Physical Therapy and More

Good Morning!  It is Monday and another weekend has come and gone.  I have been doing my PT that I am supposed to do at home.  I don’t know if it is working or not since I feel worse afterward.  However, I will keep at it.

We had a short rain shower on both Saturday and Sunday.  A lot of thunder and lightning with a little bit of rain.  It was a good thing Kevin and Bruce watered everything.  I am still worried about the dawn redwood tree (Jim’s tree).  It looks really sad.  We keep watering the tree and hoping for the best.

I have been doing a lot of work on my genealogy since it is so hot.  I stay inside most of the day.  Saturday Kevin, Bruce and Nicholas came to visit late in the afternoon.  Penny made up to Nicholas.  I think it was because he played with her.  He had her running all over the place using the laser light.  She was worn out when he left and had to take a nap. 

Sunday I was invited to Kevin’s for supper.  I had been invited on Saturday also, but I wasn’t feeling up to par so I stayed home.  However, Sunday was a little better.  Kevin had smoked a brisket and made baked potatoes.  It was awesome!  The guys also had a salad, but as we know I can’t eat salads.  We also watched the NASCAR race.  I was glad to see Tony Stewart win.  Yea!  After supper I came home and watched Celebrity Family Feud (which I thoroughly enjoyed); then $100,000 Pyramid with Michael Strahan (which I thoroughly enjoyed); and then started to watch Match Game with Alex Baldwin (which I did not enjoy).  I then turned over to the news and after that went to bed.

This morning (Monday) is a little rough.  It seems like mornings are my worse time.  I really have to move slow.  Not sure what all I will accomplish today.  I’ll let you know.

Well, I ended up doing something I hadn’t planned.  Renea called me around noon and asked me to take her to the emergency room.  She was having a really bad headache and was concerned that it had something to do with her lumbar puncture on Friday.  We didn’t get home until almost midnight.  The had to do what is called a blood patch because the hole from the needle on Friday was leaking spinal fluid.  She has to rest of 48 hours, but the headache is gone.

This morning Nicholas came over and washed my car.  That was so awesome.  I really did appreciate it.  I usually go through the car wash.

I am getting a few things caught up today.  And, yes, I am doing my PT.  This is going to be a busy week.

More Doctor Appointments

Kevin’s 50^th birthday was Thursday, but we celebrated it on Friday.  I don’t understand how he has gotten so old J  But then I think of my actual age so I guess that must be right.  He grilled steaks, we had french fries, some had a salad, and we had cupcakes for desert.  Ryan and Stephanie were both there to celebrate.  They also included Father’s Day since both of them have to work.  Stephanie has her 24 hour shift today on the life squad.  Ryan is working his regular weekend job.

Last night we had a horrendous storm.  Some places had trees come down and people lost power.  As bad as it was, we were lucky that none of that happened here.  We really need rain.  I wish we would have a day or two of just really nice soaking rain.  Everyone is losing their plants and trees.  I know we are.  Hopefully, this rain will help, but it is going to be hot and dry again starting on Sunday.

Yesterday Kevin mowed all of our backyard grass.  Nickolas mowed Kevin’s front yard grass.  They planned to mow mine today, but it was too wet. I have been told they are going to mow mine tomorrow.  I hired Nickolas to pull some of the weeds in front of my deck.  I will put roundup on the rest of them.  He was able to clean out the azalea bush, but it doesn’t look very healthy.  In fact, the two in front don’t look too good either. 

I filled the birdfeeders (the birds sure are happy about that).  Didn’t need to fill the birdbaths – the rain took care of that.  The birds sure do like the birdbaths also.  I trimmed some of the dead stuff off my plants in front.  I hope that helps them.  I am really worried about the dawn redwood (Jim’s tree).  Even though I’ve been watering it, it looks kind of sad. 

Sunday Kevin and Bruce mowed my front grass.  Kevin also set up sprinklers to water my trees.  The dawn redwood tree does not look good.  It has lost a lot of its needles.  This really has me worried.  We plan on watering it every day for a while to see if it comes back.  I have already lost several of my plants.

