Different

James is in mourning for me. I'm learning how to live alone now but it doesn't seem to be too challenging so far.  

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Sunday - NOT Sunny Day

I have found myself talking to me - out loud, for heaven's sake! You see, the Mister is in a nearby healthcare and rehab center and the length of his stay is questionable. A visit on our 60th marriage anniversary went OK and there will be more. The best thing is that he is now safe and being given the special care that he really needs. To visit, a call must be made to the Activity Dept. at the center and make an appointment in advance. That's fine. We can do that. I'm home alone BUT have true friends who make my life better. Diabetes and falls are very serious health concerns so anyone 'out there' who knows all about these can really understand.

The momma mallard is showing off her seven little ones. They were way out on the lake so the photos are fuzzy, but it soothes me to know that Mother Nature is still around and very close-by with comforting views. 

The Mister...

Just a short update here since he was hospitalized locally due to another fall on June 5. After several tests he was moved to a larger facility about 50 miles away. He had more tests and they found an abnormality in the CAT scan. He is still there after being upgraded from ICU to Step Down and then to another room.  So far he has been in four different rooms there! Telephone communication is hard for us as he is hard of hearing and his dentures were out. 

Plans are in the works to have him transferred to our local facility for his continuing therapy in the hopes he will improve and return home. That may be another happening for me to describe. Writing helps me cope. 

That's it, folks. I'm OK. Have several neighbors and friends helping me. It sure is quiet around here without the TV going all of the time.

An adult nephew has just had serious surgery today and that was a worry as well. It is over and now his healing will begin.

Our daughter brought me some of her garden peonies today and we had a good visit. The rain last night knocked many of them down. Home-grown cuttings are the best. I really don't care for florist bouquets!

The Time...

After another recent fall, thank goodness with no serious injury, it was time for The Mister to be hospitalized and get better help than I can provide with all of the OT, PT, RN, LPN and friends and neighbors here. He is safe and comfortable now in the local and nearby hospital.  

His doctor has ordered tests and perhaps the awful weakness in his legs can be diagnosed. I'm OK. With so much support of various friends, including bloggers, I'm just taking it one day at a time.

I'll try to stay as positive as I can and keep on with reading and writing, which are a soothing activity and a help for me. Stay tuned.

HOT here! I don't like hot, but the AC is working well and the dehumidifier in the bathroom keeps the tank from dripping. Onward! 

Wheels Go Around

...and around!  What a week since last Friday! The Mister fell getting into the car right in the carport between the cabin side door and the car door. Got him up using kitchen chair for helper. Later same day, he fell after taking a ride in the golf car when he was walking -with cane- toward the front porch and went down in the pathway and flowerbed. Two falls in one day. Used kitchen chair to help him get up. Then early on Monday he fell in the kitchen. I was able to call a neighbor who helped him get up. I had already reported Friday's falls to the doctor and he immediately ordered Interim Health Care. Later on Monday he fell again in the bathroom and the same neighbor with spouse got him up. Two bloody and scraped elbows. No other injuries! Monday was my brother's 82nd birthday. I had mailed a card. Called, but no answer.

On Tuesday my Schwan's order was delivered, the automatic generator yearly service was completed, and the trashman picked up. Life went on as normal without a fall.

Wednesday the RN came and she did a thorough evaluation. He fell when she was here when walking across the living room using the walker, as usual. She got him up, waited to see if he was going to be ok and left. The neighbor did my laundry.

Wednesday was my daughter's 65th birthday. She and our younger daughter from PA went to the NJ seashore for an overnight stay. It was a double May birthday annual celebration for them. Tomorrow is her actual 61st birthday and there will be a NJ family dinner out tonight and she will return back here in PA on Saturday. 

Then on Thursday the physical therapist came; a very tall man who had to duck his head a lot when coming through any doorways and walking through living spaces. He did his assessment and said he'd be  back the next day. The yard man came and the mowing and weed whacking were done.  That evening the Mister fell again when sitting down in his recliner chair after dinner. Neighbors were called and got him up. 

In Friday, the propane gas tank was topped until cold weather sets in. The pre-payment for the season will be due soon. The occupational therapist came to do her evaluation. She no sooner left than the physical therapist arrived and serious exercises began. A different way of sitting and getting up was explored and finally decided upon with the use of one of the porch chairs that has arms. The physical therapist says he will probably be coming three times a week for a couple of months. There will also be more visits from the OT and even a LPN! The neighbor picked up medicine from the Hospital RX that the doctor had ordered. 

The Mister' legs have been giving out for a couple of years but now they are so weak that this help is really needed. I understand that. But,

I am not used to traffic in my home - at all. I'm rambling a bit now. It's OK. Writing helps me cope. 

