February 28, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Mexican Minutes.

A Mexican Minute is not 60 seconds.  A Mexican Minute could be anything from 5 minutes to 30.  Everyone knows the drill.  If you are told that someone will bring you a menu in a minute, you can be sure it will take at least ten minutes.  For some reason or other, in their culture, punctuality is vague.  Every day, the physical therapist comes to help Ken and every day when she leaves, she seriously tells me when she will be arriving the next day.   "I will be here tomorrow at 10:30," she says.   I just laugh and thank her for her help.  Tomorrow, she often walks in at 11:00 or even later.  But this morning, everything weren't perfectly on time.

The schedule was for Ken to have his blood and urine samples taken at 8:00am at the laboratory at the hospital.    Both nurses were to wheel him across the street with Rita accompanying to pay the bill.   The four of them left at 7:55.   Ian and I stayed home, expecting them to be gone for up to an hour.  But everything went perfectly.  The lab folks were ready.  The samples were taken and they were back home in ten minutes.  Everyone was stunned, and delighted.  Ken sat down for a big breakfast of cereal, 2 eggs and bacon with toast, a breakfast of champion, prepared by Rita.   This morning, the Mexican Minute was truly a minute.

February 27, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. The Weather.

Sailing in the morning on the Bay of Bandares is hopeless.    The ocean is calm and there is absolutely no breeze.  But the afternoon is a horse of different color.    Just now in our condo a door slammed, caused by the strong wind.  Starting at 11:00, a breeze comes up.  I walked on the balcony late this morning and the air was pleasant with the winds keeping me cool.  But by mid afternoon, if the sun does not shine, the weather is almost chilly because the wind is strong.  I closed all our doors because papers were flying.  But I did not close our bedroom door because Ken was taking a nap and he is almost always too hot, even though he has no fever.  Thus the slammed door of our room.

Last evening after our dinner of hamburgers grilled on the grill by the pool by Rita, we sat on the balcony to watch the lovely sunset.  Mostly the weather here is beautiful.  For us we are comfortable wearing sandals, shorts and light shirts.  Everyone was happy enjoying the mild air except Emma the nurse, who thinks it is cold.  She wears a sweatshirt over her nurse garb when she arrives and she always sits in the sun on the balcony to keep warm.  Soon sitting on the balcony got chilly even for the four of us so we all came in and closed the doors.  This afternoon has the strongest wind this season.  The wind is whistling through the cracks in the door where I left just a bit of air coming into the house.  Visitors here grumble when the sun does not shine and when the wind is strong.  But we rather enjoy an overcast day and a rough sea.   But I do not like the sound of a slammed door.

February 26, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Updates.

Ken continues to have IV antibiotic at the condo three times a  day, administered by the nurses.  He is feeling better,  asking for specific foods at breakfast, and using his iPhone  and ear buds to listen to books.  Last evening before dinner he walked the 1000 steps on our balcony only  resting twice.  This morning he actually walked to the pool and around the whole  area, using the walker with the physical therapist at his side.  On Wednesday, he will have blood and urine samples taken to the lab  to see if his latest infection is gone.   He is still weak but getting  stronger.  Balance is terrible so he is fearful of falling.  In addition, his disease comes with a pattern of not being able to move.  He gets stuck and can not move.  He had read about it but this is the first time he has experienced it and he does not like it a bit.  Fortunately his sense of humor is alive and well and he is working hard to get stronger.  

I am back taking Ibrance.  In fact,  tomorrow I begin my second month of the oral chemo since I have been sick with the flu.  Tonight ends my week off, taking only Letrozole, thus allowing my  body to recover some immunity.  I am as well right now as I get these days.  I am walking the balcony morning and evening and doing exercises in the condo.  My hair is longer than it has ever been.  It does not look good.  But I do not care.  I am staying away from people, thus avoiding an infection.  The first Monday we are in Mississippi I go for scans.  Then we will really know how I am doing.

Rita serves us nutritious food which tastes good too.  That is why both Ken and I are thriving, so to speak.  For lunch today I ate an open face sandwich of goat cheese and avocado, served on a fresh Mexican roll.  Delicious.  And that is an update from Ken and me from Mexico.

