Oops I Forgot Something....

I forgot to update on the stepdad.

He spent 24 days in the hospital, we thought we were going to lose him and he turned a corner. The doctors were baffled. He went to a transitional care unit, learned to walk with a walker and he came home.

My husband put in handicapped railings from the kitchen to the family room, and in the bathroom for him. He is sleeping in a hospital bed in the living room but is doing better.
HE's a pretty tough old bird. 85 and beating the odds. Whew.

A bad day above ground is better than the alternative.


ciao.

Mid Week Service tonight

Well it's Lent and there are services every Wednesday night along with a soup supper. I think we will miss the supper but go to church. And after church is choir rehearsal. My kiddo is going to join the choir again this year. She has a lovely voice, has a good voice teacher and should spread the joy. I am hinting to her that she should consider doing the Andrew Lloyd Webber Pie Jesu for Good Friday. She has the range and the timbre to do it.

We have our services around the labyrinth in the back of the church. We have a small altar in the center and go to communion in front of it. Here is a visual of what the labyrinth looks like.
It's based on the one at Chartres Cathedral in France.


What a memory of the meetings and words that went flying when the church thought about remodeling and creating this space in the back. Our congregation was dwindling, from 500 members to 150 and we needed someway to revitalize ourselves. Now we have the indoor one and a garden one. Open to the public and a place to find a quiet peace in your head.

More later.

Ciao.

Thursday Ipod Things

"1. I Wish I Could Fly by The Kinks
2. What is Life by George Harrison
3. Stardust by Vince Giordano's Nighthawks
4. Lonesome Valley by The Fairfield Four
5. Big Spender by Bette Midler
6. Mr. Wonderful by Better Midler
7. One More Day by Keith Ward
8. House of the Rising Sun by Eric Bourdon and The Animals
9. Free Your Mind by En Vouge
10. Arabic Dance 6 by The Gypsy Kings




Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.

Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)"

If A Girl Answers, Hang up !

I don't understand why people hang up when I answer my alternate phone. Could it be that once a long time ago a Doctor who went to Vanderbilt had the number and now has moved on to higher places and a better prefix? The only people who have this number are trusted friends and family. No one else. So if it rings I answer it in a good mood, only to have a click in my ear. I fricking hate that.

Not much good news on the stepdad. Yesterday the infectious disease specialist came in and aspirated a goodly amount of fluid from his knee which was still inflamed. Could he have a staph infection that didn't show on the blood cultures, the LP, the ultrasound of his legs? What caused him to have delerium, agitation and be semi comatose for several days. He still is confused, thinking he is working when he is in the bed. He's restrained by a passive vest so he doesn't get out of bed and fall down and break a hip. I don't think he's near ready to come home yet. He can't even negotiate stairs and there are several in the house. Of course we are all worried about what will happen. His son who couldn't be bothered to see him for 4 months is now right on top of him every weekend. He is the most controlling person i have ever met. His wife must chafe under the scrutiny. He calls his kids every 5 minutes it seems. What will happen when his son goes to college and has to be away from his dad's influence? They have been homeschooled and pampered their entire lives.

But if they stay in their little cocooned world they won't have to worry about outside influences, people who actually have trauma in their lives. Oh well, I have my kids to worry about not them. And gee I wish I could have bought my 16 year old an Excursion to drive to'/from school. My kids don't even have their licenses yet.

I am still trying to find another orthopedist. My shoulder hurts so bad. I am tired of the pain. But finding a docotor who wants to deal with the DOL is another thing. Will be on the phone again this afternoon calling offices. Maybe I will have to pay money to see one to get something going. All I know is that I am in PAIN.



Oh well. Life goes on.
Ciao.

I need 48 hours of peace and quiet

Stepdad had a stroke. Husband was home because I called him at 0500 and asked him to come down from the base because I had a terrible earache. 3 hours later my mom calls and says can you come and sit with P as he is not doing well and had fallen. I couldn't, was out on pain pills. Husband went. Talked to the dr, told Mom when she got back to call 911. By 1145 I was at hospital sitting with Mom. He was admitted at 1900 but not in a room till way late. Today he was moved to a private room. He is hallucinating and very restless. They will give him some antipsychotics to settle him at night, and use soft restraints. He can't get out of bed because he has no strength in his legs. Did a contrast CT with negible results. Did an ultra sound of both legs to check for clots.