Remember that my mantra is "DO NOT FALL." It has been 11 years on Memorial Day that my fall almost did me in but I'm still tickin' and tockin' and kickin' too! 

Springtime Doctor Visit

The Mister

Closed fracture, one rib, left side. Yep!  After a doctor visit and x-ray, we know why his pain is so great. They no longer wrap or brace the body like they did (about 40 years ago, that is when I broke ribs - twice!) and he was sent home with Rx pain med, instructions for other pain relievers and told to keep taking deep breaths, even when it hurts. Soooooo here we go on the recovery road.

I'm relieved that they didn't keep him there and know he'll be OK, using the walker, going back and forth the length of the cabin several times a day for exercise. Whew! What a day for our daughter who drove him there, stayed during the visit and waited for the x-rays to be completed. She is so good about all things medical as she has had training in the past. 

While they were gone I went out looking for Spring. A neighbor fellow was fishing from his kayak along the edges of the lake where the ice has melted. I saw a few of the old daffodils starting to pop up. Soon the yard will be needing a thorough clean up and our yard man will have the entire job this year! A couple of ATVs whizzed by so we know the signs. 

And look at what my friend who lives in Western Virginia found on their newly purchased acreage!  Pretty special, eh?

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The Morning After

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Although the Mister was weak in his knees all yesterday afternoon after his fall, the bruised hands weren't bothering him except he mentioned that his fingers seemed to be lacking some feeling. This morning when he got up he showed me his hands. Right hand has a large blister near the nail and the left hand has a blister on the pad of each finger, not the thumb. The ring fingertip on that hand was seeping lymph fluid. I called the local hospital to see if there was a doctor available to see him this morning. Due to it being a weekend, only the emergency doctor was available for an office appointment and it was scheduled. 

I then called our daughter across town to see if she could take him. He definitely should not be driving with those blisters and I no longer drive due to my old shoulder damage that now doesn't allow me to reach the gearshift and steering is difficult. She also has legal POA and surrogate privileges so should be allowed in for the doctor appointment. 

Daughter was allowed to accompany him after the copy of the POA was re-copied. We had sent the hospital copies when they were first filed in 2004, but who knows where they are now since the hospital went from one location to another a couple of years ago. They returned home with four of his left hand fingers covered with a gauze wrap, leaving the tips open for drainage that may occur. The doctor did prick the blister on the middle finger and covered it as well. A package of antibiotic ointment packets,  gauze pads (to be cut with scissors included) and a roll of tape to hold the wraps in place leaving the tips open was sent home with him. Doctor didn't use the word frostbite but did say the blisters should be treated as those of a severe sunburn. They should dry out and heal in several weeks. The main thing is to keep his hands clean and dry and without infection.

Well, there goes my dishwasher! I will be Nurse G. for a few days. I'm not excited about any nurse duties but one must do what one must do. 

 

 

This 'N That

I found this graphic on a blog that is written daily by one of my favorite TV anchors on our "go-to-station" WNEP. Andy Palumbo is really a gentleman with wit and humor and also seriousness in the correct places and time. His blogs can be very thought provoking. Andy's blog link 

Now for my quandary... Should I really pick up my eye drop prescription renewal now even though it is the beginning of the year and I haven't met my co-pay amount at all - or even come close to it? 

I have had it refilled twice last year and each time the cost was $42.20. I thought it wasn't covered and that those charges were the full cost. Wrong. That was the co-pay!  When I called to see if it was ready for pickup, the pharmacist alerted to me that the cost would be $119.81!  I probably should pay the price as I need it, but will treasure each and every drop. One little bottle will last two months if I only use it in the "scratchiest" eye! I feel like I'm a between a rock and a hard place and besides that - it is cold.

I baked my 2nd loaf of bread this morning. It is a frozen product and, though not really as tasty as I remember 'from-scratch' yeast bread. It costs just under $1.00 a loaf, slices easily and toasts well. it is OK and it smells really nice in here. Sometimes we just need an olfactory boost.

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The Mister fell today when his cane gave way while he was walking to the drop box at the library to return my borrowed books. He is not hurt too bad, but had to have help to get up and now his hand is badly bruised. Nothing seems to be broken so he's home free-------AGAIN!

That's it! That's enough! Click on image if you care to see images larger.
 

Picture Story

Last night as it was snowing.

 Mac Cheese!

This Morning...

Except for the cold,

he enjoys his snow-blowing activity!

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After Stella 2nd Day

OK, the camera and I and the Mister are all worn out and cold! There is still more snow to go!

Some day I may get a video camera, well...maybe!