Ten days ago I started coughing my head off at work. By the time I got home, I knew I was coming down with bronchitis. I had it last year at this time, and it was awful. I took tussin DM and went to bed, and was in bed mostly all weekend, exhausted and weak. I was able to get a doc appointment, and was given my first ever neb treatment- whew, does that make you jittery! I was put on a medrol pack and an inhaler. 90% of bronchitis is viral, which means treat the symptoms, but no antibiotic. By then Ralph had it too.
I was out of work 4 days, and slept most of them. Yesterday and today I came home from work and slept for 2 hours. I just can't get over the fatigue. The wheezing is gone, and the coughing is mostly gone. Ralph is still coughing, and has only been able to lay down to sleep the past 2 nights. So I kind of lost a week!
I only read 8 books in September, all from the library. I was even too sick to read! Forget quilting, my head was too fuzzy. I did a little crocheting near the end of the week.
Florence continues to decline. She doesn't recognize Ralph most of the time, and she's in the wheelchair all the time, and the aides feed her. She just turned 91, and it's so sad.
My favorite Eddie turned 10! How did that sweet, tiny baby turn into a handsome young man so fast? He rides dirt bikes, kayaks, loves his dog Honey, and reprograms his mom's iPad!
Ralph also had a milestone birthday, he turned 65. Because he is my dependent on insurance, his new medicare is his backup.
Ralph downloaded an app to put pix on here from the iPad, and if I ever feel totally human again I'll play with it.
Work is great, other than the whole getting up early in the morning to go there part.
I'll leave Amaryllis and Steph and Dan for the next post!
Holly
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013
I'm still here!
I haven't been in blog mode. I was having trouble with my right eye, the vision was just off. I went to my regular eye doc, who took some pictures and said that I have cataracts starting, but he didn't think that was the problem. He thought something was happening with my retina- not what I wanted to hear! So my primary gave me a referral to a retinologist.
By the time my appointment came up, I was a nervous wreck, convinced I would lose the sight in that eye. I asked Ralph to go with me for moral support and for another set of ears.
After a short exam, the retinologist said my retinas are fine, I have cataracts and that's what's causing the blurriness! I could have cried, I was so relieved! Cataracts are so fixable! I now have an appointment with the cataract doc, as the retinology group doesn't do cataracts. I'm so happy to live now- 40 years ago when my Mom had cataract surgery, she was in the hospital for 8 days. She said they stuck her with needles all around and in the eye! Now it's all drops, and you're home on the couch by lunchtime.
I was so worried about my eye, I haven't been able to concentrate on much. I did a little bit of sewing, and no crocheting. A little reading, a little computer time. And it's Labor Day weekend, and fun time is over! Back to the Salt Mines on Tuesday!
And I'm working on pix.
Holly
By the time my appointment came up, I was a nervous wreck, convinced I would lose the sight in that eye. I asked Ralph to go with me for moral support and for another set of ears.
After a short exam, the retinologist said my retinas are fine, I have cataracts and that's what's causing the blurriness! I could have cried, I was so relieved! Cataracts are so fixable! I now have an appointment with the cataract doc, as the retinology group doesn't do cataracts. I'm so happy to live now- 40 years ago when my Mom had cataract surgery, she was in the hospital for 8 days. She said they stuck her with needles all around and in the eye! Now it's all drops, and you're home on the couch by lunchtime.
I was so worried about my eye, I haven't been able to concentrate on much. I did a little bit of sewing, and no crocheting. A little reading, a little computer time. And it's Labor Day weekend, and fun time is over! Back to the Salt Mines on Tuesday!
And I'm working on pix.
Holly
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Amaryllis Jane has arrived in Washington!
I flew to Sea-Tac Airport on July 12. Manda's due date was July 15, and Amary arrived on July 19.
The day after I arrived, we went to the Space Needle for brunch, which is a fabulous, though pricey, experience. Sunday we went out to lunch, then to a yarn store and a quilt shop. The rest of the week Manda was working from home, so we'd go out to lunch each day, and she'd work and I'd read or play on the iPad the rest of the day.