We are worn out already. Back and forth to the hospital to try and keep up Mom's spiris. His son will come on Sunday so Mom can go to church. He will drive from Acton to be with his dad.

Took kids to hospital with me. They need to see and be aware. Scared them a little. But it made them realize that life goes on whether we contol it or not.

That's all.

The elusiveness of pain

Last week I had an MRI/Arthrogram which was to pinpoint the cause of the unending pain I have in the front of my shoulder. Today the boy wonder said there was nothing there. Why I asked, do I have constant pain in the crease of my shoulder? He doesn't know, but he says you can go back to work tomorrow. I said what about the pain? He gives me shot#7 in my shoulder and sent me off on my way.

I wrote to the DOL and asked what am I supposed to do now? Of course that may be a no use thing since they can't even get my address changed after a years worth of address change notices. I also copied my letter to the district director of the DOL?OWCP because I am tired of being in pain.

Where I had the injection hurts like hell. I just took a muscle relaxant and perhaps that will let me sleep tonight.

I just need to get some relief somehow.

Ciao.

You're putting that long azz needle where?

Arthrogram.

Isn't that a wonderful word?

Well after waiting what seemed to be an inordinate time I was ushered into a room to change into 2, yep count them 2 hospital gowns. Luckily I could keep my shoes and unders one, but not the top stuff. Then they called me and took me into the Xray room. I sat for a few minutes answering questions about the meds i took, what I have metal wise in my body (nothing). The doc came in and I felt comfortable with her. They marked my arm with sharpies as well as my chest area by the shoulder crease. Evidently that is the best way to get to the socket, going up from the body. Had to use super strong paper tape and move the girls out of the way, so they didn't flop over into the area of the needle.

First they inject lidocaine all the way down. That worked quick. Then another longer needle goes in with a tube attached to it. That is filled with a contrast agent. The contrast agent helps illuminate areas on the MRI that aren't easy to see. Okay, so now I am numb and filled with contrast agent. I hobble over to the MRI waiting room and am taken to their newest machine out in the trailer. ( Always knew I'd end up in a single wide...LOL).

The first series of pictures are taken with my arm above my head, rather like what they do when they take mammograms. AFter that, my arm is strapped to my side, my head encased in a capsule and the pictures start to be done. I fell alseep. I zoned myself into a state of semi wakeness. Taking a low dose Valium helped that too. I woke myself up snoring. Then it was done and over. Drove to pick up the kid and came home. See the doc next week.

Husband turns 50 this year and Seattle is going to the Super Bowl. He could ask for no more. He's taking the kids to Magic Mountain.I don't go.

Dog got groomed yesterday. She does not like having her nails done. Took 2 people to hold her. She slept pretty sound last night. Snored even.

What's with American Idol? Sheesh.

that's all.

Ciao.

Friday I Pod Shuffle:::::

1. He's Not Yet Dead ========Spamalot Soundtrack
2. Hot Rod Lincoln, =========Asleep at the Wheel
3. Crazy Old Soldier ========Johnny Cash and Ray Charles
4. Kryptonite =============Three Doors Down
5. Roadhouse Blues ========The Doors and JL Hooker
6. Tears in Heaven ========Eric Clapton
7. Requiem/Pie Jesu======= Maurice Durufle
8. I'm Fat ===============Weird Al
9. Funky Town ===========Lipps Inc
10. Cocaine Blues ========Johnny Cash

So. We had a holiday. That meant togetherness. All of us. One place. Same time. And me off the antidepressants. Not a good thing. Managed to get through it though there were tears and some angry words.

