The setback is that my port area looks like it might be getting infected. When it was so swollen those 4 days from the infiltration, it forced the fresh incision open a little on the one half.
Now it's all red and getting swollen and painful again. Here I thought I was on the upward mend!!!! I'm getting discouraged, ladies!
It looks like it might be oozing, but it's hard to tell because the heat of the incision area keeps causing condensation on the bandage so you can't see through it very well - which isn't good! I think tomorrow AM if it's like this I will have to call a nurse back over. I just had one over this morning to change the dressing and it wasn't that bad at the time. She thought it looked awful red, tho.
*****************************
REMINDER!!!!
Tomorrow is the drawing from my GiveAway. I will be taking Entries on the GiveAway post until midnight tonight, if you haven't entered yet.
Unfortunately I will not be able to ship anything off until next week, unless my husband can do it for me when he's home this weekend. I certainly HOPE I am in better shape next week!
Monday, August 31
Sunday, August 30
Hello Doctor Hottie!
Thank you for your prayers tonight!
The home-health nurse came and when she tried to flush it ran all over me, leaking. She tried to get a blood return and it was just pink watery stuff. So she took the bandage off and when she did, the thing with the needle that goes into the port lifted right out. It wasn't in the port!
So, basically, I have been dripping Zosyn and saline into the tissue surrounding my port 24hrs continually since Wednesday morning! No wonder it's been hurting and stinging and swelling...
She called triage at the ER and said she was sending me in. She said my immune system was compromised and could they take me right in so I'm not out in the waiting room with the sicklies. They did!
I wish I'd had my camera along because I had SUCH a HOT DOCTOR! Ouch! Okay, he was probably young enough to be my son, but he was looking like a TV actor in those scrubs. And he was very thorough and very nice. I thought "Wow, there are people who are smart AND hot AND nice!"
After squeezing the area and manipulating it, taking xrays and bloodwork, it was determined that it was infiltrated and not infected. Whew! They re-accessed me before I left and it's hurting some, but not like before. It will probably hurt a little until the swelling goes down. Makes me a little paranoid, though. You trust these people to be doing things right and when things like this happen it shakes you a little. I guess that's why we shouldn't put all of our faith in man, but put it all in Jesus because He always knows what's right and He won't ever let us down.
Dr. Hottie said "Not to be unkind or cause problems, but you really should let that nurse know what happened and tell Vanderbilt that they need to be teaching their nurses how to access ports so these things don't continue to happen."
So, it's now 1:33 and we are back home. I took an Ambien and am going to my recliner now for some snooze.
Thank you again for your prayers. They mean so much!
The home-health nurse came and when she tried to flush it ran all over me, leaking. She tried to get a blood return and it was just pink watery stuff. So she took the bandage off and when she did, the thing with the needle that goes into the port lifted right out. It wasn't in the port!
So, basically, I have been dripping Zosyn and saline into the tissue surrounding my port 24hrs continually since Wednesday morning! No wonder it's been hurting and stinging and swelling...
She called triage at the ER and said she was sending me in. She said my immune system was compromised and could they take me right in so I'm not out in the waiting room with the sicklies. They did!
I wish I'd had my camera along because I had SUCH a HOT DOCTOR! Ouch! Okay, he was probably young enough to be my son, but he was looking like a TV actor in those scrubs. And he was very thorough and very nice. I thought "Wow, there are people who are smart AND hot AND nice!"
After squeezing the area and manipulating it, taking xrays and bloodwork, it was determined that it was infiltrated and not infected. Whew! They re-accessed me before I left and it's hurting some, but not like before. It will probably hurt a little until the swelling goes down. Makes me a little paranoid, though. You trust these people to be doing things right and when things like this happen it shakes you a little. I guess that's why we shouldn't put all of our faith in man, but put it all in Jesus because He always knows what's right and He won't ever let us down.
Dr. Hottie said "Not to be unkind or cause problems, but you really should let that nurse know what happened and tell Vanderbilt that they need to be teaching their nurses how to access ports so these things don't continue to happen."
So, it's now 1:33 and we are back home. I took an Ambien and am going to my recliner now for some snooze.
Thank you again for your prayers. They mean so much!
Saturday, August 29
Pray for me!
Pray that my new port isn't infected! A nurse is on her way over to check it because it's oozing and extra painful and hot. She said if it is I have to go to the hospital and we really don't need the extra expense right now!
I don't need ANY of the complications right now, actually!
I don't need ANY of the complications right now, actually!
White Glove treatment
Back, VERY LONG AGO, when I was a student at Bob Jones University, we had a Saturday that was called "White Glove Day". We had to VERY thoroughly clean our dorm rooms for a strict inspection. Guess they know what slobs many college students could be. No hairs in the sink, no wrinkles in your bed covers, everything spit-polished...
