Goodbye, April

Saturday….Again

It was an up-and-at-um day...aka another dialysis day. I got him there before time and came home and made sausage patties...for another month of breakfasts. The patties are all tucked away in the freezer ready for when I need them. I picked Woody up after four hours. He didn't seem quite as spent today as sometimes. He said that he got iron today during his treatment. Maybe that will make him feel better. He enjoyed pork chops for lunch and tacos for supper. I was loading dishes into the dishwasher when he headed for his bed/couch. So I stopped and did wound care and now he is all tucked into bed...hoping for a good might's sleep. I slept better last night, but still not getting enough sleep with our new schedule so made up for some of that lost sleep this afternoon with a good nap. Now I'm going to head out and finish cleaning up thr kitchen and then going to head up to my recliner. I'll review my Sunday School lesson notes, then read and/or stitch for a while. It's another early morning since we head out for church pretty early...but not as early as dialysis days, thank goodness! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Last Friday for April

Well, today's early start (but not as early as dialysis days) was because of my doctor appointment. I headed off a little before 8am and got there in plenty of time. I go at least twice a year to the doctor...mainly for labs to see what my meds are doing to my body. So won't know results till the first of the week. It had rained pretty hard early this morning, but by the time I headed out, the rain had stopped...just some interesting clouds...sometimes heavy...sometimes drifting low over the Highland Rim...sometimes clouds and blue sky amd sometimes rather ominous dark clouds...but they didn't rain on my parade! I made it there amd back with only spray from trucks passing me...and on this road there weren't all that many trucks. The clouds would have made some interesting pictures. The whole time I wished I ws on a barn trip rather than a doctor trip. I did take a camera, but never felt like there was a good place to pull over. I did figure out some roads that I could turn off on...maybe the next trip? Woody has had a quiet day at home. We have had calls from some of his next week's appointments. One to remind us of the appointment and the another to change that appointment. Also a robo call reminding us of his telemed appointment next week with his Vanderbilt infectious disease doctor. His oncology appointment got changed as he has qualified for another medicine...iron...I think...and that med won't be there in time for his appointment that was supposed to be on Monday. So that got changed...to Wednesday morning and he has the telemed early in the afternoon. And, of course the home health nursr usually comes on Wednesday. Might be a really busy day! After I blog, I'm heading downstairs again to complete Woody's wound care for the day. I think he is about to call it a day/night. I'm tired too...after driving for a couple pf hours today and the appointment and then this afternoon I cooked some pork chops for Woody...hoping that they will substitute for ribs, as the stores have been short on ribs lately. I sliced half thr pork loin roast for pork chops and cooked it as a roast for the other half. I will freeE part of that for later meals...but plan to have a hot pork sandwich and mashed potatoes first. I made gravy with the drippings...something that sounds good to me...Woody may not think so...reason for other choices for him! Tomorrow is another early-rise day for dialysis...then we get two days off! We're ready! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Thursday Schedule

We're still getting used to our new dialysis schedule. I know I'm having problems getting up so early. Trying to go to bed earlier and I am falling to sleep earlier...but inevitably I wake up between 2 and 3am and then have trouble going back to sleep as it is getting close to the 4:30 alarm time. As long as I am downstairs by 5 to give Woody his thyroid pill that he has to take 30 minutes before eating, we cam make it. I get his omelet put together in that 30 minutes along with getting crossword puzzles run off, if I haven't already done them in my early waking time. We attempt to roll him out the door by 6...and we get there in plenty of time to get him out and into the waiting room. I give a hearty knock on the dialysis room door and I head off. Today I ate something for breakfast and made myself a cup of tea and headed upstairs. I decided that I would work on the Sunday School lesson or sleep today and I did some of both. And, just a few minutes ago I actually got my outline filled in amd printed off for the first perusal to see about where additions are needed to be blocked in. I'm always glad to get it to this point as I know that I probably have enough material to fill up the hour if something stops me from working any more on it. Woody has had supper...he asked if it was Taco Tuesday...I told him that it wasn't Tuesday but he could have tacos on Thursday! He came home feeling sleepy, too. Neither of us has gotten used to the early hours three days a week. I have to leave the house before 8 in the morning to get to a 9am appointment in McMinnville...my six-month check-in and labs for my doctor. At least it isn't quite so early tomorrow! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Little of This and a Little of That

Today has been one of those days that wheels were sort of spinning. We got up a little later than usual and had a leisurely time of breakfast making and eating. I did get a text from the home health nurse wanting to know when she could come for a visit. I told her that I had an appointment at 1...so she chose between 11:30 and noon...and arrived a bit after noon. But she made it in enough time so I could leave in time to get to my appointment. I got Woody's lunch and then headed on my way to get my hair cut. After that I headed to Kroger as I wanted to get a few things that were on sale this week. Got that done and then headed to get Kroger gas using my Kroger gas points for this month. I needed to get gas before my trip to McMinnville on Friday for my appointment with my personal care physician. I have gotten the kitchen cleaned up and the dishwasher is running. Woody has settled in for the night aftrr he got his wish...soft tacos from Taco Bell...well, he almost got his wish...he got soft tacos made by Lois. He seemed to enjoy them. It had been a long time since I had made tacos..land the first time to make soft tacos. I'm heading upstairs so I can hopefully get a decent night's sleep before getting up with the birds in the morning! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

There Have Been Better and Worse Days!