February 25, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Gold.

"Be sure to look for the gold along the way", said Susan K.  My path was not of my making and I did not wish to walk down that path, but I had no choice,  but I did.  And she was correct, I did find gold.
The same thing is happening now.  Diane Buckley is coming to help on April 3rd in Mississippi.  She is taking a week from her busy life and as she is a nurse, she will be helpful.  So this bit of gold would not have happened had Ken not been sick,  In addition,  I spent a whole week with friend Sara Lou.  She came to visit and to have fun in the sun.  Instead, she tended to the ill, me at home and Ken in the hospital.  She was a huge help.  And I enjoyed her company and her assistance.

Kenny and Ken spent more time with the two of us than we would ever been,  had Ken not been ill and in the hospital.  Normally, they would have been investigating the area or spending time at the beach or pool.  Instead, they talked to the both of us.  Neither Ken nor I had spent long periods of time with Kenny and Anne by themselves.  This visit, we explored their future together.  And we enjoyed every minute, even though the situation was not to our liking.    And of course, Rita and Ian are a huge help, looking after our every needs.  For them and their assistance we will always be eternally grateful.  They are gold.

My e mail friends are attentive and helpful.  Friend Wendy E. sends us healing hugs morning and evening both via the airways and on the internet.  Friend Alice Anne keeps track of me almost every day, and as she is a retired doctor, gives me sage advice.  The bits of gold I receive regularly help me with my days and weeks.  Susan K. was a wise woman.  Now I see gold in every situation and I am grateful.

February 24, 2018. Playa Royale. The Journey.

We did it.  We have just eaten our first meal in our old friend 3701 at Playa Royale.  No wonder we love this place.  The view is magnificent with dozens of boats in front of our eyes.   The first thing we did was to sit on the b balcony and feast our eyes.  Our apartment at Paradise Village was lovely but this condo is better.  Cathy and Ted were waiting for us downstairs and they helped bring all our stuff up on the elevator.  Two trips were required.  But here we are.

Everyone helped.  Rita and I and the nurse were ready at 11:00 when the bellman knocked on our door.  We were our own parade, with Ken in a wheelchair, along with Emma the nurse, Rita, Ian and me bringing up the rear.  Raymundo, the boss of Paradise Village,  arranged for a van to take us to Playa, rather than use a big golf cart, which was a good thing because we had 28 separate objects to fit in the van, which was full.  And we brought along our wheelchair and walker.    The bellman needed two trips up and down to bring all our stuff.

Our belongings included our groceries, all the medical equipment, our backpacks, and suitcases.  In fact, we had only 5 cases between the 4 of us but somehow , we filled the van.  The biggest question was how to get Ken in and out of the van but between the nurse, Ian and the driver, Ken got in and we drove down the road to Playa Royale in style.  We were delighted.

Marlin, the concierge at Playa, arranged for the condo to be cleaned immediately so when we arrived we were able to bring all our stuff in the unit, which was very kind.  We sat on the balcony and enjoyed the view chatting, while the ladies completed the cleaning.  Our arrival had been completed.  Whew.

February 23, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Peanuts.

"Worrying won't stop the bad stuff from happening.  It just stops you from enjoying the good", said Peanuts, a quote sent to me by Rita.  This is true.  So I am trying to worry only about things I can do something about.  Today I asked Chantes in Mississippi to install a level walk from the garage to the kitchen.  We have 2 steps.  Inside the house, we can live on one level.  Now we will be able to use the wheelchair from the car to the kitchen.   Christina is investigating home care.  Also checking to see what will be covered by insurance.

Tomorrow we move back to Playa Royale.  We will be in our own condo for 2 weeks.  Next, our intention was to spend 2 weeks at Vidanta, a beautiful new spot we purchased three years ago.  Ken was eager to see the new place but Rita, Ian and I were fearful, because it is a taxi ride from the hospital.  I asked Cindy, who looks after Playa, to find two more weeks at Playa and she did.  We will be in 3601 rather than our own 3701.  We three are relieved not to be moving over to the other side of the canal.  Ken understands our anxiety but he would be prefer to see new places.