Well, today my husband and son are giving me White Glove treatment. My husband has found so many things to clean and polish in my kitchen, I didn't even know you could do those things! He takes the knobs off the stovetop and washes them, cleans lightbulbs, takes everything apart, cleans it and puts it back together. They have done half of the house by now, while I'm relegated to the recliner in the LR. I get up once in a while to do some light laundry.
No, I didn't take any pictures of them at work. I didn't want to risk distracting them and them changing their mind...
Well, today my husband and son are giving me White Glove treatment. My husband has found so many things to clean and polish in my kitchen, I didn't even know you could do those things! He takes the knobs off the stovetop and washes them, cleans lightbulbs, takes everything apart, cleans it and puts it back together. They have done half of the house by now, while I'm relegated to the recliner in the LR. I get up once in a while to do some light laundry.
No, I didn't take any pictures of them at work. I didn't want to risk distracting them and them changing their mind...
Friday, August 28
Faith
From my devotions today, in Dr. Charles Stanley's words:
I think I have "strong faith" (MOST of the time!). Which one are you?
Little faith hopes that God will do what He says; strong faith knows that He will; and great faith believes that He has already done it.
I think I have "strong faith" (MOST of the time!). Which one are you?
Tether up!
The last three times my IV abx were dispensed in one of these:
This time a man from the Infusion Co. came to the hospital and spent about 30 min. explaining how to use this:
They have it all programmed to what to dispense, over what length of time (drip speed!) and it has alarms if things aren't right. Wonder how much this baby is going to cost me?
It goes in this fanny pack, that I just carry on my left shoulder.
It opens up and the medicine bag gets velcroed into this compartment, like so...
You snap the "cassette" into here and press the appropriate buttons on the monitor and you're set to go. For 24 hrs in my case.
So I am tethered up for 24 hours. It goes to the bathroom with me. Makes getting dressed a little interesting. Sleeping is also more challenging because you don't want to be pulling on that tubing during the night in your sleep - especially with a freshly inserted port! You can't shower, so have to take other measures that leave you just not feeling as clean, IMO.
As for washing my hair, my husband surprised me and got an appt with my hairdresser for today. She will wash and style my hair and he already paid for it. Yahoo! What a treat! (Anyone else want my hairdressers number so they can gift me a hair wash??? JK)
I'm not using O2 while I'm hooked up to this. It's too confusing with the tubing! It's not such a must while I'm in my home and not doing anything exerting, anyhow. At night I usually wear it, but I can guarantee you that if I wake up at 2AM tangled in tubing I will not be up to the challenge of "righting things."
I am still very sore. I have to do the saline flush between hook-ups and on a pain level of 1-10, that would be about a 25. Hurts BAD! That 25 lasts for about an hour or two, then lets up to a 6-7 for the remainder of the 24 hrs., probably just because the port is so fresh and tender.
Did I tell you the nurse had never accessed a port before? She did it right, but the thing on top is supposed to snap down, kind of butterfly, but she didn't know that and covered it while it was up. So the home nurse who came yesterday is concerned it might puncture the bandage and bacteria will set in. GREAT! (She offered to redress the port and do it properly, but the way it hurts to touch that area, I told her I will take my chances.) So I put Saran over the whole thing to kind of add extra protection. (But it keeps getting bunched up from clothing.)
Well, I had better go see what I have to work with for clothes for today, especially with going to the hairdressers (no bra, no pj's!). As if my pickings weren't slim enough before this!
Praise: Megan's father is stable, following his heart surgery (see our prayer blog, Before His Throne)
Praise: I splept so much better in the recliner last night.
This time a man from the Infusion Co. came to the hospital and spent about 30 min. explaining how to use this:
They have it all programmed to what to dispense, over what length of time (drip speed!) and it has alarms if things aren't right. Wonder how much this baby is going to cost me?
It goes in this fanny pack, that I just carry on my left shoulder.
It opens up and the medicine bag gets velcroed into this compartment, like so...
You snap the "cassette" into here and press the appropriate buttons on the monitor and you're set to go. For 24 hrs in my case.
So I am tethered up for 24 hours. It goes to the bathroom with me. Makes getting dressed a little interesting. Sleeping is also more challenging because you don't want to be pulling on that tubing during the night in your sleep - especially with a freshly inserted port! You can't shower, so have to take other measures that leave you just not feeling as clean, IMO.
As for washing my hair, my husband surprised me and got an appt with my hairdresser for today. She will wash and style my hair and he already paid for it. Yahoo! What a treat! (Anyone else want my hairdressers number so they can gift me a hair wash??? JK)
I'm not using O2 while I'm hooked up to this. It's too confusing with the tubing! It's not such a must while I'm in my home and not doing anything exerting, anyhow. At night I usually wear it, but I can guarantee you that if I wake up at 2AM tangled in tubing I will not be up to the challenge of "righting things."
I am still very sore. I have to do the saline flush between hook-ups and on a pain level of 1-10, that would be about a 25. Hurts BAD! That 25 lasts for about an hour or two, then lets up to a 6-7 for the remainder of the 24 hrs., probably just because the port is so fresh and tender.