So, since there have been better and worse days, I guess today lands somewhere in the middle! Neither of us slept the best last night so the night dragged as has the day! I'm not sure if Woody did, but I did nap this afternoon and I do feel some better. Most of the day I just felt sort of "blah." I didn't attempt to do much today..mostly did things that I could do in my recliner...Sunday School lesson, reading, picture sorting amd deleting on my iPad...enjoyed looking st the pictures. When I delete them I still have them saved on a thumb drive. I'm just trying to get a handle on way too many pictures on this device. And, as I said earlier...doing some resting in my chair! Hopefully we will adjust to this new dialysis schedule. I end up falling asleep early...but then find myself waking up several hours later and having trouble going back to sleep. I wake up thinking that it must be close to time to get up and it isn't even midnight yet...which makes me think that the night is just dragging! Then I decide to read myself to sleep, which works sometimes...but more often, I just want to keep going in my book! And, then when I finally decide that I am ready to go back to sleep, it is too close to time for the alarm to go off. Woody worked all four of his puzzles during dialysis. He said that when he was finished that there was about an hour to go amd he chose not to read, but to just wait if out! His blood pressure did drop low towards the end of his treatment so the nurse gave him a saline bolus...like getting a saline through an IV. He seemed tired when he got home, but not overly so. He rested for a bit and then had lunch. We are both hoping for a good night's sleep tonight since we don't have to get up early tomorrow. I have a hair appointment, but other than that we don't have anything on the calendar tomorrow. BUT I am expecting to hear from a nurse as we haven't seen or heard from our home health folk since week before last. Wednesday is usually our day so we may get a call in the morning. Maybe they are weaning us off...but I don't think so since he still needs wound care. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Better Late Than Never?

I am late blogging tonight, as I went to prayer meeting. Woody chose not to go. He was very sleepy and he had been cold all day. I got home and needed to get him some supper and the needed to address Woody's wounds...so here it is edging onto 9pm. I set alarms already to be sure to get up on time in the morning. We may get used to this new schedule eventually! I think that I am still tired from the early morning hour on Saturday and it's time to go again! This morning I made a pot of Woody's favorite soup, Italian Sausage. He enjoyed it for lunch...hoping to feel warmer! The temps have dropped here again...we had a possiblity for frost this morrning and again in the morning. I covered our new plants before I left for prayer meeting. I'm still not sure which winter this is. I heard dogwood...but our dogwoods bloomed weeks ago amd have already dropped their petals. This afternoon, after my soup making, I read and rested...think that a short nap happened, as the phone really startled me when it rang. Hoping that we both cqn sleep tonight and wake up at a time that allows us to be at the dialysis center on time! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Peaceful Sunday

A Busy Saturday with an Early Start

We were up and at 'em early! And, made it to the center with a little time to spare, though his nurse was ready for him. The nurse and I talked for a couple of minutes about his problems on Thursday. We're guessing that it is a drop in blood pressure plus drop in blood sugar plus the fact that he is dehydrated. He did ok today...though has just felt like resting under his throw trying to keep warm. It is back to being chilly again. I wonder which "winter" this is! I worked, worked, worked while he was gone. We have cleaner bathroom and sun porch/laundry room floors. I did some more wash. Once again, I have one load of towels to put in the drier as I type this and the rest that I washed are put away. I put away most of the Easter eggs and bunnies today and wiped off the counters really well. Tonight's photo shows that I left out my cute little Spring lambs that my sister gave me this year. Note that tonight's photo includes one of my barn photos. Joy has a special way to put photos on objects. She gave me this block of wood with one of my barn photos on it for Christmas. I had a nice visit with Connie today. We hadn't seen each other for two years. But as I told her, I am happy for the ways we have of communicating today. We talk quite often so it is "almost" like she is still living here...at least we keep up with each other! It was great to see her. She plans to come to Sunday School in the morning so I'll see her again. I will admit that I am pretty tired tonight. It's been a loooooooooong day. I did go to sleep earlier than usual last night...but I also woke up erlier than I needed to...hopefully we will get used to this new schedule and be able to sleep until the alarm goes off..I printed off Woody's daily crossword puzzles, did one of the crossword puzzles online myself, and read my book for a while before the alarm went off. Woody has already moved over to his couch/bed...ready for this day to be over...me, too! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Glad I Checked!

