Sunday

 I updated the  previous entry so I could add photos. J is finally completely done with the painting of the pool. The variety of shades of blue is very soothing to both of us: the house, the deck, the tiles in the pool, the sky--all so calming. 

 And a few weeks ago I got a wonderful group of photos from A, my granddaughter's mom.   She is 13 now. 

Her mom put up some photos of Gabby's artwork on Facebook, and my mouth just dropped. This kid has talent. I'm very proud of her. I'm hoping to see them next summer;  it will have been 7 years since I last saw her.  That was in Denver; since then they've lived in two places in Spokane, and now have moved back to Mesa.

 

I am tired this morning.  I am never sure if this is part of the fatigue connected with the  lung thing I have, or whether I'm just plain tired. Yesterday was a great day. I went to my AlAnon meeting at 10 as usual, where I ended up leading the meeting. The topic was appropriately enough "Keep It Simple".  Meaning: don't leap ahead to the future, don't over-plan, don't over-think. Stay in today.  This works if I can remember to do it.

After the meeting I came home to pick up J and we headed out to Ace Hardware.  That place was packed!  All we needed was one of the wheelbarrows that was displayed outside,  but it was a long 15 minute process, involving standing in line, and paying for it, and then waiting for someone to come and unlock it from their safety chain.  It barely fit in the Rogue. 

Then to Aldi's for some salad makings, and home to make both the green salad and the deviled eggs. By then J was ready for a nap, and I was ready to sit down. We were on the way to Sis and BIL's by 2:30-ish, and spent the afternoon there. Their pool was the perfect temp, and it was a lovely hot sunny day. Then we went back inside. The girls (MissS, Sis, and me) played a couple of games of Scrabble, and the guys stayed outside for some Chess.  It was so much fun.  

Then BIL cooked both turkey and beef burgers on the grill, and we dove into potato salad, green salad, deviled eggs, with chocolate chip cookies made by MissS for dessert. By then it was late, and we headed out. 

We were lucky enough to see deer at Sis' as we were leaving the driveway. Then as we followed MissS out to the main road, there were 5-6 more!  A couple were larger, and there were four fawns leaping around on the lawn.  So beautiful and graceful. I was so happy to see them all.  What a beautiful place.

Friday I only had to work until 1pm; both docs were out of the office, and there was nothing to do, so I asked if I could leave early. No problem. I came home and changed, because J and I were tackling two yard projects. He is working on trying to straighten or fix the side gate, and after it's working better he will install a gutter along that end of the house, which will hopefully drain into a rain barrel at the corner near that gate. 

Then we can plant the beautiful sweet almond bush and the crape myrtle he came home with on Wednesday.  He found them at a local nursery for far less money than I'd seen them advertised for online.
Sweet Almond Bush

 

 

 White crape myrtle

Obviously these are images from  online, what they could be; I hope mine do as well.  We have the perfect place to plant the myrtle, but still pondering the sweet almond. That one is supposed to be a butterfly attractor, so I think it needs to go in the veggie garden area. 

J says he is going to grow our veggies in containers this year.  He hasn't started yet, because of all the other projects...

He found some stone edging pavers, and brought them home. I love Found things as long as they can be used in the garden. I want to use these for borders.

Anyway, Friday after I got home we worked outside moving a pile of white pebble rocks to the wheelbarrow (which promptly collapsed from the weight, delivering the stones onto the lawn, necessitating the trip to Ace for a new one on Saturday), and then picking up and moving all the stones onto a sheet of heavy plastic (thinking we could drag the plastic sheet), and the weight tore the plastic in half, dumping a good portion of the pebbles onto the lawn, again.  SIGH. At that point all you can do is laugh.

Finally, exhausted, hot, and sweaty, we just piled them all into a discarded plant container, and J carried two of those things over to the two bushes/trees where I wanted them.

 Louise had given us a small hibiscus in a container a few years ago and we promptly planted it outside the guest room window for some privacy. That thing loved being in the ground, and it is now about 10 feet tall. 

Next window is our own bedroom, and outside that is a rosebush/tree. It too was originally a small plant, and when planted in the ground it loved the change. It too reaches up covering the entire window. 

Our project was to circle the bases of both these with larger rocks, and then fill the interior with those white rocks.  It looks very nice; not "professional"  but gives a finished touch to these two.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

So our his next project will be digging the holes for the new bushes.  This week is the start of Hurricane Season, and I wanted them in the ground before the rains start. Hopefully he will get to that this coming week.  Maybe even tomorrow--it's so wonderful to have another day off! 