Did I tell you the nurse had never accessed a port before? She did it right, but the thing on top is supposed to snap down, kind of butterfly, but she didn't know that and covered it while it was up. So the home nurse who came yesterday is concerned it might puncture the bandage and bacteria will set in. GREAT! (She offered to redress the port and do it properly, but the way it hurts to touch that area, I told her I will take my chances.) So I put Saran over the whole thing to kind of add extra protection. (But it keeps getting bunched up from clothing.)
Well, I had better go see what I have to work with for clothes for today, especially with going to the hairdressers (no bra, no pj's!). As if my pickings weren't slim enough before this!
Praise: Megan's father is stable, following his heart surgery (see our prayer blog, Before His Throne)
Praise: I splept so much better in the recliner last night.
Thursday, August 27
Blog from the grunge
So, what do you want to know?
They tried putting the port on the left side, but it wouldn't go in, so they ended up putting it on the right side like the one I had many years ago. I had an IV in my right arm for the procedure and they started all of my meds in that until yesterday when they accessed my port.
The problems? They put the IV in on the arm that had tennis elbow recently and that really aggravated things, plus it was on the inside of the crook of my elbow and if I bent my arm even slightly it would set off the alarm. Also, the area of the Port (& the attempt on the other side) are very sore and bruised, naturally, so having the Port accessed so soon is very painful. I am accessed 24/7 with Zosyn (plus taking 750mg Cipro) and it causes weight on that tender swollen area. You REALLY don't want to lean over! And forget sleeping on either of your sides right now. And on your back - we have a lousy mattress that needs replacing - and it kills my back to sleep on my back. I'm going to try sleeping in the recliner until I heal more.
I had a great staff at Vanderbilt. I had the best sleep I've had in ages - I wanted to bring the bed home with me. It was an air mattress that would adjust to your body any time you shifted and it was sooooo comfortable! And the food was good, as you said Graciy!
I am tired of being grungie. Is that how you spell that? Grungy? Anyway, yesterday morning I got to shower between having the IV removed and accessing the Port, but I didn't feel strong enough to attempt washing my hair and styling it. Now I'm wondering when and how I'm going to do that! I can't get into the shower while accessed, with my little bag of medicine/cassette. I can't lean over the sink right now because my chest is too sore and tender and the weight of the "hook-up" pulls on it, plus it would mash against me anyway on the edge of the sink. Any of you have some suggestions from your experiences??? If I had the spare money I'd go to my beautician and just have her wash and style my hair, but...Jim was stranded in Baton Rouge again this week because they didn't fix his truck like they were supposed to. That means he had no runs and no paycheck for the week. VERY BAD!
I stopped to use the restroom a few times on the way home. (The Zosyn is causing major diarrhea!) I was so embarrased to walk through the places to the bathroom. I can't wear a bra, I have this IV coming out of my chest, I'm bruised all over, I have an awful Uticaria rash, my hair hasn't been washed since Sunday - I am a disgusting, grungy sight! People make a wide berth around me, staring at me so fiercely. They actually appeared in shock or assaulted by the confrontation of me.
They tried putting the port on the left side, but it wouldn't go in, so they ended up putting it on the right side like the one I had many years ago. I had an IV in my right arm for the procedure and they started all of my meds in that until yesterday when they accessed my port.
The problems? They put the IV in on the arm that had tennis elbow recently and that really aggravated things, plus it was on the inside of the crook of my elbow and if I bent my arm even slightly it would set off the alarm. Also, the area of the Port (& the attempt on the other side) are very sore and bruised, naturally, so having the Port accessed so soon is very painful. I am accessed 24/7 with Zosyn (plus taking 750mg Cipro) and it causes weight on that tender swollen area. You REALLY don't want to lean over! And forget sleeping on either of your sides right now. And on your back - we have a lousy mattress that needs replacing - and it kills my back to sleep on my back. I'm going to try sleeping in the recliner until I heal more.
I had a great staff at Vanderbilt. I had the best sleep I've had in ages - I wanted to bring the bed home with me. It was an air mattress that would adjust to your body any time you shifted and it was sooooo comfortable! And the food was good, as you said Graciy!
I am tired of being grungie. Is that how you spell that? Grungy? Anyway, yesterday morning I got to shower between having the IV removed and accessing the Port, but I didn't feel strong enough to attempt washing my hair and styling it. Now I'm wondering when and how I'm going to do that! I can't get into the shower while accessed, with my little bag of medicine/cassette. I can't lean over the sink right now because my chest is too sore and tender and the weight of the "hook-up" pulls on it, plus it would mash against me anyway on the edge of the sink. Any of you have some suggestions from your experiences??? If I had the spare money I'd go to my beautician and just have her wash and style my hair, but...Jim was stranded in Baton Rouge again this week because they didn't fix his truck like they were supposed to. That means he had no runs and no paycheck for the week. VERY BAD!