Rita and I had a massage this afternoon.  The spa is just across the street so we booked it yesterday as a reward for good behavior.  We now are chilled out and relaxed.  Soon we will check out, exchange more dollars for pesos and return our towel cards.  Tomorrow at 11:00 we will be on the road for Playa Royale, where we will once again enjoy the sunsets.    And we will not worry.

February 22, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Worrying.

Thinking through issues that need to be resolved I have never thought of as worrying, merely trying to plan for the future.  I would work out the best ending and I would work out the worst thing that could happen snd I tried to make a plan to resolve the issue.  If something was totally out of my control, I paid no attention and went merrily on my way.  My system has worked.  I have not been a worry wort.   Until now.

I am worrying about everything.  It is foolishness on my part.  Perhaps I do not have enough to do.  Or maybe my issues can not be resolved.  Son David has urged me to pay no attention to everything that I can not control.  But that is easier said than done.  Ken now is having new antibiotics to clear up the latest infection.  It should work because the new strong medicine is specific for the infection.  But I have worked through all the options to us if the medicine will not work.  He needs another procedure in order to get his plumbing doing.  If the infection is still there in a week, he will not be able to do anything because if the infection is still present, no procedure can be done.  So we will return to Mississippi with Ken using a catheter.

Then I worry that we will be able to find a good Urologist in Jackson.  This is totally silly on my part.  And I worry about anyone helping us at home.  After Rita and Ian leave for Ottawa on March 28 will anyone be with me to help with Ken?  Will our insurance cover a nurse at home?  Will we ever be able to get funds back from Blue Cross Blue Shield that Christina has submitted?  I know I am making mountains out of molehills.  But somehow or other, I seem unable to resolve all those issues, over which I have no control.  I am being very silly I know.

But tomorrow afternoon, Rita and I are having a massage.  I will try hard not to worry but the reality is that my immune system is poor and there might be others around and perhaps they might have a cold.  This worrying seems to never end.   I need to get a grip.

February 21, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. More About Nurses.

Our nurses are well trained and competent.  In addition, they use their smart phones.  English is limited but we manage to communicate.  In addition, they have instant translation on their phone.  Every one of them have the same ability.  They either speak or type the Spanish words, and the English comes back, printed so we can understand.  And it works the other way too.  We can type in English and Spanish comes out.  Pretty tricky and clever.

This afternoon, an IV nurse came with the new antibiotics and set up the new system for Ken.  Every 8 hours for 7 days the medicine must be administered.  Misa our regular nurse will be in charge.  She is right now giving Javier instructions.  The IV nurse will come and check on Ken in a few days.  Our little family of helpers have developed quite a routine.  They have become like family, except they do not eat with us.  They  bring their own food.  But if Ken needs help with anything, they will be right at his side.  Soon, Javier will take Ken for a shower.  We put a plastic chair from the balcony in the walk in shower and Ken sits and gets clean, which pleases him.  Tonight, Javier must be sure to keep his IV needle dry.  Always more things to do.  I launder all the days clothes  each night so all will be ready before breakfast.  We can not manage without our nurses.  They are invaluable to us, especially Ken.

February 20, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. The Nurses.

For the first week when we had the nurses, the night nurse, Javier, sat in the chair in our bedroom watching Ken.  When Ken slept, he looked at his smart phone and read.  He never left Ken's side.  Here at Paradise Village I have convinced him to use the guest room bed.  Now he takes short naps but checks on Ken regularly.

The nurses work 12 hour shifts, from 8 to 8.  They are loving, competent and and kindly.  And they look after all his needs..  We have 4 nurses in total, on a rotating basis.  And we have had the same 4 from the beginning, first at Playa and now at Paradise Village.  Their diligence is remarkable.  When it is time to give Ken medications, it is given at precisely at the right time.  Sometimes Ken wants the medications earlier but they refuse.  6:00 means 6:00, not 5:30.   They take him for walks and help with the physical therapists.

