"WHY DON'T WE GET A COUPLE OF THOSE"?

WE WERE WATCHING A COMMERCIAL FOR A NEW DIABETES MONITOR AT THE TIME.  SO I TOLD MIKE "WHY DO YOU WANT TO GET THOSE-THEY ARE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUGAR DIABETES".  HE SAID "DO I HAVE THAT"?  I SAID "NO".  HE SAID "WELL THEY ARE FREE YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO GET A COUPLE"?  LATELY MIKE WOULD RATHER WATCH THOSE LONG LASTING INFOMERCIALS THAN EVEN A BALL GAME.  I THINK IT'S PROBABLE BECAUSE THE WAY THEY EXPLAIN THINGS AND THE SHOW YOU EXACTLY HOW TO USE (WHAT EVER IT IS THAT THEY ARE SELLING) MAKES HIM WANT ONE (WHETHER WE NEED IT OR NOT)!!!  LAST NIGHT HE WAS WATCHING A BASKET BALL GAME FOR ALL OF 10 MIN. WHEN HE TURNED OFF THE T.V..  I ASKED HIM IF IT WASN'T A GOOD GAME, BUT THEN HE STARTED WITH HIS MUMBO JUMBO ABOUT "YOU SEE IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, THERE ARE I THINK 12 PLAYERS ON EACH TEAM AND THEY JUST RUN BACK AND FORTH-IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHO WINNING".  I TOLD MIKE THAT IS WHY YOU HAVE TO WAIT TILL THE END OF THE GAME WHEN ALL THE RUNNING AROUND IS OVER AND THEY HAVE A WINNER.  THEN HE SAID "I'D RATHER JUST GO TO BED". AND THAT WAS THE END OF THAT CONVERSATION.  ONCE WE WERE IN BED, MIKE STARTED ASKING 20 QUESTIONS ABOUT FELINA.  "IS SHE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL?" THEN "WHEN IS JAKKI GOING TO HAVE HER BABY'? AND SO ON.  MIKE HAS ALWAYS LOVED TO TALK IN BED.  HE WOULD TELL ME HOW HIS DAY WENT, THINGS HE WANTED TO DO FOR THE KIDS, AND SO ON.  THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I COULD UNDERSTAND HIM BACK THEN. NOW I HAVE TO KEEP SAYING  "WHAT", OR "HONEY SAY THAT AGAIN A LITTLE SLOWER".  HE IS STILL TRYING TO DO STUFF AROUND THE HOUSE, AND I LET HIM, AS I WANT HIM TO FEEL USEFUL.  WELL, I SURE DO HOPE THEY WILL LET FELINA OUT OF THE HOSPITAL TODAY, I WILL GIVE HER A CALL AND CHECK ON HER NOW.  OH BOY!  SHE JUST HAD THAT EEG DONE ON HER BRAIN, AND SHE WAS TELLING ME ALL ABOUT THAT.  SHE CAN MAKE EVEN THE WORST SITUATION LAUGHABLE.  SHE WAS TELLING ME THAT THEY PUT THIS PEANUT BUTTER LIKE STUFF ALL OVER HER SCALP AFTER SCRATCHING EACH SPOT FIRST.  THEY THEY PUT ON THE ELECTRODES.  SHE SAID HER HAIR HAS NEVER FELT SO YUCKY OR LOOKED SO BAD.  SHE CAN'T WAIT TO RID HERSELF OF ALL OF IT, BUT SHE HAS TO WAIT-I GUESS TO SEE IF THE TEST CAME OUT OK.  IF NOT, THEY WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN.  ANY HOW SHE WILL CALL ME BACK SHORTLY, AND LET ME KNOW WHEN MIKE AND I CAN GO VISIT.  BTW, MIKE WAS EAGER TO USE HIS WHEEL CHAIR YESTERDAY WHEN WE WENT TO VISIT FELINA.  IT'S A LONG WALK TO HER ROOM AND EVEN FROM THE PARKING AREA TO THE ROOM, SO I'M SURE THAT IS WHY HE DID NOT RESIST ME.  YESTERDAY HE NEARLY FELL TWICE ON THE WAY TO HER ROOM, AND HE KEPT BLAMING HIS SHOES.  "THERE'S SOMETHING THE MATTER WITH MY SHOE" HE SAID, "IT KEEPS WANTING TO TRIP ME".  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT-MIKE HAS A PAIR OF WICKED SHOES??  SHAME ON THEM FOR TRYING TO TRIP UP A SR. CITIZEN LIKE THAT!!  HOPE YOU WILL HAVE NUMEROUS BLESSING THIS DAY AND THAT YOU WILL STAY SAFE OVER THE WEEK END-TILL MONDAY-JUST ME

FROM ALZHEIMER'S TO CANCER

I WAS JUST THINKING THAT LATELY ALL MY FOCUS HAS BEEN ON MIKE'S BONE CANCER.  I SOMETIMES EVEN FORGET ABOUT THE ALZHEIMER'S WHICH IS WHY I STARTED THIS BLOG IN THE FIRST PLACE.  IT IS SO AMAZING TO ME HOW LIFE AND OUR CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT.  THIS PAST YEAR HAS BROUGHT ABOUT MANY CHANGES IN MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY.  AT THE BEGINNING WE WERE ALL FOCUSED ON HOW TO HELP MIKE KEEP WHAT MEMORIES HE STILL HAS, AND FIND A WAY TO HELP HIM FROM GETTING ANY WORSE.  WE TRIED TWO OR THREE CLINICAL STUDIES, AND EVEN ACUPUNCTURE!!  ALL TO NO AVAIL.  HE IS STILL SLIPPING AWAY, BUT I MUST SAY TO THE UNTRAINED EYE-HE WOULD ALMOST SEEM NORMAL.  AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST FEW MINUTES WITH THEM.  ONCE HE STARTS REPEATING THE SAME QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER AGAIN-THEY FIGURE IT OUT.  MIKE IS STILL IN BED SLEEPING.  WE BOTH SLEPT GOOD LAST NIGHT (THANKS TO LUNESTA)!!  I THINK EVERY BONE IN MY BODY WAS HURTING LAST NIGHT, AND I JUST REALLY NEEDED A GOOD NIGHTS REST.  MASSEY IS COMING AGAIN TO TREAT THE HOUSE AND YARD.  NOT BECAUSE WE ARE STILL HAVING ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TICKS (THANK JEHOVAH), THOSE LITTLE BLOOD SUCKERS ALMOST DID ME IN.  I THINK I WOULD HAVE MOVED OUT IF THEY DID NOT GET RID OF THOSE TINY CREATURES.  I WAS CALLING THEM "THE BLACK PLAGUE!!  THAT IS ONE QUESTION I HOPE TO GET AN ANSWER TO IN THE NEW SYSTEM-WHAT IN THIS WORLD ARE TICKS GOOD FOR??? ANY HOW, JUST GOT AN UPDATE FROM OUR DAUGHTER FELINA WHO IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL.  SHE SOUNDS GOOD, BUT THEY ARE STILL RUNNING SOME MORE TEST ON HER TODAY-ONE IS AN MRI, AND I'M NOT SURE OF THE OTHER TWO.  SHE IS SURE HOPING THEY ALL COME BACK CLEAR SO SHE CAN GET OUT OF THERE TODAY.  I THINK WE ALL  KNOW HOW MUCH FUN IT'S NOT  BEING IN THE HOSPITAL!! ANY HOW, HER APPATITE SEEMS TO BE DOING WELL, SHE ASKED ME TO MAKE HER SOME OF MY NAVY BEAN SOUP WITH THE HAM HOCKS IN IT. SO, I THINK I NEED TO GET DRESSED AS I HAVE MUCH TO DO BEFORE THE PEOPLE FROM MASSEY GET HERE.  HOPEFULLY YOUR DAY WILL BE WORRY FREE. TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

I ASKED MIKE "ARE YOU UP AND ADAM"?

