Good Bye 2022!

Look what arrived today...a little treat that I ordered during our hospital stay. We saw a piece on the news about this ornament and Woody told me to order it...and I did! this commerates the first Christmas gingerbread display in the White House at Christmas...an addition to White House traditions by Pat Nixon back in 1971. It has a gingerbread fragrance! I just don't understand how 2022 came to an end so quickly. Time is certainly flying...and, Indon't think that I am having that much fun...but then I remember that it seems to fly even when I'm not having fun! All in all is has been a pretty good year...and we have both sirvived another year! I can't report much on Woody today. I did try to call him, but he didn't answer...maybe he was sleeping...maybe he just wasn't able to maneuver to pick up the phone...or maybe, just maybe, I was interrupting a football game just like he said I would! Tomorrow I will be hitching a ride with Nathan, Kathy and family to go to church. The plans have changed as to which church we are going to...not ours...Nathan got a call to substitute for a preacher in an outlying town and we will all go there for church. After he finishes preaching, we will all load up in their big van and head Wade's, Melany's, and Erin's way to celebrate our family Christmas minus Woody. We will add one in as Abigail's boyfriend will be joining us. Woody and I won't be giving our gifts tomorrow as Woody chose most of the gifts this year and wants to see everyone open them...hope that can happen before too much longer! I plan to spend the night at Melany's. Melany, Erin, Brooke, and I plan to visit Woody on Monday after he is finished with dialysis. On our way to see him, we might get a little shopping in! Always good to kill two birds with one stone...right!?! I had a very enjoyable day. I did some things around the house first thing this morning...the vacuum hadn't been run in a while amd probably needed to be fed! I think that it is much happier after running over the floors in a couple of downstairs' rooms! I know that I feel better having done it! I put away a couple of loads of wash and washed the quilt that we have on Woody's bed...so it will be all fresh and clean whenever he is able to return! Plus taking the quilt off turns the couch back into a couch instead of a bed. I got the kitchen straightened out...put some dishes that reside up high away...that always takes a bit more effort and a stool or step-stool! I worked some more on preparation for ornament finishing. I almost have the AZ gifts complete...just one hold out...my sister's ornament. I plan to work on that this evening. Once I have made progress on it, I plan to stitch the Old Year out and the New Year in. This afternoon, I had a nice year end visit with my friend Jo. She brought some yummy burgers over and we chatted and ate...nice way to see the old year out! To be continued. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Home Again, Home Again…Jiggety Jog!

This afternoon, Nathan and I headed to Nashville to see Woody. He seemed to be doing okay...as okay as he can for being so weak and sick! i gathered some things together that he needed and took those to him. He had been very nauseated before we got there. He hadnt touched his lunch. he did eat some fruit coctail whike we were there. Hard to want to eat when he had been sick. The nurses thought Woody was sick because he wasn't used to having dislyses 5 days a week. i told them that was what we were doing before coming to Vanderbilt. He was still having problems with his laptop , when we got there. Nathan looked at it and tried to figure out what was going on with it, but couldn't. It may be more than user error! Nathan took it home to have Abigail's boyfriend, an IT guy, look at it. Nathan hung a clock that I brought for his room, so he can see what time it is. I will say, I was a little disappointed to see some of his confusion is back...not as bad, but in conversations more than it had been. We saw a couple of his medical team. It seems like they dealing with his multitude of problems! He had added several things for me to bring the next time I go. when talking with us, he didn't sound as weak as he did on the phone yesterday...anyway, I think it was yesterday. Woody asjed if I was enjoying the vacation from dislysis he is providing for me! I dont even know what day it is or what i did yesterday! I don't think I've come back to reality sfter almost 3 weeks at Vanderbilt. He entered Vanderbilt 3 weeks ago today. To be continued. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Update From Woody!

Nine o'clockish, I got a call from Woody's dialysis nurse. She had some questions for me...which, if the folk at rehab had taken the paper I left for dialysis nurse out of Woody's file, would have been answered. She said that since dialysis is a contracted service, that she didn't have access to his records. sigh...I had written those out specifically for her and was assured that they would be given to her. Oh, well, I was able to give the information over the ohone and Woody got his dialysis so must have worked! I got a surprise call from Woody, this afternoon. I had been waiting for another call so didn't recognize him at first...but part of that is that he is so weak. He did tell me about his PT...they had helped him to stand and then to sit on the edge of the bed. He was waiting for others to come to help and check him in various ways. He's trying to eat...he has lost a tremendous amount of weight...he is literally just skin and bones. Right now he has the problem of his antibiotics wreaking havoc on his digestive system. He can't win for losing and at the moment he doesn't have much to lose! He told me that he was just so sleepy...too sleepy to talk so I suggested that we say good-bye and that he rest till the next folk came in. I heard a knock on his door as we hung up. He did inquire of me about Christmas gifts...making sure that all we had ordered was here...still two more to come tomorrow. I have been notified a couple times today that they will be here tomorrow. He seemed satisfied when I told him that. He was happy to learn that Alex had a CT scan today and that there was no evidence of a stone any more...good news! I have mainly made phone calls today getting things cancelled or trying to get things scheduled or rescheduled. I got one of the details completed, but have to wait on call backs from the others. Some things that I meant to get done didn't get done because I was waiting for those call backs. I have done a lot of getting a job started but not finishing...guess you can call it spinning my wheels. Aftrr I publish tonight's blog, I am going to get a load of wash going and then settle in to work on finishing ornaments. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! (Woody said that one of his nurses has four Covid patients...wish she wouldn't be in Woody's room. Woody doesn't have to wear a mask while in his room, but has to when out in the halls. He traversed the halls to get to dialysis. He said dialysis is downstairs. A little more about dialysis...they use Fresenius equipment...probably same type of machines that we have and he will have it done 5 days a week...Monday through Friday with Saturday and Sunday off. One of my jobs today was to drain the remaining dyalisate and shut our machine off...one job accomplished.)

He's In…Like Flynn!

The transfer happened very easily. We were told 10am and The Life Flight Ground Ambulance folk walked into Woody's room at 9:55am. Melany had made a trip or two to the car to get all our "stuff" in her car so we could be on our way once they picked up Woody. The rehab facility is only 7 minutes from Vanderbilt. The ambulance did beat us there and had him in his bed and were coming out the front door when Melany and I were going in so we got to thank them. Woody was all smiles when we came into his room. He was pleased with his room and said that I had done a good job in what I signed up for! Phew!!! I just hope he feels the same once they get going with his rehab! Everyone we met was very nice. His room is a good size and it is private, which he wanted. They do have dialysis on the premises...may even do it in his room. As Melany and I were leaving they were bringing him his lunch...hope he liked it. It was my understanding that he was released on a regular diet...we will see if the facility will honor that. I told the person who was in charge of paperwork that we needed to put some meat on his bones! I don't think that he was too happy with me when I left, but I will go back in a couple of days to take him some things that he needs/wants and check on him. Goals aren't all that high...just get back to doing what he was able to do before...Teach Sunday School, lead prayer meeting, do the limited moving around that he did in the house before...to do ALL that he must regain strength...a lot of strength! Melany took me back to her house and Wade,Melany, Erin and I lunched on some of their wonderful Christmas leftovers. Nathan came and picked me up at Melany's house and took me home! There's no place like home!!!!! It's good to be sitting in my recliner and not the hospital's recliner! Mine's cushy! It's good to putter around at home! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

About to be Sprung!

