Tom called Dr. Cook's office yesterday and scheduled his AAA (x2) surgery for Friday, September 5th. Colby Campus, Everett Prov. He reports in at 0530.
We have decided to cancel the dove hunting, stick close to home, and keep busy. (Do the fair?) Pat and Allison will be coming over for the 3-day weekend and I'm sure the kids will be out, especially since Erin, Denise and Tom are canning pickles on Friday night!! And we'll have to have a family gathering for the Maiers on Sunday (maybe) to wish them a bon voyage!!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Retrieving A Camper from NBTSC
I had a great trip yesterday down to Eugene and back to transport NBTSC campers. Ivy and her mom met me at the ferry dock in Mukilteo a little before 0900 so Ivy could ride down with me to Corvallis. We had a fun trip chatting most of the way and eating burgers and blackberry shakes from the Burger Barn in Kalama. The burgers weren't too bad. MJ called at noon to say they were at Monroe Park in Eugene waiting for us but we, unfortunately, weren't getting there until 2:30. So the unschoolers including MJ, Chloe, and perhaps others went out for Mexican, cheese and grease after a week of vegetarianism. They didn't get sick! Zenmomma picked up Chloe and Madeline, Connor and Qacei and buzzed them on home to her house. When Ivy and I arrived in Eugene about 2:30 and on schedule for us, we loaded up Patrick and MJ, then we picked up Harper at the Eugene train station. Voila!! All aboard. All the backpacks, sleeping bags, teenagers, etc. squeezed into the L and off we buzzed to the Sunnyside Up! Alas! It was after 4 and Z momma had gone home, so we tracked them down (unschoolers give lots of great directions!) at home where hugs were exchanged by all. You'd think the kids hadn't seen each other for weeks but they were very excited to tell about all the exciting times at camp.
What I gleaned from the unschoolers' conversations: The boom box broke and they all pitched in to buy a new one. Director Grace matched their donations. Jono bought a relatively inexpensive one by prom night and the rest of the money will be used to purchase a PA system. Director Grace is awesome. Bitty is cool. Chloe hopes to follow in her footsteps. Chloe went to sleep by 3 every morning! Most of the rest had to do with Chloe's personal experiences. As we drove home, she was very excited and wanted to tell me all about camp. Hopefully, she will tell you more on her blog.
So, MJ stayed, Harper stayed, Connor and Qacei are home, Madeline stayed, Ivy and Patrick went to a friend's house nearby. Chloe came home with me. We stopped at Sunnyside Up for some fabulous organic smoothies that Chloe fell in love with, found the freeway, stopped near Salem about 5:00 PM for gas, and zoomed to Everett by 9:30 PM. (Chloe fell asleep in Seattle.) Veronica and Frank were ecstatic to have Chloe home and she was very pleased to be home. And I was pleased to be home, about 10:00 PM, where I found Tom watching WTP (Gus Hansen lost) and Angelo came to greet me.
What I gleaned from the unschoolers' conversations: The boom box broke and they all pitched in to buy a new one. Director Grace matched their donations. Jono bought a relatively inexpensive one by prom night and the rest of the money will be used to purchase a PA system. Director Grace is awesome. Bitty is cool. Chloe hopes to follow in her footsteps. Chloe went to sleep by 3 every morning! Most of the rest had to do with Chloe's personal experiences. As we drove home, she was very excited and wanted to tell me all about camp. Hopefully, she will tell you more on her blog.
So, MJ stayed, Harper stayed, Connor and Qacei are home, Madeline stayed, Ivy and Patrick went to a friend's house nearby. Chloe came home with me. We stopped at Sunnyside Up for some fabulous organic smoothies that Chloe fell in love with, found the freeway, stopped near Salem about 5:00 PM for gas, and zoomed to Everett by 9:30 PM. (Chloe fell asleep in Seattle.) Veronica and Frank were ecstatic to have Chloe home and she was very pleased to be home. And I was pleased to be home, about 10:00 PM, where I found Tom watching WTP (Gus Hansen lost) and Angelo came to greet me.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Quirks? Me??
Veronica tagged me last week for this quirks meme and I had a terrible time with it. My quirks are SO bad, not even a dog would want them!! The real list I made last week just made me cry. So here's a "not-so-bad" list:
1. Whenever I hear Angelo barking outside, I have to go out and make sure he's not being too intimidating, then shut him up and bring him home. His bark is very ferocious but so far, he has no bite.
