Tommy's Birthday

 It is the middle of the night. I am having trouble breathing. My lungs make horrible noises as I breath in and out. The rest of me might be getting well. However, now Tommy is ill. 

I sang Happy Birthday to him after midnight. We are sort of postponing any birthday (71) for him since he will have to go in and collect cake and ice cream. I hope I can find his gifts wherever I put them. 

A therapist called Sunday night wanting to come at 9:30 in the morning. I explained that time would never suit me. And, that the nurse had not visited to enroll me because I was ill. So, he has to call office now. 

Tommy is going to call bath guy who insists on 15 more minutes. Tommy and I are both too ill right now to 'discuss' anything. 

I put the wool blanket back on the bed and have not gotten too hot again. I believe I was running a temp when I awoke soaked. I love the blanket!

Today, we had to cook! BSCB and potatoes were all we managed. I had that and something else. Tommy had the last of the green casserole and the last half of piece of pecan pie. 

If we can get it done, I want to make the bedroom next to living room into a 'gym.' We have several devices we both could use. It is a monumental job, but needed. It maybe be a silly idea and futile, but I intend to try. 

We are struggling but will make it. 

How are things with you?

Wonderful Surprise Gift for Tommy

 My new wool blanket went on the bed last night. It was so cuddly. About 3 am, I awoke in a pool of sweat. It was gross and cold. Thankfully, I slept until 11:30. When I got up, I went to bathroom and then to the living room, while Tommy was puttering in the kitchen. Finally, I asked him if he was getting breakfast. No, he was not.

Do you remember when I said a man he worked with was sending him something? He came and brought. Neither of them woke me with loud guy talking. 

The guy had brough a huge box full of Honey Baked turkey breast and sides--green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, Macaroni and Cheese and a pecan pie. It was all frozen solid as a rock. We had two slices of ham at lunch. 

Finally, around 6 pm, he brought the food and my plate to allow me to get what I desired. I am sure I got less of everything than he would have served me. He is too generous with food, not selfish at all. 

We had taken the frozen puck of pie from the metal pan and heated pie at lunch in the microwave. I took the empty but still clean pan of pie crumbs and filled it for our neighbor. He said, when I called him, "Oh, you don't have to do that." Of course, I did. When Tommy took it out to him, the neighbor said, "I was wondering what I was going to fix for dinner," I forgot to give him pie. I can do that tomorrow. 

This guy gives good gifts to Tommy. He handles Tommy's retirement account. He can work for Tommy forever. The meal we got was worth almost $200. Yes, I checked on the price.

I am cancelling the pecan pie I was going to bake because one is enough for one year. I had told Tommy that next year I wanted a $69 Thanksgiving meal from the grocery. Now, I want a $200 meal from HoneyBaked. 

Earlier. I shopped with a list Tommy made from the ads. I did well at Publix. I did not get some things that were out of stock on bogo. I was so tired and forgot to get a raincheck. I had to go home. 

It is now night. Even though I was too hot last night, I will put the wool blanket back on tonight.  I think the problem is I did not take off the smaller wool blanket. Plus, the sheets are cotton and do not breathe. If I had wool sheets, I would be better off for cooling and heating. 

I saw the lymph specialist on Tuesday. On Wednesday someone called me about getting help at home to put the legs on. Today, two people called Now, I have an appointment for assessment at home. Then, by Monday, someone should start. This moved quickly. 

It is thrilling to know I don't have to cook for at least three days, and there will be sandwich meat for another two after that unless we have a turkey sandwich for next two lunches. We could happily do that.

Tomorrow, I get my first haircut since 2018 or early 2019! Hallelujah!

I have had HoneyBaked turkey sandwiches, HoneyBaked turkey at other's houses, but I have never had a whole meal like the one Tommy received. Have you had HoneyBaked ham or turkey?

Do you like sleeping under wool blankets?

Packages on the Porch

 Today was my second visit to lymphedema specialist from the vein clinic. I kept questioning where we were going. Tommy kept explaining. Finally, he said, "Watch for the blue railing." \

"Noooo, wrong place." He was going to the wrong place, so he turned around. I thought what if he is right. So, I asked him to pull over while I checked at the dr office. Yes, I was right. We had a good laugh and got there ten minutes before appointment. 

My favorite person ever to answer the telephone answered! Once, after multiple tried and people who were no help, she answered to phone and took care of everything with no stress to her or me. 

