December 31, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Happy New Years Eve.

 Once upon a time, many years ago, we attended the New Years celebration at Paradise Village.  Our Texas family was here with us.  This was the first year that the children were allowed to stay up to celebrate midnight.  We had a great time.  The event was held on the beach at the end of the resort.  They served a wonderful buffet dinner  plus lots of entertainment.  The young girls danced all evening, sometimes with other and other times with strangers.

During the evening, we all got chilly so Suzanne was able to find jackets for us.  Three of those fleece jackets are still with me at Playa Royale.  David paid the bill.  At the stroke of midnight, the fireworks started and lasted a long time.  We all enjoyed ourselves but especially the girls.

Once again, I am at Paradise Village where they are holding a big event this evening.  But Wendy, Ken and I are not going to attend.  Firstly, it is too late and there is too much food.  But also the price is amazing.  2950 pesos for each, which is about $250. American.  We will stay home in our lovely little unit.  And we will celebrate by drinking a glass of red wine,  the one Chris gave to Wendy and Ken at Christmas.  So our celebration will be delightful and quiet.  And we will be in bed before the fireworks.  Tomorrow we will make our resolutions.  

December 30, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.. Moving On.

We have enjoyed 12 days of living in the Villa.  it is big and beautiful.  But now we must leave.  someone will be taking over.  Ken Wendy and I are moving into a 2 bedroom unit at the time share of Paradise Village.  We dy and Ken have been taking our belongings bit by bit so when we finally had to leave at 11:00, all we took with us was my backpack and one bag of goodies.  The shift was very efficient.  

Last evening I wrote my blog but just as it was published,  poof went my blog.  So now I am repeating the process.  Our unit has been newly renovated.  We will enjoy ourselves in our new home.  And in one week we move again but next time to Playa Royale.  We feel sure that we will not have troubles with the Internet.  So here we go to enjoy our new home for one week.  

December 29, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Bathing.

The easiest place for me to shower is in my Mississippi home.  I have hand holds on the four walls of the shower plus one outside the shower so getting in and out is easy as well as holding on to when showering.  I have discovered that the older I get, the more difficult is for me to shower.  My bedroom in the Villa has a large shower but there is not a hand hold in sight.  So showering is difficult, if not impossible.  Once again, Wendy stepped in to help.

Wendy found a plastic chair on an outside balcony on the second floor which fits perfectly into the shower.  She wears her bathing suit in my shower and after she gets the water hot I sit on the chair and I scrub.  There is a hand held shower with a long wand which easily reaches me in the chair.  Wendy hands me the water and I rinse off.  Then she washes my hair.  And I wash my face.  We are quite a sight.  When I am all clean and Wendy turns off the water, Wendy wraps me in big towels, one on my head and the other around my shoulders.

Next I sit on a towel in a chair in my bedroom while Wendy goes upstairs to get out of her wet bathing suit.  But first she put a towel over my legs so I would be warm.  And I drip dry.  I am quite a sight wrapped from top to bottom with big white towels.  I suggested to Wendy that I could have a picture taken for my Christmas card and call it "After the Bath".  But no one thought it a good idea, except me.  But the most important aspect of this whole exercise is that I am clean and fresh, all done with my Wonderful Wendy.

December 28, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Neighbors.

We have been in our Villa for a week with Alana, Nick and Chris.  And the Villa was very quiet outside.  Chris commented several times how quiet it was.  There wasn't even any noise coming from the boats in the marina.  But not any more.  

Right now, we can hear music coming from a boat not too far away.  And several people have moved into the Villas, beginning yesterday.   Immediately to our right a Mexican family moved in and quickly began enjoying the pool, especially the children.  Of course, we did not know what they were saying but we knew they were enjoying themselves.  Then about 7:30 they must have gone out to dinner and we have not heard them since.

On the other side of us an American family moved in.  Their children played in the pool all afternoon and evening.  They left for an hour, then returned to sit outside on the patio and talked. until midnight.  But now we could hear what they were saying, so we came inside and closed the door.  I was interested to hear that the children sat out with the parents until they all eventually went indoors.

Then today two other families have moved into Villas down the road.  All day the children played in their own pools.  Our row of Villas must now be full.  And I must say that nothing in the world sounds better than happy children playing in a swimming pool.  This morning, Ken found a ball floating in our pool so he threw the ball over the wall into their pool which I feel sure made the children happy.  Clearly, New Years week is busier at Paradise Village than Christmas week, which surprises me.  Our patio is no longer quiet.

