Just need to talk to my friends (215)

Lorita · February 6

Judith, it's 63 in the LR+dining room kitchen and utiliy room. It's cool for me. The bedroom and bathroom is warmer. Sheena has been outside most of the afternoon, sleeping. She came in and and ate again and has been sleeping an hour or so. I'm wondering if it has been too warm for her but Stormy hasn't been panting.

She just woke up, panting. Darwin just called and if I can't get her back in, he will help. Easy for two people. She coughs some so something is going on. Thanks for caring and your help, Judith, much appreciated. Going to watch Doc Martin and Lawrence and hit the hay. Good night, everyone.

Ron, please do stay in bed tomorrow and rest. We worry about you.

GothicGremlin · February 6

Oh my gosh, Beth! That photo is amazing! The vivid orange next to the vivid green - it's almost like a painting.

I'm with your DH about Valentine's Day - why a card when you can have candy!

Thank you, Iris. I was pretty pleased with that photo.

HB - I'm glad you're doing better than expected. That's great news.

Ron - with all of that (medical tests and all) you deserve a day of rest.

Judith and Lorita - those temps! 63 in the house and I would be an ice cube. 72 is pretty comfortable for me, although if I could get away with it I'd set the temperature to be around 73 or 74. I've always run very cold.

For today - we had sun again today. I practically didn't know what to do. It was chilly - 50 degrees, but it's somehow different when there's sun.

Gym was good today - the earthquake bar, 100 sit-ups, and then boxing. It all felt really good.

I got a new post up on the blog, so that's good. Karyn and I are going to talk over the weekend about the next batch of posts.

And tonight - I'm closing in on my classes. Yay!

Ooops - almost forgot — my 8th grade best friend sent me an LA Times article today. You can now get married at the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland (how well she knows me!). It's super expensive to do $25,000 to $40,000, but if I had the money, and I was in the market to get married, I'd totally do this.

Iris L. · February 6

Good night.

ronald71111 · February 6

Good morning

Ron

Carl46 · February 6

GG, I can see it now. You at the altar in a black dress and spiderweb veil. A box opens and a disembodied hand gives the ring to the groom. Lightning flashes, and a robotic Edward Gorey intones "I now pronounce you . . ." I wonder how many years in advance October 31 is booked. 🕸️

harshedbuzz · February 6

Good morning all.

I'm enjoying the chatter about indoor temps. It's funny how different people are in their preferences/needs. DH has no meat on him and would happily crank up the heat to 80F if I weren't looking. My niece when she lived here as well. DS is only slightly more reasonable. I'm happier with 60-ish overnight and 65 during the day. I'm reptilian. When the RN took my vitals on checking in for surgery, my temp was 96.2*— she thought her thermometer needed a new battery. DS wears a fleece-lined flannel jacket indoors or his doubled weight fleece bathrobe but he normally doesn't move around as much.

With dad's Wernicke-Korsakoff's he blew out his thermostat pretty early on. He'd crank up his heat pump to 85F in July in MD. Between the temps that induced nausea and his less-than-charming personality, visits were uncomfortable.

Speaking of temps, Lorita— I wonder if it's the humidity level in your home. Could you simmer water on a stove safely or get a humidifier? I'm not sure how close animal medicine aligns with people medicine, but she might breather easier with higher humidity in the house.

With all due respect to you as a tender-hearted animal lover/advocate, please rethink lifting Sheena. If you're badly injured, you could well lose your independence and even the ability to care for the other animals you so love. And Darwin shouldn't be straining or lifting anything more than 5-10lb. in the first week or two of any eye injections he gets.

When we built ramps in scouts, the length for humans, under code, was 1' of run for every 1" of rise. It makes for a long ramp. And if she's reluctant to get on along, you'd need something that could bear the weight of you both.

Ron— Enjoy a day of R&R. Pity you're not like my mom; she loves going to the doctor.

Gothic G— Maybe a Vowel Renewal at the Haunted Mansion? Years and years ago my bestie was engaged to a guy who was a Disney-Adult who wanted to get married somewhere in the WDW Resorts. They sent her a whole VHS tape (maybe 2003) of options. The pricing was eye-wateringly high and mostly ala carte. At the time, I think a party of 12 in a hotel garden with cake and a toast was going to run $2300. Crazy.

That Big Dipper picture is great— not an easy subject to capture without special equipment.

Beth— That looks like a travel poster and it reminds me that scouts (and their parents) rarely realized how visible one is in a lit tent. Of course, they don't always realize sound travels through fabric pretty well too.

