Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Weight 121.4, calories 921. Sleep interrupted several times... DH seems to be restless at night now. I hope it isn't the start of night wandering!?!? He got up once and threw on all the lights to find a sweater to put on over his pajamas, then a couple of hours later threw on all the lights go take it off. Mind you, we have four nightlights to guide him through the master bath... I'm buying a sleep mask to see if it helps me and adding a motion light in the closet.

I hope Ann is having a phenomenal birthday week. I can't wait to hear!

Almost time for my daily walk - it is 52 and windy after several days of super humidity. Florida is sure different than home!

Have a wicked good Wednesday!

1. Within Range: .6 pounds over, 140.6
2. General Wellbeing: 8 on SS
3. 10,000+ Steps: 9659
4. Fitness: walking
5. Self-Care:
6. Play/Leisure: knitting
7. Intention: Embrace our new normal

DC's urethral reconstruction went well and they were able to remove the stricture with just the incision under his scrotum and using just one cheek for the donor graft. This experience with anesthesia was fabulous ! (After his 2014 pacemaker/defibrillator implantation, he had a psychotic break coming out of anesthesia...common with PTSD patients, thought he was in Viet Nam, and was extremely combative.) There is a new protocol called ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) for people with PTSD, anxiety etc. where patients are brought out of anesthesia very gradually in the recovery room. I highly recommend this protocol ! DC is doing as well as can be expected for someone with fifteen stiches under scrotum, and a left cheek (inner) missing a layer of tissue. We are going to postpone his hip procedure, as it was to take place five days after his catheter is removed 12/28. Because of the reconstruction, any catheter insertion in the future must be done by an Urologist familiar with the anatomy of a reconstructed urethra. Thanks for letting me process all of that ! Atlas is a bit off, as he knows DC is in pain and he can't be on his lap because of the bag and stiches. I'll so some extra long walks to work off some of his anxiety. That and all of the snow removal, heavy lifting, and general "gophering" should nudge me back into my range.

Ann, happy birthday ! So glad you decided to fly into Chicago. Have a grand time ! Liz, your decorations look so serene ! Enjoy your time without company ! Keep Paul dancing ! Would a dancing DVD at home be a positive addition to his daily routine ? BB, your tree and decorations are lovely ! I so enjoy the insights and wonderings you share ! Shirley Aus the wedding sounded fun ! Love the picture of you and DH and the one of grandbaby! Shel, impressed to the max with the extra weight you carted on gorilla hike ! I especially loved your "just don't listen" ! DD, hope the snow is abating in the Bold North ! Cecily... I'll have to try Freshly after your recommendation ! Peps... loved the ugly sweaters and the gorgeous photo of Liza ! Hang in there as you near Christmas break in a school ! Diane, your reminder that hating your body is the same thing as hating yourself was something I needed ! TY! Miss150, glad you are continuing to heal, and that journaling while taking inventory of progress toward goals is working for you. Paula.. a honeymoon in your future !? Sounds like Kevin's DD is coming around. How are your boys with the relationship?

Sorry if I missed anyone !

I'm glad things went better with the anesthesia. There are a lot of people with PTSD, so being sensitive to their needs makes a lot of sense.

Ocean, I've been meaning to tell you my dd (she turned 26 yesterday) got her dream job as a researcher at the Boston VA, working on a study about PTSD treatments. Her long-term goal is get a PHD in Clinical Psychology and focus on PTSD and Survivors of Torture. This new job has been called a PHD pipeline, so if this continues to be her goal, she appears to be on the right path. My fil was an air force pilot, but otherwise we don't have family members in the services, or know many veterans personally,so I wasn't sure what drew her to this field. Now I believe God/the Universe put this into her heart. And she is heeding the call.

DD..so excited to hear this !! My two DDs both have doctorates in science Fields (Physics and Pharmacology). Our daughters will be secure for life ! More importantly, they can love their careers ! I'd love to read any research your DD recommends.

Weight: 167.2

Well my plans went kaput yesterday. I started feeling "unwell." By late afternoon I was feeling nauseous. My aunt and uncle had come down with a stomach bug (and we saw them on Saturday) but I figured I was too removed from that. Guess not. I still had my stepdaughter come over to watch and feed Becca and put her to bed so I could rest. I went to bed at 7pm and had terrible sleep for 11 hours. My plan was to stay home again today and send Becca to the sitter's--but early this morning I got a message that the sitter has come down with stomach flu too! So today...we'll see.

Man these tributes on HW have me with all the feels.

Hello,

Body Fat 21% (On The Dot!) this morning per dexa. That's up a full % from my original but my weight is markedly up, too. In part, my weight is up because, way back when, I was told it would be very hard to gain strength unless I was willing to gain weight. I'll pull all my original numbers when I am home.....I'm interested in seeing muscle numbers.

I, too, am thinking about Ann and her and her husband's joint birthdays. Very emotional, I am sure. Paula, you are in love! How sweet that is. His DD will eventually come around. BB, I am sorry you aren't feeling well. Shirl, lovely LOVELY pictures!! DianeO, DC is lucky to have you help him navigate these tricky waters. B150, don't know if the metoclopramide was the reason for that odd symptom. Happy Healing! DD, I really appreciate the life choices you made to be a better mom. There are many ways to do it right and your surely found one of them. DianeS, I love hearing of your retirement life you have built in the trees. Cecily, you do seem to be on the upswing! Enjoy the workouts. Peps and Dave....post when you have a chance.

And, a big ol' wave to (perhaps) those of you that once posted but perhaps are now more likely to lurk. I spent a lot of time going thru my old posts today looking for something. I didn't find that something, but I walked down memory lane with all of you. Lurking or posting, best wishes to all of you, esp in this holiday season.

If you don't want sadness, don't read the final paragraph.

I'm at the dealer, getting my car serviced. I'll be here for quite a while. The Bush service is on TV and indeed it is moving. But, I am also moved by additional info on my DD's friend that was......well..... murdered. There, it is said. Murdered. They now have the 16 year old boy who pulled the trigger. It turns out there was an eye witness, another girl, in the room. The stories told have already shifted....understandable, I would think, considering their ages and the absolute horror of the event. But, in the end, there was a lovely girl who was shot in the face. As DD said, at least she likely died instantly.

Let there be peace,

Shel

Peace, yes. Amen

Shel, so sorry for you and DD and her "gang" at school, and of course, the murdered girl's family.

That paragraph threw me back a few years. My former student was home from her first semester at university. Her former boyfriend, but still a friend, came by for a visit and shot Clare in the face when she opened the door to greet him. It took me some time to reckon that. I still don't understand, but I know the young man suffered from severe depression, which is why they chose to be break off the romantic part of their relationship before both leaving for college.

I want stuff like that to stay in fictional movies.