Chit Chat for September 2024

[Grassy]

Yep, I got to see the Fever and the Mercury following that game. I can see the Ion games and the games on WNBA League Pass and ESPN. I am locked out of Lynx games which is unfortunate. But I can see them when they are aired on Ion and ESPN.

And there is a highlights channel where I can see large pieces of games after they have aired, so I can see the Lynx then.

Thanks for the new tubes Huronna!

It has gotten hot here and is supposed to stay in the mid-80's through all of next week and into the weekend. After having a cool summer wet summer, we're now having a hot dry Fall. We finally got our drought straightened out; now I hope we don't get messed up.

[Bubs]

We watched the Mercury woman's basketball game and also the Arizona Cardinal's game.
Both teams won...yay!
Wishing everyone a happy new week.
(((HUGS)))

[Flagryl]

We watched the Fever and the Packers (both won) and then browsed through some other games, big sports day. The NFL Sunday ticket is a pain on youtube. Had to call them after the game I supposedly recorded and put in my Watch Later list did not work. Turns out you have to have youtubetv to record, which has a huge monthly pmt but the rep guided me through a process to get that app without paying so I could record. Who knew? I swear I read all their stuff and it was not straight up and clear.

[Huronna]

Leaving for the east coast of Fl early tomorrow morning. Won't be back in my computer until Monday night. I will have my Ipad and hope there is wifi where I am staying.
See you all soon

[Bubs]

Safe travels and have a wonderful time Huronna.
(((HUGS)))

[margie52501]

Have a safe trip and enjoy yourself Huronna.

[Smilyn]

Let's see; news that nobody else knows...

1) I canceled my November breast repair. I'll post about that on FB sometime soon, but don't want to get into that there yet. I refelcted on the conversation and am just not confident that the surgeon will do more than go in, take everything out, and leave me "flat" on that side. In the conversation she alluded to that as my former first choice... and I had to correct her. She openly said she was not sure she wouldn't make things worse - but did not believe time would make the situation better. I did allow them to schedule me as it bought me time to think. Yesterday I cancelled the surgery saying I had other alternative treatments I want to try and would call them in a few months. All of that is true. Cold Laser, heated massage, sport taping, more... and time. Crossing fingers.

2) Meanwhile; Sept 27, I meet with the knee surgeon who did an unsuccessful repair on my right knee to begin the process of a knee replacement. I have decided that I should grab this time frame and get that done as it is clicking in and out and bowing in - and goodness knows what will happen next, lol. I want to be able to walk again easily as I face further aging. My SIL waited too long for a knee replacement and other health issues caused her to be unable to get one because she was a bad surgical risk. Don't want to be in a wheelchair long term like she is due to that, so perhaps doing knee surgery in Nov instead of chest!

3) And then there is Oct! I will not be posting on FB about this as it involves family drama, but I can tell you here that I am being a Fairy Godmother Aunt in Oct. I am taking my niece Kari to Tucson for her "yes to the dress' moment. She lives in Pittsburgh, is isolated and a bit of an introvert, is marrying a man she has lived with for 10 years (that her mother loathes,) and has been going to places like David's Bridal taking selfies of herself in dresses trying to make a decision - alone. Bridal shops think of them as the sad brides; no wedding party, mother of the bride, friends... I found out about all this gradually in bits and pieces. She is very practical. Nearly ten years ago she and Jake made the decision to invest in a house together as a commitment instead of a wedding. She told me that if the relationship did not last they would sell the house and each have something to move forward with. She thought a piece of paper, a cake and a fancy dress did not mean as much as far as commitment reality went. I couldn't argue. Now, for some reason, he has given her a beautiful ring and they will marry on the tenth anniversary of the house purchase next March.

A couple of Sundays ago, (during a text exchange about possibly making sleeves to match a potentially preferred style of fitted sleeveless gown) I had an aha moment: I have rock star history to bring to bear here and nearly didn't notice. I din't think she'd go for it - as she is so quiet - but I made the offer:

I used to sell Bridal back in Tuscon in the late 90's. I worked in sales at a very high end boutique with sales totals second only to the beautiful Costa Rican owner - and I only worked Part Time. They consider me family, they still own the store, and they always gave me a discount. I tected her and asked if she would like a REAL "yes to the dress" memory - one where she got to try on extravagantly priced gowns and had people with her that were excited and helping her feel beautiful. I told her that because she was my family, these people who considered ME family would see her as family as well. And she said yes! And they are very excited!

So there will be a whirlwind three days in Tucson where I am welcomed back and she is welcomed in. We stay at their home, a discount has been guaranteed, dinners out, all the fun stuff. They are the biggest bridal venue in the Southwest with 40,000 square feet of bridal. She will have her moment in the sun getting her dress. Steve is paying for the plane tickets, and I will cover costs above her budget for the dress - if necessary. I arranged the flights so both of us change planes in Chicago to seats together to and from Tucson. Kari is my favorite relative; We will have fun. Yes; I will share pictures.