Friday morning Ben woke me up 6ish to tell me Manda was in labor. At 9.30 we called Heather, our resident labor expert, and she advised Manda to call the doc. She was told to head to the hospital. Things progressed rapidly, and baby was born at 12.54 p.m. Manda and Ben took a good look at her, counted her fingers and toes, and announced that her name is Amaryllis Jane. She weighed 8 lbs, 14.2 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.
The evening the pediatrician said she is perfect, which we already knew. The hospital is set up with labor-delivery-mother/infant rooms, so Amary never left the room until she was 24 hours old and had to go to the nursery for bloodwork. Ben went with her, then they were discharged! Even though she's a good weight, she still looks so tiny!
Amary is now 2 weeks old, and I came home Thursday. She's staying awake longer, and showing an interest in her surroundings. Manda sent me a pic last night of her carrying Amary in a sling. Amary's working on sleeping for a long stretch at night, so Manda can get some real rest.
I just put the question up on the HGTV boards how to post to the blog pix from the iPad, and I hope to be able to do that soon. Amary puts me in mind of Heather when she was a tiny baby, with the same shaped head and dark hair.
I'm so glad Amary was born during the summer, and I was able to spend almost 3 weeks in Mill Creek.
Back on the home front, Florence is not doing well. Ralph was spending nights there, with an aid being there 3-11, but that was really hard on him. This week he and Frank had an aid start 7p to 7a, and Ralph goes up 3-7p, which is a pain but easier on him.
And so it goes!
Holly
The day after I arrived, we went to the Space Needle for brunch, which is a fabulous, though pricey, experience. Sunday we went out to lunch, then to a yarn store and a quilt shop. The rest of the week Manda was working from home, so we'd go out to lunch each day, and she'd work and I'd read or play on the iPad the rest of the day.
Friday morning Ben woke me up 6ish to tell me Manda was in labor. At 9.30 we called Heather, our resident labor expert, and she advised Manda to call the doc. She was told to head to the hospital. Things progressed rapidly, and baby was born at 12.54 p.m. Manda and Ben took a good look at her, counted her fingers and toes, and announced that her name is Amaryllis Jane. She weighed 8 lbs, 14.2 ounces, and was 20.5 inches long.
The evening the pediatrician said she is perfect, which we already knew. The hospital is set up with labor-delivery-mother/infant rooms, so Amary never left the room until she was 24 hours old and had to go to the nursery for bloodwork. Ben went with her, then they were discharged! Even though she's a good weight, she still looks so tiny!
Amary is now 2 weeks old, and I came home Thursday. She's staying awake longer, and showing an interest in her surroundings. Manda sent me a pic last night of her carrying Amary in a sling. Amary's working on sleeping for a long stretch at night, so Manda can get some real rest.
I just put the question up on the HGTV boards how to post to the blog pix from the iPad, and I hope to be able to do that soon. Amary puts me in mind of Heather when she was a tiny baby, with the same shaped head and dark hair.
I'm so glad Amary was born during the summer, and I was able to spend almost 3 weeks in Mill Creek.
Back on the home front, Florence is not doing well. Ralph was spending nights there, with an aid being there 3-11, but that was really hard on him. This week he and Frank had an aid start 7p to 7a, and Ralph goes up 3-7p, which is a pain but easier on him.
And so it goes!
Holly
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Almost ready to go!
I fly to Sea-Tac tomorrow night! I leave Philly at 6 pm our time, and get there at 9 pm their time. It's a 6 hour flight, with a 3 hour time difference. Rebecca is picking me up at the airport, just in case. My clothes have been shipped, and I have to just take a tote bag as a carry on.
We had a scare last night, DMIL Florence fell in the bathroom and her hip hurt, so the asst living sent her to the ER. Ralph was in the ER with her all night. The xray was negative, so they sent her back.
