Did You See That?

I have seen some interesting sights lately.

I told you some time ago about the big foot on my way into Sioux City. He is still there. But I have found more. There is one that I see in a field when I go to therapy. There are two more if I take another route into Sioux City. One is full sized. The little one with it must be a young big foot. 

Then there was a sight that made me laugh. There is a house with a big beautiful lawn. It is well- manicured with a nice bird feeder right in the middle. There stood a graceful deer nibbling at the bird feed in the feeder. I had no idea a deer would do that.

It is amazing what you can see if you just pay attention.

It's Too Darn Hot

 It's too darn hot

It's too darn hot
I'd like to sup with my baby tonight
Refill the cup with my baby tonight
I'd like to sup with my baby tonight
Refill the cup with my baby tonight
But I ain't up to my baby tonight
'Cause it's too darn hot

                                                               Cole Porter (from Kiss Me Kate)

Most of the United States is feeling the oppressive heat. Oh my; it has been hot.

Today is the first day in several days that we in the northwestern part of Iowa have not been under a heat advisory. That means to stay out of the heat if possible. Do not allow pets to be out too long. Drink lots of water and make sure pets have plenty of water too.

Thank goodness for air conditioning. I wilt easily.

It looks like we are all in for a siege of hot weather for the foreseeable future. Please stay comfortable and safe.

It Bothers Me

 My mother insisted that I speak proper English, spell correctly, and use proper grammar. I have to remind you that my mother was the smartest person I ever knew. Because I am the oldest of 7 I was expected to excel in these areas.

As you may have noticed I do not use good punctuation. I do that on purpose to save time because my typing skills are bad.

I say all that because I have a few peeves about language usage.

First of all there is no 'x' in especially. There is no 'x' in asked. There is no 'x' in espresso. There is no 'x' in etcetera. You get the idea. I cringe when I hear words like these mispronounced. 

Pronoun misuse is another peeve. I is used as a subject; me is used as an object. You and I are going to the store is correct. Would Harry like to go to the store with you and I is incorrect. Following a preposition you will use an object form of the pronoun. With you and me is correct.

If you are in doubt drop the first pronoun to see which one you will use. You would not say with I; you say with me. 

I drive my family crazy correcting the television. The script writers should be learned enough to know the difference.

The end of my peeves for today. Stay healthy.

Getting Closer

Once again I am back to let you know how I am doing. 

I had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor from my breast. I went into surgery in the morning and was home by early afternoon. 

All went well and they were able to remove it all. No surgery or radiation is necessary. 

I am a wee bit sore as one would be to any cut. It is better every day. 

The stitches on the inside will dissolve and there are no stitches on the outside. I am glued together. That means I will not have to have any stitches removed.

I will call my therapy providers tomorrow to see when I resume therapy. I hope it will not be too long a wait. I have been progressing well with it.

My best to everyone. Thank you for your kind comments.

Updating My Health

 Things are progressing for me. Because of my son's plan I am getting some nutrition. He discovered some Keto shakes online that have more nutrients than any of the other liquid foods we have found so far. I have even worked hard at eating more normal meals for the evening meal. It is hard but I am getting there.

The ramp we ordered was finally delivered. It makes it so much easier to get in and out of the house. I was leery at first but once I tried it I am happy to be more mobile. 

I was finally able to have the kidney stone removed. I am still not certain how it was done. All I know is that they broke it up somehow and removed it. Yay!

The surgery for my breast cancer will be in a couple of weeks. We decided on a lumpectomy. I am not looking forward to it but I am looking forward to it being over. 

My poor daughter (as you know) had a double mastectomy. She is now undergoing more chemo and next month will begin her radiation. I feel so bad that she has to go through all this.

I am still doing therapy. No more in-home visits. I go to the little town about five miles from here. They have a lot of equipment and are so nice. I am usually worn out when I get home.

I gratefully read all your comments. I appreciate them and feel encouraged by them.

I look forward to the time when I do not feel so absorbed by my health issues. Then I can write a real post.

Here We Go

 I am feeling better all the time. My fine motor skills (such as typing) are still not as I would like but improving. So now I will tell you all that is going on with me.

My salivary glands and taste buds were severely affected by the stroke. It left me unable to eat. I also became dehydrated and had to go back to the hospital to have an IV. It helped immensely.

I complained to every doctor, nurse, and therapist about not being able to eat. Each one nodded sympathetically but offered no solutions to my problem. In the meantime I had lost about 70 pounds in two months' time. 

My genius son offered a solution. I should try to find things I could swallow in small amounts and eat several times a day. Smoothies, apple sauce, and pudding allowed me some nourishment. I also consume large amounts of water to stay hydrated. I now can eat small amounts of foods that have a sauce or gravy to keep them moist in my mouth.

While I was still in the hospital a cat scan revealed a couple of masses in my breast and a rather large kidney stone. I had no noticeable symptoms so both were a surprise. 

To treat the kidney stone they inserted a stent in my kidney. That would allow them to treat the infection caused by the stone. They will remove it and somehow break up the stone so it will pass from my body.

The did biopsies on the masses in my breast. As expected one is cancerous. It is a slow-moving form of cancer. A lumpectomy is scheduled for next month. I should need no chemotherapy or radiation after. 

I am fortunate that both conditions were discovered when they were. 

My poor daughter was so distraught when she learned about the breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy a few weeks ago. Her cancer was an insidious form that spreads quickly. She went through several months of intense chemo and will have to undergo radiation treatments now. And she was more worried about me!

Now that I have listed all my complaints for you I will say I feel good and I am getting stronger all the time. My physical therapy is making me stronger all the time.  

It's Me Again

 It has been a long time between posts. I apologize. Recovery has taken longer than I anticipated.

The stroke affected my salivary glands and taste buds leaving me unable to eat. Doctors have not been helpful in this area. So far I have lost about 70 pounds.

My wonderful son has been my main caretaker. He searched and found foods that I can get down. It has helped immensely. I am now working to eat at least 1200 calories a day. I have made it once.

As far as getting around I can haltingly walk with a cane in the house. I still use a walker outside.

My coordination is better but not as good as I would like.

I have been reading your blogs but it is too much for me to comment. Soon I hope. 

Thank you all for your kind words of sympathy and encouragement. They do make a difference.