December 27, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Our Villa.

 Six years ago, we stayed in a Villa.  Ken and I, Wendy and Ken, Katey and Brock and Alana were here.  And we had a great time.  What we remember about that vacation was that the place was beautiful and spacious, and that we had our own pool that we all enjoyed.  What we had forgotten was the steps.  I recalled long circular stairs to the second floor, and that was all.  That year, Ken and I stayed in the bedroom on the first floor and gave the massive master suite to Wendy and Ken.  My Ken was not up to the long set of stairs to the second floor.

Chris and I walked into the entrance foyer.  Then into the kitchen.  I discovered to my horror that there were three steps from the kitchen to the dining room.  With no railings.  Then I looked at the living room only to find two more steps into the living room and back patio.  At least there was a railing for those steps.  I have no recollection of those multi levels in this lovely Villa.  Wendy also did not remember thee steps in the main rooms although she does remember the long set of winding stairs to the bedroom level.

So I am not able to go into the kitchen by myself which is fine because I never go into the kitchen.  My bedroom is on the dining room level so I can get into my bedroom and bath by myself and using the railing plus a couch I can get over to my spot on the couch.  We leave my walker at the top of the stairs.  If I want to go outside, I must either take someones arm or bring my walker down the two stairs.  So I can manage very well even with these two sets of stairs.  I just cannot get to the front door by myself.  I need help.

Our Villa is now half full.  Wendy, Ken and I are still enjoying our Villa.  This is a nice place.

December 26, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Boxing Day.

 Most Americans know nothing about Boxing Day.  Several friends, when I use the term, think it is a time for boxing matches.  But that would be wrong.  I was told about the English custom of Boxing Day activities but I do not know if my information is accurate.  During the 19th century of the big manor houses with huge parcels of land, the workers had the day off the day after Christmas.  Instead, the rich owners held a big party for the working folks.  And they boxed up the old toys and gave the workers gifts. That what I was told anyway.

I never understood why the workers children were given old toys.  Evidently used clothes were boxed up and given to the adults.  Why did the rich not buy new gifts for the workers.  It did not seem fair.  Now, the only aspect that continues from Boxing Day is the name, Boxing Day.  In Canada and England it is a holiday.  The tradition is to spend Christmas Day with family and Boxing Day with friends.  My sister always rented a skating rink and invited family and friends.  My sons, David and Andrew learned to skate at those skating parties on Boxing Day.  It was a great custom.

Alana and Nick are on the plane for snowy Hamilton.  Chris is still waiting at the gate, 2 hours delayed.  He will be stuck in Houston and miss his connection to Jackson.  Fortunately there are hotels at the Houston airport.  One year Christina and the girls got stuck in Houston both coming and leaving Puerto Vallarta.  Our Villa will be quiet.  But we enjoyed having the younger ones here.  Now we look forward to another visit from them another year.

December 25, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Christmas Day.

All six of us had an unusual Christmas Day.  Our day was lovely.  Chris was the only person who played Santa.  The rest of us decided not to exchange gifts but no one told Chris so we all enjoyed receiving his gifts to everyone.   The palapa was on the front row looking out to sea so four folks enjoyed the palapa in the morning.

For lunch we ate at at my favorite restaurant, right at the end of the resort.  We sat under shade .  The weather was a perfect 80 degrees and we enjoyed our leisurely lunch.  I came back to the Villa for a nap while the four others returned to the palapas for their last hurrah.  Alana and Nick leave for Ontario tomorrow while Chris will head back to Mississippi.  Fortunately the temperatures in both places have gotten warmer.

For dinner, Wendy and Ken brought Mexican food from Jude's, the restaurant in the Plaza.  We sat in the living room enjoying our burritos.  And we all agreed that our Christmas Day suited us just fine.  Unusual for sure but for us, we enjoyed our Christmas Day.

December 24, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta. The Weather.

 My wee blog of last evening has been lost .  Even i can not find it let alone my friends and family.  The internet does not always work well.  

what I said on my blog was all about the weather.  Everywhere has been extremely cold.  Even Greenville where Kate lives and where Christina and the girls are spending Christmas has been cold.  And this is North Carolina at 8 degrees.  But not in Nuevo Vallarta. where we have 80 degrees and sun.  I am pleased to be here.