Things started hopping a little after lunch. Woody was still having dialysis in his room. Nathan, Kathy, and crew were heading Vanderbilt way, as was Melany. Melany was coming to spend the night and Nathan, Kathy and family were going to pick me up to go home for the night. And...then...I got a call from the social worker. She said that she had found two possible rehabs for Woody and that both had dialysis on their premises. The Nashville one has private rooms, which Woody prefers. I siad, "Go for it! It's time tonget his rehab started!" So she called the Nashville place first and they had a spot and were agreeable to take him. I said, "Okay." And the ball started rolling...pretty fast, at that. He can enter tomorrow. I called Nathan and Kathy to see where they were on the interstate. They were at a good exit to take and head Tullahoma way instead of Vandy. Melany was already more than half way here, so she kept coming. I didn't know if I would need to do paperwork today or not. I called the rehab place and they will send me paperwork by email and I will it out online and email it back. He had to have a Covid test...done and passed! I was told not long ago that an ambulance will be picking him up at 10am to transport him to the rehab place. It won't be a very long trip this time as it is fairly close to Vanderbilt. After dialysis and all these messages, a doctor came in and removed Woody's stitches. So everything is falling into place for a move to rehab. I was told by the rehab folk that I can stay there with him, but I told them not at first as I needed a break after being in the hospital for 2-1/2 weeks with him! Even Woody agreed that I need a rest! So Melany and I are spending the night tonight...double the care for the night! He is very tired tonight...didn't sleep well last night, dialysis today, etc. He has already had us turn off his light so he can go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day for him. It will go better if he is rested...I hope! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Major Accomplishment!

The picture tells it all. He got up and sat in a chair for about three hours. PT came in and helped him get into the chair and back into bed. OT came and evaluated what he can do and what he needs. One thing she asked about was what we call a picker-upper. This was perfect time to ask about that aparatus, as the one he has just broken before we came to Vanderbilt. So he is supposed to get a new one. He was pretty exhausted by the time he got back into bed. His coloring is pretty good in this picture...taken shortly after he got all situated in the chair. He was much more pale when he got back into bed. One of the team of surgeons came in and talked and said that they are recommending that he stay in the hospital longer...till he gets stronger! Oh, boy! It makes me wonder if the rehab places are wanting him stronger before they will accept him...just a thought I had after the doctors left. He will have dialysis tomorrow. Hopefully can sit in a chair, again. I just wish that they had done more getting him up before this. I think this was only the third time since his surgery that he has gotten out of bed. I believe that his right leg scares them. I told them that his leg's condition is the same today as it was a year or more ago. He has learned to adapt to it and has a way to get around. He was weak today...but I think that they could see that he knew how to work his feet into position. But for the moment...he has to build up his strength. He's had a busy day and is already dozing. I hope that falling to sleep early doesn't mean he will be awake through most of the night! But for the moment I think that anybsleep he can snatch is good for his healing. His surgery was two weeks ago today. Time flies...when you are having fun...and even when you're not! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautous!

Merry Christmas from Vanderbilt: Gifts; Red Alerts; Feast or Famine & Helicopters!

Merry Christmas from Vanderbilt. i'm not the best with selfies...here you see us as we are! Woody is feeling much better and he continues to eat much better. Eating is one of the funny stories dor tonight's blog combined with a red alert! This is the second red alert that we have had while we have been here. We happened to have one of the memory researchers in the room after today's happened. She said that there were several fire trucks outside and that the elevators had locked down. It was a red alert in the basement. she had climbed to the 9th floor via the stairs. She has worked at Vanderbilt for 10 years and had never known the elevators to be locked. plus she couodnsee evidence that the sprinklers had gone off in the stairwell. We were never told exactly what went on, but something happened in the kitchen area. So we were told that meals would probably be late due to all this. Well, we waited and waited and finally after waiting several hours, I finally called...after elevators were working and we had heard several trays being delivered. I called and they didn't know why, but they would send one on its way to Woody. So one finally arrived. He ate most of it and was finishing up with the cherry ice dessert, when another tray was delivered. While Woody was taking a break on the first tray, I orderrd his supper tray. so when this second tray arrived, I just thought that it camr super fast...but, no, it was the stray lunch tray. He ate a good portion of the meat on that tray too as thr first tray didn't have the best piece of meat on it...a lot of fat. Well 30 or so minutes later his supper tray arrived. I ate most of that one! He still has a piecenof angel food cake left that he will eat tomorrow and a special Christmas cookie that the kitchen put on today's trays as a Christmas treat. He and I each had one from the two previous trays! So it was either feast or famine around here from noon on. He received a nice throw from the staff and volunteers...and then the cookies from food service. So gifts abounded! There have been lots of Christmas wishes shared throughout the day. It was a very quiet low-key day except for all the helicopters flying in...LOTS! I got a picture of the reflection of one landing on our building...hard to get a good picture through the dirty windows...but I think that you can see reflection of helicopter and the landing pad/tower in the reflection also. I can sit on the couch in Woody's room and watch in them land and take off and at a point I can usually see the actual helicopter coming over the space between the buildings. We did watch the Christmas service from our church this morning. So all in all we have had a nice Christmas...very quiet...Woody resting and growing stronger. He is ready to get out of here! Oh, another gift...his surgical team lifted any dietary restrictions today as a Christmas present to Woody! He's hoping that they haven't changed them back so he can get a blueberry muffin with his eggs in the morning! Time will tell! Merry Christmas! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! (I hear another helicopter in the distance approaching Vanderbilt!)

Christmas Eve 2022

Some traditions can be done remotely! We were able to attend First Baptist, Tullahoma's Christmas Eve service even though we're sitting in a hospital room at Vanderbilt...about 70 miles away. That's a positive thing that came out of Covid...being able to attend church via computer! Woody had dialysis today and he said that he and his dialysis nurse sang Christmas songs during his dialysis. Woody has eaten very well today...or at least much better than he has been. He has enjoyed the pot roast and it is quite good...very tender. He's hoping to sleep well tonight. He slept in the first part of the night last night, but then was awake for the early morning hours carrying on conversations with his care partner about baseball. He had a pain today that they think is gastritis...he has another pill to take! we are still trying to convince nutrition that he can have yogurt. But so far hasn't happened. We will try again in the morning. He was taken to dialysis today instead of them coming to our room. I took a break...got in a shower without missing any doctor visits. Read a little. Texted with family and friends and had a phone call from a friend. When Woody got back to the room I ordered his lunch. He decided that the pot roast sounded good...well, he doesn't care a lot for gravy and when they offered it on the side I said, "okay." Well, his tray arrived with just this little covered bowl on it. The order was put in as: Braised Pot Roast, Brown gravy in a bowl. The words were stacked...no punctuation...so whoever filled the order read: braised pot roast brown gravy in a bowl...so he got a bowl of pot roast swimming in gravy...not exactly on the side! I just scraped the gravy away and he ate just about every bite. He did well with his supper, too. So if he likes it...maybe he will start eating a bit more! It is nurse shift change...we have seen a lot of shift changes while we've been here. He has had the nicest nurses, care partners, etc. Everyone is keeping a close on what's going on with Woody. They did an EKG on him while he was on dialysis...I have a feeling because of the pain in his chest this morning. We wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas Eve 2022. To be continued. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Same Song Second Verse

