Good to Go!

Tonight's title is in reference to all three of our toilets being worked on today by the plumber. I was just praying that we would end up with at least one working...and that one needed to be downstairs since Woody can't get upstairs easily! So really hoped for two working after they finished...one up and one down! I believe that all three ended up being in working condition after they were worked on. The one in the hall bathroom no longer tips crazily when one is seated...the plumber bolted it to the floor. That one I'm still not thrilled with the way it flushes...have to hold the handle down the whole time it is flushing. As far as I can tell, Woody's works pretty much as it did. Mine had the flushing mechanism/kit replaced and it doesn't flush exactly the same...guess I will get used to it! If there seem to be problems, he will come back...I have tested the fact that he will return about a problem...today was the third attempt to fix the rock and roll toilet! I believe that it is safe for our guests to use that bathroom once again! Plumber visit was the main event of our day today. We stayed home until this evening when we both went to the Furnace Room Prayer Meeting. We got home from that and I have fed Woody. The next duty after I blog is change the outer bandage on his leg. Then we can both settle down for the night. Well, that isn't quite the truth...there is still one more antibiotic dose before morning. Our personal care physcian's office called today to check on Woody and I caught them up on the latest with him...mainly about wound care. After I got Woody's breakfast this morning, I went outside and watered the flowers and did some weeding. I came back in and stitched for a little while. We both rested some this afternoon. I think that the Zofran for nausea is making Woody extra sleepy...he has rested a lot more than usual. Well, guess it is bandage changing time. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be caitious!

Simmering Saturday

Today has been sort of a lazy summer day. Well, as lazy as it can be on a day when you have to get up before the sun and be at dialysis by 5:45! We made it there on time...and they were successful at breaking up the clot that was in his catheter. They put the "med" intohis line and he had to just sit there foran hour before they coukd run his dialysis at the normal time. I pickedhim up at the same time as usual...so he was there for 5 hours rather than the usual 4 hours. I came home and read for a little while and then went outside to water. I finished up my second losd of clothes in the cooler part of the morning. I decided to plY around with one of my cameras for a while today...messing with settings, lenses,etc. I haven't used this camera a lot since I got my point-and-shoot. I had forgotten how to use some of its features and settings, so I sort of experimented with it a little. Just a few minutes ago I put on the power zoom lens and took some flower pictures. Tonight's blog photo is one of the ones I took. One of the things drcided yesterday at wound care is that Woody is to sit on the waffle cushion all the time...in his recliner, in his wheelchair, on the car seat, dialysis chair, etc. The problem we would have is getting it out from under him to put in the next spot. They solved that problem by giving us a second cushion. So last night, I made a second cover. This morning was the first time that we put a cushion on whatever surgace he was going to sit. Looks likeit will work well and he is much more comfortable sitting on the cushion. It looks like taking Zofran with his antibiotic is working to keep his nausea at bay. It has just been really hot today...good day to stay inside as much as possible. I have read some and will admit to dozing..our early rising time this morning caught up with me! Woody has donesome dozing as well...probably a combination of early rising time, dialysis, and perhaps the Zofran. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Keep cool!

Blooms Abound!

We're enjoying lots of blooms in the gardens. They hibiscus is really showing off with multiple plate-size blooms. The blooms only last a day, but usually there is another one or two waiting to bloom the next day. We have had a pretty good day. Woody has spent a good part of the day resting...especially after our jaunt to the wound care center. Today his nurse was a friend of ours from church. Woody taught her son in Sunday School many years ago. Once again, we were very pleased with the care they are taking of Woody. Today the doctor left the wound on his leg alone...giving it another week of not being disturbed. She did encourage him taking the antibiotic, but take it with Zofran...to hopefully help with the nausea. I hadn't thought to do that...he has a supply of Zofran from when he was so nauseated when he was on peritoneal dialysis. He has taken one antibiotic with the Zofran and so far so good. We hVe a challenge in the morning...to be at dialysis by 5:45am because they have to try to disolve the clot that is in his catheter...it is in the part of the catheter that is on the outside of the body...so it can be seen. They have something special they do to disolve it. Glad it is their job and not mine any more! It is really hot here...low 90s that feel like the upper 90s. It wsn't too bad ou there when I watered this morning, but I was glad to go back inside. I have noticed that the AC has run more than usual. I am trying to be good and do what we have been advised to do under these hot conditions...wait to run things like dishwasher and washer and dryer after it gets dark and cools off a bit...but doubt that I will stay awake long enough to get the two loads of wash that I need to get done. The dishes will be no pronlem...turn it on and it will shut off when done. Problem comes with the wash which takes two machines and needing me to move clothes from washer to dryer twice and remember to do it before I fall asleep! Not totally automatic since it involves me! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! I guess I'll add: Keep cool!

