Oh my goodness...has it been about three weeks since my last blog? Unbelievable! Even now, I probably need to be practicing my routine instead of blogging. However, having just read Jacque's blog, I guess if she can find the time to do it, I can too. So, for the next few minutes, I will ignore the laundry, the ironing, the organizing, the sewing, the paperwork for my husband's business and a lot more, while a type a few notes on here. (Just a minute, I need to add Downey to the rinse cycle!) OK, I am back :(
Now, the pageant...they now have a bit more info on www.msseniorarizona.com about the contestants. There are many lovely and very talented ladies in the pageant. I must keep remembering that I am told by the pageant directors that I am not competing against the others and that I am only competing against being "ALL I CAN BE", because that is what I will be judged on. Good thing, 'cause boy there are some great ladies in the pageant. We have had two rehearsals, so far. Each time, it seems I forget a bit less of my routine. Hopefully, by the time I perform it (oh my goodness, is it just three weeks away?) I will know most of it and maybe even have added a bit of styling and technique..pray for a miracle ;(...I must say that it is actually getting to be fun at times and I am meeting some very nice people....lifetime friends? possibly. I am revamping and adding some bling to my gown, (got some design suggestions from the designer that is doing my costume. God bless her. Oh yes, the costume creation wheels are turning and I got to try on the shell of it last Wednesday. It is to be ready by this Friday so I can pick it up then. The designer, Judy, told me last week, "Don't you worry, honey, I will do a very special job just for you. I will add a lot of bling and you will be very sparkly, and you will be just beautiful! She is such a dear and the owner is, also, so very kind...I don't know how I deserve such "Grace" from them, but thank you God for all the help and support I am receiving throughout this ordeal. Without it, I would have given up long ago.
Larry will be going to the pageant with my friend, Shirley's husband and their single son, Darin, and Larry's single daughter, Joy...hint, hint! Also, Larry's son, Matt, and his wife, Michelle, and their two teenagers are coming. Along with some of my friends and there husbands and possibly my dentist and his staff and some of the staff from Randell Designs..Sure wish my family lived closer..I know they would all be there if it was possible.
Cardio news...I have been attending Cardio-Rehab for three weeks, now. The nurse said I am improving. She said at my stress test in Feb, 2009, my heart shut down when stressed and my blood pressure crashed...now, during my exercise routine there at rehab, my pulse goes up along with my blood pressure to about 175/over 90....yey!!! God is good! I can now do my entire routine without collapsing, anyway..used to be I could only do about 8 or 9 measures of 8 and then I would have to sit down. Yes, the last couple weeks, I have become optimistically hopeful that I will be around a few more years, anyway..Thank you Lord for your many blessings.
Ok, enuf for now..back to the laundry..luv to all my babies, big and small..mom and Grammie
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN P.V.!
So sorry to hear about all the snow back home. Sounds like the last big storm of the year there. I hate to rub it in (ha,ha), but our Forsythia, Daffodiles, Pink Bud and many other kinds of flowering trees are in full bloom around here and have been for almost two weeks! Gotta love Arizona in the high desert this time of year. Makes a lazy one's thoughts turn to pulling out the old dried up plants from last year and putting in the new! Especially the ones at the front door greeting Larry's clients. They are probably thinking, "HHhMMmmm, sure are some lazy people that live in this house," or maybe "Guess this guy doesn"t make enough money to hire a gardner his rates must be reasonable or maybe he should raise them." Whatever, there are just so many hours in a day and since I have been taking these heart drugs my body wants to spend the majority of them SLEEPING! I am supposed to get used to them some day and those hours should lessen (the doc maintains.)
The few hours I feel refreshed during the day, I try to spend on learning my routine. I have two weeks left before I have to perform it during pageant rehearsal, so the pressure is on! On April 4th, I have my first costume fitting and rehearsal! How exciting is that? Seems hard to believe the time is drawing near.