Misa is a big lady, fortunately, because she is able to help Ken up and down from the bed and chairs without any help.  Ian helps  when he is around but most of the time Misa is able to handle the task.  The young men Javier and Ivan, are young and strong but also gentle.  The call him Mr. Ken.   They shower him every other day.  After he has had his hair washed, they brush his hair to get it to stay down, something he has never done.  But we all laugh, including Ken with the new look.  As we speak now, Misa is brushing his hair.  She wants him to be neat and tidy.

Next up for Ken is IV Anti Biotics, administered in the apartment.  The culture has told them what specific medication to use so the good doctors want it done quickly.  He can have no further procedure with an infection.  We hope the new meds will work.  The nurses will be in charge here once again.  And for that, we are all grateful.

February 19, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. The Magnificent Frigate Bird.

The birds are wonderful, soaring with almost no flapping of their wings.  Their tails are long and forked  so as you watch them, they tails open and close  so you know they are using their tail for changing directions.  As we sit on the balcony in the cool evenings before dinner, we are given a wonderful aerial show.  We see them at Playa Royale too,  but here we are  adjacent to the marina where the fishing boats come in every evening.  Perhaps that is why the birds are closer to us, sometimes flying right past us at eye level and close to our balcony.

The last time Rita and Ian visited us at Playa in 2016, Rita worked hard to take pictures of the birds but they were too high in the sky for good pictures.  Last evening she was determined to get a photo of the birds.  We were sitting outside enjoying their display.  Rita was standing by the railing trying to entice to birds to come close.  Of course, we had no idea what to do to get them to fly close to us but we did try.  Rita waited.  Then her phone rang and she went in to have a face time conversation with one of her quilting friends.  Unfortunately, the conversation lasted quite a long time.  All the while, the frigate birds were flying all around us.  Each time a picture opportunity appeared, we commented on yet another missed opportunity.  We laughed.   And told Rita that the birds will doubtless come close to us another evening.  Rita hopes so anyway.

February 18, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Update on Ken.

Rita has gone to Mass this morning, at the Catholic service held at 10 and well attended.  The convention center was full to capacity.  She was praying for Ken, who came home from the hospital in order to build up his strength in order for the next procedure, which is to try to get his plumbing working.  But he is not getting stronger despite all the good food being prepared by Rita.  Ken had blood drawn and gave a urine sample on Thursday.  Unfortunately, he still has an infection, which  probably makes him still so weak.  They are taking a culture to figure what specific infection is present in the urinary tract and prescribe the correct medication.  After a few days, they will check his blood again.

His Parkinson's Disease seems to be progressed.  Perhaps all the infections have accelerated the symptoms.  He is very unstable even with the walker.  He can walk slowly as long he has someone beside him holding his arm.  He is unable to get up from a chair without help.  The physical therapist is working with his strength and he is better but not perfect.  Right now he is sitting on the balcony with Ian.  But he is not enjoying his time of illness.   Ken is frustrated.   His expertise at the computer has gone.  His hands shake so much he can not hit the correct button. We have 5 weeks left in Mexico before returning to Mississippi.  At the rate that we are going,  living at home will require help.  Now as usual, we are hoping for the best.   But the nightmare continues for Ken.    Keep praying.

February 17, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Technical Troubles.

Once upon a time, guest arriving at Paradise Village brought one computer.  The system that was installed was adequate.  But now, folks come with an iPad per person, including the children, plus computers.   Now the system is overloaded and operating over capacity.   Last evening, the whole system went down.  When Rita called, she was told that it was being worked on but not expect it to be operating that evening.  This morning we were still not able to access the Internet so Rita called again, only to be told that she needed to take her devices to the service desk, where new numbers would be installed.  So Ian and Rita went down mid morning, only to find two long lines with people holding computers, iPads and phones.  But people were not too happy but they were not angry.