Thursday's This and Thats

Per usual we headed off around 6am to get Woody to dialysis on time. I needed eggs and not a lot more when it came to groceries so decided hat I would go to Wqlmart to get the eggs since they open at 6am. My goal today was to get a handle on what was in the fridge. I knew that I had to put tomatoes in thr fridge or they were going to spoil. Today was the day to decide what to do with them before they even spoiled being refrigerated! Since I still had tortillas from making enchiladas when Cheryl and Rachel were here and still had grated cheese for enchiladas, that perhaps I should attempt to make enchilada sauce...really from scratch. Googled "fresh tomato enchilada sauce" and soon I was in business to be able to make it. I got a phone call around 9am from one of Woody's home health nurses asking if she could come shortly after he got home from dialysis. I diced onions, pressed garlic,chopped tomatoes, and gathered herbs and spices before I went to pick up Woody. He was a bit later than usual being released. Come to find out they had had problems with a blood clot in his line. The newest nurse on staff dealt with it successfully. The only thing they didn't get solved is a small clot in his catheter. Fhey have something they will do prior to his session on Saturday...never a dull moment! Woody came home feeling pretty spent, as he usually does aftef dialysis. Luckily the nurse didn't show up for a out thirty minutes after we got home. She was here doing a recertification...reason it was on Thursday and not Wednesday and a different nurse than our usual nurse. Woody's nausea has been somewhat better...not totally, but he hasn't gotten sick like he had the last few days. I did make an executive decision last night and decided that he would stop the antibiotic since the nausea was escalating. We'll see tomorrow if the doctor agrees with me! He just doesn't need to be so nauseated that he can't eat...he doesn't need to lose any more weight! And if the nausea is caused by the antibiotic then he doesn't need to be taking it. It surely has made eating meals easier...not having to take the med 1 hour before eating or 2-3 hours after eating! After the nurse left, I finished the enchilada sauce...came out pretty good...a it spicier than the enchilada sauce I usually make...but not TOO hot! I plan to freeze the sauce to have when the whim hits to have enchiladas. But before I put it all in the freezer, I did decide to make a small pan of enchiladas with the left over pulled pork (that I had already put in the freezer...out it came, used up the Mexican cheese blend and some colby and jack cheeses, and used up the leftover corn tortillas from the enchiladas that I made when Cheryl and Rachel were here...more thises and thats out of the refrigerator...all being combined into one dish that would go into the fridge. So the refrigerator is much emptier, but still plenty in it to feed us several meals! Late this afternoon, we got a call from TN Oncology saying that Woody's Keytruda wasn't there and that they needed to reschedule him till next Wednesday and that his appointments will be on Wednesdays from now on (wanna bet!?!). Tomorrow's appointment being rescheduled wasn't a bad thing since he was going to have to go to Oncology right after he went to wound care...would have been a very long afternoon for him. So "only" one appointment tomorrow. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Wednesday Doings

I've had a very food day...Woody not so much. His antibiotic is doing a number on him...making him sick to his stomach. I don't know if it is because he has to take it on an empty stomach and wait to eat for an hour...or if it is his body saying that he shouldn't be taking penicillin. He once again doesn't feel like eating...even when he is tempted with Arbys! Linda stopped by with Arbys for lunch. Woody chose to wait to eat his. Linda and I enjoyed ours! We had a nice visit that included walking around looking at our flowers/gardens. As Linda was leaving our plumber drove up. He was here to fix a problem that he didn't fix when here before. It ended up still not being fixed. It was one of the plumber's helpers who came today. "The" plumber said that he would come next. He is scheduled to come back on Monday to fix another problem (hoping he can!) and he will address the improperly seated toilet on that trip. Woody's home helath nurse didn't come today. Last week she said that they had us scheduled for Thursday, but that she would change it to Wednesday...guess she didn't! So Woody may be having dialysis and home health nurse tomorrow. I did get the cover made for the cushion that wound care gave Woody last week. So far I guess it is successful...at least he hasn't complained or acted like it is uncomfortable with the cover on it. He has done a lot of dozing today. I will be glad to see the wound care doctor on Friday...we'll see what she thinks we should do about the antibiotic. I just realized that his bandage is supposed to be changed today...by the home health nurse. I guess I will be doing it, if it gets done today! There is really nothing to changing it, as all I change is a surface dressing and a bandage. Only the doctor changes the bandage that is over the wound. I had just forgotten about it being to change it since the home health nurse is supposed to change it on Wednesday. I change it on Mondays. Doctor on Fridays. I guess I will go do the nurse's job! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Tuesday

I just finished watering my flowerbeds. I guess I can say that I started my day in the gardens and now am ending the day there. After I got home from taking Woody to dialysis, I spent a out an hour weeding...started out fairly cool, but by the end of the hour, I was ready to go inside and cool off! I ran errands just before getting Woody...the pharmacy and the Credit Union. I needed to go to the Credit Union to transfer our gift to our oldest grandson's account. Alex turned 26 today! Where do the years go! He and Brooke are in the midst of moving. They will become dorm parents this school year at Webb School so are moving to an apartment on campus. Brooke teaches Spanish at Webb. This is her second year to teach at Webb. They had been living in Shelbyville. Webb is in Bell Buckle. It has been pretty hot here...upper 80's with the humidity making it frel like it is in the 90s. Woody has just been feeling "ok" today...once again, ne felt oretty wiped out after dialysis. Also, his antibiotic may be making him not have the greatest appetite...once again. I hope that he won't have to continue on it after the ten days! It wasn't quite time to pick Woody up after I finished at the Credit Union so I decided to kill the time at Hobby Lobby. And, I'm glad I did, as I found a box to out a sampler on the top. I had been looking since I finished it in 2021 so glad I happened upon the oerfect one today. This afternoon, I spent a littlr time getting ready to make a cover for the cushion that they gave him at wound care on Friday. He likes it and it is helping, but it has a plastic-type covering so I am goung to attempt to make a pilkow cover for it. I found some fabric scraps that should work and have cut out the too...now to figure out the back overlap so we can just slip the pillow in and out and be able to wash the cover. Not exactly the sewing project that I wanted to be working on! Well, time to finish in the kitchen and then go uostairs until time for Woodh's next antibiotic. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALEX,

Just Another Monday!