Now, the Swiffer story.......Everyday, Swif-her and Larry go on a two mile walk..or should I say Larry goes on the walk and Swif-her normally rides in the pak on his back. Well a week ago, after they had been on their journey for over a half-hour, the phone rang. Seeing it was Larry calling, I panicked knowing for certain something was dreadfully wrong! Upon answering the phone, I learned that Swif-her had jumped out of the back-pak sometime during Larry's walk. He had no idea when it had happened, as he is always so busy listening to his books on CD that he is oblivious to the rest of the world, especially the little six pound dog he is carrying that will bark at everything that moves along the way and that the barking had stopped for the last 1/2 hour! Panicking, I threw a jacket on over my jammies, got in the car to search and found Larry had called me when from about 1000 feet away. Guess he didn't notice Swif-her's absence until he was within a few houses of our house! We needed a plan..needless to say. We decided to check with an elderly couple that always waves to Larry in the very beginning of his walk to see if Swif-her was in the back-pak then. We did just that. "No," the lady called out when questioned. "She wasn't in the back-pak and we wondered why Larry was carrying an empty back-pak on his walk!" Oh my God! That means Swif-her had been roaming free in a strange neighborhood for over 45 minutes! We began stopping at various neighbor's houses along Larry's route asking about Swif-her. No one had seen a little white powder puff dog running loose. While Larry was chatting with one neighbor, I noticed a little white spot running down a road about a block away and quickly drove there to check it out. By the time I arrived, the white spot had vanished. I returned to find Larry wondering down the road, back and forth, walking from one side of the road to the other..unaware that a car was in back of him (me)and closing in fast. Finally, he got in and we proceeded to look for Swif-her. About this time, almost ready to have a panick attack, I began telling myself that the world wouldn't quit spinnng if we never saw her again and that life would go on. Then, I bagan thinking, "Nothing is lost in God. Nothing is lost in God." A few minutes later, while sitting in the car checking with another neighbor, a truck pulled up along side of us and the young man inside said, "Is this what you are looking for?" There was Swif-her trying vigorously to jump out of his arms, through his truck window and through my car window! Words cannot express my emotions. I could hardlybreath and was thinking, "Is this what loosing a child feels like, too?" The young man continued on saying, "First I saw your husband walking aimlisly back and forth on the street, a few blocks down I saw this little white dog running down the road and instantly felt that this is what that man was looking for, so I stopped and picked up this little dog and have been looking for your husband ever since for the past 20 minutes! Oh my goodness..so I surmised that this truck had 1st seen Larry..then picked up Swif-her right after I saw her and before I could get there..the truck went back to find Larry, but I had picked him up and he was no longer wondering aimlessly down the road and then we all spent the next 20 minutes going in circles looking for each other. Whew! I am dizzy after just thinking about all this. Needless to say, Swif-her did not go on any more walks until a couple days ago, after I bought her a harness and now she is securely attached to the back-pak with her harness and long leash. Now, if she jumps out, what are the odds that Larry will notice that she is walking along side of him on the road instead of being in the back-pak? 100 to 1, maybe, before he ends his walk. Either way, Swif-her will hopefully return home safely each time..walking or riding!
That was a long story, but needed telling. Hope you got a few laughs. Easter is tomorrow..had church last nite. It started about 20 minutes late because Father Dan had to go bless a parishioner that had died shortly before. Upon his return he said, "What a great day to die!" Still wondering about opening our service with that! Church tonight..2 1/2 hours long with much of it being outside..having second thoughts about attending this year as it will be cold and we must stand for about an hour out there before entering the church. I am serving communion tomorrow at the 11AM service, so will surely attend that one. Making ham for dinner...no guests for dinner...will miss my family immensly...been thinking about making a visit, but it is very costly and right now we are trying to pull in our straps like most other people, not being certain of what the future holds as far as income goes.
Will close for now..know that you will all be in my thoughts tomorrow and I will be there with you all in spirit..luv to all, yo mama and grammie
P.S. Mailed stamps for the kids today and $'s to help with Kevin's and Brennan's dinner...sorry it is not more timely.
The few hours I feel refreshed during the day, I try to spend on learning my routine. I have two weeks left before I have to perform it during pageant rehearsal, so the pressure is on! On April 4th, I have my first costume fitting and rehearsal! How exciting is that? Seems hard to believe the time is drawing near.