December 23, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. The Fishing Trip.

Bright and early this morning, Wendy cooked bacon and Alana scrambled eggs, all so the fishermen would go off with a hearty breakfast.  Alana booked a fishing trip from a man on the beach.  They were to appear at the dock by the yacht club at 8:00 this morning.  The trip was a four hour journey.  And sure enough, they all three walked into our Villa at 12:15.  And they were happy.

Chris, Alana and Nick did everything they wanted the fishing expedition to do.  They caught fish but not big fish, but enough for them to be kept busy.  And they saw whales pretty close to their boat, and dolphins too.  When you book an excursion on the beach you never really know what will happen.  But they got lucky.  The boat was fine, at least big enough for the captain, one crew member and our three.  And they brought beer.  But, Nick was the only brave one who drank a beer.  

Chris was close to getting sick but didn't.  Alana felt a bit woozy too but was fine.  Nick was fine except when he was back at the Villa, he got a headache.  Too much sun and not enough water forced him onto a nap in the shade.  But now everyone is well.  And the fishing trip is over.  But it was a success.

December 22, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Lazy Days.

 We are all enjoying lazy days at Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta.  Wendy books a palapa every morning for the next day.  She books them for 9:00 am.  The rule is that you must claim your palapa within an hour.  If not, they might give it away to someone else.  Ken generally wanders down first followed by Alana and Nick.  Chris walks around checking the resort or the Plaza every day and often joins them.  

Every morning, Alana and Nick swim in our little pool and do some exercises.  This morning, Alana, Nick and Chris had breakfast at the buffet at the Tulum restaurant at the resort.  They came home stuffed with good food.  Since then, all four have spent the day at the palapa while Chris bought a hat at the Plaza.  Tomorrow, Alana, Nick and Chris will take a fishing trip for four hours, beginning at 8:00, so Chris needed more than a visor to protect his head.

My foot was acting up yesterday when Alana changed my bandage, so I stayed home yesterday and today. Perhaps I have been walking too much.  Tonight, they will go to our favorite restaurant, La Isla for dinner, but I will stay at home.  I could take a taxi instead of walking with everyone else, but the chairs are wooden and I will be more comfortable staying home in the Villa.  They will bring me back a delicious dinner.

Every evening before dinner we gather at the large patio beside the pool.  We overlook the marina so we watch the lights come on the boats.  Our days are lazy and pleasant, perfect for a vacation.

December 21, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico Tacos.

 Just outside the Plaza sits a new taco restaurant.  It is very small with only three tables.  People have told us that the tacos are good and inexpensive.  Chris and I wanted to eat breakfast tacos our first morning but they are not open until 11:00.  So we ate at Judes instead.  Right next to the taco place is the place where you can buy frozen yoghurt.  That place has been in business for years but every so often the adjacent place changes.  Last year was an Italian restaurant.  Now it sells tacos.

Tonight the young folks went to bring us back tacos for dinner.  They tried to bring back some guacamole but the place only sells tacos.  We sat outside on the patio, enjoying the warm air and eating our taco dinner, which was delicious.  The food was tasty.  We ate every one they brought home.  The place was quick too.  They returned much sooner than we expected.  This new taco place is a winner.  It cost $100. to serve the 6 of us for dinner.  And we were all full.  Now I hope they survive more than one year.  I am always pleased to fine new, good restaurants.  No one needed to cook.  And dining outside on your own patio was a great pleasure.  We hit the jackpot tonight.

December 20, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. All in Our Places.

 We are all in our places with sunshine faces.  And feeling smug because a big snow storm is coming to Ontario later this week.  Everyone arrived last evening.  And they had no wait to check into Paradise Village.   After we all got situated in the Villa, Wendy, Ken, Alana and Nick were hungry so went to the bar for a late supper.  When they returned, we talked until almost midnight.  We are all pleased to have a full house.

Alana made coffee early and all four sat outside enjoying the warm air.  Next we went to the Mexican restaurant for breakfast at the Plaza.  Next,  Alana and Nick went to the beach and to explore the resort while Wendy and Ken bought food at the market, the same one we do not like but are pleased it is there.  We all had a lazy, happy day.  Alana and Nick tried out the little pool at the Villa  while the rest of us enjoyed the lounge chairs and the patio.  And tomorrow they have booked 2 palapes all day.  Their vacation has begun.

December 19, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Recovery Day.