The squirrels are still eating more of the birdseed than the birds. The birds and squirrels really had a hay day today because no one was sitting on the front porch! One time when I opened the front door several squirrels flipoed off of the feeders and about eight others scampered from under the feeders. There were also birds flying into the feeders whenever i looked out today. we're still operating in low gear around here. We both took lots of naps today. Between naps I did do a few things. My first task was to get an appointment moved on Friday...his Oncology and wound care appointments overlapped. I called Oncologytosee if his appointment coukd be moved earlier or later. It got moved to later so bothappointments should work now. These appointments are within a block of each other...so we will go from wound care to Oncolgy on Friday. Another task of the day was to get my plumber to return...needed him last week, but he was out of town. Got him via text today and he is supposed to come on Wednesday. The next task, or so I thought, was to go pick out a new washer and dryer. My washer wouldn't spin. But thanks to the internet found an easy fix...turn the dial fully around and then turn to spin...worked...so for moment we are good and I have time to do some washer and dryer research before we have to get new ones! Woody has done a lot of napping...me too. Since I got the dryer to spin the water out of the towels, I got them dried and put back in the guest bathroom. I emptied wastebaskets in guest bath and guest rooms. The coffee maker is out of the kitchen...so bit by bit evidence of guests is disappearing. It's awfully quiet around here! We both went to prayer meeting tonight. Everyone there agreed that Woody looked much improved. Woody was glad to be back at prayer meeting. Erin did get to come home from the hospital today...so things are looking up for her! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Sunday Favorites

Woody has had a good day. He's done a lot of resting...me too!

Porch Farewell!

Woody and I were up early once again for dialysis. When I got home, Cheryl was up making coffee for the last time...then Rachel came down and made her coffee of choice. We all sat on the front porch for a while...Cheryl gave herself a specific time that she would go in and finish her packing. When she went in to pack, I headed to the kitchen to make some cheesy scrambled eggs to go with sour dough toast. We ate breakfast and then sat on the porch a little longer. The plan was for us to leave about the same time...they headed to the airport and I headed to pick up Woody. It has been pretty quiet around here, since they left! I have been geadually removing evidence that they were here...coffee mugs, glasses, coffee grounds in the compost bucket...the coffee maker is still on the counter...waiting for the pot to wash in the dishwasher, dishes from breakfast have been loaded in the dishwasher, multiple mugs and glasses, too. I will move the little table back into position in the living room...eventually...that is where the three of us ate most of the time. Sp bit by bit the fact they were here is disappearing! The week certainly went by quickly...too fast in fact! We did have a good visit...hope that it won't be so long between visits as it was this time...two years...is too long! Woody had a good dialysis day. His nurse gave him an A+ because he had no blood pressure problems. I think that Woody is already feeling better after starting this new antibiotic that wound doc prescribed…treating some bacteria that showed up in wound on his leg. Trying a penicillin derived drug…but a new generation of penicillin. He has had a rash from penicillin in past…but doctor and we decided to try it and take a chance…so far no rash and his throat hasn’t tried to close! I have Benadryl on hand in case…pharmacists were both (Tullahoma Drug and Publix) concerned! I appreciate their cautiousness…making sure that we were aware of risk. Woody's PCP doc had about decided to take a chance and try one if he had shown evidence of an infection the last time we saw her...so the docs are thinking along the same line. And, the Benadryl is right at hand where I can grab it if necessry. Our granddaughter, Erin, is also feeling better. They are waiting on something that she will need for her healing when she goes home and it hasn't arrived yet. The doctor told her today that once it gets here that she can go home. That word "home" has encouraged her and her antibiotics are working to help her feel better, too. Cheryl just texted me, that she she and Rachel are about to board in Detroit...then they can finally start heading West! We had a delightly cooler day to send them off. They will step off into some major heat when they get to Phoenix! To show you how bad it is...Cheryl received word today that one of her childhood friends had died and that her death was heat related...the heat out there is real! This has not been a good day for Cheryl amd Rachel's friends...one of Rachel's friends who she grew up with had a stroke...so death of a lady in her late 60s dying due to the heat and someone in their early 40s having a stroke...To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Cookie Time!

Last full day of company...a bit sad! I guess we are making cookies to cheer us up! Woody got a good report at the wound care center They were happy that his wound measured smaller. The doctor was surprised by how much his wound drains...or weeps as Woody says. She did reevaluate the dressings and changed things a bit. She also put him on an antibiotic...a different one for ten days. We go back next Friday. So far we are very pleased with the care at wound care...or as Woody would like them to call it = "wound cure." They gave him a cushion for his chair...at this point he approves. It has been a good day for Woody. After we got home and had lunch, Cheryl, Rachel and I went back to wound care, as tgey forgot to hand me the bandages they want me to use and then to the pharmacy at Publix to get his antibiotic...our pharmacy didn't have what our doctor prescribed...so our pharmacist phoned around and found a pharmacy that had them. Tonight we are making cookies...looks like I am finally awake...and, it is time for them to leave! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Are We Having Fun Yet?!?

My sister is so funny. She sent this to me saying that she wished that she had taken one every day! Why I'm posting this...I'm not sure! Laughter at my expense...I guess! Woody went to dialysis per usual. He was pretty spent when he got home. I headed to WalMart after I dropped him off...I needed a couple of things to complete a surprise for Woody. I found an organizer to put beside Woody's recliner.