Last night after I blogged, something told me to check my doctor's app about my appointment. I realized that I hadn't gotten a reminder either over the phone or in an email which I realized was unusual...usually get more than one reminder! Well, I looked and the appointment had been moved till next Friday. I am so glad that I didn't drive all the way there to find out that it had been changed! I had seen our doctor's number on caller ID a couple of weeks ago, bit no message had been left. At that time I did check the app and the appointment still said it was today's date. At that time, I figured that they would call me back if they needed to and forgot about it. Glad that there was that questioning in the back of my mind that alerted me to check the appointment on the app! So we had a totally stay-at-home day today. I worked on the Sunday School lesson and did various things around the house...one of which was catch up on the washing. The last load for the day is in thr dryer...rest are put away. we must be a magnet for emergency vehicles. Today when I went out to put clothes in the dryer, I looked out the sunporch windows to see police cars and an ambulance arriving...later fire trucks arrived shortly and the traffic was detoured to our street. It was a one-car accident. The car had somehow come off the road and landed at an awkward angle on the slope...it is probably public access being that close to the road...but it was directly behind our house and close to our back 40 (our lot behind our house) if not on it. It took quite a while for them to get the driver out...I'm not sure if there were injuries or not. So two times in one week that I was close to an emergency! I guess as long as it is just close..? Woody has worked puzzles, done things on his laptop, watched TV, etc. It has been a pretty typical day. Now to geer ourselves up for an early morning...ready to leave the house by 6am...oh, boy! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Well, New Schedule Didn't Last Very Long!

Woody mentioned to his nurse today that he was leaving dialysis totally spent and wondered if it wasn't due to the fact that his dialysis time overlaps lunch time...so a big span between breakfast and lunch. So...I guess the schedule was looked at and it was decided best if he comes in early...like be there at 6:20am and on dialysis by 6:45 so he will be finished by 10:45am. And, this will be his new permanent time. Oh, my! I guess we will get used to it! Once again he was wiped out aftrr dialysis, but he sqid not quitr ae bad as some days...well...I'm guessing that his blood pressure dropped as he got out of thr cqr and he had a moment of "being out of it." He has had a "spell" like this a couple of times. He has no idea that he is "out of it" when it is over. He was in the wheel chair when it happemed...I just couldn't get him to respond to getting his feet on the footrests on the chair. I told him to put his head down...but again no response...just sat there staring straight ahead. But it was over almost as soon as it happened. This happened one time with his home dialysis nurse and she recognized it as a reaction to a blood pressure drop. I took him to his chair and he rested a bit and then ate lunch. I had gone to Lowes while he was at dialysis amd got the plants he wanted me to get. I question planting them when we have frost predicted in a few days. Guess we can cover them. He wanted them planted before our next rain...which may happen tomorrow. So they are planted...red pepper plants, tomato plants, oregano...Have I ever told you I am not a gardener? Well, I am not...don't like the feel of my hands after planting things. Don't like the feel of my back after bending over to plant...and the list could probably go on! But I followed his instructions on what to do with the plants and they are all planted in containers on our little area of a patio that isn't covered by the ramp. I came inside to Woody being sick...lost all that lunch! I'm still working on getting that load of wash done...I did get him and his chair cleaned up...he got all new clothes. Never a dull moment! Today I had a frirnd and her son come over and they got the aluminum cans in our garage. Her son is collecting scrap metal and other things to recycle and turning them in for cash. It is his way to earn money for special trips. He has Down Syndrome and I love his industriousness. He has already earned his way to Hawaii. He told me today that the next trip will be either to Alaska or Maine. Glad to help him see some of his dreams come true! Woody still not feeling thr greatest. He did feel a little better when I reported that Elijah hit his first home run, an in the park home run. He's ready to turn in...eating a half a banana and then going to take his evening medicine and then he hopes to go to sleep. I need to clean up the kitchen a little and then get back to work on Sunday's Sunday School lesson. An early morning tomorrow because of me. I need to get Woody's breakfast before it is time for me to leave for my appointment...I need to leave by 7:30...insert eye roll! It's my every six months appointment for labs and say "hi" to my doctor. Her office is 45 minutes away depending on the time of day...and this time is not optimum due to school zones...many school zones! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

One Less Thing Than I Thought!

