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The Road of Life Twists and Turns......................... Part 8 of 8

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Posted 10/21/2011 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you're having a good flight, Kitt.
I wish I could be here more. I try to read every evening what's been posted for the day, but my typing is limited still. Cranky hands...

I love you all and hate being away so much.

PS. No news yet on my niece.
Posted 10/23/2011 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Kitt smurf , Bill wink , Joy scool , Sandi tongue , and all my other Forum Friends yeah !!

Sorry I've been AWOL...I've been dealing with a bum leg, and sitting at the computer has been really difficult.  I was visiting a lovely NY State Park--Letchworth--"The Grand Canyon of the East", and had a little accident that left me on the couch with an elevated leg and restricted activity for a couple of weeks.  I couldn't even babysit! shakehead

I was getting out of the car to stake out a picnic table, and didn't clear the door before closing it.  My shin got nailed on the bottom corner of the door, and it made a deep gash about 4 inches long and maybe 3/4 of an inch deep.  It was nasty.  I have very thin skin and fragile tissue because of all the steroids I used to keep my lungs functional before having my Nissen (Wish I'd had it done 4 years earlier), so it something hits my skin it doesn't get any resistance at all.

I stopped the bleeding myself--I always carry bandaids, etc. because of my problem, and a park police came to apply additional first aid.  There was an accident report and all...even thought it was my own stupidity and clumsiness that made it happen.  The park even called about a week later to make sure I was okay. 

I called my daughter in law who is a plastic surgery PA, and she told me to come to her house...she treated and stitched it on her kitchen floor!  Of course she had to take a picture to send to my son who was coming home from a football game!

Anyway, it's doing better now.  So here I am.

Sandi,

Sorry to hear that you've been having heart trouble.  You make me think of my mom, who had a very similar situation when she was about our age, and also ended up with a pacemaker.  If I remember correctly, her heart rate raced (I also know it was irregular at times), and they gave her meds to slow it down, then it went too slow.  So to keep things regular, they medicated her and put a pacemaker in to get things going when her heart rate went too slowly.  At least that's what I'm remembering... turn

Kitt,

I hope you're having fun on your trip!  Enjoy every moment.

Joy,

I hope you're feeling better, and your class is behaving for you! tongue

Bill,

I'm sure you're chomping at the bit to get yourself out in the woods to hunt!  Just take it easy and don't push yourself too much! :-)

Take care one and all...

Denise turn

Posted 10/23/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Ouch, Denise! My grandma had very fragile skin like that due to all the medications the doctors gave her for her asthma. I remember her walking around with large bandaids everywhere.
My mother has a condition know as MDS. Her kidneys don't make enough procrit and her white blood cells drop low. If she bumps into anything she bleeds under the skin. Her arms are covered in bloody bruises.

Take it easy and rest that leg.

I flew solo Friday with the class. My para-pro was out having a mole removed. They did very well for me and we had a good day. We have a field trip planned for Tuesday to a pumpkin farm. I'm a little worried about too much sun, but I'm hoping to get through without getting ill.
Posted 10/23/2011 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Joy,

The dermatologist has told me that with the steroid effect, I have the skin of a 90 year old.  Nice thought, huh?  My skin also bruises for the same reason.  When I get a bruise, then my skin de-laminates and it tears even more easily.  Sometimes, like your mom, my arms are covered with ugly bruises--especially when I have a big task I'm doing, like packing boxes.  When we moved I was constantly tearing my skin on the sharp edges of cardboard boxes.

Have you looked into SPF protective clothing?  I'm sure you have a wide-brimmed hat.  Is it the heat, or the actual sunshine that does it to you?

I do hope you'll be able to enjoy the pumpkin farm!

Take care,

Denise

Posted 10/23/2011 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
I use a heavy sunscreen, a sun shirt, a sun hat, sunglasses, and a large sunbrella. It's the UV rays that make me ill. I'm even sensitive to fluorescent lighting. My principal had special UV blocking shades placed in my classroom for me.
Posted 10/24/2011 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy,

You don't live in the ideal climate for a sensitivity to sun!  You ought to move up into our neck of the woods!  You'd have plenty of cloudy days! 