Now, the Swiffer story.......Everyday, Swif-her and Larry go on a two mile walk..or should I say Larry goes on the walk and Swif-her normally rides in the pak on his back. Well a week ago, after they had been on their journey for over a half-hour, the phone rang. Seeing it was Larry calling, I panicked knowing for certain something was dreadfully wrong! Upon answering the phone, I learned that Swif-her had jumped out of the back-pak sometime during Larry's walk. He had no idea when it had happened, as he is always so busy listening to his books on CD that he is oblivious to the rest of the world, especially the little six pound dog he is carrying that will bark at everything that moves along the way and that the barking had stopped for the last 1/2 hour! Panicking, I threw a jacket on over my jammies, got in the car to search and found Larry had called me when from about 1000 feet away. Guess he didn't notice Swif-her's absence until he was within a few houses of our house! We needed a plan..needless to say. We decided to check with an elderly couple that always waves to Larry in the very beginning of his walk to see if Swif-her was in the back-pak then. We did just that. "No," the lady called out when questioned. "She wasn't in the back-pak and we wondered why Larry was carrying an empty back-pak on his walk!" Oh my God! That means Swif-her had been roaming free in a strange neighborhood for over 45 minutes! We began stopping at various neighbor's houses along Larry's route asking about Swif-her. No one had seen a little white powder puff dog running loose. While Larry was chatting with one neighbor, I noticed a little white spot running down a road about a block away and quickly drove there to check it out. By the time I arrived, the white spot had vanished. I returned to find Larry wondering down the road, back and forth, walking from one side of the road to the other..unaware that a car was in back of him (me)and closing in fast. Finally, he got in and we proceeded to look for Swif-her. About this time, almost ready to have a panick attack, I began telling myself that the world wouldn't quit spinnng if we never saw her again and that life would go on. Then, I bagan thinking, "Nothing is lost in God. Nothing is lost in God." A few minutes later, while sitting in the car checking with another neighbor, a truck pulled up along side of us and the young man inside said, "Is this what you are looking for?" There was Swif-her trying vigorously to jump out of his arms, through his truck window and through my car window! Words cannot express my emotions. I could hardlybreath and was thinking, "Is this what loosing a child feels like, too?" The young man continued on saying, "First I saw your husband walking aimlisly back and forth on the street, a few blocks down I saw this little white dog running down the road and instantly felt that this is what that man was looking for, so I stopped and picked up this little dog and have been looking for your husband ever since for the past 20 minutes! Oh my goodness..so I surmised that this truck had 1st seen Larry..then picked up Swif-her right after I saw her and before I could get there..the truck went back to find Larry, but I had picked him up and he was no longer wondering aimlessly down the road and then we all spent the next 20 minutes going in circles looking for each other. Whew! I am dizzy after just thinking about all this. Needless to say, Swif-her did not go on any more walks until a couple days ago, after I bought her a harness and now she is securely attached to the back-pak with her harness and long leash. Now, if she jumps out, what are the odds that Larry will notice that she is walking along side of him on the road instead of being in the back-pak? 100 to 1, maybe, before he ends his walk. Either way, Swif-her will hopefully return home safely each time..walking or riding!
That was a long story, but needed telling. Hope you got a few laughs. Easter is tomorrow..had church last nite. It started about 20 minutes late because Father Dan had to go bless a parishioner that had died shortly before. Upon his return he said, "What a great day to die!" Still wondering about opening our service with that! Church tonight..2 1/2 hours long with much of it being outside..having second thoughts about attending this year as it will be cold and we must stand for about an hour out there before entering the church. I am serving communion tomorrow at the 11AM service, so will surely attend that one. Making ham for dinner...no guests for dinner...will miss my family immensly...been thinking about making a visit, but it is very costly and right now we are trying to pull in our straps like most other people, not being certain of what the future holds as far as income goes.
Will close for now..know that you will all be in my thoughts tomorrow and I will be there with you all in spirit..luv to all, yo mama and grammie
P.S. Mailed stamps for the kids today and $'s to help with Kevin's and Brennan's dinner...sorry it is not more timely.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Bored!
Let's see...what's up around here? Well, nothing too good on TV tonight, so thought I'd think of something to update this blog. Next Monday, of course, I will not be saying this with the Bachelor and Dancing With the Stars back on the air!
Went to my dance class this AM..my group is performing Friday for some women's Political party, but I am bringing and serving soup for the soup supper at church that night, so I will not be with them performing. However, I will perform on the 17th. So, we are busy getting ready for that. So many of my dance group are ill. I am trying very hard to stay healthy. We have bad flu all around us here and I am high risk...that is why I am careful wit the hand washing, shoes off in the house, no touching eyes and nose, etc.
Got the taxes off to the accountant last week. Now, we are just waiting for the results. They need to be mailed by the 15th.
Tomorrow I have a most important court trial for one of my CASA babies. Say a prayer all goes well. The permanent placement planning part is about to begin. Hard to let these babies go to people that I feel will not be a nurturing family. All I can do is tell my opinion to the judge and hope it makes a difference and then PRAY! So far, so good. We have had all happy endings up to now, but not without a struggle.
I am considering being on the board of the Mental Health Clinic here that does all the counseling for our foster kids. Maybe, if I get the position, I might be able to make a difference in a small way for them. We'll see.
Wednesday I begin my Cardio Rehab and then I am really gonna hit my routine hard..have about three weeks to get it memorized. Also, depending on whether the rehab makes a difference, I might go to the Arizona Heart Institute for a second opinion.
Well, Larry just came home, so will cut this short for now.
Love to all my babies, big and small....yo mama and grammie
P.S....65 degrees here today and SUNNY!
Went to my dance class this AM..my group is performing Friday for some women's Political party, but I am bringing and serving soup for the soup supper at church that night, so I will not be with them performing. However, I will perform on the 17th. So, we are busy getting ready for that. So many of my dance group are ill. I am trying very hard to stay healthy. We have bad flu all around us here and I am high risk...that is why I am careful wit the hand washing, shoes off in the house, no touching eyes and nose, etc.