Well, we don't know a lot more than yesterday! The first of his caretakers came in and said that she had seen that Woody was going tonbe discharged today. News to us! I wasn't too excited since the roads were icy. But if they had a place for Woody so be it...but I was questioning it since Woody had gotten really nauiseated in the night and was sick multiple times. Soon after the first caretaker came in, the first two doctors came in, And, they started talking aboutna test tomorrow if his nausea didn't improve, I told them that we had just been told that he was being discharged today. He said, that since he was sick in the night that they wouldn't discharge him. I exoected that we might see social worker or at least get a message as to which rehab had accepted him. But...no word from anyone today. This afternoon, I decided that maybe I could find out something from our Fresenius nurses as the social worker mentioned calling one of them. So I texted both of them asking what they knew. The word back was that they still didn't have a rehab place for Woody yet and that Vandy would get back with our Fresenius nurse on Monday. So I believe that we are in limbo...still! Woody is doing fairly well, except for his eating and being able to get up...in the bed too much! Today his nausea has been held at bay...though he says that when he eats he feels like he might and often gets to coughing...perhaps a swallowing problem? He entered Vanderbilt two weeks ago today...so this is the start if our third week!!! Oh, my! It looks like we will spend Christmas here...two more days to work on his eating! Funny thing...I ordered his dinner early...but it took close to two hours to get here...I called and they said it would get here shortly. It came and wonly oartly right...today he doesn't get the usual choices because they are short handed due to weather so he is just getting what they have chosen for renal diets. Well, what they told us would come didn't come and the one thing that he wanted was a cherry ice dessert and it didn't come. So I called and they brought him some. So at that point two deliveries from nutrition. A little while ago...the tray that I ordered at a little after 4pm arrived...so three deliveries. Guess they are trying to fatten him up...he just isn't cooperating! Hopefully his appetite will pick up! They are giving him a medicaton to quell his nausea...our care partner from last night is back and just came in and gave him some of that med. He saidnhe learned from last night tongive him nausea meds! They did a lot of changing of blankets and gowns in the middle of the night! I guess Woody will get dialysis tomorrow...hope that it is a better treatment than yesterday's. He started feeling nauseated during the treatment and never felt great after. I have a feeling it will be a pretty quiet weekend...not a lot goes on...especially with it bring Christmas weekend! I'm guessing we see the mimimum of doctors and none of the extras except for dialysis. We will just stay in the room and twiddle our thumbs. I plan to donsome more reading. I have finished two books and am getting into the third one. Woody has just about finished all the crossword puzzles that Wade and I printed off for him. His mind is getting clearer...but not totally clear yet. To Be Continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

In Limbo!

I was hoping that I could tell you that things are moving in the right direction...but we don't know much more than we did last night. we do know that the one place that they thought had a place for him do not. Now we are looking at a rehab in a town down...or is it up...the road from us may have a room... it then we have to get dialysis coordinated and today they asked if we could be his transportation to and from...at first I thought "yes," but then I realized that I was thinking about presurgery...when he could help transfer himself into the car and into the wheelchair...at this time he can't transfer himself from chair to car, etc. Logistically I could get him from rehab to dialysis, but physically I can't. That's why he needs rehab! So I made a quick call and retracted that! Anyway, someone came by when he was having dialysis and asked some questions about his mobility and that was the last that I heard from them today. If he goes where they are talking about he will have dialysis at our center in Tullahoma...if they have a chair and if they have a time for him! Lots of "ifs." There are public and private transit vehicles that we can use also. Time will tell, if all these "ifs" get worked out! We have a winter storm coming in tonight...so we may have to remain here till roads are clear!!! I had so hoped that we would be out of here before snow and or ice moves in...but guess we are safe and warm here. We are supposed to have wind chill factors below zero...one of the coldest snaps in years...guess lots of the country is experiencing this and worse. At the moment we are still in the 40s and it is raining...might see white on the ground by morning...what will be worse than white is ice on the roads. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!'Tis the season...I think!

State of Confusion!

We really don't know much more than we did yesterday. We're in limbo about a rehab. The one that we thought that we could get that Melany recommended has not returned the case worker's call. Another facility was suggested. Melany and Wade took a quick trip to check it out. It is ok...but would not be Melany's top choice. Maybe we will have to take second best...though I hate too. One of the hangbacks is that it is a semi-private room. I think that Woody is rethinking rehab and would just like to go home. I would like that, too, but at this point he can't get up off the bed to move to a chair by himself. I think that he needs a little skill learning before he heads home. At this point the dialysis hasn't been coordinated, either. The case worker will get back with us in the morning...or whenever...Vanderbilt time. Speaking of Vanderbilt time, dialysis still hasn't shown up for his treatment today. He has given up and has gone to sleep! He has had PT...they only got him out of bed and into a chair. He has had orthopedics come and work on his brace...but it still hurts him so we took it off a few minutes ago. We were told by two different teams on the dialysis team that Woody would have dialysis today....well there are a few more hours in this day...we will see. If they don't get it started soon it won't finish today! The surgeons are pleased with his progress and notice that his state of confusion is lessoning...and it is...but he still isn't totally himself. Hopefully tomorrow there will be some decisions made and we will know the next step. To be continued. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Perhaps Heading Out Vandy's Door Sooner than Later

At this time "things" are a little sketchy. His medical/surgical team deem him ready for discharge. The stopping point is that he has to have a rehab place to go when he is discharged and dialysis coordinated with that facility. That may keep us hanging outna bit longer. We did talk to a social worker this afternoon. Tullahoma spots are nil = no room in the inn! Our next choices were two places that Melany recommended in Murfreesboro that are close to her home. One of those didn't have a room and the other does...so maybe the rehab has been found...if it still has a room available when the social worker got back to them. The next hurdle is getting him in with a dialysis place that has a spot for him. I knew that Fresenius was in Murfreesboro so I was hoping that he would be able to be picked up with them, but I found out from our Fresenius nurses that they don't have in center dialysis in Murfreesboro. Well, something will be worked out...can't release us till rehab and dialysis are worked out! I'll bet that if they are ready to get rid of us that the coordinating will happen quickly! I'm guessing that we will leave tomorrow or Thursday. just hoping that we can get away and get him settled and me home before the weather turns bad on Thursday. We have had some interesting happenings today...they gave him another swallow test and decided that he could pretty much have a regular diet...just cut up small. But the orders were written such that about the only things he could have on the menu were carrots! Somehow they got things worked so he ended up getting a meal...actually had meat for the first time in a out ten days. It was pot roast...very tender. He did some of it and I finished up the rest! They are having trouble getting blood from him...guess they have taken too much from him! He has none left to give! i do think that he is coming around more and more. There is still some confusion...but perhaps seeing him coming out of his dreamworld a bit more! PT didn't come again today. The nurses didnget him sitting up on the edge of the bed. He's pretty weak. Just sitting up for a while made him pretty tired. Last night was the first time in ages that he slept through the night. Today he wanted to finish up our Christmas shopping so we made decisions and I didnthe ordering, We will have our Christmas sometime in January when things get more back to normal...whatever normal is! Seems like something else "funny" happened today, but at the moment I cant bring it to the surface! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! I just realized that some days ago I stopped saying "tis the season!" But it still is!