Two people came to get me in with a wheelchair. The woman kept grabbing me and she kept saying, "I'm just trying to help you!" When I am being nudged forward, I keep getting off balance. She could not seem to understand. The guy kept sticking up for her. I got inside, was left by the door with no idea how I was to communicate. Little did I know that the annoying woman had told the proper person.

Eventually, I was taken to check in. Gloriously sweet woman helped me. 

Then, a grumpy-faced woman looked out the doors and beckoned to me. The nice woman who checked me in, told her to come get me. 

As we went down the hall, she roughly interrogated me--how did you get here, how did you get out of the house, how did you get into car? I walked down the ramp as I held onto it, took one step to car, and got in. 

"Why don't you push yourself?" Because both rotator cuffs are torn plus one muscle across my left chest, and both hands have suffered a great injury, and I have carpal tunnel. That seemed to incense her. She said in an even meaner voice that--don't you know that the longer you do not do something, the less you can do it. I did not say a word. Please don't tell me she is right or explain it to me.

She snatched the wheelchair around and started to take blood pressure and pulse. I told her I imagine my pulse would be higher than usual. "I am not calm, and you keep asking me to talk." She said she would wait a bit and kept talking. So, she let up for 30 seconds and started again. 

She seemed to want to challenge me about every medicine I take and even named some I took 20 years ago. Dealing with her was very stressful. She may have been angry that she, a professional, had to be a wheelchair pusher. 

Finally, the vein specialist came in. She is unfailingly sweet. She straightened up some things I needed to know. Her patience is endless. She is the person who had something torn in her knee and on crutches. I told her how Tommy did not want to and did not like to put the legs on me. She said she could get me a home health nurse or someone to come three times a week but not seven. That is three days Tommy won't have to struggle.

The same guy and another woman pushed me out. I know how I can get from chair, but these helpers seem to think slammed against the car door is the way to do it. But, I tried my best to overcome their help. They were still nice. 

Tommy wanted to get Chic fil A, so we did. That is the best flavor! We stop by a Vet Motel. Sometimes we see dogs in a big fence. That's fun. 

As the day wore on the brilliantly sunny skies changed to thick clouds. Finally, near dark the clouds were thick and black although no rain is predicted until tonight. 

We collected all three store ads. 

On the porch were packages. One was the wool blanket. I was disappointed it was rather thin and like a waffle design. We will see. Tonight, will be low 20's, so this will be a test. It is king size and will cover me better than the twin size will. 

Then, there were the extender seat belts. The seat fits just fine, but we have to dig out the part in center of car. Now, I can reach it with my injured hand and maybe push it together. I hope it is safe.

Finally, something that came that I declared I would never use. Only the ground wire carries a current. One will be surprised. 

I asked the vein specialist who said it would be great for me, that she uses one, too.

Today was a good day before and after I was with grumpy nurse. 

Do you ever use the seat belts that extend the seat?

Do you use a grounding mat? What size? Does it work?

 

A Few Things

 When the second guy was here, he was very insecure. He wanted to close the deal, that's all. I asked him the measurements of the teak bench attached to the wall. He held up his hands, measuring out a an indeterminate length and width. I spoke up and said, "That is not a measurement. How about giving me inches instead of an estimate. That showed me a real lack of professionalism. 

Him suggesting that they put in shower and we hire a handyman to tear out the tile and put in sheetrock annoyed me. Instead of putting in a block to make grab sturdier, he did a wag of his head, demeaning me say that they would attach it to a 2x4 as though I had never heard of a 2x4. The right way is to add something sturdier than one board. 

I talked to a young woman who works for a church, asking if she could find someone I could pay to help me. I did not want her to think I was just looking for free help. She asked what kind of help. Tommy said picking things up! So, maybe I will get help soon.

It is so cold! My blanket comes tomorrow. I wish I could use it instead of washing it first. We will be gone tomorrow, so I will get neighbor to rescue it from the porch. I don't want it stolen. 

Tommy walked past me and I noticed a tag on the bottom of his tshirt, two tags. Now, I have never seen a tag on te bottom of a t-shirt. It is white and V-necked. So, I had him take it off for me to examine. It is a Brooks Brothers t-shirt. I wonder if they still use tags at the bottom of their shirts. Someday, I will investigate this. Have you ever seen a t-shirt with a tag at the bottom? Tommy said the shirt is at least 30 years old.

Time for leg therapy. It really hurts when it is happening. But, it makes my legs feel better and less tight.