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Bestie is stopping by later, she's made me 2 dinners. A homemade chicken pot pie for tonight and a lasagna for the freezer. She's a fine cook, so I look forward. DH is looking forward to a heat'n'heat meal in a disposable tray. LOL, he was quite proud of the chili he fixed last night. And by fixed, I mean he heated it on the stove after I made it 2 weeks ago and dug it out of the freezer for him. LOL.

I have some cooling teethers for the twins, some bibs and a cute sweatshirt fleece vest to wear while babysitting. It's soft, washable and has a million pockets. I bought it for Christmas for her but mom liked it and said she wanted it. It was a one-off, so I bought something different for the friend, returned the rest of the outfit and then mom said she didn't want the vest after all because "it doesn't do much for my figure". Ugh. I'm glad she didn't want it; bestie will love it.

Another round of PT this afternoon. I had quite a bit of swelling last night after and it took me some time, elevation and ice to manage it. My nerve block should be wearing off today sometime and I have to count my pills to make sure I'm good through the weekend. This post-op stuff is like a fulltime job.

Be well—
HB

BethL · February 6

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/265399#Comment_265399

❤️ it Carl!

Iris L. · February 6

Good morning.

Beth, your BIL was camping in a tent in Manitoba in the winter? How adventurous. The aurora was beautiful.

HB, I hope the swelling goes down quickly. Are you able to walk? Are you on crutches?

Today is National Wear Red Day. We wear red to raise awareness to help eradicate heart disease and stroke in women. I'm going to wear red today.

Iris

BethL · February 6

My post disappeared. ???

In short, I responded to Iris asking about my reasons for exercising. Why? 1) Increase my bone mineral density - I have osteopenia. 2) Improve my conditioning. 3) Have fun and meet people. I also will add that I feel so much happier. I think exercising releases endorphins. :)

ronald71111 · February 6

Last time I went to the senior center I scared all his women away from his table. Hopefully the next time I go my beard will be full enough to bring them back. It want be nearly as much as Carl’s, but hopefully enough.

Still haven’t decided to keep it! What do you think?

Ron

Lorita · February 6

Yes, keep it. Ron. I think men in well trimmed beards look nice. Charles always grew a full, well trimmed beard each fall, then shaved it two or three months later . Keep it! Charles was also in the Army,Ron, in the Korean War. You were probably in the Vietnam War.

I have red in my scarf, Iris. No one will see it.but may go up and get gas in the car.

Beth, that picture is gorgeous, colors are so vibrant.

Sounds like you're getting along pretty well, HB. Just be careful.

Beth, years ago my Dexascan showed that I had Oseopenia in my left hip. I took Calcium and it helped but stopped and it bothers me again. I have fallen twice and, of course, on my left hip. I need to take it again and walk more.

I thought seriously about trying to take Sheena to the vet today but called and talked to Mike first. He says the panting is from her pain so said to increase pain meds ( just as you suggested Sandy). He said he could x+ray her but because of her age nothing could be done surgically. He has taken care of her all her life so knows both she and Stormy. She is eating and still walks slowly and can get up if she is outside on the ground or on her bed.

I will be careful, HB. If I take my time just lifting her back end isn't too bad. I really don't believe she could use a ramp unless it was really on a low incline. We will do the best we can. This is so hard for many reasons; one reason is because I went through this when my first Pyrenees got down and couldn't get up. Mike came to let him go to sleep but told me he forgot the medicine so had to take him back to the clinic. I know he didn't forget because he had the big carrier on his truck. Better go and check on the Pyrenees. Back later.

Carl46 · February 6

We used to have a Red Dress Day, which of course meant only women participated. One of the women asked me if I was going to wear a red dress, and I said I would if it meant her BFF Vicki would stop smoking cigarettes. Of course, that didn't happen and Vicki's heart failed a few years later, in her mid-60s. The poor woman wouldn't eat a pizza with "those stinking vegetables" on it and would proclaim loudly that a plate of French fries had as many vitamins as a salad. Vicki was a person of many strongly held opinions, many of them wildly wrong.

jfkoc · February 6

It wears on our hearts when we have an old sick dog. All we can do is keep them as pain free as possible and then when the time comes help them die.

Ron…shave it off.

Sister back in hospital…..