A Barn Trip???

Just for a few minutes on my way back to Vanderbilt with Nathan, I thought that I was on a barn trip! We had to take a detour around construction on the Interstate and traveled along a back road for about five miles. All of a sudden I realized that I was seeing barns. I have my camera with me, but it wasn't handy so grabbed my phone and snapped this on the way by! Shortly after this we got back on the Interstate and left most of the barns behind...or a ways off to the sides of us. We got back to the hospital before his dialysis was finished. He is doing well according to the report from Melany! They have removed one of his drains. The doctors say that medically he is a out ready to be dismissed. But that it may take a while to get him placed in a rehab center. We have to see a case worker to get that ball rolling and so far we haven't. Again, we are working on Vanderbilt time! He's still not eating much and probably sleeping less. He is dozing now. Someone came and wrapped his leg and out the brace on so he could have PT, but so far PT hasn't happened today. I'm sure that a three-hour stint on the dialysis machine doesn't make it easy to fit him into their schedule! He still doesn't have a clear mind. The dialysis guy reminded us, again today, that it takes much longer for drugs, etc. to clear from a dialysis patient's body. Melany said that he isn't talking nonstop today as he had been. Hopefully he's heading in the right direction. Still a long road ahead of him. On the way back, I received a call from the garage door installer. His comment that the order was really old! I said that considering that it was given to us at Christmas last year that, yes, it was probably an old order! We actually have a date for installation...January 13th...Friday the 13th...when he heard our problems with the length of time he said that maybe we didn't want it done on the 13th. I told him the 13th was fine. We hung up amd shortly after that he called again...checking to br sure that the door opener was on the premises...I said, "yes," that I had been stubbing my toe on it for a year! He also checked to see if we had had an electrician install an electrical plug. I told him "yes"mfor that too. I told him I did it immediatley so I wouldn't be the cause of a slowdown! So I think that everything is squared away for installation day! Going back to Vanderbilt time...most of the time it is in slow motion, but I recall that things really speed up shen it comes to discharge...you think that it will be several days and suddenly it is happening before you expect. Of course, this time discharge depends on having found a rehab facility that has a bed for him. We'll sit back amd wait! Weather report is saying possible snow later in the week and extreme cold temps later in the week and the weekend. Brrrrrr! Wind chill below zero! Double brrrrrrrrr! I figure they will dismiss him on the coldest day or the snowy day! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Happy Birthday, Woody!

Well, Woody is another year older! Last week there was a time when I wondered if we would be able to say that! I think he has had a pretty good day. Nathan and Melany came to the hospital to see him. multiple nurses and doctors wished him a happy birthday. It looks like he is getting closer to being released from Vanderbilt. The doctors and PT folk are recommending that he go to a rehab place to get stronger and learn to maneuver around better. He was more than willing to take this little side trip, if it will help himnget around better. Today, he said that maybe if he starts wearijgnthenbracenthat orthopedics has brought to him, that maybe, just maybe, he can start going to church, again. So that is motivation for him to work hard! He really is doing quite well considering where he was a week ago...awaiting surgery. They have upped his food to pureed. He got some pureed mixed berries that he really liked. Food seems to be tasting good to him after not eating for almost a whole week..even hospital food! He is quite weak, but regaining a little strength every day. Now, if his mind would clear, then everything would be just about right in our world! Melany is staying the night with Woody...spelling me. Nathan brought me home so ai can regroup, have a good night sleep, and do a few things around the house and run a few errands. Nathan will take me back tomorrow afternoon. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Foreword March!

Today Woody was freed from all lines, tubes, etc. And, then about an hour ago, he was moved to the 7th floor. 4 rooms in 9 days! We were moved at shift change so don't know much about the workings of this floor. He was given a liquid diet tonight...the only thing that tasted good to him was the beef broth...something that he thought that he hated! The jello made him cough and the ice cream really made him cough. He managed to spill some of the beef broth on his gown and his bedding. Haven't seen anyone to asknfor help...waiting to see our nurse again. It is good for him to be free physically from all the tubes, etc. But I was a bit disappointed when a nurse decided to pull his feeding tube which was supposed to give him sustaining nutrients until he can get back to eating actual food to sustain him. She was trying to reposition it and couldn't so just pulled it so they could put another one in...which can't be done due to the positionnof his surgery. So much for original plans! I had to work for the tray...forgot to bring him one and then supposedly ordered one and then told us we were moving and we were literally whisked away! Thank goodness I had gotten things straightened out earlier as I anticipated a move. All that is good news, but Woody's mental state is still not right. He may at this point have what is called "ICU delerium." I'm hoping that a good night's sleep will reset him! Neither of us got the best night's sleep last night as he was up coughing and I was suctioning. At one point they came in and put another tube down his nose to help with the suctioning. That did help for a time, but then he was back hacking again. Today that is much better...and we no longer have a suction apparatus so guess I won't be doing that tonight! Anyway, there is good and bad to report. I keep trying to let the docs and nurses that this is not Woody, but they just sort of laugh. We'll see what gets said tomorrow. But I think we are headed home before much longer...just afraid of what he is going to be like when released! He is living partially in the world that he dreamed about at time of surgery/recovery room or when he was in a state of not speaking! Time will tell! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Tube, Drain & Dialysis Day

