Daily Insights--Let's Share!

[Blessings2You]

This has been a long day...took a couple of mini-snoozes but can't say I felt refreshed after. We had a frozen pizza for lunch, so I've been wicked thirsty all afternoon. That means I've had more water than usual, and we all know what THAT means for later!

Today was the 12th anniversary of my mom's passing. Can't believe I haven't seen my mother for 12 years. I don't know if it's a sign of older age, or if I'm more sensitive to sad anniversaries than most, or what. I've been weepy (of course), plus I've had the angry feeling that other people "should" know what day it is, which is just stupid!! I know better, but I'm crabby about it anyway.

I'm not sure if my granddaughter and her boyfriend will be here tomorrow afternoon or not. They will be in the general area, but an extra hour of travel for them...she keeps in touch by phone and internet, so my feelings do't get hurt if their schedules are busy. They'll be moving closer in a few weeks, an hour away instead of two.

I went tromping down to the basement earlier, bound and determined to throw away SOMETHING! I finally ended up throwing out my old shorthand textbooks...I'll bet I could find it online if I desperately needed to know. I actually do use a little shorthand still in everyday life...how about that?

[Debbie D]

Happy Easter or Passover...

Barb, I hope you're not in a flare...could the stress of winding down be exacerbating things? Try to take it as easy as possible...

Kitty, actually, we were awakened twice in the middle of the night towards the end of our trip in Hawaii. On that Thursday, the phone rang at 5 am. MIL had fallen and passed out twice. They were taking her to the ER.
We got a call that they thought she'd had a slight heart attack-her cardiac enzymes in her blood were high, which indicates damage They planned to keep her at least overnight, do an ultrasound of her heart, carotids and check her pacemaker to see what the data said. My SIL (DH's dead brother's wife) drove down an hour and a half to be with MIL and then drove over to FIL to check on him. He was lonely but felt MIL was in the right place.

Then...Friday we got a call at 3 am (Hawaii is 5 hours behind Chicago). Seems MIL was tearing off her gown, insisting on putting on her clothes (which weren't at the hospital). She refused to go for her tests, and wouldn't take her medicine. They decided that she hadn't had a heart attack since the enzyme levels were normal(reading up later, I found out that they are gone from the blood within 12-24 hrs) They also decided that with all of her health issues they wouldn't do an angiogram or any invasive procedures. They then decided to send her home. My SIL again had to drive down to pick her up. MIL was angry with her for taking too long

We were contemplating coming home a day early, but because we couldn't get frequent flyer seating which we flew in on, it would cost us almost $3000, so we decided to stay. Good thing, because she was fine, except for being in a snit.

At least this didn't occur at the beginning of the trip. This was very stressful and sad...

When we visited her on Tuesday, she was still angry. She was mad that they didn't release her early on Friday. We confronted her about not cooperating. She denied it, and we told her we'd talked to the nurses and docs. She folded her arms over her chest and pouted the rest of the evening.

What a stubborn 2 year old...

[Kitty]

I hope everyone's having a peaceful Easter. It's beautiful here - perfect weather.

Oldest DS came over this morning for a little while. He wanted to get back home before 2 PM to watch the rest of the Masters golf tournament on TV. Boring!!

He helped me alot while he was here, though. He put together a planter box I had that needed assembly. Fixed a bird feeder and hung it in the backyard. Replaced a couple of light bulbs. Things I have trouble doing myself. He likes to help and I need it so it's a good exchange.

Youngest DS and his GF went to her parents yesterday for a bbq. I was invited but they live about an hour north and the kids like to stay late .....which I know I can't handle....so I had to decline. Her folks have a big place in the country and it's so nice out there. The name of the town is Pendergrass and I'd love to live there. It's like you went back in time 30 years. Just my speed!!

I cooked some Kale and some summer squash a little bit ago. I just love this time of year and all the fresh veggies there are.

[barb02]

Went up to Champaign for Easter dinner with a friend and her 84 year old mom at a great restaurant. We had a wonderful dinner and a nice time. Came home and finished grading papers for tomorrow.

