March 31, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Easter.

Christina and the girls came to visit us today. We drank an Easter tea. It was delightful. The best part of course was visiting with Molly, Mary Frances and Christina, but the second best was eating the blueberry cake made by Christina. It was delicious. Ken had another piece for dessert tonight. And they brought us two chocolate bunnies in a pretty Easter bag. We of course, gave them nothing. The day was glorious and sunny so we sat in the living room enjoying the view and being together. Poor Kate came home from school on Tuesday with the flu. She is getting better but did not want to expose us to any bugs and for that we were grateful. David and their whole family are at the lake in Texas. Both University students came home for Easter. Suzanne's parents were there too. David fished this morning and was happy to catch 2 fish. Conditions were difficult with high wind but he was happy just being out on the water. For many generations on both sides, our families have been scattered so it was unusual to spend holiday seasons with only family. In Mississippi it is the norm. Most people who are born in Mississippi stay in Mississippi. The same is true of Pennsylvania folks. So families gather for the holidays. Growing up, even when we lived in the same city as some family members as we did in Vancouver, we were so busy with activities that we did not gather together for Easter. The weekend was a religious holiday, not a weekend of bunnies and eggs. And I have no recollection of giving gifts. Now, Ken and I are just happy to be celebrating Easter weekend at home in Mississippi. As they said in The Salvation Army,"Hallelujah".

March 30, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Our Helpers.

Every morning at 7:00, someone walks in the door to help Ken. She will look after him for the next 12 hours. The daytime ladies are young and strong, which is a good thing, because Ken walks more during the day. They help him dress and bathe and walk. They do not administer medications and they are not nurses. They are helpers. At 7:00pm, another lady arrives and will remain for 12 hours. These are older ladies who have been helping people all their lives and now work other jobs during the day time too. Each of the helpers seem caring and kindly and want Ken to get better. They are all encouraging and complementary. At night, the ladies sit in a chair in the living room and read and sleep with only one lamp burning by the chair. If Ken needs help, he calls and someone comes, Betty and Emma are twin sisters who alternate through the week. I can not tell them apart. They are in their 60s. At first I was not sure they could manage to assist Ken walking, but it is clear to see that they have done this before. This weekend, we will have Suzette, who cares for another man with Parkinson's Disease. iPhones are a godsend to helpers. This was true in Mexico too. In the day time, the young ladies are on their phone any time Ken is either at the computer or taking a nap. They read and text and keep busy, but always on their phone. So far, the company that provides us with helpers has done a good job. Christina hired them for us. The other task they provide for us is to take Ken to doctor appointments. On Thursday, Kenida drove our car and took us to the Urologist. So we are being well looked after. And I am grateful for their help.

March 29, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. A New Doctor.

As usual, the new Urologist looks to be 20 years old, but we still like him. Most doctors these days appear to be children but as they have completed residency and are specialists, you know for sure they are not 20. He was efficient. Fist a resident comes and asked all the questions and medications. Next the Urologist came in and made an assessment. And ordered more tests. Blood was drawn, 4 vials in all, to test everything that can be tested. And he ordered a scan to check to see if the prostate cancer has spread to any parts of the body. And he will evaluate the medications. He did say that the medications Ken took after the diagnosis was the same here as in Mexico. But he did not take out the catheter. He prescribed Flowmass, a drug to increase urination. He wants to be sure that when the catheter is removed in one week, Ken is successful. So next Thursday, Ken goes for a scan at the Mississippi Medical Center hospital, which is huge. I am not sure how this will work, but Ken must appear at 8:00 and get some procedure, then at 10:00 something else is done, and at 12:30 yet a final scan. It will be a long day. On Friday, the catheter will be removed in the office of the Urologist, Dr. C. So we are making progress, although slowly. At the meeting with Dr. G. on Monday, she referred Ken to Home Health, to provide physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy in our home. In addition, a nurse will come a few times a week. They have called me. But so far the nurse has not called to make an appointment for evaluation. So slowly we are getting organized here in Mississippi. And we are pleased with the efficient, your Urologist. That is a relief.

March 28, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Storms.

Tonight we had our first storm of the season. Mississippi storms are spectacular. We even had a tornado warning on the TV. Elizabeth kindly drove me on 3 errands. When she was waiting for me at the drugstore, she listened to the radio. The weather was going to be nasty with heavy rain, hail, high winds and even a possible tornado. We both were pleased to heading home. The air was heavy but no storm until 9:00. While Ken and I were watching a Caps hockey game, everything was noisy outside. We decided that the storm had arrived. The rain pelted down for about 30 minutes, along with thunder. We might have had hail but we were not about to open a door to check. All I know was the noise was loud, so much so that we could not hear the commentary on the TV. Ken and I discussed going to bed before we lost power, but we stayed watching the game. I did put on my night shirt and got my paperwork ready for Ken's appointment with the Urologist at 8:15 tomorrow. But the storm passed. Now all we hear is falling rain, which is heavy but not deafening. And the wind has stopped too. I will quit. You never know when we will be with no electricity. I want to be in bed when that occurs.

March 27, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Good News.