TO WHICH MIKE SAID "I DON'T EVEN KNOW ADAM".  THEN HE SAID "ARE YOU UP AND ADAM"? I TOLD HIM I HAVEN'T SEEN ADAM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, BUT I DO SEE UP EVERY DAY.  IT TOOK MIKE A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO SEE THAT I WAS MAKING A FUNNY, AND THEN HE WENT "HEE HEE HEE".  THEN WE BOTH LAUGHED.  LAUGHTER IS OUR BEST MEDICINE.  MIKE STILL HAS SUCH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR, THAT IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM.  OK, I'LL SAY THE OTHER REASONS.  ONE, HIS HANDS-THE MAN HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MANLY HANDS I HAVE EVER SEEN. TWO, WAS HIS MIND.  HE WAS ONE OF THE SMARTEST MEN I HAVE EVER KNOWN. AND LASTLY, HIS SENSE OF HUMOR, WHICH IS KINDA DRY, BUT VERY WITTY AND FUNNY.  HE USE TO BE QUITE STUBBORN, HE SAYS THAT IS THE IRISH IN HIM.  NOW HE HAS MELLOWED SO MUCH-HE IS A PLEASURE TO BE AROUND.  ON A DIFFERENT NOTE, OUR OLDEST DAUGHTER (FELINA) WAS TAKEN TO THE E.R. YESTERDAY BECAUSE SHE FAINTED (TWICE) WHILE TAKING A SHOWER.  SHE HAS QUITE A BIT OF BRUISING AND SHE WILL HAVE A BLACK EYE, AS SHE HIT AND SCRAPED HER NOSE PRETTY BAD.  SHE ALSO HAD A FEVER OF 102, SO THEY ARE KEEPING HER AGAIN TODAY TO RUN MORE TEST.  MY SON IN LAW (MIKE B.) WHO ALSO HAS A FANTASTIC SENSE OF HUMOR ASKED HER AFTER THEY DID THE BRAIN SCAN, IF THEY FOUND ANY LOOSE SCREWS.  SHE SAID THAT THEY WERE ALL LOOSE.  THEN HE TOLD HER "YOU KNOW THEY WEREN'T LOOKING FOR CATS RIGHT"?  THAT TOOK ME A SECOND TO GET.  ANY HOW, TODAY MIKES NURSE FROM HOSPICE WILL BE HERE, AND HE IS STILL IN BED SLEEPING.  I AM HAVING MORE AND MORE TROUBLE DOING THAT LATELY.  MY SISTER VICKIE WHO JUST WENT THROUGH WHAT I AM NOW GOING THROUGH SAID THAT WAS NORMAL.  I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO TURN OF MY BRAIN WHEN I GO TO BED.  I KEEP LOOKING AT THE CLOCK TELLING MYSELF HOW MANY HOURS I HAVE LEFT BEFORE IT IS MORNING AND I HAVE TO GET UP AND FEED THE DOGS.  IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS-IT'S NOT EVEN WORTH MENTIONING.  WELL, IT IS A LITTLE CHILLY HERE THIS MORNING-49% OUTSIDE.  HOPE IT IS WARM AND COZY WHERE YOU ARE-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

"I DON'T THINK ANY BODY WON"

I WAS ASKING MIKE ABOUT THE MAGIC GAME THAT HE WATCHED LAST NIGHT.  HE DID NOT KNOW WHO WON, AND THEN HE TRIED TO TELL ME HOW THEY PLAY THE GAME.  HE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT 5 HERE AND THEN THEY RUN AROUND A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN HE ASKED ME "DID ANY OF THAT MAKE SENSE"?  I COULDN'T HELP BUT GIGGLE AND SAY "NO".  I THINK HE MAY UNDERSTAND NOW THAT MUCH OF WHAT HE SAYS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE, BUT I DON'T THINK HE GETS UPSET ABOUT IT.  WE USUALLY JUST LAUGH IT OFF, AND THEN IT'S FORGOTTEN.  HE IS STILL IN BED, BUT NOT FOR LONG, AS PRESLEY HAS BEEN BARKING AT ALL THE PEOPLE WALKING BY OUR HOUSE.  WHEN I CORRECT HIM, HE STARTS WHINING WHICH IS ALMOST AS BAD AS THE BARKING (MAYBE WORSE).  MIKE DID NOT EAT VERY MUCH AGAIN LAST NIGHT FOR DINNER.  I GAVE HIM TWO LITTLE BUNS WITH TWO SMALL MEATBALLS IN EACH WITH A LITTLE BIT OF SPINACH CASSEROLE AND A MINI CUP CAKE.  HE ONLY ATE ONE OF THE LITTLE BUNS, A BITE OF THE SPINACH CASSEROLE AND THE MINI CUP CAKE.  HE IS ALSO SLEEPING MORE.  HE SEEMS TO FALL ASLEEP THE MINUTE HE SITS DOWN.  YESTERDAY RIGHT AFTER HE ATE BREAKFAST HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO GO PUT ON HIS SHOES, AND WHEN I WENT INTO THE BED ROOM TO CHECK ON HIM, HE SAID I THINK I WILL LAY DOWN FOR A WHILE.  HE SLEPT TILL AROUND 1PM, WHEN I GOT HIM UP AND TOLD HIM HE NEEDED TO COME HAVE SOME LUNCH.  HE SEEMS TO HAVE NO INTEREST IN FOOD LATELY.  HE WILL TAKE A COUPLE BITES, AND THEN LEAVE THE TABLE TO GO DO SOME THING LIKE PICK UP THE DOGS BOWLS AND PUT THEM IN THE DISHWASHER.  I REMIND HIM THAT HIS FOOD IS GETTING COLD, AND HE WILL SAY  "WHAT'S THE RUSH"?  "I'LL EAT IT LATER", BUT THEN DOESN'T.  WELL, HE IS UP NOW, SO MY DAY BEGINS.  HOPE YOURS IS FILLED WITH HAPPINESS-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

"IT'S $12,000 DOLLARS IN OHIO"!!

IT TOOK ME A WHILE, BUT I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT MIKE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER (HE MEANT 12 degrees).  HE IS SAYING MORE AND MORE THINGS THAT MAKE NO SENSE (AT LEAST TO ME).  PRISKA & PRESLEY WERE PLAYING WITH ONE OF THEIR STUFFED ANIMAL TOYS, AND MIKE MADE THEM STOP.  HE ASKED ME "WAS THIS DOG ALIVE BEFORE"? I COULD HARDLY BELIEVE MY EARS-AND TO TOP IT ALL, IT WAS A LITTLE PIG PUPPET.  MIKE WANTS TO GO TO BED EARLIER AND EARLIER-AS SOON AS IT GETS DARK, WHICH AROUND HERE IS ABOUT 6PM.  THAT WOULD BE OK IF HE WOULD GO TO BED BY HIM SELF, BUT HE WANTS ME IN BED WITH HIM.  HE SEEMS TO BE FORGETTING WHAT HIS NIGHT TIME FOLEY IS OR DOES, AS NOW HE ASKS ME "WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO WITH THIS"?  I NOW HAVE TO ATTACH IT FOR HIM AS HE SEEMS TO BE CONFUSED AS TO HOW THE THING WORKS.  YESTERDAY WE BOTH WANTED TO MAKE THE MORNING MEETING, BUT WE WOUND UP LISTENING IN ON THE PHONE.  IT IS JUST SO HARD FOR ME TO GET EVERYTHING DONE BY 9AM OR SO-THE TIME WE NEED TO LEAVE FOR OUR MEETING.  NEXT SUNDAY WE WILL START MEETING AT NOON THIRTY, SO THAT WILL MAKE OUR LIVES SO MUCH EASIER.  I FEEL SURE WE CAN START MAKING THE SUNDAY MEETINGS AGAIN.  THE WEEK END WAS NICE, MIKE WATCHED A LOT OF BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL, BUT COULD NOT REMEMBER WHO WAS PLAYING WHEN I ASKED HIM.  I THINK HE JUST WATCHES NOW OUT OF HABIT.  I'M NOT SURE HE GETS MUCH OUT OF THE GAMES ANY MORE, OR EVEN UNDERSTANDS WHAT IS GOING ON.  I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT MIKE CONTINUES TO BE HAPPY EACH DAY, AND ALWAYS ASK IF I AM HAPPY TOO.  HE WANTS TO HELP, WHICH IS SO NICE, BUT I HATE REACHING FOR A GLASS OR A PLATE THAT IS DIRTY AND MIKE HAS PUT AWAY.  HE SOMETIMES WILL LOOK AT A GLASS AND SAY "THAT LOOKS CLEAN" AND WILL PUT IT AWAY.  I TRY AND TELL HIM THAT IF ONE THING IS DIRTY IN THE DISHWASHER-EVERYTHING IS DIRTY AND NEEDS WASHING.  BUT IT IS NOT WORTH UPSETTING HIM OVER, SO I CHECK THE DISHES, AND PUT THEM BACK IN THE DISHWASHER WHERE THEY BELONG.  WELL, IT'S TIME FOR BREAKFAST, MIKE IS UP AND FED, AS ARE THE DOGIES, SO I GUESS IT IS MY TURN.  HOPE YOUR WEEK IS WAS PEACEFUL & SAFE-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

RUDE AWAKENING!!

