Moving Forward

 What is a SEM murmur?

Midsystolic murmurs — also known as systolic ejection murmurs, or SEM — include the murmurs of aortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and atrial septal defects. 

What is a 2/6 murmur? Faint but easily audible.

Systolic Murmur Grades are based on the intensity of the murmur.

My physician noted in the checkbox for 'heart' that I have a 2/6 SEM.

Anyway, for now I've decided not to have the  removal of a cataract in my right eye, at least for a year. I'm doing OK and I'm not as angry now.

The last of the Oxhearts sits in my 12" pottery bowl and I really hate to think of cutting it!  I may save another  packet of fermented and dried seeds from this one, as it is the perfect example of the heritage variety. Isn't it beautiful? It measures 4" across and is heavy with meat, few seeds, and actually smells good. It is a feast for the eye!

My daughter is processing all the rest from her garden today and they will be made into tomato sauce. There were many, though smaller than years before, due to the drought.

There hasn't been a hummingbird at the feeder for two days so I took it down and sanitized it for storage. I miss them already.

The schools in this area have started. Now I know the summer is ending and I don't anticipate the coming of the next two seasons but will try to get through the best I can. I think the trick is to keep busy, mind and body. 

I did another photomanipulation because the shadows in my neighbor's image caught my eye.

Eye Event

Well it is the day after. Here is some information about my left eye cataract removal procedure of yesterday.

Day of surgery...It was almost postponed because as soon as they attached the ekg(?) a very unusual heart rhythm was shown. Well they had to call my doctor’s nurse in Montrose and she had to tell him, and then he had to tell her to call them back and tell them it is ok to go ahead. I already told them that I have had a heart murmur all my life. I was becoming totally irritated, angry and uncomfortable that was for sure! In fact my own doctor put it on the paper he faxed for permission for surgery. Maybe they didn’t see that or maybe they didn’t know what his comment said when it came to the heart check box. It said, 2/6 SEM (I think)(I have a copy of that fax). They said this wasn't a heart murmur and it was concerning. Anyway they hadn’t started the anesthesia and I laid there all restrained and taped, for over 1/2 hour. The strong tape they used to hold my eye open and my head and shoulders in place was terrible when they took it off. It stuck too well and my skin is way thin. It did not tear my skin but it felt like it was going to. My right eye is fine, the left one still burning and scratching. I go to Monrose office for follow up tomorrow at 2:30. The story will continue I guess..I’m doing my 3 different drops as the guide chart instructs. 

When I was in the surgery room there were five other patients on lined-up beds. Our heads were covered with a mesh 'bonnet' our feet with 'booties' and a full covered robe on our entire body. It felt like being in a production line! Yes, there was more than one surgeon and anesthesiologist and many nurses. I had three tapes on my wrist - one for ID, one for allergies and one to alert that right limb is not normally functional. (my arm)

After the surgery was complete, surgeon said it may take 2-3 months for total healing and I am known as a slow healer! Oh well It’s done and it’s time to move forward.

Today the burning and scratching have diminished somewhat and I've noticed that when I look through new eye lens, colors are washed out. Whites are whiter and blacks are darker compared to looking through right eye. I didn't sleep well. It was hard to sleep on my back and right side - not easy because I’m mostly a left side sleeper!

During my follow-up visit today I will have questions. I was previously encouraged by eye doc to get other eye done. Will talk about that during this at this appointment.

Hand where anesthesia was put into vein is sure purple after removing bandaid.

Care Package

"Those who truly love you will empower you"

Here goes - New things to try, VERY new to me! My friend, who lives about 100 miles away from me has been a great support when it comes to my comfort. She is a retired RN and has tons of experience and know how.  When I had a foot issue return after many years and was at the campground in SC, she gave me a back roller and showed me how to use it for my nasty recurring plantar fasciitis. To this day it is on the floor under the table where I usually sit and I roll that foot over it many times as a normal daily procedure.

When she posted a picture of her mother's 96th birthday I just knew she would give me some tips of how her mother keeps her skin and self so well. I asked and boy did I get answers! In the mail. A box of potions and lotions so to speak.

The first was this!

Beekman 1802 - Pure whipped body cream - goat milk body moisturizer for dry skin. Daily intense hydration body butter, rich with vitamin E, mango seed, and coconut oil. 8 oz. It melts in for long-lasting hydration and smooth skin, without feeling greasy. Fragrance-free and good for sensitive skin. Use for entire body. source-internet

The next gift was this!