I do hope you can enjoy your field trip.  Hey, if you think it will be too hard on you, take a sick day and let a sub take the kids.  When my lungs were so bad before my surgery, I did that.  We had a spring visit to a nature center and I was worried that my allergic asthma would add to my lung issues, so I just let someone else take the kids to the woods.  My TA (para) was there, so she took the lead for me.

You are needed in the classroom, and if a trip to the pumpkin farm will set back your health, I'm sure your administrator would rather see you miss it. 

That said, if you do go, ENJOY!

Denise

Posted 10/24/2011 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Denise-
Ouch!!! Glad you got it taken care of.

I am getting very antsy to get to the woods, but am waiting another week or so.

Joy- Definitely be careful on your field trip. Should be fun though.

My sleep issues have come back again the last few nights. The seroquel I take for sleep isn't working anymore.

Take care,
Bill devil
Posted 10/24/2011 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Friends and HealingWell Family

I have actually had a pretty good weekend. I have been a bit short of breath and I have had to get a supply of Smoothie Tums in due to taking 325mg of Ecotrin a day (doc doesn't want to have to put me on a blood thinner like coumadin or warfarin). The Ecotrin has been bothering my stomach. I am glad I realized that it was the Ecotrin bothering my tummy. I am hoping that I won't have to take it after my pacer is put in. I am hoping that once they put in the pacer that the atrial fibrillation will stop, I do not look forward to having to go back over to the coast and have my heart shocked into rhythm.
I do want to thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. It makes me feel so warm and comfortable.

DENISE

I am so sorry you had such a painful mishap. My mother also had a pacer put in due to a slow heart rate. And she also had a problem with tissue thin skin because of all the steroids that the docs gave her for her lung issues, emphysema and COPD to name 2. So I am familiar with the issues involved with bumping or scratching. I am so sorry that you have to deal with this. I was forever patching or bandaging Mom's scratches with antibiotic ointment. We had to be very careful of her with the cat.. it would scratch or bite her playing and twice she got cat scratch fever because the skin was broken. Please take care of your self and do not take the chance of getting an infection. I will be sending out healing vibes for you and I hope you can get back to baby sitting soon.. I know you do love that baby..

JOY

Please take care in whatever you decide to do about you field trip. I hope you are on the road to well being after your stretch of recent issues. I am happy to be hearing from you again..

BILL

I too know that you are just chomping at the bit waiting for the day, the hour, the minute that you can be out in that tree stand at pre-dawn waiting for that 12 pointer to com close enough to nail... I am married to a former hunter. He gave it up when we moved here to Florida. We started Bass and Crappie fishing instead. Good trade I think.. You don't fish on Okeechobee at sunrise.. the best time to fish for Bass on the Rim Canal is about 4 in the afternoon.. flip those worms on to the bank and wait for it.. such a rush when you feel that tap then tug then the line goes taught and you have a fight on your hands.. ahhhh to fish for Bass on Okeechobee... oh well I am a bit off the subject which was you and Hunting for Bambi.. ;-) grin I like the backstrap BBQ'd.. ahem oh well.. I hope you get out there soon.. Have a good time.

SKITT

I do hope you are having the time of your life.. enjoy your self and bring back some wonderful memories and stories to tell us...

ASHLEY

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers, I can never have too many of them... I do hope you are doing well and we will be hearing from you often..

Reach for the Sunshine... Rainbows will follow

SANDI
Posted 10/24/2011 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
Sandi-
Oh how I long for the days I could spend on the lake or river fishing. When I was in the Navy, and prior to, I fished all spring and summer and then hunted the fall and winter. Then the softball started.......I am lucky to go fishing once or twice a year now and usually only get in the woods to hunt once or twice in Oct. softball is pretty much done come Nov. besides practice.

