Lesa's Book Critiques: Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change by Lesa Holstine

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change by Lesa Holstine 

John Pavlovitz: Blue Christmas (What To Do When The Holidays Hurt)

Sandi loved Christmas and all that it entailed. For me, without her, it is hell. This is the third holiday season without her and every year is just gets worse. I find myself crying at stupid commercials as well as a ton of other stuff. Lesa Holstine shared this on Facebook this morning and it hit home. I share it here for those of us, and no doubt there are many, that are in grief, in deep pain, and not finding any reason to be merry.

 John Pavlovitz: Blue Christmas (What To Do When The Holidays Hurt)

Via The Non-Gamer's Gamer's Blog: Injustice

The Non-Gamer's Gamer's Blog: Injustice: I like games with superheroes, mostly because I'm a big comic book geek. Injustice: Gods Among Us is therefore my jam. You've ...

X-Rays Are In

Back home from the doctor. X-rays indicate no fracture. Belief is I have a severe bone bruise with accompanying fluid. While I need the boot that can't be done because of the back/leg issues so I am in a surgical shoe.

PSA--YOUR FEET AND OXYGEN TANKS

Dropping a full oxygen tank on your foot is incredibly painful. I strongly advise against doing so. It causes pain and swelling across the top of the foot. Ice brings little relief. So, you are warned, from somebody who did it about six hours ago and is beginning to consider the possibility that his foot just might be broken, that dropping one on your foot is a radically bad idea.

Medical Update-- The Lastest on Sandi's Feet/Legs

Sandi had another therapy appointment today with the physical therapist and the news was not good at all. The therapist has now stopped all therapy at this point because he believes it is doing absolutely zero good for her. Nothing at all has changed for the better. She remains in nearly constant pain except for the occasional periods of numbness that seem to be happening from time to time. She is still experiencing swelling at odd intervals that, so far, none of us have been able to relate to anything.

Going forward the therapist believes that both feet need to be fully booted as soon as possible, not just her right, and that she needs an MRI to determine the extent of the injuries and damage in both feet and both. He is going to stress all of this in his report for the foot doctor.

Sandi is supposed to see the foot doctor Friday morning.  She is also supposed to have her PET SCAN and blood work on Monday to determine if she is still in remission.

How long they have to wait after her PET SCAN to do an MRI I have no idea, but I would think there has to be some time because they use some sort of dye deal with the PET SCAN. Seems to me they would need that to flush out of her system before they could do an MRI.

Obviously, things could easily be worse and we know that. But, not knowing exactly what is wrong and if it can be fixed is frustrating her quite a bit. You would think after all we have gone through over me the last two plus years, and everything with her as well from heart attacks and strokes to cancer, she could catch a break on this.

Update---Sandi's Foot

Sandi's right foot continues to bother her quite a lot. It isn't getting any better nor is it getting any worse. Today was time for another visit with the podiatrist. He is sending her to physical therapy so they can work with her on gaining movement, strengthening things, and hopefully making her foot less painful. At least that is the current plan.

She starts physical therapy next week, twice weekly,  and is scheduled to see the doctor again in three weeks. In the meantime, she is to continue to use the small soft cast for work and the big black boot thing for home.

And so it goes in the land of Tipple.....



Kevin

A Small Update On Me

Was trying to sit up and work on a book review tonight and just hurt way too much. Can hardly stand it as this has been one of the worst pain days I have had in a long time. Have not fallen yet, but usually when it gets this bad, I will soon be taking a tumble.

In the morning and way too early I have a cardiology appointment. Now that I am on Medicare, I can do some things  heath wise. I am starting with seeing what shape my heart is in. Part of me is glad to be able to go and a part of me is seriously dreading the deal.

I will do what I can here when I can.......


Kevin

Update---Sandi's Port Surgery

We are finally home.

Unfortunately, things were not simple at all because Sandi had developed a huge amount of scar tissue around the port. Her body really went to town on it and encapsulated it quite well. Between that and the fact that moving it to get to the underside to clip two sutures holding it into the major artery to her heart was so difficult, it was a much longer procedure than expected.

The good news is they finally got it dug out of her and she is home. She is considerable pain and  resting very uncomfortably. At least it is out of her.

I have to lie down awhile before I try and make dinner. If I can after dinner and right now this is a huge IF as I have fallen hard twice since getting home I am going to sit up and work on e-mail. If I can't, you won't hear anything more from me until tomorrow.

We are home and thank you one and all.


Kevin

2012 Begins So Wrong

2012 is NOT starting off well and not just because the Cowboys lost again last night. Quite honestly, I am glad they didn't make the playoffs as clearly this is still not a playoff team. Unlike some, I don't think there is any reason to change any of the coaching staff. Thanks to the lockout they coaching staff never really had the opportunity to fully implement the new defensive schemes and other changes that they were planning for this season. The secondary has been an issue for years and there are other holes across the team with a lack of depth at nearly every position.


I am very thankful that today is not a day I have to take Sandi to the hospital for cancer treatment or go to the store. I fell a record nine times yesterday and am in mind boggling pain today up and down everywhere and especially on my left side. The same burning pain I get in my leg is present in my left arm so strong that I can't type this at all with my left hand. I can't even close my fingers to hold anything.


So, today is going to be a lost day as I will get nothing done. Instead, I am going to assume the offical TV position.....

and spend the day on the floor with the heating pad that helps a little bit. Hopefully, whatever is pressing on something or pinching something will ease off and let me do a little bit here and there in the next few days.  I hate this--especially now when so much needs to be done.


Kevin