This week's unexpected expenses included the wheelbarrow, and J's computer. It was giving an error message regarding the fan. At the repair shop it turned out to be an actual literal bug in the fan. That was another $70.  

Then his glasses broke, and the repair was... nothing. Phew.  The chainsaw blades needed sharpening and that was $30. 

Wednesday was a birthday potluck at work; so I made an Ambrosia salad. That was a big hit: my version included cinnamon and nutmeg. My doc loved it, after initial hesitation over the recipe (canned drained pineapple and mandarin oranges, mixed with whipped cream and the seasonings).  I ate quite enough of the actual food,  and didn't want any dinner later. 

Sis joined us for swimming and dinner that night; she is acting ...different. I'm concerned, but other than being here, there is nothing I can do. Just need to wait and see how and if I can help. So hard not to rush in and "fix it", when it's actually impossible for me to fix, anyway.

J had a doctor appt for a skin rash he's been dealing with and was told it was similar to diaper rash! He has a new topical ointment to apply, and has been reassured. 

MissS' work-place has announced the employees no longer need to wear masks.  Our company is still debating this, but more and more local companies do not require masks. There is a sign outside the places I've been to, asking people to wear masks if they aren't fully vaccinated, though.  It is wonderful to not wear it. 

I have now accomplished 5 years at my Company. No sign of when my annual review is scheduled though. Still, it gets a notice in the monthly newsletter, which is nice. I've confided in my closest coworker  that I will be giving my notice in one year and two weeks. She wasn't surprised, and has clearly been contemplating this also. One more year. 

Well, I need the health insurance still; and this gives me time to research which Medicare supplement I need. I realize I will need to look for a new PCP and specialists, unless I stay with my company's supplement. But theirs is quite expensive, and I am not sure I can afford it if I'm  not working. I wish I could continue working just on Tuesday and Thursday, with my doc. If that were an option I would seriously consider it.

J has gotten back with the dogs, and is now outside cleaning the pool. I have plenty of chores to do inside today, at least until MissS gets here.

TYG

 

Sunday

 From an email to my dad today:

My pulmonologist, "Dr Zack", doesn't know what has caused this slow-growing infection in my lungs, but I'm being sent to an infectious disease specialist for further testing; I have an appointment on June 9. Then I go back to the pulmonologist with the results of the testing that will determine what is causing the infection. I'll either be treated with long-term antibiotics or long-term steroids.  It's not pneumonia, as originally suspected, but something more similar to TB, except it's not contagious. But "very treatable" as my doctor said. 

 

 This was a good week after Tuesday. Tuesday was the appt with my pulmonologist. I was so nervous, and so was J. But the appt went well. 

 

 It's not cancer. That was the only thing we were  seriously concerned about, because treating that would be far more difficult.   As above, it's some kind of infection which is causing the inflammation. He told us it is not uncommon among vulnerable people who live in warm, humid, tropical climates. Some people develop it, some do not.  He as a pulmonologist sees it often. It's not clear what causes this; it's in the environment. Weird. Lucky me, huh.

 

On the way back home I texted Sis, Bro, MissS, Sponsee, and my doc I work with. Other people were notified the next day. So grateful that I have a close supportive group who were keeping me in their thoughts and prayers. At my AlAnon meeting the same thing happened: lots of support and prayers, and concern.

 

Tuesday was also LadyDoc's birthday potluck; I left early enough for my appt that I could pass on watching her open presents, and  I missed the cake. But a coworker saved me a piece--that was nice.

 

I've switched from WW to Sparkpeople for my weight loss efforts. Their app is very similar to WW's, and doesn't cost anything!  WW was charging me $20 a month. I know the basics, and just need the  accountability. I can do this!  (Just realized I forgot to log what I ate yesterday and  today...oops. Sigh).

 

And other than supporting me, J spent most of the week working on finishing painting the pool deck. It's a lovely blue.  He worked on finishing the trim out there, and laying down plastic under all the flower pots, to protect the paint job. 

 

 

 

 These were taken very early one morning as the sun was coming up.  The blue looks different depending on the time of day.

 

Then he brought home more firewood. More!  Not like we need that much; I don't think we could use this in 3 years. But it's all lined up against the fence now. 

