TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I spoke with Bratfink earlier, after her return from the Orthopedist's.  No surgery...at least, not yet.  If this special sling/cast she was put in works, everything should be fine.  The ball joint was compressed into the shoulder blade area so the sling includes a special type of *pillow* that pulls the area more into place and now it's up to the body to do it's job.  He's worried about a slight splinter that's located near where one of the muscles attaches but it's minor for now.  She goes back in 10 days.

The thumb is now properly splinted/cast and the guy that did it was really pissed over the way it was done in the emergency room.  He kept what they took off and said *Someone is going to hear about this!* like he was saying *heads will roll!* 

On a personal note, the wounds on my abdomen are now just receiving regular gauze/adhesive coverings.  **Grin**   The doctor also changed the dressing on my foot wounds to this blue stuff that you soak in saline or sterile water, squeeze and apply.  They get changed every three days and he says I am in the *home stretch* on those.  I am so happy, I could almost cry. 

I asked him about the swelling in my right foot and he says that it's normal for now.  However, he says if it gets worse, I am to let him know and he will check the pulse and make sure everything is going as it should.  He says what partly causes that is my putting more of a demand on it (the leg) than the bypass is ready for.  No worry about that *failing* but it takes it a little longer to get rid of some fluids than it will in a few more weeks when that system makes the adjustments it needs to.  I am taking it on faith that he knows what he's talking about. 

So, all-in-all, the mood is good.  Bratfink has her pain pills to help her out and the Boy is set up to be sure to be ready to help her even during the night.  He's got to have a ton of love for her because he's all set to even wipe her butt when necessary.  THAT is love, folks.

While I was at the Wound Center, the EMS brought in a man on a stretcher with his leg in a temporary splint.  He looked like he might have been in an auto accident.  It puzzled me why they would do that but....I gather they were able to inspect the wound with some special equipment before they brought him to the hospital for the leg to be put in a cast.  It surprised me but....whatever works that prevents future problems.  They had him on oxygen but he couldn't have lost any blood.  I didn't notice any saline solution even.  I will have to ask more questions next week.

Gotta go and get this leg up.  That's the one thing the doctor did tell me.  Keep it up whenever I am resting so I have to set something comfortable up near my computer.  It's definitely going to involve pillows.   

Love you all.  I am going to go outside and sit with Chewlee for a while until it's time to make dinner.  BLT's are on the menu for tonight. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I love my niece, Tara, but there are times I think she needs to learn how to convey news better.  When Bratfink got a hold of her around 7:30pm (our time), they had returned from the Emergency room already.  Bratfink was under the influence of some morphine and some other shot she was given for the inflammation due to the injury.  Wouldn't you know that she would injure a part of her arm that you seldom hear is injured except for a football player?  Yep, the ball joint there at the shoulder is squished and partly shattered the Boy tells me.

They have to see an orthopedist the first thing in the morning to find out what they do from here.  The Boy feels that Bratfink is probably going to have to have pins put into the shoulder but I'll find out in the afternoon when I call.  Oh.  BTW....she also broke her thumb.  It's in a temporary cast at the moment but that will probably be changed tomorrow.  When it rains, it pours.  **Sign**

Say a little prayer for her, will you?  Her luck really needs to turn sometime soon.  She was supposed to see the pulmonary doctor but I think they will have to reschedule that.  At least I think the pins for the shoulder can be outpatient.  I think it depends on both the health of the patient and how extensive the damage is.  Cross your fingers.

Love you all. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

My niece, Tara, called me a little earlier because Bratfink couldn't get through to my cell phone.  Actually, she was showing up but we weren't connecting for some reason.  It turns out that the reason she was trying to get ahold of me was to let me know that she and the Boy were on their way to the Emergency Room at the hospital.  It seems she has either broken her a) shoulder bone; b) collar bone, or; c) god-only-knows what she's done now!  We almost lose her to sepsis from an untreated bladder infection at the beginning of February and now I can't figure out how she managed to fall on her shoulder.  She is usually so damn careful just because she IS afraid of falling.  I will have to call the Boy later and try to find out what has happened.  I'm sorry I can't be more specific but Tara doesn't know the right questions to ask.  She did tell me that Bratfink was in a LOT of pain so I didn't call her back.  I wasn't going to keep her from getting out of the house and to the hospital by asking questions.  Let her go get treated and get some pain medication in her and I'll find out from the Boy.  When *I* know, *you all* will know.