I WAS DETERMINED TO GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP AFTER THE FIASCO YESTERDAY WITH MY DOG BARKING ALL NIGHT.  I SHUT THE DOOR TO OUR BED ROOM SO THAT PRESLEY COULD NOT ESCAPE DURING THE NIGHT FOR MORE OF HIS SHENANIGANS!!  I ALSO USED A DOOR STOPPER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR, AS PRESLEY IS PRETTY SMART, AND I WANTED TO MAKE DOUBLE SURE HE COULD NOT GET OUT OF OUR ROOM.  EARLY THIS MORNING MIKE DECIDED TO SNEAK OUT OF OUR BED ROOM WHILE I WAS STILL ASLEEP.  I GUESS MAYBE HE AND PRESLEY HAD PLANS.  ANY HOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN I AM WIDE AWAKE FROM THE BLAST OF NOISE COMING FROM THE DOOR STOPPER.  EEEEEKKKKKKKKKK !!!! YES, IT IS ONE OF THOSE THAT IS SUPPOSE TO FRIGHTEN BURGLARS, NOT ME!!!  NATURALLY MIKE COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS MUCH LESS HOW TO TURN IT OFF.  SO NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO GET UP OUT OF MY WARM COVERS, AND SHUT THE BLANK THING OFF.  NOW I AM UP DRINKING SOME OF MY DELICIOUS CAFE' CON LECHE' AND POSTING TO MY BLOG..  AT LEAST MY COFFEE IS GOOD SO FAR TODAY.  MIKE IS OUTSIDE ON THE BACK PORCH, JUST ENJOYING THE VIEW.  HE DOES THAT A LOT LATELY. MIKE HAS BEEN GIVING ME A HARD TIME LATELY ABOUT USING HIS CANE-HE KEEPS SAYING HE CAN WALK WITH OUT IT.  ALSO I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN HIM TO USE HIS WHEEL CHAIR ONCE SINCE HOSPICE BROUGHT OVER THE NEW ONE.  HE HAS JUST BEEN SO INDEPENDENT ALL HIS LIFE, THAT I THINK IT IS HARD FOR HIM TO REALIZE HE IS NOT SUPER MAN, AND HE HAS LIMITATIONS (LIKE ALL THE REST OF US MORTALS).  HE REMAINS IN A GOOD FRAME OF MIND, AND IS HAPPY EVERY DAY JUST TO WAKE UP TO ONE MORE BEAUTIFUL DAY.  WELL I THINK MY NERVES HAVE SETTLED DOWN NOW, AND I NEED TO FED MIKE, THE DOGS, AND THEN ME.  HOPE ALL YOUR NOISES ARE QUIET ONES!! TILL MONDAY-JUST ME

NO SLEEP LAST NIGHT-THIS TIME IT WAS PRESLEYS FAULT!!

FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON PRESLEY DECIDED TO BARK HIS HEAD OFF LAST NIGHT.  I REALLY FELT SORRY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, SO I KEPT YELLING AT HIM TO COME TO BED.  HE WOULD OBEY TILL I WOULD FALL BACK TO SLEEP ONLY TO WAKE UP TO HIM BARKING AGAIN..  IF HE HAD NOT ALREADY BEEN NEUTERED, I THINK I WOULD HAVE DONE THE JOB MYSELF LAST NIGHT!!!  ANY HOW, TODAY MASSEY IS COMING TO SPRAY AGAIN, AND WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN THE DOGS TO THE GROOMERS.  WE HAVE PLANS TO DO A FEW ERRANDS WITH MY SISTER VICKIE TODAY, BUT THAT IS ABOUT IT.  WHEN WE ARE ALLOWED TO COME BACK INTO OUR HOME, THERE IS MUCH TO DO.  I HAVE TO SWEEP AND MOP ALL THE FLOORS, AND PUT ALL THE FURNITURE BACK, PUT ALL THE PILLOWS IN THE DRYER, DO SOME LOADS OF CLOTHES, ETC. ETC... I KNOW AFTER THAT I WILL BE POOPED, SO I WILL MOST LIKELY TAKE A NICE HOT SHOWER AND REST FOR AN HOUR OR SO, AS MY MEETING IS TONIGHT.  MIKE GOT TO WATCH THE MAGIC GAME LAST NIGHT, AND WAS SO HAPPY BECAUSE THEY WON!! THE HOSPICE NURSE WAS HERE YESTERDAY, AND SAID ALL HIS VITAL SIGNS ARE GOOD.  THEY MADE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH MEDS. TO CARRY US THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS, AND THEN LEFT.  HE SEEMS TO LIKE OUR NURSE (PEGGY), AND STILL HAS NO IDEA THAT SHE IS A HOSPICE NURSE.  HIS MEMORY IS NOT DOING REAL WELL, AS HE THOUGHT JAKKI (OUR GRAND DAUGHTER) WAS GOING TO GET MARRIED (SHE HAS BEEN MARRIED FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW AND IN FACT IS EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD).  WHEN I TOLD MIKE THAT THEY WERE ALREADY MARRIED AND I SHOWED HIM THE LARGE PICTURE WE HAVE OF THEM IN THE LIVING ROOM-MIKE SAID "WHY DIDN'T WE GO"?  SO SAD THAT SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES I HAVE ARE LOST TO HIM.  WELL, MASSEY WILL BE HERE SHORTLY, AND I HAVE STUFF I NEED TO DO BEFORE THEY GET HERE, SO, SO LONG FOR NOW-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

"WHO WAS THAT LADY WE WENT TO SEE"?

LAST NIGHT MIKE ASKED ME THAT.  I WAS A LITTLE TAKEN BACK BECAUSE HE HAS SEEN MY SISTER MELA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE YEARS.  I TOLD HIM THAT SHE WAS MY OLDEST SISTER, AND HE SAID "REALLY"  I DIDN'T KNOW THAT!!  I GUESS IF HE DOES NOT SEE PEOPLE ON A REGULAR BASIS HE MUST FORGET WHO THEY ARE-WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS I AM SURE.  HE SEEM TO HAVE A NICE TIME IN TAMPA-PLAYED A LOT WITH TRACI'S TWO SONS (BOTH SO WELL BEHAVED AND SWEET!), AND HER BEAUTIFUL DOG. HE READ ALL THE SIGNS ON THE ROAD ALL THE WAY THERE AND BACK.  THAT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING HE LIKES TO DO LATELY.  I AM USE TO IT NOW, BUT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS DRIVING IT IS KINDA SCARY THE FIRST TIME HE DOES IT.  HE JUST SHOUTS OUT WHAT EVER THE SIGN SAYS.  TODAY MIKE'S NURSE COMES, AND WE WILL SEE HOW MUCH MORE WEIGHT HE HAS LOST.  HE IS NOT EATING AS MUCH AS HE USE TO, AND I AM TOLD THAT IS NATURAL, BUT IT CONCERNS ME.  HE KEEPS TRYING TO FEED HIS FOOD TO THE DOGS WHEN HE THINKS I AM NOT LOOKING.  ONE OF THE FUNNY THINGS MIKE SAID YESTERDAY ON OUR WAY TO TAMPA WAS IN ANSWER TO WHAT "ROSIE" OUR NAVE SYSTEM TOLD US TO DO.  SHE SAID FOR US TO "BARE RIGHT", AND MIKE SAID I DON'T SEE ANY BEARS ON THE RIGHT. HE IS ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE A FUNNY OR MAKE ME SMILE.  THERE JUST ARE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH HIS ILLNESS HAS CHANGED HIM FOR THE BETTER.  IT WILL MAKE HIS PARTING SO MUCH HARDER FOR ME TO BARE.  I KNOW I AM NOT SUPPOSE TO THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE THAT NOW, AND JUST ENJOY EACH DAY WE HAVE.  YET WHEN MIKE MAKES COMMENTS LIKE "IT'S GREAT TO BE ALIVE" LIKE HE SAID YESTERDAY, I CAN'T HELP BUT GO THERE!!  WELL, I NEED TO GET SOMETHING FOR BREAKFAST-I ALREADY FED MIKE AND THE DOGS, SO I GUESS IT IS MY TURN.  HAVE A BLESSED DAY, AND REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR MAKER-JUST ME

ROAD TRIP!!

THIS MORNING WE ARE HEADED TO TAMPA.  MY OLDEST SISTER (AMELIA) IS IN TOWN FOR A FEW DAYS.  SADLY IT HAS BEEN A COUPLE YEARS SINCE WE'VE SEEN HER, AS SHE LIVES IN WYOMING (BURR!!!).  ANY HOW MY SISTER VICKIE, MIKE, AND I WILL BE HEADED TO TAMPA AROUND 9 THIS MORNING.  THAT MEANS I MUST GET OFF MY COMPUTER, AND GET MIKE DRESSED AND FED, AND THEN DO THE SAME FOR ME.  THE DOGS GET FED FIRST!!  ONE THING I KEEP FORGETTING TO DO IS TO SAY "THANK YOU" TO ALL OF YOU WHO TOOK THE TIME TO RESIGN UP AS ONE OF MY FOLLOWERS.  THAT WAS VERY NICE, AND MUCH APPRECIATED.  I WILL WRITE MORE TOMORROW-ALL ABOUT OUR TRIP.  HOPE YOUR DAY IS BETTER THAN YESTERDAY, BUT NOT AS GOOD AS TOMORROW!!  JUST ME

