We just got home from Memorial Hospital after the input of Dick's antibiotics. The evening "event" lasts for 1 1/2 hours. It is hard for me to just sit. Fortunately I just got a couple of new books and can read and/or watch TV which is in the room.
Tomorrow, as I mentioned, I am going rabbit hunting with my brothers and the Behr boys. So Jim and Michelle are taking him for his morning session at Valley View. The rest of the week the morning push will be at 6:00AM. If that was so on Sunday, I could take him. We are glad that Jim and Michelle are so willing do do things for us. They are good kids. (An, of course, to us old folks they will always be kids. The rest of our children must just accept that fact too. It is kind of nice to feel that you are just a kid to somebody anyway. That is what Mother and her cronies always call me.)
We did rack the Riesling into the secondary fermenter (the carboy) today. I told Dick that I have to test the grape wines and the currant wines to see if they are ready. If so, we will take them along to the Wild Game Dinner next Saturday. I had to cancel the Celtic retreat because I can't leave Dick for three days when he needs to go to get his antibiotics. The Wild Game dinner is from noon to about 4 so we can do that without worrying about getting to tests.
We put off last night's shower until this morning so we could approach, with alert minds, the problem of keeping the PICC dry. One of the nurses had recommended using Press and Seal Glad Wrap which does not work for the purpose it was intended. I prefer sticking with regular Glad Wrap for most things. But we wrapped it twice around the PICC and its little cover net and it worked like a charm. Remember that if you have to keep a wrappable part of your body dry in the shower.
Dick and I went to church at Immaculate Conception at 4PM before the hospital visit so I can hunt and won't miss church. Isn't he sweet. IC is a nice church. They had a young person cantering. He had a wonderful voice and really projected.
Dick is testing his blood twice a day and his readings have ranged from 95 to 146. On Wednesday, we go to a class and will learn HOW to interpret these readings and what Dick should be doing if it is low or high. Our first session was to show us how to use the meter and to have us record the readings and EVERYTHING Dick ingests for a week.
Remember to step back and survey what you and God have accomplished this far on your journey. All this sitting around is good for me, it makes me pause and take deep breaths.
It is time for me to settle down to bed soon. Tomorrow will be another busy day.
Happy Sunday
Love
Mary
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
It is late. 10:37PM. I JUST got home from Rhine Plymouth. Bobbie and I worked tonight and was it ever busy. The club has the biggest league that I have ever experienced going and I think every team shot tonight. It was a nice night for shooting. Cold but no precipitation and no appreciable wind. We filled 34 sign up sheets. Most of them shot two rounds.
I actually got there late. We got a call from Dr. Phelan's nurse Theresa telling Dick that the results of a swab he took of Dick's leg came back showing an infection that would not be healed by the intravenous that he had originally prescribed. So the two doses he got were not helping.
We had to go to Sheboygan Memorial this afternoon, arriving at 2:45PM. They took out the angio catheter and put in a PICC (a "permanent" shunt or port that will allow them to give him the TWO antibiotics (one once a day and one twice a day) for two full weeks. After the PICC was inserted in his arm we went upstairs to have the first doses. The one he gets once a day takes a full hour the other that he will get morning and evening takes 30 minutes. So we are going to be busy people for the next two weeks. I canceled my Celtic Retreat for next weekend. I just couldn't leave him for two whole days and an evening when he needs this kind of treatment. Jim and Michelle will take him on Sunday morning so I CAN go rabbit hunting. Except for the Saturday and Sunday evenings, the intravenous can be given at Valley View which will save a lot on travel time.
I did get my kitchen cleaned and have a batch of wine ready to rack. Did that before the big phone call.
I am really too tired to think of anything clever to add to this so will just wish you a good weekend and ask for prayers for Dick's speedy recovery.
I shot pretty good tonight. I got a 59 a 60 and a 66. I keep on trying
Love
Mary
I actually got there late. We got a call from Dr. Phelan's nurse Theresa telling Dick that the results of a swab he took of Dick's leg came back showing an infection that would not be healed by the intravenous that he had originally prescribed. So the two doses he got were not helping.