My scans are a slight better than three months ago. One cancer spot is almost gone and the larger one is a bit smaller. I as amazed after the time I have had. Ken said all along that my scans would be good because he said I looked good but I was not so sure. Anxiety and stress are not kind on cancers. But whoopee. The Ibrance is working once again. Ian told Ken this evening that Ken looked better tonight than ever. Good color and lots of energy. This afternoon, Ken walked around the house and out to the workshop, with April just walking behind him. He was pleased. Rita, Ian and I visited the Sutherland's home this afternoon and had a wonderful time. The whole family was welcoming and gracious. Ian was especially delighted with their home. We were invited for afternoon tea at 3:00. Of course, I did my usual plan which is to e mail and ask if it would be possible to show our guests their home. They indulge me by saying yes. In addition, we ate tea and cake sitting in their lovely living room. After our tea served from beautiful antique sets of tea pots, Jim toured, while Eleanor showed me their new/old paintings, inherited from her mother. To end our visit, Gabriella played three pieces on the piano. She plays with power and tenderness. She is good. And I heard the good news that Eleanor is just about to begin painting. And that is good news indeed. Three pieces of good news, all on the same day. Life is indeed grand.

March 26, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. The Medications.

Ken has always organized his own medications. But in Mexico, when he was sick, other people were responsible. The doctors changed medications, so soon, no one but the nurses knew what and when Ken was supposed to be getting, except for the Parkinson's meds. Ken had made up pill boxes so I thought we were set for a few weeks but I observed that the nurses were filling the pill boxes from our meds and the new drugs prescribed by the doctors. We arrived home with a mess. The whole top of our large dresser was covered with bags of pills. And I could find nothing easily. In addition, Ken had reordered his medications so we had all the old, plus the new from Mexico plus bags of the new prescriptions picked up by Christina. This morning, it took me 15 minutes to find his Parkinson's pills. When Rita and I returned from my scans, Ken, Ian and April the helper left immediately for the appointment with Dr. G. our Internist. After having breakfast and coffee, we decided to attack the pills, which was brave of us because we did not ask permission. We just took over. First we brought every bottle of pills to the dining table. We had found bottles in every drawer. Next Rita put all bottles of the same together. Next we put the groupings in alphabetical order. Our goal was to put all medications in a place where we could easily find them. Now Rita is putting each in a baggie, labelled with the name and use. Ken's strong suit is not organization, so Rita and I have taken over. Three pill boxes only will be on the top of the dresser. Everything else will be in the large dresser. We have yet to put anything away. That will be for another day. But we have done good work today. I hope that Ken will keep away from our organization. The medications no longer make me feel sick to my stomach. Disorder is a problem for me, and Rita too. Now, Ken's medications are under control. Whew.

March 25, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Airlines.

Everyone was sitting at the gate waiting to board the plane for Jackson. Suddenly phones started to ping. Passengers started to get in line. Rita does not have an American plan on her phone. Instead she uses e mails to communicate but she had not been unable to access the Internet at the Dallas airport, so she asked fellow passengers what was going on. This was when she got the bad news. The flight was cancelled and they would leave on a 7:30 flight tomorrow morning. No one from the airline made an announcement and passengers were never told why the flight had been cancelled. They were given vouchers for accommodation, dinner and breakfast. Soon they were on the way to a Sheraton, without any belongings except their purse. They were given a tooth brush, tooth paste and comb but left to sleep in their skivvies except Rita borrowed the robe from the closet to keep her warm. But they slept poorly as they knew they were required to be at the airport at 5:30 in order to get the 7:30 flight. Ian woke up every hour in order not to oversleep. By the time they arrived home to us at 10:00, they were weary so took a quick nap before Christina and the girls arrived with lunch. They were not happy campers. Believe it or not, in all his travels around the world, Ian has never had a flight cancelled. We were amazed. Ken and I have been in that situation so often that we carry night shirts and toilet items in our. backpack. The airlines could at least give passengers an explanation and an apology. But at least Rita and Ian were not out of pocket and they were able to walk the 20 minutes to the shuttle bus. Fortunately, we decided to fly home Air Ambulance. What a mess we would have had trying to get Ken to the hotel. Our wheelchair and walker would have been checked and we would have been using the airline wheelchair. How on earth could we have gotten Ken to and on the shuttle. Some days, you just get lucky.

March 24, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Welcome Home.j

We are delighted to be home. Christina greeted us royally even though we were almost 2 hours late. She even had lunch ready. And Kendra was up to the task of helping Ken. She helped me open and put away all our stuff. So now everything has been put away except for Kens medication. Right now, our large chest is covered wth has pills. The question really is who will be in charge. Nursea have given him his medication. Poor Rita and Ian. We were to be on the same planes from PV to Dallas then a new flight to Jackson but the second flight was cancelled so they are staying in Dallas. They will arrive tomorrow at 8:45. The only good thing is that finding our house at night is difficult. The Air Ambulance got us to Jackson in a timely manner. No wonder it costs so much. We flew with two pilots, a doctor and a nurse. Flight time was two and a half hours. The best part was that we arrived. We were picked up at the condo and delivered to our house. Everyone was pleasant and helpful. And they fed us snacks. So we were pleased with oor decision, especially when we knew Of the cancelled flight from Dallas to Jackson. We flew in a Lear Jet. It was tight space. And they were late arriving in PV. No bathroom. Once I was in my seat I was fixed in place. Ken had the most comfortable spot, reclining on a stretcher. So here we are, enjoying our lovely home and getting usd to our new helpers. Suzette, who is working all night has been caring for a man with Parkinson’s for 9 years, so she knows the drill. I feel sure we will feel even better tomorrow after a good sleep. But right now, all is well with the Dickie fAmily in Madison. We have arived.

March 23, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Moving On.