Had an early start and kept pretty busy today...busy enough that I sat down a little while ago and woke up realizing that it was almost 8pm...oops. I had the morning planned out...breakfast, work on a casserole for an after-funeral meal, and wait on the nurse to arrive around 11am. Well the last didn't happen. She must have forgotten and I didn't text her to find out because I had obligations as soon as she left! I just continued on once it was obvious she wasn't coming. And, she is very good about texting if she will be late. Once the casserole was out of oven and I gave Woody his lunch, I headed to church, delivered the casserole to the church kitchen, and headed into the church for the funeral. It was a very sweet service remembering a very sociak man. Carolyn and I sat together...hard to have Marie, the other member of our barn crew, sitting on the front row listening to words spoken about her husband celebrating his life. When I got home Joy had gotten here to do some sewing. I knew she was coming and was glad I got home as I gave her a few hints on what she was doing that helped make the end result more professional looking...I think/hope! Hope her grammy didn't bug her too much! Well, I'd better go down and check on Woody...good thing I had already gotten his supper before taking this unexpected nap! Tomorrow is dialysis on the new schedule. 10am is a pretty good time to have it...a bit after breakfast and 2pm isn't horrible for a lunchtime. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Excitement at End of Dialysis!

I got to dialysis today a little before Woody came out. So I settled into a chair in the waiting room to read a book on my phone. I hadn't even gotten my phone our of my pocket when a gentleman came in to say that there was a fire out in the parking lot. A tech and a nurse came out in the waiting room to check things out. It was hard to see from our vantage point, but since they could see flames and they were near some bushes that 911 should be called. Neither of them had a phone so I pulled my phone out and called 911 and then handed the phone to the nurse since she could give address. It wasn't long till the first vehicle arrived...the fire pick-up-truck and then the big fire truck and then about 4 police vehicles. It ended up being mulch in one of the little "green" areas that are in the parking area. I wonder if someone hadn't flicked a cigarette into that area. Once I got my phone back, we were on our way and one of the firemen was spraying down the area. Excitement in Tullahoma on a Tuesday afternoon. While Woody was at dialysis, I grocery shopped and then put things away and had lunch and by that time it was about time to head back to get Woody. Woody's dialysis went well as far as we know. Once again he was very tired by the time he got back in his chair. He did perk up a bit after he ate lunch. Nathan was here when we got home. He was trimming dead limbs out of our Japanese Maple that didn't fare so well during our cold snap back in December. Last night after I blogged, I checked email and the infectious disease doctor telemed appointment had been scheduled...for this morning at 10:20...just as he was supposed to be getting connected for dialysis! I quickly cancelled that and explained that he would be at dialysis then. I also told them our appoiintment schedule for this week...so when we heard back they decided to go for early May! We accepted that one...but I did have to move another appointment! Well, dressing change is calling. Woody is ready to call it a day. Tomorrow is home health nurse appointment. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Monday, Monday

"Just" another Monday...not much on our plates that had to be done. We did go late morning to our local hospital for Woody to have labs done for his infectious disease doctor. They had a bit of trouble sticking him...seems to be a common occurance lately...he'snbeen stuck so much! They did get some of what they needed but didn't get any for one of the tests the doctor requested...wonder if that will make a big difference! I did message the doctor's office and told them that we had done the labs and that he wanted a telemed appointment. So the ball has been tossed back to them. This evening we went to Monday Night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting. Woody had his supper and night time meds when he got home and he is settling onto his couch as I type this. He said that he was sleepy. Tomorrow is the first dialysis with the new schedule. I wonder if they will leave the time alone! Tuesday is usually the one they switch around, but I'm hoping that since they have moved everyone's around trying to be more efficient that it will be when they told us to come. He is supposed to get there by 10am so he can be up and running by 10:20...time will tell! I have a day of reading and catching up with friends on the phone...a take-it-easy day! Woody finished the book he was reading last night and didnhis usual four crossword puzzles and a little TV watching. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Oh, first time that we hve been to Harton since before Covid that we didn't have to wear masks...we still chose to do so.

Blessed Sunday

Golden Hour

Yesterday evening just as the sun was going down, I happened to glance out the window and the trees were glowing a golden color...so I grabbed a camera and snapped couple of photos. The time that I caught with my camera is called "the golden hour" in photography. There is a golden hour at sunrise and sunset. And, that special lighting doesn't last long. I forgot to report yesterday that Woody's infectious disease doctor's office did get in touch with us about anothrr appointment. She has put in orders at Harton Vanderbilt, our local hospital, for labs that she wants. We will plan to go on Monday and get that taken care of and then get back with them so an appointment can be set up and she has agreed to a telemed appointment, so we won't have to make a trip to Vandy in Nashville. Sounds good to us! Today, Woody had dialysis...came out pretty zapped...don't know if it was the dialysis or whether he just needed to eat or if it could have been a vaccine that they gave him just before he left...his hepatitis B vaccine. I had a nice visit with Ruth this afternoon. This morning I worked on tomorrow's Sunday School lesson. I have cleaned off my stitching side table next to my recliner...still looks messy...too many little tools that I need to have handy along with a mug for my tea and water glass. Well, it's straightened out and the table top has been dusted and things I need most often are close at hand. I'm working towards getting things straightened up so perhaps I can get back to a little sewing. I miss my sewing...but just don't seem to have the oomph to get back to doing it...it seems like a daunting task rather than a fun one...maybe I can make it seem fun again, if I clear away some things and get just one sewing project organized to start? I guess I had better look over the Sunday School lesson again. I have the bandages, etc. all ready to change the dressing on Woody's leg, so will do that before he retires for the night. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Friday