I'm having lots of pain in my right foot (the one that had the bypass) mainly because it's swollen.  That really bothers me but I do get to see my doctor tomorrow.  If it gets any worse, I will have the Beast take me to Emergency, too.  I don't think the swelling is a good thing, especially when it's only one leg.  Lots of fluid is involved I can tell.  Press and wait for it to pop back out.  But on just ONE leg?  **Biting fingernails*

If its not a good thing, I won't be reporting to you for a while more than likely.  The doctor will slam me into the hospital for tests, I'm sure.  And, with Bratfink disabled (and I believe it's her right arm/shoulder), even she won't be able to keep you up to date on what is going on.  **Sigh**  It really IS a bitch to grow old.

I'm going to get this leg propped up on a pillow or two so that's it for today.  Love you all.  I hope to let you know tomorrow what all is going on with both me and Bratfink.  Be good. 

I never liked the fact that Kitty [Orca] was named Kitty [Orca].  There are probably a lot of you who don't know the story about behind us adopting Kitty [Orca] into our household.  Perhaps I should tell you that first.

Kitty [Orca] belonged to a kid who lived next door to us at our old Cave.  Then, the kid died.  Apparently he had a seizure while taking a bath and that was the end.  [So sad!]  Kitty [Orca] escaped when they broke down the door to the house.  The Boy took a couple few days to lure Kitty [Orca] closer and closer to him with food and water and then grabbed him and brought him into our home.

We found out the cat's name was Kitty from the sister of the dead kid [and for a long time we called Kitty 'the dead kid's cat'].  The cat was really really shy but we didn't mind.  We figured at least he had a home and was being fed.  AMIRITE?

The Boy gave him the name Kitty Orca because the cat is black and white like an orca and because he has a helluva belly on him.  I never liked the name 'Kitty' because I felt it was very juvenile.

Anyway, the other day I happened to be sitting in my computer chair and looking down the hall when Kitty walked out of the Cat Room.  And as I watched him walk it struck me that if we had wooden floors Kitty would be making some stomping noises as he moved around.  Because he was one Bad Ass Cat.

That is when I realized he had been misnamed.

His real name was Tuffy.

I tried it out.  I said, "Tuffy, do you want some treats?"

And damn if that cat didn't turn around and come towards me.

I told The Boy about it.  I told him that Kitty had been misnamed and that his 'real' name was Tuffy because he answered to it.

I don't know if The Boy will use it; he may try it out when I'm not around because, like most men, they hate it when women are right and they are wrong.

I don't call him Kitty anymore.  He is now Tuffy to me. 

They drive me nuts, but I love my cats.

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

I knew that I should expect a telephone survey regarding our Home Health selection and my experience with it.  Originally, I thought I wouldn't hear from anyone until AFTER their services were no longer needed but I gather these surveys are conducted about every two months.  Much can happen during that time frame.  The surveys are conducted independently by some third party fact gathering group for the purposes of making sure that each Home Health company is *up to snuff* and doing a good, thorough job.  You can even tell them whether or not your name can be revealed to your particular HH group.  I imagine if you had some really negative things to say, you wouldn't necessarily want that revealed. 

When they finally caught up with me today, I really had nothing bad to say about them at all.  It was almost annoying to have to answer their *yes* or *no* or....on a scale of 1-10...questions.  I was glad when it was over.  I know that these can be helpful but this just seemed so trite for one reason or another.  Oh well.  C'est la vie!  You have to take the bad with the good, I guess.

I've been assailed lately with *surveys* from various political candidate groups looking for support.  I just hang up on them.  My opinions, and that's all we base our votes on is personal opinions, are my own.  I'm not airing them for some group or other to take advantage of or, even worse, to take up my time and then they trash it because it's not what they want to hear.

I discovered today that my tummy doesn't like greasy foods.  I mean the Beast's kind of greasy.  He buys the cheap, high fat hamburger meats because, as he says, *if it doesn't roll down your arms and off your elbows, it's just not tasty*.  All it takes is one bite of something he's made with that and my tummy recoils.  I'm either nauseous or my tummy starts to ache.  Takes a while for it to settle down, too.  Now that I made the connection, I will not be eating some of the stuff he's making.  He and Baron can eat it.  I'd rather eat a can of soup.