We had to go to Sheboygan Memorial this afternoon, arriving at 2:45PM. They took out the angio catheter and put in a PICC (a "permanent" shunt or port that will allow them to give him the TWO antibiotics (one once a day and one twice a day) for two full weeks. After the PICC was inserted in his arm we went upstairs to have the first doses. The one he gets once a day takes a full hour the other that he will get morning and evening takes 30 minutes. So we are going to be busy people for the next two weeks. I canceled my Celtic Retreat for next weekend. I just couldn't leave him for two whole days and an evening when he needs this kind of treatment. Jim and Michelle will take him on Sunday morning so I CAN go rabbit hunting. Except for the Saturday and Sunday evenings, the intravenous can be given at Valley View which will save a lot on travel time.
I did get my kitchen cleaned and have a batch of wine ready to rack. Did that before the big phone call.
I am really too tired to think of anything clever to add to this so will just wish you a good weekend and ask for prayers for Dick's speedy recovery.
I shot pretty good tonight. I got a 59 a 60 and a 66. I keep on trying
Love
Mary
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Would you believe that this is the 1241st blog that I have posted? I recommend blogs to anyone who likes to journal. It is fun.
It was COLD today. When Chelsea and I went out this morning it was int he single digits. BRR. That did not seem to bother her much, but later, when we went for a short walk, her poor little paws got really cold and I had to carry her part way home.
We had breakfast at the Shoppes on Mill Street. It was quite good. I had eggs, ham and bagel with cream cheese. Next time, I will try their oatmeal. They have TONS of addons. like brown sugar, cream and walnuts.
Then grocery shopping. We did pretty well and even stopped at Aurora Drug Store to buy the container to hold the needles from Dick's blood tests. They have to be disposed of AT the drug stores.
At noon we went to Valley View Hospital so that Dick could have his second dose of intravenous antibiotics. That went well but his angiocatheter wrap is kind of loose. On the way home we stopped and renewed the listing agreement with ReMax.
Tomorrow the Riesling will be ready to rack to the secondary fermenter. We have quite a lot in process and aging. But are still behind on the stock. We got way behind during the move.
I called Jeff this afternoon to be sure that I will be ready for rabbit hunting on Sunday. We meet at Leroy's house at 8:00AM. It is supposed to be COLD BRR. So we will probably be out of the woods fairly early. I, for sure, have to be home by 1:00 to get Dick to the hospital by 1:30 to get his intravenous again. I am bringing some venison sausage that Jeff make last year for the Sausage Tasting. We do that at the Whirl Wind, a dinky bar out there somewhere. I am sure we will not be out too late, because Vic always comes and he believes that the hunting should be done from a bar stool. If it is cold he will start hinting the minute we meet.
Jeff said we have plenty of rabbits for the Wild Game Dinner anyway. I will miss it this year. For some reason, I thought it was on the second weekend in February and I made reservations to attend a Celtic Spirituality Retreat at the Redemptorist Center in Oconomowoc. This should be a great retreat as Padraigin Clancy, an Irish historian, folklorist and musician will be the presenter. I heard her speak at the Celtic Women's Conference. I am really looking forward to a weekend of rebuilding. A whole weekend without anyone to ask for something will be unbelievable. I am going to make the stew in a crockpot and take it to Donna to bring to the dinner so I at least do my share. I guess Dolores isn't going to be there either. She has to work. But she doesn't like being somewhere that she can't smoke anyway.
It's just like magid. When you live by yourself, all of your annoying habits are gone. by Merrill Markoe
Love
Mary
It was COLD today. When Chelsea and I went out this morning it was int he single digits. BRR. That did not seem to bother her much, but later, when we went for a short walk, her poor little paws got really cold and I had to carry her part way home.
We had breakfast at the Shoppes on Mill Street. It was quite good. I had eggs, ham and bagel with cream cheese. Next time, I will try their oatmeal. They have TONS of addons. like brown sugar, cream and walnuts.
Then grocery shopping. We did pretty well and even stopped at Aurora Drug Store to buy the container to hold the needles from Dick's blood tests. They have to be disposed of AT the drug stores.