He was able to get his computer and move it over onto his lap to use. I'm not sure what else he has checked out because he hasn't felt the greatest today. Speaking of not feeling the greatest...our granddaughter, Erin, had to have surgery today to help clear up an infection. She, also, isn't feeling the greatest tonight! Lots going on! Cheryl and Rachel did a little tourist shopping today...they went to Lynchburg to get some TN gifts to take back to AZ. We had Mexican for supper again tonight. The AZ "Gilmore" girls seem to approve of my enchilada recipe...of course, the recipe is Cheryl's! Reference to "Gilmore girls" is due to Cheryl and my maiden name. Well, tomorrow is wound care...I'm hoping Woody feels better and feels like going! More adventures to come...with me awake or asleep! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Excitement for My AZ Relatives = RAIN!!!

We had a BIG rain today which was much appreciated by Cheryl and Rachel, who rarely see rain in AZ. The plants are happy, too. We have had a pretty quiet day. Cheryl, Woody, and I stayed home all day. Rachel took a trip to Publix to get us some tortilla chips for our Mexican dinner tonight. Wade gave us tomatillos and a jalepeño when they ame Sunday so I added green salsa to our menu...but didnt get any chips when i went to the store. Thanks Rachel! Woody's home health nurse came this afternoon...so guess we are back in with them. She dressed the wound as much as she was supposed to. We had our much anticipated Mexican dinner...it was yummy...we are all feeling a little too full. We ate a bit late so all is off schedule! Woody has settled in for the night. we probably shoukd...but...it's vacation! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Busy Day…Fading Fast!

So much for a video...this is a photo caprured from Rachel"s: This is the video that Rachel took a little while ago during a rain storm. She and Cheryl needed to take a video to prove rain to their family and friends in AZ! I can hardly concentrate to blog! We've had a pretty busy day guess it has caught up with me. I've been going since 5am when I got up to get Weody's breakfast and get him out the door for dialysis by 6am. We gothim there and I headed back home till time to pick him up at 10:30. Cheryl, Rachel, and I made plans to do a little shopping after lunch...which we did. I found the things on my list...we bought each other Fall gifts...won't have to mail these gifts this year. we had fun...me who rarely shops...except when I am with my sister! Woody enjoyed supper tonight...actually ate what the rest of us ate. Tomorrow the home health nurse is "supposed" to come...we'll see. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Coming or Going?

Well, Woody went for his procedure at Vanderbilt in Nashville. Melany took him. The trip and waiting took much longer than the procedure, an endoscopy. He seems no worse for wear...except he has been pretty sleepy. The doctor said that the places where the GI bleed happened have healed, which Woody said he already knew! Melany brought him home and ate a late lunch here, visited a little, amd then headed home so she could go see Erin. Busy, Merry-Go-Round life she leads...helping out her parents and trying to keep up with her own family sure she is wondering if she is coming or going. Erin is doing better. The doctor is moving Erin from IV to oral antibiotics in hopes she can go home in a day or so. While Woody was off for his procedure, Cheryl, Rachel, and I went shopping! We had fun! Sorry, Woody! I did go to Prayer Meeting...I suggested that Woody stay home and rest and he agreed. Tonight we are playing games with our Alexa...we have laughed a lot! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Porch Sitting in TN

Cheryl and Rachel arrived a little after midnight. We're enjoying visiting! Lots of chatter and laughter around here! Melany, Wade, Alex (our grandson) and his wife, Brooke joined us for lunch today. Wade and Melany brought lunch for all of us...good cooks! Erin couldn't be with us because she is still in the hospital. She is improving, but will have to stay on IV antibiotics for a few more days. All have left except for Melany. She is staying the night to take Woody for his endoscopy in the morning. Never a dull moment! There is a funny picture that Cheryl took of me that I'm not sure about posting...but my sister thinks I should...think that I might be just a little tired? This was this afternoon while our company was still here. I knew that I was starting to get sleepy, but couldn't keep myself from dozing! Of course, we did stay up a bit later last night because Cheryl and Rachel got here so late...and...we couldn't got right to bed! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

What a Day!

I'll start with the story behind tonight's picture. That's Graham and Abigail, Nathan and Kathy's two oldest. They have had a trip planned for some time to Texas. Sell, today is the day. On their way to the airport in Nashville, they found out that their flight was cancelled. Once they got to the airport, they were able to get on a plane that was to leave around 8pm. This a selfie they sent to their mom showing that they had at last gotten onto the plane! They did try to fly standby, but that didn't work for them for an earlier flight. Cheryl and Rachel made it to the airport in Phoenix. Both Cheryl's bag amd purse were searched...she must have looked like a suspicious character! Rachel went through security unscathed! Once they were at their gate, they found out that their flight was delayed. I have no selfie of them, but I did get a text saying that they were seated...flight probably left about an hour late...hope that tailwinds help them make up some time! One of their concerns...they were due in around 10pm our time...they have a rental car to pick up...rental car places close at midnight! I guess it is good that they didn't check any bags...they can get off plane amd hed steaight to car rental. I figure that both sets of traveling family are now safely in the air...one set heading west and the other set heading east...hopefully never the twain shall meet!!! I just put away vacuum amd cleaning supplies...whether clean or not...I am finished! I do still have some things to do in the kitchen amd when finished with those tasks, I will end by mopping the kitchen...so mop is still out! Woody had a good dialysis day. He has done a lot of resting this afternoon...not sure if he has napped much, but his eyes have been closed and he has been quiet. Needless to say I have kept busy most of the day. I have take several breaks diring the day to rest and revive so I can do some more. Erin is doing better...the IV antibiotics arr hopefully working their magic. The doctor wants to keep her over the weekend and the see how she is on Monday as to when she will come home. We'll miss her tomorrow, but the rest of her family still plan to come for a visit and are bringing lunch. Melany is spending the night here so she can take her daddy for his endoscopy on Monday. When it rains, it pours. Their heads must be spinning! Well, need to get back to the kitchen. To be continued. Hopefully there will be two extras here tomorrow night at this time. I'll report back! Br safe! Be well! Be cautious!

