Month: January 2012

  • It Hasn't Been A Fun Day....

     

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    I already told you my favorite cousin died today.  I can finally (for now) think about her without wanting to cry.  My day has been totally strange otherwise.  The PT nurse showed up today and, when she saw the extent of the surgery on my right leg, she patted me and said, *Oh my goodness!  You poor darling!*  The whole time she was checking out the extent of my injuries, including the NO-toe area, it was just one cliche after another.  I felt like I was in the middle of Steel Magnolia's. 

    When I told her I would never make it as a Southern girl, she asked me why.  I told her I could never use the various phrases correctly.  When I asked if there was a class you took for that or what, she burst out laughing.  She had a good sense of humor.

    She said they were going to wait to do any real physical therapy due to the extent of the surgery (and all the stitches and staples).  She didn't believe they would let me do some of the exercises.  I showed her some of what I was already doing to loosen up the ankle muscles and she approved.

    I know this visit was more of an assessment of my condition and my needs.  She wants to try getting me a shower seat while I have these balance problems that are unresolved.  The Beast bought me a cane and the doctor prescribed a walker for me that was delivered here this afternoon.  Seems okay. The Beast turned his nose up at it and thinks I will not like using it.  I know he's having flashbacks to his strokes and how HE felt about them but I will make up my own mind.

    I was hungry....until I actually had food in front of me.  I ended up eating only a few bites and then was grateful for Baron so nothing was wasted.  I got hungry for a baked potato.  I would have kissed the Beast if he had a sweet potato hanging around but no such luck.  So I nuked a nice sized one in the microwave, cut it up and buttered it then added some grated cheese over the sour cream and melted that.  Turned out just wonderful (didn't warm up the sour cream much either) and I ate it all.  Then, still having this yen for cheese, I warmed up some Salsa con queso and ate some with tortilla chips.  Wonderful.

    My son warned me against taking the hydrocodone pills I have.  He said they knocked him completely off his feet (I agree...they make me sleep) but I told him the oxycodone were milder, I believe.  I can take them and not HAVE to go lay down.

    Because of losing my cousin today and, after getting the whole story from her sister, I just couldn't get interested in anything on TV or on Pogo even.  I took my sponge bath the way I was told and the skin cream afterward.  I was given this at the hospital and I am wondering how it will really help.  You don't have to use water with it (it's a foam but I was told I could rinse with a wet rag afterward and THEN dry if I wanted.  It smells nice due to some *flavoring* or other.  You can even use it on your hair if you want to.  :shock:

    Guess I will go lay down for a bit.  I haven't taken a nap and I know I will actually be ready for bed soon.  My back is killing me.  My appointment with the wound center is tomorrow at 1:15pm.  The Beast had me worried because he kept saying he thought I had missed it so I called there and discovered I was right.  It actually WAS on the 1st.  If I made him think it was today, it had to be because I thought today was the first until I saw the real date on my computer.  **Sigh**  It's a real bitch getting old, let me tell you.  One day seems to blend into another.  It's just awful.

    Love you all much.  Be good.  Drive carefully. 

  •  

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    Today is a sad day for me.  I lost my closest and most favorite cousin to sepsis that had apparently been brewing for over four years.  I loved her dearly and it really tears at my heart.  When we talked, shortly before the Holidays she was in good spirits but she said I always made her laugh when we talked.  She got company so we had to cut our convo short.  We were both looking forward to my coming up this summer.  That's all for this post.  I feel like one of my sisters died and keep crying.

    Love you all.  Remember, life is short so treat every day like it might be your last.  This hit her suddenly and...pfft...she was gone in just a few short hours.  That's how life can end.  It's also why I always tell those I love that I do so I know the last time they heard my voice, I was saying loving words.  May you all have that to comfort you.


  • I'm Home...Again

     

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    I am home once again.  This time it was the arterial surgery on both legs.  My right leg is cut from ankle to hip.  The stitches will be in until the 7th, as will the stitches on my groin where the left leg was done.  I feel well...sort of.  I am fine until the pain starts.  Worse,it seems the percocets are kicking my ass and make me sleep!  I don't fight it because I know this time we will be working on my walking.  They are giving me a walker to use so I can start working on distance.