Our goals for the day were modest.  We need to eat three proper meals even though we had no food in the Villa.  We needed to exchange dollars for pesos and I needed to have my picture ID taken.  I am pleased to say that we accomplished all our modest goals.  In addition, we bought a small amount of stuff at the market such as coffee, cheese and crackers.  Wendy would not do well without coffee in the kitchen.

In addition, both Chris and I took shot naps both morning and afternoon, and we had a pleasant day too.  For breakfast we went back to Jude's at the Plaza, the same place we ate dinner last night.  One of my favorite places for lunch is the Yacht Club, so we took the shuttle and enjoyed our lunch overlooking the 18th hole.  And this evening at 6:00 Wendy, Ken, Alana and Nick arrive at the airport, so we will meet them in the main building.

Once again, traveling is tiring.  And, Chris walked a long way in the airports so his legs are sore.  And of course, we got lost last night and that extended our walk.  Today we only walked as much as necessary.  And we both feel better today.  Tomorrow will be even better, if history serves us well.  So our recovery day has been a success!  So now onto the next step.

December 18, 2022. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We Made It.

 We were expecting a long day, but we were not expecting a long line to check in to the resort.  Chris was in line for well over an hour while I sat in a comfortable chair.  Then I joined him when he was at the front of the line.  And we finally got the keys.  Chris has logged us into the internet.  We ate supper at Jude's, in the Plaza.  And, we walked home in the dark and promptly got lost.  Chris found us back to our Villa 3.

Our flights went well.  Everything worked as promised.  Except when we were ready to leave Houston, the Captain could not be found.  Eventually, he appeared,  and actually we were only late 5 minutes.  But both Chris and I are weary.  Tomorrow will be a recovery day.  and we both want to do more walking.  We started by walking home from the Plaza.  Tomorrow I will organize my stuff.  Soon, I we will be in bed.  The temperature when we arrived was 79.  And the Villa is lovely.  We are pleased to be here.

December 17, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. Portia.

Portia has been my helper since I returned to Mississippi in mid October .  I knew I had a good one the first day when she asked me to bring coffee.  i gave her the four steps needed to operate the coffee maker.  And she did it without asking for further directions.  I was impressed because everyone asks for more directions.  So I asked her if she was smart.  Her response was not arrogant.  She said,"I have always done well at school."  And indeed, Portia has been a winner for me.

Portia is fun and funny and enjoys her life and working with me.  She is a pleasure to be with.  I am all set for my journey because Portia has organized each case.  I would describe what needed to be done and she carried out the activities.  So bit by bit, we got everything done.  Yesterday we obtained the last of my medications.  Now they are packed carefully in my small carryon case.  She even set out my morning medicines for today.  So now the only thing I need to do is pack my chargers and the computer cord, plus my reading glasses.  Then close the case.  And I will be ready.

Tomorrow Chris will pick me up at 4:45 to go to the airport and the flight to Houston and then on to Puerto Vallarta.  It will be a long day.  But we will be there where the temperature will be 80 degrees and sunny.  Wendy, Ken, Alana and Nick arrive the day after at 6:00pm.  Then our Villa will be full.  and we will begin to enjoy Mexico.  So here I go.  Portia will return to help be when I return March 11.  She has been an excellent helper to me.

December 16, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. My Good Neighbor.

 Donna is my across the street neighbor.  She has been a good neighbor.  We go out for lunch once a month just to be sure to get together.  She was a nurse so when I needed to check my glucose levels each day twice a day, and my evening helper was fired, I asked Donna if she would come across the street to check my levels every evening and on morning and evening on the weekends.  And she agreed and has been doing it for the past ten days.

But beginning this week, she has also brought me dinner.  She told me that as she was already coming to see me, she decided to also bring me dinner.  So every evening she has brought me a delicious home cooked dinner which I have devoured.   Every evening about 7:00 Donna comes over to check my levels.  Then she brings me a tray with my dinner.  And we have a short visit.  Last evening, her daughter Anne Avery came too which I enjoyed too.  

Portia always sets out food for my dinner when she leaves at 2:00  But nothing is as good as eating home cooked dinners from my neighbor.  I am enjoying the cooking.  And I am grateful for my neighbor Donna.  I feel very fortunate.

December 15, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. The Dimmer Switch.