Tomorrow morning we fly to Mississippi on Air Ambulance. Rita and Ian will fly American Airline but we three decided on Monday that the 12 hourday would be too difficult for Ken. This evening, Ken had an appointment with The Urologist in order to begin the vaccine for his prostate cancer. He started bleeding so a catheter was put back. His urine is clear now so when we get to Mississippi the catheter will be removed. The vaccine has two parts. First an injection into Kens stomach followed by a little pill every day for three months. Then the whole drill is repeated. We are hoping for the best with the bleeding. His cough is difficult. Now we are delighted to return to Mississippi. We will miss our nurses and the delivery of medications delivered to our door. And we hope we can function with a helper in the home for Ken. He still needs someone walking beside him holding his arm and back. He is hoping he will improve. He is stronger than he was a month ago. Our bags are packed and will soon be beside the front door. The plan is to be picked up at 7:00 and be home at 12:30 where Christina will be there to greet us. We have one trip to the locker but Rita and Ian will look after that task. They leave the condo at 8:30 and will arrive at the house 12 hours later in Jackson. This will be ther first visit to our Mississippi home. They are making the journey in order to help us manage on American Airlines. I feel badly that our plans changed. But we will have them until next Wednesday when they fly to Montreal, before driving home to Ottawa. Ian is looking forward to a skiing date with grandson Tristen. So here we go, bound for Mississippi. These three months have been a bit of a bad patch. But we are always looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel. Now we are moving on. But we might never get out of Mississippi. Time will tell.

March 22, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Ken Update.

Ken has no infections. And he is stronger. Tonight he walked the balcony with nurse Misa by his side and me rolling the portible oxygen trailing behind. He did well. His plumbing works, so the prostate surgery was successful. Tomorrow evening we meet the surgeon to discuss options. The pathology report arrived this afternoon and the surgeon toLd us that the prostate had cancer cells. His solutions is a vaccine. Ken looked up the vaccine therapy. It is still being published. We will find out tomorrow at our meeting at 6:30. Ken is eating well thanks to Rita’s cooking. He eats everything on his plate. Right now he just asked for a piece of key lime pie, given to us by Rosa, my friend by the pool. He is still very thin. Ken has always said that prostate cancer is the disease of old men, so he is not surprised. He also said that most men die from something other than prostate cancer. So now Ken has Parkinson’s Disease along with prostate cancer. And for some reason, his oxygen saturation drops when he has any exercise. He will try to figure out why. On Monday, he has an appointment with Dr. Gregg, his Internist. And Thursday he meets with a Urologist. His saga is not over.

March 21, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. The Nurses.

Nurses are special people, especially Javier and Misa, who have been looking after Ken since leaving the hospittal. They are devoted to his welfare and never let him out of their sight. They work 12 hour shifts. Javier works at night, arriving before 8 and leaving when Misa comes to relieve him 12 hours later. They are good nurses and can do everything a nurse must be able to do. In additional to their nursing duties, they are encouraging and enthusiastic...and strong. They are also quiet, so having them in the condo is not a problem. Javier is young, maybe 25 and is a picture of a Mayan, right out of the pictures. And he is kind. Every night before Ken gets to sleep, he massages Kens legs with lavender oil. And If Ken wakes up in the night with leg spasms, Javier does it again. If Ken can not relax, Javier talks him into keeping calm. when Javier arrives, he goes to all four of us, and calls each by name. And he does the same when leaving. His englishh is rudimentary so we do not know much about his background. But we do know enough to know that we like him and most importantly, he helps Ken in every way possible. Misa is older and round and strong. Rita and I think she is in her 40’s. Today she pushed Ken in the wheelchair all the way to the dentist and back, a distance of almost half a mile. She also is devoted. We will miss these nurses when we return to Mississippi. They have nursed Ken when he was very ill and they are delighted now that he is better. But they will miss us too. They have become part of our family.

March 20, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. The Dress.

Across the street at The Farmers Market is a lady who sells very nice dresses.   And she will make you a custom dress if you want it longer or in a different material.   She is a busy lady because her dresses cost 400pesos, which is about $25. US.  The dresses are mostly sleeveless and made of lovely fabric which are perfect for the casual life of Vallarta.  Cathy told Rita about the lady and where her stand could be found at the Market, so the next Tuesday, she  bought a dress.   And she told her new friend Joan, who bought a dress.    It seems that every Tuesday the ladies buy anther dress.   Joan has bought 6 and Cathy 5.

Two weeks ago, Rita selected a dress for me.  I was to go and approve the choice.  But I refused  and told Rita to bring back  the dress next week and the fabric would be fine.   So, next week at the market, Rta paid for the dress and brought it home but it was too small.  So back she went to ask the lady to use the same fabric but make it bigger.

Today was the day to return from the market with my new dress, which Rita said would be perfect,  even though it is sleeveless.   When she returned, Rita was not pleased.  The fabric was different and the lady charged 50 more pesos for the extra material.   My main issue with new clothes is whether or not the garment will fit and is comfortable.    When I tried it on, I was delighted to know that it meets my criteria.  And Ken liked it too.  So I am the proud owner of a new dress, which I will take with me to Mississippi.   Summers are hot there, so a sleeveless dress might  come in handy.

And Rita returned with yet another cute dress, but in size S.   Mine is XXL.  She will wear these dresses in Ottawa during the summer and will like smashing.   My dress is fine but her three new dresses look a lot better.  Maybe it has something to do wth the size.

March 19, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Another Adventure.