    Bee gave me a set of pill keepers for every week.  It allows me to put all my pills in order and will ensure I don't miss any.  I was really touched by that.  So sweet of her!  She also sent me wrist warmers that actually go to the top of my hands to keep them warm during cold weather.  It should really help the arthritis in my hands, too.  That is what else I think these are meant to help more than anything.  I put them on right away.  She said she is knitting me some leg warmers as well.  I can't begin to tell you how great I will appreciate those.  I mentioned a while back that I could really use some but I wouldn't dare let the Beast find some for me.  Besides, someone told me the stores have already changed over to Spring and Summer clothes.

    I have two appointments tomorrow.  One, for home health care.  They are bringing me the walker.  That's supposed to be about 9:30 or so in the morning.  The second is the wound center at about 1:15pm.  That should be fun....NOT!  The nurse said originally that I should see Dr.Doolittle (the arterial doctor).  He works also at the wound center but tomorrow is not his day so he told me to just see whomever they assign to me.  He trusted all the doctors there.  If HE trusts them, so do I.  He had told me, seriously, that my doctor had been replaced at the center I went to and had been replaced with an even younger (Doogie Howser-type doctor...) but the guy was an incredible doctor.  I shall see.  I'm scheduled to see him sometime this month.  I have to check out when that is again amongst all the papers they give you.  **Sigh**

    I have to re-do my pills anyway which is why Bratsis2 (Bee) and her gift to me is so fantastic.  I will really need it.  It's too difficult to remember which pills you take, and when, when you get a bunch of new ones.  Thanks again, Sis.

    I got to see Chewlee for a little bit (and the Princess, of course) since the Princess had a class to attend from 4-6pm.  Our whole schedule will be changing with her, I guess.  She was sweet, ordering me to lay down and sleep so I could get well.  The day my heel problem is resolved, she will be the second happiest person around here besides me.   

    Love you all.  Going to get busy using my pillbox and loading it with the meds the doctor has told me to go ahead and keep taking.  **Sigh**I have six new ones to continue using and a 7th I have to call about.  I think there is a doctor that expects to see me on the second but he doesn't know about this surgery so I must call him tomorrow and reschedule.  I'm starting to feel painful again from the stitches in my groin (both sides, dammit).  Ya'll take care now. 

  • Report from Bratfink

    Hello all and happy Sunday!

    Bratsis didn't seem to have that great of a Saturday, which was understandable given that her surgery was pretty brutal.  She was not up to visiting or talking.  I assume she was concentrating on being pain free, which is a good thing.

    Sunday--today--she sounds much more like her old self--texting and chuckling.  She says she has one leg in a bandage from groin to ankle, but may be able to go home tomorrow!

    This eases my mind, and I hope it eases yours, too.

    If she makes it home tomorrow I'm sure she will be back here ASAP.

    Have a great day!  Thanks for stopping by.

  • Bratfink Reporting

    I don't know much, except that Tara reported to me that Bratsis didn't get into her 1 pm scheduled surgery until 3 and that when she got out she went to ICU (routine) and all was well.

    I know it's a pretty brutal surgery but I'll try to call Bratsis sometime on Saturday (today) and make sure they are taking good care of her.

  • All Set For Surgery

     

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    The Beast and I went to the hospital for some blood tests and to pre-register for the surgery.  It was an interesting day and I managed to make most everyone laugh.  The Beast gave his religion as JW and then turned to the nurse and said,*....but she's not*.  I signed the form for the use of blood during the surgery.  It's my life and for the first time, the Beast discovered that this is serious stuff.  I have to have a vein removed from my leg and then used for the bypass.  It never occurred to him that I might have some large ass scars or anything.  I asked the questions but there are still a couple questions for the surgeon tomorrow.

    I have to be at the hospital at noon.  They gave me instructions to bathe or shower tonight then use this cream after I am done with the soap.  It says it's a preoperative skin preparation.  I also have to do it again in the morning.  Weird. The nurse said I shouldn't have anything to eat or drink after 6am.  Then the anesthesiologist says nothing after Midnight.  Hmm...I think I will take HIS instructions to make sure I have no problems waking up.  But, the two showers withing just hours of each other makes me feel like I am just crawling with bacteria or something.  

    I told the anesthesiologist that he had better make sure I wake up.  He just laughed and both he and the Beast said (at the same time), *Oh, that costs extra!*  I told them I didn't care what it costs, wake me up!

