TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

The Boy, Bratfink and I got a real surprise today.  BratfinkJr found out about her mother and she did it because she Googled MY blog!    I really have to find out what exactly she googled to find it to make sure the Beast won't find it if he looks.  He has NO idea I have a blog and I like it that way.  I want to KEEP it that way, too.

Anyway, it seems when the Boy finally called her today, she was really pissed!  I had gotten a message on my blog from her.  The Boy says he thinks she calmed down and got over being angry that she was kept in the dark.  He knew it was time to call her because he found Bratfink had gotten flowers from BratfinkJr when he got to the hospital so the secret, he knew, was out.  I couldn't do a thing because I don't have her email or her phone number.  Her mother didn't really share that kind of information with anyone but the Boy.  All I got from her was instructions IF SHE DIED....things to tell her daughter and others to make sure the Boy didn't forget.

So...they took the catheter out today and she is going to the bathroom with the help of the nurses but her kidneys seem to be working well now.  She also doesn't have to have the mask on except at night.  The infection is still there but they have stopped giving her steroids along with them and it's just antibiotics.  She started complaining that she wants to go home so you know she is feeling somewhat better.  The Boy says she is so sleep-deprived that she hallucinates once in a while so he's anxious for her to get home and be able to get some real sleep.  The worst place in the world to get sleep is in a hospital.  I was not joking about someone coming in every two hours to take your vitals, draw blood, change medication on the IV stand, check your blood sugar and your temperature..............there are just so damn many people in and out of your room, you want to scream!

She is eating solid food and Bill thinks she may be home in a few days.  Everything depends on the infections progress.  They won't even be able to do anything about checking her for diabetes because the infection and the steroid throw your body out of sync.  We just have to wait and see.

But, I do feel like this is all good news.  She is out of ICU anyway and in a regular room.  Thank you everyone for your prayers.  She still needs them so keep up the good work!

As for my concerns about the hyperbaric chamber....pfft!   It went smoothly with no ear problems.  Just a lot of swallowing and yawning for me.  In fact, my hearing improved in there.    So, back in it tomorrow and will be watching for signs of wound improvement, which is the main reason for this.  Fun, fun, fun.

Love you all.  Have a wonderful weekend!  Be safe and stay healthy, please. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I fell asleep in my recliner and the Beast just let me sleep.  When I woke up, I was surprised at the time.  I got online because I felt awake and read the news, went through all my email and got rid of the spam first.  I hate that stuff.  I AM getting less and less of it but I get a lot of stuff from sites I visit a lot.  WebMD, Travelocity,FTD, Greyhound, etc., etc.  Then there is the email from some of the programs I have that you must register for....**sigh**.  Most of the stuff they send is crap so I just delete it unread.

I found out I am really wondering about the hyperbaric therapy.  When I was 13, I had to have my eardrums replaced because my chronic ear infections had scarred them so badly that I lost all airwave hearing and had gone deaf.  It had happened slowly so I had learned to read lips and body language.  When my mother discovered this, she was horrified and dragged me to the Eye and Ear Clinic in Chicago.  There a Dr. Freeman took a vein graft from my arm and gave me back my hearing.

The problem I worry about is this....I was told way back then that I couldn't scuba dive.  Then it didn't matter, but it was a different story when we lived in Florida and the Beast took it up.  I would have loved to be able to scuba dive but the warning stuck in my mind.  I believe the doctor said I couldn't dive more than 10 ft. down.

Now, if the hyperbaric chamber is fixed to create the pressure at 35 ft., what the hell could happen?  The doctor checked out my ears and said I should be okay but he wasn't an ear doctor.  Hmm.  If it becomes too much, they said they would stop.  I have hearing loss as it is.  I sure don't want it to get so bad that I HAVE to have hearing aids.

Well, time to rest again because I have to be at the Wound Center in a few hours.  Love you all. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I went to my appointment at the Wound Center as scheduled.  I swear, the doctor is a sadist.  He keeps digging at my heel until it bleeds and then tells me how well I am doing.  What the hell?  Afterward, I met with the gal that is in charge of the hyperbaric chamber and takes care of us idiots that elect to use it.  She showed me the gown I would have to wear and said I had to take off everything, including my underwear.  What in the hell is the sense of that?