I can fry up an egg for a sandwich and that's okay.  I don't need a lot of anything (and usually use Pam) to make that.  I don't even butter my toast the way the Beast does.  His toast is so loaded with butter that it's almost soggy.  Ack!  Why his arteries aren't totally clogged is beyond my ken.  He's been like this his whole life.  His dad was the same way.  He used to fry fatback and eat it.  **Insert green face here** 

Maybe it's psychological now with me.  I've become very worried about clogged arteries after what I had in my legs.  I have really been watching what I eat and eating more veggies that I steam.  What's funny is that Baron loves veggies, too, and he will come in and try to get his nose into my dish to grab some.  He really loves cauliflower and broccoli so I have to watch him closely when I have either of those on my plate.  I don't turn my back, that's for sure.  The darn dog even loves sweet potatoes.  Just plain sweet potatoes, can you imagine?  I didn't know that until he cleaned off my plate of half of one when I went to pour myself some milk.  I could have choked him.  He won't do it at the table but I guess at my desk is another story entirely.  Damn dog.

The Beast gave him another new chew bone that looks like a braid today.  He goes crazy at first and tries to hide it.  He paces frantically all over the house, hiding it here and there, then goes back and gets it and hides it somewhere else.  He reminds me of the dog in the Traveler's Insurance commercials that keeps hiding his bone.  It's really funny to watch.

Love you all.  Hope your week has started out well.  Be good.  Laugh a lot.  Smile at everyone and watch those smiles spread. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Chewlee was asleep in my recliner when I decided to go to bed around midnight.  There was no way I could carry her to bed so I had to gently wake her, make her take my hand (I had to turn out the lights in the room as we left).  We keep a light on over the sink so the house is not totally dark as you make your way to the bedroom.  She had said she wanted to sleep with me so when we got into my room, I lifted the covers and told her to go ahead and crawl in.  She did but wasn't over far enough for me to get in the bed.  When I told her to move over more, she told me she couldn't.  Sure enough, I felt next to her and the Beast was on MY side of the bed.  Actually, he was mostly on my side.  I shook him, told him to move over so Chewlee and I could get in bed.  He was surprised and said to me, *Oh, I didn't know she was here.  How long has seen been here?* 

I thought he had lost his mind and said, *All day long.  Now MOVE!*  He did and Chewlee moved over next to him and then I got into bed.  Chewlee cuddled up with her head on my shoulder and almost immediately was back to sleep.  She had her arm across me and I discovered the Beast has HIS arm across her.  It would have been a cute picture, I think.  Chewlee changed positions a couple times.  I woke up once and her head was on my stomach while her feet were across the Beast.  Later, she was back with her head on my shoulder and we were pretty much tummy-to-tummy.  She slept the rest of the night in that position and woke me up at 9:30am with some pats on my face.  When I opened my eyes, she had a big grin on her face and said, *Wake up, Grandma!*   I then got another pat on my face, a small hug and she scrambled off the bed.

I really felt good when I made myself get up.  I was feeling more rested than I have in a while.  Chewlee was also in a good mood.  We ate breakfast (waffles courtesy of the Beast) with big glasses of milk.  After that, Chewlee got worried about going to Bible Study with the Beast.  She kept asking me if it had to be dark.  When I told her no, she then got this idea.  You could see when she figured out how to tell like a light bulb went off in her head.  She said to me, *Oh...when Papa starts to get dressed to go!*  I told her yes but she would have plenty of time because it took him a while to get ready.

Then she started to worry about what she would wear.  I told her not to worry, I would have clean clothes for her.  That's when she said to me, *But Grandma, you told me Papa sent all my clothes home with Mommy.*  She was right about that much but I did have a few things from the last time she stayed overnight AND her clothes from school on Friday.  I just threw them into the washer with a couple other things since she was in her pajamas.  Later, when I got the clothes out of the dryer, she got excited because her skirt was clean and she loves to wear skirts.  I had a nice top that made it look like a layered dress she had on so she looked cute after I brushed her hair.  Then, off they went after I got a nice kiss and hug from Chewlee.