Carl46 · February 6

So, this 🦐 centipede walks into the gym and says "Oh, no, it's leg day!"

eaglemom · February 6

Checking in. It happened, like I knew it would. DH is flu A positive. Very different symptoms than mine. He has the cough / runny nose (not unusual for him) but just extreme fatigue. That's it, nothing else no other symptoms. I'm glad for him, but I've had every symptom in the book. When he's awake he says he doesn't feel bad, just tired. Gotta love those virtual doctor visits & drug store deliveries!!! She prescribed a different antiviral than I had. Something brand new, a one pill and your done. Hopefully tomorrow he'll be less sleepy.

HB rehab is your job! Their are different idea's about taking pain medication prior to attending PT. I was always to to not take any. with the thinking being you have a med on board and you'll possibly work your knee more than it should be because its not hurting. Then when you get home & hours later you get more pain / swelling from over working that new baby knee. Just a thought for you.

That pic of the big dipper is fantastic. I could look at that all night.

Lorita could the panting be from nervousness? We had a dog that the poor little thing was scared of her shadow. Occasionally she'd pant and I never figured it out. We love our pets and don't want them in pain.

Handsome Ron, keep the beard. But don't let it go feral on you!!!

jfkoc I'm sorry your sisters back in the hospital. I know your concerned and worried.

Carl your just a mess!!! Leg day.

Beth great reasons for exercising. Reason's I too should be exercising. It does feel good to take control of ones health.

Iris I didn't reaize today was National Wear Red Day. Without even knowing it I put on a red shirt this morning.

GG you certainly stay busy. Your exercise program really impresses me.

I'm going to go sit in the sun in the backyard. I figure real sourced Vitamin D will be good for me. Besides I don't have the energy to do anything else!

Y'all be safe.

ladyzetta · February 6

Ron. I vote for leaving the beard on. You are a good looking man. With a nice smile. I hope your getting a lot of R&R today. Take care of yourself.

GG. There is a TV show called the 1000 lb sisters. They have both lost alot of weight, and one of them is getting ready to get married and they are now looking for a haunted place to have the wedding at. The sisters are Tamy and Amy, Amy is the one getting married.

HB. Its so nice having a Bestie, like that. My bestie is in heaven, and I thank her daily for being my bestie. Sorry to hear of the swelling, keep elevating and stay warm and rest. Hopefully your not walking on it.

Judith. Hopefully your sister gets better and goes home soon. 🙏

Lorita. Your in my prayers 🙏 having to deal with a older pet is very hard. What type of pain meds is she on? What will happen if you give her more? You and Darwin be very careful picking her up.

We live about a quarter of a mile from the Oregon Trail. The Oregon Trail is about 2000 miles long. It starts in Independence Missouri, and ends in Oregon. It took the wagons 6 months. The trail starts in Missouri gos through Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho to Oregon. Today there is only about 300 miles of the trail a person can see, rest have been covered by buildings, freeways and the like. Some of the trail goes right behind us. So we plan on walking some of it tomorrow. Im not a history buff, but my Daughter is, so I enjoy the outings.

Take care all of you. Hugs Zetta

GothicGremlin · February 6

Ha! Carl - You are so right! The Haunted Mansion is booked every Halloween from now until eternity!

You've set the stage perfectly (right down to Edward Gorey), but I wouldn't wear black. I'd wear a dress like the one the character of Maggie wore from the first Dark Shadows movie. I think I remember reading that the costumers started with a white dress and then washed it repeatedly with coffee grounds to it get that color. I've always thought it was a really pretty dress, and it would go well with the Haunted Mansion. Maggie starts her walk down the stairs at 1:46 for the best view of her dress.

HB - Okay, I'm with your DH. 80 degrees inside is a perfectly reasonable temperature. My s.o. would absolutely die if I did that so 80 doesn't ever happen. I had a quick doctor appointment today and I was all the way up to 97.2.

I hope your PT went well this afternoon and that you're home now.

Iris - I'm wearing a red sweater with black pants today.

Beth - the endorphin rush is real.

Ron - Keep the beard. You'll be a chick magnet. Carl won't stand a chance.

Lorita - Mike's probably right about Sheena and surgery. I'm also in the camp of finding a ramp that will bear the weight of both of you.

eaglemom - I'm jealous of the sun you get to sit in. I always take Vitamin D gummies in the winter - because - no sun. I hope you're starting to feel better, and I'm sorry your DH now has it.

Zetta - that's very cool about the Oregon Trail. I remember learning about it in school.