I forget how much pressure they put on the chamber, I roughly remember something like 35 or 37 feet.  That's underwater-type pressure at that depth.  I made a joke last time about being treated for the bends without having them and everyone laughed.  Yeah, sure.  Seems to me that it's very much the same.

She told me what cable company they had on the TV and I asked her how I changed channels.  She laughed and said SHE changed the channel.  Can't have anything electrical inside all that oxygen.  I sure don't want a flash fire while I am in there.  I can read if I want but learned that I can't take my reading glasses in with me unless I have a letter stating there is no titanium in them.  Oh sure, these are just the OTC reading glasses you buy.  I said I doubted whether the pharmacist has the slightest idea of what they were made of so reading is out.  That leaves me TV, bring a movie or go to sleep.  I figured sleep would be the best idea, don't you? 

The hyperbaric chamber is really kind of neat.  It's definitely *see damn near everything* clear.  My concern is if I get cold in there.  With just that skimpy gown on and nothing else, brrrrr.  The room isn't all that warm to begin with.  I will sure let you know what it's like.  I have to go 5 days a week, Monday-Friday, for two hours a day.  They won't tell me how long I have to do this because they want to see how the wounds do after a few treatments.  But I did learn from the literature I have and reading on the Internet that I will probably have to do it for 20 treatments minimum.  Good Lord, that's a whole month just about.

Chewlee and I watched movies on my computer today.  Madagascar, Dr. Doolittle and Yogi Bear.  Her mother came to get her while we were watching Yogi Bear and she was very upset over that.  But I told her we would watch it tomorrow.  It's really cute so far.  Cindy Bear sings in it and Chewlee got a kick out of that.

Love you all.  Have a wonderful day.  More update on Bratfink tomorrow after I get hold of the Boy. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I spoke with the Boy a little earlier.  He was home searching for some papers they needed and trying to make the house wheel chair safe.  He doesn't think she will be strong enough to maneuver on her feet for a while.  The infection had actually turned into sepsis, which is what my cousin died of last week.  The Boy said the doctor only told him that today and he knew that was possibly fatal.  He was also told if he had waited another day, she may not have made it.

He says they have loaded her down with antibiotics since she got there as well as saline.  The infection IS being defeated and her kidneys seem to be recovering slowly but surely.  Her sugar is still high and they are giving her insulin although the doctor said her body is so screwed up right now, there's no telling if she will be diabetic until she recovers.  The insulin will just help her pancreas during all this mess she's gotten herself into.  She is so damned stubborn and she just refused to see a doctor about anything.  She was sure she was going to die when they had her in ICU (and she's still there) and was giving the Boy information she felt he should have.  Knowing the Boy, it had to have created a panicked state.

She is still in ICU and still has the mask on her for oxygen.  The doctor said she may have to have it at home, especially since she has sleep apnea.  She obviously is not breathing deep enough OR she does have emphysema.  Only time will tell.  The good news is she has decided she is giving up smoking.  The bad news is that she is slightly depressed.  My niece, Tara, emailed the Boy and got the name of the hospital from him.  She called the gift shop (from the web page) and sent her up flowers with a balloon.  She is such a doll that girl.

She is at Community Hospital in Anderson, Indiana, Room 10 for those of you that want to send her flowers or something (and know her real name).  I don't know if flowers will help cheer her up but hearing from family and friends should.  We all love that crabby, old bitch! 

They did either a Catscan or an MRI today but the Boy wasn't sure which nor what they were checking her for.  When he finds out, he will let me know and I will pass it on.  Right now her big bitch is they don't let her sleep longer than 2 hours or so.  She says they are constantly waking her up for one reason or another.  My same bitch when I was in the hospital.  I could hardly wait to get home and be able to sleep in my own bed for 8 hours or more.