I stopped to use the restroom a few times on the way home. (The Zosyn is causing major diarrhea!) I was so embarrased to walk through the places to the bathroom. I can't wear a bra, I have this IV coming out of my chest, I'm bruised all over, I have an awful Uticaria rash, my hair hasn't been washed since Sunday - I am a disgusting, grungy sight! People make a wide berth around me, staring at me so fiercely. They actually appeared in shock or assaulted by the confrontation of me.
Wednesday, August 26
I'm home!
I got home around 10PM tonight (Wednesday). It's a 3 hour drive at the best and I left Nashville in rush hour.
(WHY do they call it RUSH HOUR???? There is no "rushing". Mostly sitting!)
Then there were the torrential downpours and the potty stops because my abx are creating some "side effects".
I will update more tomorrow and hopefully post a picture, but for now I wanted to let you know that I'm home and I am VERY VERY VERY sore right now! (Where don't I ache????)
Thanks for the prayers and the get well wishes!
(WHY do they call it RUSH HOUR???? There is no "rushing". Mostly sitting!)
Then there were the torrential downpours and the potty stops because my abx are creating some "side effects".
I will update more tomorrow and hopefully post a picture, but for now I wanted to let you know that I'm home and I am VERY VERY VERY sore right now! (Where don't I ache????)
Thanks for the prayers and the get well wishes!
Sunday, August 23
How do they sleep at night?
This evening when my parents were traveling to church, they were the victim of a hit and run driver. They were on a highway and it could have been so much worse. Their front passenger door where my mother was sitting doesn't open properly and my mother's back hurts a little, but it could have been so much worse.
I don't get how people can do that - hit someone and keep going! Most likely they didn't have insurance, but it just seems like they must be a really cold person to do something like that. I wonder how they sleep at night?
That reminds me of when I was a secretary. We used to get those calls about getting our toner refilled, but they were scammers. When I'd get the call I would say "Does your mother know what you are doing for a living?" (Some of them would hang up at that point and some would get nasty.) Then I'd ask "How do you sleep at night?" Instead of me hanging up on them, they'd be hanging up on me. lol
Well, I think I'm all packed for going to the hospital tomorrow. Pray that the Port goes in without any difficulties. Since I had one about 10-12 years ago I am concerned they might have a problem with scar tissue. I'm not too concerned about the actual hospital stay, just what's being done tomorrow.
I don't have a laptop (boo hoo!) so I won't be able to be on here for several days.
I don't get how people can do that - hit someone and keep going! Most likely they didn't have insurance, but it just seems like they must be a really cold person to do something like that. I wonder how they sleep at night?
That reminds me of when I was a secretary. We used to get those calls about getting our toner refilled, but they were scammers. When I'd get the call I would say "Does your mother know what you are doing for a living?" (Some of them would hang up at that point and some would get nasty.) Then I'd ask "How do you sleep at night?" Instead of me hanging up on them, they'd be hanging up on me. lol
Well, I think I'm all packed for going to the hospital tomorrow. Pray that the Port goes in without any difficulties. Since I had one about 10-12 years ago I am concerned they might have a problem with scar tissue. I'm not too concerned about the actual hospital stay, just what's being done tomorrow.
I don't have a laptop (boo hoo!) so I won't be able to be on here for several days.
Friday, August 21
Poor hubby!
My husband has been on the road since Monday. Today he was heading home from TX and blew a tire. Got that fixed. Then his truck broke down! They can't fix it until Monday, so they put him up in a motel in Baton Rouge. He's bored and frustrated!!! I told him there's nothing that can be done about it, so try to make the best of it. Watch some football and enjoy not having interruptions. :-)
Tomorrow another driver will be passing reasonably near there and will pick him up, they'll drive the 8 hrs back here, then he has to turn around and leave the next day with another driver to get dropped off at Baton Rouge on Monday.
Again, POOR HUBBY!
Tomorrow another driver will be passing reasonably near there and will pick him up, they'll drive the 8 hrs back here, then he has to turn around and leave the next day with another driver to get dropped off at Baton Rouge on Monday.
Again, POOR HUBBY!
Thursday, August 20
Celebration Give-Away
To celebrate surpassing 10,000 visitors to my blog, I am doing a GiveAway!
The lucky winner will win this:
A 1.70 dry qt. bag of Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin Fragranced Potpourri.
And because I won so many wonderful things from Alice in her blog GiveAway... and because I am such a wonderful and sharing person...I am "paying it forward" and giving the winner two of these wonderful items I won from Alice. I won't tell you now what they will be, because I want it to be a surprise.
In order to enter:
1.) Leave a comment here {If you don't have a blog, please leave your email address in the comment so I can contact you if you win}.
2.) Post a blog about my giveaway to earn a second entry. It must be an actual blog post with link back to this specific post to count. Make sure you let me know in a comment that you have done this, so I know to enter you a second time.