His vent tube wasn't removed last night because it just took him too long to wake up and he needed to be alert when the drain came out so he could cough, etc. They took him off the ventilator this morning and then this afternoon they removed the tube that went from his nose down into his stomach to remove acids, bile, yucky stuff. So he is down to only a feeding tube down his nose...PROGRESS! He'smworking on coughing and trying to make the disc rise on the spirometer! Melany came today after her early school day ended. She has pretty much made sure that he is couging and using the little plastic machine religiously. He likes Melany to be his nurse! I went down to the food cart to grt some lupper before Melany headed home. While I was gone, dialysis came. They come to the rooms when their dialysis patients are in ICU. She was still connecting him when I got here. She had trouble getting the needles in. She ended up sticking him 4 times and he wasn't numbed this time. Ouch! I couldn't tell how she was putting needles in...I had already told her the size needle we use...smaller than she was using. Then when she decided to go get smaller needles, I showed her the flow map of his graft. She had no problems once she got smaller needles and stuck the needles in the direction we do. She said, "Thank you, Jesus!" when she got them in easily! Woody is still a little affected by his sedation yesterday to do the bronchioscope. His job at the moment is to keep coughing up gunk and my job is suctioning it out ofnhis mouth! May be a long night! He has been pretty alert today and thinks up answers the next time the docs ask him a silly question...like do rocks float on water...they want him to say "no." His answer: ”what kind of rock?" It sort of threw them! It was funny. Then explained that a pummice/lava rock would float. So the person asking the questions had to think of a kind of rock that would sink. Anyway, Woody gave him a hard time...after all, this was "only" the third time today these same questions had been asked. At least one time the gentleman asking the questions was doing it for the study Woody signed up to do for research...something about disorientation of patients in the ICU. Finally today, Woody asked me why they were asking him these questions! I tried to explain. Woody can talk, but it is soft and a bit raspy. He hasn't complained about hisnthroat hurting due to the tubes being in his throat. Woody is quiet for the moment. He's covered with a heated blanket so he is all comfy. Dialysis seems to be going smoothly. There's "only" an hour and fifteen minutes left to go for dialysis. Nothing much better to do...may as well clean his blood! I have finished one book while here and in the middle of another. I actually slept pretty well last night...only woke up to one "nurse intrusion, and then awakened a little after 6am to the first doctor's visit. When the tram comes on rounds, I am invited to listen in. Melany joined us this morning. To be continued. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Twitch Meter!

Probably you can tell by the title of tonight's blog that perhaps "things" are not as critical as last night! Looks like he really needed oxygen. He woke up very alert this morning...responding to requests/commands from varous members of the medical teams. Melany arrived and a little later Nathan got here. Melany brought me breakfast that Wade had cooked. She and her Daddy had a giod "conversation." Good start for the day for me! Nathan talked with Woody and told him about Elijah and his ball playing. I don't know if I have ever mentoned that Elijah is on North Middle School Baseball Team in Winchester, TN. Well, when Nathan told something that Elijah had said about playing ball, Woody gave a big grin...well...as big as you can with a tube in your mouth and down your throat! It was probably the first time that Inhad seen Woody show an emotion on his face since Saturday. After they talked...Nathan doing the talking and Woody doing the nodding, Woody started moving the fingers on his left hand...he was signing letters of the alphabet...trying to communicate that way...it was a bit of a guessing game as Nathan and I weren't totally sure about the letters. It was almost like playing a game of charades! We ended the "game" when some doctors came in. But we were impressed that he had come up with that method of communication! Both Melany and Nathan were reelieved to see their daddy doing so well! Woody has had a bronchio scooe of his lung...checked things out and cleared out some of the mucus still in the right lobe. They had to heavily dpsedate him to get that procedure done. He is having a bit of a hard time waking back up. They want him to wake up so they can get him ready to take the vent tube OUT! Yes, he has had the tube in for less than 24 hours...yesterday at this time he was getting seen over here in ICU and today doing well enough to get rid of the tube. Kathy's sister is a nurse and she said that it is almost a miracle to be on a ventilator for only one day! Can you spell MIRACLE!?! I think that they use this twitch meter to test his reaction to stimulus or is it stimuli? They have come in tonwork on him...we'll see if he twitches...maybe! Today we had several people stop by who want him to participate in some trial studies. He very strongly indicated that he wanted to do it...a big shake of the head when she asked! He likes to be a guiena pig! So in the end we signed up for two of these studies...one ends once he is out of icu...so hopefully that will be soon! The other one is a bit more long lived...we'll see about that...can stop at any time. Woody's nephrology team chose to give him the day off today. They looked at labs that would indicate thr need for dialysis and his were within limits to let him have a day off. One of the icu doctors was amazed when he saw Woody this morning and compared him to last night. He was very pleased to see his response to commands and his interaction. Oh, by the way, I was in the waiting room for almost 5 hours last night! When it got to the five hour mark and having heard nothing, I managed to find a care giver who was entering the icu unit and I asked her to check for me. The nurses had no idea Inwas there...guess that info hadn't been passed on at shift change. One of Woody's nurses said that Woody wasn't even in his icu room when they clocked in...I was very glad to finally get in and find out what was going on. They had run a CT scan on his head and on his chest and pelvis. His head showed no reason for the confusion. The CT scan showed a collapsed right lung with lots of gunk in it that he had asperated. There was also a oriblem with low blood pressure. He stabilized pretty quickly. They intubated him and he was on the vent when I got to the room. And, soon he will be off it...if he will just wake up! He has been very calm over having it down his throat. He understands and we have been telling him that it is coming out today. I'm sure he wants it out, but orobably dreads it coming out, too! I'm very glad to be posting this report tonight! He is still quite sick, but perhaps climbing slowly up out of the deep pit he has fallen into! They have also begun inceasing his nutrition through the tube that goes from his nose into his stomach. We've got to get food into him to sustain him! Lots of hurdles ahead, but at thr moment the oxygen level scare is behind us. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Medical Drama…In Real Life

Tonight's blog will be pretty sketchy, as I am in limbo...in a waiting room...waiting to know just exactly is going on. An hour or so ago, I was in the middle of a medical drama. Woody's oxygen levels dropped and the "show" got underway. Lots of medical personal passed through Woody's door and I was just an observer from across the room. He has been taken to ICU and has been put on a ventilator and is having lines put in for meds, etc., etc. I gave permisson and just told them to take good care of him! We will just give this situation over to God...His Will, nothing more, nothing less...all these are Woody's words...I will again close with the last words he said when he was being put to sleep on Monday: "To God be the glory."To Be Continued. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Reflections From Vanderbilt