I too have a computer and iPad needing attention so at 2:00, I decided that I might get lucky, being it is Saturday.  Lots of folks checking in and out today.  The hotel has tried to alter the coming and going but still Saturday is the biggest day for change.  I thought that lots of people had already left today and the new people would not yet know the system requires devices be brought to the front desk, so Rita came with me, only to find there was no line.  One lady was having her phone fixed by a young man.  When she was finished, he took my iPad first.  Then the lady who had helped Rita this morning returned from lunch who promptly pushed the right numbers to install the new site for Paradise Village into my computer.  The whole thing took five minutes.  Some days you just et lucky.

February 16, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Home Number 6.

We moved to Bethesda, Maryland in 1970.  Ken had accepted a position with a research lab in DC because the man who was head was doing similar research, so Ken would be working at the VA hospital and also on staff at GW University.  In Spring of that year, Ken attended a meeting with Bill DeGroot,  in Washington.  They both stayed with Bill's parents, who lived on Morrison Street in DC. They were kindly, loving people and we became good friends.  While Ken was at the meeting, he searched for a rental home for us.  Mrs. DeGroot call Gene Kelly, a relative of his wife, who also owned a real estate company.  Just that day, a tenant had given notice to leave, so Ken saw it immediately, and rented it.   He did not know it at the time, but the neighborhood was a perfect place to be a newcomer.  And Gene Kelly was my first broker when I became an agent.

The home was a few blocks from the YMCA.  The boys were 11 months and 2, so we often visited the pool twice a day.  We knew no one in the area but the boys and I quickly made friends.  I met Ann Smith and Gill Wu at the pool.  In the neighborhood there was a book club, which I joined when invited.  And the neighborhood was full of young children.  The boys and I would walk around the block and meet lots of other families.  The most important aspect of living there was that many folks had just moved to the area so their social life was not full.   I quickly learned while living in that home that the long time residents had an already full dance card so were not very interested in the new people in town.  They were pleasant and nice and the children played together at the parks or on the yards  but they never invited us to anything.  Their social life was full with family and friends of long standing.

The home itself was ordinary.  One story, with all living on one floor and a full basement we used for playing.  And it had a big yard.  We enjoyed living in that home.  In retrospect, it was a perfect home to move into, when you have come from away.

February 15, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. The Trots.

Dr. Rios, Ken's main doctor has an assistant.  We had seen him often when Ken was in the hospital.  He is young, well trained and speaks excellent English, which is the same for Dr. Rios.  Tonight he made a house call and visited the both of us in our apartment at Paradise Village.  You must admit that that is unusual.   Both Ken and I were anxious about the future,  so now we have a plan. Tomorrow, the nurse will draw blood from both of us and the evening nurse will take the samples to the lab at the hospital.  If Ken has no infection, we will set a date with the Urologist.  If he still has an infection, he will need to go back on more medication.

Starting about 6:00 this morning, I got the trots.  Time after time  I was in the bathroom.  The good doctor stated that I am dehydrated and he started med on anti biotics.  Also I must force fluids.  Three  bottles of the electrolyte by morning.    If I do not drink enough, tomorrow morning I must go to the hospital for rehydrating.  I am supposed to count the number of trips I make to the bathroom.  The whole time Ken was in the hospital I got no infection.  Now I have the trots.   Rita and Ian went to the pharmacy twice tonight.   Now I am hoping to sleep all night, thanks to my little white pill.  No food for me today but Rita made me rice and carrots, which I was able to stay down.  I have no high temperature and my blood pressure is norma.  But I am shaky and my heart rate is high.  I must drink more. fluids.

February 14, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Valentines Day.

Tonight, Rita will prepare a special dinner.  No dining out for the four of us this year.  Of course, we never go out on Valentines Day.  The restaurants are too full.  I spoke with my brother Dave this morning and they too are not going out to dinner  tonight.  Instead they will celebrate tomorrow by going out for lunch, undoubtedly at a fancy restaurant.  Last week,  Rita bought thick pork chops at the Mega grocery store, especially for our dinner tonight.  I don't know what else will go with the chops, but I know dinner will be good.   She is a good cook and is serving us tasty and healthy food, which is exactly what we all need.