In the past, Ken and I enjoyed adventures.   But this time in Mexico, adventures have become a four letter word.   Last evening we had another.   Actually, we learned something important.    It all happened at 8:00 when the nurses change shift.  Just before  nurse is about to leave, vital sgns are taken.   Nurse Laura noted Ken’s oxygen low level.   Nurse Javier arrived soon and was alarmed too so Laura called Adriana, who coordinates home care.  She called the young doctor and said that Ken’s oxygen levels were dangerously low and that he needed to go to the hospital for oxygen.  Ken disagreed, because his numbers were fine all day.  The doctor spoke to me and we agreed to monitor Ken for two hours.  Ken did not want to go over the road to that hospital.  He has seen that hospital before.

Adriana suggest to me via texting that she could send oxygen to our condo, just in case Ken needs it.  We agreed to the plan which was to send 2 canisters of oxygen delivered to us along with everything needed for Ken’s use.  When I went to bed at 11:00, Javier was massaging Kens back and legs.  Soon both Ken and I went to sleep.   Ian heard the front door open at 12:30 but that was all he heard.

When Ken and I woke up at 8:00 this morning, I realized that Ken had slept all night , and that 2 big green tanks of oxygen were in the corner.  At some point during the night,  I had noted tubes were attached to Ken’s nose but at 8, there was no tube.  Ken thought that he had pulled it out.  But not so.  While Ken slept, Javier attached the oxygen and turned it on.   Ken had the best sleep in weeks.  When the levels were fine at 6:00, Javier removed the oxygen supply.

During the day, Ken held a small research project, trying to find out when his oxygen levels go down.   Usually, the testing had been done with Ken at rest, either in a chair or bed.     Last night, Ken had walked to a char in the living room and got the low level.   This afternoon, with the nurse  beside him, Ken went through many activities, always monitoring the numbers on the fancy high tech little machine attached to his finger.   He discovered that his levels go down dramatically with activity.  No wonder he is short of breath with walking.   So Ken knows to use  oxygen when he exercises.   So we have had anther adventure  but this one will lead to making Ken being able to function.  And that is a good thing.

March 18, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. The Weather.

The weather here on the west coast of Mexico is remarkable.   I call it  indoor ourdoor weather, where the doors and windows are always open and there is always a breeze in the air.   No wonder people from the north come for the winter.  Ever since Rita and Ian arrived, the weather has been perfect.  The only reason they do not go to the pool or the beach is to have a change of scene.   Today they have spent the whole day under a palapa, staying in the shade and getting in the water frequently.   They came up mid afternoon so Rita could put together  a meatloaf.  She has set the oven to start cooking at 5:15.  We will see if it works.  They are enjoying the warmth and the people at the pool.  After all, Ottawa, where they live, is the coldest capitol in the world.

The questing I ask myself is why I am not going down to the pool?  After all, Ken is being attended by the nurse so I could go down to swim and hot tub in the afternoon, but for some reason I am not  inclined to accompany them even for a short time.  I like to swim and I like to hot tub but somehow or other, I do not go.   I wonder if I am being lazy.  I prefer to think that I am spending time with Ken and that I do not wish to leave him alone  with the nurse.   Every day Ken and I sit on the balcony enjoying the warmth and the ocean, and most afternoon we take a rest on the bed.   Before we close our eyes, we talk lying on the bed.  Sometimes we have the best conversation when we are not looking at each other.  Or maybe I am fearful of catching a bug from the peole at the pool.   But for whatever reasons, I have only gone to the pool twice this season and that was Ken was in Intensive care  at the hospital.   Seems silly not to make use of the lovely facilities while I stay in the condo and walk the balcony.  I have become a recluse.  Who would have thought it of me.

March 17, 2018. Playa Eoyale, Mexico. Amazing.

Ken did not do well yesterday.  I texted both the young doctor and the Urologist.   Both agreed that things were not going well.  Dr. P. the Urologist suggested a blood test.   Dr. S. the main doctors assistant offered to come and pay a house call, which he had done before.  Javier, the nurse, picked up the 3 vials for the blood test and by 8:00 Rita and I took the blood sample to the lab at the hospital  across the street.  Misa, the day nurse, came with us to be sure the lab had the correct  instructions.   Rita and I had left home with Dr. S. examining Ken.  When we returned, all was well and the young doctor was giving instructions to the nurse.  The plan was to text Javier when the results were received, which was to take an hour.

Kens lungs were clear, which pleased Misa.  No signs of  infection  either.   The young doctor suspected problems wth electrolytes.   He also changed medications.   When he received the results, which he got at 9:20, his plan was to start an IV to rectify the issue of imbalance.  I felt that nothing was going to happen until tomorrow, even though Javier assured me today.  When I went to bed at 10:30 Javier was massaging Kens legs, using lavender oil.   I fell asleep.

When I woke up at 1:00, the IV was in place with the new bottle oI medicine beginning to do the job.   I have no idea how this had  happened.   Evidently, Javier set up the IV pole, the one made of an old broom stick attached to the head board.  The medicine was delivered to our door and Javier started the IV for Ken.  And we were in business.  This morning more blood was drawn and Rita took the blood  to the lab right got across the street.   “Careful monitoring is essential, “ said the young doctor.

By noon, Kens urine was clear.  The bladder exercises began, with approval of Dr. P.   Ken showeredthis evening and now he is sitting bestde me enjoying the hockey game.   It was an amazing day.

March 16, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Bleeding.

Since the surgery, Ken has been resting and taking short walks.   He has also been bleeding.  His urine stays red.  Staying in bed is a very bad thing for Ken beause he gets weaker and weaker so every day his walking deteriorates.  And because he has slowly losing blood he becomes weak too.   This afternoon when he went to take a shower with the nurse, something he has been able to do ever since he came home from the hospital, he was barely able to stand so instead of a shower, he sat in a chai recovering  his breath.   Rita and the nurse wth Ian’s help got him back to bed.  

