I went out today!

Every day Ralph asks me if I feel like going out to lunch. Today I was feeling better than I have in weeks, so we went to Applebee's. The weather was awful, all dreary and rainy, but it felt so good to get out!

I had their fabulous broccoli cheese soup, and brought home an extra one for tomorrow when he's working. By the time we got home I felt like I'd ran a marathon! But I did it! And I'll go out on Wednesday, to the doctor's office to discuss surgery.

Janome is coming out with a new sewing machine, the 7700. Mine is the 6500, and it's 5 years old and runs perfect, and I love it, so I have no plans to get the new one. It might be fun to test drive it, but none of the upgraded features are worth the price- $3200! Wow! When I got mine it had a list price of $1500, and I got it for $1000, and couldn't believe I was spending that much money. It's one of the best investments I've ever made! I figure I'll use it till I absolutely wear it out.

I just finished some really good books. A trilogy by Jayne Anne Krentz about Eclipse Bay, which were romantic suspense. I've never read a book by her that I didn't love. And Coming Home by Mariah Stewart, the first of a new trilogy by her. She writes about FBI agents and their families- a little more than romantic suspense, but not hard boiled. A cozy plus.

And so it goes!

Holly

Recuperating

Monday morning I ended up in the ER again- I woke Ralph up at 0300 and said if I didn't get to the ER I was going to die. My hemoglobin was 7, and I was dehydrated. The ER doc admitted me under medicine, with a gyn consult.

Two units of blood later, I was still 7- that's how dehydrated I was. I'd been vomiting and couldn't eat. As soon as I stopped taking the antibiotic, the nausea went away. The hospital was so full that 24 of us were held in the ER all day, and got to a room at 8 pm.

Tuesday I had a d&c, and Wednesday an ultrasound that showed 2 ovarian cysts, on the size of a golf ball- no wonder my side hurt! I got some iron IV, and was discharged Wednesday night to rest til I see the doc Wednesday. The pathology will be back then, and we'll talk options.

I'm going for the surgery. I've lost a month of my life already, and I can't do anymore. It's time to call it a day. I've only been out of the house to go to the ER and the doc's. I can read for short periods, but sewing and crocheting have no interest for me.

I want my life back!

Holly

The saga continues

My primary doc sent me back to the ER Thursday night. I have a UTI and was dehydrated, so they gave me fluids and put me on bactrim, and zofram for the nausea. This week I got for an ultrasound on Monday, and see a different doc from the gyn practice on Tuesday- I think it's past time for a fresh pair of eyes to review everything.

The antibiotic has kicked in, and I feel better that way. My hemoglobin is still only 8, so I'm going to ask for a nutrition consult. I have no appetite, which isn't helping. The gyn said the nausea, from the estrogen, should pass in a few days- easy for her to say! I'm interested to see what the other gyn has to say. I need to start getting built back up- I have things to do, as my Dad used to say.

Ralph has been doing laundry and pushing me to eat. Steph stopped over today to see how I am. I wish Heather lived closer and could go the the doc with me.

So that's the latest.

I'm so exhausted

Saw the doc yesterday. She had blood drawn, and put me on different meds, a combination of estrogen and progesterone. Today I slept most of the day, but never felt rested. We discussed options- hormones directly to the uterus, a heat ablation, and last resort hysterectomy. She has to see a what point we can call the first ablation failed.

The new meds are not agreeing with me. I have to call her on Thursday to talk. And I see my primary on Thursday to get her opinion. I'm out of work again this week, and too wiped out to enjoy it. At this point I'm exhausted, sick and sorry I ever had the procedure in the first place.

And now I'm going back to bed.

Holly

What a week!

Tuesday morning I woke up and knew something was wrong. Called the doc, and went off to the ER, where I ended up getting 2 units of blood. We were there all day. Came home to a message from Mom that she'd passed out and couldn't call 911 because the door was locked. Luckily the next message was from Big Mike, that she was in the hospital.

Even with the 2 units, I still have the energy of a noodle. We figure I'm at about 9 for hemoglobin, and won't feel better til I hit 10+. I couldn't even to see Mom. She came home today, without them figuring out why she passed out.

It got colder again today, and I slept a good part of the day. I see the doc on Monday to decide on a plan of action.

I did crochet a little this week, and read a couple of books. Not how I planned to spend my Easter break from work!

Holly

Sad Anniversary

Three years ago tonight, my Dad died. It was very sudden. It was Holy Thursday, 2007, and he'd spent the day checking things on the roof and chasing squirrels. It was 2 days before his birthday.
My Mom called me because he was acting wifty. By the time I got to their house, 2 blocks away, she'd called the ambulance.
Two hours later he was dead. So heartbreaking sudden. So many people to notify.
This is the last picture I have of him. Manda and Ben had come to see new baby Julianna, and we had Sunday dinner at my house. Dad kept asking Ben about life in "Na-brew-ski."

Easter dinner 2007 was spent finalizing details for Dad's funeral. The food had already been bought, so we came together to grieve and remember. Manda and Steph asked my Mom if girls could be pallbearers. Of course they could! So four of Dad's six grandchildren carried him on his final journey- Jake was too little and Heather had just had a baby. Representatives from the Navy were there to play taps and present the flag. One of the Navy personnel was a woman, which made Mom laugh and would have appalled Dad.

We buried him in his red hat, with his own blanket, and a can of Piels beer. Jacob had written him an Easter note and found a heart shaped rock, which also accompanied him.

All the "firsts" without Dad have passed. Yesterday was our third Easter without him, and we were discussing how much he used to enjoy the egg hunts with the kids. There are days when I don't think of him at all, and that kind of amazes me. He would be so proud of Mikey, who just graduated motorcycle repair school, and Steph and Manda, who graduate college next month with a bachelor's and master's. He'd be excited to welcome Ben to the family in June. He'd miss Eddie and Julie.

If Heaven is a garden, then Joe is there chasing squirrels and planting tomatoes. That's the memory of him that I want to hang onto. Rest in Peace, Joe, we love you.

Holly
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