HERE ARE A FEW FUNNIES MIKE SAID BEFORE FALLING ASLEEP

FIRST HE ASKED ME IF ALL THE GIRLS WERE IN OUR POOL (FYI-WE DON'T HAVE A POOL).  THEN HE ASKED IF I HAD MOVED MY TAIL.  I SAID "YES" TO WHICH HE REPLIED "WHERE"?  I TOLD HIM ALL AROUND THE HOUSE!!  NEXT HE SAID HE HEARD THEY WERE GIVING MILK AWAY. SO I SAID "WHO". TO WHICH MIKE ANSWERED " TO WHO EVER WANTS IT I GUESS".  I'M BEGINNING TO THINK IT IS THE DRUGS SPEAKING, ALTHOUGH MIKE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FUNNY (DRY SENSE OF HUMOR).  I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE OTHER DAY, BUT HE WOULD NOT ACCEPT WHAT I SAID.  SO OUT OF DESPERATION, I SAID MIKE I AM A MEMBER OF THE TRUTH, YOU KNOW I CAN NOT TELL A LIE. WITHOUT BLINKING AN EYE, HE BOUNCES BACK WITH "SO HOW DO YOU GET INTO BED"?  TOO FUNNY!!! MIKE IS STILL IN BED, BUT I HAVE BEEN UP FOR A WHILE.  I FED THE DOGS, BROUGHT IN THE NEWS PAPER FOR HIM, AND AM NOW ENJOYING MY CUP OF CAFE' CON LECHE'.  IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO FULLY WAKE UP FOR ME, AND GET ME GOING.  OTHER WISE I WOULD JUST STAY IN BED WITH MIKE TILL HE FEELS LIKE GETTING UP.  OF COURSE FOR ME TO DO THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE OUR TWO DOGS AWAY, AS THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS.  THEY KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME FOR BREAKFAST AND WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO OUTSIDE, AND WHEN IT'S TIME FOR DINNER.  THEY HAVE EVEN LEARNED HOW TO SPELL SOME WORDS THEY ARE THE SMARTEST LITTLE DOGS ON THE PLANET.  WE USE TO TAKE THEM FOR WALKS EVERY DAY. ACTUALLY IT WAS MIKE MOST OF THE TIME.  NOW THEY STILL WAIT AT THE BACK DOOR WHEN EVER HE GETS UP FROM EATING BREAKFAST THINKING THAT HE IS GOING TO WALK THEM.  MIKE BLESS HIS HEART KEEPS TRYING TO DO A LITTLE SOMETHING OUTSIDE-HE MISSES THAT SO MUCH.  LAST THING HE SAID LAST NIGHT WAS IF THE WEATHER WAS GOOD IN THE MORNING, HE WAS GOING TO PLAY (THAT'S WHAT HE CALLS IT) IN THE BACK YARD FOR A LITTLE WHILE. WELL THAT'S IT FOR NOW, CAN'T LET MY COFFEE GET COLD.  HOPE YOUR WEEK END WAS HAPPY-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

SLEEP, DELICIOUS SLEEP!!

YES!! MIKE KEPT HIS NIGHT TIME FOLEY BAG ON ALL NIGHT, AND I GOT A FULL AND MUCH NEEDED GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP!!!  MIKE IS STILL IN BED SLEEPING, BUT I AM UP, FED THE DOGS MADE MY CAFE' CON LECHE', AND AM DOING MY POST.  I WON'T GO AS FAR AS TO SAY LIFE IS GOOD, BUT IT IS BETTER.  AT LEAST IT SURE SEEMS BETTER AFTER A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP!!  TONIGHT IS MY MEETING (WHICH WE WILL LISTEN TO BY PHONE), AND  I STILL HAVE TO DO A LITTLE STUDYING FOR THAT.  I HAVE A WONDERFUL VOLUNTEER FROM HOSPICE WHO IS GOING TO WATCH MIKE TOMORROW MORNING, SO THAT I CAN GO OUT IN SERVICE FOR A WHILE.  I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT.  IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME A STRANGER TAKES CARE OF MIKE WHILE I AM GONE, SO IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT GOES.  HE WAS IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE LAST NIGHT, AS HE WENT INTO THE GARAGE TO SWEEP UP THE EGCORNS, AND LEAVES.  HE WAS BENT AT THE KNEES WHEN HE CAME IN AND SHAKING VERY MUCH.  HE COULD HARDLY WALK TO THE TABLE FOR DINNER, BUT AS USUAL-NO COMPLAINTS.  HE ATE ALL HIS DINNER AFTER TRYING TO SHARE SOME WITH OUR DOGS.  THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS I HAVE WITH MIKE.  HE THINKS BY GIVING THE DOGS HALF HIS FOOD OR TREATS HE IS BEING KIND TO THEM.  I HAVE TRIED TO TELL HIM THAT HE IS KILLING THEM WITH KINDNESS.  THEY ARE A BIT OVER WEIGHT AS YOU CAN IMAGINE. ANY HOW THEY SURE ARE HAPPY DOGS!!  MIKE SEEMS TO BE GOING THROUGH A BIT OF A CHILDHOOD PHASE AS OF LATE.  HE KEEPS ASKING ME IF I STILL LIKE HIM OR IF I STILL LOVE HIM, AND WHEN I SAY "YES, OF COURSE I DO", HE SAYS "THANK YOU MOMMY" AND KISSES MY HAND.  I AM JUST SO THANKFUL THAT EVERY DAY HE IS IN SUCH A GOOD MOOD.  HE TALKS ABOUT OUR KIDS-SAYS WHAT GOOD KIDS WE HAVE ALL THE TIME.  HE GETS CONFUSED NOW AT SOME OF THE PICTURES ON THE WALL ( WE HAVE A WHOLE WALL FULL OF FAMILY PICTURES), BUT WILL STARE AT THAT WALL FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE HOURS SOME DAYS.  WELL, I DO HAVE SOME STUDYING TO DO BEFORE MIKE GETS UP, SO TILL MONDAY, HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SAFE AND HAPPY WEEK END. JUST ME

TOO TIRED TO WRITE!!

NO NIGHT TIME FOLEY=NO SLEEP-FOR ME!!  I HAD MIKE PUT THE NIGHT TIME FOLEY BAG ON BEFORE HE WENT TO BED FOR THE NIGHT.  THEN AS SOON AS HE SAW THAT I WAS SLEEPING-HE TOOK IT OFF.  AT 1:36AM HE GOT UP TO EMPTY HIS BAG, AND THAT'S WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD TAKEN OFF HIS NIGHT TIME FOLEY BAG.  THAT MEANT THAT I HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT HE WOULD GET UP EVERY COUPLE OF HOURS TO EMPTY HIS LITTLE BAG.  I HAD TO DO THAT WHEN HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, AND IT WAS NOT  FUN!!  I DECIDED TO MAKE HIM GET UP AND EMPTY HIS OWN BAG, SINCE HE WAS THE ONE WHO WANTED THE NIGHT TIME BAG OFF.  THEN MIKE WOULD TURN ON LIGHTS (WHICH I AM THANKFUL FOR AS IT MAY HAVE KEPT HIM FROM FALLING), AND WOULD MAKE SURE THE BATH ROOM DOOR WAS SHUT WHICH MAKES A LOT OF NOISE.  WHAT A HEADACHE I HAVE THIS AM!!! THE NURSE WAS HERE JUST YESTERDAY AND HE SAID THE EXTENSION SHE BROUGHT OVER WAS WORKING-IT DID NOT PULL LIKE BEFORE DURING THE NIGHT.  NOW I AM AT A TOTAL LOSS AS TO WHAT ELSE I CAN DO TO MAKE HIM WEAR HIS NIGHT TIME FOLEY BAG.  ANY SUGGESTIONS??  ANY HOW I AM JUST GOING TO FEED THE DOGS, AND SEE IF I CAN GET ONE HOUR SLEEP IN THE RECLINER WHILE MIKE IS STILL IN BED SLEEPING!!! SORRY FOR BEING SUCH A CRANKY PANTS THIS AM-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME
UPDATE:  I TRIED TO SLEEP IN THE LIVING ROOM, BUT AFTER ONLY 10 MINUTES OR SO MIKE YELLS OUT "MOM, WHERE ARE YOU"!!!  SO THEN I GO BACK TO BED THINKING I MIGHT GET A LITTLE SLEEP THERE SINCE MIKE WAS STILL IN BED.  THEN ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR SO LATER, THE DOOR BELL RINGS.  I HAD TO GET UP TO SEE WHO IT WAS, ONLY TO FIND THAT FED-X HAD LEFT A PACKAGE OF MEDICINE FOR MIKE FROM HOSPICE.  I GUESS YOU ALREADY FIGURED IT OUT-I WILL NOT GET ANY MORE SLEEP THIS AM!!!

GUESS WHERE MIKE IS ??