Yesterday afternoon, Ken and I decided to spend more time enjoying ourselves.  I have started by listing in my mind all my blessings which includes the weather and the good folks who are helping us.  The nurses are kindly and helpful with Ken, as well as competent.   And we have a host of friends and family who continue to keep us in their thoughts and prayers.  Healthy hugs are sent regularly to both Ken and me.   And special gold stars to David and Christina who are helping us with our mess.  I know this is a difficult patch for us but we still see the sunny side of life.  We are both trying to keep our sunny side up.  

February 13, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Crooks.

When watching a high level volleyball game, you often notice that points come in bunches.  All of a sudden, one team scores points in quick succession.  Of course, the other team is busily getting behind.  Soon the momentum switches and the loosing team  scores points in bunches.  In other words, luck seems to come in a row, both good and bad.  I figure that we are going through one of those batches of bad luck.  Soon we will over the difficulties and we will be back on the winning side.

All of a sudden, David has discovered that we had a crook to deal with.  Ken had been working with a man and a company who were protecting our computer, but in stead was cheating us and extracting funds directly from our account.  So we have had to stop the stealing of funds and change our bank account numbers.  Thanks to David, the bleeding has stopped but also has the automatic payments sent from our account every month, people such as the lawn maintenance people and the mortgage and insurance people.  And of course our monthly income deposits from Ken's pension and my social security.  In addition to the worry about Ken's health, I am dealing with the financial life of the family.  I have heard of crooks extracting funds, but I have never expected that it would be us.  In life, you just never know what is around the corner.  No wonder I still take the little white pills to go to sleep.

February 12, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Technology.

I am always keen to use new technology, but I only use it for what I need.  I do not poke around the new device to fine the limits.  I bought the first cell phone, when Cellular One first received their license.   Old friends will recall the radio ads I made for Cellular One at a time when they were trying to figure out who would want to buy those "car phones".   My habit has always to use the new for what I wanted.  The first business calculators were hugely helpful to me as an agent but I knew the fancy calculator was capable of doing much more than I was using.  But I did not care.  Ken of course,  uses the new stuff and figures out everything that the new device is capable of doing.

At work, I tried hard to stay away from the computer on purpose.  I felt that my task as the manager was to talk to agents and staff.  Whenever I did use technology at the office, I called for Regina and she helped.  At home, I called for Ken and he fixed any problem.  Now I have a problem.  I am unable to do what I want whenever I need to write my blog.  Fortunately, Ken is home and able to fix my problems but I must learn.  When I ask Ken what he had just done, he tells me that he is not sure what worked.  He simply tried lots of things and eventually gets me onto the blog.    So the next time, I will again not be able to get past the screen that says "Guest access Requested", unless I call for Ken.    I get stuck right there.   Next time I  will watch.  Or perhaps Christina could teach me.  Maybe I could even take a course.  I might need to learn new tricks, something this old  dog is not good at doing.   Never too late, people tell me.  My anxiety goes sky high.  Kind of funny too that I am so stupid.  Interesting but not really a pretty picture.

February 11, 2018. Paradise Village, Mexico. Shopping.

I brought limited clothes from Playa Royale to Paradise Village.  Unfortunately, I brought the wrong size shorts for Ken.   Elastic waists bothers the scars on his back, and I only brought one pair to be used with suspenders, which turns out to be too small, so Rita and I were forced to go shopping.    Ian suggested we take a trip to Walmart but I refused so the only shopping was the local Mall, which is where we went yesterday morning.    I am a terrible shopper.  I can not read the labels and I have no patience.  Rita can do both.  In the third store, we finally found a man who would help us.  The other attendants seem more interested in their chair behind the cash register than help us.  But finally we hit the jackpot.

We told this older man who owns the store exactly what we wanted and he found them.  We returned home with three pair.  I deferred to Rita for the colors, so Ken now owns green shorts, cream shorts and white shorts, which we hope will fit.    Ken actually orders his shorts on the Internet but that is not an option here.  So we did our best.

And to reward good behavior, we stopped for frozen yogurt just outside at the Mall.  I have discovered that most people call it the Plaza.   Learn something every day.  So yesterday, Rita and I were successful by shopping at the Plaza.  No Walmart for us.