I wouldn't trade the time I have gotten to spend with my kids for nothing though. Returning to base/softball as a coach was the best decision I have made.

Anyway,,,hope you are able to keep the stomach issues at bay until you get the pacer.


Take care,
Bill devil
Posted 10/25/2011 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sandi,

My family doc also took care of my mother, and he told me once that he's just waiting for me to start having the same heart-rate issues that she had.  (Nice, huh?)  I guess he sees quite a lot of similarities in us, and expects more to appear.  I sure hope not, but if it does, I'll deal with it.  That's what we do, right?

This week I'll be back to babysitting our little cherub.  He is turning one year old on Nov. 13, so we'll be having a very special celebration soon.  His personality is really popping out.  He's so good natured and cheery.  What a joy!

Thanks for your good wishes!

Bill,

I'm happy to hear that you're doing so well with your recovery.  I'm glad you get to spend time with your daughter and her softball team.  The time flies by so fast...you won't even believe it.  My husband was very involved in our sons' sports.  He coached their baseball and basketball teams.  Now my older son is a JV basketball coach in a local high school, so instead of watching him play, we're watching him coach, and cheering on his team.  We're at every game and love every moment.  It's fun to watch him interact with his team.

Hi Joy and Kitt!  Janice, are you out there?

Enjoy your week, one and all!

Denise

Posted 10/25/2011 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Denise-

I was just thinking the other night that I only have less than 2 years of coaching her. Hopefully by this time in 2013 she will be on a full ride at college. I can't believe how many colleges have sent her invitations to come to their winter camps this year. Some div. 1 JUCO and some regulat Div. 1 colleges.
Right now she has a plan of attending Kaneland JUCO for a year or 2 if she doesn't decide on a major very soon. They have a huge success rate at placing players at Div. 1 colleges after their freshman year.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 10/25/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Bill - you sound like a proud Dad, good for you.my daughter is 2 and A half in Dec. Time has flown by. I cant imagine her going to university. She was why I had the op, to be able to lie on the floor and play with her is so very speciAl now.

Denise- you were so kind to me in my eArly days post op, thank you. How is the leg???

Sandi how are you doing? It's really kind of you to keep checking on everyone. I hope you have some treats lined up, be it a good book or movies or whatever. Just wanted to say hi.

Hope everyone is ok

Kevin
Posted 10/25/2011 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kevin,

I was glad to help!  Members here helped me when I was in need, and I wanted to do the same for others.  My leg is much better, thanks.  I had the stitches out, and still have some healing to do, but it's much, much better than it was.  Thanks for asking!

I'm so glad you can play with your daughter now!  I have a grandson who turns a year old on Nov. 13th, and I know how much you want to get down on the floor and play with her.  I was definitely worth the surgery for just that reason!  Enjoy her...she will grow up too fast! turn

Hi Bill,

I think the JUCO is a great idea.  It's a lot cheaper and will give her a head start on her softball carreer in a smaller setting.  If she really wants to go D-1, she'll need that.  The competetion and expectations are very high.  Actually, D-2 and 3 are pretty much at that level now as well.  It'll give her a head start academically as well.  Enjoy every moment!  I'm sure you will!

Take care,

Denise

Posted 10/25/2011 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Kevin

Thank you so much for your kind words. I try to treat everyone how I wish to be treated.. And I can honestly say that I love this forum and the people here. They have become my "family". They understand my ups and downs and will listen to me when I know everyone here in "real time" are tired of hearing it.... you know what I mean??

I am so pleased to hear that you are having a good experience since your surgery, the ability to share quality time with our children is a memory that will stay with you always.Cherish her as a child because she will be grown and gone to college before you can blink.. that is what my only daughter did to me. I have 2 sons also and they stayed closer to home at first.. No matter what age, they will always be your babies.

Bill

You sound like a very loving, involved father... Your children are very fortunate to have you and your wife! Don't look at it as only having 2 years left to coach.. you have a lifetime left to watch your children grow into new roles. Revel in it..

