Coffee and...part 13 :-D

Good morning. It's been a busy few days! I hope Darius gets to come home soon but not before she should.With nobody there to help her she needs to be pretty well before they let her go. My prayers are with her. She has been very busy, and under a lot of stress and with going to the RU she could certainly have picked up a bug. I'm glad she got to go to that and have some fun. People with cronic lung or other respitory problems seem to really get sick in a hurry when something settles in and they don't recover as fast as we healthier types do.

After my weekend ride?adventure! we drove to Boise (150 miles) on Monday to meet our son and a friend who flew down from Alaska. Our son had bought a used truck for work and needed to get it to Seattle to put on the barge for Ketchikan. Yesterday our other son took a day off and they spent the day together and had fun. When they were growing up they fought a lot but thankfully they just have fun now when they see each other. The weather was beautiful and that was good because in Ketchikan it rains, and rains, and rains like you wouldn't believe. Average yearly rainfall there is 170 inches, yep folks, that's about 13 feet! Waaaaaaaaaay too much for me, heck, I thought the Seattle area was bad and they only get about 36 inches. Anyhow, our son is on his way to Seattle with his "new" truck this morning.

Yesterday I got my lawn mowed and some weeds pulled. That's tricky with a sore thumb on one hand and a sore finger on the other but where there's a will there's a way! Today I need to get tomato seeds, etc, planted in flats. And ride one of the horses, and do more weeding. That should keep me out of mischef all day I think.

I am surprised that Seattle only gets 36 inches of rain a year. I think Dallas gets that much. We are supposed to get an average of 80 inches of rain a year but the last 2 years, it has topped 100. I hope this year isn't so bad.

Woodspirit, Seattle is in sort of a rain shadow from the Olympic mountains to the west. Although Seattle (and Portland Or) are famous for rain, it doesn't come down in buckets, just drizzles a lot and is cloudy and gloomy for days at a time. Washington and Oregon both have a range of mountains running north and south near the coastline. The west side of those gets a lot of rain. Then the clouds pick up more moisture as they move east and bump up against the Cascade range which gets lots more rain on the west side than on the east. Beyond that it is quite dry unless we get moisture that comes up from California. Washington and Oregon both have about 1/3 of the land wet and 2/3 dry. I live on the dry side but spent a lot of years over there were we didn't tan, we rusted!

Woodspirit, me too - 100" of rain sound very bad for Darius' issues with mold and pollen. (crossed with MaryE's post)

This message was edited Apr 27, 2005 1:48 PM

roseone33 just posted on the prayer forum that Darius was discharged today. She's going to see if she needs anything. (((hugs)) for rose, thank you.
Pati

Thanks, Everyone. Your Love and Concern makes me cry, something I do not do easily.

I'm back home although they had thought they'd keep me until tomorrow. However, they decided I was past the accute stage and could go home.

Basically it was near-exhaustion from burning the candle at both ends, but here's the general breakdown:

1) Acute bronchial infection, exacerbated by pollen and volatile heater gunk here. Plus being a dummy and not using my 2 inhalers 4x a day while at the RU and using my O2 hardly at all. (Didn't even take my big concentrator I use at night because it makes too much noise and I was sharing the cabin.)

After several breathing treatments (man those are nasty and make me throw up, plus give me the shakes for nearly an hour!) my lungs started opening up, and blood pressure coming down. They had been worring about having a stroke. I was discharged with a BP down to 124/65! : )

2) Malnutrition, in eating so poorly if at all during the 2 months at my sister's and then the 2 weeks back home (during one of those weeks she was up here and we were on the road looking at property and eating more junk food.). I was eating what passes for food (junk food totally non-nutritional, and eating nothing with the essential amino acids or anti-oxidents).

If you have read many of my old early posts on the Health Forum, you will know that I really DO know what constitutes healthy nutrition. I just didn't fully realize my long slow decline into poorer eating habits all last year living alone could escalate so quickly with absolutely pitiful foods. Yes, I'm a DUMMY but stress will do that, making the stress worse of course. Downward cycle.

So I'm off tomorrow to find some good Omega3 oil until I can locate my flax seed and grinder, and to restock my refrigerator so I can get back to my normal diet that's really very healthy. I hope to be feeling better in a week or so.

My dear Special Darius,

I am so happy that you made it home and are soon to be on the mend. I am also glad to know you are taking steps to improve your eating habits.

We would all like to keep you with us for a long long time.

Love Molly

Darius...I am glad you are out and about!! Jo

"burning the candle at both ends"

Remember:

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But, ah, my foes, and, oh, my friends
- it gives a lovely light.

Edna Saint Vincent Millay

Take care, we all need you!!!
Pati

Darius...'ditto' to everything that everyone else has said and feels. You *are* an important part of our group and we *all* worry about you. Take care, my friend.