At noon we went to Valley View Hospital so that Dick could have his second dose of intravenous antibiotics. That went well but his angiocatheter wrap is kind of loose. On the way home we stopped and renewed the listing agreement with ReMax.
Tomorrow the Riesling will be ready to rack to the secondary fermenter. We have quite a lot in process and aging. But are still behind on the stock. We got way behind during the move.
I called Jeff this afternoon to be sure that I will be ready for rabbit hunting on Sunday. We meet at Leroy's house at 8:00AM. It is supposed to be COLD BRR. So we will probably be out of the woods fairly early. I, for sure, have to be home by 1:00 to get Dick to the hospital by 1:30 to get his intravenous again. I am bringing some venison sausage that Jeff make last year for the Sausage Tasting. We do that at the Whirl Wind, a dinky bar out there somewhere. I am sure we will not be out too late, because Vic always comes and he believes that the hunting should be done from a bar stool. If it is cold he will start hinting the minute we meet.
Jeff said we have plenty of rabbits for the Wild Game Dinner anyway. I will miss it this year. For some reason, I thought it was on the second weekend in February and I made reservations to attend a Celtic Spirituality Retreat at the Redemptorist Center in Oconomowoc. This should be a great retreat as Padraigin Clancy, an Irish historian, folklorist and musician will be the presenter. I heard her speak at the Celtic Women's Conference. I am really looking forward to a weekend of rebuilding. A whole weekend without anyone to ask for something will be unbelievable. I am going to make the stew in a crockpot and take it to Donna to bring to the dinner so I at least do my share. I guess Dolores isn't going to be there either. She has to work. But she doesn't like being somewhere that she can't smoke anyway.
It's just like magid. When you live by yourself, all of your annoying habits are gone. by Merrill Markoe
Love
Mary
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
I am posting early because I am able to and also I want to go to bed at 9:00 and watch Medium. I hope I can stay awake for the whole thing as I do like it. However, I am really rather tired.
It has been a busy day. We started off at 6:00 AM with a nice long walk for Chelsea and me. We went up as far as the driveway for the middle school and into the parking lot, then back home. Chelsea was properly worn out and very hungry by the time we got home. Then we got Dick's sox on, I took my shower and we headed for the Clinic.
His blood count, as expected because of the antibiotics, low. Then we went to have Dr. Phelan look at Dick's legs. He still feels that there is infection in there so is putting him on daptomycin intravenously for 10 days. We had the first dose today while we were there and they left the angio-catheter in for at least the next two doses. We can do the rest at Valley View here in Plymouth so will not have to be driving in to Sheboygan every day. Dick will have to be very careful with that catheter in his hand. Makes me nervous anyway but hopefully this will clear up that lingering infection. This is why Dr. Phelan thinks his legs are so red and why there is seepage sometimes. Dick has little or no feeling so at least pain is not associated with the condition, but perhaps that is not a blessing.
We picked up his testing strips and needles at Walgreens on the way home. Then we got to stay here the rest of the day. I did some cleaning, mainly windows and window frames and some quilting.
Now we are winding down. Tomorrow we grocery shop.
I'm sending a picture to let you all know that spring and summer do come. This was a sweet picture on the deck at Hunter's Glen
Love
Mary
It has been a busy day. We started off at 6:00 AM with a nice long walk for Chelsea and me. We went up as far as the driveway for the middle school and into the parking lot, then back home. Chelsea was properly worn out and very hungry by the time we got home. Then we got Dick's sox on, I took my shower and we headed for the Clinic.
His blood count, as expected because of the antibiotics, low. Then we went to have Dr. Phelan look at Dick's legs. He still feels that there is infection in there so is putting him on daptomycin intravenously for 10 days. We had the first dose today while we were there and they left the angio-catheter in for at least the next two doses. We can do the rest at Valley View here in Plymouth so will not have to be driving in to Sheboygan every day. Dick will have to be very careful with that catheter in his hand. Makes me nervous anyway but hopefully this will clear up that lingering infection. This is why Dr. Phelan thinks his legs are so red and why there is seepage sometimes. Dick has little or no feeling so at least pain is not associated with the condition, but perhaps that is not a blessing.