2. I have to take the clothes out of the dryer while they are still warm, hang them or fold them immediately, or start the dryer over.
3. I have to have all my kids and grandkids with me on Christmas Eve, or at least on the phone.
4. When we leave the house, the washer and dryer both have to be shut off. I'm too paranoid about electrical fires and flooding!
5. The bathroom door has to be propped open to make sure Angelo always has access to water. His meds make him very thirsty.
6. I have to cry every now and then in self pity just to cleanse my soul, and then I can take a deep breath and go on.
I'm supposed to tag some people but I think just about everyone I blog with has already been tagged!! But anyone reading this is welcome to do the meme. Six boring quirks about yourself.
1. Whenever I hear Angelo barking outside, I have to go out and make sure he's not being too intimidating, then shut him up and bring him home. His bark is very ferocious but so far, he has no bite.
2. I have to take the clothes out of the dryer while they are still warm, hang them or fold them immediately, or start the dryer over.
3. I have to have all my kids and grandkids with me on Christmas Eve, or at least on the phone.
4. When we leave the house, the washer and dryer both have to be shut off. I'm too paranoid about electrical fires and flooding!
5. The bathroom door has to be propped open to make sure Angelo always has access to water. His meds make him very thirsty.
6. I have to cry every now and then in self pity just to cleanse my soul, and then I can take a deep breath and go on.
I'm supposed to tag some people but I think just about everyone I blog with has already been tagged!! But anyone reading this is welcome to do the meme. Six boring quirks about yourself.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
All is well after Tom's Bi-plane ***Arterialgram 8/21/08
***Note the corrected name of the procedure
Tom came thru with flying colors. The doctors actually performed a double-arterialgram, one down each leg. In the right hip, they implanted a stent in an aneurysm and the left leg was clear. Dr. Cook (Cookie) says this was all in preparation for the "inevitable" (my term) surgery to correct the two Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA). Tom plans to go ahead with that surgery in the next 10 days or so (to heck with the dove hunting; with all the rain and lightning in E. Wash, all the doves have migrated to Mexico anyway).
After the surgery, he'll have a 5 to 6 day hospital stay and quite probably a couple weeks in rehab. The rehab is for our peace of mind. He would have 24 hour nursing care and experts at getting patients of Tom's anatomy out of bed, and up and moving. I might not be able to do it and I would worry myself sick 24-hours a day!
The aorta lies near the spine. Dr. Cook would have to go thru "lots of tissue", move all Tom's innards aside, and then repair the aorta. The surgery would take 2 to 2-1/2 hours during which the aortic blood flow to the legs would be shut off. With the good flow Tom now has via the new stent, he shouldn't have any problems in that arena.
Dr. Cook pretty much ruled out the stents in Tom's AAA case because of his "stature". He also believes the currently used stents would leak. The new stents, not yet FDA approved, might last 2-3 years (no history) and then require the surgery anyway. The new stents have some unknown factors.
Tom is ready to have the AAA surgery done and the worry over. I am ready to agree.
We're resting all day Friday. (I might check in on Frank who is undergoing the torn minuscus routine.)
Pat cooked us steak, corn and baked potatoes for dinner tonight. He's a good kid and has been a pleasure to have around during this stressful time. Thanks for sharing him, Allison.
More soon. Ciao!
Tom came thru with flying colors. The doctors actually performed a double-arterialgram, one down each leg. In the right hip, they implanted a stent in an aneurysm and the left leg was clear. Dr. Cook (Cookie) says this was all in preparation for the "inevitable" (my term) surgery to correct the two Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA). Tom plans to go ahead with that surgery in the next 10 days or so (to heck with the dove hunting; with all the rain and lightning in E. Wash, all the doves have migrated to Mexico anyway).
After the surgery, he'll have a 5 to 6 day hospital stay and quite probably a couple weeks in rehab. The rehab is for our peace of mind. He would have 24 hour nursing care and experts at getting patients of Tom's anatomy out of bed, and up and moving. I might not be able to do it and I would worry myself sick 24-hours a day!