And there ya go about the haunted place to get married. I don't know if you've ever been on that ride at D-land, but it's done very well. For the folks who like that sort of thing, it would be the perfect venue.

It's been kind of overcast today, but at least there's been no rain. I've been running errands (including a trip to the gym), and am now getting ready to make a batch of cookies. We're having dinner over at our neighbor's house across the street, so we're bringing cookies and a bottle of wine. It should be fun.

Lorita · February 7

Judith, how old was Luke? I remember you sitting on he stairs.holding.him while he had a seizure. It is.heartbreaking when our pets get old and not well. Stormy is just one year younger than Sheena and has arthritis, too.

Eagle, Sheena is laid back so don't think it's nerves, at least all the time.

Zetta, Mike said s whole tablet is more than she should have didn't say why. The medicine is called Deracoxib.

Eagle hope your husband gets along okay with the flu and hope you feel l better soon.

Judith sorry your sister is back in the hospital. Where does she live?

Opening ceremonies for the Olympics tonight. I like Winter Olympics.better than summer My favorite part is curling so hope they show a lot of it.

I looked out the door just now and saw two huge geese by the pond. We usually have two or three. Hope they have little ones this year and stay away from coyotes. They are so cute swimming on the pond with their babies so hope it happens this year. Those geese are beautiful.

GG, to find a long, strong ramp it would have to be made. The man who could do that for me has had hip replacement. For.now we are doing pretty well.

Enjoy the opening ceremonies.

.

GothicGremlin · February 7

Lorita - I've always been a fan of ice skating/ice dancing. Do you remember Torvill and Dean's ice dancing routine? They danced to Bolero in 1984. It was a stunning performance and they won the gold.

jfkoc · February 7

So. last night I woke up at 3a…wide wake.Watched all the figure skating and then the curling. I am still awake but not for much longer.

Luke did have seizures but I never held him though one. I sat nearby and sang to him.

I do remember the Bolero number also the Russian skater who did Swan ns then there was Dick Button's flip we have come a long way since Sonja Heni.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sjnfkEOpsE

My sister lives in Edgewater, Fl. She was over in Naples when she "stroked" so was in the hospital there. She was moved to John Know Village in Orange City for rehab and is now in the hospital there.

ronald71111 · February 7

Good morning

Ron

Lorita · February 7

Morning, where did you find.curling, Judith? I remember a very elegant Russian figure skating couple. Don't remember their name but I think they were married.

I think I sort of tweaked my left lower back helping Sheena get up this morning. I wasn't directly behind her. Need to watch that.

In the 30s this morning. It was about 78 yesterday and will be warm today.

harshedbuzz · February 7

Good morning. V. cold and windy down my end of the porch this morning -11 F with wind chill factored in. Yuck.

Ron— Keep the beard. It's very distinguished on you. Quick question that is absolutely none-of-my-business, do you iron your own shirts? I always notice when you post a picture of yourself in a woven shirt, it's nicely finished. Dad was in the army and ironing was the one household task at which he excelled. I can only recall him doing so a couple of times, but when he did the work was perfect.

Lorita— I hope your care for Sheena is sufficient to keep her home with you for a long time. I suspect Mike is trying to minimize side effects of the powerful NSAID she's on to protect against bleeding and old-dog heart/kidneys.

Iris— I'm mostly getting along fine. No crutches, I have a walker as needed (tired or light-headed or unfamiliar terrain, I've been OK'd to use the crutch as I feel comfortable and neither in the house if I feel stable and have a wall/sturdy furniture.

Red Dress Day is a great idea. People are so focused on Breast Cancer Month for women they forget more will die of heart disease and it might present differently than a man would. That said, I don't think I own anything red I could have worn aside from a Royal Stewart tartan scarf and a vintage Coach satchel bag.

Carl— I'm sorry about Vikki. It's frustrating to see someone make bad choices and pay the price. Mom's smoking, despite quitting some 45 years ago, is implicated in her COPD, likely her cardiac issues, wrinkles, AMD, and optic neuropathy while her sunbathing means twice yearly derm checks. Worse, though, are those folks who are victims of their own genetics. DS's Den Leader died on a hike with the boys when he was 52. He'd been thin and fit and doing all her could to be compliant with meds and exercise (a runner) and it still wasn't enough.

Beth— Exercise is the one thing I am looking forward to. Nothing centers me like a climb on the trails in the local park. When my folks first moved back here, I'd sneak out first thing and put in a couple miles which helped me set my head for the day. I try at home but even yoga isn't enough to help me avoid a little something to keep me from snapping at people.