Monday was just a normal day.  However, Tuesday was back to the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center.  It seems they do a lot more than just speech and hearing.  That is where I am going for my dizziness and balance problems.  I met with the physical therapist today and she took me through a whole series of tests.  It seems I have some problems.  I will be taking therapy for eight weeks once they get approval from Medicare.  She also gave me some “exercises” to do at home.  I sure hope this works!

Wednesday was my appointment with Dr. Verson the neurologist.  I learned many things.  First of all my brain is beautiful; except it is shrinking.  However, it is within the normal range for my age.  (I just love how they say for my age J)  Also some of the blood vessels are shrinking, but that is also within the normal range for my age.  This is what is causing my problem with words, etc.  Also I have an artery in my brain which is not straight, it is curlicue (is that a word?). 

Next I was told that, yes, I do have a problem with the connection between my ears, eyes, brain and motion.  It seems that are not all working together.  So, I will be taking physical therapy to correct this (they hope).  This is part of my problem with the dizziness and lack of balance. 

The other part of the problem is my blood pressure.  It should not drop 20 points or more when I stand up.  This is also causing the dizziness and balance problems.  Dr. Verson is going to get with Drs. Miller and Bennett to get my blood pressure medicine straightened out. 

I have numerous appointments set up for July (physical therapy), August and September.  At least I now feel like we are making progress to find out what my problem is, and, hopefully, get it fixed.  I am tired of feeling like this.  Apparently, I will not be going to Ohio this summer.  I had planned to go for two months, but that is not going to happen.

Today, Friday, I went with Renea.  She had a lumbar puncture procedure.  It was a rough procedure, but she did fine.  She is now spending the rest of today and tonight in bed.  The doctor’s office was supposed to call in some pain pills for her – they still haven’t as of 6:00 p.m.  So she is taking Tylenol. 

Bruce fixed a shrimp boil for supper tonight and invited me.  It was awesome!  Now I am home for the evening. 

Hot Hotter and No Rain!

Good Morning

It’s been a rough week.  The temperature has been in the upper 90’s to 100.  I have been staying inside except to water my plants in the evening.  The said part is most of my plants are dying.  Our Franklin trees are looking like they are dead.  I keep watering them and hoping for the best.  The grass is about dead.  It crunches when you walk on it.  We have had rain around us, but we haven’t had but a few drops.  All of our trees look really sad.  There is no letup in sight.

Yesterday I had my MRI of my brain.  I am still having those dizzy spells, balance is off, short of breath, and my blood pressure is still out of wack.  I met with my primary care doctor yesterday also.  He has changed my blood pressure medicine again.  It seems my bp is low or normal in the morning and high at night.  He is actually changing the way I take my pills.  I guess this is a trial and error system.  As for the shortness of breath, the inhaler is helping.  Apparently, I will be using the inhaler all the time now.  Just something I will have to live with.  I can do that.  It helps, but doesn’t solve the problem. 

I have been working a lot on my genealogy since I am inside.  I have basically been updating records and organizing them.  I have found quite a bit of new information since I took the classes.  Right now I am working on the Leipnitz and Althoefer sides of the family.  Next will be Nessler and Meyer.  Nessler is the maiden name of William Leipnitz’s wife.  Meyer is the maiden name of Henry Althoefer’s wife.  They are my great grandmothers.  All of these great grandparents came from Germany, and once I get everything organized my next step will be to find what I can about their parents (if possible).  Sure wish I could speak and read German.  I may need some help with this.

I have also signed up for another genealogy class.  This one is a four week course.  That’s okay, what else do I have to do.

The Next Doctor Visit and More

This morning (Monday) Renea asked me to take her to Opelika Ford to pick up Kevin’s truck.  They worked on it while they were in Cancun.  When she came over she brought me a gift that they bought me in Mexico.  I love it.

We left here and it was raining just lightly but by the time we got to Hwy 51 it was a downpour so heavy I couldn’t see the front of the car.  Water was ponding on the road.  It was really scary.  She got Kevin’s truck and we headed for home.  We decided to come the long way because of the rain.  She stopped to run a few errands in Phenix City and I came on home.  Apparently, the worst of the rain was in Opelika.  We had some rain but nothing as bad. 
 

Later this afternoon I took pictures of my hydrangea plant and the chaste tree.  The butterflies are lovin’ the chaste tree.

Watched the NASCAR race this afternoon while getting a few things done inside.