Because I will be going in the hospital next week, I will do the drawing on September 1. I will put all of the names in a basket and let Ryan draw the name on that day.
I can't wait to see who the winner of my first GiveAway will be!
The lucky winner will win this:
A 1.70 dry qt. bag of Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin Fragranced Potpourri.
And because I won so many wonderful things from Alice in her blog GiveAway... and because I am such a wonderful and sharing person...I am "paying it forward" and giving the winner two of these wonderful items I won from Alice. I won't tell you now what they will be, because I want it to be a surprise.
In order to enter:
1.) Leave a comment here {If you don't have a blog, please leave your email address in the comment so I can contact you if you win}.
2.) Post a blog about my giveaway to earn a second entry. It must be an actual blog post with link back to this specific post to count. Make sure you let me know in a comment that you have done this, so I know to enter you a second time.
Because I will be going in the hospital next week, I will do the drawing on September 1. I will put all of the names in a basket and let Ryan draw the name on that day.
I can't wait to see who the winner of my first GiveAway will be!
Time for a Tune-Up!
It has been a crazy day and I haven't had a chance to check out anyone's blogs yet.
Someone gave me a link that explains the Verbs in the below post, so when I get time later I will study that and see if the mud clarifies a little!
As you know, I haven't been feeling well lately. I talked to the CF clinic today and they want to start me on IV abx. We CFers call this a "tune-up". Monday I will go to Vanderbilt and have a Port put in
I had one about 10-12 years ago, but they took it out after a few years because I wasn't getting the treatment anymore. After I get the Port I'm going to be admitted for a couple of days while they get the meds going. I requested this because of the problems I had with the meds last time. I'll have to be on the IV's for 3-4 weeks, but will only be in the hospital for a few days.
I did get something today for my GiveAway, but haven't had a chance to take a picture yet, so maybe I can post that later.
Someone gave me a link that explains the Verbs in the below post, so when I get time later I will study that and see if the mud clarifies a little!
As you know, I haven't been feeling well lately. I talked to the CF clinic today and they want to start me on IV abx. We CFers call this a "tune-up". Monday I will go to Vanderbilt and have a Port put in
I had one about 10-12 years ago, but they took it out after a few years because I wasn't getting the treatment anymore. After I get the Port I'm going to be admitted for a couple of days while they get the meds going. I requested this because of the problems I had with the meds last time. I'll have to be on the IV's for 3-4 weeks, but will only be in the hospital for a few days.
I did get something today for my GiveAway, but haven't had a chance to take a picture yet, so maybe I can post that later.
Transitive Verbs
Another homeschooling issue.
Ryan's really good at English and usually breezes through. Just the other day he was conjugating verbs and said "This is FUN!". The voice inside my head said "Something is wrong with this kid!".
But...we're stuck in Transitive and Intransitive Verbs. I never heard of them before! And reading the explanation doesn't help me much. Something about Direct Objects and we had that last year and I already don't remember.
Anyone want to explain it to me? If you email me your ph. no. I'll call you or maybe you could explain over the computer.
Man, it's too early in the year for this!!!! lol
Ryan's really good at English and usually breezes through. Just the other day he was conjugating verbs and said "This is FUN!". The voice inside my head said "Something is wrong with this kid!".
But...we're stuck in Transitive and Intransitive Verbs. I never heard of them before! And reading the explanation doesn't help me much. Something about Direct Objects and we had that last year and I already don't remember.
Anyone want to explain it to me? If you email me your ph. no. I'll call you or maybe you could explain over the computer.
Man, it's too early in the year for this!!!! lol
Wednesday, August 19
Physics is not my subject!
We are in the 3rd week of school, my son's Freshman year, and already we are hitting some hard things. He started basic Physics this year and hasn't been too well. So this morning at 7AM I was studying his Physics, trying to make sense of it.
Then I spent a while this morning explaining it to him. We will see how I did at that explaining! Sometimes I think I work harder than he does!
I did a temporary blog change. I was tired of my last one and it's too early for something Super Fall-ish, so I thought this would be a good transition. I can't figure out how to make the header less deep so it doesn't take up the whole screen. Sorry about that!
Then I spent a while this morning explaining it to him. We will see how I did at that explaining! Sometimes I think I work harder than he does!
I did a temporary blog change. I was tired of my last one and it's too early for something Super Fall-ish, so I thought this would be a good transition. I can't figure out how to make the header less deep so it doesn't take up the whole screen. Sorry about that!
Monday, August 17
Dog sitting days
I didn't want to mention this before, in case someone would want to "case" my parents place, but they've been away on a trip and I've been dog sitting for nearly 2 weeks.
Little Toby is so cute. He's always doing a happy dance and in the evening he would cuddle on my lap or chest while I watched some TV or read.
