It Never Pays To Get Too Excited.

Alaskan Cruise  - 2010

Hi Friends,

Recently a good friend and I were talking about our local football team (Packers) and how she was so excited for the playoff game about to happen in our city.  She said "aren't you excited?"   In reality, I don't usually get very excited about anything because if I do, that special thing ends up not happening or I'm disappointed.   So, I guess that ever since I was a kid, I've learned to dampen my enthusiasm about things so I won't be in for a big letdown.   That system has worked well for me through the years, but every now and then I slip and get excited about something.

Case in point.  Yesterday I saw the Pain Specialist at the clinic.  She told me I might  be a candidate for the Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) treatment.  If it works, it could get rid of my back pain and sacroiliac pain for up to 6 months.   I immediately got excited about it, and when  I got home I called one of my friends and told her about it.

This morning my hopes were knocked out from under me when I called the clinic to schedule the start of the process.   That's when I found out that it's a very slow moving process.  They will first give me another shot in the sacroiliac of a shorter acting medicine, which will tell them if I am even a  candidate for the  RFA.   Then they will write to my insurance to see if they will cover the procedure.   Nothing is firm yet - too much has to still be decided.  So my being on top of the world yesterday, to be able to finally get rid of the constant pain,  came crashing to the floor once again.   Yesterday I even told a friend on Twitter that I had good news and would post about it - wrong! 

Stay tuned friends.  This is obviously going to be another ongoing, long saga - if it ever happens at all.   In the meantime I'll just keep taking the pain pills and taking naps with an ice pack and go back to being my calm, non-excitable self.  It just doesn't pay to get too excited!

I was really looking forward to becoming radioactive.  Daughter was teasing me about glowing in the dark and how I might need blinders to sleep at night.  he he! Love her sense of humor - she keeps me laughing anyway.

Until next time - we'll just shuffle along.

Mary

Shake It Baby - Shake It!

Dear Readers,

Singing "We're having a heat wave..............We're having a heat wave.............!
Our temp will reach all of 32 this week -- maybe higher.   In fact, they are talking "melting" this week.   January thaw - here we come!

Hope you all are having a good 2013 so far.   We were humming along here until the other day when I managed to screw up ALL my word documents.   Java came knocking at the computer door  first thing in the morning, so I let her in to do updates.   I then walked away from the computer for a few minutes to give her privacy!

I then shut down the computer, rebooted, and left the house for awhile.

At that point, someone else must have come in - probably that old lady and man that hide things on us.  Only this time they got  into the computer and shook it up!    

When I returned and sat down at the computer, I noticed some of my word documents were missing (first clue that things are NOT right).    When I opened up the document I wanted -  this is what it said:

"..come-with-us-as-we-follow-Alice-In-Wonderland-down-the-rabbit-hole (paragraph symbol).

WHAT???

Upon checking all my documents were full of codes and dashes!

HELP - I emailed son-in-law - our computer guru (whom Don and I can't live without).  Everything else on my computer was acting normal!   i'm sure he was JUST thrilled to hear from me again.   (By the way, I talk to him way more than my daughter because of all the computer things I manage to goof up!)

Some days I am more shaky than other days.  The morning this happened, I was very shaky.  It seems that in all my shaking, I somehow managed to hit a computer shortcut or two which caused this problem.   (who - me!!!  Can't believe that! he he).

SIL took awhile to think about the problem (I keep him busy solving problems he's never heard of before) but he found a computer shortcut that fixed the entire problem with a couple of key strokes.   I tell you - that guy is a life saver to me, especially, and also to Don.   I told him he was a "saint."  But he said the Pope might want final say!   I think the last time I told our daughter I was so glad she married him (even tho I didn't like him at our first meeting) instead of a doctor!  It was better to have him in the family rather than a doctor anyway. he he - my way of teasing and making up for the fact I didn't like him at first impression!