The aorta lies near the spine. Dr. Cook would have to go thru "lots of tissue", move all Tom's innards aside, and then repair the aorta. The surgery would take 2 to 2-1/2 hours during which the aortic blood flow to the legs would be shut off. With the good flow Tom now has via the new stent, he shouldn't have any problems in that arena.
Dr. Cook pretty much ruled out the stents in Tom's AAA case because of his "stature". He also believes the currently used stents would leak. The new stents, not yet FDA approved, might last 2-3 years (no history) and then require the surgery anyway. The new stents have some unknown factors.
Tom is ready to have the AAA surgery done and the worry over. I am ready to agree.
We're resting all day Friday. (I might check in on Frank who is undergoing the torn minuscus routine.)
Pat cooked us steak, corn and baked potatoes for dinner tonight. He's a good kid and has been a pleasure to have around during this stressful time. Thanks for sharing him, Allison.
More soon. Ciao!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Wednesday Wait
Pat is on his way over to stay a day or two. He doesn't know it but Tom has plans to haul him to the hardware store, purchase new inner workings of our toilet, and have Pat help him replace same. Also, the boys have some plans for table games this afternoon.
So we're waiting for Pat to arrive, then we'll spend the rest of the day waiting and trying to forget Tom's angiogram tomorrow morning. He reports in at 8 AM, Colby Campus, to get the results of his "aortic run-off" test. This is in preparation for the big-time aneurysm surgery that will follow but is as yet unscheduled. The look at the run-off is to make sure the limbs have good blood flow to support themselves somewhat during the surgery. ??? We think....
The weather finally cooling has ended the "Watts Riot" effect on the household. It was just too d.... hot!!! Now it's relatively warm for all the wind and clouds. The wind is out of the south, southeast and pointing the flag towards Marilyn's house. Usually the flag points straight down the beach. Or in a Norther, straight out to sea!! This is rather strange. Whitecaps and 68 degrees with a steady wind and rain sprinkles.
All the neighbors took their boats in off the buoys last night and stored them on dry land. Also, all the umbrellas are stored and the plants have been taken down and sheltered against the wall. This is what we do when winter arrives!!
And, with all the lightning a few days ago, and it's raining in E. Wash today, Tom thinks the doves have "flown the coop" and are probably halfway to Mexico by now. Well, the trip is fun anyway.
Oh, and Larry called last night. He sounded good, said he feels good and that the procedure on his pacemaker/defibrilator went well. He is scheduled to go home this morning.
With any luck, Tom will also get to go home tomorrow night following his procedure tomorrow morning. I'll try to keep you posted. Pat will be sitting watch with me.
So we're waiting for Pat to arrive, then we'll spend the rest of the day waiting and trying to forget Tom's angiogram tomorrow morning. He reports in at 8 AM, Colby Campus, to get the results of his "aortic run-off" test. This is in preparation for the big-time aneurysm surgery that will follow but is as yet unscheduled. The look at the run-off is to make sure the limbs have good blood flow to support themselves somewhat during the surgery. ??? We think....
The weather finally cooling has ended the "Watts Riot" effect on the household. It was just too d.... hot!!! Now it's relatively warm for all the wind and clouds. The wind is out of the south, southeast and pointing the flag towards Marilyn's house. Usually the flag points straight down the beach. Or in a Norther, straight out to sea!! This is rather strange. Whitecaps and 68 degrees with a steady wind and rain sprinkles.
All the neighbors took their boats in off the buoys last night and stored them on dry land. Also, all the umbrellas are stored and the plants have been taken down and sheltered against the wall. This is what we do when winter arrives!!
And, with all the lightning a few days ago, and it's raining in E. Wash today, Tom thinks the doves have "flown the coop" and are probably halfway to Mexico by now. Well, the trip is fun anyway.
Oh, and Larry called last night. He sounded good, said he feels good and that the procedure on his pacemaker/defibrilator went well. He is scheduled to go home this morning.
With any luck, Tom will also get to go home tomorrow night following his procedure tomorrow morning. I'll try to keep you posted. Pat will be sitting watch with me.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday Meanderings
We just watched the Mill Creek, Washington, Little League (AKA Northwest Champs) beat Hagerstown, Maryland 15 to 5. It was very exciting after watching Mill Crk lose last Friday to St. Charles, Louisiana. Congrats, Mill Creek!!