Got the taxes off to the accountant last week. Now, we are just waiting for the results. They need to be mailed by the 15th.
Tomorrow I have a most important court trial for one of my CASA babies. Say a prayer all goes well. The permanent placement planning part is about to begin. Hard to let these babies go to people that I feel will not be a nurturing family. All I can do is tell my opinion to the judge and hope it makes a difference and then PRAY! So far, so good. We have had all happy endings up to now, but not without a struggle.
I am considering being on the board of the Mental Health Clinic here that does all the counseling for our foster kids. Maybe, if I get the position, I might be able to make a difference in a small way for them. We'll see.
Wednesday I begin my Cardio Rehab and then I am really gonna hit my routine hard..have about three weeks to get it memorized. Also, depending on whether the rehab makes a difference, I might go to the Arizona Heart Institute for a second opinion.
Well, Larry just came home, so will cut this short for now.
Love to all my babies, big and small....yo mama and grammie
P.S....65 degrees here today and SUNNY!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Bad Blogger
Yesterday, I got a call from my daughter asking if all was OK, because I hadn't blogged for five days!!!! Well, I explained that no news meant no changes, but that was not acceptable for her as, I guess, she would like boring blog updates each day just to confirm there were no changes and the boring life is continuing. Maybe boring is not the right word and I should say routine, instead.
So, here I go with my, now, weekly update.
What I can remember is that I didn't go to church on Sunday (and I was supposed to help serve communion that day) because I had the flu ( I guess. Larry thinks it may have been a reaction to some of my drugs...who knows?).
I did not go to dance practice Monday A.M. because I was so sleepy and drugged up from my new heart meds. I did, however, attend two Child-Family-Team meetings later that day for two of my CASA..foster kids. At the first meeting at 10AM, I experienced quite strong chest pains, as I was feeling I was alone in being the heavy at that meeting when asking my teen child to be responsible for her actions, while I felt the other team members were enabling her to be irresponsible. When expressing my thoughts after the meeting to the facilitator, she advised she felt my actions were necessary and someone had to do it and, because of politics in the system, other members were probably uncomfortable doing it. Oh the joys of being a volunteer and having to answer to no one but the Judge. No wonder he says he really puts a lot of stock in our reports and reads them thoroughly, because we (as volunteers) have no agendas. However, she did add that she felt it wasn't worth me having a heart attack over. But, those who know me know I have to say what I feel is right.
Tuesday, my friend and, also, dance director, Shirley, and I went to Phoenix. In the morning we went to my dentist for a denture adjustment and at 12:30PM we went to the Arizona Heart Institute, so she could get checked out. We were there 'til 4:45PM. It was a great experience for both her and me. I know, I will feel more comfotable now, if I need to go there for a second opinion, which may very well be the case in the near future. I, also, found out that they have locations here in Prescott and Prescott Valley, so that might be an option, too. My paramedic neice in Peoria IL, Debbie, says they are the best in the nation! So, we'll see. Anyway, then we spent the night at Shirley's condo in Scottsdale (or sometimes better known as Snotsdale, because of all the wealthy folks that live there). Her husband, Shirley and I went to an Italian restaurant for dinner that served excellent food. First time I ever heard of a Spaghetti Calzone. It is their signature dish and delicious! The next day, Wednesday, we went to some consignment shops searching for a dress for me for the pageant, as I was still unhappy with the two possibilities I already posess that I have been considering. No luck..I did, however, see a cute jacket (just a black knit blazer type jacket)there for $245 - used!!! Can you imagine? Most the clothes there are from Europe. When Shirley asked me the size of a garment and I said , "It's size 26," she responded, "What kind of a size is that?" She is so cute, a millionaire over and over, again, and buys her clothes at the Goodwill and other inexpensive resale shops! That is what makes her such a great person to be around. It is so wonderful having a really good best girlfiend, again. It's been a long time.
The strangest part of all our searching is that we didn't find a thing in Phoenix that impressed us, but when we were driving back home we stopped at a thrift store in P.V. and found a darling dress for $10 that looked like a cinderella dress. Jacque, you would have loved the color..pale salmon! But, I said I would go home and check my two possibilities before making a decision, which I did. And, lo and behold, while trying on one of the possibilities, I got a great idea how to enhance it, and now I am set. I have my gown for the pageant...yey! Now, all I have to do is learn my routine by the end of March...sure hope I get more wind and quit feeling so sleepy!
Last thought, for now, is that I start Cardio Therapy on 3/12. The nurse said it will make a big difference..I hope so, 'cause I am concerned about all the Angina I am still experiencing.