Keep up the prayers.  She still has a way to go here.  Love you all.  See what I mean about taking care of your health?  If you are sick, get your butt in to see the doctor.  It will help keep things from getting serious if you follow instructions.  Drive carefully....watch out for the other guy.  That means drive defensively, not aggressively. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I found an email from the Boy so here's the update on Bratfink.  She is very, very ill with the urinary tract infection.  They are giving her a lot of antibiotics and fluids and monitoring how her kidneys are functioning by tracking input and output.  She also has sleep apnea and is spending a lot of her time sleeping.  They have the large oxygen mask on her because she is not getting enough oxygen in her system when she's sleeping.  They think she might have emphysema but won't be able to tell for sure for a while.

Her blood sugar has also been very bad and they don't know if she will be diagnosed with diabetes or not this time.  You can't tell until the body is working more correctly.  Since it runs in the family, it's a tough call.  He says it's very tough to talk to her with the mask on and it's only removed for her to sip some water now and then so it's useless to try to call her just yet.  She will be in ICU a few more days at least and then will be moved into a regular room.  The Boy is praying this all doesn't mean she will be on oxygen when she goes home because she will just hate that.

She's doing what she must but is very cranky about it all.  Typical Bratfink.....LOL.  The Boy hasn't talked to her daughter yet and won't until Bratfink is able to talk on the phone.  No sense worrying her unnecessarily.  I understand where he's coming from so, please, if you know her phone number, don't add to the Boy's burdens by telling her yet.  Hopefully, when she's moved out of ICU, she won't have the oxygen mask on her and then can give her daughter whatever reassurances she needs.

Love you all.  Pray for her, please.

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

No update yet from the Boy on Bratfink.  He tried to call me when I was already at the hospital, to get xrays of my feet supposedly.  But, when we get there, what do I find?  The orthopedic doctor has decided the vascular doctor can take charge now.  He did all this without consulting ME.  When I asked why he had ordered xrays of my feet, her answer was *I don't know*.  I told her he had best be ready for me to see him once these stitches had all healed because the problems with my feet were NOT over and they were definitely BONE related. 

I called and left a message for the Boy to call me when he came home to take care of the animals but, if he's worried or concerned, he won't check his messages until MAYBE when he gets home late tonight when they make him leave the ICU.  I know I can't call the hospital for information because, like me, Bratfink only wants HER and the Boy to know what's going on.  She (or he) will disclose what she wants.  There are, I believe, two hospitals in her town and one she didn't like but I don't remember the name of it....dammit.  I have no place to go tomorrow so I will do a few calls and at least find out which hospital she is in and if she is still in ICU.

I imagine the HH nurse will be calling tomorrow and show up to change my bandages.  Their visits will probably end soon since I am going to be going into HBO therapy for two hours a day, five days a week.  That's supposed to start on this Wednesday but I haven't spoken to Belinda so I'm not sure.  I will call her tomorrow, too, to make sure that was set up right.

We grabbed sandwiches (Whopper Jr's) and onion rings at Burger King on our way home.  For dinner, I ate an herb chicken dinner from the freezer (with mashed potatoes and veggies).  After that, I fell asleep for a couple hours before the phone woke me up.  It was the Beast's Cousin from Florida calling.  I heard the Beast telling all about what had been going on with me the past couple of weeks. 

I will wait and see if I hear from the Boy tonight or if he calls me around the same time tomorrow.  I'll do an update then on Bratfink for all of you interested.  Love you all.  Early bedtime for me tonight.  Going to take my pain pill and wait for it to kick in.  Be good. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I went to bed around midnight because Chewlee insisted it was time and I knew she wouldn't sleep unless the house was quiet and dark.  She at first said she wanted to sleep with us so we could *hug her while we were sleeping* but when it was time, she suddenly wanted to sleep with Baron on his floor beds.  When I told her she couldn't, she said she didn't want to sleep with a *broken* grandma.  At that point, I put her in her own bed and told her she only had her broken grandma who wanted to let her sleep with her so she had to sleep alone.  She didn't argue but went to bed and then to sleep shortly afterward.  Me?  I was asleep in no time once my blankets got warmed up.