The Beast dropped Chewlee off at home after Bible study so the rest of our day was very peaceful (but dull).  She brings a lot of fun and chaos into our lives.  But I have to say, I really loved this particular sleepover.  It was nice and a bit of fun. 

The weather was hot (in the 80's again) but it's dropped down to 70 now.  By the time we go to bed later, it should be great sleeping weather.  I love having the house open and the warmer weather.  MY kind of weather.    Love you all.  Hope you had a great weekend and a fantastic upcoming week.  Be good.  Drive carefully.  Be nice to everyone you meet.  Don't forget:  A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet. 

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

It was a really nice day most of today.  I got ambitious this morning and got a taste for some clam chowder.  New England clam chowder.  I had everything I needed here except for the Half and Half.  The Beast bought that when he ran up to Walmart to check and see what vegetable plants they had in their garden area.  He found the green pepper starters he wanted but no cucumbers.  He told me if I wanted those, I would have to put them in a pot because HE never remembers to string them up and they just crawl all over, taking up space for other plants.  MEN!!!

I was shocked that Chewlee tried the soup.  She was fine until she tasted a clam.  I tried to chop them up fine but I guess I didn't get them all.  The whole time I was cutting up the celery, onions and potatoes, all she kept saying was, *Ewww!  Nasty!*  She's not a fan of potatoes is they aren't french fried.    Celery she will eat if you give her Ranch Dressing to dip it in.  Onions?  Well, if she can see them, she freaks out.  But I guess she was hungry enough to try it since the Beast and I seemed to be enjoying it.  She also ate some buttered bread with it and a glass of milk.

She ended up knocking her glass of milk off the table (how do those little arms manage to act like huge windmill blades?)  She freaked and then wanted to get in the middle of the glass to *help out*.  It took my firmest command to her to *sit down and keep those bare feet away from the glass or she would cut them* before she finally backed off.  She's usually very good and careful when she has a glass but I guess I need to buy a couple plastic and keep them around for her.  Just for a while longer.

She played her *blocks game* (Mahjong Safari) for about a half hour or so while *I* was waiting for her mother to get off work and pick her up.  When I was ready to call the Princess, the Beast said, *Oh.  Didn't I tell you?  We are keeping her overnight.*  I could have choked him for not telling me.  I would have put her in the bathtub since it seems to help her sleep.  Right now she is asleep in my recliner and I have strict instructions to take her with me when I go to bed. (Chewlee's instructions).  I think he's keeping her because he and she want to go to Bible Study tomorrow.  He will then drop her off at home on his way back when it's over.

My problem is finding her something she can wear.  I may have to just put a clean top on her and let her wear her skorts.  She brought me her little black kitty to mend again.  This time it was HER dog (the Malamute) that did it.  Thankfully, it's on the back of it.  She told me that her mommy told her she would buy her another one but she loves her little kitty.  That's why I will be sewing it up in the morning for her so she can take it home with her.  She sleeps with it and it's so cute.  She was a little upset that I hadn't already fixed it but she managed to fall asleep with Tinkerbell.  Yes, she has a Tinkerbell toy complete with wings.  Thank goodness, it's all soft and not scratchy.  It's also damn near as big as she is.

Well, the house is nice and quiet.  We have our fans on and the doors and windows open.  The Beast locked the front screen door and I know that anyone who might attempt to come in will put Baron on instant alert and he will scare the hell out of them between his size and his bark.  It can sound very ferocious.  He will stay close to our bed tonight because Chewlee will be with us.  If I put her on the guest bed, he would be sleeping at the foot of HER bed instead.

Love you all.  Have a fantastic time tomorrow (Sunday).  It's 70 degrees here at almost midnight and not expected to go down much more.  It got as high as 82 .  It's supposed to be more of the same tomorrow.  I hope so.  Be good and try to have a laugh or two. 

I needed to call and get a prescription refilled today.  It happens that this prescription was filled at Walgreens, so that is where I called.  That's when the fun began.

I expected to listen to a recording and then press some number to get connected to the pharmacy.  And that happened.  It's what happened after that that thrilled the heck out of me.

EVERYTHING was automated!

I entered my Rx number and also the time I wanted to pick it up [allowing at least an hour] and then the auto-system told me my home phone number!