 

He was also helping a neighbor with some chainsawing. So for a few days he was very tired, extra tired, but also feeling good that he could help them out. And he would still take care of everything here, and make meals every night.  

 

Ok, short entry tonight, since I didn't write this morning. (Instead  I made a slow cooker meal, and then made cookies.) 

So grateful.

 

Sunday

Just got done bathing all 3 dogs. Phew, that is a job. J normally does this, but this morning his hands/wrists are seriously bothering him. So I made breakfast, and then he walked them all while I cleaned up. 

When he came back I had everything all ready, and grabbed  collected each dog in turn. Sophie is the most difficult, turning into a frantic, desperate whirlwind trying to get out of the sink. She can't see or hear well, but I do keep talking to her the whole time. J was standing by with the big towel to dry her off. Glad it's all done.  

 Today is a peaceful Sunday. MissS will be over later for the afternoon.  Yesterday was a busy day, although I have to say it was a good-busy. Exhausting though.  

First was my AlAnon meeting. Always excellent, and much needed. No masks needed there but we are sitting at least 4 feet apart, and all are vaccinated.

Then to Target where I could not find the one thing I'd gone there for. So I bought two other things, including more sunscreen. Sigh.  Home, where J and I had  a nap and clean-up time respectively. And  I went online to order the one thing I'd needed.

Then to Walmart for groceries, where we still have to wear masks,  and at home afterwards discovered a text from Sis saying the Misfits order was at her house, and how about we come get it.  So back in the car and drove over. 

It was an absolutely perfect weather day , and the only difference at Sis' was the wind. Oh, the lovely wind, and sunny skies with big puffy white clouds. We saw the area in her backyard where the turtle has laid her eggs. You'd never know about it if you hadn't seen her, and they did.

Finally home for good. We worked in the yard (me) and the pool (J) and then got in it ourselves. Heaven...

J spent all week working on re-screening two of the four screen doors , and alternating that with pressure washing and then re-painting the pool deck. It's now a lovely pale blue, surprisingly close to the shade that the tiles are. 

 It just transforms the pool area: pale blue deck, just-a-shade darker blue tiles around the edges, the pale blue of the interior of the pool, and the white enclosure. It looks so serene, so peaceful.  It  also however accentuates exactly when the algae-green begins, and so J or I will be cleaning the pool more!

Also trying to track down chlorine tablets for the pool.  We use the 3-inch size. They are incredibly expensive, and hard to find now. There was a fire at the only place in the country that makes them which occurred after Hurricane Laura hit last August.  Since then prices have jumped "at least 58%"; I was reading this from an article dated 5/6/21.  We use about one a week. I have never paid attention to the price of chlorine tablets in my life, and suddenly they are very important.

I'd ordered some from Amazon yesterday; the only place I could find them  offered 5 tablets for $88. In a panic, I bought them.   Now I am seeing them far cheaper at our local  Pinch-a Penny pool supply store!   J just called them and is now heading out to pick them up. Far cheaper, it turns out to buy them locally, so I will be returning that order to Amazon. Sigh.

This whole week at work was much better, more peaceful, less stressful. LadyDoc was gone, except for two afternoons. So the rest of the time it was relaxed and there was plenty of staff to take care of the daily patients for my doc.  

On Thursday one of the RNs who'd had knee surgery returned and is now on light duty. So great to have a full staff where I am, finally. All we need is the other RN, and that will probably be another month.

And also on Thursday I got a phone call from the Pulmonology office: they wanted to bring me in earlier than the 21st to discuss my results. Gulp. She first offered noon, the next day, and before I could say I was working, she said "Well no, that would be squeezing you in, so let's not do that--how about Tuesday at 4:30?"   

So there it is.  I am trying to breathe, have faith, not panic, not anticipate what this might mean. It could be good news!  Maybe they want to relieve my mind as soon as possible! (Except in that case, couldn't they tell me on the phone??)   

I don't know what to think. I am very curious more than anything else. I hope it means I can be treated in some way, and then these symptoms will go away.   I hope it is not     "Well,the doc didn't see anything during the procedure, but the biopsies showed...." 

Well. Nothing I can do. I'm trying to remain positive. 

In any case,life is good. We are blessed. Everyone is healthy.

 I heard from my sons on Mother's Day via text, and my daughter was here for the day. She cooked dinner for us, and gave me a beautiful silver cuff bracelet with moonstones on it. Just so Me, so lovely and delicate and antique looking.  