    Chewlee is glad I am going back to the hospital.  She told me she wasn't going to sit in my lap any more until my feet are healed.  She looked at me and said, *I don't want to hurt your feet because I am heavy.  I am getting bigger, Grandma, so you know that's hard on you.*

    We played some Mahjong Safari together for the first time in almost two months.  She would click two tiles and then *I* had to click two.  Then she changed it to three tiles then four.  I wasn't supposed to click on the non-animal tiles OR the special animal tiles that counted towards your safari. It was kind of fun just because it was different.  She loves winning the safari and acts like it's a big deal because she turns to me and says, *I won, Grandma, I won!*  Then she says as an afterthought, *You didn't win, I did* and she gets a big grin on her face.  She loves the fact that I am going back to the hospital.  She really wants my feet to get better AND she can come and visit me with the Beast.  I still don't know for sure how many days I will be in the hospital this time but I should find out tomorrow.

    When the tech came in to check my BP, it turns out it was 93/48.  The Beast got all worried but the tech assured him that it was fine and there was nothing to worry about.  I just grinned.  He took me to Shoney's for lunch when I was done.  I had these slipper/shoes on and I knew they weren't waterproof and, of course, it was raining cats and dogs out.  He was so solicitous.  He came to help me out of the car and gave me his arm to help with my balance.  He held the umbrella (it's actually kind of small....made for one person I think), opened the doors for me....just being a gentleman for a change.  I ate their steak and cheese sandwich with onions and green peppers.  It was perfect.  I even managed to save some for Chewlee.  She was so happy to have it because it was STEAK!  Guess her mother doesn't give her steak much. 

    I'm tired now and I think I will be going to bed soon so I will say, *I love you* and you have a great Friday, ya hear? 

  • Curiosity Satisfied

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    I really wondered how Chewlee would react to my being here at home and not in the hospital.  Well, here's what happened.  She was cranky when she came here because she didn't nap when she was supposed to at school.  She was very clingy to her mother.  The Princess yelled at her not getting down from her body and she was holding on tight like she didn't want to stay.  I yelled at her to be good and get down off her mother and I wish you could have heard her voice when she said, *Say that again*.  The Beast says her eyes were really big and she had a shocked look on her face.

    She ran over to my computer room door, looked at me with a very shocked face and said, *Grandma....why aren't you at the doctors?*  She really meant the hospital.  She looked at my feet and said, *That's doctor bandages*.  I told her yes they were but the doctor gave them to me to use on my feet.  She just said *Humph* like she didn't really believe me.  I told her not to worry, I was going back there on Friday.

    I finally heard back from the doctor's office.  I had to listen to an automated message before I could leave a message about calling me to tell me what time I needed to be there on Friday.  I still don't know what time I have to be there but I'll find out tomorrow when I go for my blood work before I am admitted.  She also told me my surgery will take 5- 1/2 hours. 

    He told the nurse if I wanted, I could have the surgery on Monday when his schedule was a little less full but I told the nurse I didn't want  to wait if at all possible.  She said the doctor told her it was just a suggestion if I wanted a few more days at home.  I know the surgery has many possible effects on my system but it should help finish up the healing of my left foot.  That's the one that causes me all the pain.  I was surprised, however, at how the foot seems to be healing already.  It's smaller than it has ever been.

    I'm on my feet more and have less pain when walking.  My big problem is balance.  Guess the big toe is more important than we believe.  I have to bring that to my doctor's attention.  I can't even bend over without my losing my balance.  I feel like I need to stand like the Sumo wrestlers but that's an ugly stance.    I may actually have to do rehab in order to find out what I need to do about that problem.  Bratfink says I need either a walker or a cane with those four *feet* on it.  I will probably have one prescribed for me after this arterial bypass in my leg.  It's supposed to restore my circulation in that leg.  I asked the doctor how I could have NONE (he said it) and yet my feet and toes are okay.  How is that possible?  He said the body is an amazing thing and will usually find a way around the clogged artery but it doesn't have the pressure needed for long.  I am hoping that everything goes well.  Say a little prayer for me, please.  My kids gave me orders that I must survive and can't die before the Beast. 

    I do like the surgeon that will be doing the surgery.  He's very thorough and he's the one that was chastised by me for leaving me hanging.  He had told another doctor what was going on (this is the artereogram)  Excuse the spelling, please.  Then, that doctor left for a seminar.  None of the other doctors could tell me what was going to be done and when.  I yelled at the surgeon about it and he said he did know about the seminar (he just got back from one) but thought he would convey that to his partner.  He didn't.  I said I would yell at him about it when I saw him.