So, here's to our Saint Son-in-Law - You have been such a great son-in-law - over and above the issues of fixing the computer.   We do love and appreciate you as we would a son!  Thank you again for bailing us out of computer problems.

Now if this isn't cause to get back on the right PD medication, than I don't know what is.   I've been dragging my feet at starting the drugs again because mentally I'm so much more with it!   But the downside is much more shaking going on.  

Until next time,


Mary

Happy New Year

Mario and his squirrel buddy last winter right after a huge snow storm! The squirrel is trying to climb the screen door.

Happy New Year Dear Readers,

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.   We sure did, and I'm sure the pounds have gone up on the scale even tho I'm afraid to get on the scale!  ha ha - There are somethings you just don't want to know.

New Year's Eve is now upon us.   Typically we would be going to a movie this afternoon, but the frigid air is moving in to Wisconsin, and neither Don nor I feel like leaving our nice warm house!   Now if that isn't a sign of old age, then I don't know what is.  We are getting to be old fuddy duds!   

We skipped out on the Christmas Day movie also because we were both so wiped out from a day and a half of Christmas.  We stayed, sprawled out in our recliners all of Christmas Day, once our daughter and son-in-law left to go to his parents around 10:00 in the morning.   This year I'm really seeing shades of my own parents when they were this age!   I vowed to myself then that it would never happen to me.   Famous last words............................!  I think I can blame the PD for this, unfortunately!

That's all she wrote for this time.   We want to wish each and every one of you a very Happy New year - one full of good health, happiness, and enough funds to provide you for all your needs.

Love to all,

Mary

Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas From Our House To Your House 2012

As I write this, I'm watching my most favorite musical ever - The Sound Of Music.  (I think I just dated myself ha ha - oh well!)  I've only seen this movie about 100 times, can sing it backwards and forwards, and never, never tire of it.   Now my Christmas season is officially "kicked off."   I love most musicals, but for some reason this one really makes me happy!

We're all ready for Christmas here - just last minute things to do tomorrow before daughter and son-in-law arrive.  We will have our family Christmas tomorrow night, and give them breakfast Christmas morning.  Around 11:00 they will leave for son-in-laws parents.  We have always been invited too and love going, but have had to give it up now because the steps are getting difficult.     Don and I will probably spend the afternoon Christmas Day at the theater watching the movie Les Mizz.   We've seen the Broadway production two times, but want to see the movie now just to compare!   Loved the Broadway production.

Oh, we did survive our first Blizzard of the season.  Well, the media called it a blizzard.  I don't think our city actually experienced one.  I never did see any whiteout conditions in our block and the snow was so heavy with moisture that it did not drift here.  I was so thankful for the man who will take care of our snow removal this winter.  He came after about 5 inches had fallen to simply try to stay ahead of it.  His theory is 6 inches is easier to clean up than the 12 that were predicted.   Then he returned the next morning after the storm had blown itself out to do final cleanup.   What a blessing he will be to us this winter!

Hope you all have a blessed Christmas or Holiday Season - whichever you celebrate.   

Thanks for reading my blog and being our blogging friend.

Mary and Don

  

Long Overdo Rant - Personal Family Story

Clip Art from Microsoft Office

Dear Friends,

Today is my RANT DAY - something I have never done before on my blog  I usually tend to not get involved with controversial issues because I don't exactly want lots of negative comments.  But after yesterday's shooting at an elementary school, I have to say something.

My heart goes out to the parents of the students involved.  This was another senseless act that could probably have been prevented.   I'm not Einstein and my brain  isn't always all there, but we need to wake up in this country.   I know this is a very complex issue and one that is not going to be solved anytime soon.  But we need to start somewhere.  

When are we ever going to stand up to the gun control issue.  I value the freedoms we have in the US, but when it comes to guns, why do we need so much freedom.   Yes I know our Constitution says we have the right to bear arms.  But I don't remember where it ever said we had the right to kill people!  And apparently the public can't be very responsible to having those same guns so readily available.  Just yesterday a twitter friend from another country made the comment "The US's gun laws are too lenient!"  My sentiments exactly!