The surgeon suggested blood be checked for Ken, so tonight at 8:30, after a 6 hour fast, blood will be drawn by the nurse and taken by Rita to the lab just across the street.   If Ken needs a transfusion, it can be done here at home by the nurse.   Ken is very disappointed.  The surgeon still thinks that if Ken could stop coughing and take action to stop being constipated,  Ken will stop bleeding.    Then the catheter will be removed.   Ken remains in good spirits so we are trying to do the same.  But I must say, our plan is to leave on March 24 for Jackson, which would be a 24 hour day.  This might have to be changed.   Bleeding into your urine is a bad thing.   We are one week away.

March 15, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Elith.

We could hear a knock at the door while we were eating dinner.  This was puzzling because we normally know who is knocking at our door.  For instance, this morning we knew that Cathy and Ted were coming today so we expected a knock and were delighted to see them.   Then this afternoon, I expected Angie to get payment for the nurses and she did.   But tonight was unexpected.  Rita opened the door and I could hear a voice saying that “I used to work here and I wanted to say hello.”  And up to the table came Elith.

This is a wonderful success story.   When we first moved here, Elith worked at the restaurant on the beach.  She took orders. while we sat around the pool.   She hustled.  And she was personable and friendly.   After two seasons, she was promoted to work at the front desk at Playa.  Her English had improved and she had learned to work with the computer.   When we arrived, she always greeting us by name and hugged us both so we felt that we had come home.  She was delightful.  

Five years ago, she started nursing school and continued to work at Playa part time, but for the last two years, we did not see her.   She was at nursing school full time.   We were delighted to see her as we had alwys liked her.  Marlin the conserige had told her that Ken was ill so she came to see him.  Elith is still cute and charming and this year will graduate.   The difference is that she used to be thin.  Now she s a bit  round.   We were delighted to see her.  She is from from one of the southern states  of Mexico, one that has had tremendous problems and violence.  She came here to avoid the gang wars.  This is a wonderful story and Ken and I were pleased to share with her success.  Gold star to Elith.

March 14, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Jim and Joan.

jim and Joan came to dinner tonight.  Rita and Ian met them at the pool a few weeks ago.  Since that time, the four of them went to a late breakfast down the road.  They kindly stopped by to say hello to us.   Since meeting,  they have become fast friends meeting daily at the pool and beach.   This is a small world.  Jim worked with my wonderful Wendy at Wyeth years ago.   And Jim recalls her well, describing her as someone who was always prepared and quiet.   Her facts and figures he recalls were accurate and believable.   “No wonder Phizer kept her”, said Jim.  Jim was just ready to retire when the purchase occurred so he was happy with the decision.

  They live in London, Ontario and have been since they moved from Montreal where they were both brought up.  They love London.  The city is big enough to be interesting but not so big to have heavy traffic.  The population now is over 500,000 which is about the same size as Halifax or Jackson.  Jim and Joan are friendly interesting people and we have enjoyed having dinner together.   This is the fourth year they have rented at Playa Royale even though they have travelled the world.  They wisely enjoy Playa Eoyale.  In fact, after Jim looked at the weather in London he wishes they could stay until the end of April.  One of the blessings of living here is the people you meet.   Of course, we would not have ever met them because Ken and I are not as friendly as Rita.   But we enjoyed dinner together tonight, thanks to Rita and Ian.

March 13, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. One Ahead, One Back.

Today we met with the Urologist, across the street at the hospital.   The surgery was done last Wednesday so the plan was for the catheter to be removed and to check to be sure all systems were working.   But we all knew that would not happen because Ken still has blood in his urine.   Poor Ken is in a difficult situation.   The surgeon looked at the urine bag and shook his head.  “We must wait until the urine is free of blood and is clear,”  said the good doctor.   Further more, he told Ken to rest but not to spend all day in bed.   And to take very short walks but not get any exercise.

Ken feels that he has been taking one small step forward, followed by one smaller step back.   Just when he thinks he sees light  at the end of the tunnel, he gets knocked back.   Since the surgery, he has taken no physical therapy because he can never exercise.   He must wait for the bleeding to stop so is forced to keep still and not strain which means his arms and legs will get weaker.   When he was in the hospital, he commented that getting better is like watching paint dry.   The whole process is tedious.   But Ken understands the process so will not jepordize the healing by becoming active.  As soon as hs urine is clear,, we are to contact the surgeon when we can proceed to the next step.   After the stents were installed, his urine took much longer than expected  to stop bleeding.   We should not be surprised.   We must be patient and hopeful, not giving in to anxiety and despair.  Ken is vastly stronger than when Rita and Ian arrived.    Ken still has a long way to go until he is healthy, but he will persevere.  And we will help him.

March 12, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Rita.

I hope Rita is enjoying herself in Mexico, because we certainly appreciate her presence.   You have no idea everything she is doing for us throughout the day.   Every morning, she makes us breakfast.   Sometimes she cooks special food for Ken but if not, she brings him a big bowl of cereal and fruit, topped with yogurt.  For me, while I am drinking my first cup of coffee made by Ian, Rita brings me toast with cheese, with lots of fruit.   Our breakfasts are always a breakfast of champions.