    One doctor told me I was *a tough old bird* and I just laughed.  I told him dealing with people my whole life AND being assistant administrator at a medical center, I knew what doctors are like and I wouldn't put up with some of the things I saw and experienced.  I would tell them when I thought they weren't paying attention to the needs of his or her patient.  How did I know?  Some of it I saw myself and the families or the patient would end up in MY office to find out information they needed that should have come from the doctors.  But some of them are too quick in their patient care and the families can't find out what's going on.  They were almost afraid to ask the doctor questions because *they are so busy*.  I told them (the doctors) to ASK if his patient or the family had any questions.  It reflected good feelings by them because it's a sign of caring.

    But enough of that for now.  I'm managing okay and Chewlee said to me today *Grandma!  You are walking FAST!*  Compared to the last time she was here and saw me walking, I guess I am and it's funny she would notice such a little thing like that.  She also saw me have a problem with my balance when I was helping her get her socks on before she went home.  She never can get them on right so she will ask for help.

    Love you all.  Have a wonderful day and don't forget that prayer for me.  I will be off of here for a couple days but I might be able to have Bratfink let you know how things are going.  I have to ask her.  If I can get her to agree, I'll have her post on my blog.  I'm  going to ask her in a few minutes.  Love you loads and please stay safe and healthy.  Life is short.  Too damn short in my opinion.  But we are living much longer than our relatives did around the turn of the last century.  Back around 1900, the average age of those that died was about 42-45 years  Let's live to be 100 or so with our minds sharp and intact..  Is that a dream or what? 

  • It Was A Very Good Night

     

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    To anyone worried about my lack of pain meds last night due to the fact that the Beast is a male and an idiot, you can stop worrying.  The Beast buying us a dual control electric blanket was an inspiration.  One that was unexpected.  I went to bed just as my foot was kind of *tweaking* to let me know that some pain buddies were starting to get together.  I hoped to fall asleep quickly and possibly avoid some of the worst of it.  Well, it was better than I had even hoped.  As the blanket warmed that foot up, the  pain just....faded to almost nothing.  I fell asleep and slept all night.  Well, almost all night.  I woke up once to put the blanket up a notch warmer and I ended up falling right back to sleep.  I slept 12 hours!  It was heaven.  No one came in every two hours to wake me up for any reason. 

    The hospital called to find out how my stay was, if I had any complaints, etc. and I did gripe about the 2 hour wake-ups.  The gal laughed and said, *Yes, it IS tough to sleep in a hospital, isn't it?*  I figure it's a common complaint.  I found out something interesting, however.  Did you know the nurses are required to check your body position every two hours AND to chart it?  Yep, and it's not just to check and see if you are still breathing.  It's also to find out if you are more prone to be in pain in a certain position; things we people outside of the medical field don't really consider.  I just thought it an interesting piece of trivia.

    I did a LOT of sleeping it seemed while I was in the hospital.  Actually, I just slept at every opportunity I had because I was always tired.    Two hours of sleep is just not enough at any one time to allow you to feel rested.  Broken sleep is the worst kind of sleep.  It's almost as bad as none at all.

    Oh, a thought just popped into my mind that I have to mention.  I came home, got settled into *my room* just to truly feel at home and because I was anxious to IM Bratfink to let her know I had *escaped*.  After the Beast helped me by getting me some coffee and asking if I wanted something to eat, he left to do something he wanted to do on his puter or something.  I leaned back and looked around and almost had a heart-attack.  Sitting on my table, right out in the open, was a 2 liter bottle of vodka AND one of Mudslide!  When I realized they were NOT empty ones pulled out of the garbage for some adverse reason by the Beast (no, you don't want to go there), I was then a bit confused.  I couldn't imagine the Princess leaving them out in the open like that but only SHE would know I was totally out of vodka OR that I even use it.  She knows about the Mudslide since she's bought it for me a time or two in the past.  BUT...well, leaving it out where the Beast could see it was just dumb.  So, I took it and hid it in my usual places and waited to see what happened.  But it was never mentioned and I realized that it was entirely possible that it could be left out in the open and the Beast not see it because he doesn't really SEE anything having to do with me except where it inconveniences HIM.  He had made a promise not to do anything to my room and he actually kept that promise .

