Down is the right direction

I’ve been on my new med, Ozempic, for just over a week now. I’m still reserving judgment, but so far there is a little bad and a lot of good.

The bad is running to the bathroom to pee frequently. And I mean frequently! I’m sure hoping this lessens – soon. Also, I just have felt a little blah, a slight headache and I feel tired and sleepy.

 

But I’m taking this stuff to reduce my blood sugar and it really has. My highs were up to 230 and my lows only got down to around130. Now I’m between 150 and 100. I’m thrilled with these results. 

 

Ozempic is also supposed to cut your appetite and it has done that, I’m happy to say. In this first week I lost 5.2 pounds! 

I don’t expect that loss every week, but still – I’m so happy. I mean that’s such an encouraging start. My ‘blah’ feeling has kept me from really working out at the gym, but I have been walking most every day. And I feeling much closer to normal these days, so it’s to the gym soon.

 

It's new and I’m still adjusting. But I’m pleased overall and I’ll let you know how it goes.

The Zoo

 Last Saturday we all went to the Bronx Zoo. Both boys were surprised to realize they had been in NYC for over eleven years and had never been. We really had a great day. It also gave the boys a chance to reevaluate a decision they had made a long time ago. The zoo was hosting children in their halloween costumes. Now they know FOR SURE that they do not want kids. It was pretty wild.

Here a few of the beautiful sights we got to see.

I'd love to hear from you

Just a quick note, I'm posting over at PK Corey's Reading Room today. You're welcome to come over and say hi. If you ever have trouble getting onto either of my blogs or have trouble leaving a comment, please try a different browser. Because if you ever what to speak to me, I sure want to hear from you.

Elon Musk and the war in Europe are messing with my health

Unfortunately, I have a few health concerns that I’ve been working on with my doctor’s help. The big ones right now are high blood pressure, high blood sugar and low blood oxygen levels when I sleep. 

And according to the doctor all these would be magically cured if I could solve the fourth biggie – being overweight. Okay maybe not magically, but yes, losing weight would improve my numbers greatly.

 

After going back and forth we’ve come up with a plan. I’ve agreed to give the cpap machine a try and she wants me to go on Ozempic, which is for type two diabetics. Not only should it bring down my BS levels, but it been known to help in weight loss.  Which, as I said, helps with everything.

 

After going over the pros and cons of this medicine I agreed. Then the doctor comes out with this news.

Unfortunately, Elon Musk put on twitter and whatever else he’s on that Ozempic is great and helped him lose a large amount of weight.

Now it seems everyone wants to try it. It’s become in very short supply and it’s extremely hard to get enough for diabetics who need it. Another problem is that this medicine is delivered by a special needle, designed and made in Ukraine. Bless their hearts they have bigger problems to work about than my medical needs.

 

In addition, my doctor told me that there is a worldwide shortage of cpap machines, but they’ll ‘try and find me one.’ 

This is also due to the war and to the worldwide shortages of everything! Good grief, I finally agree to try all these things I don’t really want to try, and old Elon and Vladimir have to stick their noses into things.

 

I got all this information just before our trip. But as soon as we got back the drug store called me to let me know that, after being on back-order for a while, the medication was in and they had it ready for me. I gave myself the first dose Tuesday night. My appointment at the sleep center is on and they still hope to have a machine for me.

 

I guess everything is going to get a try after all. I’ve listened to all the doctors have said but it was a young girl working at the drug store that gave me the most hope. She saw what the medicine was as she checked me out. Her comment was, “Oh, my grandma took this. She lost fifty pounds and doesn’t have to take it anymore. And she’s kept the weigh off!” It sure sounded good. I might want to talk with her grandmother too.

 

I’ll let you know what happens.

The Big City

What a great trip! I’ll never be a real fan of NYC, but I really enjoyed this trip. The very best part, of course, was seeing LJ and Collin. We stayed in an amazing hotel near LJ’s work.  I wasn’t a real fan of the shower being wide opened. I glad I was staying there with Nick and not someone like a work colleague.