NOT ONLY IS HE BACK OUT IN THE YARD, BUT HE IS OUT THERE WITH OUT HIS CANE!!  THE MEDICINE THAT HOSPICE KEEPS HIM ON HAS HIM FEELING BETTER-LESS PAIN, SO NOW HE THINKS HE CAN RESUME SOME OF HIS OLD ACTIVITIES!!  HE IS A STRONG MAN WITH SUCH A STRONG WILL, IT IS GOING TO BE A REAL BATTLE TO KEEP HIM SAFE!! I JUST GOT HIM BACK INSIDE TO GET HIM TO EAT HIS BREAKFAST, AND LOOK AT THE PAPER.  HE NO LONGER READS IT-JUST MAINLY LOOKS AT THE ADS.  HE WILL SOMETIMES TRY AND READ THE HEAD LINE, BUT IT SELDOM COMES OUT RIGHT.  HE LIKES TO READ SIGNS AS I AM DRIVING-WHICH BY THE WAY CAN BE VERY DISTRACTING MAINLY BECAUSE HE USUALLY SHOUTS IT OUT, AND STARTLES ME.  HE IS BOUND AND DETERMINED TO FIND SOMETHING I WANT OR NEED.  I KEEP TELLING HIM I HAVE EVERYTHING I NEED AND WANT, BUT HE JUST WON'T LET UP.  IT'S MUCH WORSE NOW THAT THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE, AND THERE ARE A BAZILLION ADS IN THE NEWS PAPER EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! YESTERDAY MIKE, MY SISTER VICKIE AND I WENT TO COSTCO, AND MIKE WALKED HOLDING ON TO THE BUGGY THE WHOLE TIME.  HE DID GREAT-MUCH BETTER THAN I THOUGHT HE COULD DO.  WE GOT A FEW THINGS LIKE COTTAGE CHEESE (FOR THE DOGS), DOG TREATS (THEY HAD THEM BUY ONE GET ONE FREE), AND A NEW BATH MAT MIKE WANTED FOR OUT BATH ROOM.  IT IS SOOOO SOFT-I THINK IT IS MEMORY FOAM.  WE THEN WENT TO ARBY'S AND BOUGHT LUNCH AND WENT OVER TO VICKIE'S TO EAT.  MASSEY HAD TO SPRAY ONCE AGAIN FOR THOSE INDESTRUCTIBLE TICKS, SO WE HAD TO BE OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR SEVERAL HOURS.  WE ALSO HAD TO TAKE THE DOGS ONCE AGAIN TO THE GROOMERS FOR A BATH.  I KEEP SAYING THIS IS THE LAST TIME , BUT THEN THERE WILL BE ANOTHER LAST TIME.  I REALLY DO HOPE AND PRAY THAT THIS LAST TIME IS REALLY THE LAST TIME EVER, AS IT IS SO HARD TO DO THE CLEAN UP AFTERWARDS, NOT TO MENTION THE POOR DOGS WHO HAVE  BEEN BATHED MORE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS THAN MANY PEOPLE!!!  WELL, MIKE'S NURSE JUST CALLED AND SHE IS ON HER WAY.  I HOPE SHE CAN GET THE MEDICINE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH OUR NEW INSURANCE COMPANY TAKEN CARE OF.  SHE IS REALLY GOOD AT SOLVING PROBLEMS!!  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME
P.S.  MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO RESIGNED UP AS A FOLLOWER!!!  I REALLY APPRECIATE SEEING ALL OF YOU BACK THERE-IT MEANS A LOT!!! 

MIKE SLEPT TILL NOON THIRTY YESTERDAY!!

MIKE DID NOT EVEN WANT TO GET UP THEN, BUT I TOLD HIM HE REALLY NEEDED TO EAT SOMETHING.  HE HAD HIS FAVORITE CHOCOLATE POP TARTS, HALF OF A BANANA, COFFEE, AND JUICE.  HE IS STILL IN BED THIS MORNING AS WELL, AND IT IS ALMOST 9AM.  I TOLD HIM THAT MASSEY WAS COMING TO SPRAY AGAIN THIS MORNING, SO I WILL HAVE TO GET HIM UP SOON.  THE DOGS ARE FED, AND I AM TAKING MY MORNING PILLS RIGHT NOW WITH MY MORNING CAFE' CON LECHE'-YUM!!!  MIKE IS VERY EMOTIONAL LATELY, AND KEEPS SAYING WHAT A GOOD MOMMA I AM AND HOW MUCH HE LOVES ME.  I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF HE MAY NOT SUSPECT SOMETHING MORE THAN ARTHRITIS IS WHAT IS CAUSING ALL HIS PAIN.  MAYBE NOT.  IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT HE IS THINKING, OR EVEN SAYING AT TIMES!!!  WHEN HE GETS FOCUSED ON SOMETHING-HE WILL NOT LET IT GO UNTIL I DO IT.  LIKE WITH THE LIVING ROOM CURTAINS.  HE WILL TELL ME TO SIT DOWN AND REST-THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING TOO HARD. THEN THE NEXT THING HE SAYS WILL BE "WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO FIX THOSE CURTAINS"?  I HAVE LEARNED TO APPRECIATE ALL THAT MIKE USE TO DO MUCH MORE NOW THAT I HAVE TO DO IT ALL.  I GUESS I SHOULD VIEW IT AS PRACTICE FOR THE FUTURE, BUT FOR NOW IT JUST SEEMS OVERWHELMING!!  I AM TRYING TO WORK ON A PLAN THAT WOULD LET ME GO TO MY THURS. NIGHT MEETINGS.  I AM GOING TO ASK MY SISTER TO WATCH MIKE ONE THURS. A MONTH, AND MY NEIGHBOR MARTHA IF SHE WILL WATCH HIM ONE THURS. A MONTH.  THAT LEAVES TWO, AND I WILL TRY AND SEE IF MY SON IN LAW (MIKE B.) WILL DO IT ON ONE THURS. SINCE HIS MEETING NIGHT HAS CHANGED TO TUES., AND MAYBE FONDA OR HER HUSBAND ART CAN DO IT THE LAST THURS. OF THE MONTH.  I WILL WAIT TILL AFTER ALL THE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES ARE OVER FIRST, AS I KNOW RIGHT NOW IS A VERY BUSY TIME FOR MOST PEOPLE.  WELL, I GUESS I NEED TO GET MIKE UP BEFORE MASSEY COMES AND SPAYS HIM BY ACCIDENT!!  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

PLEASE resign up to be a follower!! Since my computer came back it has erased all those following my blog. THANKS!!

" WHEN'S MY BIRTHDAY " ?

MIKE ASKED ME THE ABOVE AND I REPLIED "IN OCT.".  HE THEN ASKED "HOW OLD WILL I BE ON MY BIRTHDAY"?  I TOLD HIM "79".  THEN MIKE SAYS "HOW COME I GET YOUNGER THAN LAST YEAR"?  I TOLD HIM "HONEY YOU ARE 78 YEARS OLD NOW, SO NEXT YEAR ON YOUR BIRTHDAY YOU WILL BE 79".  MIKE SAID "GET OUT OF HERE"!!   "I'M 81 NOW-MAYBE OLDER",  I SAID "YOU ARE"?  AND MIKE SAID "YOU KNOW I AM"!!  HE IS ALL OVER THE PLACE WHEN IT COMES TO HIS AGE.  SOMETIMES HIS IN HIS 90'S AND ONCE HE TOLD ME HE WAS 180 YEARS OLD!!!  RIGHT NOW MIKE IS STILL IN BED. SOMETIME DURING THE NIGHT HE GOT UP TOOK OFF HIS WARM P.J.'S AND EVERY THING ELSE!!  AT LEAST NOW HE IS ALL COVERED UP WITH THE SHEET AND THE SPREAD!!  HE WAS UP A LITTLE LATER THAN USUAL LAST NIGHT WATCHING A FOOT BALL GAME.  WHEN HE CAME TO BED I ASKED HIM WHO WON, AND HE DIDN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHO PLAYED!!  SO SAD.  IT IS RAINING HERE THIS AM, AND WAS RAINING LAST NIGHT TOO.  NO COMPLAINTS, AS WE SURE DO NEED IT.  YESTERDAY MIKE AND I JUST LISTENED TO THE MEETING OVER THE PHONE.  WE BOTH GOT UP EARLY, BUT MIKE WAS TAKING FUNNY, AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.  HE SAID HE WAS GOING AS "BLUE MAN".  AND  WHEN I ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED ME TO PICK OUT HIS CLOTHES,  HE SAID "I CAN GO LIKE THIS"-HE WAS IN HIS P.J.'S AND A ROBE!!  I TOLD HIM "WHY DON'T WE JUST STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE MEETING TODAY"?  HE SAID "OK MOM-THANK YOU", BUT THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TIME WE HAD TO GO.  I NEVER KNOW WHICH END IS UP ANY MORE.  I DO HAVE PLANS TO GO OUT IN SERVICE ON THE 17TH.  I HAVE A VOLUNTEER FROM HOSPICE WHO IS COMING OVER TO SIT WITH MIKE FOR A COUPLE HOURS.  THAT REALLY MAKES ME HAPPY, AS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GO ON THURS. NIGHTS FOR A WHILE NOW OR OUT IN SERVICE.  MAYBE WHEN MY SON COMES I'LL GET TO DO BOTH!!  WELL, I NEED TO CHECK ON MIKE NOW-MAKE SURE HE IS O.K., AND GET HIM UP SO HE CAN EAT SOMETHING.  IT SURE IS NICE HAVING MY COMPUTER BACK, AND IT SURE IS WORKING GOOD NOW!!  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