 

Tuesday morning I got up bright and early and headed for the Speech and Hearing Center in Columbus.  I had my test which lasted two hours.  It was a tough one.  I wish they had told me to bring someone with me to drive me home.  I made it home okay, but I was dizzy and tired.  I made the mistake of trying to do some shopping on the way home.  I stopped at Barnes and Nobles.  I only bought a couple of books because I felt so bad.  I just couldn’t look around.  When I got home I ate a bowl and cereal and had a cup of tea.  I then laid down on the couch and took a two hour nap.  I still feel a little woozy.  If you are ever scheduled for a "dizziness" test be sure and take someone with you to drive you home.  In all honesty, I don't remember driving home except praying that I would make it safely.

 

Didn’t get much accomplished today.  I just couldn’t get my act together.  Ryan stopped in to see me.  He came over to Kevin and Renea’s to pick up one of the large dog crates.  His roommate (Steven) got a female german shepherd from the Animal Ark Rescue Center.  She is one year old and is full of energy.  They decided since her and Ashes needed to be “controlled” while they are in school and/or at work they should both be in crates.

 

Later in the evening Kevin and Renea stopped in to visit.  They wanted to check on me.  I am starting to feel a little better but will be going to bed early.

Good Morning y’all.  Today the septic tank guys came and cleaned out my septic tank.  We were worried that something may be clogged because areas of my grass were dying where the leech bed is located.  They said all is well.  It’s just the fact that since I live alone and not much water runs through the tank, and it has been so hot, this is normal.  I sure hope they are right.

 

According to the weather folks we could be setting high temperature records this week.  I guess I will be staying inside a lot. 

Doctors, Genealogy and Other Stuff

This morning was my first doctor appointment of the month.  I had an EEG which I found out records my brain waves.  Yes, apparently I have a brain J  Anyway, the tech placed twenty-two wires on my head.  The test itself took about thirty-five minutes, but with the prep I was there for two hours.  She had to put a lot of goop on my head and my hair feels awful.  Home now and feeling lazy only because I got up at 5:30 this morning.  I don’t think today will be very productive.

I was right.  Today was not very productive.  I read for a while.  Worked on my genealogy.  Watched some television.  Talked to Jana.  Jana picked up her dog last night.  Her name is either Mattie or Maddie (I’m not sure which).  She is two years old.  She is a small dog, about 12 pounds.  She is a Chihuahua mix.  When I get a picture I will put it on my blog.

Talked to Jana and her name is Mattie.

Another hot day today.  Upper 90’s.  So, I stayed in and got inside work done – mostly genealogy.  After supper I went out back and started the sprinklers for the garden.  Scared Stephanie.  She knocked on my door, came in the house calling me, saw my phone, and thought the aliens had got me.  Then she noticed me in the back.  She went to Tigertown and on the way back it took her an hour and a half.  A tractor trailer truck with hazardous material overturned and they were rerouting traffic.  It happened on Hwy 80, but not sure where.  Will have to watch the news tonight.

I also put water in the birdbaths and filled the birdfeeders this evening. I even put fresh food in the hummingbird feeder.  I watered all my plants.  I have several that look like they are dying.  Not surprised with all this heat.  I still think the cement planters have something to do with that.  However, my lantanas and hydrangea looks really good!  Almost ready for pictures.  Now I am done for the day.

Good Morning!  Another hot sunny day, and I am off to have my blood drawn – again!  This time they took nine vials of blood.  The tech that took my blood said Dr. Verson is very thorough and is checking for just about everything.  That is good.  On the way home I stopped at Walmart to pick up a few groceries.  I stopped at the new one in Ladonia that is just a grocery.  Had breakfast and pills after arriving home.  Now it is time to get a few things done.

Not going to bore you with the same old same old stuff.  Still waiting for the rain.  They keep predicting it but it doesn’t come, so I keep watering.

Kevin and Renea arrived home on Saturday.  They are both tired but they had a really good time.  Kevin is grilling hamburgers and hot dogs for their supper.  Since they had eaten every meal “out” while they were gone they were ready for hamburgers and hot dogs.  Lola and Copper were so excited to see them they almost knocked them over greeting them.