And I checked my email to read a 4 AM post from Sandy that Larry is back in the hospital due to heart fibrilation and Ilwaco's Hospital not being able to stabilize him.
At 11:30 this am, we talked with Larry on his cell. He is stable at the moment and was due to leave Ilwaco at noon and be transported south to Portland's Good Samaritan Hospital. He thinks they will change his meds to find "the One" that will steady his heartbeat. He doesn't like being shocked, I don't think....
Tom is making minestrone soup today, Monday, with the leftover steaks from the Lindstrom's visit (we went to the Majestic Cafe and ate on the patio instead of cooking at home, way too hot). Tom thinks the liver and onions at the Majestic is the best made ever, and boy their cabernet and protected patio sure are nice!!
Saturday we went to the Everett Waterfront celebration called "Fresh Paint". Local artists working with fused glass, and some painters, and glass blowers from the Seattle Art Museum giving demonstrations. There was a gal there using recylcled glass to make jewelry. The lime green earrings would have been perfect for a gift to send to Chiara next month when V, F, MJ and C go to Europe but they were waaaayy too expensive.
The temperature before noon was about 85 at the waterfront. Tom sat in the shade and watched the glassblowers. We both sat in the shade at Anthony's and had chowder in a bread bowl with shrimp Caesar. Nummy!! Oh, and did I mention the cabernet???!!!
It's raining and the pressure of the heat is off. How refreshing!!
I just talked to V and the girls; they're south of Chehalis on their way to Corvalis and it's dry. The girls remembered their geedunk stashes so they won't starve at camp! And yesterday MJ had a good time at hempfest and at friend Madeline's brother's band's session at Yesler and Western (whatever was happening there). Chloe claims to have it all together for camp and Europe!
Oh, to be so self-assured!!
And I checked my email to read a 4 AM post from Sandy that Larry is back in the hospital due to heart fibrilation and Ilwaco's Hospital not being able to stabilize him.
At 11:30 this am, we talked with Larry on his cell. He is stable at the moment and was due to leave Ilwaco at noon and be transported south to Portland's Good Samaritan Hospital. He thinks they will change his meds to find "the One" that will steady his heartbeat. He doesn't like being shocked, I don't think....
Tom is making minestrone soup today, Monday, with the leftover steaks from the Lindstrom's visit (we went to the Majestic Cafe and ate on the patio instead of cooking at home, way too hot). Tom thinks the liver and onions at the Majestic is the best made ever, and boy their cabernet and protected patio sure are nice!!
Saturday we went to the Everett Waterfront celebration called "Fresh Paint". Local artists working with fused glass, and some painters, and glass blowers from the Seattle Art Museum giving demonstrations. There was a gal there using recylcled glass to make jewelry. The lime green earrings would have been perfect for a gift to send to Chiara next month when V, F, MJ and C go to Europe but they were waaaayy too expensive.
The temperature before noon was about 85 at the waterfront. Tom sat in the shade and watched the glassblowers. We both sat in the shade at Anthony's and had chowder in a bread bowl with shrimp Caesar. Nummy!! Oh, and did I mention the cabernet???!!!
It's raining and the pressure of the heat is off. How refreshing!!
I just talked to V and the girls; they're south of Chehalis on their way to Corvalis and it's dry. The girls remembered their geedunk stashes so they won't starve at camp! And yesterday MJ had a good time at hempfest and at friend Madeline's brother's band's session at Yesler and Western (whatever was happening there). Chloe claims to have it all together for camp and Europe!
Oh, to be so self-assured!!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
And Ten Days Later.....
So.....
The San Diegans went home and we miss them a lot.
MJ and Chloe are leaving for Corvallis and I miss them a lot already.
V is working full time and is very busy. We miss her.
F got home from sailing with Bob. He had a great time, but he has a bum knee and Marty is in the hospital.
T has yet another angiogram on Thursday for the "Aortic Run Off"; all day in the hospital and Friday resting. Allison says Pat will be over.
Chelsea was with us last week, also the Lindstrom's for a day and night. Chelsea went home and we miss her. C & D, M & M were all in Elmer City and we missed them. Chris wrenched his back.
It's almost ten o'clock on Sunday the 17th and we've had lightning and now some big plops of rain. We're supposed to have rain for the next 4 days. Do you think summer's over???