That's three weeks away; we return on Columbus day. My life seems to happen at an accelerated pace. Try to keep up, lol!

Today we are on top of the 40' long old RV washing it to reduce potential for "neighborhood eyesore" complaints. We do not know if it will run again; it did not start last time. Getting onto the top is a necessary Big Deal. It is 12 feet tall! I will post pics.

Waves and HUGS!

[Flagryl]

Goodness Milyn, you've got a lot on your plate. I sure hope the breast treatments ward off surgery and the knee replacement goes well, those are not easy. The bridal gown adventure sounds like great fun, enjoy. Are you going to sell the RV and get it out of your hair?

PT is going well, I'm curling 6 lbs now. Wish the hip would calm down, hard to keep my legs limber. Have an appt in a couple of weeks for another possible shot, this time in the bursa.

My Mother's Aloe Vera plant is huge and in desperate need of repotting. Can't do it by myself so a friend is coming over next week to help. Bought some cactus/succulent potting soil. I also need to repot a spider plant, but think I can do that after John takes it down.

[Smilyn]

Well... the project to start washing the motor home started well - we made good progress and it was fun to be working together on a perfect fall day.

Then Steve fell 12'straight down the side of the RV landing on the only concrete square in the narrow area between RV and house. When I could get to him he said he couldn't feel his legs.

He is in the hospital with a fractured T12 and fractures in his pelvis. He can move his legs but can't feel if they are touching. His knees have nerve pain. He has not walked yet. They were going to do surgery on his pelvic fractures, then changed their mind. I will be asking about a procedure to stabilize the T12 by injecting glue that a dr friend told me about so he can be without the waist high pain, at least, while focusing on the hips. I am headed to the hospital to hopefully be there during Dr rounds so I can ask questions like: can he be moved to a rehabilitation facility and off the surgical wing? He cannot come homw. I can't keep him from falling or help lift him.

Yesterday I climbed back up onto the RV and got all the cleaning gear off.

I don't know where our life is going.

[Flagryl]

Oh my goodness, I hope his recovery goes well. Please keep us updated. Best to Steve and you as well!!! Hugs.

[Mary]

oh no! I am so sorry to read about this, sweetie. You guys were in need of a huge break but not this kind! Much love, hugs and prayers for you and Steve! Keep us updated on how he's doing.

[Huronna]

I am so saddened to read all of this Milyn. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

We will be driving back tomorrow, should be home about five or so. We have had a great time with friends and family.

[Huronna]

Gor back a little while ago, no traffic so it took about 3 hours.,. clothes in the washer, unpacked and now I have a zillion images from Ann Crols to go through. Since she was having problems with her site, she has been sending me zip files. So I will be busy for a while.

[Flagryl]

Yea, Ann Crols flowers. Love em! Welcome back.

[Grassy]

Yikes Milyn! Holy cow! I wish you and Steve could catch a break! Sending love and prayers.

Huronna, will you be bothered by Helene?

[Huronna]

You never know what will happen, Grassy. They change directions at the last moment.
The last couple that were supposed to go right over us, went to the south or further north.
We'll know more in a couple of days. and then...what will be will be. We are inland, away from rivers and way far away from the gulf, so flooding is never a real issue for us.
And through all the past years, we have never lost electric, or even wifi as all our lines in this area are underground.

[Grassy]

I hope you stay safe, and all our other Florida friends too.

[Bubs]

Just good ol' Bubs peekin' in to wish everyone a very happy week.
(((HUGS)))

[Smilyn]

Well... so far I have remembered to put fuel in the car on time and it only took me 5 days to change the cat litter. I'm dealing with trash and recycling and sorting the food in the fridge that has gotten lost. I've got to get up to speed on that while I can as next comes washing the piled stuff in his closet and reorganizing the main rooms and bedroom so walker and wheelchair can fit. Right now there's no guarantee that he'll be home to need that, but if he does there won't be much warning. I am planning to push for VA care if he can't take care of himself. Tomorrow I see the dr about my knee.

He is looking old and feeble atm; still not able to put weight on his feet. I think he was released from the hospital too soon. He has not moved his bowels since last Fri am. They keep pumping laxatives into him. Yesterday he was vomiting brown. It's very worrying. They took Xrays to compare. They have been dragging him on and off bedpans and having him do all sorts of rolling and reaching and pulling with his upper body - and the legs just stay stuck to the special mattress that he sinks into. They didn't do anything for any of his fractures. He's on 6 kinds of pain and muscle relaxing meds. It's terrifying. I'm so tired. But the cat has clean litter. I'm taking that as a win!