FRIDAY AND I DO HAVE MY COMPUTER BACK-BUT----------

YESTERDAY FONDA BROUGHT BACK MY COMPUTER AND TRIED TO GET THE FREE SECURITY PROGRAM THAT ROAD RUNNER OFFERS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO INSTALL IT.  I AM NOT SUPPOSE TO BE USING IT YET, BUT SINCE I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM BRIGHT HOUSE, I THOUGHT I WOULD AT LEAST DO THE LAST BLOG FOR THE WEEK.  MIKE IS DOING WELL, AND SEEMS HAPPY.  WE WILL BE HAVING SEVERAL GUEST OVER THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, AND MIKE SEEMS TO LIKE THAT.  OUR SON MIKE JR. WILL BE COMING THE END OF THE MONTH, AND OUR LONG TIME FRIENDS FROM N.C. WILL BE COMING AS WELL (DAR & TERRY S.).  ALSO WE JUST FOUND OUT THIS AM THAT ANOTHER FRIEND WILL BE VISITING AS WELL (CHUCK M.), SO THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS SHOULD BE BUSY AND ENJOYABLE.  MIKE WAS HAPPY TO SEE FELINA YESTERDAY.  TODAY HE JUST KEEPS LOOKING AT ALL THE PICTURES ON THE WALL AND SAYING HOW LUCKY WE ARE.  HE HAS TOLD ME HE LOVES ME MORE TIMES IN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS THAN HE HAS IN ALL THE 43 YEAR PRIOR!!!  NO IDEA WHAT THAT IS ALL ABOUT, BUT I MUST SAY IT IS VERY NICE TO HEAR.  HE IS OUT SIDE RIGHT NOW ON THE BACK PORCH WITH THE DOGS.  HE LIKES TO SIT OUT THERE A COUPLE TIMES A DAY, AND I THINK THAT IS GOOD FOR HIM.  THE FRESH AIR SURE CAN'T HURT.  HE ALSO ASK ME CONSTANTLY WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OR WHAT I NEED.  HE ALSO ASKED ME LAST NIGHT IF I THOUGH HE WAS THOUGHTFUL.  I TRY NOT TO THINK TOO FAR AHEAD, AS I JUST CAN'T DEAL WITH IT.  I JUST WANT TO ENJOY EVERY MINUTE WE STILL HAVE TOGETHER.  I DO KNOW THAT DOWN THE ROAD I WILL WANT TO GET AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS-MAYBE GO TO THE BAHAMAS WITH DORTHY BRANTLEY.  I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A K.H. THERE OR DONE ANY WITNESSING THERE, SO I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING I CAN TRY TO LOOK FORWARD TO DOING.  ANY HOW IT IS HOPEFULLY VERY FAR DOWN THE ROAD, AND FOR NOW-I AM JUST HAPPY TO HAVE MIKE HERE AND FOR HIM TO BE HAPPY EVERY DAY.  TILL MONDAY-JUST ME

THURS. AND THANKFULLY I HAVE THE USE OF MY SISTER'S COMPUTER!!

MIKE AND I BOTH SLEPT TILL 9:45 AM THIS MORNING.  IT IS COLD HERE (AT LEAST FOR US), SO WE JUST STAYED IN BED ALL SNUGLY. I HAD GOTTEN UP EARLIER TO LET THE DOGS OUT, BUT I HOPPED RIGHT BACK INTO BED, AS I WAS COLD, AND MIKE WAS STILL ASLEEP.  HE HAS BEEN DOING SO MUCH BETTER ON THE NEW MEDICINE THEY GAVE ME FOR HIS LEG PAIN.  IT IS GREAT TO SEE HIM WALKING BETTER-STILL WITH THE CANE, BUT MUCH BETTER.  HE HARDLY EVER COMPLAINS OF LEG PAIN ANY MORE, SO WHAT EVER THAT STUFF IS, I AM SURE GRATEFUL FOR IT.  YESTERDAY MIKE WANTED ME TO TAKE HIM TO RENEW HIS DRIVERS LICENSE. THEY ASKED HIM A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS AND TO MY SURPRISE HE WAS ABLE TO ANSWER THEM ALL. THEY EVEN MADE HIM WALK WITH OUT HIS CANE TO SHOW THAT HE WAS ABLE TO AND HE DID THAT TOO.  I HAVE NO IDEA WHY HE WANTED THAT SO MUCH, AS HE NEVER EVEN TRIES TO DRIVE ANY MORE.  I GUESS IT IS JUST ONE OF THOSE "MEN" THINGS.   ANY HOW HE IS EATING HIS BREAKFAST AND TAKING HIS PILLS, AND WE GO THROUGH THIS RITUAL EVERY TIME.  WHAT IS THIS PILL FOR?  HOW ABOUT THIS ONE?  THANKFULLY I HAVE CUT DOWN HIS PILL INTAKE TO A MERE FOUR IN THE MORNING, SO IT IS MUCH EASIER NOW.  I MADE A BIG MISTAKE AND GAVE HIM MR. D'S OLD COFFEE CUP THAT SAYS " BECAUSE I'M THE BOSS-THAT'S WHY". SO MIKE KEEPS REPEATING WHAT IT SAYS.  I SURE WILL BE GLAD WHEN HE HAS FINISHED DRINKING HIS COFFEE, AS HE IS ON THE 13TH TIME OF SAYING THAT SAME THING!!!  HE HAS BEEN EATING LIKE NEVER BEFORE THESE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS AS WELL.  I ASKED HIM IF HE WANTED CEREAL WITH A BANANA OR POP TARTS AND HE SAID BOTH!! HE DID THE SAME THING YESTERDAY, AND ATE IT ALL!!  WELL I HAVE TO GET DRESSED AND EAT SOMETHING TOO, SO I WILL SAY IT FEELS GREAT TO BE BACK ON LINE, HOPE YOUR DAY WILL BE FILLED WITH HAPPINESS-JUST ME

WEDS. AM AND TO MY DISMAY-STILL NO COMPUTER!!

OUR POOR DAUGHTER FONDA HAS TAKEN MY COMPUTER THREE TIMES NOW TO BE FIXED, AND YET IT KEEPS COMING BACK WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.  IT WILL NOT LET ME SIGN ON AND GO TO ANY PROGRAM INCLUDING MY BLOG!!  MY DEAR SISTER VICKIE HAS KINDLY LET ME USE HER COMPUTER SO THAT I CAN FILL EVERYONE IN ON WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS.  MIKE HAS BEEN DOING MUCH BETTER SINCE THEY PUT HIM ON THAT SPECIAL CREAM MEDICINE FOR HIS KNEES THAT ONLY HOSPICE CAN GET.  HE WAS EVEN ABLE TO MAKE THE MEETING ON SUNDAY, AND WAS WALKING WITH OUT THE USE OF HIS CANE AROUND THE HOUSE.  OUR LONG TIME FRIEND FROM N.C. WAS HERE, AND WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE MIKE DOING SO WELL.  HE HAS BEEN SLEEPING LESS DURING THE DAY, AND SLEEPING ALL NIGHT LONG-THAT IS REALLY GOOD FOR ME!! HE IS STILL SAYING STRANGE AND FUNNY THINGS BEFORE HE FINALLY DRIFTS OFF TO SLEEP.  HE SAID THE OTHER NIGHT "THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY EYES", SO I SAID WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM HONEY, TO WHICH MIKE SAID "I SEE THINGS".  GO FIGURE..  HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT I COULD FLY, ASKED IF FONDA WAS IN BED YET, AND MANY OTHER SILLY STUFF ABOUT THE DOGS.  HE SAW HIS NURSE TODAY (SHE COMES ON WEDS.), AND WE WERE ABLE TO ADDRESS A COUPLE OF MIKES ON GOING PROBLEMS TO WHICH SHE WILL BE CONSULTING HIS DOCTOR TO TRY AND FIX.  MIKE WANTS TO RENEW HIS DRIVERS LICENSE NOW, SINCE IT WAS DUE IN OCT.  NOT SURE HOW I WILL BE HANDLING THAT ONE.  WELL, IT IS ALREADY TIME FOR LUNCH, SO I HAD BETTER GET HIM FED.  BTW, THIS AM I ASKED HIM WHAT HE WANTED FOR BREAKFAST.  IF HE WANTED CEREAL WITH A BANANA OR SOME POP TARTS.  HE SAID BOTH, AND HE ATE IT ALL!!  TILL LATER (NOT TOO MUCH LATER I HOPE) JUST ME

TUES. ALREADY AND STILL NO COMPUTER!!

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I WILL BE BACK ON LINE BY TOMORROW SO IF WE ALL THINK POSITIVELY THEN MAYBE-JUST MAYBE IT WILL HAPPEN!!  JUST ME

THIS IS SAT. AND I AM ON A BORROWED COMPUTER!!

MIKE AND I ARE STILL HANGING IN THERE.  WE WILL HOPEFULLY BE BACK ON LINE BY MONDAY OR TUES. HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU AND YOURS-JUST ME

SO SORRY, COMPUTER KAPUT AGAIN!! WILL POST AS SOON AS IT'S FIXED!!

HELLO AGAIN, I'M BACK!!

