Tuesday, December 3, 2019

It is SNOWING here! What a contrast from two days ago. Today would have been MIL's 100th birthday (she passed away 3 years ago). I realized that when writing the date in the subject line.

Well, yesterday we spent an hour or so at Urgent Care then another few hours at the ER, because DH couldn't urinate in a cup. BUT, DS came over to the ER and was able to get him to do it. Thank goodness because the next step was catheterization which would have been very traumatic since DH wouldn't understand. They did a CBC and urinalysis after I indicated that we weren't doing chest X-rays or scanning parts of his body. We just wanted to know if he had a treatable UTI. There were enough indicators in his urine that he is on antibiotics now. Nothing super definitive, but enough. DH doesn't look good though. He has always been very slim but has lost 10 pounds in the last few weeks and he looks kind of gray. Maybe he is just moving into the final stages, but at least if part of it is the UTI he may have some relief.

Today I need to contact his doctor with the information about yesterday, go spend some time with him again and do some Christmas decorating there and at home.

Keep warm for those in the snowy areas! Have a timely Tuesday!

I feel like I am posting sporadically lately. Apologies. I'm simply occupied with the pups and mama Ella. She is better, but still not eating as I would like and the pups are still not gaining as they should. Last night all the pups refused the bottle, which is good and bad. Good because it means they aren't desperately hungry, but not great because I really need a few of the smaller ones to start gaining. A puppy at this age should be gaining approximately 10% of its body weight per day. That is not happening with any of the pups. Sigh... Good news is they all appear healthy and it doesn't seem that any of the pups are fading.

My eating has been more survival mode than anything. My breakfast was a plain piece of sliced brioche style bread. Nothing on it. Just the bread. Breakfast of champions. At least weight is stable.

Sleep has been lacking, too. That's par for the course at this stage of the game in puppy rearing, so I'm okay with it. I did take a nice 45 minute nap yesterday.

Liz, glad you made it home and have been able to take care of some things for DH. That has to be somewhat of a relief. I hope DH was glad to find you were still alive! I'm sorry you are seeing such a quick decline. Sad.

To all the snow birds here, stay warm, may your power stay on, and here's hoping if you have to go out, you stay safe! Driving can be miserable in those conditions!

DH in surgery...two hours late. Made the mistake of ordering chicken quesadilla in hospital cafeteria...so greasy I couldn't eat it, but picked at chicken. Liz glad to hear DH on antibiotics. Positive thoughts for Peps, Ella and pups.

Sending good thoughts your and your DH's way!

Thinking of you Diane and DH - hope the surgery goes well and he starts the journey of healing without any bumps xx

Greetings Intrepid Ones

Gosh, lots going on in the way of bumps in the road of life. Liz I am glad you are home safe and able to get your DH what he needs. And glad you had DS to help out. Hope you can have some peaceful times.

Ditto peace to you Peps. Ten puppies is a lot to care for. Do you supplement with goats milk? Large dose of TLC to you all. A very "continental" breakfast you had.

And gosh DianeO, didn't realize DH surgery was so soon! Sending the best to you both.

Out here in la la land life is far less exciting. Its sunny and calm, everyone except me is napping, and I will soon be playing scrabble by the fire and getting a haircut. Don't know what I did to deserve such blessings but I will accept them and figure it out later.

Off to have my "American" breakfast of refried beans. Diane S

Good Morning All

Just back from a my Hep A Booster - I expect to have a "dead arm" soon but got in my left one so I could keep working.

Had a lovely night over at DSS House. Loved seeing the Grandsons - tantrums and all! DH and DSS cooked dinner so that freed me up to help with some laundry and tidying. I have brought 3 tubs home to do and return on Friday evening. DH and I have bought them a secondhand freezer for their Christmas present - we pick it up Friday and will drive it over and stay the night before heading to the farm Sat around noon.

Weight 169.18 - still dropping..... Feeling guilt as I am certainly not eating as I should but think its the activity maybe?

Today is just work, then meeting my eldest Son at the mall - hes having his eyes tested and I will on hand to help choose new glasses if required. Then I may go into city to visit with my SIL. See how the time goes.

Liz - so sorry to hear :( So distressed for you all. And it must be so hard to see him looking so unwell. We are here for you x

Peps - Sounds hectic at your house and Ella is very lucky to have you as her Dad. You take terrific care of them all. Glad you got a nap yesterday - lack of sleep is torture

Diane O - Sending DH good wishes, hope the surgery is a success and he is as comfortable as possible.

Diane S - Scrabble by the fireplace sounds like bliss x We have had a cold snap and Im rugged up like a bear. Had to put extra blanket on the bed since Sunday - And its summer - go figure

Ann - A very happy Birthday to you x Hope you are being spoilt rotten by your loved ones xxx

Miss150 - You sound like you had a busy day too :) I would have loved to come for the tramp and pick the pecans - delicious. Im not super ha ha ha - lil crazy maybe :) And I do sit down at the odd times. And once in a while I go to bed super early to allow my body to recharge. I see one of those nights in my near future

Leap - How is everyone over your way - DD and Adalyn getting better. How is the knee

DD - Hope by the time you read this you are home and relaxing - tucked up cosy in front of the fireplace

Cec - Love to both you and Ferg x

Well the second load of washing is about to finish so I best go hang it out and get some more work done

Love to you x

S

Hi all!

Well I just had a very unsatisfying waste of a trip to the podiatrist. He was very highly rated on Yelp, but I can't understand why! He basically said my problem was overuse and said to stretch my feet before I get out of bed and wear Crocs in the house. He also offered to refer me to physical therapy and suggested I buy some Superfeet inserts I have already tried with no relief. He said I can come back if they don't work for some custom orthotics. So there goes my $80 copay for nothing. It's like he had decided what my problem was before I even saw him and just about everything he suggested was not addressing the root of the problem, but rather the symptoms. I won't be going back to see him. Frustrating and still at square one. I'm sure my regain hasn't helped matters.

Liz, I'm sorry your husband didn't look well. I hope his antibiotics help. Peps, (I accidentally typed Pepe and giggled) I hope the puppies start gaining some weight soon and Ella improves so you can stop having to worry! DianeO, how is your husband faring? DianeS, good luck with the Scrabble! Shirley, maybe you won't get a dead arm - mine was fine after my final booster last month.

Off to start some laundry of my own...

Cec - so far so good - no dead arm :) Im thinking I will we the same as you :)

Good luck with the laundry

Booooo! However, most podiatrists don't deal with the underlying issue until treating the symptoms does not work. IF it is truly Plantar Fasciitis, there really isn't much you can do except stretch the heck out of your foot, calf and legs. The other thing you will need to do is find another form of exercise other than the walking you love so much. Not forever, but until you have severely lessened the symptoms you are having now. May I recommend a Chinese Foot reflexology session to you? It is an eastern method of massage that I think might help you. IT can't hurt, that's for sure. Also, maybe get thee to a gym with a trainer who specializes in working with middle aged and older clients. You need someone who understands the importance of strengthening connective tissue - not just building muscle for strength. Have you had your legs measured for imbalance of gait? I have a leg that is longer than the other by about an inch. I have more issues with the longer leg because it gets the bulk of the compression from activity. Most people with one leg longer than the other will have plantar fasciitis in the foot of the longer leg. Learning how to gain properly will also help you "cure" the plantar fasciitis. Gosh, you'd think I knew what I was talking about, but I really know nothing. Just my experience with it. BTW - my symptoms have never come back.