My Head is Spinning…Just a Bit!

Where to begin?!? I guess at the beginning...a very good place to start! We'll say that the beginning was the trip to the wound care center. This wound care center is connected to our local hospital...in a separate building at the end of the parking lot...pretty convenient for us. It is also affiliated with Vanderbilt, which is also convenient as they have access to all...well, most all his records. We had been told to being someone to helpnget Woody up their ramp in the wheelchair. I had looked at it from the parking lot and couldn't see why...less steep than ours. We had no problems...strong person that I have become...that's a joke! We walked right up to registration and told them his name and we were immediately taken into a room...no waiting in a waiting room! The nurse did all the evaluations of wounds before the doctor came in. We did wait for a while for the doctor to come in, but she seemed very competent so we are going with them trying to heal his leg wound and making sure that his bedsores continie to stay "ok." They are coordinating with our home health. It looks like I won't be having tonchange the dressings...except for Monday when he is having his endoscopy at Vanderbilt in Nashville. She plans for home health to come on Mondays, Wednesdays, and going to the wound care on Fridays. That means home health on Mondays, Dialysis on Tuesdays, Home health on Wednesdays, Dialysis on Thursdays, Wound care doc on Fridays, Dialysis on Saturdays, and church on Sundays. What just happened!?! The wound care is easier than what I have been doing. They are working on getting approval for a special procedure to help his wound to heal over, also hoping to get him a special cushion for his wheelchair and other places he sits. They may also be ordering him some physical therapy to keep him from pulling ligaments in the back of his leg and on the bottom of his foot. Another reason my head is spinning is that just prior to us heading for our appointment this morning, we found out that Erin, our oldest grandchild, had an infection that was bad enough that she needed IV antibiotics so she is in the hospital in Murfreesboro. Her diabetes makes infections get bad quickly. They were seeing at least a little improvement the last time I texted with Melany. I've texted with Cheryl several times today checking on her progress in getting packed. Her last text said that she was packed except for last minute things to put in. And, drum roll, she managed to pack in a carry-on, which was what Rachel wqa wanting her to do...to eliminate possible lost or late bags and also to let them head to the car rental area as soon as they get off the plane! They will be in very late tomorrow night...or very early on Sunday! Now hoping for the weather to cooperate so that they don'tnhave delays at either end...at their end, it could be too hot to take off...and at our end storms could keep them from landing! Hoping for smooth sailing...errrrr...smooth flight! Woody has done "ok" today...not going to win any races...but his pain seems a bit better...the meds hopefully have taken more than the edge off the pain. We were both impressed with the wound care nurse and doctor that we saw today...hopefully that is a good sign. I just wish we had gotten connected with them sooner...but that is one good thing his last hospitalization got rolling...having them take a try at helping his leg to heal. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Just a little more than 24 hours to "be ready" for our company! That is part of my confusion, also! Once they are here what is done will be what will be done! A minute ago I couldn't remember what I had planned to eat...no lists this time...unusual for me! But I have "things" to-do pretty much in my head...and what doesn't get done probably didn't really need to be. Oh, one other accomplishment today...I got my hair cut! 'Till tomorrow!

Look What's Blooming!

As we were pulling out of the driveway this morning, I happened to notice that this hibiscus had two huge blooms open...when I got back from dropping Woody off, I took a couple of pictures...only chance to get these was today as the blooms only last a day. There are lots of buds getting ready to send forth more dazzling huge blooms! Our other hibiscus near the front porch is about to bloom, too. I expect that we will see that bloom tomorrow. Woody's dialysis went fine today...but his nurse was extra careful to watch Woody's blood pressure so Woody got out later than usual. His pain seems to have the edge taken off of it. My oven has worked hard for me today...well long time...low heat. I made Boston Baked Beans today and also I made croutons for our salads next week. Tomorrow, the morning will be pretty well be taken up with appointments. Woody has his wound care appointment in the morning and I have a hair appointment at noon. I have fabric stacked up in piles according to type...knit and linen mainly. I'm getting ready to unload the cutting table so I can move it out of the room for the time being. Getting closer to being ready...good thing since it is getting closer to them being here! My sister still has to pack. The steamy days of summer have settled in. This morning when we left the house at 6 it was 74° with 94% humidity...pretty soupy out there! I watered this morning and then this afternoon we had a pretty nice rain shower for a while...so the plants got extra drinks today! Time to go change Woody's bandage...wonder if we will be doing something different tomorrow night. Pretty much have the dressing change down to a routine now...bet it will be different with this doctor. Wonder if this old dog will be able to learn new tricks! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