 

LJ usually chooses our hotels for us depending on what we’ll be doing. Last time we wanted to be in the theater district and the room was adequate, clean and exactly where we wanted to be in the city. We weren’t too concerned with the view and it was a good thing we weren’t – this was it.

 

 

This time we wanted to see where LJ works now and Little Island. I did tell the boy I wouldn’t mind a slightly up graded view. I think he did a pretty good job….

 

 

 

Wait for it….

 

 

 

Yes, I’d say this was an improvement. The whole wall was glass. It was amazing! LJ says that this building is notorious for people standing at the windows naked and waving to people on the Highline. Sometimes they even have sex up against the window. Would I do anything like that… what happens in NY, stays in NY.

 

Thursday afternoon we wandered a little in The Village, had lunch with LJ and napped a little until he got off work. We went to dinner with him and his friend who married him and Collin – a lovely girl then he took us to see his apartment. I loved it. It’s reasonably large for a NYC apartment, two bedrooms, a decent size living room – and remember since the building isn’t zoned as an apartment building legally – they haven’t had to pay a dime in rent since last February. (Long story) With LJ's permission here are some pictures.

The next day we toured the Whitney Museum. There feature this month were the works of Edward Hopper. It was great he did many pictures with windows almost voyeuristic, but not in a creepy way. 

That afternoon we went to Little Island. It was a beautiful place, but the fact that they treated my son so badly tainted me against it a little.

 

That night we went to dinner with LJ and Collin, who had had a rehearsal the night before. And with very little help we found our way back to the hotel all by ourselves! 

 

I’ll be posting soon about our trip to the zoo – a very nice day! And my medical junk. At least I have things to write about now.

Away we go

We’re landing in NYC around 10 o’clock EST this morning. And I’m feeling much, much better. Even the cough is almost gone. We’re staying about a block where LJ works. Nick and I have the afternoon to check out the area ourselves. Then LJ will pick us up after he gets off and take us to see his apartment, then dinner.

 

Friday we’ll tour the museum where LJ works and Little Island and have dinner with one of his friends. This is the friend who officiated at his and Collin’s wedding. She and LJ have been friends since they met at Governor’s School, eighteen years ago. And on Saturday we’re going to see the Bronx Zoo.

We’ll head home on Sunday. And I’ll let you the details of the trip. I also got some interesting news from my doctor. Nothing awful, but it is interesting.

Rough week

 

Ugg, it’s been a rough week. Last week Nick caught a cold. Checked twice for Covid, negative both times. I guess the plain old cold is still around. I did not want to catch it, so I moved out. Well as far as the other bedroom. Interestingly, both cats come with me. Poor old Nick. 

 

Only one thing was really bothering me and that was my flu shot. I thought I had some mild symptoms, but my arm just kept hurting and hurting. The injection site was hot as fire, my glands under that arm were swollen, as was my arm and then my whole upper arm was itching like crazy. All and all I was not happy.

 

And then I caught Nick’s cold. It’s a funny cold, it didn’t start as a sore throat as mine usually do, and while my head feels stuffy, my nose is not stuffed up – I can breathe normally. But I’m coughing and sneezing. I tested myself for Covid, but I was negative for that too.

 

Normally all this would just be a bit annoying. Being retired I could just take my medicine and nap all day if I liked, but we have plans. Next Thursday we’re supposed to fly to NYC to see the boys. 

I don’t want to be sick! And if this is a mild cold I’ll be fine by then – but if the cough hangs on as it often does with me, I feel I’ll get some angry looks on the plane. I’ll definitely be wearing a mask. And I sure don’t want to give anything to LJ and Collin.

 

As far as NYC goes it’s not made for old people, heavy people or people with bad knees and I have the trifecta! Please cross your fingers that I’ll be over the cold so I’ll at least have a fighting chance up there.