This morning she was cheerful and hungry.  I think the Beast fed her cereal since she discovered that it tasted *wonderful* with milk on it.  I'm guessing the Princess only gave her dry cereal and that's the reason for all the sugar coated stuff I've seen her come over here with in a plastic bag.  She decided last week to pour some of her milk over her maple/brown sugar oatmeal the Beast made her.  Now she HAS to have the milk on it AND SHE has to be the one to put the milk on it.  It makes me smile.  She so much wants to be able to do EVERYTHING.  It's sweet how she will volunteer to do dusting or cleaning the TV screens and even the hand prints on the doors.  The trouble is she gets too enthusiastic about it and would use up a whole bottle of cleaner if you let her alone.  Her mother picked her up and the house went very quiet.  It woke me up from my nap, that's how quiet it got.....suddenly. 

The Beast went over to a neighbor's to watch the Super Bowl today.  I was glad he had another man there to appreciate the whole thing.  I'm not sure who the Beast is rooting for but I hope the Patriot's win this one.  I just don't like the Giants for some reason.  I think they are the underdog (Patriots).  I've always been a sucker for underdogs.    However, in the fourth, NE is leading by just two points. but it's just started.  Anything could happen.

The HH nurse came today to change my bandages.  She was going to school the Beast in what to do once they have used up their visits.  I told her that Becky, yesterday's nurse, had already shown him and, between the two of us, things would be fine.  My blood pressure is down to where it should be as well as my sugar level.  I go to the orthopedic doctor tomorrow (with a stop at the hospital for x-rays of my feet before I see him).  I am assuming I will have to bring them to him but I will find out at the hospital.  The doctor's office is just across the street from it (south side) and I can be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail.  He may or may not take out the stitches from where my toe was removed.

Last night was a real eye opener for me as to how Chewlee was feeling about my being sick and having the foot problems.  I love that kid to death but it seems she has developed a fear of me due to the amputation of my toe.  I have no idea how to combat that except to get better.....quickly.  She wants to do lots of things with me once *I get better*.  The zoo.  The aquarium.  Just places she wants to see.  We'll have to wait and see what happens.

Well, time to get this posted.  Love you all.  Be sure to tell those you love that you do.  I keep thinking of the cousin I lost so suddenly.  It's MY loss that makes me mourn.  I loved her.  At least the last time we talked, we both said those words, *Love you....*  She knew I did and I know she loved me.  Even her husband, who was half afraid of telling me, had to call to make sure I DID know.  He was relieved I already knew about it.  He said he told his sons, *I have to call Bratsis.  Patsy would never forgive me if I didn't.*  I would always go to her house when I was in Chicago and take her out to lunch then over to my sister-in-law's to spend the day.  At that time, she didn't get out much.  Sometimes it was because she was sick, other times it was just that she didn't have the energy.

I would spend time over at her house.  In good weather, we spent it out on the big deck at the back of her house.  Jimbo keeps racing pigeons and has an enormous coop for them at the rear of their property.  It's a lot of work and Patsy said she didn't do anything with that.  It was up to Jimbo to clean it out and feed the birds.  She really hated them just because of the odor and mess.  But she loved Jimbo so she accepted it.  There was a lot about her life that disturbed me but it was HER life.  *I* accepted that.  You do that when you love someone.  I loved her but I am grateful that she no longer is in pain.  She was so very ill at the end.  Much sicker than anyone knew because she really didn't complain.  Rest in peace, my sweet cousin.

Be good.  Keep warm.  Be safe and careful. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Today the Boy got really worried about Bratfink.  She had a really bad cold and spent all her time sleeping the past couple of days.  Bratfink is reluctant to go to the doctor's about anything even though she now has Medicare since she has SS Disability.  She has her card and everything so why not go?  No, she has to *tough it out*.  The Boy was afraid her cold might have turned into pneumonia.  He knew she was badly dehydrated but what it turned out to be surprised both of them.  She has a really bad bladder infection that has spread through her body.  She's in ICU getting all kinds of antibiotics and they are also doing a lot of testing.  If her stay is anything at all like mine, she's going to hate both the tests and the doctors....LOL.