 The dimmer switch caught me again.  Several years ago, shortly after Chantes installed a new overhead light in our bedroom, the light stopped working.  I assumed that a defective light was installed and the light that was supposed to be a long life bulb had already burned out.  So I called Chantes, my handyman..  He asked me to check the dimmer switch, which I did.  I did not even know the new switch had a dimmer switch.  Sure enough, I had inadvertently pushed the dimmer off.  And the light worked.  We moth laughed.

This week, the same light would not work.  But as I was leaving Mississippi, I decided to call Chantes upon my return so I just put up with dim light in the bedroom.  Yesterday afternoon, the light was working.  I asked Portia how she was able to get the light to work and she said that she turned up the dimmer switch.  Duh.  I had forgotten all about that little dimmer switch.  Now that light works just fine.  And I once again am reminded to keep humble.  Now perhaps the next time the light will not work perhaps I will be reminded to push the little button on the side of the switch so I can turn up the dimmer switch.  Or maybe not.

December 14, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. Christmas Cards.

 I actually enjoy writing Christmas cards.  I like to ponder each person and remember how important that person was to me all those years ago.  And I write each person a little note.  But this year will be different because I have no cards.  Christina ordered my cards but they will be delivered the day after I leave.  So I am going to have Christmas in March.  When I return to Mississippi the cards will be waiting for me.  And I write them and send them upon my return.

This will be the first time in my adult life that I will miss sending Christmas cards.  It seems weird.  I am enjoying receiving the cards so far and I feel like shouting out to tell my friends that my cards are coming...later.  I feel sure that folks will think that I have gone to heaven.  But they would be wrong.  I will be in Mexico enjoying the 80 degrees and sunshine.  And sooner or later I will write my cards for Christmas 2022.  And I will mail those cards in March.  I promise.

December 13, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. Getting Organized.

Portia is helping me with all the details.  And we are getting there, ready for me to leave Mississippi for Mexico on Sunday, the 18th.  My two cases are set out on the dining table and bit by bit we are filling them up.  We will be spending over three weeks at the time share in Paradise Village so I must take clothes with me when I arrive.  The first 10 days we will be in a Villa, a lovely large home complete with its own swimming pool.  Then Wendy and Ken and I move into a 2 bedroom unit until we go to Playa Royale on Jan.7.  I am looking forward to the warm air and sunshine.  And the good food. And my Family.

Today I sent the gifts to the San Antonio family.  And we went to the bank.  I never know how much money I need in Mexico.  For some reason I can never remember.  Tomorrow I have an appointment to cut my hair.  I see my primary care physician tomorrow too.  And my Oncologist on Friday.  I have yet to get my medications needed for the three months.  I will need my regular meds, my oral insulin and my chemo.  My numbers are below 200 today so I should be able to take the chemo in Mexico.

So here I am.  Almost all set once again.  The number of details are astonishing.  But with Portia helping, I am getting everything ready. Whew. 

December 12, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. Chemo Therapy.

My Oncologist is upset.  She does not want me to go to Mexico.  And here is the reason.  My new chemo was a big part of my glucose spike which put me in the hospital.   While I was in the hospital and until my levels went down, I took no chemo.  And my glucose levels were under 200.  But Friday night I started the chemo and for a few days, all was well.  My levels stayed under 200, between 150 and 180.  But this morning  the level was higher, at 235.  So we will watch for a day or two and if it stays too high, I will not be able to take that chemo.

The Oncologists problem is that as I am leaving on Sunday, she is not able to start a new chemo which she must monitor as I started the new medication.  I suggested to her that I go to Mexico with no chemo, which does not please her.  But today she admitted that that is what I will probably be doing.  So for the next few days we will watch my levels.  Portia checks first thing in the morning and my neighbor comes and checks in the evening.  

Dr. Sheehan, my Oncologist knows that in 2015 the young Oncologist in Puerto Vallarta administered my infusion therapy and did a fine job.  I just might contact her to see if she is still there.  The Mexican doctor was the first person who told me that breast cancer is a manageable disease.  And she was right.  We have been managing the disease ever since.  So here we ho.  Another adventure.

December 11, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. Canada Geese.

Where I live on the Reservoir, Canada Geese give me only pleasure.   They stay down by the water and if they come on the land,  they never come up to the yard or the decks.  They remain on the banks.   When we lived in the condo, they walked along the walking paths and the parking lots, so walking was difficult.  But not now where I live.  Sometimes when driving to the grocery store I see bunches of them on the fields but never on the roads.  So again, these Canada Geese make no mess for the people.