February 10, 2018. Paradise Village. Olympic Games.

I will watch any competition, even darts.  But my favorite competitive events are The Olympic Games.    I know all about the political world of the Olympics and the drug cheating but I love watching these young people play their hearts outs, all the culmination of hours and hours of training and practice.  The athletes seem excited to play for their country.  And I am interested with both the failures and the successes.  I do love watching The Olympic competition.   Here we have only 2 channels, NBC and CBC, but I am pleased to have them.

Fortunately, we have four televisions in our apartment.  Last evening, Ken was watching a hockey game while he was resting in bed, Ian was watching news in his room while Rita and I watched the Olympics.   This morning Ian was watching news in the guest room, Rita had the Olympics on their TV while she was working in the kitchen while I was in my accustomed place on the couch in the living room, watching the Olympics.  

After a big breakfast cooked by Rita, Ket fixed the computer.  Last evening again, I got stuck and was unable to access my blog.  But again, Ken came to the rescue.  Now Ian and Ken are sitting on the balcony in the shade, enjoying the warm air.  Soon, Rita and I will sort Kens medications.  At the hospital, they put several of Ken's medications into his IV and stuck the medication all together.  Now we must sort them and try to figure out where they belong.  Not an easy job.  Rita says we are up to the task.  We will soon find out.

February 9, 2018. Paradise Village. Rita and Ian.

Last Monday, Rita and Ian arrived  at Paradise Village.   Their flight arrived on time.  No delays in either flight.  They flew from Ottawa to Chicago, then direct to Puerto Vallarta, arriving at the airport at 2:00.  I went to the bench at the main building to await their arrival, taking with me a sandwich for lunch along with a bottle of water, as I was not sure how long they would take clearing customs.  I had two bites of sandwich when their taxi arrived.  After checking in at the hotel desk, we walked to our apartment where they changed to comfortable clothes.  They were keen to see Ken immediately, so we walked to the hospital, with me pointing out landmarks so they could find their way back.  I had been at the hospital all morning until I left at 2:30 to meet them.  After a short visit, Rita and I came home, me to get a break and Rita to unpack.

But they both got lost that evening.  After a couple of hours,  Rita walked back to the hospital to relieve Ian but she got lost on the second floor and investigated every corner before finding  the patient rooms.  She had missed one door, one with no signs.  Ian walked home to the apartment but could not find our room.  He thinks he was in the correct tower but was on the wrong floor.  And I did not write down the number.  After knocking on several wrong doors,  he walked back to the hospital to find Rita and they both returned together with their funny stories.  They both thought they had been looking for landmarks but their day had started early.   But we have laughed many times about the lost souls at Paradise Village.    Now they know the way everywhere.  This morning, they visited the grocery store in Bucerias, so we are set for food.  Hats off to them for all their help.

February 8, 2018. Paradise Village. Ken Home.

Ken is pleased to be home.  The first thing he did upon arrival was to eat some of Rita's good food, even though he had eaten a bit at noon at  the hospital.  We arrived home  at 3:00 and by 4;00 he had eaten soup, papaya and ice cream.   Rita ran to the market to buy the ice cream because Ken asked  before he took a nap.  He waited for her return, then took a 30 minute nap before walking to the computer to put everything in order.  I am astonished with my stupidity with the technology end of my life.   Even with Kenny giving me instructions on the phone from Vancouver, I was unable to do anything useful.  In five minutes, Ken called to tell me that my blog was ready.

Ken has had two stents inserted between the kidneys and bladder to correct a congenital defect he has had all his life.  35 years ago, he had surgery on one side but it only increased flow 10% so he never did the other side.  We hope it helps now.  He is home with a catheter and to get strong enough to allow the tubes from bladder to be opened.  His prostate is enlarged and blocking the tubes.  He has a way to go but with Rita providing good food for him and the nurse and Ian helping with exercise, he will get stronger.  Right now he is sitting on the balcony enjoying the fresh air.  He commented this afternoon that being in the hospital was a bit like being in prison because he was stuck in place.  He was thinking about all the people during the wars who were held without their consent.  He was sympathetic to them.  So here we go for the next episode.  We are hoping for the best.