The day has had ups and downs. I will start out on a sad note. Our barn crew has had a sad day. Marie, our barn crew leader aka driver, lost her husband today. Sadness prevails and we are keeping Marie and her family close in our prayers. Woody had the home visit about his participation in a brain study at Vanderbilt. He was asked to participate when he was in ICU back in December and he readily agreed. He has decided to donate his brain at the time of his death. So a lot of dealing with death today! The young lady was very sweet and took him through various exercises and lists of questions, etc. I think it was obvious that alzheimers isn't a problem at this point. She was here almost 2 hours...and, I think he enjoyed the challenges she presented. At least her visit was a change in his daily routine! We sat in the living room...so a change of scenery for him, too. He had lunch after she left and then "lounged" around until it was time for our next activity of the day...go to church to have our pictures taken for a church pictorial directory. That appointment went quickly and I don't think that we broke the camera! The appointment was for 4:30 and we were home before 5pm. Quick! Quick! Now we are aettling in for the night. I have started on Sunday's Sunday School lesson, as Marie is the teacher for our class and I am her substitute teacher. So looking at the lesson a little later in the week than usual. I told her last night when she and her daughter were on their way to Vanderbilt that I would teach for her. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Next Best Thing to Being There

Woody and I are keeping up with Elijah's game on an app that shows play-by-plays...so we know who is up, who is batting, the inning, walks, strikes, runs. Woody just told me that Elijah had just scored and about that time Kathy sent this photo. So we at least know what is going on with the game. We have had a pretty good day. We got to dialysis by 6:40 and he was done a little before 10:40. He came hime pretty sleepy and did some napping this afternoon. Neither of us slept the best last night. There is something about knowing that I have to get up and do something early that keeps me from sleeping well as I am concerned that I will over sleep! I was tired too so did some napping this afternoon, too. The baked beans got done and he had a favorite of his...beans and slaw for supper. I did get a call from Woody's GI doctor's office and we got an appointment set up in a couple of weeks. Still haven't heard from the infectious disease doctor. I will give it a little more time and then will contact them again the first of next week. I'll make this short so Woody can get back to following the game. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Another Beautiful Blue-Sky Day

Such a pretty day! I think I heard the rain in our forecast for tomorrow...I guess it is back to cloudy-sky day so we can have Spring showers. We have stayed pretty close to home today. I did run a quick errand after lunch. One of our home health nurses paid is a visit today. She stayed longer than normal...so we ate lunch a little later. i had put thr chicken casserole in the oven before she got here and set thr oven for delayed start...so when she left we were able to eat, Then I ran to the store and then came home and cooked most of the rest of the afternoon. I made Spareribs Cantonese and Creamy Apple Slaw. Seems like more should have been made with the gigantic mess that I made in the kitchen. But mess is all cleaned up...the dishwasher is still working on its oart of the clean up. Tonight I am soaking navy beans so I can make my mother's recipe for Boston Baked Beans tomorrow,..they are an all day cook. We have to get up with the birds in the morning to get Woody to dialysis by 6:40am so I will be up and can get going on the beans early...they soak all night then have to simmer for several hours before I can combine the ingredients that turns them into Boston baked beans...then they bake in a slow oven for hours and hours...6-8 hours...we may get to eat them tomorrow or maybe not! Woody has had a pretty low-key day...but he was ready to turn in even earlier than usual tonight. Guess he is hoping to get some good sleep before its time to wake up! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Tuesday

Going to blog quickly so Woody can keep on keeping up with Elijah's game. The app to watch play-by-play is on my iPad. Isaac and Joseph had a game this evening as did Elijah...they were all three playing on fields right next to each other. And, they were all playing in Tullahoma...but Woody and I just didn't have enough oomph left to go to the games. We got an early call...6:30ish...to ask if Woody could come for dialysis at 8:45. So we had to get going. We made it on time. On the way home I stopped at Food Lion to fill in what Kroger didn't have yesterday. I spent most of the time Woody was having dialysis in the kitchen. It's that time again to fill up the fridge again so we will have some choices for our meals. I made a chicken casserole that needs to stay in the fridge overnight to let the flavors meld. So will cook that tomorrow. We finished up the leftovers from my last cooking spree...so now have to get busy. Inwill do more cooking tomorrow. Woody was pretty tired when he got home from dialysis...as he usually is. Tomorrow's appointment happens at home...the homehealth nurse...so no where we have to go! Thursday is going to be a challenge...they asked him to be at the center by 6:40 Thursday morning! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautioous!

