Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 12:11 pm on April 23, 2021 Permalink  

  A Celebration Day 

  After thinking long and hard and with having worked hard on PT, I had made an appointment for this morning to have the Foley catheter removed by the nurses at the clinic.  Dr. Eatwell had made it possible on the stipulation that I had to be able to self cath before I left the clinic.  He said to plan to stay as long as necessary.  If I was not able to self cath a new Foley would have to be put in.  His reasoning . . . easier to do it at three in the afternoon than three in the morning hours.  The memory in my brain of the fifteen years of doing self cathing was still right there when I needed it.  Perhaps not the smoothest elocution, but that will improve.  A celebration after two long months.  Tonight when I retire to my beloved bed, I no longer will be tethered. 

  Yesterday at the dentist’s clinic, we now have the impressions done for the both of us.  Moving right long.  Towards the end of next week, we will have the extractions.  I am on board for Wednesday and Dennis on Friday with temporary items in our mouths when we each leave.  A new experience and we will take it one step at a time.  Praise be!

  We have to pinch ourselves and continually send petitions of thanks to our Lord God.  Each day we are making steps, some smaller than others to recovery and working towards better health.  It all works as we meet each day together, knowing how much support we have from family in their prayers and thoughts.

   
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  Noreen 7:06 am on April 22, 2021 Permalink  

  The Need to be Flexible 

  What am I doing up and posting before eight n the morning!

  The older ones on Stauffer Avenue need to be flexible.

  Our trip to Mankato had several stops.  The CPAP machine for Dennis needed to be picked up after it had been sent in for repair and the provided rental returned.  We had dental appointments yesterday as well in Mankato. 

  I had lost the tooth that my bottom partial hooked onto.  There was no way that could be ignored.  Dennis had also lost two teeth on the bottom putting his partial less than effective.  The end result was repairs required.  Dennis had gone first and when I found out the plan for the two of us I set about getting our project going with the dental clinic.  I allowed them to know that most likely I would have a surgery pending for the later part of May and it would be wonderful to have both Dennis and I completed with dental trips while I would be recovering.  Wow.

  This morning Dennis and I will be at our family clinic to have our doctor sign off for Dennis to have some teeth pulled to allow for a new partial as he is on warfarin, a blood thinner.  There will ensue a schedule as to when he needs to stop taking the medication.  

  Because of my surgical process coming up at the end of May, we will be back in Mankato this afternoon to have impressions taken for each of us getting new partials. The dental clinic had no problem fast forwarding our process considering the situation.  All follow up appointments will be taken care of long before the next event for us. That was amazing.  

  This is more excitement in two days than we are used to.  It also feels wonderful to get this taken care of now while there is nothing on the current time line.

  Being flexible helps to take care of what is needed.  Thanks be to my Lord to allow me to see the goal and act accordingly.

  Our day is full and tomorrow we can take it the way the day and weekend play out.

   
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  Noreen 8:11 am on April 21, 2021 Permalink  

  Being Diligent 

  I believe I can see in myself that as I have had a few birthdays added on, the importance of due diligence.  There is no reward of putting things off.  It niggles at the back of the brain and can haunt.

  Yesterday, Carrie came to visit and I believe also to see how we were doing, her ole mom in particular.  With the stroke that came out of nowhere, there became a crack in my shield that spilled out some vulnerabilities.  I blame that on the laceration on my butt check when I fell against the cabinet pull during the stroke.  Yup . . . vulnerabilities.

  As we shared lunch, we visited in regard to spring clothing.  Carrie had pulled clothing together for me when it was time for me to leave the hospital.  How could she not see that my closet was a bit disorganized.  Due diligence . . . not!

  By the end of yesterday there had not been a sock or a pair of underwear that had not been moved.  It was like an episode of the television show “Hoarders” . . . save, donate or throw.  What a great task completed.  My place was on a chair.  I would have been wore out after the first round of drawers.  Dennis stuck his head in once in awhile to check in and take out two totes that were no longer needed. 