~julie~

Glad you are back with us Darius - please don't scare us all half to death like that again!! Take care of yourself and remember its your life, and the only one you get, so don't waste fretting over things that can't be helped.
Hugs((()))
Carol

Already saw Darius back on line in the Garlic thread, so glad she's navigating again. Just checking in, see you in the morning......

2 dittos

Breathing big sigh of relief here, Daruis. You quit scaring us like that! Eat your vegies and take better care of yourself. You must have been living on adrenaline.

I've been out weeding again, just came inside to get a cup of tea, some ibuprophen, and take a break. This morning I went riding for a couple of hours so I could get it done before the predicted lightening arrived. The sky looks quite scowly in a couple of directions and the wind is blowing, but I haven't heard any thunder.

Hmmm, what's for dinner? It's that time of day (past it for most of you) but tell us what you had. I get in such a rut and do the same things over and over, so I need some fresh ideas.

Where's the garlic thread?

I tried calling the Andrews Regional Hospital but the phone just rang and rang even though I checked the number twice. Then I remembered darius saying that 2 hospitals were merging so I don't have a clue where she was (tell me, darius). It sure looks like the old hospital would disconnect their number or have all their calls forwarded to the new hospital or at least a recording saying their number had been changed and what the new number is.
darius, it's that damnable propane heater. I can't believe the gunk that builds up on my windows, walls, and ceilings. I have to wash windows every 2 weeks! It is a goal of mine to have a ventiliated one before next winter.

Woodspirit, Andrews Hospital closed down about 2 years ago after Murphy Medical bought them out, promising to keep it open. Murphy Medical is known locally as a death trap.

I go to Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee, GA. Small regional acute care hospital (24 beds), doesn't even hire nurses aides, only really good pros all around. Fantastic care, clean and neat, personal care. Better than Mission or St. Joes in my opinion.

I hope to either be out of here before the next fall/winter heating period or have a different source of heat. This one is the pits.

Wonderful to see you back darius."Hope to be out of here before next fall/winter" Has the joint venture with the sibling resulted in any changes in the ultimate area you want to settle in? (venture or unventure) Sure hope you can find a spot with a suitable climate,economy and health care facilities.Holding all possible good thoughts for your future.

Darius - welcome back!! I am ready to kick you in the behind for letting yourself get in this shape - you know better!! (I am still housesitting with the teenager, so I feel real bossy) LOL

Had a real busy day - finally found a dress for the mother of the groom wedding thing coming up. I had to get two as my weight is such a mess right now. One that is snug and one that fits pretty good. The sales clerk said I could return what ever one didn't fit as long as the tags were on it. I went right up to the store office and asked to speak to a manger and told them what a wonderful employee she was. She was so helpful - I had to write my comments down - hope she gets a reward!! Love it when I get a good salesclerk!! Oh the dress was on sale, I got 25% more off and an additional 10% for opening a charge acct. Man, can't beat that!!

My brother left me with an envelop regarding insurance for his own two children ( 22 and 26) I opened the envelope and it held all his life insurance info and also a letter to the kids. I ended up sobbing and sobbing. He is only 45, but has had health problems and I think they are more serious than he is telling us.

Well, the teenagers want me to do an exercise tape with them - they really just want to laugh at me - but it will still be a hoot. They don't know it, but I toot when I exercise!! LOL

take care everyone... can't wait to get back home....

Robert, I have serious doubts it will work out with my sister. Thanks for holding the good thoughts!

Darius,

I've been praying and hoping that all was going well. I'm so sorry you've been feeling so bad. Please take time to take care of yourself - or I may have to come over and do it for you! LOL!

From your last post, I get the feeling things aren't going the way you want. Perhaps they'll look better when you feel better. You know that I always think things will work out like they're meant to be - so I'll just say that you have friends here on which you can rely and even though we may not be able to help in person - we're helping in spirit.

Please rest and get well.

Lots of love,

Marcia

MarciaBetsy... Thanks. I really believe things work out the way they are supposed to even if it is not like we think. One door closes only for a different one to open.

And I hold great Honor and Respect for things in Spirit.

I love MarciaBetsy...that's neat! Take care please......

Hi GOB's! Guess what?

Yesterday afternoon DH went and picked up our glasses from the optical center. Yes, I had ordered a pair because I didn't think I wanted to go through with cataract operation for at least a few months. I didn't have to go in to have mine fitted because I used my old frames and just had new lenses put in.

Well...when he got home, I put them on. I felt like sitting down and crying. I didn't *know* how bad my vision had gotten! At first I felt a little sick to my stomach, but then that's my "normal" way of dealing with changes. LOL Then I walked outside and stood on the deck...I absolutely could *not* believe the things I saw...CLEARLY!

It was *amazing!*

When I came back inside, I glanced over at the T.V. set. OMG! The picture had COLOR! And it didn't look like a watercolor painting!