Look closely at tonight's photo...reflections from our window and from the Vanderbilt building across the way. In this photo...there are several lifelines...there is a helicoptor that is on topnof our building reflected in the building across the way...lots of helicoptors fly in and out of here. My thoughts always turn to wondering about the individual who has been life-flighted to Vanderbilt...my prayers go out to them. Then you can see me taking the photo reflected in our window...life lines are behind me...Woody's bags of antibiotics and nutrition. If you look closely behind me, you can see Woody...with those life lines connected to him. It is pretty much a waiting game. He has had more waking hours today...but still not responding a lot. He did respond to one of his nurses this afternoon when the nurse said his name. I told him I loved him...he shook his head "no!" Oops...suppose he is mad at me for letting him be in this predicament?!? He responded to Melany and looked at her when she was talking to him...maybe, just maybe he is returning from that dark hole that anesthesia, etc. has put him in! Lots of doctors and their underlings (I call them ducklings because they follow in a line behind the doctor!)have been in to see us. They seem to have trouble understanding that Saturday pre test that he was just fine...himself...working his 4 daily crossword puzzles and interacting as he usually does with Melany and me. Then that one fateful trip for that one test that required a dose of morphine and he hasn't been the same since. Thursday they plan to do an upper GI to make sure that the hole they repaired in the duodenum isn't leaking. A doctor just told me that if his confusion wasn't better in a couple days, they would do a brain scan to make sure there's not another reason for confusion. he has stayed awake for a longer period of time this afternoon. He had dialysis this morning...and into the afternoon. Melany and I went exploring to find breakfast and see just where things are in the hospital. As many times as we have been here, I didn't know how to get to the food court. We found it...very easy to get to from here! Melany and I took turns sleeping last night. One stayed in the room with Woody and the other went to the family waiting room and slept in one of the comfy recliners in there. Woody's night nurse even gave me a warm blanket to cover up with. Melany found out that room was quite chilly. I shared my blanket with her when she went back for a nap...it wasn't still warm, but it was a cover. The nurse offered to get me a recliner last night and I declined. I told him that I wanted to wait to have one brought in till Woody was off for dialysis. So that addition to the room happened while we were out today. Since I have a recliner in the room, I told Melany that I will be fine staying here with Woody. She needs to ge t back to school for these chaotic last three days of school before her Christmas break! She'll come back towards the weekend and spell me for a while. oh, i think that I forgot to mention that the orthopedic team have come up with a brace for Woody's leg and when we saw him after surgery, he had it on. They have started giving him nutrition through his nose tube...very slowly at first to see if he will tolerate it. When they see if he does tollerate it then they will gradually inceease it until he is getting enough to sustain him, Still a long way to go in recovery...definitely a steep road ahead!To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Surgery is Over…Not Best Report

We need this little bird to bring cheer! Woody's surgery took longer than planned...which meant in my mind that he was having what I call "the big bad kind"...an open gall bladder surgery rather than a laparoscopic surgery. And, I was right...but they did start laparoscopically...so he has those incisions too. At this point Melany and I have not seen him. We are sitting in the "family room" near where Woody's first room was. We're waiting for a room to be available. The doctor said that it was much more extensive than he expected. He discovered that the gall bladder had attached itself to the duodenum...making a hole in it. They removed as much of the gall bladder as they could and patched the hole. He has a feeding tube in one nostril and a stomach drain in the other and two drains in his abdomen. It will not be an easy healing process. That healing process is further hindered by the fact that Woody went under the surgery in confused state which will probably be more confused due to anesthesia and drugs given during surgery, etc. He will have to be constrained to keep himself from pulling anything out that he shouldn't, etc. I knew that he could never get through dialysis without constraints the way he was last night...no way could he sit still for three hours and be still enough to get him connected. This is really only a partial report...I will fill in more details as I find them out. Prayers are definitely appreciated. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

On Vanderbilt Time

Early this morning, we had a visit from a doctor telling us that Woody's surgery wouldn't be as early as once thought. They had had several trauma surgeries to do before Woody's and they didn't know the length of these. So we realized that we were going to be waiting. Truthfully I was just as glad that it was put off some, as Woody was given morphine during his test yesterday and he is very confused due to that. Melany came back to be here for the surgery...guess that wasn't meant to be, as early afternoon, we got another update...surgery has been put off until tomorrow. Vandy time is very interesting! Woody has rested a lot this afternoon, we're hoping that rest will reset his mind!! This has happened to him before with strong pain meds. He does realize that he is confused. I do think that he is a little better, but still not totally right! Dialysis was different for him and he was starting to have the reaction to the morphine. I was told this morning that morphine is rough on kidney/dialysis patients, but for this particular test it is needed. I still don't have the tape and gauze off his arm from dialysis...they put a ton on and it is very sticky and Woody doesn't want to stay still long enough to let me carefully peel it off. He wasn't super pleased with his dialysis experience. When next he goes it will be after surgery...he may not be all that excited then eiher! They have said that he can have a liquid diet...so far not interested in any colors of Jello they brought! He can "eat" liquids until midnight. We haven't been given a time for surgery tomorrow...just morning...but then we are at Vanderbilt and on Vanderbilt time! Melany has gone home. She left before the Titans game was over so she would avoid that traffic nightmare! To be continued!!! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

The Last Supper

Not the most flattering photo...caught him chewing...so you can tell he is actually eating! This is the first food he has had in over 24 hours. And, at midnight, he turns back into a pumpkin and can no longer eat till given permission after surgery! He will be having gall bladder surgery in the morning...unless an emergency surgery comes up! Everything around here is run on Vanderbilt time so all times given are subject to change! We just go with the flow...the Vanderbilt flow! We have seen lots of medical folk today. He had his radio-active test this afternoon, that showed that definitely he needs to have his gall bladder removed. We have talked to a doctor representing the infectious disease department and he will be back in their loop and will be following up with the doctor that I tried to get in with the other day...so back in her loop. He will be on several antibiotics for a while...good thing about that...they help fight bacteria thwt need to be fought in the gall bladder area. It sounds like I will be administering one of the strong antibiotics through his dialysis port once we are back home...pharmacy will get that worked out with me. Orthopedics are taking a step back till more is known through infectious disease folk! The x-rays of his leg show that there is no change in the structural breakdown...no better...no worse. place on his leg is no lomger draining...it had pretty much stopped before we got here yesterday. He has signed his life away...and, I think he sort of really feels like he has, when he signed consent forms for surgery. He doesn't like them telling him that they will try laparoscopically, but will change to an open surgery if necessary. He thinks that that is there plan all along to actually do an open surgery. Praying that it can be done the easiest way, but...time will tell! Melany has soent a good part of the day with us. She and I slipped out for a bite of supper before she headed home. There is Panara restaurant right across the walkway from us. We each had a yummy half sandwich. Melany has gone home, but plans to be back in the morning before he goes in for surgery. Woody was picked up for dialysis around 6:30pm. So he will be gone for at least three hours...guessing closer to 4 hours. But they are probably more efficient than I when it comes to set up and connecting, etc. An example of Vanderbilt time: This morning at 3:30 a bed was rolled in to transfer him to a regular room! Vanderbilt: a city, within the walls of a hospital...a city, which never sleeps! We are in almost the same room we were in many years back. It is an older part of the hospital, but the rooms are large and roomy...much quieter than the ER. As Woody said, we hardly ever heard any alarms last night! I did sleep despite being interrupted several times...but each time I got right back to sleep.I probably got more hours than I had in a long time. I even dozed when Melany was here while Woody was having his test for his gall bladder. We are fairing very well...appreciate all the thoughts and prayers! Things are going very well inspite of all that is going on...just turning everything over to God and thr capable hands of Vanderbilt. I feel very comfortable with the handling of all that is going on with Woody...and he is already feeling much better. His white count had gone down significantly...still high but going in the right direction. He's on the mend and once we get rid of his gall bladder, he will be heading even moee in the right direction...with a bit of a side step for recovery! I'll report tomorrow on how things are going! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

In a Place Where Time Stands Still!