  Now, standing in the doorway of the closet . . . I know what I have and where it is.  Anything above the clothing rods had been taken care of a year ago when Kevin had put shelves up to store quilts.  I have a tricked out closet.  Whew!

  I slept hard last night and there was nothing more welcoming this morning than the bright sun.  Ya, it’s chilly out, but that also shall pass.  Today, Dennis and I are both going to the dentist.  Due diligence is not to be put off when it comes to that which can impact our health.  Hmm, getting ready, I found my underwear immediately.

   
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  Noreen 3:56 pm on April 20, 2021 Permalink  

  Company 

  We had company this morning and it was so unexpected as how the day went.  By mid afternoon when the company left, I was ready to sit down and take it easy.

  Thanks be to God for such good days.  

   
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  Noreen 3:21 pm on April 19, 2021 Permalink  

  God’s Grace 

  Each morning I pray to live in God’s grace.  With my impatient nature, I need it throughout the day.  Dennis can’t read my mind in regard to what I may need assist in or on.  Choose my words and tone carefully and all will work out to His glory.  Tough, but doable.

  My gosh, having it feel like 18 degrees this morning, I did walk the drive and the patios for a brisk intake of fresh air if only long enough to take in our acre and front yard looking great after the haircut it had gotten yesterday.  Well done . . . older ones on Stauffer Avenue.  The winds were enough to make me walk a bit faster with my companion cane.

  I was content giving the kitchen and bathroom some TLC.  Get the local effort done before going to the grocery store.  I had my grocery list ready to go and then I looked in the freshly-cleaned bathroom mirror.  I have a lot of hair, but they are fine and hard to control on a quiet day, let alone a windy day.  I brushed as best I could and was going to apply a bit of hair spray.  Fingers on the left hand couldn’t budge the ignition button let alone hold the can.  The right hand was in charge of spraying all around the head.  The right side of my head is like a helmet.  Let me just say the hair of the eyebrow on the left side of my head can take on hurricane force winds and not budge, while the actual hair on my head on that side didn’t get any spray at all.  That’s okay, the  grocery store still took my money regardless of the new hairstyle I was sporting.

  It is the smallest of items that I realize were taken for granted.  Yes, pushing the button on spray cans is right up there with the wire twists on a loaf of bread.

  Let’s hear it for a good day!

   
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  Noreen 2:50 pm on April 18, 2021 Permalink  

  Tag Team 101 

  Even with the wind from the northwest, I could hear our Sear’s rider mower in the far north portion of our acre this early forenoon.  It drove home the point that Dennis was in the mowing mood.  First time for the 2021 year.  As spring has taken its time being fully on board, every height of grass could be seen in an uneven patch of green.  When I took a closer look, my push mower was sitting by the garage door. After lunch Dennis proposed a tag team event on the front lawn and also the grass on the north side of the house . . . which is minimal.

  Dennis and I would each take a round and shut the mower off.  It may have taken us longer for the 25′ x 25′ front lawn than the remaining acre.  The time did not matter as neither one of us felt fatigued.  It was good PT.  I sat on the patio as Dennis used the Cub-Lo-Boy to finish our far yard up and also do neighbor Edna’s yard.  Edna just had her 92nd birthday.  

  We had waited a long time for such a perfect day to enjoy being outside.  Spring came slowly and today hit all the marks.  Tag Team 101 nailed it!  Sweet.

   
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  Noreen 3:22 pm on April 17, 2021 Permalink  

  Self Satisfaction 

  I can’t put a price on self satisfaction.  Doing for myself is better than any pill or prescription.  Once the three living room windows had been freshened up, complete with a changeout of valences, I knew the rest of the living room needed a once-over.  

