Thursday, June 30, 2022

Slept in a bit. Today I'm making chili with stuff I have on hand (frozen ground beef, cans of beans, tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato paste) plus some fresh onions and peppers. The recipe calls for beer, which I'm sure would taste great but I don't have any, don't drink it, and didn't even know if they sell one can or bottle at a time. So extra broth it is.

My friend is coming over tonight to help me eat it and watch a movie. Should be fun! I also have therapy this afternoon.

Last night's dinner was delicious. We went to Red O, Rick Bayless's Mexican restaurant. I am worried about that friend. She's the one who has bladder cancer and her HMO Kaiser can't get her in for the biopsy until the end of August. She's already waited over a month. And we had to leave because she's got terrible pain in her back between her shoulder blades and has for quite a while. It's not normal. And she is extremely active, so it's not being out of shape. She said it's muscular, but it comes and goes. I have unvoiced worries that it could be related to the bladder cancer. I implored her to talk to her doctor about it and to ask if they could do the biopsy sooner at a different facility in another county (Kaiser is huge). The earliest a doctor can talk to her about her back on the phone is July 5th. I don't know if she called about doing the biopsy elsewhere. And she's so sweet, she's not pushing, just figures the doctors know best. I've learned with medical, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. This is proving my mom's theory about Kaiser - they are great when you're healthy and not when you aren't. Typical HMO, it feels like they are treating-by-checklist/flowchart rather than treating the person and using their brains.

Anyway, not much else in my world. Loved the pics on FB, DD and Liz! Sneaky surprise you two!

Oh, I hope your friend can find some power within to advocate for the care she deserves. It's so unfair that she gets worse care because she is polite, and waits, trusting her doctors...

You are so right that people have to be their own advocates with physicians. So much can be missed (or diagnosed too late) when physicians don't take the time to see people (or to listen to their concerns).

Good Morning All

Friyay here and we have a half day as my boss always has a welcome lunch for new employees. We have a new starter as of last Monday. I received a lovely bonus when I processed the wages this morning - its wonderful to feel so valued and appreciated.I need to pop out and buy my BIL a gift after work then home to pack for the farm. I am then driving over to my DSD to wait for her to get home from work, we will then drive to the farm and likely get there around 11pm.

Tommorrow I have planned a girls day, shopping and I will take her out to lunch. The boys and DH are going clay target shooting then will come up to the farm. I will figure something for dinner tommorrow. Its been a crazy week with both grandbabies getting sick. DH worked from home Monday to care for both of them and I left work early Wednesday to go get the eldest one from childcare and bring both the boys back to our place. He fell asleep after some warm pumpkin soup and homemade bread toasted. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly they bounce back! He went to work with his Dad yesterday and you wouldnt realise he had been so ill the day before. I took 5 loads of washing back to our place and returned it all clean, dry and folded last night. My DSS partner now has it so I think its going to be a bit of a miserable weekend at their house.

My 5 year surgiversary came and went this week. I didnt weigh as Im grappling with my gain. I need to get my head back in the game before it runs away from me. I am on leave from next Friday for 2 weeks. We are finally taking the family trip to Cairns. Third time lucky. I need to be insistant that I am not the chef, babysitter and maid and get some much needed rest as well. Im bone tired!

Wednesday was also the 5th anniversary of my dear friends passing. Hes left such a huge hole in my heart. We used to speak every day and I miss sharing lifes adventures with him. I text his parents to let them know I was thinking of them and we will catch up with them when we are in Cairns in a couple of weeks. Im looking forward to that very much

Thats about it from me. Its winter and I look forward to Cairns and some warmth. Its freezing today. Best get on with it as I have a lot to get achieved before we head to lunch. Take care all :)

Wonderful to see Paula and Bonnie back :) You have been missed lots

S

How kind of you to look in on your friends parents. I know we all have good intentions in situations like these, but not everyone remembers to follow through. You did, and it undoubtedly means a lot.

We are all grappling with gain I think. Maybe because we are all at least 5 years out from surgery?

Greetings all

I am sitting here nibbling on a couple of bites of steak left over from last night. Cold steak is delicious. I am being watched by several pairs of little brown eyes. Coming from Nebraska where steak is awesome I never thought I would have such good steak here in northern California. But I have gotten to really like the grass fed stuff from around here. Cows raised with a view of the ocean! There is one beach near here that sometimes has cows wandering the beach from the nearby pasture and one mus****ch out for cow pies.

So An and Ocean Diane appear to have found the sweet spot to intuitive eating and balance in life. So awesome you too. We all cheer you on and wish to follow your lead.

I have been seriously thinking about protein and since I won't eat steak everyday I will try again with Fairlife protein drinks. I have even tried to find some in the pantry though it is so full I have so far failed. But in my search for the drinks I discovered that there is Fairlife ice cream! And that it is nearby! Don't need that. Ice cream has never been my big thing so not going there.

Liz and DD so cool that you had a visit. Looks so fun.

I really need a haircut. Washed my hair today and it looks like the cowardly lion's mane. But the summer conundrum is here: if I cut my hair then I can't do a pony tail and when its warm that becomes important.

I must check in with friends on our july 4 deal. I will need to bring something. Not sure if we are grilling or what.

CC sorry your friend is still waiting medical treatment. You are right about being assertive. Seems like to get any service, medical or otherwise, you have to try about 10 times. The world is going to hell.

And when is your move CC? Can't wait to hear stories about life in a new town.

Our old dog continues to slide. I need to plan a day to take him to the ocean for some fun. He doesn't get to do much anymore.

I am plotting some removal of DH junk from our bedroom shelves; being emboldened by my closet and garage success. I see no need for a set of drill bits or unused dumbbells to be on our shelves meant for linens. Am I right?

Have a great weekend all.

Diane S

July 18/19th!

I agree that drill bits and dumbbells sitting unused in a linen closet are ripe for being removed!