Life In General

At times, I've had to step back and evaluate my life. Usually I hate doing it. Lately, I have been made to realize once again that when life seems on an even keel, we need to enjoy every second of every day because that "EVEN KEEL" can quickly change.

"The hurricanes" of life can be messy and require a lot of energy to keep up. My latest adventure at Hospital Land reminds me how mortal we can be.  Any locals immediately hear Cancer when Moffitt Hospital is mentioned. It is in Tampa and has a great reputation for the strides made in fighting all types of cancer.

At her latest checkup at Moffitt, Vicki's tests showed 8 tumors in her lungs. She just had a large tumor and kidney removed a few months ago.  She seemed to be cancer free.  And, here we go again. Her attitude is positive, and upbeat. She has to have 4 days of intense chemo - August 5-8; a week and half off and back for another bout.

As I cry out to God, I beg for mercy and favor on Vicki's behalf.  And, the WHY comes to mind. God, what are you thinking? No one on this earth deserves God's mercy more than Vicki. She has always been my hero. She is the first person to help when it's needed. She's a Godly, Christian woman of faith who has impacted so many lives. I can hardly bear this HEAVY news. She does not deserve this, in earthly understanding. I also know she believes God is still in control. Please pray God's will.

Life is so short.

WAHOO

Another good Dr. report today. PTINR 2.1; BP 130/67; oxygen 97. I have to wear a monitor in a few weeks; just another testing. I have another Dr. appt. next Tuesday. You would think with all the blood work done in the hospital, they wouldn't need any more blood. Ah, but not so! I have to have another set of blood tests.

REALLY! What do they do with all that blood they don't use? I've given up enough to start my own blood bank. I think it's a conspiracy!  It's being stored somewhere until they run out of fossil fuel. By then, someone will have discovered a way to harness blood. Amazing, isn't it!

I'm also devising a way to print new bumper stickers or t-shirts. "I support the AMA." Or, "It seemed like a good idea at the time." Does this t-shirt make me look fat? ". Who knows. I could be the next designer. What next? Designer plates?

REST

Once again, Ween and I have been given the assignment of holding down the bed. I, personally, have a PHD in bed holding, that's why I'm so good at it.

Good report from my dr yesterday. BP 134/70. PTINR 2.2 (anything between 2-3 is ok.) Oxygen 97% w/out oxygen all afternoon.  It had been dropping drastically w/o the tank, and it didn't yesterday. So, I'm hanging in there. Julie and Mary both are working on my food intake and watching everything.

Julie took me to dr yesterday. She also fixed lunch Chicken and quinoa (like rice only more nutritious).

Bed Rest

The joy of staying in bed, doing very little except eating, drinking and having people wait on you seems ideal. It might be. And, maybe if there was a beach outside, it might be MORE exciting. It's not all its cracked up to be.  I love my iPad, my cell phone, and TV, yet even that gets old quickly.  I have a drs appt on Thursday. MAYBE, just MAYBE he will release me to do more activities. I hope.

My friends Ruth and Jim are stopping by on their way to some meetings.  They are also bringing dinner.  I keep saying I have the best friends, and it's so true.  I can hardly wait to see them and have them see the new house.

Hollis decorations for the house are phenomenal. She has such a "God-given talent." She has made our house so livable and comfortable.  We could NEVER repay her. Again-friends are awesome. She's almost finished w my bedroom. She made a duvet cover, pillow shams and is finishing the  drapes.  So beautiful. I just love them. Can't wait to get everything in my room. 

Charles has decided to get a convertible couch for the guest room. That is Hollis next project. I can't wait to see what she comes up with for that room. 

I'm getting stronger every day. I hope to start walking some next week.  I am so blessed. God is good.

CLICK CLICK

Being home is unbelievable. I stood in my wonderful shower so long, Julie kept checking on me.  It took three washes to get my hair clean. And, I just stood there!

Diagnosis - Congestive Heart Failure w/complications of diverticulitis. We're now working on all the stuff those involve plus whatever else is happening. Oxygen delivered today.  Home health care here and starting on Friday. Dr tomorrow, follow up testing and adjustments, if any.

Ween came home today. She has hardly been out of "her" bed all day. She can't party like she used to. She was also glad to see her mommy. Mock is happy to be able to sleep by himself tonight.  ALL IS WELL.

New Day

Being about 5:00, AM of course, I've already had most of my vitals done.  BP down; Oxygen level up.  SOUNDS LIKE GOING HOME WEATHER TO ME. Last night I begged God to let me go home. I'm so tired of being here. I miss my home! I miss my bed! I miss Ween! I MISS MY "SHO-W-W- ERRRR!!!  (Could that be any more pitiful!)