    So, the only other person that is HERE and knows how I love my Mudslide as a coffee addition is Tara.  But she called me and said she was stopping by today with a *prize*.  That meant Mudslide and that eliminated HER from the suspect list.  No way would she know about the vodka.  So, I guess, as Bratfink put it, it was *payback* long overdue from the Princess for my free babysitting AND a nice *welcome home* gift, too.    So, THANKS PRINCESS,  Love you!

    I realized that I hadn't heard from my son, Marcus Aurelius, at all while I was in the hospital and I KNEW that he had somehow been left out of the loop again as far as I am concerned.  What pisses me off is I asked specifically if my daughter or older son was keeping him informed.  I got assurances that he was.  I'm sorry (again) son.  I will not believe it unless you hear it from me, directly.  I was just in kind of shock because of all the things I was finding out about my health in a very short time span.  Plus I was so sleep deprived, it wasn't even funny after a bit.  I didn't enjoy talking on the phone at all except in short bursts. 

    My older son, Mustachio, told me in no uncertain times that I HAD to outlive the Beast.  He felt they couldn't take the Beast (without me around) but could and would enjoy having me around without him.  I'd probably see more of them, in fact.  I can believe that.  The Beast can be a real downer and he's not really been close to anyone except his one aunt.  He sure doesn't give our kids a break on any front and, try as they might, they probably won't ever receive his approval on anything.  Sad but true.  So far, only Marcus Aurelius has anything resembling success in life.  I think he was a success even before he bought his house simply because he was happy and had kids that loved and respected him.  But then what *I* think doesn't seem to matter.  My gauge for success and happiness don't deal with material things like it does the Beast.  But that's just me.

    Rain clouds are moving in and that means our internet will be getting freaky.  So it's time to get this posted for your perusal.  Love you all.  Be careful in areas of snow and ice.  Keep warm and don't forget to tell those you love that you DO love them.  Tell them that every time you speak with them.  You can never tell them enough and life is short. 

  • Back For A Few Days.....

     

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    As you know, I was headed to the Wound Center my last blog.  Then I just disappeared.  I ended up in the hospital, as I'm sure you might have surmised.  Although there was no gangrene involved,there was exposed bone (in the big toe).  The top was nice, pink and healthy looking.....

    The bottom and onto the foot itself was also healthy.  But in between, the bone had been exposed right from the beginning and was half dead.

    End result:  amputated big toe.  The heel has been the big pain in more ways than one.  That is going to take time to heal partly because I need a major surgery to restore good circulation to that leg.  It's almost totally obstructed and will actually need a vascular bypass so they must take part of one of my veins and use it as a bypass where it's occluded.  That is taking place this Friday so I will probably be in the hospital another 3-4 days afterward because it IS major.  Hopefully, once that is done, my BP will come down to a more normal level for me.  Right now, it's high enough that I require two different BP meds.  For someone who has had low blood pressure her whole life, this is really strange.

    My primary doctor was so ecstatic because they did an A1C test on me (that tells you what your average blood sugar level was for the previous 3 months) and it came back showing 6.5 (which is excellent).  I told him that it had been as low as 5.0 and he was shocked to find out that was true.

    They discovered I had some little ulcerations from all the aspirin I had been eating for pain.  Not major but I am not allowed any aspirin that is not enterically coated (sp?) and only when told to take it by the gastroenterologist.  After this upcoming surgery, anything else that needs doing can be done outpatient.  That's just tests, thankfully.

    So the doctor sends home a shitload of new prescriptions for me and the Beast runs it up to Walmart but....since there are like 8, he tells the pharmacist that tomorrow will be fine.  That screwed me up because it includes my pain medication.  Why the Beast would assume that I would actually come home with one or two is beyond my ken.  So I am praying that all the demerol doesn't leave my system before I can fall asleep.

    Lots more to tell but I am *talked out* for now.  I'll write more tomorrow and let you know what else went on.  Love you all.  Take care.  Stay healthy for heaven's sake! 

  • Bratfink Here for Bratsis

    ***************************************************************************************************

    My sister is unable to get to her blog right now.  Seems to me her exact words were "POS LAPTOP!"

    I'm sure when she returns she will have plenty of things to tell us about.

    So keep checking back.

    I'm sure it won't be long.

    Thank you!

    ***************************************************************************************