Monday

Another day almost down in the books...Oncology/Keytruda is behind Woody for another theee weeks. We have been to prayer meeting and are back home. Woody has settled into bed already...guess his day is just about done! I still have a little to do in the kitchen before I head upstairs to my recliner. I spent time trying to wrangle with a medical bill this morning that keeps being sent to us and we were sure that we didn't owe anything on it. I found a phone number to call...but better yet...I found an email so used that and sent an inquiry and requests for more information. I sent that before I took Woody to TN Oncology. After dropping him off, I made a quick trip to the grocery store. When I checked email after getting groceries put away, I had an answer...and we don't owe what they said...they had gotten payment from secondary insurance just afte they billed us...of course this was the 4th time they billed us...I wonder if I had given in and paid them how long or if we would have ever seen that money again. Oh, well, it is taken care of and those bills can leave the stack of hospital and rehab EOBs! We had another that kept billing us...but each time the amount went down until we owed nothing. The only one left on the table is one for $17...I don't think we owe for that one either. We'll see over time! Tomorrow is dialysis...wonder if they will call and ask us to come in earlier than our assigned time...they often do on Tuesdays. I think I will either read or stitch when I get upstairs...maybe a little of both. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

HE IS RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow!?!

At least we're hoping the sun will come out tomorrow! We're starting to get tired of dreary skies! Woody and I managed to work around rain today in our trek to dialysis. It was just barely drizzling when we left to go to dialysis, so just a frw raindrops on us as we got to the car. It started raining harder on our way, but there is a covered area to park under when we get out pf the car. It rained harder on my way home, but let up some by the time I got home, so managed tp get back inside without getting very wet. Today's weather didn't inspire me to want to do much...so just did a couple of loads of wash and then read and stitched and dozed the afternoon away! I did finish a book and start another one and also filled in an area on my cross stitch piece. Woody was pretty zapped when he came out of diLysis, but restimg in his chair and eating once he got home, he perked up again. He has done his usual crossword puzzles and a little reading...and just taking it easy once he got home. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

If You Clean the Oven on Thursday…

Do you know the story, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie?" In this children's book a mouse is given a cookie which leads to the mouse wanting something else...like a glass of milk, etc., etc. Well, yesterday's pushing buttons to clean the oven led me to do lots of jobs in the kitchen today...wipe out the residue in the lower oven, wipe out the upper oven (just because the lower oven was clean and made me think about using the steam setting on that oven, decided to put that off to snother day), wipe off the outside of the stove, wipe off outside of refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and stove hood, wipe off wall behind stove, clean inside of microwave, wipe off counters, dustmop floor. clean sink, wipe off faucet...and, probably more! Kitchen is looking pretty good...thanks to letting technology clean the oven yesterday! Both Woody ad I enjoyed a day without interruptions from anything medical. I really should have worked on getting his infectious disease doctor's appointment rescheduled and also make him an eye doctor appointment...but I decided those calls could wait so it could truly be a non-medical day! He has read, worked his crosssord puzzles, watched some TV...not a lot different than usual...but no comings or goings of medical stuff was nice! After I got through wth the flurry of activity in the kitchen, I did just sit in my recliner and either read or stitched. It was nice not to have to be a clock watcher...either to get somewhere on time or pick up on time! Today has been rainy and chilly...another reason it was good to stay home! Now to remember that Woody is supposed to be at dialysis at an earlier time tomorrow...and, to be sure to put the phone next to me tonight, in case they call first thing in the morning asking him to come in at an even earlier time! At least we have had a day to ourselves today! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Hope This Doesn't Jinx Our Day Tomorrow!