Instead I hear them honking.  And I like that.  Sometimes I even hear them in the middle of the night when they should be sleeping.  What they are doing in the middle of the night I have no idea.  Mostly I hear them in the morning and evening.  

I know that when the Canada Geese do not migrate and stay in one place they can be a big nuisance.  But here on the banks of the Reservoir these Canada Geese give only pleasure for me.  Pretty Nice.  

December 10, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. Christmas/Birthday Party.

 Every year for many years, early in December I host a party, both for my birthday and to begin the Christmas season.  Every year since we moved to Mississippi, we have had the same party.  We invite our friends and their children.  For the past few years I have held the party at the Yacht Club, just down the street.  The food was so good last year that we decided to repeat the same menu so I had nothing to do except book the date.  Tonight was the night for the party.  It was a great success.

The children are seldom invited to Christmas parties so it is special for them.  One of the pleasures of the evening is to watch the young people growing up so nicely.  I only see them once a year, at this party so it is fun to watch them from across the room.  And of course they always come over to thank me to invite them.  I enjoy the evening.

The food was great.  The company was excellent.  I sat in one place and chatted as folks stopped by to say hello.  A week ago I was in the hospital.  But tonight I hosted the party.  Hats off to the doctors.  

December 9, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. A New Helper.

Both Christin and Portia wanted me to hire another helper for the afternoon shift. so we called the same company, Sitters Inc. to find a helpful person from 3 to 8 plus 9 to 4 on Saturday and Sunday.  So on short notice, they found K.K. a young woman who is also attending Junior College.  The first day, on Monday, she just came to find me and get to know me.  She was supposed to arrive at 3:00.  Instead, she knocked on the door at 3:40.  With no apologies.

I could only think of two tasks she needed to do, which was take my glucose test and serve my dinner, the one Portia had prepared during the morning.  She was clumsy with her hands so the glucose test was difficult for both of us.  But she finally did it.  And she heated and brought me supper.  The rest of the time she sat in the living room and worked on her homework.  Both Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday she was late 20 to 30 minutes.  With no explanations.

Portia had warned her not to talk on the phone at work.  I do not like it.  On Wednesday she got up and went outside.  She was gone 5 minutes with no explanations.  A few minutes later she went outside again but this time she was gone for over 20 minutes.  When I asked her what she was doing she told me she was on the phone to her father.  I reminded her that she was being paid to look after me.  She was not pleased.

Today she did not appear at all.  Portia and I were very late getting home from the Oncologist she Portia was still here when K.K. should have arrived.  So Portia called her to find that she could not come today.  Evidently she contacted the boss Ben.  But he has no record of her call or text.  So I fired her.

My neighbor Donna has kindly agreed to take my glucose test in the afternoon and on the weekend.  And I must look after myself the rest of the time.  A normal person could take the test themselves but not me.  My vision and my shaking makes it impossible for me.  Since March 2018, Sitters Inc. has provided us with excellent helpers, until now.  K.K. was hopeless.  Now she is gone.  Thank you God.

December 8, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. My Health Issues.

 Today I visited a pulmonary lab to be tested.  After an X-ray and the three tests, I met with the doctor in charge.  I passed all the tests.  My X-ray still shows shadows on the lungs, which he said will gradually disappear.  And he reported that after reviewing all my reports from my two doctors, he reported that all parameters of my situation have improved.  And he also urged me to go to Mexico, where the air will be warm and where I can gradually get back in decent shape.  So that was a good visit today.

My situation is complicated.  Poly neuropathy body.  Breast cancer managed by chemo therapy.  High glucose, managed by oral insulin, we hope.  Recent lung in infections, pneumonias and RSV.  Unstable legs so I must use a walker 100% of the time.  High heart rate, although it is going down, but not yet normal.  I am feeling better.  I am sleeping with no sleeping pills. I still cough but not much.   So I am clearly on the mend.

The good part of my recent illness is that I have lost weight.  As we know, something good happens in every situation.  Whoopee.  I have lost weight.

December 7, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. My Birthday.

Yesterday was my birthday.  I turned 85.  My Grandmother Bought lived to be 95.  My Brother Dave is 90.  But I am the oldest person other than those two who ever got to be so old.  Amazing really to have lived so long.  I like being old, despite my health issues.