Tonight's photos show the time when Woody entered this room and show the time now...or the time that this clock said. We have been told that all the clocks on this floor are all stopped like this??? Now to back up and explain how our day began and where we are now. Around 1am Woody decided that it was time to go to the ER at Vanderbilt Harton Hospital in Tullahoma. We waited for many hours in the waiting room after being triaged. Finally they found a space with a bed for Woody. Pretty much first thing they did was to take labs. The results an hour later showed an extremely elevated white blood count...so definitely an infection...now to figure out what was going on. Once the doctor knew about the infected place on Woody's leg that is where most of the attention went...The doctor thought a bit and said that he thought that Woody should be transferred to Vanderbilt in Nashville where they have an infectious disease doctor. Woody was taken by ambulance. I went home and gathered things that we would need for what could be an extended stay. Nathan drove me to Nashville in our car. When we got here, Woody had already had a multitude of tests and folk were zeroing in on a couple of areas...one which we expected and one we did not. The one we expected was a focus on his leg...looks like his orthopedic surgeon will be helping to make decisions on that situation. They are trying to figure out if the infection in the bone is back as well this one place on the surface...which, by the way, already looks much better after he has been given three different IV antibiotics. The surprising discovery was that his gall bladder is in bad shape...so surgery is being anticipated when that wasn't even close to on our mind before getting here! He still has a couple hour test before they will do that surgery. Also he hasn't had dialysis yet and he had a test today that he is supposed to have dialysis within 24 hours to remove the dyes. But he is already feeling better, I think. They have kept him with no food or drinknby mouth due tonfact he could have surgery. His night nurse checked and found out that the surgrry wouldn'tnbe till tomorrow at earliest so she allowed him to have a little snack. Nathan brought me and stayed for a while with us and then late afternoon after she got off from school, Melany came for a visit and brought me some snacks. Woody did a little nibbling out of what she brought. So once again we are ensconced at Vanderbilt...now...this time we definitely don't have a room with a view...we are still in the ER, but awaiting a bed in the real part of the hospital. I'llnkeep you posted on the happenings...to be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Getting the Runaround

I don't have a lot to report tonight. Today, I spent trying to get someone to see Woody or something...at this point nothing...each doctor contacted said to contact someone else. Usually Woody's personal care physician was recommended. Well...he hasn't seen her in a while and I was told his file was inactive so he would have to come as a new patient. That would have been fine...BUT...there is a waiting list...so...I did message the doctor because I know she considers him her patient as we always talk about him when I see her and she is up to date on what is going on as she gets sent things from the other doctors. I haven't heard back from her, but there is a niggling at the back of my mind that today may be her day off and that she comes in for at least part of the day on Friday. So we wait! We do have a back-up plan if he gets to feeling really badly: hospital ER, if he is admited then the hospitalist will treat him. Dr. O or someone on call for him would be the ones to order dialysis which would be adminstered at the hospital. So time will tell what we will do and where we will be! Dialysis was a little rough today, as his back hurt due to having to sit still and pretty much in one place for the 3+ hours. But we got another treatment under our belts and we go on from there tomorrow. Woody has felt a little better today and has managed to keep food down...a big improvement! He had a very rough night. But thus afternoon and so far this evening all is quiet on the western front and I have been able to work on finishing the Christmas gifts that I have stitched. I am in the middle of one and realized that I hadn't blogged yet. So here it is! Last night wrote it early and then forgot to hit the publish button! So I will say, "Tis the season!" and sign off in my usual manner! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Still Feeling Puny

Woody still isnt feeling the greatest. We saw his dialysis nurse this afternoon. She had spoken to Dr. O. He wants Woody to see another doctor to have some tests run. I had already messaged his Vanderbilt infectious disease doctor. His labs that we did on Monday indicate an infection. One possible problem that coukd be causing all this is that his cellulitis on his leg has come back in ine place on the same leg he had so much problems with some years back. That is the reason that i had already ent a message and photo to his Vandy doctor. The nessage indicates that someone on her staff has seen it. i sent her more information after talking to the nurse. Anyway, we continue in a holding pattern. He still isn't eating much nor is he sleeping well. But at keast we are on a track to find out some answers and get him to feeling better. I did get a little more done on my Christmas sewing on our day off. Joy, our 17-year-old granddaughter, came over this morning to do some Christmas sewing, too. I guess I'd better go check on the patient and then get back to my patient! oops...looks like I forgot to post this couple of hours ago! Slipping! Be safe! Be well! Be cautiousM

Christmas Memories

I imagine that I have posted this photo before, but when I see this it always makes me realize that I belonged back in the "Leave it to Beaver" era! I was 9 and Cheryl was 2. I'm wearing a dachshund skirt rather than a poodle skirt! I imagine I have on saddle oxfords, too! Look at all that tinsel! I loved to put it on singly...my sister as years went on would rather throw it on by handfuls...if my memory is correct! Today marks another day of dialysis...the good thing about today is that tomorrow is a day off! Everything went well today except at the very end...and it alarmed after it stopped...still don't know why...but one of our nurses talked me through it to get back to where I needed to be. Woody actually managed to eat both breakfast and lunch today...at this point both meals have stayed down (afraid to say that). He does not feel well this evening. This afternoon, the doorbell rang and I found a grandson on the other side of the door. He had a big box in his hand with a new antenna in it. Nathan was here, too. Graham is a good instruction reader and quickly got the antenna put together. Then he spotted his dad, who climbed up to place the antenna. They came in...connected a wire or two and voilá...we have good reception once again! At least Woody has something to help a little to get his mind off his miseries! We have a nurse visit tomorrow at the Fresenius Kidney Center. Hope they have a few suggestions to help him feel better! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Another Week of Dialysis Started

Today's dialysis treatment included pre and post labs. This was the first time that I have done labs by myself using his graft. It wasn't too bad...the confusing part was the post draw...so I called one of our nurses and we talked me through it prior to the ending. And, I believe that we got them done, spun, packed, and picked up by FedEx express. Oh, the things that I never dreamed I'd do! Dialysis went well again today. The sticking part is definitely getting easier...for which we are both thankful. I want to say that Woody is feeling some better today, but still hasn't wanted much to eat except for his breakfast scrambled eggs. He said that he slept well last night...not something that I hear very often from him...so that was a good thing! We were out of eggs so once his treatment was finished and I had the package for the lab on the front porch, I headed out into the rain and went to the grocery store down the street. I just wasn't up to a big Kroger shopping spree today! I had Woody tell me some things that sounded good to him and I picked some of those up hoping to tempt him...he did eat some of one of the items after I got home. We didn't have prayer meeting tonight as the others in the group called and said that they couldn't come. I won't say that I was too sad not to have to go out in this rain! I don't think that Woody minded too much either. So we are dry and warm and settled in for the night. I'm about to start working some more on my Christmas sewing, but decided that I would blog first. I did make a few decisions during dialysis on how I am going to finish some of the ornaments...shapes, sizes, etc. Yesterday, I started my last cross stitched Christmas ornament for this year (famous last words!). I'm sort of ready to stitch something other than Christmas ornaments. I would like to work on a sampler that I have underway...hoping to finish it before the end of the year. But...it is 'Tis the Season...there's no telling what direction I will go in with my stitching or whatever I end up doing! At this time of year lots of running around like a chicken with its head cut off!! Lots still to finish that I have already stitched. I still have a couple of machine embroidered ornaments to make this year...but those do go faster...I can't stitch 800 stitches per minute like my machine can! Oh, I did get a text from one of our nurses today asking us to come for a nurse visit on Wednesday afternoon...guess our day off won't be totally dialysis free! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Machine Humming!