MIKE IS STILL IN BED RESTING.  HE SLEEPS UNTIL AT LEAST 9 OR 10AM MOST DAYS.  THEN AFTER HE EATS SOMETHING, HE WILL OFTEN WANT TO GO BACK TO BED.  THE PAST TWO DAYS HAVE BEEN THE EXCEPTION.  HE IS ACTING MORE LIKE HIS OLD SELF, AND DOING A LOT MORE WALKING.  HE SAYS THE NEW MEDICINE THAT I RUB ON HIS LEGS IS HELPING WITH THE PAIN.   I AM HAPPY THAT HE IS IN LESS PAIN, BUT I DO NOT LIKE IT WHEN HE WANTS TO WALK WITH OUT HIS CANE.  HE IS STILL GIVING ME A HARD TIME ABOUT HIS NIGHT TIME FOLEY BAG, AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THAT.  I SURE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GET UP EVERY TWO HOURS OR SO TO EMPTY HIS STOMA BAG (LIKE I HAD TO DO WHEN HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL)!!  HE STILL SAYS MANY FUNNY THINGS AT NIGHT JUST BEFORE HE FALLS ASLEEP.  LAST NIGHT HE SAID (AMONG OTHER THINGS) "ARE ALL THREE DOGS HERE"? I SAID "WE ONLY HAVE TWO, BUT THEY ARE BOTH HERE IN THE ROOM".  TO WHICH MIKE SAID " I KNOW WE HAVE TWO REGULAR DOGS".  I GUESS HE WAS THINKING THAT  MAYBE PRISKA & PRESLEY  INVITED A DOGIE FRIEND TO SPEND THE NIGHT!!  WE ARE HAVING COMPANY ON FRIDAY, SAT. & SUN..  AN OLD FRIEND FROM N.C., DARLENE SWOFFORD.  MIKE HAS ALREADY SAID THAT IF JEHOVAH IS WILLING HE WILL BE GOING TO THE MEETING THIS SUNDAY.  I TOLD DARLENE THAT AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD LOVE TO COME WITH US!!!  I AM VERY EXCITED AND HAPPY-GREATLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HER VISIT.  I NEED TO GET READY NOW AS MIKE'S HOSPICE NURSE WILL BE HERE SOON.  HAPPY TO BE BACK ON LINE-HOPE YOUR DAY IS A HAPPY ONE TOO.  JUST ME

SICK COMPUTER!! NOT ABLE TO POST TILL IT GETS FIXED!!

HOPE TO BE BACK ON LINE REAL SOON!!  TILL THEN, PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS.  JUST ME

GIBBERISH-MORE GIBBERISH-YOU GOT ALL THAT? L.O.L

IT SEEMS THAT EVEN MIKE REALIZED THAT HE WAS NOT MAKING ANY SENSE, SO THAT'S WHEN HE SAID "YOU GOT ALL THAT"? AND BEGAN LAUGHING.  I MUST SAY, HE HAS BECOME VERY ENTERTAINING AT NIGHT.  ABOUT 3AM I WAKE UP TO A VERY LOUD "MOM"!!!  "WHAT DID YOU DO"?  TO WHICH I REPLIED "NOTHING", "I HAVE NOT MOVED FROM THIS SPOT, AND I WAS SOUND ASLEEP.  WHAT'S WRONG"?  WELL, EVEN AFTER I GOT MIKE HIS NIGHT TIME FOLEY AND ASKED HIM TO PLEASE PUT IT ON, HE DID NOT. THEN HE MUST HAVE FELT THE BAG, AND IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE A BALLOON-READY TO POP. THAT'S WHEN HE YELLED FOR MY HELP.  THE NEXT FUNNY THING MIKE SAID LAST NIGHT WAS THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT HERE!!  HE SAID THIS IS NOT MY BED AND THIS IS NOT MY HOME, AND I AM NOT GOING TO SPEND THE NIGHT HERE!!  I FELT LIKE L.O.L., BUT INSTEAD, I SIMPLY ASKED HIM WHERE HE THOUGHT HE WAS. I ASSURED HIM THAT IT WAS OUR BED AND IT WAS OUR HOUSE.  I TOLD HIM TO OPEN YOUR EYES AND LOOK AROUND-SEE ALL OUR THINGS-OUR PICTURE ON THE WALL.  I GUESS THAT MUST HAVE DONE IT, AS THAT WAS THE LAST I HEARD ABOUT THIS NOT BEING OUR HOME.  DESPITE ALL THE INTERRUPTIONS, I DID MANAGE TO GET A DECENT NIGHTS SLEEP, AND I EVEN THINK MY COLD (OR WHAT EVER I HAVE) IS EITHER GONE, OR MUCH BETTER THIS AM!!  MIKE GOT UP VERY EARLY FOR HIM-BY 8AM. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY-I GOT UP TOO.  HE CAN GET INTO A LOT OF TROUBLE IF NO ONE IS WATCHING HIM.  HE HAS GOTTEN TO WHERE HE THINKS IT'S CUTE TO SNEAK OUT OF THE HOUSE.  YES, HE IS A HANDFUL, BUT A LOVABLE ONE. WELL, I NEED SOME YUMMY CAFE' CON LECHE' AND A LITTLE FOOD TOO, SO TILL MONDAY-HAVE A SUPERB WEEK END!! JUST ME

FIGHTING BACK TEARS ALL DAY

I THINK IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THINGS THAT HAD ME SO STRESSED YESTERDAY.  JUST THE DAY BEFORE, I PAID FOR MIKE'S CREMATION AND HIS URN, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY HARD FOR ME.  ALSO I AM STILL SUFFERING FROM THIS HEAD COLD OR SINUS INFECTION AND WAS DIZZY AND NAUSEATED.  BESIDES ALL THAT, MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS THROUGH THE ROOF (186/105).  ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT WAS PLEASE GOD DO NOT LET ME DIE FIRST.  I KEPT THINKING (WRONG THING TO DO I KNOW) ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO MIKE IF I DIED BEFORE HIM.  IT WAS NOT PRETTY.  I KNOW HIS LIFE WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE A LOT, AND MOST LIKELY HOSPICE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLL WHICH MEANS THAT HE WOULD THEN KNOW HIS TRUE HEALTH CONDITION.  IT WAS NOT EASY, BUT I FINALLY PULLED MY SELF TOGETHER, AND GOT MIKE INTO THE BATH TUB FOR A BUBBLE BATH.  HE REALLY ENJOYS THAT LITTLE CONTRAPTION I GOT FOR HIM-I'M SO HAPPY ABOUT THAT.  I DID CALL MY SISTER FIRST BECAUSE OF MY B.P. AND THEN I CALLED ART.  ART GAVE ME SOME GOOD INFORMATION WHICH I HEEDED TO THE LETTER, AND WAS ABLE TO FINALLY GET SOME SLEEP LAST NIGHT.  IT IS JUST PAST 11AM, AND MIKE IS STILL RESTING.   WE DID LISTEN TO OUR MEETING LAST NIGHT, AND THAT ALSO HELPED TO CALM ME DOWN.  WE BOTH SAID "AMEN" AT THE END, AND THEN I TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS.  MIKE STILL SAYS FUNNY THINGS AT NIGHT EITHER JUST BEFORE HE IS SOUND ASLEEP OR JUST AFTER HE IS IN A DREAMLIKE STATE.  LAST NIGHT HE WANTED TO KNOW IF I GOT ALL THE MONEY. I ASKED HIM ALL WHAT MONEY? BUT THEN THE GIBBERISH TALK STARTED AND I COULD NOT MAKE OUT HEADS NOR TAILS OF WHAT HE WAS SAYING-SO I JUST SAY "UN HUH".  WELL, IT'S TIME TO GET MIKE UP AND START HIS DAY, SO TILL TOMORROW-MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED ONLY WITH HAPPINESS.  JUST ME

SADDEST/SWEETEST THING!!

MIKE WAS SITTING ON THE BACK PORCH, AND I WAS WATCHING HIM FROM THE WINDOW IN THE BACK DOOR.  WHAT I SAW NEARLY BROKE MY HEART, AND YET I HAD TO SMILE.  HE WAS RAKING UP LEAVES FROM HIS CHAIR WITH HIS CANE, AND THEN PICKING THEM UP AND PUTTING THEM IN THE BROWN BAG NEXT TO HIS CHAIR. ONLY THEN DID I FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW HARD ALL THIS HAS BEEN ON MIKE.  HE IS SUCH A TROOPER-ALWAYS HAPPY AND MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT HE CAN STILL DO, ALL THE WHILE, MISSING WHAT HE LOVES DOING MOST.  I HAD A PRETTY ROUGH NIGHT LAST NIGHT-NO SLEEP.  ON TOP OF HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING, AND COUGHING, MY BACK WAS KILLING ME.  YESTERDAY MY SISTER VICKIE AND I TOOK MIKE FOR A LONG RIDE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT THE HOSPICE WHEEL CHAIR IS DEFECTIVE.  IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO MANEUVER.  BOTH MY SISTER VICKIE AND I HAVE SORE BACKS TODAY.  I WILL HAVE TO USE THE ONE DAWN (OUR NIECE) RENTED FOR US UNTIL I CAN GET HOSPICE TO REPLACE THEIRS.  TODAY IS A HOLIDAY, SO MOST OF YOU WILL BE EATING TURKEY.  MIKE AND I HAD OURS YESTERDAY, AS OUR NEIGHBOR MARTHA BROUGHT OVER HER LEFT OVERS, AND WE ATE EM ALL GONE!!  I HOPE YOUR DAY WILL BE HAPPY, PEACEFUL, BUT MOST OF ALL SPENT TOGETHER.  MIKE AND I WILL ENJOY TODAY AS WE DO EVERYDAY-VERY THANKFUL TO STILL BE HERE-JUST ME

" DID HERE GO THERE AND COME BACK " ?