A Little of This and a Little of That

Today I have dabbled in a lot of places around the house both in and out...did some gardening, cooking, cleaning, cross stitch finishing, reading, and the list could go on. I just finished two of the three main items in the antique scoop in tonight's photo. I bought the antique scoop a few weeks back when I went off with Jo and Carolyn for lunch and a little shopping in Shelbyville. I got the scoop thinking that I would display some small needlework finishes in it...finished one little pillow the other day and finished the other two items today. Now I'm working on putting away needlework and sewing "mess" that has accumulated on the sewing table and the bed. We'll see if I can get creative and find places to store them while my company is here! Woody's pain does seem to be better. We have had a quiet stay-at-home day. We did get a call from a home health nurse asking if she could come for a visit. Not sure what is going on as we hadn't heard from them since I called to let them know that Woody was home from the hospital, which was two weeks ago tomorrow. We did get a thank you note from the organization thanking is for using their home health organization. I knew that they were getting ready to discharge him from their services about the time that he went into the hospital. I did expect to see them one more time, but that was going to be it...so when they didn't come I figured that we had just missed our appointment when he was in the hospital and it was over. Today's nurse was filling in for one of our nurses so she had no idea...but she was here today just for a regular visit...first in three weeks. I have started ordering our own supplies since they had stopped coming. I told her that Woody has an appointment with the wound care connected with our local Vanderbilt hospital on Friday. She told me to be sure that I told them that we use them for home health care so they can coordinate his care between the two places...so I guess we are back in the home health care loop? Who knows! But I don't have to change his bandage tonight because she changed it while she was here. Well, guess I need to get back to my sewing/needlework clean up...time is getting closer for our company to be here. Next week at this time we will be saying that the visit is close to the end! I know that the time will fly while they are here. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Tuesday Doings

The day started pretty much normally...up early and leave for dialysis by 6am. I did get up 2ish to give Woody his pain med so he would have a few hours of relief before dialysis wiped it out of him. I did ask one of his nurses and she said that dialysis would wash it out pf his system. It seems that there should be a way to dose a dialysis patient rather than every 12 hours! I may try to look into that...raise the question with dialysis nurse and see if she can check with Dr. O. I worked in the gardens for part of the time Woody was at dialysis and them came back in to work inside. I can say that Rachel's rooom is ready for her. I went to pick up Woody and he wasn't brought out as soon as he usually is. One of the nurses came out to tell me that Woody had a problem with his blood pressure dropping towards the end of his treatment...one of those times when he becomes unresponsive for a few seconds...somewhat like a seizure. I guess he scared the tech/nurse who was working with Woody today! He hadn't seen that happen before. Luckily one of Woody's usual nurses was next to Woody's area and she knew what was happening and that he needed a bolus of saline. They watched him for a few minutes after he ws disconnected snd then they wheeled him out to me. He seemed ok except for feeling wiped out as he often does after dialysis. He hasn't felt the greatest this afternoon...no energy...could be the blood pressure problem during dialysis or it could be due to his new pain med...pain medicine never makes anyone feel the greatest! I do think that the pain med has taken the edge off his pain. Supper didn't settle the best...he got sick about the time he took his first bite. That was the first time that he has been sick to his stomach since the morning before we took him to the hospital a couple weeks ago...I think...time tends to run together! Woody is watching the Baseball All-Star game right now...something that can take his mind off "things" hopefully. I'm going to finish cleaning up the kitchen and then go upstairs and finish a little needlework project...my "reward" for finishing Rachel's room!!! I'll probably read some, too, as I am getting close to finishing a book that will be snatched back into cyberspace in a few days. The nurse from Vanderbilt Nashville called today about instructions prior to his endoscopy this coming Monday. Just prior to her call, I ws wondering if I was going to have to call her...thankfully she made the call amd I didn't have to! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Finally…Or How Many Calls Does It Take?!?

I began calling TN Oncology this morning at 8:30. I was told that she would get a message to someone who could help me...she didn't understand why my call hadn't been dealt with or returned on Friday. She said that someone would call me back...BUT if no one called in a couple of hours to call again...no call...so two hours later I called again...pretty much the same answer/message as the first call. I told her that I would call back in 1-1/2 hours if I hadn't heard...so 1-1/2 hours later I called again...this person said that they don't call back to say that prescription had been dealt with. I told her that I had been told twice that morning that they would and that I wasn't going to call our pharmacy as I had disturbed them enough with three calls Friday and one on Saturday. She said that she would call me back. As I hung up, I decided that I would call back in an hour the next time. I was about to call them at the hour mark, when the phone rang...it was the pharmacy...it was the young lady who I had talked to several times...both on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, she said that Woody must be hurting very badly...she remembered and after she bagged Woody's prescription she called. I so appreciate our locally owned pharmacy...which has been in business for 60 years this year and we have been with them for 54 of them! The doctor office never did call back. Timing worked out very well, as when I got home it was time for Woody's next dose of Tylenol and I exchanged Tylenol for the new pain med...at last! He thinks that it has taken the edge off his pain. He's hoping to find a comfortable position to sleep in and hoping for a good night's sleep. I'm hoping he gets some good sleep, too! I continue to get ready for our company. I "almost" have our 2nd guest room ready. I need to finish vacuuming in there and make the bed and it will be ready. It is good to have places for them to rest their heads as they will be getting in quite late Saturday night or even in the wee hours of Sunday. Woody chose not to go to prayer meeting tonight. I returned a little while ago...got Woody something to eat and then cqme up to blog. I still need to change the dressing on his leg and then clean up the kitchen...an accumulation of today's dishes because I still haven't removed yeaterday's clean dishes from the dishwasher...other things got in the way. I did get library memorial letters written and mailed today...a good task completed. Our first book order arrived today...processing will wait till after Cheryl and Rachel's visit. Busy! Busy! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Oh, the answer to tonight's title question...5 to the doctor's office and 4 to the pharmacy. I was exhausted by the time the problem was finally resolved. I think the problem was that the doctor was not in the office when I made my calls... finally the nurse practioner faxed in the prescription.