I live in the "hunting state of Wisconsin" and am apt to have everyone I know down on my neck.   I have nothing against hunters using their guns to hunt (although I find this idea repulsive myself because I love the same animals they hunt).   But I don't like those same guns sitting around at home in a closet or gun case that can easily be broken into.  If you are a hunter, I certainly hope you have whatever guns you have safely locked up somewhere were children or young adults cannot get to them.   You never know when someone will get into those guns (yes, even the best behaved kids experiment with them).  

Case in point:  My husband (Don) comes from a family of 3 boys (all 2 years apart in age with Don being the oldest) and a girl about 10 years younger than Don.   All three boys grew up with guns, learned all the safety rules, took hunter's safety courses, and went hunting quite often to kill rabbit and squirrel (they always ate what they caught).   One afternoon, Don and one of his  brothers were fooling around in a basement room with the guns.  Don had pointed the gun out the window just to check the site.   He put his finger around the trigger, just for fun, and accidentally pulled it.  It blew out the basement window and made a hole in the curtain.   The sad part is that his youngest brother had just seconds before walked by the same window.  Had Don shot that rifle seconds earlier, he would have shot his brother.  A very close call indeed and a move he regrets to this day..

My point is - why were those guns so readily available in the house.  Why were they never locked up! Don was in high school at that time and certainly knew better, but he still took a risk!  Now you put those same guns into the hands of someone who might have some mental problems and it's an accident waiting to happen,.. It was an accident waiting to happen in Don's house.  I don't know the situations behind the shooting yesterday, but obviously the guns were not that hard to get.   My guess would be they were available right there in his home.

I have also heard in the media that this young man had been diagnosed with Asbergers Syndrome .  Now this should have certainly been a red flag.   Why was he allowed around guns.   I don't know and we'll probably never know.

Wake up people - this same thing could happen anywhere, anytime and to any of you.  Schools can only go so far with protecting our children.   It's up to parents to get guns out of your homes so that no student has easy access to a gun.   We have seen this same thing happen too many times over the past few years.  The problem isn't going to go away by itself.

If writing this saves one child by a parent removing guns from their house, then I will consider it a personal victory.   If you know of someone with gun around the house, speak up and express your concern.   We have to start somewhere!

Mary

The Ongoing Drug Saga!

Photo of the Bay of Green Bay, Wisconsin

Hi Friends,

I feel like I'm writing an ongoing saga of drug problems!   I'm sure they are the work of the devil but  they are a necessary evil!  Just kidding  but that's how I feel some days.

The newly prescribed Sinemet drug arrived 2+ weeks ago. .  I purposely waited until a Saturday to take it.  It's a good thing I did because I got very sick to my stomach again!!   Nothing like spending 4 hours on a Saturday morning bent over the toilet "flipping my cookies,"- unable to leave!  I was really hoping the major brand (not a generic) would solve the problem.  But NO!  

I immediately stopped that drug and contacted the doctor.,   He prescribed another  pill to  go with it - another dosage of Carbidopa in addition to the Simet pill which is a combination of Levodopa and Carbidopoa.   He feels that it's  the Carbidopa portion that makes people sick to their stomach.  So, he prescribed another pill of Lodosyn (25 mg), which Levodopa only to take with the Sinemet pill.   

I dragged my feet on starting the drugs again for  fear I'd react the same or worse to the addition to the new drug.  Last night was the night to begin.   

Well, I got sick again this morning after the morning doses of pills - only this time I was not as sick as the first time.   I also found myself losing my balance more this morning so have to be very careful to use my cane and hold on to walls etc.  That has encouraged me to give it another try tonight.  We'll just have to stay home tomorrow morning and not go for breakfast.    I want to stay on this drug as it's my only recourse - if I can possibly tolerate it.  It's still in the trial stage!    

Stay tuned for the next  post to see what happens.  I Will be contacting the doctor on Monday, if he's in.  