On Friday night Sis and BIL and MissS came for dinner, overdue to catch up; J made a meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and a yummy green salad.   It was so nice and relaxing.  We skipped dessert, which was a good idea. We are all trying to lose weight, and while desserts are wonderful, we don't actually need them.

TYG

 

Sunday

 What an eventful week. Glad it's Sunday morning. 

Beautiful weather, low humidity, sunny and warm.  J is walking the two dogs, since Murphy is getting to the age where he can choose to stay home.  Poor guy is hurting, we think. 

Next paycheck he gets a vet exam, because this time Sophie got the vet visit. She was given an exam and then a new tranquilizer  to try. We tried it and it was a huge failure...she was up at just about 3am, pacing, panting, whining. She was inconsolable. J finally got up to take her to the living room so I could try to get back to sleep, but no dice. We were all awake from then on. 

J called the vet that morning and explained what happened.  We went back to the trazodone, and she slept the night through.   The two-three hours in the evening when these spells first come over her are still tough. This morning I texted Kim at the Rescue and explained what was happening. She's going to look into which brands of CBD oil are best, and let me know which one to try.

Saturday morning I went to my AlAnon meeting. A few more faces are now back to in-person meetings, and hugs.  Afterwards my Sponsee and I walked around the park next to the library, which is across the street from the Church where we meet.  We saw lots of wildlife, especially turtles.

At home J and I went back out to Lowe's, and got the pool deck paint and some more screening for the doors. I was looking for crepe myrtle bushes but all that was left was a tree, and that's too big. Even Home Depot didn't have any.

Back at home I cleaned out the kitchen hutch, and  then we got into the pool...so nice.  We watched a great movie after dinner called The Zookeeper's Wife, set in Warsaw, Poland just before the War. Just excellent.  Based on a true story. I believe this can be described as "gripping".

Friday was a good day; I was back to work feeling okay except for this coughing. It was a half day of office visits, and then the rest of the day was catching up with messages and phone calls and getting charts ready for next week.

The previous day was the Procedure. Sis picked us up at 5am, and we were at the hospital  by 5:30.  I was taken back first thing, and spent an hour or so with the pre-op RN, and had another CT scan, just before being wheeled into the OR. 

I met the surgeon (who happens to be J's pulmonologist), who inspires confidence right away. I felt in good hands.  He reported the "abnormalities" were improving on the right and worsening on the left; after the procedure he told Sis and J that he hadn't seen any sign of cancer. Biopsies were taken however. 

Recovery was ...interesting. I remember waking, coughing. And so cold, with headache and neck pain. So thirsty.  She gave me apple juice with ice, and I swear it was the best juice ever.  Brought me heated blankets. And I waited until I felt less wobbly. 

J was allowed back with me too. Eventually he helped me dress and then I was brought downstairs in a wheel chair, around 10:15. Sis helped me into her car, and the rest of the day was spent on the sofa, waiting to feel normal. I was so tired, and coughing. I read a lot, and napped.

But the next day, Friday, I was feeling better. Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday were all very tough at work. Heavy patient load, just me and one other doing everything required. We agreed there was no way to even attempt returning phone calls or messages; we focused strictly on managing the OVs and getting charts ready. I skimmed the messages at times and made sure there were no "emergencies" , but other than med refills, I put everything else on hold. 

The front office person told all callers we were short-staffed and would get to the messages when we could. I was almost anxious for someone to ask me why we hadn't worked on the messages; I was going to give them a piece of my mind!  Me and my co-worker, and the two in the back, were just drained. We worked overtime everyday just to finish the stuff required; there was no time for anything else. We grumbled all day to each other, or gave  each other meaningful looks. 

Midweek L,adyDoc switched people again, so I'm working with RN-V now. She's very, very good, but very much a firecracker. Her mood changes like lightning.  

Monday I had to leave early so I could go to my dentist appt, just a  cleaning. All went well there. Tuesday I came in late, because I was scheduled for a Covid test at 8am. But I still got to work before my doc came in, for his first day back from vacation.  That day was incredibly busy. Each day I got home just flat out drained.

Wednesday morning J took Sophie for her vet appt, and got a new anti-anxiety med to try that night.  It was a huge failure; she was awake at around 3am that night/morning,  and stayed awake...which meant we all stayed awake.  Sigh. At one point we thought we'd try giving her another anti-anxiety pill, but it didn't do a thing. She was groggy a few hours later when J took them walking, so he made it a short walk. She sleeps most of the day, and then this anxiety kicks in and she is wide awake from about 5pm on.

