Tuesday Morning

Good Morning,

I woke up early this morning, which was good, because Trent came over to remove my old furnace from the basement.  He was here almost two hours, taking it apart, and bringing the pieces up, and out to his work trailer.

While he was here, I cleaned up the kitchen from the cooking I did yesterday.  I was so glad I took supper to the family at church.  Poor Amy.  She's retaining tons of water, plus extremely obese.  I visited with her for about half hour.  She's very sweet, and lonely.  

I am about halfway done the baby blanket, so I'm going to have a marathon crochet session today.

Must scoot.

Love and Prayers,

Trish

Good morning Trish and everyone.....

Tri**** sounds like you are having a busy morning....as usual. 

I thought you were further on the baby blanket....but with your talent you will complete it on time. 

As for me.....my whole evening ended up very busy. Pam took me to Target to get curtain extensions. We went other places as well. I could hardly walk by the time we got back home. 

I am waiting for buses passes to get here. Then I will use that bus. It picks you up and drops you off right where you need to be. I will have more freedom that way. I won't have to depend on others so much. They said the passes were mailed out yesterday. 

I really don't have anything planned today, however, something always pops up. 

Vickie.... I hope all went well getting Butch home yesterday. There is no place like home!!!  Still sending prayers. I left you a message on this site...I hope you got it. Love you much!!

Wishing everyone a beautiful day! 

Prayers for our precious OFF Family. Special prayers for Jennifer and others. 

Lots of love and many HUGS to all....connie d

Connie, if I were making a regular sized baby blanket, it would be done.  But, I'm making an extra large blanket, so that it can be used for a longer time.  Plus, it's in regular shades of blue, and white, so it may be used as a throw when the little guy is older.  My grandchildren like using the blankets I made for them, to cover their legs when they're watching TV.  They're easier to carry, than a regular blanket from their beds.

The problem with the pattern I'm using is a square, which starts in the middle, and grows 8 stitches ever row.  So, it gets larger exponentially, and now the rows take a longer time to complete.  I only have 12 more rows, but they get longer and longer.

My nephew is 32.  He uses paratransit for some of his doctor appointments.  He can use public transportation, like when he worked at Walmart.  Now, he works at a workshop for adults with special needs.  I'm not sure what transportation arrangements he has now.  He's on SSI, because of his learning disabilities, and mental health issues.  He's not capable of working a full time job.  

Love you,

Trish

Hi Trish....that sounds like it will be an awesome gift!! Your pattern sounds very time consuming but I am sure it will turn out beautifully.

I will send up a prayer for your nephew. I hope he loves the job he is doing now. It is good he can get out and be around others. I am sure it makes him very proud!!

Love and many more hugs.....connie d

Thanks Connie.  I am getting back to the blanket in a minute.  I'll post a pic after the shower.  I'll take it before I give it to her, but don't want to post it till I give it to her.  

My nephew, Neil, is also very active in Special Olympics throughout the school year.  In the Fall, he plays soccer.  Not sure if my old county is going to offer flag football this year.  They're working on getting that going.  In the Winter, he bowls at two bowling alleys each week, and also plays basketball.  Spring is the track and field.  He runs, and also does shot put.  Not sure if they use a regular shot put, but he loves that.  He has a huge collection of the medals, and my entire family is proud of him.  Special Olympics transformed him.  He socializes with several other athletes.  I was on the board, with my sister, back in 2010-11.  My sister is the fundraising coordinator.  When I stepped down from the board, my sis-in-law, Neil's mother, took my position. 

Love you,

Trish

Hi Connie and Trish and all my other sistas!

Connie, I just now see that I have a message from you.  I'll read it in a minute.  I barely have time to type this post before the home health nurse arrives at 3 p.m.  

Trish, I'm working on a baby blanket too for my BFF Martha Ann.  It's her first grandchild and it's a little girl!  Oh, ask me if I'm excited to have a little girl to crochet for!  I call this blanket "those darn bunnies" because it has a bunny border on both ends that is extremely intricate and complicated!  But I'm in the middle part right now which is easy peasy.  Just two rows over and over.