I'm almost afraid to say this...but we don't have any known appointments for tomorrow! I guess all I can say is, "time will tell!" So...shhhhhhhhhh! Don't let any doctors or nurses know! We got to dialysis a little after noon today and the nurse was waiting for Woody? As far as I knew we were early for his 12:30pm slot. She told us that she guessed no one told us that until his time changes after next week that he needs to be there by 11:30am so he can be connected by 11:50. Not a problem, if we had known! So Saturday and his three treatments next week we are to be there by 11:30. Then the week after next he will start at his new time...we need to be there by 10am so he can be connected by10:20. We both like the earlier times...so no complaints from us! At the end of his treatment today, Davida and Shari came into the waiting room of the in-center clinic to say "hi." Davida spotted me out in the parking lot when I came to pick Woody up. It was good to see them and get them caught up on the latest with Woody. They didn't know that Woody's graft had stopped working. Today I have sort of taken it easy and let technology do my work...washing machine, drier (where's the tech to put clothes away?!), dishwasher, and let the oven clean itself! While they worked, I finished a book, started a new book, and did a little stitching. Yesterday's running around took away a lot of my energy...so more sitting today! I've got to get ready for next week's marathon: church on Sunday, Oncology/Keytruda on Monday, Dialysis on Tuesday, home health nurse on Wednesday, Dialysis on Thursday, Vanderbilt brain study that Woody is participating in home visit on Friday, and dialysis on Saturday! Those should keep us busy. One good thing about each of them...all happen in Tullahoma and two in our home...no major traveling! Looking forward to a stay-at-home day tomorrow! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Wednesday Wanderings

Tonight's photo shows how Woody occupied his time on our way to the doctor appointment in Murfreesboro. That appointment was interesting...the doctor wondered why he was seeing us so soon after the procedure he did for Woody last Friday. The nurse assumed that we were there to schedule an appointment to have a graft put in the other arm. We told them both that we were here because theiir office made the appointment! Woody did mention the stitch or two in his neck and the doctor did take those out. I guess Woody was encouraged to have another graft put in since thr catheters are more likely to get infected. But the doctor had no problem with Woody wanting to wait till putting in the graft is a necessity. Woody's not willing to give up his one good arm at this point so wants to use the catheter as long as he can. We were in and out of that appointment very quickly. We were away from the house for 3-1/2 hours but only a half hour of that was appointment related and less than 15 minutes was spent with the doctor. Our home health nurse came this morning around 11am so we were full up with appointments today. Wait till I tell you about next week! I did a lot of preparation work for tonight's supper this morning before the nurse appointment. I got the filling for the chicken pot pie, Woody's request this week, put together. And, I put the pie crust together up to point of rolling it out...patted it into a disc shape and wrapped it in plastic wrap and refrigerated it till I was ready to put it all together before supper. I also made a pineapple casserole that Woody is fond of. I got both these in the ovens after we got home. He seemed to enjoy both...but ate more than one helping of the pineapple. I still have to get the casseroles put in the refrigerator and clean up a little more in the kitchen, I think we are both tired from our day. We have had a storm roll through and probably more to come. To be continued. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Tuesday Trivia

We got a super early call from Fresenius (6:30am)...I had awakened, but had dozed off again...so the phone startled me awake. The nurse wanted him to come in by 8:45 so his dialysis could be up and running by 9am. We got ready and I dropped him off and then headed home to get busy. I decided that today was the day to tackle all the home dialysis "stuff" and throw some away and put some put of sight in the closet. Putting supplies into the closet meant doing a good clean out of the closet. It took most of the four hours. I did take a break and put in a few stitches while I sat with the heating pad on my back. This was a good day to do this as tomorrow is garbage day...so I added to our garbage can a bit more than usual. I did get the garbage can rolled to the curb during that time, too. I headed out to pick up Woody a little earlier than I usually do as I needed to get gas. Woody was sitting outside waiting for me when I drove up to the clinic to get him...and...what does that tell you? It was a very warm day...it got above 80° today...very warm! Woody said that dialysis went very quickly today between crossword puzzles and reading! He also said that he is glad to not have to be stuck for treatments now! I did get everything back in the closet and came close to clearing off the dialysis cart and the card table...but after I did all this...I realized that I have more to go through and get put out of sight...oh, well...another day. This was a good start! Woody came home with an another appointment. The doctor who put in the catheter last week made an appintment for tomorrow afternoon! Got rid of one to just add another tomorrow. At least it is only in Murfreesboro and not Nashville and it is earlier. I have given our home health nurse a heads up so she can hopefully plan around this newest appointment, as she is supposed to be here tomorrow. I'm tired of doctor appointments! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Monday Turned Up Again