Be sure to remember her in your prayers that she gets well soon and feels better.  She said just the other day that she felt like she was dying but was afraid she wouldn't.  She was only being half-truthful and ignoring what her body was telling her.  At least now she is in the hands of the doctors.  Love you Sis...hurry up and get better.  I've missed you and will miss you until you return.

Today was an all-day Chewlee day.  Loads of fun.  The kid can be an eating machine at times.  She surprise us at dinner because she ate a hamburger the Beast made for her.  Damn Baron made a leap for part (or all) of her sandwich which really pissed off Chewlee.  To hear her yell at him is hysterical.  He DID manage to get a small piece and he had the nerve to spit out the bread. 

She's spending the night here and not happy about it.  She really wanted to see her and was very unhappy ....for all of about 15 seconds.  She was here when the Home Health nurse came to change the dressings on my feet.  Of course she had her nose into everything and talked non-stop.  The poor nurse was very patient but I got aggravated that she wouldn't let anyone else talk and yelled at her.  She finally shut up for a minute but she got to see the amputated toe area.  She then told me that she needed a different grandma because I wasn't all there any more.  The Beast told her that they would go to the *Used Grandma Store* and find a new grandma.  Her face looked puzzled and she said, *Huh?*  I told her he was kidding because they don't have a Used Grandma Store here. 

Later she told me that it *wasn't nice to lie to little kids*.  I wonder who she meant?  LOL.

I know I told you about the flowers that Bratfink and the Boy sent me the other day.  What I don't think I told you was that Chewlee knew immediately that Auntie Brat had sent them when she saw them.  I told her it was from Auntie Brat and Uncle Boy and she stopped dead.  She looked at me, very seriously, and said, *I don't know who Uncle Boy is!  Show me his picture.*  That's when Bratfink and I both realized we had no pictures of him.    I know he's very camera shy but I was sure I had one of him from when our dad died since he came and helped out.  If I do remember correctly, I will run across it soon.  I don't throw away pictures.  But right now, Uncle Boy is an enigma to Chewlee and a whole new person.

She loves to look at the pictures on my wall and in my albums.  She says, *I have a BIG family, don't I?*  I tell her yes and, hopefully, she will get to know them soon.  I am considering bringing her to Chicago with me this summer.  Will have to wait and see how things go.

Love you all.  Be good.  Stay warm and healthy.  Don't try to *tough things out*.  If you don't feel well, for heaven's sake, go to the doctor!  Life is too short. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Home Health showed up today around 11:30am.  They did call and I was expecting them.  What I didn't expect was that she had a copy of orders that came from my doctor for daily changing of my bandages.    She also came with a huge bag of supplies such as gauze, both pads and rolls, silk tape (I thought it was paper since it tore so easily), sterile water in spray form and other stuff I have no idea of what it's called.  She knew about the special salve I had and asked me to include it.  All the supplies were left here and I put them in the boot shoe box from the Beast's new boots.

But....daily?  Shit.  That puts a real crimp in things except that the nurses do call before they come.  If I start HBO therapy, that will feel like I spent the day just taking care of the amputated toe and my wounded heel.  I suppose that's not really a bad thing because I am anxious for it to heal.  The problem has a lot to do with any chance of taking a shower.  I have some foam stuff the hospital gave me which is called Foaming Body Cleanser.  I guess that means I will be using that a lot or just a PTA bath....LOL 

It says you can use it on your hair and I tried that.  Once.  Yuk!  Although it smells nice, it leaves a strange coating on your hair no matter how vigorously you towel it after saturating your hair.  Well, I HAD to try it.  I couldn't wash it at the hospital, after all.  I'll just wash my hair at the kitchen sink since it has a sprayer there.  That'll make Baron run!  He sees a spray of water and takes off.  Weird, since he will sit still these days and let the Beast use the hose on him to bathe him.  To exercise him, I used to use the hose and threaten to wet him down when he was younger.  I think he appreciated the hose though when he discovered it cooled him down nicely during the summer.  His black coat helps heat his skin quickly outside.  As much as he loves to be out in the yard, or on the deck when we sit out there, the sun will chase him inside the house for relief.  Poor baby.

I told the nurse today that I really need either new pressure stockings OR some time without it so I can wash the damn things.  I'm sure that them becoming a bit dirty is not a good thing. 