Denise

YEAH! Back to spending time with that precious little one. I too was greatly anticipating my little girls 1st birthday.. I was fortunate to be able to be there in Nashville for the party.. It was awesome... They are totally blossoming into little people.. Drink in the good times.. memories are so precious.
I too have the same doctor that my Mom had for the last 15 years she lived and he has said that he can see so much of my mother in me. My cardiologist was my Moms doctor too. So I can relate to your situation.

Kitt and Joy

I do hope you are doing well.. we will be waiting for your updates...

All of my Friends..

I do hope you are all having the best of times.. and feeling well!!

Reach for the Sunshine... Rainbows will follow

Sandi tongue yeah turn tongue yeah turn
Posted 10/26/2011 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
Kevin-

Oh man....I sure miss those early years. cherish them with memories and lots of pictures if you can. My wife is now hoping for grand babies from our 20y/o son. I hope to have some running around here too fairly soon.

Denise-

Kaneland actually only plays D-1 schools in the fall and try to play a couple schools who were in the college world series this spring. They finished 5th in the nation last year. They are very strict on academics too. She was thinking of this route so she can get some of the base classes in while deciding what to major in. then she can decide which school will be best for her major. She doesn't care if they are D-1,2,or 3 as long as she gets a good ride and they have the classes she needs.
She is leaning towards some type of biology major right now. I wouldn't even mind seeing her get into wildlife conservation. They are highing more women for this lately and she loves the outdoors and animals to boot.


Sandi-

I have tried to be as involved as I could with both kids. My father passed away when I was 10 and made sure my kids had what I didn't growing up. It has made my daughter and I very close. Kind of funny....we will argue something about ball and my wife will try to intervene and me and the daughter will tell her to butt out at the same time. LOL! There is no doubt she is Daddy's girl.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 10/26/2011 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hey y'all....Kitt is home again.


Kitt- hope you had a wonderful time on your trip!


Take care,
Bill devil
Posted 10/26/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome,  I am home and to read all of your posts makes me feel like I am truly home where I belong.

I promise to post a complete update however today we are having a new patio door installed so I have to get out of the house or go a bit mad.

My trip = *****, AAAAAs and all that is good in the world for 5 wonderful days.  My son, my granddaughter and my greatgranddaughters were hugs and kissess and made me realize how blessed I am.

Love ya all,

Kitt

Posted 10/26/2011 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi friends!

Well, Swedish test is over (I'm sure I passed, which is good since it is a required class for graduation) and I've been thrown back into Finnish. I feel pretty comfortable with the level - it's enough so that I understand - but I'm still learning tons, which makes me happy. Hubby and I are preparing for the long, hard Finnish winter. Luckily, my Mom just visited us about a month ago and supplied us with much-needed winter clothes.

Kitt, I'm glad to hear your trip went well. Can't wait to hear all about it!

Denise, happy to hear your stitches are out! No fun. But how cool that your PA DIL could take care of that for you! Enjoy your little one... how special.

Bill, how nice that you take life's lessons and turn them into positive experiences for your kids. So much better than turning bitter! Good for you and your family.

Sandi, you're all welcome to my good thoughts. I think about the forum every day and always hope everyone is doing well. Treating others like you'd like to be treated is also a personal philosophy of mine. I appreciate how you (and all the other wise ones on the forum) apply it :)

Everyone else, I hope you're having a great week!

Love to all,
Ashley
Posted 10/27/2011 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Great to hear you had fun, Kitt. I always love it when you leave a relative and want to go back again as soon possible. That's a good visit!
I have some relatives that when they leave I'm like "Thank goodness they're gone!" :))

Everyone sounds like things are going smoothly with them.