Saw the doctor on Friday. Am waiting for approval of an artho-MRI where they can get a better idea of what is going on with this bicep tendon. After that, we will schedule surgery on the shoulder to repair the bicep tendon and resect it to the bone. This way, it has a lessened chance of rupture and having a pile of tendon above my elbow. I am hoping that the pain will lessen significantly. There is no way of telling people what it's like to have constant chronic pain in a joint. Too bad I don't do the evil weed anymore. At least I might have a better opinion of things. Ha.Anyway, he refilled my meds, the T3, Zantac ( I take 150mg 2x a day) and my friend the Naproxen. Sure has cut my drinking down. 8-(

The husband saw his gastro on Friday. He has Hep C. He will not consent to another biopsy but he will have an ultrasound and regular blood tests. He doesn't want to take the Interferon treatment as he thinks it would case a personality change. I don't know. I just don't want to wake up one morning and see him bright yellow.

So this coming weekend we are taking a road trip. Not in the motorhome. In the car. I hope that it goes well. I have to take the car over and get the oil changed on Friday or Saturday. We leave Sunday and come home on Wednesday. At least that is the plan.

So there. I've updated. What a life. But I am above ground so that is a good thing.

ciao.

I have a kid who will do this. Honest to God, she used to be Little Mary Sunshine, but now she's the ogre from the 7th level of hell in the morning. Unless she wants to do something. Then she is wide awake. They are both like that. They are 16 and 18. Christmas Morning, instead of sleeping in and letting Mom and Dad get some peace, they are at the door hollering and shouting. We have a 7 AM rule. I get up at 6AM and turn on the oven, put in the strada and go back to bed. Then we get up and open gifts and I go back to bed to sleep until I have to get up to go to church. Of course the breakfast is done, they have their eggs, sausage,cheese and maple syrup. I get my rest. This is odd, posting about Christmas 2 weeks late. Oh well.

I see the boy wonder this Friday. IT's coming up on 3 years now that I have had this injury, 3 years of dealing with doctors, mri's, surgery, no surgery, PT, no PT, and of course dealing with the DOL. Believe me, it's not been any fun at all. Pain, chronic pain that is, can be one of the leading causes of depression and more serious problems. I take a heavy dose of anti depressants because I have major issues. I didn't ask to get hurt, I didn't ask that my shoulder be in such a mess. I do think that the lack of proper training, the total disregard for the proper instruction of employees in the rush to meet the government deadlines and the laugh that is the organization is a reason for a lot of this. Hell I wish I could go back to work and do something. I am right handed. My right shoulder is the one that is damaged. I can type for 30 minutes max. I can't file, lift anything greater than 5 lbs, and then the pain comes with such a vengeance that I am in tears. What a saga. And then add being broke and not having enough money to do much of anything.

The only reason we are going to laughlin is that I got 2 free nights. It will be gas and food and I will eke out of the budget maybe 75$ for gambling. That's not a lot. So I take a book, sit in the sun by the spa and relax.

This is a rant. Needed to do it.

Wanna see a picture of the inside of my right hand look up.

Another Sunday and you have to wonder where the time went? I went to church, and it was nice to be there. Greg was there too, played his violin. What a talent. Some people are blessed.

The errant husband took the truck over to his friends to work on it and now it won't start. "Do you want me to come and get you and you can drive the car tomorrow? Come back over tomorrow and work on it then?" His reply: I will call you at 1900. Curt and hung up on me. Damn, don't blame me if the thing isn't working. I didn't screw with it.

The shoulder is really bothering me. I have a doctor's appointment on the 13th. Just what we need, huh? I hope that they can fix it once and for all. Otherwise the rest of my life I will have a bum right shoulder. The pain is enough to keep me from doing normal things. Things that you take for granted.

Well I am going to end this.
Ciao.

I guess the headcold that has gone around the world has finally decided that it can leave my body and let me get back to just the old aches and pains. Thanks for that. It was a real bitch and I still have nasty cold things around my nose.

Texas-USC. Probably the best college football game I have seen in years, it was awesome. Too bad the USC players couldn't be gracious in their loss. I guess when you think you're above the rest, falling down to earth is so much harder. Neener Neener Neener.

Now on to the playoffs and Superbowl. Hoping against hope that Seattle will get to the big show this year.

Life goes on. It's nearly 80º outside and windy. Welcome to winter in southern CA. Ha.

later alligators!