What's up for today? Getting #'s together for our Corporate and Personal income taxes! Yuk..Corps have to be turned in by the 15th of March..drats.
OK..I did it, Jacque. Gotta love that girl...don't know why I was blessed with such a "Joy" in my life...yo mama and grammie
So, here I go with my, now, weekly update.
What I can remember is that I didn't go to church on Sunday (and I was supposed to help serve communion that day) because I had the flu ( I guess. Larry thinks it may have been a reaction to some of my drugs...who knows?).
I did not go to dance practice Monday A.M. because I was so sleepy and drugged up from my new heart meds. I did, however, attend two Child-Family-Team meetings later that day for two of my CASA..foster kids. At the first meeting at 10AM, I experienced quite strong chest pains, as I was feeling I was alone in being the heavy at that meeting when asking my teen child to be responsible for her actions, while I felt the other team members were enabling her to be irresponsible. When expressing my thoughts after the meeting to the facilitator, she advised she felt my actions were necessary and someone had to do it and, because of politics in the system, other members were probably uncomfortable doing it. Oh the joys of being a volunteer and having to answer to no one but the Judge. No wonder he says he really puts a lot of stock in our reports and reads them thoroughly, because we (as volunteers) have no agendas. However, she did add that she felt it wasn't worth me having a heart attack over. But, those who know me know I have to say what I feel is right.
Tuesday, my friend and, also, dance director, Shirley, and I went to Phoenix. In the morning we went to my dentist for a denture adjustment and at 12:30PM we went to the Arizona Heart Institute, so she could get checked out. We were there 'til 4:45PM. It was a great experience for both her and me. I know, I will feel more comfotable now, if I need to go there for a second opinion, which may very well be the case in the near future. I, also, found out that they have locations here in Prescott and Prescott Valley, so that might be an option, too. My paramedic neice in Peoria IL, Debbie, says they are the best in the nation! So, we'll see. Anyway, then we spent the night at Shirley's condo in Scottsdale (or sometimes better known as Snotsdale, because of all the wealthy folks that live there). Her husband, Shirley and I went to an Italian restaurant for dinner that served excellent food. First time I ever heard of a Spaghetti Calzone. It is their signature dish and delicious! The next day, Wednesday, we went to some consignment shops searching for a dress for me for the pageant, as I was still unhappy with the two possibilities I already posess that I have been considering. No luck..I did, however, see a cute jacket (just a black knit blazer type jacket)there for $245 - used!!! Can you imagine? Most the clothes there are from Europe. When Shirley asked me the size of a garment and I said , "It's size 26," she responded, "What kind of a size is that?" She is so cute, a millionaire over and over, again, and buys her clothes at the Goodwill and other inexpensive resale shops! That is what makes her such a great person to be around. It is so wonderful having a really good best girlfiend, again. It's been a long time.
The strangest part of all our searching is that we didn't find a thing in Phoenix that impressed us, but when we were driving back home we stopped at a thrift store in P.V. and found a darling dress for $10 that looked like a cinderella dress. Jacque, you would have loved the color..pale salmon! But, I said I would go home and check my two possibilities before making a decision, which I did. And, lo and behold, while trying on one of the possibilities, I got a great idea how to enhance it, and now I am set. I have my gown for the pageant...yey! Now, all I have to do is learn my routine by the end of March...sure hope I get more wind and quit feeling so sleepy!
Last thought, for now, is that I start Cardio Therapy on 3/12. The nurse said it will make a big difference..I hope so, 'cause I am concerned about all the Angina I am still experiencing.
What's up for today? Getting #'s together for our Corporate and Personal income taxes! Yuk..Corps have to be turned in by the 15th of March..drats.
OK..I did it, Jacque. Gotta love that girl...don't know why I was blessed with such a "Joy" in my life...yo mama and grammie
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
UPDATE
Boy, what a BAD BLOGGER I am! Sorry for the delay..life has been up and down the past couple weeks. I will try to fill in the blanks.
Doc is still trying to figure out why my heart is only pumping less than 25% when not at rest. Nuclear Stess Test results came back..no dead heart muscle..YEY! Got a copy of my medical records which read that he suspects intermediate to high probability of right coronary in-stent restinsis. (I think that means the stent they punt in has clogged up, which might explains why I feel worse now than before they put the stent in!) When I went on line to learn more about it, the first thing that came up was a lawsuit against the two companies that make the drug emitting stents because about 30%?, I think, of the people that get them are having trouble with them. Yup..that's what I needed to know right now, right? Anyway, I wore a Holter Monitor for 24 hours which ended yesterday afternoon. The nurse said they would call me by the end of the week with the results. Oh, did I mention that my doc is in Australia for five weeks and when I asked who was relieving him, the answer from the nurse was, "Well, I am here!" When I asked, again, the relieving doc's name, I got no answer. So, I guess my health concerns are on hold for the next five weeks.
