Making Progress

We are making progress.  I had my visit with the Nephrologist.  He said there is no reason (regarding my bladder and kidneys) that I cannot have my surgery.  I do have a small kidney stone in one kidney, a small cyst in each kidney, and a small cyst on my liver.  I go back in six months, provided I don’t have a problem with my kidney stone, to have everything checked again.  He told me my kidneys are working at 45% and should be good for at least 25 years.  I figure by that time I will be 103 and dead.

I had my Cystoscopy which was an experience.  Anyway, yesterday I went to the urologist and was told that everything was fine.  I need to go back to them in six months also for an ultrasound of my kidney because of the stone.

I have a new cardiologist.  I have an appointment with him tomorrow.  He is with Columbus Cardiology who came highly recommended.  Hopefully, after that I will have my knee replacement surgery scheduled.  Not doing much walking because it is so painful.  Now I am using a cane but have a walker for after surgery. 

The weather has been extremely hot here with no letup in sight.  No rain either.  We are in a drought and there is a burn ban.  Summer arrived early!  The temperature on my deck has been averaging between 100 and 106 in the afternoon.  Those poor trees on my deck are withering.  I am doing my best to keep them watered, but they are still looking pretty sad.  I was worried that I was over watering them but it seems I was not watering them enough.  That changed as of yesterday!

I have been working down at the She Shack quite a bit.  I ride the golf cart down and back, and I mostly sit while working there.  I have been trying to get ahead with the fish towels that Kevin gives with the fishing poles.  He likes them coordinated with the colors on the poles.  We are getting rather creative.  He made a pole for a young man’s mother who had breast cancer.  So, we embroidered the pink ribbon next to the logo.  He also put the pink ribbon the pole.  He does such a great job.  Turned out great.  He also made a pole for a Commander on Ft. Benning who retired. We did some extra embroidery on his towel, i.e. his title, years as commander and where.  Turned out great. 

I have also made three white towels with flowers embroidered on them to hang above/behind my stove.  I am very happy with the way they turned out.  Jana has requested a few which I will be making next.  I may have to send her quilt top to her since there is a possibility I may not make it to Ohio this summer.  It depends on when I have surgery on my knee, follow-up appointments and rehab.  We shall see.

I have a list of items to make before Christmas and for Christmas.  I should be able to get quite a bit accomplished during my recovery.  I have been accruing embroidery patterns and thread and other items so everything will be ready. 

Had my appointment with my new cardiologist.  His name is Dr. Jones.  I also met his PA and his name is Alex.  I liked both of them.  They had all the records from Dr. Bennet except the one from my stress test.  Dr. Bennet could not find those results.  Dr. Jones told me that those test results would be too old to use, and I will need a new stress test before he can give me the okay for surgery.  I will be having the stress test tomorrow morning.  If all is well (which he thinks it will be since all of my other tests show that I am fine) then I will have my knee surgery on Tuesday. 

A Quick Note

Good Morning:

This will be short.  Just wanted to let you know since I had told everyone I was having knee replacement surgery on 5/21 that it has been postponed.  I had a lot of problems getting an appointment with my cardiologist for her okay for the surgery.  Long story short, I now have a new cardiologist.  I will be seeing him on 5/30.  I have notified both my primary care doctor and orthopedic doctor of this change.  After I see my new cardiologist and get his okay for the surgery they will reschedule.  I will let you know.

Thank you.

Cows, Flowers and Doctors

My next door neighbors to the north now have a cow and a bull.  Saw them this morning and have been listening to them ever since.  Should be interesting.

I also want to mention that my day lilies are starting to bloom and are looking very pretty.  I didn’t think they had lived through last year because they didn’t bloom.  They just had green stalks (sort of) and looked terrible.

Monday started with a trip to hospital equipment store.  I had a prescription for a two-wheeled walker, shower seat and special toilet seat to be used after knee surgery.  Renea took me to the store because I had no idea where to go.  The equipment is now stored in their garage.  I will need to take the walker with me to the hospital.

Before Renea and I headed out, Kevin informed me that he has orders for five more fishing rods.  Yea!!! I have also been asked to do several more fishing towels.  I just need to find out what colors he wants me to use. 

Meanwhile I am watching the NASCAR race that was postponed yesterday because of rain.  Not happy with the winner.

Kevin came over and game me the list of fishing towels that I need to do before the weekend.  Not a problem.  There are five of them.  NOTE:  I finished them.  I even helped Renea cut her muslin.  It was a busy afternoon!

DOCTOR VISITS

This was the week I had three days of doctor appointments to get ready for my knee surgery.  Tuesday was the busiest.  I started by going to St. Francis Hospital.  At 9:30 I had to register for my pre-op and surgery.  I arrived early and she took me back right away.  In fact, I was finished by about 9:10. 