Argon Oil is nature's richest source of all three essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6, 9), which are known to counter the loss of firmness and help boost the appearance of skin's elasticity. source-internet

Also included were more of these.

source-internet

She gave me one a while back, but it seemed to warm up too fast so now I have backups! Easy!

I am already experiencing the effects of the body cream and the argon oil. If I had started using these about 50 years ago I would be without a single body wrinkle and have no turkey neck either. The best part is that I feel the love that was sent with the products and actually feel the difference of my skin already! It's a win-win.

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A Very Good Day

It started off with my neighbor helping me - again!  Last week she removed the foam bed topper and mattress pad from the double bed. They went into a trash bag because it was way too soft for me to use. Today she put the new mattress pad on AFTER flipping and turning the mattress. I was no help at all. Then a sheet and I'm going to try it out tonight!

I decided to take a buggy ride and was hoping it wouldn't rain. The clouds were large and black when I started.

On my ride I 'saved' a 5" turtle that was in the middle of the road at the neighboring lake. I put it in the buggy basket and brought it home to make positive identification. I have just started learning the difference of two species of lake turtles here and didn't want to put it in my lake if it was of the invasive species.

I took photos but the stinker wouldn't stretch out its neck very far. However, I'm sure it is a painted turtle and I let it go. The following images are mine.

Internet photos next of Painted

Internet photos next of Red Eared Slider

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Then I used my stretchy new hose for the first time to spray off the dust on Buggy. I tried to remember what to turn on for water to flow and how to use it and then how to put it away. I dun gooood!

The postal carrier dropped off a special gift at my door while I was out riding. It was a box full of skin care goodies from a dear beach friend. Her mother just reached age 96 and I wanted to know her secrets. I anticipate using these very special items! More about them later.

Thoughts

Today I came across a writing that a longtime friend wrote before she died and it hit a nerve. That is because I'm always looking back and, in fact did just that today! I truly miss hanging out my laundry. Actually I miss doing it myself. I even once worked in a personal care boarding home for several years and did all the laundry for 30 residents! As a young mother I was overly proud to have the whitest diapers on the line showing to all who passed by. My mother was the same. It was a very satisfying task and I was always willing to assist with it. Soooooo, I pulled out some fairly recent photos to remember how good it felt to have clean laundry on the line. As my shoulder lost motion over the years I just had to give it up. That hurt! I know there are more photos not scanned but those images are well remembered.

2009

 2010

2011

(Broke shoulder 2012)

2013

2014

2014

2015

2016

2016

2017

2018

2020

Now many birds use the line as a perch. 

It is all frayed.

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PAST VS. PRESENT

The past is the past for a reason.
That is where it is supposed to stay,
But some cannot let it go.
In their heads it eats away

Until all their focus becomes
The person they used to be and
Mistakes that happened in their life.
Oh, if only they could see

That you cannot change what happened, 
No matter how hard you try,
No matter how much you think about it,
No matter how much you cry.

What happens in your lifetime 
Happens for reasons unknown,
So you have to let the cards unfold 
Let your story be shown.

Don't get wrapped up in the negative.
Be happy with what you have been given.
Live for today not tomorrow.
Get up, get out, and start living,

Because the past is the past for a reason.
It's been, and now it is gone,
So stop trying to think of ways to fix it.
It's done, it's unchangeable, move on......

    by Jan Grace 10-28-17

Done Dock

This morning the loose dock was carried away from the concrete spillway and was moving along the water's edge. Well, after lunch, I looked out to see it right against mine and now had to get it tethered so it wouldn't dislodge mine or we would have two runaways. I called a couple of neighbors and two came right away. While they worked, their dogs had a great playtime of romping and chasing. The rope that was on top of the "traveler" was long enough to tie it up to the "woodpecker tree".

You may wonder why it is called the woodpecker tree? First of all it was already there in 1961 when the property was first purchased. Woodpeckers continually used it through the years. My dad filled the numerous holes with cement! The first photo here is my firstborn daughter (age today 66) holding her little sister (age today 55.) The other little lady is my middle daughter (age today 62.) The tree was used as a backdrop for many pictures taken by my mother. I hope it lasts another 60 years! Lily of the Valley covers the ground around this tree and now the red squirrels live in new holes. That tree could tell tales - I know it!