I had a dead battery in my van the other night, luckily in the garage. We'd done a bunch of errands during the day, so it could have been worse. The battery was under warranty, so we didn't have to pay full price for a replacement.
Manda, Ben and I are going to the Space Needle for brunch Saturday, unless Baby Girl arrives before then. I've been to the one in Niagra Falls, years ago, and the view was fantastic, so I'm looking forward to this.
I'll have a social life in WA! My online friend BJ wants to meet up, and so does another casual online friend, Handie Annie. It's fun to meet up with women that I've been talking to online for years.
I'm not a happy flier, and I haven't flown since December 2009. But 6 hours in the air vs 3 days on a train is no contest. I haven't not flown due to fear, it was due to being so sick in early 2010, then needing and getting a new knee. No word from aetna about when they and Kennedy will be dealing with each other again.
I'm taking my iPad, Kindle, and a crochet project. My boarding pass is printed out, and I have a list of things to pack tomorrow morning. I'm as ready as I'll ever be!
And so it goes!
Holly
We had a scare last night, DMIL Florence fell in the bathroom and her hip hurt, so the asst living sent her to the ER. Ralph was in the ER with her all night. The xray was negative, so they sent her back.
I had a dead battery in my van the other night, luckily in the garage. We'd done a bunch of errands during the day, so it could have been worse. The battery was under warranty, so we didn't have to pay full price for a replacement.
Manda, Ben and I are going to the Space Needle for brunch Saturday, unless Baby Girl arrives before then. I've been to the one in Niagra Falls, years ago, and the view was fantastic, so I'm looking forward to this.
I'll have a social life in WA! My online friend BJ wants to meet up, and so does another casual online friend, Handie Annie. It's fun to meet up with women that I've been talking to online for years.
I'm not a happy flier, and I haven't flown since December 2009. But 6 hours in the air vs 3 days on a train is no contest. I haven't not flown due to fear, it was due to being so sick in early 2010, then needing and getting a new knee. No word from aetna about when they and Kennedy will be dealing with each other again.
I'm taking my iPad, Kindle, and a crochet project. My boarding pass is printed out, and I have a list of things to pack tomorrow morning. I'm as ready as I'll ever be!
And so it goes!
Holly
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Stephanie is 30!
Thirty years ago today Stephanie Susan was born. She was tiny, at 7 pounds, and a few days early. We thought she'd be born on the 6th to share John's birthday, but she wanted her own birthday. Contrary and bossy, even being born! She was positioned "sunny side up" and when she decided to turn and be born, she doc almost missed it. The nurse was yelling "pant don't push" and Ralph and I were panting.
Steph was the only baby that we didn't have a name picked out for ahead of time. Ralph wanted Alicia, and I said only if I died in childbirth. I don't remember having a favored name. After two days, the nurses gave us a name book, because she had to have a name to go home. When we got to "Stephanie" we both liked the name. Susan was because my middle name is Sue, and Ralph's grandmom's name was Susie. Stephanie Sue sounded like a country western song, so we went with Susan. At the time, the movie Grease 2 was on HBO, and all of Heather's friends thought Steph was named for the character in the movie.
Manda was just over 2, and Stephanie was a mouthful for a toddler who didn't talk much, so she became Bepps, and she'll still answer to it.
Steph just got her Master's Degree, Summa Cum Laude, from St. Joseph's University in Philly. It's in Fire Science and Public Safety Administration. She also got engaged this year to Dan Ruscansky, and they've set a wedding date of 10-12-14.
They're away this weekend celebrating her birthday, and the horde of dogs is here annoying my cats. The dogs are getting up there in years, and Toast can't do steps or jump at all. Whiskey is more limber.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Steph was the only baby that we didn't have a name picked out for ahead of time. Ralph wanted Alicia, and I said only if I died in childbirth. I don't remember having a favored name. After two days, the nurses gave us a name book, because she had to have a name to go home. When we got to "Stephanie" we both liked the name. Susan was because my middle name is Sue, and Ralph's grandmom's name was Susie. Stephanie Sue sounded like a country western song, so we went with Susan. At the time, the movie Grease 2 was on HBO, and all of Heather's friends thought Steph was named for the character in the movie.
