babies, and crashed at about 2 this morning. DH was still in recovery, was rather knocked out due to pain meds and phenegren (sp?) for nausea, and barely knew I left. He has been assigned a room (577), but staff did not know what time he might be moved there. I need to run by the hospital this morning before I head in to work.

Thank you to friends Susan and Howard for coming to the hospital to be with me - it was a good break to get to talk with them for a bit while good friend Pam T. sat with DH. I'm not sure how folks get through life without great friends.

I will try to update again tonight...although today will most likely be difficult for DH, hopefully his status will be positive and the hospitalization will be short.

July 12, 2010 - Monday

DH and I were up early - dishes done, laundry started, cat box changed, doxie finally out of bed and moved to the sofa, kitchen cleaned up, DH's hospital bag packed for me to take later, what real work I needed to do before heading out is complete. Now time to do the final things before heading to the hospital. I hate these kinds of days because I come back alone and its really tough. I won't sleep well again until DH is back home, and I almost always get sick while he's away...probably due to too much stress.

We are looking forward to being on the other side of this even though there will be more to face in the near-term. At least this much will be in the past.

July 11, 2010 - The Weekend

DH and I belong to a social organization called After 5.0 Connections. DH and I scheduled ourselves as host/hostess for a Saturday nite dinner for the gang and volunteered to make homemade lasagna and spaghetti. It was a great excuse to clean up the joint and get some long-needed work done around here. We were terrified that no one would come to our place, but we were so pleasantly surprised when we had a super turnout! Everyone brought goodies to share, and thankfully the chicken as well as the beef lasagnas turned out ok.

Anyway, it was fun to have everybody here - they've not been here before - because I think of our house as being small and not large enough to entertain folks. But, we managed and we'll do this again, not only with 5.0 but we'll start inviting others over as well.

Sunday morning we went to Sunday School. We have been gone the past few weekends, but today we got to attend our friend Tonya's last series presentation on Revelation. Lot of food for thought and now inspired to re-read the entire book.

I was supposed to attend a quilting bee today, and I actually got my act together to go but realized by the time I got there it would be about time to come home. So instead I crashed for a couple of hours. I did do some real work for my job for a while and completed some things I needed to complete tomorrow. Other than that, I haven't done anything worthwhile the rest of the day. Kinda resting up for the events of this next week.

I will work from home tomorrow morning for a while, but we will leave for the hospital at about 11:30. Ken has neuro surgery tomorrow afternoon and we have to check into the hospital by 1. He likes to get there early in case there are any surprises. The surgery is going to be an undo of what they did last fall - that surgery made things worse rather than better. He will be in the horrible neck apparatus for some time afterward and a decision will be made whether or not to go back to surgery, going through the front of the neck to stabilize the back. I am dreading this for him. It sure puts a damper on the summer for us and probably the fall as well. I'll try to keep up the postings on here to let everyone know what's going on with him. All prayers appreciated.

July 6, 2010

Busy busy 4th of July weekend, off yesterday. Had sworn since we have PEOPLE coming to our house for dinner next weekend that I would clean house. Didn't happen. I managed to hold down the sofa most of the day, resting up from the weekend in anticipation of going to work today.

I did go to work today...from my home office. I had documents to review and work to accoomplish but no meetings, so was a great day to work from home. Sometimes this is great because during lunch I can rest on the bed or sofa. My old age and health love naps and rest times, as does Bennie the dachshund. Today was different - instead of resting during lunch break, DH and I started cleaning the bedroom - meaning, taking mattress/box springs off the bed, moving furniture, cleaning out dust bunnies, cat and dog hair, and all of that. So much dirt in there. It was beginning to take shape when I went back to work an hour later. During break we did more. We will finish when I stop working for the day. Only a million more things to do before PEOPLE arrive Sat. evening!!! I need to learn how to make lasagna!!!

July 4, 2010 Weekend

Great fun this weekend. DH and I belong to Frontier Sam's chapter of the Good Sam's Club (RV). This was chapter monthly camping weekend as well as July 4 celebration. DH took C's Castle to the RV park located about 45 minutes away from home, set it up and visited with fellow chapter friends while I worked on Friday. I caught up with him later. Cloudy skies, rained through the night, but still pleasant. Great fun - DH enjoys playing games in the clubhouse and even I played a couple of hands of the card game called Golf. I am easily bored by games, and Saturday was no exception. I found myself wishing I had brought along my crochet, quilting, piano keyboard or something to entertain myself. I usually do but intentionally didn't this time so that I would be in the clubhouse more. I have a tendency to hole up in the rig where I do my "thing" while DH socializes.

I had a great time visiting with friends, for Saturday night the hosts had brats and hamburgers and the rest of us furnished side dishes and desserts. We all ate way more than we should have!!! We always over indulge.

Saturday night DH and I cleaned up the coach, and packed everything we could in preparation for an early return home this morning. We needed to get home because we had a party with another super group of friends this afternoon! We got home by 8:45 this morning (including unloading the coach and taking it back to storage). We got caught up with email, facebook, made a trip to WalMart for hot dog and hamburger buns, and got read to head to the home of friends for the cook out/swim party. Like the RV group, these people know how to prepare food!! There is no way to lose weight or refrain from gaining weight - well, maybe there is, but the food makes it tough to do.

DH was in food heaven -- the cookout was hamburgers, hot dogs and brats. Wow, some of his favorite foods. Afterward the weather held and we got to play in the pool -- not too hot outside and the pool water was perfect temp.

Now its down time -- doggies and DH have gone to bed and here I am ... think I'm going to grab a diet coke, my anti-rejection drugs, a shot of insulin, and turn in for the night and maybe watch "What Not to Wear" episodes I've missed since Thursday!!! You all have a great night. I need to rest a bit in preparation for cleaning this monster house tomorrow -- we have a dinner party next Saturday and there's no way I'll let them in the door with the house looking the way it does right this minute!!!

Meaning of the Blog Title

I tried to think of a title for my blog and realized it would be about many things, not one topic. I thought about the Rennaisance Woman, or One Who Likes Many Things, or some descriptive title that would indicate this blog will be multi-faceted. The title I settled on is, of course, a reference to the Biblical story of Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors as well as to the Dolly Parton song of the same title. It also is a reference to the fact that there are many "colors" of life, many interests, many hobbies, many likes/dislikes. That describes me.

I am a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, co-worker, kidney transplant recipient, doll collector, quilter, crocheter, angel collector, dog and cat owner, rv'er, family researcher, reader, piano player, and many more descriptive nouns. I'm sure I will add to those descriptions of me as time goes by...I hope I always develop new interests.