The glasses bother me a little, in that they are quite strong and I can feel the pressure enough that by the end of the evening, I had a headache. But "Glory Be!" what a difference. Now I'm really anxious to get the surgery done and over with. (It's nice being able to *see* again.) :-D

I don't have to babysit today, so I've got all kinds of planting plans on my list. I'll be glad when the weather warms up and I can get everything into the ground.

Darius...I hope you're *really* behaving yourself right now. And I also hope you won't make any plans for activities that will stress you out or put you in a position where aren't able to use your breathing equipment. COPD is rough enough in itself without making it worse by not taking proper care of yourself. (Not preaching, honestly. I'd just like to keep you around for a long time to come.)

The sun is coming up, so I'd better get on the ball. No time to waste sitting on my behind THIS morning.

TTYL
~julie~

julie, I have known 3 people that went the vitamin route to help with cataracts and it worked. The wonder vitamin for that is B6. A knowledgeable nutrition expert at a health food store can tell you what dosage.
This may sound silly but B6 also helps dissolve hemerhoids (how the heck do you spell that?). Ok, piles. I know for sure about that because I did it a few years back and they have never recurred.

LOL Thanks Betty! I'm getting the cataracts taken care of...butt (:-D) I can definitely use the B6 for the "other" problem. I'll get a bottle!

~julie~
P.S. I just LOVE the direction our chat can take, don't you? LOL

LOL, yes it's funny. Be sure to ask how much to take and for how long. The first time I took some, my "problem" went away within about 5 days, so I quit taking it and the "problem" took up residence again. So the next time I took it for a month or two and it never reappeared.

Good morning! My tomato seeds are soaking, the cell packs are filled and this morning I have to do some rearranging in the greenhouse so there is somewhere to put the heat mat (old water bed heater that I couldn't throw out). It's amazing how fast my greenhouse got full. Everybody has that problem I think.

Julie, isn't seeing wonderful!! You will be so happy to see clearly, things like textures and little variations in shades and colors will seem like a miracle. Woodspirit, I know the B vitamins are good for stress but I hadn't heard of B6 for cataracts. Have to remember that. I do know that if we give our bodies the right building blocks to work with it can take care of most things given a little time.

My cat is helping me type. She sits, or stands, next to the keyboard, and when she wants attention she puts her foot on my arm or shoulder, pokes me with her wet nose, and if that fails she walks across the keyboard. All this accompanied by purring. Sometimes she wants something, other times she is just visiting. She sleeps there too but only if I am at the computer. When my hubby sits down here she leaves her spot. We have 2 cats but this is the only one who gets to come inside. The other one sneaks in when he can and we find him napping on the bed or the couch but he gets taken back out as soon as we discover him. He seems very proud of himself whenever he manages to sneak inside. Yesterday he helped me with weeding, flopping down between plants and chasing the weeds as I pulled them out. What a clown!

Already my flower bed is looking better but there is still a lot of weeding to do. Things grow so fast in the spring that I have the feeling I will never catch up with the weeds. And quackgrass, it is awful stuff with strong rhizome roots that often break off when the grassy part is pulled up, and that of course starts another plant. Some of the tulips are blooming and the violets are everywhere and smelling wonderful. The forecasted rain never came yesterday so I worked outside until about 8pm when it got hard to see what was weeds and what was flowers. By that time I was ready to quit and come back inside to tidy up the kitchen. I hate wasting daylight on house stuff. Dinner was leftover spaghetti, but tonight I will have to cook since the leftovers are gone. Polish sausage with onions, carrots, potatoes and cabbage makes a good one pot meal that is quick to fix and easy to clean up. I'm getting hungry for fried chicken.

Have a great day. Darius, are you feeling better yet?

HI Mary! You bet..."miracle" is exactly what I thought when I put those glasses on. I can't believe that I didn't notice the vision problem until I began seeing double a couple of months ago. NO WONDER I couldn't focus the camera. hehehe

I just had a horrible scare! DH came up from the basement and told me that the town 12 miles to the north of us had tied the "all-time" record LOW last night. 24°
:-O :-O

My heart sank...I made my bed, got my clothes on and went to check the greenhouses. I've been putting all my new plant shipments in one unit. THANK GOODNESS I had the foresight to put cardboard boxes on the bottom of the unit and then put my plants inside another box! That unit was cold but it didn't freeze!

I lost a few very tender plants...ALL my sweet potato vines! But the fifty some-odd geraniums still look as beautiful as ever.

DH is already thinking about ways to keep this from happening again. (You gotta love a guy who invents new things. :-D LOL He was thinking he'd put some perferated PVC pipes down the center of the units and put a hair drier blowing into each end. LOL & LOL It would probably work...but I'm thinking a couple of pieces of foam insulation laid on the floor of the units, topped with my heat mats would probably be FAR more encomical. GEEZ that hairdriers can be 1000 watts!)