Manda was just over 2, and Stephanie was a mouthful for a toddler who didn't talk much, so she became Bepps, and she'll still answer to it.
Steph just got her Master's Degree, Summa Cum Laude, from St. Joseph's University in Philly. It's in Fire Science and Public Safety Administration. She also got engaged this year to Dan Ruscansky, and they've set a wedding date of 10-12-14.
They're away this weekend celebrating her birthday, and the horde of dogs is here annoying my cats. The dogs are getting up there in years, and Toast can't do steps or jump at all. Whiskey is more limber.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Monday, July 1, 2013
July 1
The year is half over! How did that happen? I think June was as long as the other five months put together. Manda is 38 weeks today! Baby Girl will join a lot of other July babies- Steph, Dan, John, Nadia, Juliette, Helen, Polly, my late grandfather, Mackenzie, and Connor.
Today starts our first full week of summer break, finally! I've finished up the crochet projects that I wanted to get dome before Baby Girl arrives. Now I'm using the accuquilt Go to cut up fabric from the scrap bin into 6 inch squares. Nice, mindless activity.
Ralph started swimming lessons! I'm so excited- it's the first step in getting him on a cruise ship! When we were talking at Sharon's about a dinner cruise off Cape May, he said he thought taking lessons would make him less afraid of the water. He was able to find a series of lessons that started last Monday. He feels like he did well. Of course, we had to run out and get him a bathing suit before he could start.
My baby will be 30 this week! I was 30 when she was born, so this is the year that I'm double her age. To celebrate turning 30, she and Dan are going away for the weekend, which means the dogs are coming here. It'll be their first overnight stay since the cats arrived, which will be interesting. The dogs are used to cats, but we don't know if the cats have ever been around dogs.
I'm mailing my clothes to Manda this week, so I don't have to pay the airline for luggage costs. And I'll only need one tote, to carry my pillow, iPad, and Kindle and their chargers. All the electronics that are so important to me, that didn't exist 10 years ago. Amazing!
And rain! I'm so sick of the daily monsoon that we've been having! And when it's not raining, it's so humid and hot that I don't even want to be outside. I'm looking forward to the cooler temps of WA.
I read a lot in June! 24 books, 14 on the kindle. I only have one book on request at the library, because I won't be here for over two weeks.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
Today starts our first full week of summer break, finally! I've finished up the crochet projects that I wanted to get dome before Baby Girl arrives. Now I'm using the accuquilt Go to cut up fabric from the scrap bin into 6 inch squares. Nice, mindless activity.
Ralph started swimming lessons! I'm so excited- it's the first step in getting him on a cruise ship! When we were talking at Sharon's about a dinner cruise off Cape May, he said he thought taking lessons would make him less afraid of the water. He was able to find a series of lessons that started last Monday. He feels like he did well. Of course, we had to run out and get him a bathing suit before he could start.
My baby will be 30 this week! I was 30 when she was born, so this is the year that I'm double her age. To celebrate turning 30, she and Dan are going away for the weekend, which means the dogs are coming here. It'll be their first overnight stay since the cats arrived, which will be interesting. The dogs are used to cats, but we don't know if the cats have ever been around dogs.
I'm mailing my clothes to Manda this week, so I don't have to pay the airline for luggage costs. And I'll only need one tote, to carry my pillow, iPad, and Kindle and their chargers. All the electronics that are so important to me, that didn't exist 10 years ago. Amazing!
And rain! I'm so sick of the daily monsoon that we've been having! And when it's not raining, it's so humid and hot that I don't even want to be outside. I'm looking forward to the cooler temps of WA.
I read a lot in June! 24 books, 14 on the kindle. I only have one book on request at the library, because I won't be here for over two weeks.
And the beat goes on!
Holly
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