My other dogs weren't sure what to think. Raini (the ornery lab) adapted quickly but Rico (our Golden) is used to being "King of the House". He didn't like sharing us, plus HE WAS SCARED OF TOBY. It was very funny to watch. He'd make this wide track around the room to avoid getting near him.
After about a week, he mellowed and would share the loveseat and attention, as you can see below. But it was like he was thinking "I'm going to allow it, but I don't have to like it!"
Look closely at the picture with the lab. Toby is draped across her back, laying on top of her and she's just ignoring it.
Little Toby is so cute. He's always doing a happy dance and in the evening he would cuddle on my lap or chest while I watched some TV or read.
My other dogs weren't sure what to think. Raini (the ornery lab) adapted quickly but Rico (our Golden) is used to being "King of the House". He didn't like sharing us, plus HE WAS SCARED OF TOBY. It was very funny to watch. He'd make this wide track around the room to avoid getting near him.
After about a week, he mellowed and would share the loveseat and attention, as you can see below. But it was like he was thinking "I'm going to allow it, but I don't have to like it!"
Look closely at the picture with the lab. Toby is draped across her back, laying on top of her and she's just ignoring it.
Sunday, August 16
My vacuuming experience
Vacuuming when you are on oxygen is a whole new sport. We have a Rainbow vacuum cleaner, which we purchased 22 years ago when we got married. It does a great job of cleaning the floor, but my problem is that I get all twisted up!
I have the Rainbow cord, the Rainbow hose, the O2 tubing (50 ft.), then I have to have a fan blowing because I get so hot even with the a/c going. You can see the problem. It's kind of like waking up in bed all twisted up, only worse. I've tried using my portable O2, but it always slips off my shoulder when I lean forward so I gave up on that.
Then, as I probably have mentioned before, I get all confused and turn off the wrong thing. I mean to turn off the vacuum to move the plug, but will turn off the O2! Or sometimes I put my O2 in place, turn on the vacuum and after a few minutes realize I never turned on the O2!
Just thought I'd show you my vacuuming mess! Don't mind the dog hair on the floor - I hadn't gotten to that yet!
I have the Rainbow cord, the Rainbow hose, the O2 tubing (50 ft.), then I have to have a fan blowing because I get so hot even with the a/c going. You can see the problem. It's kind of like waking up in bed all twisted up, only worse. I've tried using my portable O2, but it always slips off my shoulder when I lean forward so I gave up on that.
Then, as I probably have mentioned before, I get all confused and turn off the wrong thing. I mean to turn off the vacuum to move the plug, but will turn off the O2! Or sometimes I put my O2 in place, turn on the vacuum and after a few minutes realize I never turned on the O2!
Just thought I'd show you my vacuuming mess! Don't mind the dog hair on the floor - I hadn't gotten to that yet!
Saturday, August 15
My new house is waiting!
So often lately, I am filled with the awe that God has given us another new day. In the morning I just think about that. We didn't have to have another day, but we got one! I have the strength to do what I can, because of Him.
I know, we think our lives are so special on earth. We want to put off dying because we don't want to leave this life. And yet that is so stupid for those of us who are Christians and know we're going to be spending eternity in Heaven. I guess it's because we haven't had the experience of Heaven yet, so we don't know what we're missing. I bet if we could spend 1 whole minute there, we wouldn't want to return.
We enjoy watching House Hunters and see such amazing houses. Drool city! But none of them can compare to what's waiting for me in Heaven. And I hope there are lots and lots of flowers there - flowers everywhere! There will be no allergies!
But for today, God has chosen for me to be here so I will do what I can to please Him and make the most of today. Even if I'm not leaving the house.
(Very obviously, I did not take any of the above photos!)
I know, we think our lives are so special on earth. We want to put off dying because we don't want to leave this life. And yet that is so stupid for those of us who are Christians and know we're going to be spending eternity in Heaven. I guess it's because we haven't had the experience of Heaven yet, so we don't know what we're missing. I bet if we could spend 1 whole minute there, we wouldn't want to return.
We enjoy watching House Hunters and see such amazing houses. Drool city! But none of them can compare to what's waiting for me in Heaven. And I hope there are lots and lots of flowers there - flowers everywhere! There will be no allergies!
But for today, God has chosen for me to be here so I will do what I can to please Him and make the most of today. Even if I'm not leaving the house.
(Very obviously, I did not take any of the above photos!)
Friday, August 14
Oh, I am never going to get to go shopping!
I keep meaning to get out shopping for something for my GiveAway, but this week has been inundated with school, Karate, taking care of dogs at 2 locations, legal stuff for the lawsuit...
And I am feeling sick. I had to cancel everything for today because my head and sinuses hurt so bad, my equilibrium is bad, I walk a short distance and I'm short of breathe and my ear hurts. Sounds like a sinus infection.
So today I can't go out shopping. I'm sorry. Soon...don't give up on me!