According to my records, I have been diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of less than 25%, among other things.
I have made up my mind that I am not going to sit around waiting to get better, so last Saturday night, I performed with my dance group at our prestigious theater in town celebrating its 103rd birthday. Got home about 11:30PM, worn out I might add. Then church on Sunday...great to see everyone again and to take communion. Yesterday, I did my homebound communion for a shut in from church that has ..Parkinson's disease and he cannot walk now. I feel lucky after visiting him.
I have still been cooking good dinners for Larry and keeping up my household chores pretty much, along with the laundry.
I am behind on much of my CASA paperwork, which I plan to work on today as I am on call for the Foster Care Removal Review Board and need to be around the house today to answer the phone should Child Protective Services call me to do a case review.
After my paper work completion goal occurs, comes getting our corporation and personal tax figures together...then I will start painting the house again..hoping to complete what I started two years ago. It would be nice, at least, to have all the woodwork in Larry's Therapy Area the same color!...:( And if I run out of stuff to do, I can always attack our office area that is two feet deep in papers....yuk!
So, that's life at the Provence's at this moment...it seems like there is something missing about it....I think it is what some people refer to as FUN? 'Gonna have to work on getting some of that into our lives as well, I guess. Where does one find time to fit that kind of stuff into their lives? Have to think about that!
Think I'll make Larry some chocolate oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips and raisins in them today..He is gone up North for the day in Selegman counciling the school kids..some of these days are very draining for him and I bet oatmeal cookies, upon his return home, will put a BIG smile on his face!
Luv to ALL my Babies...big and small. yo mama and grammie
Doc is still trying to figure out why my heart is only pumping less than 25% when not at rest. Nuclear Stess Test results came back..no dead heart muscle..YEY! Got a copy of my medical records which read that he suspects intermediate to high probability of right coronary in-stent restinsis. (I think that means the stent they punt in has clogged up, which might explains why I feel worse now than before they put the stent in!) When I went on line to learn more about it, the first thing that came up was a lawsuit against the two companies that make the drug emitting stents because about 30%?, I think, of the people that get them are having trouble with them. Yup..that's what I needed to know right now, right? Anyway, I wore a Holter Monitor for 24 hours which ended yesterday afternoon. The nurse said they would call me by the end of the week with the results. Oh, did I mention that my doc is in Australia for five weeks and when I asked who was relieving him, the answer from the nurse was, "Well, I am here!" When I asked, again, the relieving doc's name, I got no answer. So, I guess my health concerns are on hold for the next five weeks.
According to my records, I have been diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of less than 25%, among other things.
I have made up my mind that I am not going to sit around waiting to get better, so last Saturday night, I performed with my dance group at our prestigious theater in town celebrating its 103rd birthday. Got home about 11:30PM, worn out I might add. Then church on Sunday...great to see everyone again and to take communion. Yesterday, I did my homebound communion for a shut in from church that has ..Parkinson's disease and he cannot walk now. I feel lucky after visiting him.
I have still been cooking good dinners for Larry and keeping up my household chores pretty much, along with the laundry.
I am behind on much of my CASA paperwork, which I plan to work on today as I am on call for the Foster Care Removal Review Board and need to be around the house today to answer the phone should Child Protective Services call me to do a case review.
After my paper work completion goal occurs, comes getting our corporation and personal tax figures together...then I will start painting the house again..hoping to complete what I started two years ago. It would be nice, at least, to have all the woodwork in Larry's Therapy Area the same color!...:( And if I run out of stuff to do, I can always attack our office area that is two feet deep in papers....yuk!
So, that's life at the Provence's at this moment...it seems like there is something missing about it....I think it is what some people refer to as FUN? 'Gonna have to work on getting some of that into our lives as well, I guess. Where does one find time to fit that kind of stuff into their lives? Have to think about that!
Think I'll make Larry some chocolate oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips and raisins in them today..He is gone up North for the day in Selegman counciling the school kids..some of these days are very draining for him and I bet oatmeal cookies, upon his return home, will put a BIG smile on his face!
Luv to ALL my Babies...big and small. yo mama and grammie
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Spring Has Sprung In Prescott Valley, AZ !
That's right, it might hit 60 degrees today..already in the high 50's and this AM I noticed new leaf buds on the rose bushes..Heaven! The temps are unbelievable in the Midwest, when I read about them each day in the newspapers. It won't be long now and we will be working in the yard..I don't know if I am looking forward to the work, but I am certainly tired of looking at the dead flowers in my planters outside!