Sunday Favorite

We've had a quiet day. We attended our church online. Woody still having quite a bit of pain. He did his usual four crossword puzzles, Wordle, watched some TV, and tried to rest. I have been working on Rachel's room...getting closer for there to be a place to rest her head! That's a good thing since Cheryl and she will be here at this time next week. I talked to Cheryl for a while today...just gearing up for our nonstop talk fest shortly! I was trying to remember someone's name. She helped me with that and then we chased a lot of other rabbits! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Plants Are Happier

Wwe have just had a storm pass through and we got a pretty good rain for a few minutes, and I think that we are going to get more according to what I see on radar. We have had a pretty good day. Woody had early dialysis. While he was at dialysis, Indecided tonrun errands in stores that are open at that early hour. I found out last night that WalMart opens at 6am. So I had Walmart errands to do today...I believe that this ws only the second time that i have gone to Walmart this year! I got what I "needed" there and then headed on to Kroger. I decided that I needed to get a few things to get us through till I shop for our company. I did get a few things so if I feel like it, I can make a few things before going to the store. As a matter of fact, I can probably get by with waiting till after they get here. Melany, Wade, Erin, Alex amd Brooke are going to come here for lunch this coming Sunday...and, they are bringing the food...so...they will be providing the first main meal that we will be having after Cheryl and Rachel get here. Cheryl and Rachel don't land in Nashville till fairly late on Saturday and then have to get their car rental and make the 1-1/2 drive here...so they might not even be here on Saturday...may be in the wee hours of Sunday! Woody is still has quite a bit of back pain, but we are having to handle it with Tylenol as the prescription never got phoned in. I did check with the pharmacy this morning and no go. We had a nice visit with Becki J. this afternoon. She is part of our Monday night prayer group. She brought us some yummy cookies. Woody is, at least, resting his eyes at the moment. I will blog amd them check back with him. I still have to change his dressing. He's waiting patiently (maybe?) for his last/third dose of Tylenol for today. Then he will hope to sleep tonight! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautipus!

Elijah's 14!

There is a lot of significance to this birthday...#1...how can it be that Elijah is 14!?!?! But #2 is that Goosey (Woody) was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma about a year before Elijah was born. At that time, Woody was given less than a year to live...so we didn't know if he would be still alive at Elijah's birth. He was! And, still is 14 years later! A lot those doctors knew! Nathan, Kathy, Joy, Elijah, Isaac, amd Joseph just stopped by so we could see our now 14-year-old grandson! They were coming home from his birthday supper of choice: Zaxby's. They had just dropped Esther off at a friends for a sleepover. Esther amd Elijah just got home from a church youth camp. Sounds like they had fun. Graham and Abigail were otherwise occupied...Graham at work at the local bowling alley, where he troubleshoots from the back of alleys. I imagine that Abigail was with her boyfriend, Payton. We had a little slower paced day...at least didn't have to get out extremely early. Woody did have his every three week appointment at TN Oncology this morning. He did address his pain with his oncologist. His oncologist said that he would phone/fax a pain medication to our pharmacy. Woody was hoping for a little more relief than Tylenol is giving him. But that hope was dashed when by the end of the day the pharmacy had not received the prescription. I put in three separate calls to the pharmacy and one to the doctor's office. None of those calls helped and he now will just go on as he has been for the reat of the weekend. Well, I will make one more call to the pharmacy in the morning to see if by chance the fax got sent after the pharmacy closed. His back is hurting him a lot, but he is getting stronger. He had a lot less trouble transfering from wheelchair to whatever amd vice-versa and he was able to use the walker to walk into the bathroom today...definitely an improvement! I ran a couple of errands after I dropped Woody off and then came home and did a little of this and a little of that. I did transfer one of the plants Linda brought me yesterday and started digging a hole for another. Note I just started digging the hole! I made Woody's breakfast sausage for the next month. They are in the freezer on a sheet pan till they are frozen. After they are frozen I will transfer them to a freezer bag. So a month's worth of breakfasts...work about done. I think we are about to settle in for the night. After I publish this, I'll go dress his leg wound and try to get him as comfortable as possible for the night. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

More Plants!😁

We were up early...earlier than need be. Woody's back was hurting and needed Tylenol. He rarely takes Tylenol, so it must have really been bothering him! It has eased up and he seems better tonight. Limda H, came over for lunch. She brought Arbys and I provided sides and a light dessert. All three of us enjoyed visiting during lunch. After lunch Linda and I left Woody so he could rest and visited some more in the living room. We took a tour of the flower gardems. She shared some plants from her gardems with us. I shared a coleus that I had rooted with her. We both have some planting to do. I'm thinking about the spot that each of them would enjoy and thrive where planted. The countdown is on for Cheryl's and Rachel's visit. They may be ready to get out of their oven...112° when I was talkimg to Cheryl this afternoon. Of course, they get out of their oven and land in our muggy weather...lots of difference in humidity between TN and AZ! It was less than 10% humidity when I was talking with her. Dry heat! I lived in AZ for enough years to know it is HOT! They will just be changing one heat for another. The temperatures amd humidity have been going up here. It was 88° with more than 50% humidity...could be worse! Hoping for good porch sitting weather while they are here...that's what Cheryl wants to do...easy entertainment! She told me today that she does hope that it rains while they are here since they see so little rain. We'll see if we can make that happen! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Famous Last Words!