Time has passed

A long time ago I found blogs and eagerly began reading. That was when I got my first laptop. I didn’t want my kids walking up behind me and seeing things that were none of their business. 

Mollie, at the time was a very nosy thirteen-year-old. And the most amazing thing is that my nosy little girl is turning thirty. It’s just a different way at looking at time.

 

She’s not thrilled with the number. I don’t think the age really bothers her so much as ‘ticking.’ I’m sure she was hoping to be married with a child or two by now. No, that’s not me talking, it’s her. But she’s doing fine.

 

Last week her friends at school gave her a party. She saved some of the cake for me and it was delicious. I loved the gift they gave her. 

The inscription reads, ‘You’re awesome keep that shit up.’

 

Her other group of friends took her to our largest city nearby for a day of shopping and eating. She seemed to have a great time.

 

Here was one of the gifts I gave her. When her teaching partner’s daughter saw it, she asked, “Was that personally made for Mollie? It’s perfect.”

I know she’s turned thirty and that she’s a grown-up and all, but I still love remembering my nosy little thirteen-year-old.

Vaccines and other medical stuff

I guess I’m as protected as I can get these days. Several weeks ago I got my second Covid booster. That makes four vaccines/boosters in all. Then on Monday I got my big girl (old lady) flu vaccine. I didn’t feel so great Tuesday. The flu shot seemed to catch up with me about twenty-four hours after I took it. I felt achy and sleepy and just a little off. But it only lasted about six hours and I’m happy for the protection.

 

The doctor’s final word after the sleep test was that I have to get a cpap machine. I am NOT happy. However, the test showed that my blood oxygen was going down to 74% as I slept and that’s just too low. So late next month I have another study at their clinic. They will show me how to use the darn thing and make sure it’s actually helping. They said that their rooms are set up much like hotel room with a TV and cable, private climate control and a private bath.

 

I asked if I could bring my own pillow and they said certainly, I could bring anything that I thought would help me sleep. They’re going to be surprised when I show up with Nick and at least one cat.

The wedding we attended was fun. Not as good as the one we attended three weeks ago – because all my kids were at that one. But it was good to see some different members of the family at this one. 

 

*Note: Three of my cousins came to the group breakfast with stupid looking strap marks on their faces where they had worn those crappy straps from the cpap machine. Not that I’m still bitter or anything.

 

Here's most of us all dolled up for the wedding.

Another fancy weekend

We’re off to another wedding. I’m sure it will be fine, but not as much fun as the last one. My kids won’t be at this one. One couple I was looking forward to seeing have Covid, so they won’t be there. But there will still be other family to visit with. One thing about the bride’s family is that they really do know how to throw a party. 

Monday, I have an appointment to get my flu vaccine and that phone appointment to talk about the sleep study. I’m looking forward to the information.

 

Then in a few weeks we’re heading to NYC to visit the boys for a few days. Nick wants to visit the Bronx Zoo. And this may work out well. I usually have a really hard time keeping up with Nick and LJ when we go somewhere in the city. They both walk so fast! But now they can travel at warp speed together and Collin and I can move slower – I think I can keep up with a man with a recently broken leg using a cane. At least I hope I can.

One Bad Night

I’m just about tired of medial test. Again, I feel great. If you go by how I feel then there’s nothing wrong. My BP is a little high. We’re changing my meds to see what works best. My doctor thinks that there is something wrong with my breathing. She keeps talking about a c-pap machine as a strong possibility. 

 

But I don’t think I have sleep apnea. I don’t snore, I don’t wake up with a sudden jerk like I’d stopped breathing all I do is wheeze a little. But still she insisted on a sleep study. I was happy to hear I could do it at home. 

But that was a horrible night. It was time to go to bed. I had something strapped around my chest. I had something attached to my finger and I had tubes up my nose. And the lights on the chest strap kept blinking. And honestly none of that really bothered me. What bothered me was that I could not go to sleep. All the apparatus was a little annoying, but it was my brain continuously telling me I had to go to sleep that was driving me nuts. It was a long and horrible night. But evidently, I slept enough for them to get some reading. I have a telephone visit with them on the tenth to tell me the results. The other tests have hinted that I’m not getting enough oxygen at night.