[Blessings2You]

Thought I could make it to church, just for the worship service. Showered, got dressed...couldn't do it.

Rested a little after lunch (raisin bagel and cream cheese), then late this afternoon my daughter and her little dog showed up, followed shortly after by my granddaughter (22) and her boyfriend. Having company messed up the routine for Ma and Pa (especially Pa!) but it was so nice having them here.

They stayed a couple of hours, chattered, laughed, and exchanged "stuff". My daughter picked up a couple of things for us, and we got rid of some stuff. My granddaughter took a huge stack of Chinet plates (looking forward to cook-ours), some socks I don't wear, and a bag of chocolate-dipped peanuts. My daughter shoved a bag of Kit Kats in her purse and took a couple of kitchen items.

We missed the end of the ball game, but I looked up the final score, and Pa would have been a-grumbling anyway, so no big loss. He's watching "Frozen Planet" now, waiting for the golf to get done so he can watch 60 Minutes.

Not a "traditional" Easter Sunday by any stretch of the imagination, but I did sneak in the other room and play some Easter music on the piano (badly). I don't care for peeps or chocolate bunnies, but I wouldn't have minded getting some jelly bellies and perhaps a few Cadbury items. (And some Lindor dark truffles. The really dark ones). Next year.

[tkrik]

Good morning, Everyone!

I hope you all had a great Easter/Passover. I spent Easter with some of my family. It was great to get together like that. I got to see DD21 and it was good to spend some time with her. I don't get to see her that often.

Still having tummy/esophagus troubles and difficulty swallowing. I'm on a soft food diet. I hate soft mushy over cooked veggies. UGH! I have to get another scope to see what is going on in there. I see the GI guy soon and we'll take it from there. For now, I am taking Carafate to coat the esophagus and the stomach and Pepcid (Prilosec gave me a horrible headache every time I took it) to help reduce any acid/reflux. So far, it is helping somewhat and I can eat more at one time without any severe pain. I wonder if GERD is common in MSers as it seems lots of us have it. But, then again lots of people have it so I don't know.

Plans for today include paying a couple of bills, straightening up a bit, and any work that comes in for the day. And, I have to fit something fun in there today. Not sure what that will be but . . .

I hope you all have a great day!

[Debbie D]

Hi everyone...

T, so sorry you're having difficulty swallowing...hope that you can find out what's going on soon...keep us up to date

Had the inlaws over for dinner yesterday. DS36 came-without GF. I feel he's pulling his usual "I'm done" routine. I liked this girl so much...and he won't man up and deal with it, and why he repeats this behavior. Makes me sad/angry.

FIL was so weak...I don't think he'll be coming out of his place much anymore. DH will have to take him to the eye doc next month. I just can't maneuver him into and out of the car any longer. He's dead weight.

Today is resting time after buzzing around the kitchen making turkey dinner yesterday...wish I'd enjoyed it more. My taste buds just aren't working right lately

Well, hope everyone has a good Monday evening

[barb02]

I am leaving in a few minutes to go to my last Political Science students awards dinner. The dinner is in the student union and it is usually pretty bad. Think back to cafeteria food. I would much rather stay home and read, but I am going to "suck it up" and go. I really dislike the first half hour (social hour/cocktails) so I am going to go about 15 minutes late. Hopefully, my friend will save me a seat.

[Blessings2You]

I continue to marvel at how alike and how different we are here! Virtually everyone here has a chronic, debilitating illness and yet no two are alike.

I was just reading Barb's post and thinking, "You're GOING somewhere? At THIS time of night??" Well, duh, it's seven o'clock.

Other times I'll be reading posts and be almost startled when someone mentions transferring from a wheelchair, for example. I'll think, "Wow, that could easily be me. And maybe will be someday."

I don't know what all this means, maybe just philosophical tonight

[ginnie]

Please be careful of the GERDs and keep it treated. I did not do that as I had no health insurance. didn't get the help in time. I wound up with barretts esophagus, which is GERDS that goes further in damage. Getting scoped is a good idea, so that doesn't occur. I had trouble swallowing which is why the doctors went ahead and scoped me. I wish you all the best. ginnie