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.