My field trip was great fun, but I am suffering from it some. My back went out due to all of the hill climbing and walking we did. Because I wasn't fully protected from the sun due to the fact I had to use a regular umbrella instead of my large sunbrella I've got an itchy scalp breakout. There's a ton of small bumps all over my scalp.
Oh, well!
Posted 10/27/2011 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy,

Sometimes the discomfort is worth it for the fun...glad to hear you enjoyed your day.  Now just take care of that scalp and get it feeling better.  You may be joining me at PT!  I've got lots of exercises to do now, and my back of much better.

Kitt,

I'm so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time visiting with your Oregon (right?) family.  How wonderful to be able to spend time with and enjoy your granddaughter and (WOW) great-granddaughters!  Lucky you! 

Ashley,

Congratulations on getting that Swedish test out of the way.  Is the language similar to Finnish?  How long have you lived in Finland?  What took you there?  Do you ever get back to the states?  How cool is the Internet...we can make friends with people all over the world. turn

Bill,

Kaneland sounds like the PERFECT place for your daughter.  Is it close to your home?  That would be another benefit...you could still easily go see her play!  It sounds like a great plan.

Sandi,

Yes, it is wonderful to be back at our babysitting job.  Our little guy came yesterday and will be here again tomorrow.  He fills my heart with such joy!  He is very good-natured and is really coming into his own.  I'm filing all the memories we're making...hopefully I'll be able to locate those memories in this old brain when I want them!

Best wishes to one and all!

Denise

 

Posted 10/27/2011 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Denise!

I do love this computer contraption! It really is amazing.

Swedish is actually quite similar to English. Finnish is the wild one, almost no cognates and a grammar system that has made me want to run back home to America more than once, lemme tell you!

We have lived in Finland for just over a year now. My husband is Finnish and we came here on our honeymoon. I've always wanted to live in Europe and learn a foreign language, though admittedly Finland/Finnish weren't my first choices. Luckily I gave it a chance and I really couldn't be happier here. We will visit home for the first time in almost two years this coming May! I'm very excited smilewinkgrin

If anyone feels like visiting, we have a fridge full of trigger-free foods and an amazing sofa bed!

Love to all, and I hope we're all feeling well!
Ashley

PS - Joy, I hope your back feels better soon! I admire how devoted you are to your kids. They're lucky to have you!
Posted 10/27/2011 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone!

I just wanted to post to say thank you to all of you for being here to help me through this challenging time in my life. It's so amazing to have a support resource such as this to come to. I lurk around the forum most days just reading others' experiences, suggestions, etc. It really does help. I always try to educate myself re: my health and be proactive etc. This forum has really helped me to make sure I have dotted my "i"'s and crossed my "t"'s before going to see the gastro doc and getting certain tests done.

It's also very kind of those of you who have had the Nissen surgery and are doing WELL to actually remain part of the forum to give support and encouragement to those who are still on the other side struggling. Too often i've come to the internet to search for support and google the GERD topic only to read negative, scary posts on the topic which only serves to make me feel even worse. I have to remember that for every negative post on management of symptoms, Nissen surgery, etc there has got to be 5 or more positive ones. After all, GERD is becoming more and more common everyday. How lucky we are to have PPI's to treat it when years ago, your best bet would have been Tums or maybe a Zantac or two :)

I thank God for you guys everyday. I think of you as my GERD angels

Take care,
Liz
Posted 10/28/2011 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Joy-
Yes Kaneland is close to home. It's only about 2 hours away. She really7 would like to go to Tennessee for college and play softball. That would be perfect for us all since we are planning on moving back there to live in the mountains again. She would only be a couple hours away from us then too.
Sure seems like everytime we find something enjoyable it ends up costing us something doesn't it. Glad you had fun with the children though.

Liz-I believe you are right about how many positive experiences there are for every negative one when it comes to this surgery. Most probably never post anything since there is nothing to be upset about.


Take care,
Bill
Posted 10/28/2011 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Send her to UGA, Bill. They have a good ball team.
Posted 10/28/2011 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Joy-

Yes they do. All the SEC teams are good, but she has always wanted to play for U of T.


Bill
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