We picked up his testing strips and needles at Walgreens on the way home. Then we got to stay here the rest of the day. I did some cleaning, mainly windows and window frames and some quilting.
Now we are winding down. Tomorrow we grocery shop.
I'm sending a picture to let you all know that spring and summer do come. This was a sweet picture on the deck at Hunter's Glen
Love
Mary
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
We got to stay home ALL day today. It was cold outside but no snow. At least no accumulation. I thought I saw a light flurry or two during the day.
I did some cleaning today and checked the wine. The Riesling should be ready to rack to the secondary by Thursday at the latest.
Mat (that his how his name was spelled on his nametag) from Homecare Resources came to install grab bars in the shower stalls in both our bathroom and the one in the basement. These are hard to do but he says that baring cracking of the stall itself it should hold just fine. Dick took his shower tonight and says that the one in our bathroom is just right. He likes it just to help steady himself. I feel a bit more secure now too.
He tested his blood for the first time this morning. He will do it once a day alternating just before breakfast with two hours after lunch to get average readings. Then next Wednesday when we go for the class they will tell us if that is how we should continue. We are also keeping track of what he eats and will learn better how to record in the classes. There is a lot to learn.
Tomorrow we get his blood count checked by Sue and will see Dr. Phelan, probably for the last time, about his legs.
I missed my kitties today. Suddenly the desk seemed mighty empty.
Take care. Until tomorrow.
Love
Mary
I did some cleaning today and checked the wine. The Riesling should be ready to rack to the secondary by Thursday at the latest.
Mat (that his how his name was spelled on his nametag) from Homecare Resources came to install grab bars in the shower stalls in both our bathroom and the one in the basement. These are hard to do but he says that baring cracking of the stall itself it should hold just fine. Dick took his shower tonight and says that the one in our bathroom is just right. He likes it just to help steady himself. I feel a bit more secure now too.
He tested his blood for the first time this morning. He will do it once a day alternating just before breakfast with two hours after lunch to get average readings. Then next Wednesday when we go for the class they will tell us if that is how we should continue. We are also keeping track of what he eats and will learn better how to record in the classes. There is a lot to learn.
Tomorrow we get his blood count checked by Sue and will see Dr. Phelan, probably for the last time, about his legs.
I missed my kitties today. Suddenly the desk seemed mighty empty.
Take care. Until tomorrow.
Love
Mary
Monday, January 22, 2007
The plow trucks were coming around just about the time that Chelsea and I went out for our walk at 6:00AM. They are really nice. The driver stopped and let Chelsea and I walk by so she wouldn't be distressed by the noise and flying snow. I told him that we sure were glad to see him and he laughed and said that he bet we were.
I went to Bible study. The roads were pretty well cleared by 9:00 and were no longer slippery. We had a small but eager group and talked extensively about the readings which dealt with the importance of love in all that we do and with the fact that Jesus was not too well accepted in his own land. The "neighbors" said. "Isn't he the son of Joseph.'' And they were not impressed that he did not and said that he would not be doing miracles in his own town.
Stopped to see Mother and took her a bulletin. She did not go over to church yesterday because it was too slippery. She got tons of cards and flowers and presents for her birthday.
I picked up a copy of the bulletin and the worship folder because they had my poem for Fr. Gene printed in them. I will add it here for you now that it has been performed at the Mass.
I went to Bible study. The roads were pretty well cleared by 9:00 and were no longer slippery. We had a small but eager group and talked extensively about the readings which dealt with the importance of love in all that we do and with the fact that Jesus was not too well accepted in his own land. The "neighbors" said. "Isn't he the son of Joseph.'' And they were not impressed that he did not and said that he would not be doing miracles in his own town.
Stopped to see Mother and took her a bulletin. She did not go over to church yesterday because it was too slippery. She got tons of cards and flowers and presents for her birthday.
I picked up a copy of the bulletin and the worship folder because they had my poem for Fr. Gene printed in them. I will add it here for you now that it has been performed at the Mass.
JOURNEY
by Mary Kunert
On your own
But not alone
Journey towards salvation.