Dialysis wise it was a good day...ran smoothly from the get go. There was one alarm...but solved easily. Dialysis wise it was good, but Woody feeling good...it hasn't been a good day. Along with being nauseated at times, he has now added in an aching back...probably from sitting so much in one place...at least we will go with that till told or proven otherwise! He woke me up in the wee hours needing Tyelenol and I also gave up MY heating pad. He said that his back is better this evening, just a place or two still hurting. He has moved back and forth from couch to recliner today...and has used the heating pad most of the day after he got off dialysis. We have made it through another week/five days of dialysis...and we are still both alive. I will say that the sticks are getting easier. Once I finally got Woody settled this afternoon, I headed up to my sewing machine and it has been humming ever since. I'm pleased with the outcome...so far...of my efforts. I have done the second step on what I'm making for six of the ten items that I am making...hoping to do the last four before heading to my recliner! My recliner isn't as inviting without MY heating pad. Needless to say, I ordered another heating pad and hopefully it will be here in another day or so...expedited shipping was only a dollar more so I chose that...hoping to se it sooner than later! Well, back to my sewing! 'Tis the season! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Better Late Than Never!

See, I told you our tree is a memory tree! Look what is front and center in tonight's photo...a face mask ornament...the ornament that I made for gifts in 2020...definitely brings back vivid images of "The Pandemic." Now, to explain tonight's blog title! Last night after I published the blog, Melany called and I continued to sit at our dining room table where I had sat to blog. I was glad that Instayed there because about 8:30pm a vehicle with flashing lights pulled up to our driveway and proceded to pull all the way up the driveway...guess he saw the ramp and decided to take advantage of it. There was no explanation of the timing of said delivery nor did we ask. I figured he was just given the job and was fulfilling it...probably unaware of the time slot that we had been given. He brought all the boxes in in one load and put them where I asked and he was off. So, as the title says, "better late than never!" Woody decided last night that he wasn't up to all the appointments that he had for today and asked me to call this morning and reschedule his oncology appointment which I did. The appointment is changed for next Friday and as far as we know it is the only appointment on that day! I got it in the morning so it won't put dialysis off too far into the day. His appointment with his surgeon went well, though there was some confusion about that, too. When the doctor came in, he said that he didn't understand what he had been told he was to do. He thought it was repositioning a catheter! When we told him it was supposed to br an appointment to remove a catheter, he said that made lots more sense! He said that he needed us to move across the hall where he does inoffice procedures. We moved. Woody managed to climb up on the table and the procedure was shortly underway. It didn't take long. This is the 2nd catheter of this kind that Dr. Thomason had removed. Woody said that he didn't remember it hurting the last time he removed one. But he made it through. We got home and immediately got things ready for his dialysis. The numbing cream has to be on his arm at least an hour so I got that on and wrapped that area of his arm in plastic wrap while he was still in his wheelchair. Then we headed to the scale and I got his weight...only then did I have him transfer from his wheelchair into the recliner so we could get him situated before dialysis time. I had done everything that can be done early before we left. I got his lunch. He ate while I did the last of thr setup. Once again, I can say that we prefer doing the treatment early and getting it over so we have some day left! It has been an awful lot of hours with "medical stuff" happening today! Once again, Woody woke up feeling fine, but during dialysis he felt sick and vomitted twice during the treatment...just an extra discomfort for him and an extra duty for me! I have contacted one of our nurses trying to figure out what is going on. I wondered if he might be sick due to being dehydrated. The nurse suggest that I give him a saline bolus or two during the treatment. We were already finished when she suggested this so we will try this tomorrow. She said that it wouldn't hurt and to do it whether he felt sick or not tomorrow...just to ser if it helps. Going back to the surgeon visit today...when we entered, there was one gentleman in the waiting room. I was concentrating on getting Woody in the door so didn't get a good look at him. We went up to the window to check in and the next thing I knew this gentleman was behind us saying "hi." Someone we know very well and hadn't seen in a while, but someone we had been praying for in prayer meeting. We sat for a while longer and a couple came out from having seen the doctor, and we also know them very well...again, hadn't seen them in a long time. We had been praying for them in prayer meeting, too! Only in a small town! Dialysis went very well. I will say that this was thr first day that I didn't break out in a sweat before, during, and after having to stick him with both needles! Maybe we will get a grasp on this process...at least most of the time...hopefully! The doctor mentioned the size needle that he was going to use on Woody to numb him...explained that the smaller the number the smaller the needle (It's opposite of that with cross stitch needles.). I then told him the number that we use for dialysis and he said that it was a definitely large one! And, we are using a bit smaller needle than most use for dialysis! Folks, it is big! Well, I need to go back to finish cooking the breakfast sausage so I can put it in the freezer to use over the next weeks! 'Tis the season! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Waiting & Holding

Well, we waited all day for our supplies to be delivered...then I sat on hold for forever trying to find out why! And, still don't have the answer. I am to call back in the morning, since it was after hours when I made the call. The person I talking to was oncall, but the folk in charge of in-home deliveries had no one on call. I asked what time I should call so she would have time to get an answer and she told me. I then had to ask whose time zone...She thought that TN was on same time zone as the east coast. I had to explain that only part of TN is on eastern time, that I am on central. She was surprised! Guess I taught her something with my call! It has been a pretty day...what with me checking quite frequently to see if the courier might be here. I did put a note on the door that told that if I didn't answer the door when the courier knocked to call my cell phone and gave my number. We can't hear the doorbell or knocks when back in the family room with TV and all the machines running. I have cooked...made chicken noodle soup this morning, meatloaf this evevening and will put together the ground pork and ingredients to make Woody's breakfast sausage, when I finish publishing the blog. I have a feeling that my eyes will close pretty early tonight. I'm looking forward to sinking into my recliner! Dialysis went well again today. We did get one alarm, but I am learning what to do with several of them...they aren't life threatening so I just do a little adjusting of the dialysis lines and then get the pump back to running. If all is okay the alarms will remain silent...if there is still a problem, the alarm will sound again...more adjustments, etc. I think that Woody is feeling better today...still doesn't feel the greatest. Tomorrow will be busy. He gets his catheter taken out in the morning, has Keytruda in the afternoon, and after those appointments we will do his dialysis. Usually he isn't home from the Oncology clinic until around 3...I will have things set up to the point that it's okay to do early...then finish with the setup once he gets home. I had to make a dialysate batch this afternoon...that is still making as I type this. Well, I guess it is back to the kitchen. I will put together the sausage ingredients and let them refrigerate overnight and cook them in the morning. Woody is settled in for the night. I'm ready to be! 'Tis the season! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!