Today is Sunday and we finally had some rain early this morning.  Yea!  Looks like it is going to be an indoor kind of day.  I have been working on the Althoefer genealogy.  I also filled out the paperwork for my test on Tuesday. 

Kevin is mowing the back grass.  He also picked some veggies from the garden.  When he finished he came to my front door and suggested I call a septic tank service.  Seems the grass above my leech lines is brown, and that is not good.  Will call them on Monday (tomorrow).

Planned on watching the NASCAR race this afternoon, but it was rained out.  Ended up being a lazy day for me.

It's a Beautiful Day in Alabama

Good morning.  It’s a lovely day.  Other than my usual morning chores I have filled the birdfeeders and added water to the birdbaths.  I can only do a little at a time because of the dizziness.  Eventually I will get caught up. 

Today I have started doing more research on my genealogy.  Right now I am trying to finalize a few details for the Leipnitz tree.  I hope to put all those classes to good use.  In fact, I am thinking about starting a blog about my ancestors.  We shall see. 

Went to supper with Kevin and Renea at Red Lobster.  Love that place.  I always have a tendency to overeat when I go there, but it sure was good.  Stephanie has started moving out of the house her and her friends have been renting.  She is storing her “stuff” in K & R’s garage until the girls move into their apartment.  Watched a little television this evening, and have almost finished the book I am reading.

It’s Saturday and Kevin and Renea have left for Cancun.  I am dog sitting today for Lola and Copper.  They are such neat dogs, and are always glad to see me.  I will be going back and forth several times today.  I am also doing some research on my Leipnitz family.  And, in between, I am watching the Xfinity race.

I spent some time at K & R’s with the dogs, both in the afternoon and after supper.  Today was actually a strange kind of day.  Steph texted me that she heard from Renea and they had arrived in Cancun just fine.  A couple of pictures were posted on facebook.

Sunday morning I fed the dogs their breakfast.  I actually set the alarm so I wouldn’t sleep too late.  Stephanie came home a little later and took care of the dogs the rest of the day.  She came over to visit with me a couple of times.  I think she was checking on me.  I watched the Indy 500 and then NASCAR Sprint race.  Sat outside on the deck for a while.  Stephanie and I watered Kevin’s garden and trees.

I also worked on my genealogy.  I am finding a lot of information because of the classes I took.  However, some of the things I want to find I may have to pay.  I have decided I will never be completely finished with my research.  Every time I find one answer it leaves with me more questions.  Oh well, it gives me something to do besides weed my garden (which I am so far behind doing I may never get caught up).  I am putting a book together for each branch of the family tree.  Right now I am working on the Leipnitz/Nessler branch and Althoefer branch. 

It's Monday and there still has been no rain.  I guess we will just keep watering the garden.  It’s getting really dry around here.  I’m not complaining because I sure don’t want the floods that other areas are getting.  Today I have been doing my normal chores around the house.  Yes, I am still having problems with being dizzy.  Several people (including Jana) have suggested that it’s my blood pressure medicine which it may well be. 

Of course, I may have a heart attack before anyone decides what the problem is, and it will be Miss Penny’s fault!  This morning she was running around jumping from chair to couch to table to top of each of the book shelves, etc. just like she does every day.  Well, between two of the high book shelves there is about a three inch space.  And, guess what, she missed the shelf and fell head first between them.  What a bunch of scrambling.  I had to push her up.  She then sat on top of the shelves and would not come down.  She wouldn’t let me get her down either.  Sure did scare her, but it probably won’t stop her from jumping up there again.  Love my girl!

After supper I decided to pull some weeds since shade had moved to the front yard (deck area).  I actually pulled weeds, deadheaded flowers, and watered the flowers in three areas.  Tomorrow morning I will spray roundup in the areas. 

Good Morning.  It’s another hot sunny day in Alabama.  I have started the laundry.  Sprayed roundup where I wanted.  And now I am working on my genealogy. 

Laundry is finished and after supper I worked on pulling weeds from another section in front of the deck.  Now it needs some roundup which I will do either tomorrow or Thursday.  I also watered all of the new trees.  There are still two of the Franklin trees that have no leaves.  Don’t think they are going to make it.  The blooms on the Chaste tree are starting to open.  I will take a picture when they are in full bloom.

That’s it.  Done for the day.