Jesus is path and companion.
If you ignore him
You will not be chosen
By the King
Because Jesus is the hungry,
The naked, the lonely, the homeless.
On your own
But not alone
Walk the Way He showed us.
He is within you always
As he promised,
Even to the end of the age.
He is in the dying
And the newborn child
Believe in Him
On your own
But not alone
Accept the blessing offered
Step forward boldly, all of you,
the poor in spirit, the hungry,
the peacemakers, the meek,
the merciful, the clean of heart,
Alongside those who mourn
Or are persecuted for his sake.
You are never alone
But are joined to God
And to each other by the promise of the Son
Every dayAt this table.
Based on Matthew 5:3-10, 25:31-46 and 28:20
The other excitement today was our visit with June Maile, a diabetes specialist, who went over a LOT of information for us and gave Dick his monitor and very clear instructions on how to use it. We will go next Wednesday morning for our first of several classes on how to deal with diabetes in regards to diet, exercise and I assume many other things. ( I can't get the italics to go off, so I will put the rest of the message in bold. Don't want you to think this is part of the poem. Ha Ha.) He is to start testing every day and keep a log. He is also asked to keep a food log for a while. We have decided not to change any thing until we attend the meeting so we know what CHANGES need to be made and what we are doing right.
Guess that is all for now. Have a nice day.
Mary
Sunday, January 21, 2007
I'm back.
It was a lovely weekend. We left shortly after noon and arrived at the Colonial Gardens at about 3:00PM. We rested for a while and then went to the Inn at Cedar Crossing for dinner at about 5:00 so we could spend an evening just resting.
The meal was very good. I ordered Islandic cod with mashed parsnips and a great sauce. It was quite nummy. Dick kind of wrinkled his nose at the parsnips but as he had a lake perch dinner, he did not complain.
I used the bubbly tub three times this weekend, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday morning just before we left. I hope that this relaxes my muscles for quite some time. Chelsea is already being a pest, but her schedule was way off while we were gone. Jim and Michelle spent time with her here and took her to their house a couple of times but of course, when Mom and Dad are gone, it is just not the same schedule and we know that old critters like their schedules.
Saturday morning we got up at about 7 or so. Breakfast, a bread pudding with fruit, juice, and Canadian Bacon with fresh coffee was at the door at 8:AM on the dot. We ate and then went for a drive. We ended up at the Door Peninsula Winery where we went on a tour and enjoyed a wine tasting. Then we bought some wine and fudge and started back. We stopped at a restaurant called Kick for lunch. They have (or at least had that day) great soups. I had a nice chai tea with a peasant lunch of broccoli cheese soup with a fresh wheat roll. Dick had soup and a coke.
We went back to the B&B for a rest. I finished my Morgan Llywelyn book 1972 over the weekend and she better be "pert near" done with the next in the series as she left this one with a REAL cliffhanger and I can't wait for the next chapter. I will put in a quote that I loved that I thought was beautiful. This (fictionally of course) occurred during a 1968 peace march in Northern Ireland
A grandmother with thinning white hair and most of her front teeth missing tugged at Barry's elbow. Her face was a road map of hard times. "Will you link with an old women?"
He turned and smiled down at her. A warm,slow, lover's smile, as if the two of them were all alone and she was the most beautiful girl in the world. "There aren't any old women here," he said gently. "But I'll be proud to link with you."
As he tucked her arm through his, the years fell away from her face.
From 1972, chapter 32 by Morgan Llewlyn
Boy, can she write. God grant me that gift.
I went to the 5:00PM mass at St. Joseph's and found out the Green Bay diocese is consolidating and collaborating as much as the Milwaukee Archdiocese is and that they are losing priests as fast too.
We went to dinner at the Sage. I had quail. It was a tough choice as they had fresh tuna also but I figured the chance to have quail again soon was next to none and I was not disappointed.
We left Sturgeon Bay at about 10 and had easy traveling until we hit the Manitowoc line where we ran into the winter storm. I was rough the rest of the way and by the time we got to Sheboygan County it was slippery as heck. We DID stop at Mother's to wish her Happy Birthday and drop off her card and a bottle of Door Peninsula Wine. She was pleased. Later, she called me and mentioned that Eileen and Fred had also made it by with a birthday cake. I know Jeff was there on Saturday.