At noon, Rita prepares lunch.  Even when they have gone to the beach or pool in the morning, Rita comes up around 1:00 to fix our lunch.   Today we ate soup which was delicious.   She often takes food back down so they can enjoy lunch in the open air.   Then back up she comes around 5 to prepare dinner, which we eat around 7:00.   After the food d is prepared but not cooked,  Rita joins Ian at Happy Hour while we sit and talk about the events of the day.  Our dinners are delicious and nourishing.  We always s start with a big salad.  We have discovered that Ken will eat the whole salad if it is served first.   Next Rits serves the plates in the kitchen with nurse Laura bringing us our food.   Tonight we ate meat loaf, cauliflower, carrots and potato salad with a fruit salad for dessert.  

I asked at dinner if she is bothered by making all these meals.   Being polite, she told me that she enjoys cooking and that cooking for two is difficult.  I suspect that she only pretends to enjoy cooking for us.   But we enjoy and appreciate her cooking and organizing.   Rita is a marvel.   Always with a smile with encouraging words.   Ken and I are grateful for Rita’s presence in our lives.  

March 11, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Stubborn.

Being  stubborn is a major asset and also a decided liability.   Not quitting until the task is done requires a substantial dose of stubbornness.   For example, Ken is stubborn which has held him in good stead during his life but this stubbornness is sometimes frustrating.  When Ken was 16, his father insisted that Ken get a job.  Ken was an indifferent student at high school so it made sense.  But Ken said no.   When Ken decided to go to medical school, he discovered to his horror that he had missed taking required courses.   No teacher dreamt he would want to go to University, so he took another year of high school and in one year he took 4years of French, physics, Latin and trigonometry.   He being stubborn, passed every course, which gives you a good indication as to why his French is not good.  And he was accepted into 3 Universities, Toronto, Western and I think Queens.  

He was given a scholarship but he had no other funds so he was forced to take a year of work to make enough money for University.  So he did.  In retrospect, it is amazing that no one suggested to him a student loan.  Or perhaps they did not exist in 1955.   The list goes on.  Ken has always had bad lungs.  His solutions was to I gnome his health and stubbornly continue his life.

This morning, Ken wanted to fiddle with the computer.  We have all told him no.  David has told him, Ian has told him and I have told him.     The most important thing is we all want him to focus on getting well.  The second part is that if the computer is connected to the Internet, the crook may access our system.  Ken being stubborn, went to the computer and deactivated the computer from being on line so the crook will be out of business.   So Ken fiddled with the computer.  But when he turned the system back so on I could write my wee web log, he was a not able  to get it to work.  I am now using my iPad, which he was able to get me on.   The only thing to do when dealing with a stubborn person is to laugh.   What has Ken been successful has been his intellect and his stubbornness.  No point in getting upset but I must admit, at first I was irritated.  Then I went for a walk on the balcony, sang my gospel songs and got back to enjoying  my life with Ken.

March 10, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. 3601.

Fifteen feet makes a big difference.  Right in front of our new balcony we see the leaves of a palm tree.  When we first began living at Playa Royale, Ken and I noted that the first 2 or 3 floors would have no view, because of all the palm trees.  But the trees have grown so the lower floors have no obstruction of their view.  Now the 4th, 5th and 6th floor get to see the palm trees.  We wonder how high these trees grow.  Next year the palm trees may be right in front of us on the balcony of 3701.

This unit 3601 is exactly as ours at 3701, except this unit has never changed.  We walked into a time capsule.  Everything is exactly as it was years ago.  We do not know who owns this unit but we suspect it is owned by Playa Royale or Paradise Village.  All the 4 televisions are old while ours in 3701 in the living room is new.  The furniture is original as are the accoutrements in the bathrooms.  And there are no personal items on the top shelf in the kitchen.  No wine glasses and no plastic glasses.  We are 15 feet below our 3701 so we look out at exactly the same view, but everything appears just a bit different, even when I walk on the balcony.  We four  are surprised how different everything appears to be.  Interesting.   In the years when Ken and I walked the C&O Canal, we noted that walking back to our starting place afforded us a different view.  It was almost like walking a different path.  The same is true now.  The view is similar but different, just like everything else in life.  When you turn a corner, everything changes.  It is called the spice of life.

March 9, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Third Time The Charm.

Today Ken is scheduled to come home from the hospital.   If his blood work is good this morning, he will be  released from the hospital.  This will be his third joyous return.  This time, he is in much better shape.  We three will wheel him home across the road and he will be able to stand up.  With the help of a nurse beside him, he will walk to a chair.  His color is good and his eyes are bright.  Ken enjoys eating Rita's cooking and usually eats everything on his plate.  We are hoping that the third return will be the charm.

Of course, if he is not  released today, which is supposed to be in the morning, we will cheer him on tomorrow.  But we hope he returns today.  Our family is happy with Ken in the room.  He has throughout his infections retained his sense of humor which has been a blessing.  And he has never complained although he has gotten discouraged with one infection after another.  He is a long way from perfect.  But he hopes to continue improving although he is not clear just how far he can return to good health.  The Parkinson's may get in his way.  But for today, we are all optimistic.  Soon we get to have a third and last celebration, Ken's third return from the hospital.

March 8, 2018 Playa Royale, Mexico. Moving Day.