[Huronna]

I'm so sorry for what you are going through. About 4 months ago, Joe fell and cracked a couple of his ribs, they didn't do anything, said they would heal in time. When they did the MRI and stuff they found that he had also had a cracked pelvis, which we had no idea when that had happened. You definitely need to get some help, even using Visiting Angels for a couple of hours each day. I would definitely push as you aren't in any physical shape to care for him.

[Smilyn]

Thank s Hur... I am not. I am hurting quite a bit from doing the extra work I am covering. I'm struggling tonight with an early dr appt about knee and hip. Going to bed pretty soon (Oh carp. I forgot to take meds an hour ago.) Well... going to bed as soon as I can.

I came back to say I hope everybody in Florida and the path of Helene anywhere stays safe. I think we will just be getting rain here. It will be odd to be alone, so I hope that stays true.

[Huronna]

It looks like Helene will hit the Pan handle and go to Georgia. we had a small squall this afternoon, but that was it. Since then no rain and no wind.

[Flagryl]

Hoping Helene veers westward and you don't have fallout Huronna. Mily, I cannot imagine all you are enduring and my heart goes out to you. I agree w/Huronna that you need to push and get some services to help you manage. The recovery will take a while.

My friend is coming over today to help me repot a very large Aloe Vera from my Mother. Off to PT

[Huronna]

Wee Helene was nothing more than a regular summer squall in our area. we just have twigs in the backyard from the neighbors trees and some people's fences have blown down. We don't have a fence, though we have fence on 3 sides, 3 different neighbor's fences LOL. Of course the Hurricane season is not over yet, usually Sept to Nov are the worse. I hear the norning part of Fla got hit badly, but I have not had the TV on yet. and I don't know about the other areas where she was heading/

[Smilyn]

I am glad to hear Helene was a nonentity. I hope we also have nothing to speak of. I have a friend in the panhandle and one in Georgia I need to connect with later. Right now I need to get food in and leave for the next appt - and next visit with Steve.

He is back in the rehab facility after spending the afternoon and night in the ER. I was there with him from 3pm to 1am. On the road at 8 after getting home and feeding cats and trying to do a few necessary things for the morning - 4 hours of restless sleep (no night meds) has left me a bit blurry, but I made the am appt with the cardiologist to get a letter of approval for upcoming knee surgery - only to have him tell me that he was grabbing this opportunity for a nuclear stress test scheduled for two weeks from now - after he found out I had been fairly inactive since the breast cancer journey. Great. In a few minutes I race a half hour up the road for a bone density scan and then remember to go fuel the Subaru at Costco before heading the other way to visit Steve. Then I come hoe and try to get my house under control and eval my life - adding in cardio to prep in two weeks for a test that seems funny. Stress test, lol. Not the same I know, but words...

Steve was in the ER because he was developing pneumonia and was advanced pregnancy impacted - which was the cause of the pneumonia, as his lungs were short of room to work. He has the prominent front rib cage that men sometimes have which doesn't give as much lateral lung area. strange how that didn't show when he was young and tall and broad shouldered with a nice rear view in a flight suit. Anyway; I complained about his panting and breathy breathing and his lack of bowel function for a week (with enough laxatives to empty a horse every day) until the rehab facility took mobile xrays. They thought they found an intestinal blockage and transported him. The blockage turned out to be a false lead, but the impaction was severe. Lots of pain meds, no IV fluids after the first day but sleeping too much to take fluids well, no activity, pain, and a diet where he was only offered choices of foods that cause constipation - cheese, dairy, eggs, white bread, pasta, meat etc. Then they dragged him around on a bedpan at rehab and his pain increased so the meds increased, breathing got labored, o2 was added nasally (never had that in his life except during surgery once,) and things got bad. He would be in crises now had I not been overheard by a staff member in the lobby of the rehab talking to him on the phone (got there too early for a visit) and saying: "I think they are trying to kill you with laxatives." I saw her get up and leave the room. He called me to say they were doing the mobile xrays within 20 minutes. Pretty sure he'd be at the hospital today anyway - but in much worse shape. So that's good. Now maybe he can finally actually begin rehab and we can assess how this changes our life. Without surgery to glue or screw any of the fractures, I think he is at risk of becoming very frail. And my knee in Nov will be a hard thing added to that. So he is back, and is on antibiotics and a no bedpan restriction and a changed diet. I've done what I can. I hope he doesn't scare me like that again.

Meanwhile I sit here scarfing raw Kale and fruit with garbanzo and Quinoa before dashing. I have been in lock step with Steve for so many years I am blocked up now as well in sympathy or codependency or lunacy - definitely in dehydrated and abnormal diet and schedule myself. So pushing fluids and doing some self care is in order. When I can. Whew! At least Helene is not a direct visitor. I really need some rest, and my house is a mess. I've been on the road or sitting in medical facilities for the last week straight!

Gotta dash. Everybody stay ok. I will do my best to be ok also. Sorry this is a bit zoomy and blurry... I don't function well on little sleep. HUGS!