It was good to get home to our own place though we sure enjoyed the time away. Chelsea was so glad to see us. We wonder what goes through her little heart when we are gone, especially overnight. Poor little creature and there is no way to explain to her. At least she had Jim and Michelle to take her out and to visit and take her to their place once or twice.
She will be thirteen in March. A real old lady. She sleeps a lot more now.
Well that is a rundown of the weekend. It was great to be away for a couple of days. I GUESS I am ready for this next week.
Hope you are and yours is wonderful.
Love
Mary
It was a lovely weekend. We left shortly after noon and arrived at the Colonial Gardens at about 3:00PM. We rested for a while and then went to the Inn at Cedar Crossing for dinner at about 5:00 so we could spend an evening just resting.
The meal was very good. I ordered Islandic cod with mashed parsnips and a great sauce. It was quite nummy. Dick kind of wrinkled his nose at the parsnips but as he had a lake perch dinner, he did not complain.
I used the bubbly tub three times this weekend, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday morning just before we left. I hope that this relaxes my muscles for quite some time. Chelsea is already being a pest, but her schedule was way off while we were gone. Jim and Michelle spent time with her here and took her to their house a couple of times but of course, when Mom and Dad are gone, it is just not the same schedule and we know that old critters like their schedules.
Saturday morning we got up at about 7 or so. Breakfast, a bread pudding with fruit, juice, and Canadian Bacon with fresh coffee was at the door at 8:AM on the dot. We ate and then went for a drive. We ended up at the Door Peninsula Winery where we went on a tour and enjoyed a wine tasting. Then we bought some wine and fudge and started back. We stopped at a restaurant called Kick for lunch. They have (or at least had that day) great soups. I had a nice chai tea with a peasant lunch of broccoli cheese soup with a fresh wheat roll. Dick had soup and a coke.
We went back to the B&B for a rest. I finished my Morgan Llywelyn book 1972 over the weekend and she better be "pert near" done with the next in the series as she left this one with a REAL cliffhanger and I can't wait for the next chapter. I will put in a quote that I loved that I thought was beautiful. This (fictionally of course) occurred during a 1968 peace march in Northern Ireland
A grandmother with thinning white hair and most of her front teeth missing tugged at Barry's elbow. Her face was a road map of hard times. "Will you link with an old women?"
He turned and smiled down at her. A warm,slow, lover's smile, as if the two of them were all alone and she was the most beautiful girl in the world. "There aren't any old women here," he said gently. "But I'll be proud to link with you."
As he tucked her arm through his, the years fell away from her face.
From 1972, chapter 32 by Morgan Llewlyn
Boy, can she write. God grant me that gift.
I went to the 5:00PM mass at St. Joseph's and found out the Green Bay diocese is consolidating and collaborating as much as the Milwaukee Archdiocese is and that they are losing priests as fast too.
We went to dinner at the Sage. I had quail. It was a tough choice as they had fresh tuna also but I figured the chance to have quail again soon was next to none and I was not disappointed.
We left Sturgeon Bay at about 10 and had easy traveling until we hit the Manitowoc line where we ran into the winter storm. I was rough the rest of the way and by the time we got to Sheboygan County it was slippery as heck. We DID stop at Mother's to wish her Happy Birthday and drop off her card and a bottle of Door Peninsula Wine. She was pleased. Later, she called me and mentioned that Eileen and Fred had also made it by with a birthday cake. I know Jeff was there on Saturday.
It was good to get home to our own place though we sure enjoyed the time away. Chelsea was so glad to see us. We wonder what goes through her little heart when we are gone, especially overnight. Poor little creature and there is no way to explain to her. At least she had Jim and Michelle to take her out and to visit and take her to their place once or twice.
She will be thirteen in March. A real old lady. She sleeps a lot more now.
Well that is a rundown of the weekend. It was great to be away for a couple of days. I GUESS I am ready for this next week.
Hope you are and yours is wonderful.
Love
Mary
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