I NEVER HAD TO SPEAK TO AN ACTUAL HUMAN BEING.

And I'm OK with that.

Now, most of you out there in the world probably already knew about this new and wondrous thing.  But I don't get out much and I guess I also don't have a lot of medicines I need to get refilled.  So this was new to me.

Also, I am easily amused.

Happy St. Patrick's day to everyone [on the day that everyone becomes at least partly Irish]!

TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

Whatever was trying to come down with the Beast seems to have given up and gone away.  He was feeling totally normal today and got busy again getting the rest of the tomatoes and the flowers planted.  I wasn't feeling strong enough and it didn't get warm enough for me to join him.  I told him we need to put a folding chair around the planters so I could help but sit down when I need to.

He has used up the soil we bought the other day and we still need more.  The Beast feels like a lot we put in there from last year has just *evaporated*.  I told him I was pretty sure that much of it was blown away from some of the heavy winds we had and that last tornado that hit close to us.  He just gave a *hmmph* and that was it.  He'll be busy buying more soil so we can get our seeds in.  This year I told him we are going to be very organized about it and pay attention to the spacing required.  He got so ambitious last year that we had a lot of stuff that was just too damn crowded to do well.

I got the V.A.C. system packed up and ready for pickup.  Right on time, our regular UPS guy stopped to pick up our package and it was GONE!  It was great to help the problem I had but I was really tired of lugging it around all the damn time.  I was also glad I didn't have to worry about air leaks or anything else!  It did what was needed and now, hopefully, they will check it out and get it ready for the next person that needs it.

Maybe it's part of the healing process but now my feet have become...well, sensitive.  I can actually feel a crumb on the floor.  If I put my foot on the edge of a rug, it's painful to me because of the difference in heights that my foot is resting on.  Both feet are like that.  It's a kind of super-sensitivity.

I can't do anything about it unless the doctor has an idea.  If it gets really painful, I can always take a pain pill, I suppose.  For now, I'm just living with it. 

All of the trees seem to now be in bloom, even the cherries.  I am going to say a prayer that we don't lose all our fruit this year like we did last year. 

Love you all.  Take care and enjoy your weekend.  May it be a good one for you all. 

Hello all, and thank you for shiving a git.  I haven't been posting because there just isn't anything to post about.

I saw my GP doc last week, and nothing really happened other than her referring me to a dermatologist for a problem I have on the back of my legs.  That appointment won't happen until April 21st.  Oh, she did prescribe me some cream for when my legs itch, and that has been helping a whole lot.  And she told me to continue with the blood sugar testing and insulin injections as I've been doing since I got out of the hospital.  She also prescribed me some Tramadol [generic for Ultram] for pain.  I take it, not because I feel that it helps a lot, but because I don't want to take aspirin.

The appointment with my pulmonologist will be happening on March 21st.  He's the lung guy.  I'm only using my O2 machine when I sleep or when I start to feel 'dizzy', which is not often.  It will be fun to see him again.

The warm weather has seen The Boy turning on the air sucker.  This has made him cold, but it sure helps me sleep at night.  I told him, "Close your bedroom door and turn on your heater, and you'll be fine."  Really, he's such a wuss.  But then he surprised me.  He came out here early on Thursday and complained about how hot he was.

I KNOW! 

I was shocked to my core.

I told him, "You are going through Manopause."

He was not amused. 

The cats have been happy with the weather.  They get to go out to the back 40 and Boobs was seen chasing a bird [which he had NO CHANCE IN HELL OF CATCHING.]  I don't know if I've told you but he is one fat little bastid.  Truly, a furry bowling ball with a tail.  Kitty Orca isn't far behind.

And speaking of Kitty Orca, The Boy was petting him the other day and Kitty rolled over to get his belly rubbed.  So, The Boy complied.  The thing is, as most cat people will attest, cats only 'allow' you to do that for so long, and then they attack your hand when they have had enough.  I'm really good at sensing this 'attack' and avoid the coming bloodshed, but The Boy was [as usual] on another planet and missed Kitty's clues, and as a result he had 3 deep wounds that bled for longer than I expected.  I told him what an idiot he was, and he agreed.  Just one more reason I love this dude.  He knows how right I am.

So, that's it for me for me for now.

Enjoy your days and your weather and your loved ones.

.