I feel like my heart rate is low at night. According to my watch, it often goes down to thirty-seven beats per minute during the time I’m asleep. I want some answers, but I feel like it’s just going to lead to more tests. I’m about ready for results. 

Fondles's Fine

Just a quick note - I heard from Fondles yesterday. All is well, except for her computer. It's a little under the weather, but she's working on it. She'll be back when her laptop is back on its feet. Soon I hope.

The Saga of PK and Ballou

I wrote here about us adopting a new cat. I decided that if he was going to be a permanent member of our family he would have to be neutered.  At first, I worried about neutering someone else’s cat. But when no one treated his ears and he had scratched himself raw I assumed no one was caring for him.

I was able to get him back into the cat carrier and took him to my old boss for the surgery. He’s retired now, but still the best vet I know. Doc knocked Ballou out and I assisted with the surgery as I’d done hundreds of times before.

 

Ballou came home with instruction to not let him out that night because his vision would be really off. I put him in the bathroom as he was waking up. Several hours later he was still very wobbly, he was unable to walk across the floor without falling every other step. 

He seemed to have no idea what to do with a litter box, so I carried him out to a bit of grass. Then this cat, who could not walk across the room, took off in a dead run to the woods behind the house and disappeared into the underbrush. 

I was frantic! He had only had surgery a few hours before and he was still heavily sedated. The weather was cooler, well the coolest we’d had this season and it was raining. We looked, we rattled the food box, we called lovely… nothing, Ballou was gone.

This happened Saturday afternoon. My hope was that he would avoid the many possible dangers in the woods, sober up, and come on home the next morning. That didn’t happen. I was truly worried we scared him off for good this time. But I kept hoping.

 

Monday found me hoping and praying he’d come back. I decided to go looking. There is a creek behind the house and I’d worried he could have fallen in while still ‘drunk.’ I was standing on the bank trying to look for him when my feet slipped on the muddy bank and down I went sliding all the way to the water. Now it was much of a fall, I just sat on my butt. However I quickly realized I couldn’t get up. I desperately wished Nick was with me, but if he had been I’m sure he would have been busy filming the whole thing. 

Not me, of course, 

but you get the general idea.

 

After wallowing around for a while in the thick, slippery mud, I managed to get to my hands and knees and tried to climb back up the bank – barely more than a large step in dry weather. But the mud was fighting me all the way. The only plant around me were brier bushes and they were no help. I did have my phone with me, but I was damned if I was going to call anyone to see what I was going through. Finally, I made it up the bank but getting to my feet without anything to help me was still a struggle.  Eventually, I made it and headed back to the house for a hot shower. I’d seen no signs of Ballou. And he didn’t come back that day.

 

By Tuesday I was losing hope and spent the day shaking the food box and calling for him. Then that evening around 10:00 PM I walked by the glass storm door and there he sat, calm, well-groomed ready to come in for something to eat. He ate for a long while, got some water and then quietly curled up in Nick’s chair for the night. All and all I’d say he’d fared better than I did since I was still nursing a pulled muscle from my awkward rise from the mud.

 

I think it’s safe to say that we have two cats now. Ballou sleeps here in the house each night, stays around to visit until around ten each morning then disappears into the woods until dark when he comes home for dinner. Obviously, he has his rounds to make each day, but after all this I’m not going to worry about him. I’m going to assume he can take care of himself. Hopefully I’ll be able to say the same for myself one day.

 

Home from the wedding

We’re home from the wedding all in one piece and I have to admit I had a lot of fun. Of course, the most fun came from being with my kids! I hadn’t seen the boys in person since January. They looked great and Collin was walking well with his cane.