And Thursday was the Procedure.  Glad it's all over; now we get to wait for the results.

Yesterday I noticed a Mother's Day Sale, and ended up buying a brand-new queen mattress for $212, which will be delivered today. That's incredibly fast, and the mattress itself got great reviews. This one will go into our guest room. We haven't had a mattress in there this whole time; when we used to have guests they used an air mattress. But I'm excited to finally have a proper bed. For such a great price, too. 

That's about it. This week will be much easier at work, because LadyDoc is only in 3 half-days. She has family visiting and her son is graduating HS. The next week is her birthday, so we are doing a pot-luck on that Tuesday. Gotta think what to give her. 

 

Anyway, the good news is that it's probably not cancer in my lungs. I'm very relieved, and curious about what it is.

More will be revealed. 

TYG

Sunday

 Last night (after a bit of a mix-up regarding tickets, timing, and transportation to the site) we five went on what's described as a nature cruise, down in Ponce Inlet. It's a catamaran holding 48 people;  the two barefoot and t-shirted young men who are the staff serve bottomless drinks,  and later veggies and fruit, over a 3-hour cruise around the area. 

It happened to be absolutely perfect weather, sunny, warm, breezy, lots of other sailboats and powerboats and recreational water vehicles, all enjoying a Florida evening. It was absolutely wonderful. Very much needed. 

We saw lots of pelicans, and egrets, ospreys, herons of all kinds, and dolphins! MissS has a wonderful eye for spotting those, and that was so cool. This cruise went  down to New Smyrna Beach, and under a drawbridge, around the various channels and bays.  Toward the end we headed out into the ocean.  We didn't go too far out, but that was amazing, almost the best part for me. The sun was going down, and we got some spectacular shots. 

That morning I'd been able to attend my first-in-13-months AlAnon meeting with all my dear friends in person.  We are now based in the main room at a much larger church, which is very welcoming. There were only about 10 of us, seated at tables which were arranged in a circle, two at each table.  Seeing all these familiar faces really hit me hard. A few people were okay with hugs, but no one was masked. We did the socially distant thing,  and all of us are vaccinated. 

It was a very emotional meeting.  My sponsee and I agreed to walk next weekend after the meeting.  I was drained afterward, and went straight home.

J and I put up our replacement patio umbrella which is a sky blue, and only a half-circle design, the better to fit against the wall.  Then we got into the pool and enjoyed the 92-degree temp. 

And then Sis and BIL and MissS zoomed over to pick us up for the cruise. 

Friday morning I went to the lab for a repeat set  to see if I'm improving in any way with the increase in Vitamin D and Vitamin B.  Then home, where J and I stayed for the rest of the day. We napped and watched a movie. 

Thursday I was also off work, and again did very little; J had a dermatology appt, his semi-annual. We did some grocery shopping, but that was it. My doc sweetly texted me to ask if this was the day of the bronchoscopy, remembering this even though he is on vacation. He reminded me  I am in his prayers, and that everything will be fine...

The work week was only 3 days for me, and with my doc gone, that left the procedure nurses available to help us two with the office visit patients. So each day was fine, work was evenly distributed, plenty of prep time for next week and catch-up time from the last week. 

Tuesday after work I had an actual hair cut at the salon for the first time in months, other than getting my bangs trimmed. I'm pleased with it, especially since she listened to me when I said my hair shrinks a lot when dry (after the shampoo), so it might be best to cut the bangs first. She ended up shampooing, then cutting my hair, but blow-drying my bangs before carefully trimming them just right.  It was nice to be heard.

Wednesday Sis came over for pool and dinner and catching up. I hope we will continue to do this weekly. She is clearly under a lot of stress, and we talked about this a lot. 

That was also the day J's oldest son called to say his wife had had either a heart attack or a stroke, and was being sent to an ER in a bigger city than their little town in Arkansas.  We learned they have no insurance. (The fools. Both have jobs, but neither one took the insurance offered by their respective employers, preferring the extra money in their paychecks instead.)  So far their bill for this is over $49,000.  Staggering. I don't know what they are going to do. People like that are just so...foolish.  They gambled they wouldn't need insurance, and they lost.

It's been an interesting week. But overall so grateful.  

TYG

Beautiful photo of MissS...