My birthday was pleasant even though I did nothing fancy.  My neighbor Donna brought lunch and we sat in the living room and enjoyed our good food from Arbys.  And we always enjoy each others company.  Beautiful flowers arrived from Suzanne and David, just in time for lunch.  I talked on the phone with family and friends.  And I read my birthday texts and e mails. So I had a quiet but pleasant day on my 85th birthday.  Quiet but pleasant can not really get much better.

Today, Linda, Christinas mother brought me lunch and again we enjoyed sitting in the living room enjoying our good food and good company.  Extended celebrations are always the best so today I celebrated my birthday with Linda.   On Saturday night I will host a Christmas party at the Yacht Club just down the road.  Again, I will celebrate my birthday.  Pretty nice.  

December 6, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. My Private Room.

 My room at the hospital was just fine.  Most importantly was that I had a private room.  It had a couch, a recliner and my hospital bed.  And I had my own bathroom.   Of course I was always hooked to an IV so I was mostly stuck in bed.  Right beside my bed was a commode chair so I could use the toilet all by myself.  And I had a good television with lots of channels.  Mostly I rested in bed, except for meal time when I sat in the big chair.  As I did not have a walker with me, I needed to get to the chair with some help with a nurse or helper.  I could function well in my little private room.

My room also had an outside vestibule so anyone entering my room first has to enter the outside room, then come right into the room.  The first night in the hospital was busy.  Lots of tests.  lots of shots.  And me not sleeping at all.  They drew blood four times the first 12 hours.  Vital signs every few hours.  It was a busy place, my own private room.  

So I listened carefully.  My room was quiet with two doors between me and the hall.  But I could hear the outside click of the door.  Then I could heat the door opening right into the room.  Several times throughout the night, my door opened and quickly closed.  The next morning early, I asked what that door opening and closing was all about.  Evidently, she told me that an aide must enter each room to check that all is well.  They are supposed to enter the room, walk over to  the patient to check.  Butt in my room the person never entered my room.  They opened and closed the door.  The nurse assured me that the worker did look at me.  But they never did.  I just laughed and suggested that they needed to check their system.

December 5, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. Opps. My Pants Fell Down.

I arrive at the hospital wearing a pair of Depenz.  So of course it was put into the trash.   In my private room, I had a commode chair right beside my bed and I wore only a hospital gown in bed where I spent the bunk of my time.  For meals I sat on a chair but a bed pad was put on the chair.  But coming home, I had no underwear.  I was wearing a night shirt and robe.  So we asked for underwear.

The nurse gave me a pair that had no elastic but had snaps.  She hooked me up and we thought all was well.  However, when I transferred to the car from the wheelchair my new pants fell right down to my ankles.  Christina was at the wheel and was laughing.  I was trying to extricate my feet from the underwear and was laughing.  The nurse was the only one who did not think it was funny.  Of course, she was trying to be sure I did not fall so she was afraid to help with my underwear around my feet.  Eventually I was able to kick my feet away from my pants.  And Christina and I drove home with my underwear on my lap.

Of course, The car was at the main entrance of the hospital with lots of comings and goings.  Which made the whole scene even funnier.  You just never know what will happen next in a hospital.

December 4, 2022. Madison, Mississippi. The Hospital.

 I had never been so weary.  Since I came home to Mississippi I slowly got weaker and weaker.  Ultimately, it turned out to be a combination of a lung infection and a new chemo therapy which sent my glucose levels soaring.  So on Thursday my Geriatric specialist admitted me to the University Hospital to try to figure out what was the matter and then to fix it.  now this afternoon I am home and I hope I will soon be fit as a fiddle.

My heart rate was high.  I was urinating all the time.  I was weak as a kitten.  I was loaded with tests and fluids.  My numbers were high 12 on the A scale and 375 on the glucose level.  The gave me insulin.  And I was treated well by my doctor and the Resident Doctor.  The first day I could do nothing but rest but by Saturday I was up to television and football, which is a good sign.

Now I am on oral insulin and must prick my finger twice a day to check levels.  Already my numbers are 159.  And my heart rate 98.  For the moment I am not using the new oral chemo, at least until my numbers settle down.  I am sorry not to have written my blog but I was too weary to do anything much except rest.  Now I am on the mend.  With good medical care and a fine staff of nurses, I  will bit by bit get back my stamina.  Slow and steady is what I am reminding myself.  And thank you for your love and concerns.