And I am feeling sick. I had to cancel everything for today because my head and sinuses hurt so bad, my equilibrium is bad, I walk a short distance and I'm short of breathe and my ear hurts. Sounds like a sinus infection.
So today I can't go out shopping. I'm sorry. Soon...don't give up on me!
Tuesday, August 11
Please help and be a donor!
Melissa has increasing pain from a growing tumor and lymphoma. She is in need of a transplant.
Her sister states on Melissa's blog:
Out of the 7 million people in our country on the registry, only ONE appears right now to be a possible match for her. And that's not even definite yet. Her nurse just told me that yesterday.
THAT is why it's so imporant that I get tons more people to join for her sake right now.
Most people hesitate to become a donor because they think either--
a) it's painful (No pain involved--it's a simple cheek swab.)
b) it's complicated (It's 30 seconds on the internet. We easily spend 30 minutes just here on blogs or email.)
Here is the SIMPLE process:
1) Go to www.marrow.org
2) Click on "Join Registry"
3) It will ask you to agree to terms, give your name, email address, create a password, and give your mailing address.
4) They will mail you a cheek swab kit. You collect the cells and mail it back in.
Once they receive and test your sample, it AUTOMATICALLY goes into the system. Then it is immediately checked to see if it is a match. If you have any questions at all, call 1-800- Marrow2. They are very kind and helpful there. Feel free to message me too.
The registration process usually costs $50 for that initial testing, but is FREE now indefinitely!
There will never be any other cost for you. If you are a match for my sister, her insurance will cover it.
Please take a moment to do this for my sister...
for her husband who is so in love with her...
for her 3 small kids who need their mommy...
for the rest of us, as her family and friends, who want nothing more but to have more years with her.
I don't qualify to do this because of my lungs & medications, but that doesn't mean that you can't help. Please visit the site mentioned above!
Monday, August 10
I lost it!
God is so merciful!
We got a computer virus last Friday. As if the day wasn't going bad enough. I took the dog we are dog-sitting outside to potty, but he wouldn't. But he COULD when we were in the house...on the three different dog beds! That took a while to clean up, remove the covers & wash them, treat the beds...then I went for groceries.
Getting groceries seems to be something of an Olympian act these days, I get so tired.
Then my son called on my way home to tell me something was wrong with the computer...I worked on that for about 45 min., then found a place to take it to. The guy said it would be about Monday (today) for having it done, but God's first merciful act in all of this was that the computer was done on Saturday! YEAH!!!!
The other thing was losing my pictures. I had backed some up on CD's, but not all of them and I was heartbroken about losing so many pictures.
Like this one:
Then I remembered my blog! I put many of my favorites on here, so I came here this morning and saved them into "My Pictures" (and will save them onto a CD later today). YEAH!!!!
It looks like it's going to be a very stressful and busy couple of days, but at least we have a good start!
Happy Dance!
We got a computer virus last Friday. As if the day wasn't going bad enough. I took the dog we are dog-sitting outside to potty, but he wouldn't. But he COULD when we were in the house...on the three different dog beds! That took a while to clean up, remove the covers & wash them, treat the beds...then I went for groceries.
Getting groceries seems to be something of an Olympian act these days, I get so tired.
Then my son called on my way home to tell me something was wrong with the computer...I worked on that for about 45 min., then found a place to take it to. The guy said it would be about Monday (today) for having it done, but God's first merciful act in all of this was that the computer was done on Saturday! YEAH!!!!
The other thing was losing my pictures. I had backed some up on CD's, but not all of them and I was heartbroken about losing so many pictures.
Like this one:
Then I remembered my blog! I put many of my favorites on here, so I came here this morning and saved them into "My Pictures" (and will save them onto a CD later today). YEAH!!!!It looks like it's going to be a very stressful and busy couple of days, but at least we have a good start!
Happy Dance!
Thursday, August 6
A Porch Visit
Lynnette Kraft, at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground, is asking those of us who read her blog to share some random things about ourselves. As someone said, it's kind of like sitting out on the porch, having a visit with a friend and getting to know one another better.
Lynnette says "I'd love to know what your favorite past-times are - what you dream about? I'd like to catch a glimpse of your personality...are you serious like me (yeah right)? flamboyant? spazzy? calm?"
I can't imagine most of you not knowing these things, but I will repeat for those who haven't been visiting my blog for long.
I'm going to be all over the place, so HANG ON FOR THE RIDE!
1. I was born with my toes bent up to my ankle, but it came down all on it's own! And I was born with CF, but not diagnosed until age 43.
2. I don't have a favorite color, food, singer or song. The things I really hate, though, are: the color orange, coffee, mushrooms, rock music and people swearing...and using the acronym "OMG". Even that acronym is the same as taking my Lord's name in vain!
3. I attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC for 2 1/2 years.
4. I am a middle child.
5. I am hooked on Bejeweled 2 right now!!!!
6. My favorite program is "Biggest Loser!!!!"
7. I love to bake and enjoy cooking, too.
8. I read about 3 books a week.
9. Two dreams are: go on Charles Stanley's Alaskan Cruise, buy a nice new camera - mine is an old POS and not doing so well lately.