My pre-op exam was next.  It was scheduled for 10:00.  Since I was finished with registration the nurse took me back for my tests/exam right away.  It was 9:15 by this time.  She did the usual, weight, blood pressure and temperature.  Next she drew six vials of blood.  She measured my neck. I asked about that and she said it had to do with sleep apnea.  Never heard of that, but okay.  She then did an EKG.  I then had a chest x-ray.  We were finished by 10:30.

My next appointment was with Rehab at St. Francis.  Of course, this is in a different building.  I went to the garage, got my car, and drove over to the next building.  My appointment was for noon, and I arrived at about 10:45.  There was nothing to do in the area, so I just went to the waiting room.  I checked in and told the girl I would just wait there.  Sam came out and got me at just about noon.  This meeting took about fifteen minutes.  He gave me three exercises to do at home before my surgery.  He said this would help with my rehab after surgery.

My next (and last for the day) was back at the hospital.  The appointment was for 2:00.  It is now about 12:25.  I drove over to the hospital and went to the waiting area.  Since I had some time I walked to the coffee shop, got a strawberry muffin and a bottle of water.  When I finished I went back to the waiting room and watched HGTV.  Other people started arriving for the “joint camp class” (no kidding, that’s what they call it) and everyone started chatting.  The time went quickly.  Now, this instructor was late.  She didn’t get us until 2:20.  Then we had to walk like seemed miles to the conference room.  EVERYONE was complaining.  There was ten of us.  We met for about 45 minutes.  I did learn a lot.  After she finished we heard from an Occupational Therapist and a Rehab Therapist about what would happen after surgery.  We left there about 3:20. 

Next was home.  It was a long day.

Wednesday was actually a visit with my podiatrist.  He checked my toenails.  It seems I have a fungus which needs treatment.  We will not do this until after my knee surgery.  I will be getting laser treatments which are not covered by insurance.  Insurance considers it cosmetic.  Give my options I decided I would go for the laser.

This was the afternoon I worked on the fishing towels and helped Renea.  Another long day.

Thursday was a visit with Dr. Reese.  She is my primary care doctor.  I was with her almost an hour.  She had received the results of my tests from Tuesday and went over all of them.  She also told me I needed clearance from the Nephrologist and Cardiologist.  I have an appointment for Monday afternoon with the Nephrologist.  Still waiting to hear from the Cardiologist.

It has been a few long days.  I have started doing my rehab exercises, and I am hurting by the time I am finished. 

Today is Friday, and I do not plan on doing much of anything. 

No Internet Service

This is not fun.  I have not had internet service since last Thursday.  I called AT&T right away, but, of course, they cannot get out here until Monday (today) afternoon between one and five.  I am sure it will be closer to five.  Actually, he arrived about 2:00.  Everything is up and working just fine now.  My router had gone kaput!

It’s been a busy week down at the She Shack.  I have been doing my regular chores in the morning and working down at the Shack in the afternoon.  The first project was my new kitchen curtains.  I am really happy with the way they turned out.  I used the same material as I had used on my kitchen wall hanging.  And, no my kitchen walls are not black.  They just look that way and I don't know why.

 

Before I forget, I took a picture of Jana’s quilt top that I finished last week.  Jana and I are both happy with the way it looks.

My next project down at the Shack was two “special” fishing towels that Kevin needed for the two “special” fishing poles he is working on.  We purchased several different colored towels to use.  The first one I did was a navy blue with white embroidery.  The second one was black with pink.  The “special” one is the black one with pink because it is for a young lady who had cancer and is doing fine.  Kevin asked me to put the pink ribbon on it along with the logo.  

I then embroidered the logo onto the three shirts that Renea had purchased.  One was for Ryan, one for Stephanie and one for Ray.  She bought these sometime ago.  I had not done them because of the type of material that they were made of.  I finally found out what kind of stabilizer to use, so they are now finished.

My next project was a tea towel for me.  I am planning to do three of them to hang on the rod behind my kitchen stove.  I still had Christmas towels hanging there.  The first one is of daffodils.  I plan on doing one with pansies and one with tulips.  Hopefully, I will get them finished next week.

 Next week is going to be busy also, but for a different reason.  Monday Renea and I are going to pick up my walker and other supplies for when I have my knee replacement surgery. 

Tuesday I will have my pre-op work done at St. Francis at 10:00.  At noon I meet with Sam at Rehab which is also at St. Francis.  Then at 2:00 I have a Joint Replacement Class at St. Francis. 

Wednesday I go to the podiatrist.

Thursday I have an appointment with the primary care doctor for a physical for my knee replacement surgery. 

Friday I plan to REST!!!!!

Till next time 😊