Well, we did get to come home last night, but what's that old saying about "best laid plans"???  I set up my alarms on my phone so that I could give Butch his pain meds every 6 hours.  But wouldn't you know it?  I got up at 4 a.m. to give him his morphine tablet, which is a tiny blue pill.  I had everything laid out on his nightstand, so I didn't turn the light on.  I put the pill in between his lips and then held the cup with the straw in it for him to swallow.  THE LITTLE PILL GOT STUCK IN THE END OF THE STRAW!!!  So he DIDN'T get his medicine!  He woke up in great pain this morning and then I found the pill!  OMG. 

Anyway, I have him back on schedule now and he's doing better.  The alarm on my phone goes off every couple of hours because he has 2 pain meds and I have them on alternating schedules.  Oy vey.  But it's worth it if he can quit hurting again.

Oh, btw, I bought him some Ensure, Connie, but he didn't like it, just like you said.  I looked at the Boost, but it has too much sugar for him because he's diabetic.  Then I bought some Glucerna shakes.  They are delicious!  190 cals, 10 grams protein, 3 g fiber and only 6 g sugar.  You might like them, too. I'm drinking a chocolate one right now.  The butter pecan is to die for.

Anyway, home health care is coming out this afternoon.  I'm not quite sure what she's going to do for him every day, but at least it will be another pair of eyes to make sure he's not getting dehydrated again.  I feel like such a dope for not realizing that's what was happening.  All of his systems were just shutting down.  I bought some of that Smar****er which is better for replacing electrolytes than Gatorade.  I'm making him drink it, Judy!  I told him about Nurse Ratchett!  LOL!

Also, we're supposed to be getting a wheelchair and a walker with a seat in it from a medical supply company in San Antonio.  They are also supposed to arrive here at 3 p.m.  Going to be interesting.

Christie came out this morning and stayed with Butch while I went to the bank and filled up the car and made a big trip to the grocery store in New Braunfels.  That helped.  I was gone almost 3 hours.  But now I'm all stocked up on fresh fruits and veggies and meats and things.  I can go almost 2 weeks when it's just Butch and I here without the kiddos to feed.

Well, I'd better close and get ready for all these visitors.  Then maybe finally we can relax and rest!  Love you all!

Hello Vickie.....Nice to see your post!!

I am glad you made it home and everything is going well...except for the missed pill. I guess you better check the straw next time....LOL!! This could only happen to you. Poor Vickie!!

Your blanket sounds so cute....I love little girl things!!!!

As for the Ensure...yuck ...now you know what I meant. I use Boost. I drink the one that is "Glucose Control". Only 190 calories with 4 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fiber, and 16 grams of protein . I can't drink the regular Boost  because of all the sugar. The Boost Glucose Control has less sugar and more protein then Glucerna. The other I use is called Boost "Calorie Smart". It has identical ingredients to the Glucose Control. "Glucose Control" is in the diabetic area and costs more then the "Calorie Smart" in the regular department. I have had Glucerna. I think the Boost has more of a rich flavor then the Glucerna. Just my opinion. He will do fine on the Glucerna. I always try my best to buy the kinds with the most protein. I am just glad he it taking in something to help him get his Vitamins and Minerals and such in!!!! Good for you!!

I am so happy to know a home health care person will be coming out. It is good to have help and to watch what is going on with Butch. Praise God....for answered prayers!!!

I am equally excited that Butch will have a nice walker and wheelchair to use.....thank you Jesus for another prayer answered!!

I am happy Christie was over so you could get your errands done. Hopefully things will start to fall into shape again!

PRAYERS....LOVE....HUGS.....connie d

Hi Vickie,

Oh poor Butch.  That sucks about the missed pain med.  I'm glad you found it, and now know to check the straw.  By now, the nurse should have been there.  You're right, they'll be able to catch Butch's hydration level, and such.  When I had the visiting nurse, she always checked my vital signs, listened to my lungs, asked certain questions, like about my bathroom use.  She only came three days a week, to redress the wound from my surgery.  She also ordered the supplies for the wound care.