Our plan was to spend two weeks at the Mayan Palace on the other side of the canal.  But our plans changed.  Rita and Ian and I changed our plans because we did not want to be a cab ride away from the hospital.  So I contacted Cindy, who is charge of bookings at Playa Royale, to see if she could find us two more weeks at Playa.  And she did.   We still had two more weeks available to us in 2018 so there was no charge.  .  Then I cancelled at the Mayan Palace, which is now owned by Vidanta.  After a note from the doctor explaining the situation, they cancelled our reservations without penalty and put the funds into our account with no expiration.  So things worked out and tomorrow we will move to 3601, just one floor down.  This  evening, Ken agreed that we were smart to switch us to Playa for the last two weeks.  He has an appointment with the Urologist on Tuesday and rolling him over in the wheelchair is much easier than a cab ride.

Rita was able to get the keys today to 3601, so this afternoon, Rita and Ian took the bulk of our stuff down and set up the medical supplies for Ken as well as all the food.  I spent all afternoon with Ken so I am a bit behind them but we will be ready tomorrow by noon to return the keys for our 3701.  Marlin, the concierge, asked us a favor by leaving on Friday instead of Saturday but in truth, it was better for us.  Now we are doing a last laundry which is in the dryer.  And I must pick up my last things into the cases and be ready for tomorrow.  Because tomorrow we move...once again.

March 7, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Ken.

Ken returned to his room at noon looking bright and cheery.  He looked much better than after the last procedure.  Of course, he is stronger now and has no infection.  Rita and I had gone over to the hospital at 11:30 but he was  still in recovery so Rita went  for a walk while I read and did my simple exercises.  After he returned the room,  Ken and I chatted, then he napped a bit.  Finally decided he was hungry so asked for chicken soup.  He ate everything on his tray.

The surgeon is supposed to be back in the hospital at 6 to meet with us so I do not know exactly what was done and what is the prognosis.  At the moment, Ken has two bags of water flushing the new plumbing, plus an IV giving him liquid.  So far he has not gotten out of bed.  He feels fine.  Ian is with him.  Soon I will return to the hospital to relieve Ian.  At the moment, I do not know anything about the surgery, except that Ken has checked off the first step in his drive to be able to urinate.  And we know that he looks good and that he has survived the surgery.  Step one has been accomplished.

March 6, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Surgery.

Tomorrow morning, at 8:00 Mexican time, Ken will have a procedure that is supposed to correct his inability to  urinate fully.  Something is blocking the flow.  This evening between 7 and 8, we will take him in the wheel chair across the road and have him admitted, thus turning him over to the care of the nurses and doctors at the hospital.  The Urologist is the same doctor who installed the stents.  I believe he will remove them tomorrow if all goes well.  "The kink should have been straighten out by now," said Dr. Pelayo.  He is a well trained and competent Urologist and fairly young.  Yesterday we met him for a consultation.  He was wearing a polo shirt and jeans.  Dr. Rios, the internist and lung  specialist will be actually looking after Ken and has been since the beginning of the infections.  So Ken is in good hands.

But I do not like these surgeries.  Poor Ken has suffered through many of such indignities.  They were all necessary but they scare me.  For the procedure for the stents, Ken was supposed to use local anesthetic but the Parkinson's Disease means his legs jump around so they were forced to sedate him, which means he is groggy  for many hours.  We will see what happens tomorrow.  He is expected to be in the hospital for 3 or 4 days, then be home recovering for a week building up his strength once again.   We fly home to Jackson on March 24 with Rita and Ian accompanying us all the way.

Ken is delighted to be getting this surgery done here in Mexico.  He has been waiting a long time.  But I am nervous with these surgeries.  You just never er know what will happen.  "Must be done,"  says Ken, "And the sooner the better".  He is the eternal optimist.  So here we go.

March 5, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Neighbors.

I am always interested with the sorting of neighbors.  With some you develop life long friendships and others you never get to know at all, other than to say hello.  The same has happened at our condo here in Mexico..  Immediately adjacent to us is a 2 bedroom unit.  The place is always full with folks staying 2 or 3 weeks at a time.   But there is only one  couple that have become friends and I am not sure how this happened.  David and Margaret are good friends.  On Saturday they moved in and on Sunday  Margaret stopped to say hello.  Tonight they are coming for dinner.

They live in Kimberley, BC, a charming town in the mountains south of Kelowna.  Margaret rides horses and a couple of years ago she broke bones when she fell off one of her horses.  Now she has a gentle horse and still rides.  "Getting old is difficult," said Margaret on Sunday.  This past year, after a heavy snow, she tripped in the high snow and broke 2 ribs, which was painful.   The rest of the year was uneventful, for which she was grateful.

We have met their daughter and their family, and their friends from England.  We have known them since we first  moved here.  I have no real answer as to why we are friends with David and Margaret and the other folks who live there we ignore.  Perhaps it was Margaret's English accent that caused me to chat with her or perhaps they invited us to have a drink.  I have no clue.  But we enjoy them both.  They are energetic and active which always pleases us.  Or perhaps we got to know them because Margaret is a retired doctor.  No matter.  They are here and we like them.  "I could not think of anything we would want to do than eat dinner with you," said Margaret, when I invited her.  And Rita is the cook, which pleases me!!

March 4, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. The Riviera Grill.

Today was a celebration.  At Ken's suggestion, we went out for lunch, which was the first time since Ken gotten ill that we have gone to a restaurant.   Of course, Ken was transported in the wheelchair, pushed by Ian, and accompanied by Laura the nurse, but at least he is well enough to enjoy a meal in a wonderful outdoor restaurant.  Fortunately, The Riviera Grill has good food and a lovely setting because it is also the closest to us.  Ken wanted to walk using his walker but we changed his mind.  He had just completed a strenuous time with the physical therapist so we voted for the wheelchair.   Rita and I celebrated the event by drinking a margarita, my first for this visit.