My *stitches* (and staples) are really red looking but aren't seeping so they are just irritated the nurse said.  I take Bactrim twice a day for infection so I shouldn't have to worry about that but I know some pain when I am walking around.  I can feel it pulling the staples and stitches when I walk so I have been trying to walk as little as possible.

I told the Beast that I know I am feeling better most of the time but it aggravates me that I am still so handicapped and my healing seems so slow to me.  Yet, the doctors and nurses all seem amazed that I am doing so well.  It makes me wonder what others in my situation do that I am so different from that it seems unusual.  Guess I just have a different frame of mind.

The Beast has kind of gone crazy with things since he took over the household due to my not being able.  He bought this steamer/refresher that's for clothing.  It's really kind of neat because it sanitizes.  He has a special attachment to it and used it on his recliner, my recliner and the love seat to get the smells out of them.  It's not supposed to clean but it sure brightened up all three items.  He bought me a steamer/cleaner for my floors, too.  I'm sure you've seen it advertised.  It's a Shark brand and it's amazing how great a job it does.  It brings up the shine of the wood floors and dries quickly.

He also bought an ironing board, a new iron (which I sorely needed) and a new four slice toaster.  I swear, every time I turn around, he's got something new.  It was mostly for him, if you know what I mean.  When he started attending the JW meetings, he bought himself lots of new clothes, including shirts that require some ironing.  He uses the steamer thingy to take wrinkles out of them.  I told him that he could avoid that if he got the shirts out of the dryer as soon as the dryer is finished but......he's a man and he just doesn't do it.  He'll learn or be stuck both steaming and ironing forever.  I once told him....*if it HAS to be ironed, out it goes!*  I really meant it and I threw out my ironing board shortly afterward.  I'm not an idiot so I bought a table top ironing board for when I do need to iron something.  I have to iron seams for when I am sewing, for instance.  Oh, there are a few things I will take out the old iron for but everyday things...doubtful.

Love you all.  Enjoy the good weather while you can.  If you are in an area hit by snow and ice, keep safe and warm. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

On Wednesday evening, before going to bed, the Beast asked me what was on the agenda for Thursday.  When I told him *nothing*, he looked surprised but glad and went to bed.  I went to bed around 2am or so, having taken a long nap earlier in the day and woke up about 9am needing a pain pill.  I went back to sleep and that kind of describes the majority of my day.  I spent it sleeping.  Sleep is healing so I didn't fight it.  I happened to be up and online at one point when Bratfink signed on and found out SHE felt awful.  She didn't stay online for long but went back to bed herself.  Before laying back down (me), I DID manage to get ahold of the gal in charge of the HBO (hyperbaric oxygen) program and it looks like I will start my therapy on Wednesday.  She said they will just do it the same day I see my doctor to make it simpler for us all.  Sounded good to me.  She is going to call me on Monday to verify my time and answer any questions I may have thought of by then.

I know my nephew took several treatments to save his finger.  My sister says it's ugly but it's still there.  That took quite a few trips from Chicago to Milwaukee (what?  no HBO chamber in the big city of Chicago?  Or was it a matter of scheduling?).  I figured out that it had to have been access to one that determined that.  After all, the kid couldn't wait and, since he loves all things athletic, he needed all his fingers.  I'm not in the same situation.

I DID spend most of the day asleep.  The time just slipped away from me.  I know I fell asleep around 7pm when the Beast was getting ready to leave for his meeting.  Chewlee wanted to go with him and she told me, *You go to sleep while we are gone, Grandma.  It will make you feel better?*  Bless her heart.  See?  I may master those Southern Belle phrases after all!    I woke up around 1:30am because I really had to go to the bathroom.  I made my way there and then back to my desk to take the meds I should have taken earlier. 

But, there you go!  A whole day gone.  Tomorrow all that is on the schedule is the home health people coming by.  I may have the gal help me with changing of the bandages.  That is a real pain, in more ways than one and no pun intended.  Right now, I am ready to head to my bed for the rest of the night.  Yep, where has the day gone?

Love you all.  Have a wonderful day.