Health update....just got the report from my doc yesterday, (Cut and paste is sooo wonderful, isn't it? The test results came back great....... NO DEAD MUSCLE TISSUE!!!!!! HOO RAY!!! Now, they just have to tweek my medicine (I stopped taking the beta-blocker four days ago, because once again, I am allergic to it.) Then I researched the availabilty of the old Mexiletine medicine I was on in 1999..had Walgreens order some and they have it today. Now, just waiting for my doc to call them to release it. (This med is to regulate the heart beat and stop the arrythmia) Then, they said my heart will become stronger through Cardio Rehab Therapy. The nurse practitioner stressed no exercise 'til I get on my new meds...so no dancing 'til then..drats, I am supposed to perform two shows next weekend. Oh well..I have just been praying to my Lord to "Please, let me live until I die." Thank you God.
Since this last report, I talked to my cocky doc late yesterday. He advised me that he wasn't there to be pushed around into administering meds to his patients that he felt weren't needed. So, he is ordering a Holter Monitor on Monday or Tuesday for me to wear for two weeks to prove I am still having palpitations, before giving me anything for them. Maybe I need to start listening to the people who have been encouraging me to get a second opinion and/or at least to get a doc that has more respect for his patient's opinions. Oh well, so we'll play his game a bit longer. In the meantime, it will be good to have no blod clots a s a results of the arrythmia I am experiencing! So, that is the news. Nice to have uncertain good news for a change, EH? It is wonderful to be able to breath again as a result of stopping the beta-blocker my doc insisted I take, even after I informed him of my allergy history of them! Who knows, maybe everything is OK now and I won't need more meds. We'll have to wait and see. He says my heart appears to be stronger now, but doesn't know how long it will last. The present change could just be from an adrenalin rush I may be getting because of quitting the beta-blockers, he is thinking. So, Monday I intend to resume my dance practices and we will see what happens.
Today, Larry and Swif-Her and I are going to Phoenix (or really Buckeye, which is south of there) to Larry's daughter's (Joy's) house for game night with her brother's family and Joy's friends. We will spend the night. It might be nice to get of the house for a change. Then tomorrow afternoon, we hope to go to Uncle Leo's house to help Debbie, who is coming from Illinois tonight to pack up what Leo wants and get what's left ready for the estate sale. He is moving back to Illinois and I understand the house goes up for sale March 1st or around there, anyway. It will be good for him to be around his friend, Bob.
Must run for now...luv to all my babies, big and small, Grammie and yo mama....;)
Health update....just got the report from my doc yesterday, (Cut and paste is sooo wonderful, isn't it? The test results came back great....... NO DEAD MUSCLE TISSUE!!!!!! HOO RAY!!! Now, they just have to tweek my medicine (I stopped taking the beta-blocker four days ago, because once again, I am allergic to it.) Then I researched the availabilty of the old Mexiletine medicine I was on in 1999..had Walgreens order some and they have it today. Now, just waiting for my doc to call them to release it. (This med is to regulate the heart beat and stop the arrythmia) Then, they said my heart will become stronger through Cardio Rehab Therapy. The nurse practitioner stressed no exercise 'til I get on my new meds...so no dancing 'til then..drats, I am supposed to perform two shows next weekend. Oh well..I have just been praying to my Lord to "Please, let me live until I die." Thank you God.
Since this last report, I talked to my cocky doc late yesterday. He advised me that he wasn't there to be pushed around into administering meds to his patients that he felt weren't needed. So, he is ordering a Holter Monitor on Monday or Tuesday for me to wear for two weeks to prove I am still having palpitations, before giving me anything for them. Maybe I need to start listening to the people who have been encouraging me to get a second opinion and/or at least to get a doc that has more respect for his patient's opinions. Oh well, so we'll play his game a bit longer. In the meantime, it will be good to have no blod clots a s a results of the arrythmia I am experiencing! So, that is the news. Nice to have uncertain good news for a change, EH? It is wonderful to be able to breath again as a result of stopping the beta-blocker my doc insisted I take, even after I informed him of my allergy history of them! Who knows, maybe everything is OK now and I won't need more meds. We'll have to wait and see. He says my heart appears to be stronger now, but doesn't know how long it will last. The present change could just be from an adrenalin rush I may be getting because of quitting the beta-blockers, he is thinking. So, Monday I intend to resume my dance practices and we will see what happens.
Today, Larry and Swif-Her and I are going to Phoenix (or really Buckeye, which is south of there) to Larry's daughter's (Joy's) house for game night with her brother's family and Joy's friends. We will spend the night. It might be nice to get of the house for a change. Then tomorrow afternoon, we hope to go to Uncle Leo's house to help Debbie, who is coming from Illinois tonight to pack up what Leo wants and get what's left ready for the estate sale. He is moving back to Illinois and I understand the house goes up for sale March 1st or around there, anyway. It will be good for him to be around his friend, Bob.