We both stayed home today up until we headed out this evening for Monday Night Furnace Room Prayer Meeting. Woody waited to eat supper till we got home so I have him fed and will now sit down and write tonight's blog. One of my main goals of the day was to reschedule the appointment with Woody's infectious disease doctor. I knew since our calendar has so many appointments on it that I needed to call directly into the office. Well...that really didn't work as they were having computer problems this morning. They would reschedule...I left it with them knowing that we needed a morning appointment and needed it on a Monday, Tuesday, or Friday. I knew leaving it in their hands without guidance wasn't ideal. I got a message through MyVanderbilt app that we had another appointment...I checked and sure enough...an appointment for the same day as the one we cancelled...ten minutes earlier than the original appointment. The original appointment was late afternoon which means this one was, too! Didn't solve our problem! I cancelled that one and requested another appointment and even suggested that perhaps we could have a telemed appointment...if she needs labs, those can be done at our hospital here in town since it is now a Vanderbilt hospital. Haven't heard from them again...yet. It took a good while to accomplish nothing. We also got another call trying to schedule a test at Vandy. We will wait to see Woody's GI doctor and let him schedule the tests he wants. We also heard from the organization that has hooked up with our local dialysis clinic...they don't need to see him for a while! Yay! Then we heard from home health. They thought he was still in the hospital. Ended that call with the understanding that the nurse will be coming on Wednesday...good we are rearranging the other appointment that we were to have on Wednesday. So lots of medical calls today. I spent time today preparing for one of Woody's requests: chicken pot pie. I roasted a chicken and then made chicken stock with the carcass. So besides time on the phone, I have spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen. I'll finish cleaning up the kitchen once I publish this. Woody's done quite a few crossword puzzles today. Now he is watching the final game of March Madness. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Make-Up Day for a Forgetful Grammy

Yesterday morning we were visited by a few Dorrell grandchildren. First Joy came over to sew. She had texted me the day before to see if she could come over sometime. And, of course, I said, "yes!" I even cleared off the cutting table for her. Not long after she got here, I heard thr front door open and Nathan, Kathy, Isaac, and Joseph stopped by after the Tullahoma Little League Opening Ceremonies...wanted to show us their uniforms before they get dirty! The boys posed nicely so I could get a couple of pictures. Interesting fact about the A's team...Nathan, Elijah, and now Isaac and Joseph have all been on Tullahoma's Little League A's team...over the years! Isaac is number 11 and Joseph is number 6. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Back in the Saddle…Again

Shortly after noon today, Woody was back at dialysis able to be dialyzed, again. There was a moment that we weren't absolutely sure that it would happen because one of the nurses called and said that they had to have authorization to use a new catheter and they didn't know if they could get it on Saturday or not. They never called us back to say "aye" or "nay," but Woody said not to call to just go and he wqs sure that they would do it. The gentleman/nurse who called me at the hospital yesterday from the center is who came out and took charge of getting him set up the first time. I gave him the hospital discharge papers that said that he was to be dialyzed at our center today and also the card that tells what type of catheter it is. He thanked me for bringing them and wheeled Woody in to begin. So that "crisis" was avoided...we don't know how as they never mentioned it to Woody and he didn't ask! I headed off to run a couple of errands and do a little Krogering. Checked out, loaded the trunk, and headed home to take in and put away. I have spent some time in the kitchen today preparing things to put in the freezer. I bought red, yellow, and orange sweet peppers the other day because they were on sale and I use them a lot in cooking. So this morning, I chopped them up and put them in a zip-loc bag to pop in the freezer to have handy when I need them. I also sliced the meatloaf and individually wrapped the slices so I will have them when Woody is in the mood for a meatloaf sandwich...ribs are more to his liking these days. Ribs are one of the reasons that I needed to make a stop at Kroger today...time to cook another rack...I'm doing a bit of eye rolling, as they aren't quite as easy to put together as a meatloaf! Pulling that membrane off the back side of them isn't the easiest thing. I also may need to make another recipe of the rub that I use and that consists of putting a LOT of herbs and spices together. Once that membrane is off and the rub is on, the task isn't that bad...the convection oven takes over. I have gone over the Sunday School lesson for tomorrow...I finished studying and getting it on paper yesterday while I waited for Woody's procedure to be over...while Nathan ran his Murfreesboro errands. It was bit rough weather-wise last night...it just skirted by our area, but there areas not far from us that were hit hard...lots of damage. I have heard of one death in Alabama just over the state line amd another in TN where a branch or part of a tree fell on someone. I also heard that a mill that had become a restaurant was flattened. One of our barn trips took us there for picture taking and a meal...so we have it captured digitally, though it is pretty much gone today. I wonder if barns we saw last Sunday were affected. I know that I heard about one of the roads that we were on for a lot of our trip Sunday was in the path of last night's storms. Never know when barn that we take photos of might be gone the next time we pass by! It has been a beautiful day here once the storms passed through in the night. But it has been very windy...a struggle to walk through the parking lot at Kroger and get grocery bags into the trunk and then up to the house. According to Alexa, the wind was over 30 mph when I asked her. I think they have finally died down. Woody thought that dialysis might have been a little shorter using this catheter. One thing good...he no longer gets stuck twice each treatment...all goes through the two lines in his catheter. He wqs told that there are 10 or 12 hemodialysis patients who have catheters. Of course, he has had catheters at two different times before... ut they were temporary ones. This is called a permacath...but not permanent...it will have to be replaced periodically. Wound care has been done for tonight and Woody is all tucked in. He's pretty sleepy and his neck is sore. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!