When I start to complain to God, He just reminds me that I have had a week of rest, waited on hand and foot, all the food I wanted, AND, I didn't have to pay for it. "Sounds like a vacation." AND, there are people who live under the bridge or on the streets of Orlando. I am so blessed.

They have set up Home Health Care for me. This will start when I'm released. I asked for Rose. We have history. She's a TINY little Asian lady who is the picture of genteel. She's so sweet. She even fixed lunch for me several times. (I don't think that is part of her job, but her concern flows over into her life. And, it shows.)

Slept from about 10 until the wake-up. Feel so much better. Can't wait to get home. (Click; Click)

SIX WHOLE HOURS

Six hours doesn't mean anything, as Rich would say, "in the scheme of things," but they can be very important. They were to me.  Last night I actually got 6 whole, uninterrupted, glorious, refreshing, I could go on but I'm sure you get the picture (hours of sleep). I feel so much more rested. Blood pressure still too high, and oxygen level down yet I'm hoping to go home today.

I need a shower! I've said that a lot in my life, BUT I REALLLLLY need a shower. Can't wait to use my new shower head. My family is so more than I deserve. This whole "sick/hospital" thing has gone on too long. I need to do something else for my next adventure. Maybe skydive. Buy a motorcycle, and then write  a book; include the adventure. I can see it now "Sheila Goes Back To The Hospital." Yeah, no. I guess not. Read Dr. Seuss' book - "And To Think It Happened on Mulbury Street." Love that book. Life lessons.

I actually ate food yesterday - 3 tiny potatoes; 4 tiny carrots, their angel food cake and some tea. Most I've eaten in a week, and it wasn't liquid.  WAHOO.

They woke me for vitals and I can't seem to go back to sleep. I miss Ween. I can't wait to see her. She loves her Uncle Mock and Aunt Lizzie, but (click click) there's no place like home.

Tom sent me the cutest picture. It really helps to see it but my phone isn't talking to my iPad right now. Maybe the system. Maybe they've had a spat. who knows. They have strict guards on the Internet here, and I could probably get around It, but too much work and I'm supposed to be LOWERING my blood pressure. I'll add later.  The picture is a view of outside wall of the hospital in CA. In the window someone wrote, SEND PIZZA, Room 4118. Considered doing that myself but just the thought of the smell of pizza makes me gag. So much for my adventures so far. Have a blessed day. I know I will.

ON AND ON

Hospitals have a way of "FINDING" things. Have you noticed that? And, as you can see by the date - I'M STILL HERE.  All my plans for the week - GONE!  All my places to go - GONE.  All the partying I was Going to do - GONE.  (drs are such party poopers.)

(Pictures when transferred)

Pain has cleared. Rawness from infection  has healed some, breathing is better. So...

While I was partying here, the Gang was partying at home. Bret built me a "veggie" stand up garden. TRULY A LABOR OF LOVE. Put new fixture shower head w/handheld shower, new seat, and spongy mats for floor. Added a spice rack to pantry door.  Tom and Charles had Holli make me a reversible duvet cover w compatible drapes and pillows.  I AM SO BLESSED. I can hardly wait to see it all. I also got cake and balloons at the hospital. Only next year the food needs to be better. There's not much to do w liquids.

(Pictures to come)

GOD has a funny sense of humor, doesn't He! I asked him to help me NOT spend money this month. I have to be more specific next time.

OH WHAT A DAY

Unless you have visited one of our finer facilities, you have NOT seen the more interesting areas of Orlando.  I just spent 8 1/2 hours in Sand Lake Hospital ER.It wasn't my intent yesterday, but due to my diverticulitis, I'm spending a night here also.  Again, not my idea of a "FUN" time.

I don't think I've been so sick in a VERY long time.  I was up and down so much last night that I finally got an extremely disgusting look from Ween. She does not like her night's sleep disturbed.  She was very sympathetic though when I started throwing up.

I'm on strong antibiotics, per Dr's orders, and IVs around the clock.  They are talking about me not leaving until Wednesday.  I have things to do. I have places to go. This is inconvenient for me.  DO THEY NOT KNOW THIS?

Ween is going to do a "sleepover" with Uncle Mock and Aunt Lizzie. She loves it there so she will be fine. I will miss her.

AND, ONCE AGAIN, on Friday I will "hide-out and hope no one finds me.  Next year is a bigggy, but this year is just another year.  Oh we'll, if I'm feeling ok, we're going to Pasco for lunch. That will really be nice. I'm truly blessed.