Must run for now...luv to all my babies, big and small, Grammie and yo mama....;)
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Christmas Tree is In the Shed!
Finally, yesterday - Jan. 31st...the Christmas Tree came down, the living room is sparkling and I no longer feel claustrophobic ,and guilty, and totally stressed out when walking through the living room! When expressing those same emotions to Larry this AM and about how it took over three hours to do all this yesterday, he went on to to express how he would feel better if I had the garage cleaned out, too, so he could excercsise in it! And, while I was at it, he wished I would get rid of some of the furniture in the house, so he could put his excersize equipment in the house where it was when I moved in here and the car in the garage. I guess he has forgotten that the room that had his equipment in it is now his therapy room! Maybe his clients would like to use it during therapy...:(
Just like a man...the more we do, the more we can do attitude...but no stress in that!
Today, I was going to put together my curio cabinet that I ordered last August and it finally came last week..but, instead, I think I will bake a spice cake with carrots and dates and cranberries in it with whipped cheese dressing! No Calories or carbohydrates in that, EH?
No dance practice this AM as, at this time, doc says no dancing for a week and no going to Phoenix with Shirley today, either, for a denture adjustment, as I cancelled that appt a few days ago, not knowing what the future would hold after my Angiogram. I have a Nuclear Stress Test on Wednesday..pray for good results!
Called Randall Designs this AM. They will have my costume ready for my fitting on 4/4 to be ready for pick-up before my 4/12 pageant rehersal. They will discuss making my hair accessories at that time. Unbelievable! They are so kind. Please, Lord, let all this health stuff be settled by then and help me to learn my routine with great style and poise! God bless Shirley for all her help...she has it almost all choreographed! I think she is more excited about all this than I am. what a great friend!
Been pretty cold around here the last few weeks...like in the 20's at night and 45 or 50 degrees during the day. Rained quite a bit last week and of course Swif-Her didn't want to go out to potty and get her feet wet, so some days she didn't! Too funny..hope she doesn't split a bladder one day! She is due to come in heet this month and we have no husband for her, yet. Still don't know if this timing is convenient either. Larry suggested today that we just get her fixed. Maybe he is right. I don't know what we would do if something happened to her because of pregnancy complications and with no Auntie Ree around to help out, what would we do? So, we'll consider no babies for her..too sad!
Must run now and try to accomplish something today before the day is gone.
Oh yes, one of our best friends, Mel, who sponsored both of us in the church, is having open heart surgury (triple or quadriple by-pass) right now as I speak. Please keep him in all your prayers. he is truly God's loving child.
luv to all my babies, big and small...yo mama and grammie
P.S. Jacque, my spell check is not working either!....;(
Just like a man...the more we do, the more we can do attitude...but no stress in that!
Today, I was going to put together my curio cabinet that I ordered last August and it finally came last week..but, instead, I think I will bake a spice cake with carrots and dates and cranberries in it with whipped cheese dressing! No Calories or carbohydrates in that, EH?
No dance practice this AM as, at this time, doc says no dancing for a week and no going to Phoenix with Shirley today, either, for a denture adjustment, as I cancelled that appt a few days ago, not knowing what the future would hold after my Angiogram. I have a Nuclear Stress Test on Wednesday..pray for good results!
Called Randall Designs this AM. They will have my costume ready for my fitting on 4/4 to be ready for pick-up before my 4/12 pageant rehersal. They will discuss making my hair accessories at that time. Unbelievable! They are so kind. Please, Lord, let all this health stuff be settled by then and help me to learn my routine with great style and poise! God bless Shirley for all her help...she has it almost all choreographed! I think she is more excited about all this than I am. what a great friend!
Been pretty cold around here the last few weeks...like in the 20's at night and 45 or 50 degrees during the day. Rained quite a bit last week and of course Swif-Her didn't want to go out to potty and get her feet wet, so some days she didn't! Too funny..hope she doesn't split a bladder one day! She is due to come in heet this month and we have no husband for her, yet. Still don't know if this timing is convenient either. Larry suggested today that we just get her fixed. Maybe he is right. I don't know what we would do if something happened to her because of pregnancy complications and with no Auntie Ree around to help out, what would we do? So, we'll consider no babies for her..too sad!
Must run now and try to accomplish something today before the day is gone.
Oh yes, one of our best friends, Mel, who sponsored both of us in the church, is having open heart surgury (triple or quadriple by-pass) right now as I speak. Please keep him in all your prayers. he is truly God's loving child.
luv to all my babies, big and small...yo mama and grammie
P.S. Jacque, my spell check is not working either!....;(
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