  Out came my small vac off of the attic steps. Dennis was on hand to move all the furniture into the center of the room and I could work at my own pace.  With a bag of various attachments, the rest of the day fell into place.  I don’t mind taking multiple breaks.  It is a treat knowing that I can mange my home’s needs.  I don’t have any problem asking for help in reaching when it takes both arms.  The left arm is gaining strength and the left hand fingers have come a long way being team players.  Sweet! 

  Dennis took over to vac out the lint trap in the clothes dryer inside as well as on the outside of the house.  Damp lint can really stick to surfaces.  I can attest to how hot the next load brings the temp of the clothes to.  Warding off a dryer fire . . . got it done.

  I have the remains of last night’s oven dish out of the refrigerator so we can each decide how much to microwave for supper.   

  Saturday nights I enjoy several mystery shows on PBS.  After my shower, the challenge will be not checking my eyelids for cracks, aka: napping.  I had a great workout today.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring!

   
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  Noreen 2:28 pm on April 16, 2021 Permalink  

  The Week Flew 

  Even with sub-par spring weather, time does not stand still.  I had nothing on my plate while Dennis was on the docket for an eye injection at the clinic here in town.

  For cool temps an oven meal seemed to be what was the best.  I took out a packet of frozen white chicken meat that was pared out from a rotisserie chicken we had enjoyed last week.  I like to sneak in veggies that are not on Dennis’ favorite list.  Today I quartered frozen Brussel Sprouts to add to the pasta, chicken and Alfredo sauce.  It will be enjoyed this evening and perhaps a few more.  We also threw in some cubed cream cheese while the pasta was hot.  It puts such a great coating onto the pasta.

  My plan for the afternoon was to tackle one of the three living room windows.  Not to do the exterior tip in job as Dennis likes to wash off the outside of winter’s dirt storms.  The forever window screens can hold a huge amount of dirt. One window a day is enough.  We have a great kitchen stool with just enough height to get the curtain and the rod onto the brackets.

  Not to worry, all prescribed exercise moves were fulfilled today.  A good feeling.

  My hope is that the weekend can be a strong-end for every one.

   
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  Noreen 2:39 pm on April 15, 2021 Permalink  

  Sweet Life on Stauffer 

  Life is quite sweet.  Oh Yes! It can be quite different each day but we at least have the day.

  PT is going well.  All is working within this ole body . . . just not as smoothly as I would like.  Just not with the strength that I would like.  Do you get it?  I am an impatient person.  Dah!  I have all the tools I need to work on recovery.  Next week, there are no appointments with me for PT.  I will have this time to do whatever I can, however often I can to build and restore functionality to the Me I want to be.  The remaining schedule for the week after next is in place, ready for me to return for check in.

  Yup, life is sweet.  I can do all I did before, perhaps just a bit differently and in a different time-line.

   
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  Noreen 2:09 pm on April 14, 2021 Permalink  

  The Real World 

  Each day the ultimate is that we awake and have a fairly positive attitude about what the day may bring.  Sometimes the real world is determined to have its way with us and there is no trying to sugar coat it.

  Last night when I went to bed, I thought were it not for the Foley catheter that has to be within three feet of my right thigh, where it is attached, I could roll over and lay on my right side during the night.  As it were, where the catheter hangs, going over my left leg, I need to stay on my left side during the night.  Hmm.

  Yup . . . I had indeed rolled over onto my right side during my sleep and the catheter coupling had detached from stretching it beyond what it could.  I knew when last I had awoke at 4 a.m. all was good.  Whatever I had voided sometime from four until seven . . .  I was in a wet bed.  It will surely get you up and at ’em in a hurry.

  By noon all was back to normal . . . me and the bed.  Angst over with.  I am sure tonight, in my slumber, my subconscious will have me sleeping like a mummy.  

  In recovery that brings unusual circumstances, like wearing a catheter while getting physical strength back from a stroke . . . life happens and it is dealt with.  Ever so humble, it is all doable.  There was more good during the day that ensued than not.