Judith— A man I know from my IRL support group is a vet, he always said when choosing "going to sleep" for a beloved pet, better a week too soon than 10 minutes too late.

Eaglemom— PTs are a funny breed in terms of approach. My hand PT was slow and protective of my damaged tendon, but this knee guys is of the mind that the new knee is to be trusted. "let's take her out and see what she can do" mindset.

I imagine it's different for others, especially with a revision. He was working with 2 other TKR first-timer ladies while I was there yesterday. They're both a month or so into the process and commented that it was a good 2 weeks before they were where I am in terms of what is being assigned. I'd done a lot of prehab because I've done this before. I am going to try my homework, which is a little more basic stuff, sans oxycodone and see how it goes. I'm 12 hours out from my last dose. Last time I was gobbling up the pain meds and had refilled already by day 5. Day 4 today, and I still have half the original script. That said, my former surgeon once told me "Knees are like siblings. Some are honor students and others sit in the corner and eat paste".

I hope your DH dodges the fatigue that comes with flu, but I can't help thinking that a napping spouse is easier when you're not feeling 100% either.

I wonder if your friend got Xofluza. That's the sexy new one-dose flu med. It's supposed to even work as prophylaxis when taken quickly after a known exposure. I'm told it can be hard to find.

Lady Z— I am sorry to hear of the loss of your bestie. Friends are one of the greatest blessings in life. Her pot pie was scrummy, as they say on the bake-off. Tonight, we have lasagna. Her family owned the Italian restaurant featured in some of the Rocky films as "Adrianne's".

Enjoy your hike on the Oregon Trail and be careful not to die of dysentery. That's a Gen X joke from their early computer gaming days.

Gothic G— vitamin D is critical as we age. My endo says most folks over 50 are somewhat deficient. Even when I was outside several times a week walking with very fair skin, I need supplementing per my bloodwork. Now I'm off to look at Maggie's dress to see if I remember it. Some of their designs were just stunning.
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Time for another cup of tea and maybe some breakfast. DS needs to deliver some milk and fruit to mom's house later. It's too cold for her go to the store with him, so I made a stop at the dairy store on my way home from PT yesterday.

HB

Lorita · February 7

Morning HB. I'm going to give Sheena half a tablet in the morning and only a quarter at night instead of half.

GG I do remember Torvill and Dean. They were really good. I nerd to see if they give a line-up of things each day so I won't miss curling.

Beautiful day here I hear Stormy barking so they are probably feeding or he sees the geese. Back later.

jfkoc · February 7

Lorita…why are you going to reduce the pain med dose?

ronald71111 · February 7

Iris L. · February 7

Good morning.

GG and HB, I like a room temp of 68-70 degrees, that's comfortable to me.

Beth, I admire you for taking charge of the osteopenia. I have the same, Also low conditioning and sarcopenia. I have been exercising but I really need to step it up and be more consistent. You inspire me. Best wishes and may you continue with good results!

Carl, I don't know why some people have a distain for vegetables, even vegetables on a pizza. I love salads. The only thing I don't like is washing the lettuce.

Judith, I'm sorry your sister is rehospitalized. Are you able to get updates any better now?

Eagle, I hope your DH's flu pill works for him. Supportive measure help also. And the best is REST. Are you feeling better?

Zetta, I remember the game Oregon Trail but I never played it. I recently learned that travelers didn't ride in the covered wagons across the continent, but walked behind, because the wagons were filled to capacity with provisions for the six months journey.

Carl, keep the beard, but not too long. Here is a funny story but I was shocked. I went with the seniors on a boat trip in the harbor to see yachts decorated for the Christmas holidays. One of the men had a long white beard. When we left the dock we were all to take our seats. One young woman of about twenty years of age said, "I want to sit on Santa's lap!" Which she did, plopping herself down on this man's lap. She didn't even know him! But he didn't get upset, he took it in stride. He might have been used to children calling him Santa, but a grown woman taking liberties might have been a surprise. Personally, I was shocked at her boldness at sitting on a strange man's lap.

Lorita, I see that Sheena's medication is similar to one I took for pain caused by systemic lupus, which was Celebrex. I also took the combination glucosamine+chondroitin. It did give me more relief, but it took about a month to see improvement. NSAIDs do cause kidney trouble. I see that there are formulations of glucosamine+chondroitin for dogs. You might ask Mike about that.