I'm glad you got out, and stocked up on healthy groceries.  I stopped trying to buy premade nutritional drinks right after my surgery.  If I want a protein shake, I add a scoop of Anywhey protein powder to a No Sugar Added Carnation Breakfast Essentials.  It's full of vitamins, and is made with a cup of milk.  I like the chocolate flavor.  I also make a smoothy in the blender, with a container for fruit flavaroed Chobani  greek yogurt, cup of milk, frozen berries, and a scoop of Anywhey.  I like Chobani, coz they don't use added sugar.  I use frozen fruit to make the smoothy ice cold.  Ice just melted, and diluted it.

These are a couple of ideas you might want to check out.

Still praying.

Love you,

Trish

Vickie, I hope you had a profitable day with home health and getting a wheelchair and walker from the medical supply company.  I continue to pray for you and Butch and your family. 

Cindy P.

Hi Trish and my OFF family:

I have had quite the day. It was supposed to be a restful day. I was supposed to get my epidural shot in the back, come home, nap and rest. Richard was supposed to drive my car home. Instead ...

I went to get Richard, called him before I left and he said he'd be ready. Just bleep the horn. So I get over there, beep the horn ... nothing. Beep the horn again and he comes running out, no shirt (and I found out later, no shoes). ... he's got a shawl around his shoulders.... hasn't shaved in I don't know how long. He's hyperventilating, twitching ...he's a mess. I asked him if he was going to be OK. He says yes, but he needs to stop and get some food and something to drink. So we stop at Sonic and he gets a whole lot of stuff and they're really slow bringing it out. So finally we get to the surgical center. He stays in the car with his food and his iPad. I left my cellphone in there so they could call when I was done. 

So when I get done, they call and he doesn't answer. I told the nurse where he was and they go out and knock on the window; he follows them in and collapses on the floor in the lobby. They had to give him a scrub top and some slippers, and he was so bad he couldn't stand up. They determine he couldn't drive me home and suggested we get a cab. Then they talked Richard into taking an ambulance to the ER. So that's  where we went.

At the ER, this asshole doctor determine Richard was a drug-seeker and was just going through withdrawal. I told him he was off his anti-anxiety meds and just need to get back on them. Doc said no, he needs to go to rehab. Richard at this point said he do a drug test ... well, finally we decided to check out because they weren't going to do anything. So they discharge him. He tries to get into a wheelchair and collapses, starts twitching and passes out. At that point, they have four nurses in there trying to help and the doctor comes back in and says they were going to do a drug test, plus blood work and admit him.

Well, the urine test showed me a lot ... it was deep yellow, golden almost, almost brownish, so I wasn't surprised that they said he was in kidney failure. He hasn't been drinking or eating. He's dehydrated (what is it about these guys?). So much for the drug-seeking behavior. When I left finally at 3:30 p.m. , they were putting a heart monitor on him and definitely admitting him. He didn't want me to leave, but I was so tired and hadn't eaten anything but crackers and package of almonds that I got at the hospitals. My body is processing the drugs through the system too. I told him I'd come by and see him Wednesday. I couldn't do anything for him anyway. I just wish he would take better care of himself. 

Now tomorrow I have to get a ride to the surgical center to get my car. So that's been my fun day. 

I'm glad Vickie has some help and Butch is getting his nutrition. 

I'm happy to be home alone with my kitty, who does take care of herself as well as me. We're going to chill at home tonight with some ballgames.

UPDATE:

Richard has been admitted; he's in ICU. Don't know anything else because they don't have phones in the ICU. I'll go by tomorrow after I get my car. It's not far from here, probably a half mile, but that's still more than I can walk on my bad wheels. His mom "friended" me on Facebook a while back so I let her know. I know my mom would want to know if I was in the hospital. I'm so upset about this.