10. My favorite thing to do when I'm finally alone in the house is use the bathroom with the door open! Now THAT's living it up!
BONUS: We purchased this house from a professional tennis player in 2007. HA! Some people knew it was someone "famous" but probably not the tennis player thing. When we toured the house there were pictures of her all over the place and HORDES of tennis shoes, tennis outfits, rackets, etc. from her sponsor. There were framed magazine covers with her featured on the cover, but it's the first I ever heard of her because I don't follow tennis. She has since done the cover of an "improper magazine" (I don't want to use the regular term and be hit by a bunch of Googlers!) and we wonder if that would lessen the value of the house or raise it?????? lol
We use our back deck quite often, but never our front porch. I hope that you feel like we have just spent a little time visiting on our back deck!
I hope to learn more about YOU, too, so go link up at Lynnette's.
Lynnette says "I'd love to know what your favorite past-times are - what you dream about? I'd like to catch a glimpse of your personality...are you serious like me (yeah right)? flamboyant? spazzy? calm?"
I can't imagine most of you not knowing these things, but I will repeat for those who haven't been visiting my blog for long.
I'm going to be all over the place, so HANG ON FOR THE RIDE!
1. I was born with my toes bent up to my ankle, but it came down all on it's own! And I was born with CF, but not diagnosed until age 43.
2. I don't have a favorite color, food, singer or song. The things I really hate, though, are: the color orange, coffee, mushrooms, rock music and people swearing...and using the acronym "OMG". Even that acronym is the same as taking my Lord's name in vain!
3. I attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC for 2 1/2 years.
4. I am a middle child.
5. I am hooked on Bejeweled 2 right now!!!!
6. My favorite program is "Biggest Loser!!!!"
7. I love to bake and enjoy cooking, too.
8. I read about 3 books a week.
9. Two dreams are: go on Charles Stanley's Alaskan Cruise, buy a nice new camera - mine is an old POS and not doing so well lately.
10. My favorite thing to do when I'm finally alone in the house is use the bathroom with the door open! Now THAT's living it up!
BONUS: We purchased this house from a professional tennis player in 2007. HA! Some people knew it was someone "famous" but probably not the tennis player thing. When we toured the house there were pictures of her all over the place and HORDES of tennis shoes, tennis outfits, rackets, etc. from her sponsor. There were framed magazine covers with her featured on the cover, but it's the first I ever heard of her because I don't follow tennis. She has since done the cover of an "improper magazine" (I don't want to use the regular term and be hit by a bunch of Googlers!) and we wonder if that would lessen the value of the house or raise it?????? lol
We use our back deck quite often, but never our front porch. I hope that you feel like we have just spent a little time visiting on our back deck!
I hope to learn more about YOU, too, so go link up at Lynnette's.
10,000 visitors
Well, I didn't do a GiveAway when I did my 100th post or when I did my 200th post.
Then this week I hit 10,000 visitors and I'm thinking it's time to do a GiveAway!
But I don't know what to Give Away!
So, stay tuned, I will be purchasing something soon to offer in a GiveAway to celebrate my 10,000 visitor!
Tuesday, August 4
Back to Karate!
Ryan saw the Orthopedic Surgeon today and was cleared to return to "everything." He can even return to Karate, altho he has to ease into it.
Yeah! I'm not looking forward to running back and forth to Karate a few times a week again - it's about a 30-35 min. drive - but I'm glad he's able to do all normal activities!
This is my favorite Karate picture of him, taken a few belt levels ago. He's a blue belt now. (White, Yellow, Orange, Blue...)
Yeah! I'm not looking forward to running back and forth to Karate a few times a week again - it's about a 30-35 min. drive - but I'm glad he's able to do all normal activities!
This is my favorite Karate picture of him, taken a few belt levels ago. He's a blue belt now. (White, Yellow, Orange, Blue...)
Monday, August 3
Roll call
This morning we start our 8th year of homeschooling. I can't believe we're doing 9th grade already. It seems like we were just doing 2nd grade not that long ago. And it's getting so much HARDER!!!!!
He's having a freak fit over starting school (remember, he lost half his summer with his broken foot limitations), even though our habit is to ease into it. Today we'll do one class, tomorrow two and we'll be doing a full day by the end of the week.
I hate how it impedes on my time just as much as he hates it. But I'm all ready for "roll call" and where is he? Still in bed! I need to go give the crazy kid a nudge...
He's having a freak fit over starting school (remember, he lost half his summer with his broken foot limitations), even though our habit is to ease into it. Today we'll do one class, tomorrow two and we'll be doing a full day by the end of the week.
I hate how it impedes on my time just as much as he hates it. But I'm all ready for "roll call" and where is he? Still in bed! I need to go give the crazy kid a nudge...
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