This is what it looks like in Southern CA after the storm blew through. It was still blowing a gale this afternoon but I have been cooped up in the house since before the new year and I wanted to see the waves. If you look closely you can see the waves smashing over the breakwater at Redondo Beach.
Nasty weather. I was glad I had a fireplace and some wood to keep the downstairs warm.

Football all day. Need I say more?
Happy New Year!

You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree

Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents. From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

You Are 70% "Average American"

You are average because you don't think people should be jailed for using marijuana. You are not average since you do make New Year's resolutions.

How "Average American" Are You?

interesting

Happy Thanksgiving.

May you be able to give thanks for the good things you have received this year and remember those who are less fortunate.

I overslept and thus no church. Just really needed to catch up and I feel better than I did the last couple of days. Of course I have meds to thank for that.

Did the garage sale at the mom's house and I think I used the shoulder too much. Not a happy person. Really am not ready to go out and be a person. Blah.

Did get a Christmas present. Might be the only one with the dearth of funds around here.

Ciao.

I'm Stealing this one from the Dixie Peach! Thank you.

A is for Age - 52
B is for Booze - PKNT Chardonnay From Chile
C is for Career - Put on hold till someone fixes the shoulder.
D is for Dad's Name - Franz on his birth certificate, Frank for every day life.
E is for Essential items to bring to a party - Wine, Cheese and an appetite
F is for Favorite song at the moment - Hurt by Johnny Cash
G is for Goof off thing to do - Read and play Solitaire
H is for Hometown - Wausau, Wisconsin
I is for Instrument you play - Clarinet, Pipe Organ, Electronic Organ, Piano
J is for Jam or Jelly you like - Concord Grape Jelly
K is for Kids - one of each type
L is for Living arrangement - Husband, dog, kids, 3 cats and the dust bunnies
M is for Mom's name - Jeane E. maiden name ryhmed. her mom had no sense of humor
N is for Names of best friends - Nancy (2), Lisa, Karen, Sheepo
O is for Overnight hospital stays - Last one was 2001, for heart trouble
P is for Phobias Stationary height, spiders, bugs, creepy things,
Q is for Quote you like - "Am I the only straight guy left in this circle?" My sheepo
R is for Relationship that lasted the longest - The marriage, 20 years old.
S is for Siblings -One brother alive, one half brother deceased
T is for Texas, ever been? - Flown over it, my inlaws are from there.
U is for Unique trait - I can crack my toes and my ankles. I have a good laugh.
Vegetable you love - Sauerkraut
W is for Worst traits - Procrastination, Stubborness, Hard head.
X is for Xrays you've had - Teeth, ankle, abdomen, spine, cerivical neck, shoulder, knees
Y is for Yummy food you make - Fumi Salad
Z is for Zodiac sign -Cancer

Will this never freaking end? Bridezilla strikes again....

They got married, I took the license and do what I always do, mail it in to the county clerk. She gets back from honeymoon, where is my license. I say I mailed it. Did you send the money in? No, I just make sure it gets mailed. I've been doing this for 15 years and never had a problem. She emails me back and insults me. I don't need this. I have enough stress to deal with but to have a spoiled little girl who didn't pay a thing for this wedding start to tell me my job. Fuck it. If they knew they needed copies, they read the paperwork, fill out the forms, and say by the by, we need you to do this. I think the part about me taking the marriage license and mailing it went right over her head. I hope they live a long life living next door to her parents. Too much too much.

Had to drive my mom to the surgi center today and she had the 1st of 3 epidurals deep into her spine. She was pretty looped when she got out. I drove her home and now will pick up the niece after school after I pick up my kid from high school. I hope she gets some relief. They sure do a booming business at the surgicenter. Lots of cataract surgeries today too. I just read and waited for her, do it again next week (but I have an appt at the same building only a different suite) and then again on the 1st. Next time I take my Ipod with me and listen to something as I sit and wait.

Rained off and on last night. Clearing now. Supposed to get warmer. I had a fire going all day yesterday. Just couldn't get warm. Watched Willy Wonka with #2 child, interesting movie to be sure.

Ciao.

If you are in California, be sure to vote tomorrow.