 

I sat in on the bridesmaid’s hair and make-up session. That was a new one for me. Mollie looked absolutely beautiful when they finished. I’d never seen her in false eyelashes the whole effect was amazing. Here she is having her hair done.

The wedding was held in a castle, which had some beautiful spots for pictures.

The first thing my niece said to me about her dress was, “It’s got pockets!” And I have to say I loved her choice of footwear too.

The reception was complete with a wonderful dinner and an enormous array of desserts. After we ate our fill, we danced – sometime with partners, sometimes not. But we danced and danced. It really was a fun wedding. But I'm not used to dancing and my feet burned all night. I think I'm too old to have so much fun!

Off to the wedding

It’s been a crazy busy week. We’re heading out to the wedding on Sunday morning. It’s about two hours away. Mollie is the maid of honor. We get to see LJ and Collin. There will be tons of family there. Even if I don’t like weddings, I’m going to enjoy this one. Here are the outfits I came up with for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding.

 

I hope my niece and my sister survive this. Of course, the couple has already been married for three years. And he’s lived in Japan for most of that time, but that’s another story.

Things you need to know if you move to the south

1. A possum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle of the road.

2. There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 of them live in the South.

3. There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 of them live in the South, plus a couple no one's seen before.

4. If it grows, it'll stick ya. If it crawls, it'll bite cha.

5. Onced and Twiced are words.

6. It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy!

7. Jawl-P? means: Did you all go to the bathroom?

8. People actually grow, eat, and like okra.

9. Fixinto is one word. It means I'm going to do something.

10. There is no such thing as lunch. There is only dinner and then there's supper.

11. Iced tea is appropriate for all meals, and you start drinking it when you're two. We do like a little tea with our sugar. It is referred to as the Wine of the South.

12. Backwards and forwards means I know everything about you.

13. The word jeet is actually a question meaning, 'Did you eat?'

14. You don't have to wear a watch, because it doesn't matter what time it is, you work until you're done or it's too dark to see.

15. You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH ‘em.

16. Y'all is singular. All Y'all is plural.

17. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect, or animal.

18. You carry jumper cables in your car for your OWN car.

19. You only own five spices: salt, pepper, mustard, Tabasco, and ketchup.

20. The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but require 6 pages for local high school sports, motorsports, and gossip.

21. Everyone you meet is a Honey, Sugar, Miss (first name), or Mr. (first name)

22. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday.

23. You know what a hissy fit is.

24. Fried catfish is the other white meat.

25. We don't need no dang Driver's Ed. If our mama says we can drive, we can drive!!!

26. If you understand all these, y'all come on down. We'll be glad to have you! 

 

Our new addition

Nick and I have had cats since we married – I brought one with me. Over the years we’ve had between one and four cats at the time. Most of the cats we’ve had during these thirty-nine years have been volunteers who just happened by. We’ve long felt that we have the word ‘suckers’ written on our house in cat language.

This is our current cat. We’ve had her about ten years now. She’s a timid thing. She does not like other animals. She won’t stand up for herself, so she usually runs and hides if another cat or dog is around. But way back last December a cat came around and she didn’t run from it. They would just sit a few feet apart and stare at one another.

 

We’d put cat food out for it. I can’t stand to see anything hungry and not help. But this stray didn’t act like a normal stray cat. First off, it didn’t come by every day. In fact, often it would go weeks and weeks without coming by. We felt it probably had several suckers on the line and we were just one of the homes feeding him.

 

But lately he seems determined to stay. So far, I’ve been able to get him his vaccinations and treat him for ear mites. He had scratched large open sores just below his ears and I’ve just about gotten those healed up too. My old boss has agreed to neuter him Saturday, provide I can wrangle him back into the cat carrier.

 

He has lovely blue eyes, so I thought we call him Blue. That didn’t suit Nick. He finally suggested Ballou – you remember Cat Ballou? 

If you don’t look it up, it was my favorite movie as a kid. I saw it eight times in the theater.

 

Here is our newest addition – Ballou. And be sure to check out the raccoon tail.