February 3, 2018. Paradi9se Village, Mexico. Success.;

We have done it, or rather Kenny and Anne have done it.  Ken has connected me to the internet in our new home.  And we are nicely situated here.  Our transition from Playa to Paradise Village  was as smooth as a move could be.  Everyone helped.  Hurrah.

February 3, 2018. Playa Royale. Moving Day.

Today we leave our condo and move down the street back to the hotel/time share.    When Ken and I put together our winter schedule, it seemed to have great variety.  Each place is different and offers an interesting set of options, so we are bouncing from place to place this winter expecting new sights and sounds.  Kenny and Anne planned to stay over until the Sunday to help us make the move and for that I am grateful.  Our belongings heading to the hotel are ready to go.

Walking across to the hospital from Playa has made life easy.  I even know well the night walk.  The hotel is easy too because the shuttle leaves the hotel every half hour, and Victor,  the driver drops me at the door of the hospital.  Walking is easy too, and is about a half mike.  As the casino is at the end of the building, the golf carts pick people up regularly and I will ask if the cart could pick me up late at night.  Of course, I could always take a cab but I will need some exercise.  I have been walking the balcony most evenings at Playa.  But for sure, I will not walk the half mile to the hotel to the hospital at night by myself.

The last time I was at the hotel, I was unable to access my blog.  I am fearful of problems again.  Kenny will try to set me up when we get there.  The reason I am writing my blog now is to alert you. So soon we head out and hope all goes well.   Here we go.

February 2, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Updater on Ken.

Tomorrow we have a  consultation with the Urologist.  Ken's  plumbing is not working.  For the third time since Ken got ill, the catheter was pulled to see if he could urinate.  A small amount of urine is produced. but not enough, so the urine backs up in his bladder.  By 4:00 this afternoon, another catheter was installed.  The Urologist was expected today at 7:00pm but he did not appear.  Kenny, Anne and I waited for him.  Tomorrow will be the day we figure out the options.

Ken commented to me that getting better was like watching grass grow.  He is so sick of the hospital. The poor fellow.  We keep his cell phone plugged in and he has his ear phones to listen  audio books.  The physical therapist comes twice a day and gives him a good work out.  But he is very weak.  Kenny and Anne say he is improved since they first arrived and last evening he walked a bit in the hall.  Tonight he was able to shuffle from the bed to the chair, with assistance of the therapist,  Anne and the walker.  He is eating well.  Fish and vegetables for dinner tonight.  Anne and Ken are with him now.   Kenny and Anne spent time with him this morning while I stayed all day until returning at 7:30.  He enjoys company.   This afternoon he gave me a lecture about staying relaxed, which is easier said than done.  And that is the state of Ken today.

February 1, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. A Lovely Interlude.

Yesterday I invited Ted, Kathy, Kenny and Anne for lunch on the balcony of the Golf Club.   They have been so incredibly helpful to Ken and me that I can not really repay their kindnesses, but I could at least take them for lunch.  Sitting on the balcony overlooking the 18th hole must be one of our favorite places at Paradise Village so I selected that venue for lunch.  In addition, it was easy.  We met at the site for the shuttle at Playa so we piled into the van and soon we were sitting waiting  to order lunch.   And what a good lunch it was.

Kenny and Anne have been cooking dinner every night.  They are good cooks.  Ken would have loved their meals.  We decided ahead of lunch that we would eat our main meal at noon so they would not need to cook at night.  And we did.  Yesterday morning I visited Ken while Kenny and Anne walked the beach.  In the afternoon they spent all afternoon with Ken while  I visited the pool.  Then I returned to help Ken.  When I returned from the hospital, a lovely salad was ready along with a loaf of fresh bread, which we ate together at 10:00.

Our lunch with the five of us was a delightful interlude for all of us.  The conversation was spirited and the food was excellent.  To top off our day, we waited three minutes for the shuttle home.  Some days you just get lucky.