Tortilla soup is delicious.  Every restaurant serves a different variety but it is always good.  Everyone except Ian ordered the soup which is a meal of itself.  But we were making our lunch our main meal. Next Rita and I ate fish tacos which were delightful.  We have brought home one each for lunch tomorrow.  We even ate dessert.  Ken was delighted with the whole event.

The Riviera Grill keeps fruit for the customers.  As you leave, you are welcomed to help yourself fruit to take home from shelves place strategically as you leave.  Ria selected a watermelon and I took 2 oranges.  It is a nice gesture and makes you feel good when you leave, which of course is the whole idea.  Ken and I have dined at The Riviera Grill many times, but never as joyously as we did today at noon.  We were all celebrating.  Ken is not perfect and still carries the catheter,  but he is well enough to enjoy a delicious meal at a fine restaurant.  And that is definitely progress.

March 3, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Sailing School.

They call it a Regatta.  A sailing Regatta.  For the past three days, beginning at 11:00, small sailing boats appear.  The boats are small and many.  The sight is marvelous with all these tiny boats  crossing our balcony.  How the instructors can keep track of all those little boats beats me.  At one point this afternoon I counted 75 boats.  

Yesterday when I was having my pedicure, at least 20 young men came for breakfast at the Mall, all wearing blue shirts and saying Sail West.  They were the instructors for the Regatta.  They were in their 20's and fit, with all wearing backpacks.  The. first thing we notice at sea is boats setting up  several courses.  Rita and Ian walked past the students on Thursday at the marina beside Paradise Village.  The students were learning how to set up the sails and seemed to be novices from age 10 to 15.

The  drill the first day is for the boats to be towed out into the bay with each boat equally spaced from each other.  Then they are turned loose.  At first they play follow the leader in small groups of 6 or 8. Then they try to race around the course set up earlier in the day.  Sometimes, a larger group of 20 or so get together only to break apart.  For me, it must be a nightmare to keep track of all those little boats.  For us, it was just  fun watching what was going on at any time.

Today, many boats were towed. but in addition, at least 30 sailed out by themselves.  They have clearly increased expertise.  The little boats appear by 11:00 and were beginning back  home base by 5:00.  Those young people must have been tired.  And I hope they were wearing sunscreen and a hat as yesterday and today there was full sun.  The little  boats head out so far we can barely see them.  Then they return safe and sound.  We have had great fun watching this operation.  And clearly, the students are becoming better sailers, which of course is the whole point.  For us on the balcony, the scene is great entertainment.

March 2, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Birds.

Hurrah.  For the first time since living in Nuevo Vallarta I have seen White Pelicans.  While  sitting on the balcony this morning I spotted them  busily making their meal on Banderas Bay.  My friend Pat C. has seen them from my balcony, but not me, at  least not until today.  I was delighted.  Not too long ago we saw a flock in Mississippi at the Reservoir, which was unusual.  We see lots and lots of brown pelicans here.  Ian watched this morning as they dove for their meal.  He wondered why they do not break their necks as the water is sometimes shallow.  And the height they dive from is high.  I have read that sometimes they do misjudge the water.    But I have never seen an accident.  The white pelicans sit down on the top of the water for a second then quickly spring up in the air to spot more fish.  I am always surprised how such large birds launch into the air immediately.  It is quite a sight.

My friend Alice Anne has spent time in February finding new birds in Texas.   I was amazed that one bird she was looking for was a wild  turkey.  Near the end of one trip, she was afraid she would be unsuccessful but just as they were leaving, they spotted a flock.  Now a wild turkey is on her list.  What surprised me was that she had never seen a wild turkey.  Frequently, at the farm in Pennsylvania, we saw wild turkeys so they seemed common for us.   Once, when Ken was walking at the top of a hill, he heard a huge noise, which turned out to be a large flock of turkey leaving their roost in a tree.  He said it sounded like an airplane taking off.  We many times saw long lines marching across our fields.  But those wild turkeys are smart.  They hide and are difficult to see them on command.  But after a snow, you know that wild turkeys were always everywhere because you could see their tracks.   In Pennsylvania, wild turkeys are abundant but not so in Texas, at least not in Galveston.

But now Alice Anne has seen her first wild turkey and I a white pelican.  Nifty.

March 1, 2018. Playa Royale, Mexico. Activities and Pleasure.

Rita is having a pedicure today at 2:00 at the Plaza.  The little shop opened two years ago and only gives manicures and pedicures.  They are busy as bees.   My system when I have a poor immune system was to avoid groups of people so when it was time for a pedicure in Mississippi,  the good folks had me come at 9:00 when their place was empty except for the workers who stayed away from me.  We are using the same system here.  I stay out of stores and tomorrow I am having a pedicure at 9:00 when only one person will be there with me.  Rita made an appointment for me.  This pleases me.,

Last night, for the first time in 30 days, I slept the night without the aid of a little white pill.  This also pleases me.  In my whole life, I had never used sleeping potions but for me it became essential.  My situation has changed.  Ken has no infection.  Our accounting and investments are being handled by David with the assistance of Christina and Rita and Ian are providing support and comfort.  In addition, both Ken and I are eating delicious, tasty food prepared by Rita.   And I am comfortably walking on the balcony morning and evening.  Ken has asked about going out for lunch or dinner but we are not prepared to launch out just yet.  In addition,  when we return to Mississippi, a full time helper will be with us to help look after Ken.  And last but not least, Ken has a consultation with the Urologist on Monday at 12:30.  These activities have given me pleasure...and allowed me to sleep.