Have a nice Thanksgiving all. We are invited to our daughter and son-in-law's home for dinner and I for sure want to go to  that - if I have to prolong taking the proper drugs until after the holidays - so be it!

Before I leave I want to bring to your attention the blog of another Twitter Kitty's human - @VincentRocket's mom.   I just discovered earlier in the week that Vincent's human has ET disease.  Essential Tremors is similar to Parkinson's so she experiences similar problems.  Both are often misdiagnosed. Today she posted a wonderful video that explains ET.  It's worth checking out to broaden your knowledge. http://vincentrocket.blogspot.com/2012/10/essential-tremor.html    You never know when one of these neuro diseases will strike you or one of your loved ones - it doesn't just strike old people either.

Until next time, have a wonder Thanksgiving.

Mary




Until next time, thanks so much for visiting.

Mary

Udates - Kitty Jamie and Health

Tree in our neighbor's  yard, which has already shed most of it's leaves!

Dear Readers,

GREAT NEWS - on Kitty Jamie that is.   He left Greenville, S.C. by car with @Brian106sc as the first driver at 8:30 this morning.   So far they are on schedule and he's already past Jacksonville, Fla.   I'm guessing - half way to his new home.  All reports from the drivers indicate he's stolen their hearts and they all wanted to keep him.  I'm so happy Brian decided to rescue him & find him a home.    I'll never understand why someone dumped him!!  

I was a little worried yesterday morning with the hurricane so close to where Jamie was in S.C.  But fortunately, by this morning's departure time, Brian reported blue sky!  The drivers are awesome and all love cats.  So Jamie is in the best of hands while en route.   He's expected to arrive in Hollywood, Florida around midnight - plus or minus  an hour.   We wish him well in his new home and I know @MizzBassie will take very good care of him.

Several of you have left comments wondering if that shot worked that I had a couple of weeks ago!  It might have helped a tiny bit, but it did not help as much as I wanted it to.   I'm still taking pain pills.  So tomorrow it's back to Physical Therapy, and I also meet with the Physician's Assistant tomorrow morning for a briefing.  Meanwhile, the sacroiliac joints are getting very sore,and I'm overdue for that shot.   I'll have to check with the doctor tomorrow to see when I might get that.  I'm debating going back to the doctor in Appleton that has been giving them to me.   With him I know there is no need to be sedated.   Haven't decided what I'm going to do on that.  By the way, the the recent shot didn't hurt at all since I was sedated, and insurance and medicare should cover it.


Regarding the shot and the outbreak of meningitis:  I got the shot on a Friday - the same day they announced that those type of shots were causing problems and it was from one pharmacy located out East.  I was concerned, but not alarmed.  The next morning I did call the hospital just to let them know that I saw the article in the newspaper and questioned if what I received was from that pharmacy.   They assured me that it was NOT that pharmacy - they get their drugs from a different one.  When the news channels talked about the story, they showed the map of the US, and Wisconsin was not one of the affected states.  So I felt pretty confident that it was okay, but still wanted to check with the hospital to make sure they were on top of it too.  They were fortunately.   One just never knows tho so it's good to stay on top of things.

When I saw the Neurologist a couple of weeks ago, he changed my medication back to the Leva/dopa, carbo/dopa.   The medication arrived Friday, but I'm holding off on starting it until I've finished the pain meds for my tooth.  You'll remember I had trouble with the generic version of that drug, so I'm a little apprehensive about taking the new drug.   Part of me wants to test it, but the other part says be careful it doesn't knock you flat on your back again!   So stay tuned!  I'll probably start if later this week on a day where I don't have to go anywhere - just in case.

My thoughts and prayers these days are with all of our friends out East that are dodging the Hurricane - Sandy.   We hope everyone is safe and has shelter.  The poor animals that don't have food and shelter!  I don't even want to think about it.

Thanks for being faithful readers of my  blog.  It is appreciated.

Stay safe everyone.