At any rate...for the most part, everything looks looks like it's still alive.

~julie~

Hey everyone...
I just got a call from Darius. She's back in the hospital again. This time she went in because of chest pains. She's fine right now (or at least she says she thinks she is). Aside from heart problems, there are several other possible causes. One of the possibilities is that she is having a reaction to the medications they gave her to help with her breathing. The doctors are going to run a stress test tomorrow and we'll know more about what happened.

Darius says "Hi" and she doesn't expect to be back on DG for a couple of days. But she *did* give me the phone number that will get us through to her room. Im not going to post it here, but if you'll email me, I'll send it to you. (IF I *know* who you are. LOL)

And just so you know, Darius sounds in fairly good spirits.

Darius...we'll be thinking of you...and praying for nothing but *GOOD* results! Hang in there!

~julie~

Oh my goodness! Again! I'll be praying for her and for the doctors to find out what's wrong and to get it straightened out quickly. I'm glad she didn't wait around this time before she went.

Poor old Darius, but at least she had the sense to go right back where they can fix her up and not mess around wondering if it was necessary. Julie, please tell her we are all with her in spirit and to keep her chin firmly up.
Carol

Carol, I will certainly do that.

~julie~

My sister has been anesthetized 6 times in the last year and a half. But for the last week it was first darius, then my sister, then darius again. Sister is back home after they went into her spine with that plastic cement stuff again. They kept her 2 days because pain drugs were so strong and she has no one at home.
I wish darius had someone living with her...

oh bummer, I sure didn't want to see that! Just got a chance at the computer and checked here right away - yes, she's going to have to come up with a plan for a housemate and I doubt her sister is the answer - way too much stress, and that's not even considering the niece!!! What a worry! Well, gonna have to get the prayers moving upward for her, don't know what else I can do to help. :(

Well...I guess *WE* could adopt Darius and ship her around the country every month or so. LOL (She'd probably LIKE that! ...and so would WE!)

~julie~

Hey, there's a plan!! Cool idea!! Except how would we get her everywhere - she probably thinks she has to drive her beloved truck - not a good plan for how big this country is! hmmmmmm....think of the rent she could save and insurance and heat, electric, etc etc etc Guess we'd best fly her - but maybe that's not good because of the COPD? Well, good old doggies are still around (Greyhound).

That reminds me of a guy that road with us to and from the bus stop - Dad was picking us up one day and he asked Tom if it was clear his way, Tom says Yeah, just a dog, Dad starts pulling out and a Greyhound bus goes flying by. Yup! Tom got his butt chewed!! But we still laugh about it and tease him about it - it was funny after the fright was over!

DH wants coffee so I gotta go, talk to all later. L.

Very sorry to hear Darius is back in the hoosegow, doggonit. I wonder how helpful it would be for her to move close enough to the town of her hospital that she could take advantage of those programs that send out a helper to do errands, cook and clean? Don't know if she would qualify for that kind of assistance...might be worth looking into.

Or some town with good medical services and that atmosphere that a college seems to foster to keep one's brain cells alive. And some wild places not too far away.

I hope she feels better tomorrow.

If darius recovers as well as she did the last time, the last thing she would want is someone in her house. We have to remember that she spent the last half of the winter doing construction work.
Our county seat has excellent medical facilities, transportation to stores, doctors, etc. and help for the home-bound but the cost of living is terrible. After being voted the #1 place to retire several years ago, we have had such an influx of wealthy retirees, that the working people can't afford a home anymore.

Good morning everyone. And Darius, I hope you're feeling better today and that the tests are passed with flying colors.

If anyone calls Darius this morning...please let us know how she's doing. I'd call, but this morning is an early one for Angel to arrive. There's no sense in me even thinking obout calling until she (the baby) goes down for nap time. So the best I'll be able to do is probably around 3:00.

Well...the cold weather really took it's toll on my plants. But the one thing I have to remember is that I'm not the only one in my area who got 'stung' by our 20° night temps. I guess I'm going to have to start watching the weather forecasts a little more carefully in the future. AND I'm going to have to pay attention to the *real* last frost date instead of getting taken in by early spring warm spells.

Gotta run now.

Hope you all have a great day.

~julie~

Just got an update from darius. She's feeling much better, pretty cheerful, a little nervous about the stress test this morning and definitely needing prayers. If the stress test looks good, she'll most likely head home late this afternoon or evening. Her breathing is still labored she said, but much better than when she first headed to the hospital earlier in the week. There is a possibility the chest pains were a reaction to all the steroids to get her lungs in condition. The down side is that there is a lot of negative heart history in both sides of her family. So keep the prayers coming!! (also posted this in the prayer chain)