Woody said yesterday that he was going to stay in his recliner and not lie down on his couch/bed until at least after he got home from dialysis tomorrow. Really he said even longer than that...I went upstairs to rest and when I came downstairs, he was reclined on his couch instead of recliner...insert eye roll! I really can't blame him as sitting in one chair and pretty much only changing position slightly depending on how much he is reclining...is not very easy. I can get uo and move around and he is very limited in his moving around! He mainly moves from recliner to couch and back or from recliner or couch to the bathroom and back. Any greater distance is done in the wheelchair. I told him that since he was going to want to be on the couch...and was at that moment...that we were just going to have to be able to get him back up...just the two of us. Yesterday, when Nathan was here, Woody analyzed the situation and decided the best way for him to get up...and it worked. And, it worked again this evening for us...I'm just not as strong as Nathan, but as long as we were successful, we'll go with it! Yesterday, I made a new sourdough recipe for a loaf of bread...my major cooking for the day. But I found out last evening that all that sounded good to Woody was potato salad...well, that hadn't gotten made yestersay. So I put it at the top if my to-do list for today. He had some for supper tonight and gave it his seal of approval. My big job of the day was library work. I made two book orders for the church library and assigned 8 memorials. I am lagging in my library duties! One step closer...next is some letter writing (another day) and then when the books come, Donna and I will have the job if processing the books to be ready for the shelves...it's been a while wonder if we remember how...hope library computer and printer coooerate when when the time comes! Woody is back in his recliner. I'm hoping that he can get comfortable and remain there till morning so it will be an easier transition to dialhsis in the earlh morning. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

4th of July 2023

I snapped the above photo of our church this morning on the way home from dropping Woody off at dialysis. I did some editing to make the flags really stand out. We have had a pretty good day. We made it to dialysis on time. Dialysis went well as far I know. All went well until he decided to move to the couch. He stayed there in one position for too long...probably...as he couldn't get up...my help didn't work...so we ended up calling Nathan. Between the three of us, he did get up AND he SAYS he is staying in the recliner tonight and tomorrow and tomorrow night...to get us out the door again for dialysis on Thursday! But all in all he has had a good day and continues to improve. I am considering putting yellow police tape around the couch! I have had a good day working around the house. One thing I accomplished was getting rid of all the boxes of dialysis solutions. I had done about half the boxes and was resting and Nathan showed up so I roped him in to help me finish and get the empty plastic bags into the garbage cam and the boxes collapsed so they can be picked up with recyclable items that we have at the curb tomorrow. I don't think we have anywhere to go tomorrow...we'll see...time will tell. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious! Happy 4th from Woody and me!

Improvement!!!!

This little bird has appeared before, but she lives in the barn birdhouse hanging on our dogwood tree so she is around a lot and she likes to pose a little differently each time I snap her photo! Woody has made a marked improvement. He had his phone appointment for his upcoming endoscopy. That went well and he got all questions answered...we hope! He still has to talk to a nurse next week, but preop things are getting done. I put in a call with the wound center connected to our local hospital. They returned the call and he has an appointment a week from Friday. Nathan came over to help Woody get up to get in his wheelchair around 11 so Woody and I could head to McMinnville for am appointment with our personal care physcian. She put us at ease about what is going on. She said that we can see imorovement that we should just continue as we are. We are to watch fir any indication of infection and if that happens, she has a plan we will follow before resorting to going tothe hospital. But at the moment "things" are going better. His strength is coming back gradually, but markedly improved. Nathan hardly had to do anything to get him transferred from couch to wheelchair and from wheelchair to car. And, he got out at the doctor's office with no assistance except for me to be sure that the wheelchair was locked and steady. And, he got back under his own power. I think that we will be able to handle getting to and from dialysis on our own again. The hardest thing for him is transferring from couch to wheelchair. We'll see how that goes in the morning! I know he is about ready to transfer from recliner to couch as he is starting to get uncomfortable after sitting there since he got home from the doctor. He was oretty tired after he got home. He rested and recouped a while before he had a late kunch. I guess the trip (and stress of what the doctor might say) got to me and I had a long nap. Woody had supper and is now thinking about his couch/bed. I need to do his dressing change. And, make sure that I set an alarm for our early hour. Then I can read, stitch, or whatever for a while this evening. I am much relieved by our doctor's reaction as to what is going on. We will keep on keeping on! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!

Sunday Favorite Plus a Little Update

Made it through another day at home...or at least close to seeing the day out! We did not go to Sunday school this morning, but did attend our church service using my iPad. Woody still very slow moving. He did spend a good portion of the day working his four daily crossword puzzles. He's still not great, but he insists he is getting better. Tomorrow he has an appointment with a Vanderbilt, Nashville about his endoscope procedure that is scheduled in two weeks. That is a phone appointment. That one we shouldn't have trouble getting to...unless we have phone problems! BUT tomorrow aftrrnoon, he has an appointment with our primary care physician, a follow-up from last week's hospitalization. Getting to that appointment may be a problem if he isn't improved in quickness of movement. At his current rate, we will need to start heading to the car shortly after the phone appointment. Maybe another good night's rest will have him moving better?!? We can only hope and pray! He is thinking about transferring from recliner to couch. I think I will go dress his leg while he is still in the recliner. To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautous!

Lots of Questions?

It hasn't been a horrible day, but not the best either. Woody did get to dialysis, but the only way we made it was with Nathan's help both going and coming. I have a feeling he should be in the hospital...but...so far sticking it out here. He is resting peacefully at the moment. I need to change his leg dressimg, but don't want to disturb him. I have everything ready to change it, when he starts stirring again. I took a nap this afternoon. When I came back downstairs, Woody had transferred himself from the recliner to the couch. I sort of wish that he would stay in the recliner as it is easier for him to get up from it than from the couch. I guess all I can say is that we are taking it one moment at a time. We have had some doozy storms roll through last night and again this afternoon. I spent around an hour after dropping Woody off at dialysis just picking up limbs and sticks and clumps of leaves that blew down last night. And, now it looks like a warzone again after this afternoon's storm blew through. To be continued. Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!