Dove hunting is September 1st. C, M & M go back to school.......
We need a new roof. And few cords of wood!!!
Thanks, Allison, for calling and talking today.......
The San Diegans went home and we miss them a lot.
MJ and Chloe are leaving for Corvallis and I miss them a lot already.
V is working full time and is very busy. We miss her.
F got home from sailing with Bob. He had a great time, but he has a bum knee and Marty is in the hospital.
T has yet another angiogram on Thursday for the "Aortic Run Off"; all day in the hospital and Friday resting. Allison says Pat will be over.
Chelsea was with us last week, also the Lindstrom's for a day and night. Chelsea went home and we miss her. C & D, M & M were all in Elmer City and we missed them. Chris wrenched his back.
It's almost ten o'clock on Sunday the 17th and we've had lightning and now some big plops of rain. We're supposed to have rain for the next 4 days. Do you think summer's over???
Dove hunting is September 1st. C, M & M go back to school.......
We need a new roof. And few cords of wood!!!
Thanks, Allison, for calling and talking today.......
Friday, August 08, 2008
Friday Fill-In #84 and losing Don P.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Friday Fill-Ins #84
1. You know you're old when the restaurant server asks if you want the senior discount! (and I thought 55 was still young!!) (Also see Steph's website at "See the moon"; it hits the nail on the head.)
2. My heart is divided between watching the Seahawks exhibition game tonight and watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics tonight.
3. A phonecall from my grandson and a phonecall from my sister** are what I need RIGHT NOW!
4. I have felt the elation of amazement, I have known the depths of sorrow.
5. Gah, won't these people** ever call me??!!
6. Come and see me as soon as you can!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to Seahawks football and the opening ceremony of the Olympics, tomorrow my plans include thinking of something to do for my sister Chris in New Mexico who just lost her husband and Sunday, I want to enjoy the sunshine and the day, hopefully with a couple granddaughters!
**Christine called to say she is doing all right. Don had pneumonia and blood clots and other problems. After 3 weeks of problems, she called Las Cruces hospice yesterday morning, and Don was gone within 20 minutes. Today, her best friend Carolyn gave her a haircut and brought her food (jumped the fence and beat on the door to get Chris' attention). So Chris is being looked-out for. She doesn't want any company right now; Donovan may go down about the 18th.
Beach Pictures August 2008
A picture of a "group hug" about to happen. I don't remember the day, probably the first night here, with a San Diegan in the back row. C was probably in bed. Where was A?
(Allison was surprised one night when her fellow Reno gamer answered the phone at our house!)
Here's a shot of boy and daughter Veronica with Angelo at water's edge. He loved the water (shower, pools, bay) more than Angelo. Angelo doesn't like the shower but C even stood in the runoff water of a hanging basket after Tom watered it! I have pictures but will email them.
C liked the warm outside shower a lot! The water over his face washed away a lot of sand, keeping the sand out of his eyes.
Another Italian connection: Alessio from Cinque Terra and his lovely bride Katherine. Alessio's family has a restaurant in the resort town of Cinque Terra (where he met Katherine) and after crabbing he cooked us a seafood dish of shrimp, crab and black pasta. He normally makes his own black pasta from scratch with squid ink but bought this pasta from the Metropolitan Market in Seattle. It was a very special dinner, especially when served with steaks from the barbie, green salad, and Italian bread! (Note the "Mangia" sign on the wall behind Alessio.) A memorable meal!!
I didn't get pictures of the great crab hunt in the rain on Thursday but A, L, C, MJ and Tom had a great time until it rained!! And came home with some "big game"! A great dinner of wine, crab, bread, and more wine was enjoyed by all!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Happy August, Everyone!!
Our San Diego visitors made it home safe and sound this afternoon. Their plane was only an hour late and all the rr xing bars were freaking out and down in SD but no trains. So another 45 minutes wasted while drivers learned to maneuver around the bars. Then home at last. A' was extremely happy to have his family back! And boy do I miss them. Wow! The house and beach are sure quiet now.
80 plus degrees today and muggy kinda'. We need wind!!
Pictures at 11!! Well, soon anyway!
80 plus degrees today and muggy kinda'. We need wind!!
Pictures at 11!! Well, soon anyway!
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