I OF COURSE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT MIKE MEANT WHEN HE SAID THE ABOVE.  HE WANTED TO KNOW IF FONDA (OUR DAUGHTER) LEFT FOR CALIFORNIA AND IF SO HAD SHE COME BACK YET. MIKE SPEAKS A LOT WITH HIS HANDS NOW, AND SOMETIMES NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY, I JUST CAN'T GET WHAT HE IS TRYING TO SAY.  MOST TIMES-THANKFULLY-I CAN.  ANY HOW TODAY SO FAR WAS A VERY HARD MORNING FOR ME.  I HAD BALDWIN BROTHERS COME BY THIS MORNING EARLY (WHILE MIKE WAS STILL SLEEPING), AND SIGNED ALL THE PAPER WORK FOR THE CREMATION.  I HAVE A DEAR FRIEND WHO WORKS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS OF URNS, AND SHE IS GIVING ME HER PRICE FOR THE ONE I PICKED OUT, SO I WILL HAVE IT MAILED TO MY SISTER VICKIE'S HOUSE UNTIL LATER ON.  I WAS HOPING THAT ONCE THAT WAS DONE I WOULD WORRY LESS, BUT SO FAR IT HAS NOT WORKED OUT THAT WAY.   MIKE IS UP NOW, AND I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN HIS BREAKFAST.  HE IS IN A GOOD MOOD, AND IS READING (SORT OF) THE NEWS PAPER.   FONDA IS HAVING HER THIRD OR FORTH EYE SURGERY TODAY-WE ARE SURE HOPING IT WILL BE HER LAST!!!  MIKE KEEPS ASKING WHEN SHE WILL BE BACK, SO I KNOW HE IS MISSING HER ALREADY.  MIKE TOOK OFF HIS PAIN PATCH AGAIN LAST NIGHT, I JUST FOUND IT ON HIS NIGHT TABLE.  I HAD TO TAPE IT BACK ON, AS HE IS NOT DUE FOR A NEW ONE UNTIL TOMORROW.  WE ARE ALSO SUPPOSE TO GET SOME NEW PAIN GEL FED X'ED TO US THIS AM, TO SEE IF THAT DOES ANY BETTER THAN THE LIDOCANE PATCHES THEY HAD HIM ON BEFORE.  I AM ALL FOR ANYTHING THAT WILL REDUCE HIS PAIN!!  WELL, I GUESS THAT IS ALL FOR TODAY-I HOPE IT RAINS TODAY, AS MY TOMATO, TANGERINE, AND AVOCADO PLANTS ALL COULD USE A GOOD DOWN POUR.  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

I'M UP AND READY FOR HOSPICE DR.'S VISIT.

YESTERDAY WAS A LITTLE ROUGH, BUT THE HOSPICE CASE WORKER CALLED ME BACK, AND AGREED TO OUR ORIGINAL TERMS-NO MENTION OF HOSPICE AND DEFINITELY NO MENTION OF THE "C" WORD!!  SHE WAS ACTUALLY NICE, AND WE SAT OUT SIDE ON THE BACK PORCH, AND  I ANSWERED ALL OF HER QUESTIONS.  IT'S ALMOST 8:30AM NOW, AND THE DOCTOR SHOULD BE HERE ANY MINUTE.  I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES. THE DOCTOR CAME AND LEFT, AND I MUST SAY HE WAS VERY VERY NICE.  HE HAS SUGGESTED A COUPLE OTHER THINGS FOR MIKE TO MAKE HIM MORE COMFORTABLE, AND TOOK ONE PILL AWAY.  HE AGAIN EMPHASIZED THAT IF MIKE SHOULD FALL HE WOULD DIE.  I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, SO I AM FOREVER WATCHING HIS EVERY MOVE.  NOW HIS NURSE FROM HOSPICE IS HERE!!  I ONLY THOUGHT I WAS BUSY BEFORE!!  OUR DAUGHTER FONDA WAS OVER LAST NIGHT AGAIN TO RAKE ALL THE LEAVES IN THE BACK YARD-THREE MORE LARGE BAGS FULL, AND THEN SHE SPRAYED THE BACK AND FRONT YARD WITH THERMADORE (VERY STRONG BUG KILLER).  SHE IS AMAZING!!  SHE LEFT FOR CALIFORNIA FOR SURGERY THIS AM AT 5 O'CLOCK.  LIKE I SAID-SO MUCH GOING ON CONSTANTLY.  MIKE IS STILL SLEEPING THROUGH ALL OF THIS ACTION-I'M READY FOR A NAP MYSELF, BUT SOMEHOW I JUST KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

BACK TO SQUARE ONE WITH HOSPICE!!

WE ARE SUPPOSE TO HAVE A VISIT FROM MIKE'S REGULAR NURSE WHO WE THOUGHT WAS TERESA.  TURNS OUT SHE ONLY DID HIS REGISTRATION WITH RECOMMENDATIONS.  I KNEW A CASE WORKER WAS COMING OVER TODAY AT 2PM, BUT HAD NO IDEA THAT HIS REGULAR NURSE (SORRY-I DID NOT GET HER NAME), WOULD BE COMING OVER TOO.  I WENT OVER THE RULES OF ALLOWING HOSPICE TO TAKE CARE OF MIKE.  NO MENTION OF HIS BONE CANCER, AND NO MENTION OF HOSPICE.  THAT'S WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN.  SHE INSISTED THAT THEY ALL MUST IDENTIFY THEMSELVES TO THE PATIENT AS HOSPICE WORKERS, AND WEAR THERE NAME TAGS.  I EXPLAINED THAT THE ONLY REASON I HAD AGREED TO HAVING HOSPICE COME AND HELP WAS BECAUSE THEY AGREED NOT TO DO THOSE THINGS AROUND MIKE.  AFTER A LONG CONVERSATION, I TOLD HER THAT IF THAT IS THE CASE, I WOULD JUST KEEP ON TAKING CARE OF MIKE BY MYSELF 24/7 AS I HAVE BEEN DOING.  THERE IS NO WAY I AM GOING TO LET ON TO HIM THAT HE IS DYING PERIOD.  EVEN IN GREAT PAIN, HE IS HAPPY AND JOKING WITH ME-I WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ONE TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM HIM.  HOSPICE SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO CALL ME BACK, WHICH AT THIS POINT I DON'T REALLY CARE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.  MIKE DID SLEEP WELL LAST NIGHT, AND IS STILL IN BED.  HE WATCHED SOME FOOTBALL, BUT WAS NOT INTO IT AS IN TIMES PAST.  IF HE DOES NOT SEE ME FOR A MINUTE HE YELLS FOR ME.  "WHERE ARE YOU MOM"?  I THINK HE JUST DOES NOT WANT TO BE ALONE, AND I AM WITH HIM 99% OF THE TIME.  I WILL GO PUT SOME NEW PATCHES ON HIM TODAY WHEN HE GETS UP, AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL HELP WITH HIS PAIN.  IF NOT I MAY NEED TO SEE HIS PCP AND SEE ABOUT GETTING HIM SOMETHING A LITTLE STRONGER.  WELL, HOPE YOU WEEK END WAS GREAT FUN-MIKE IS GETTING  UP SO I NEED TO GO SEE WHAT HE NEEDS FOR ME TO HELP HIM.  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

FIRST DAY WITH HOSPICE NURSE

I LEARNED A COUPLE THINGS YESTERDAY.  FIRST, YOU HAVE TO REMIND HOSPICE NOT TO MENTION "BONE" AS IN CANCER, AND SECONDLY, I NEED TO HAVE THEM USE ONLY MY CELL PHONE TO CONTACT ME.  I HAD ORIGINALLY SAID TO USE MY HOME PHONE NUMBER, BUT WHEN THEY CALLED YESTERDAY-HOSPICE SHOWED UP ON OUR T.V.. IT'S SOMETHING I GUESS BRIGHT HOUSE DOES SO YOU CAN SCREEN YOUR CALLS IF YOU WANT TO, BUT FOR ME IT WAS A HUGE RED LIGHT!!  SO MANY THINGS YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY HAPPEN.  ANY HOW, MIKE DID LIKE TERESA (THE HOSPICE NURSE), AND I DON'T THINK SHE SET OFF ANY ALARMS.  SHE PUT MIKE ON MORPHINE EVERY 4 HOURS AS NEEDED FOR PAIN, WHICH I DO THINK HELPED HIM SLEEP A LITTLE BETTER LAST NIGHT.  I ONLY GAVE HIM ONE OTHER HALF DOSE AROUND 3PM, AS HE WAS SAYING HIS LEG WAS REALLY HURTING HIM.  HE CONTINUES TO BE IN A GOOD AND HAPPY MOOD, TELLS ME CONSTANTLY WHAT A GOOD MOMMA/WIFE I AM (WHICH IS SO NICE TO HEAR).  IT MADE ME FEEL SAD FOR MY SISTER VICKIE WHO DID SO MUCH OF THE SAME FOR HER HUSBAND, BUT SINCE HE COULD NO LONGER SPEAK-SHE NEVER GOT TO HEAR ALL THOSE THANK YOU'S AND OTHER ACCOLADES.  MIKE STILL DOES VERY LITTLE COMPLAINING WHICH I GREATLY ADMIRE HIM FOR, AS I KNOW HE IS CONSTANTLY IN A LOT OF PAIN.  LAST NIGHT HE WANTED TO LISTEN IN TO MY MEETING WITH ME, SO WE BOTH WENT TO BED, AND HE WAS AWAKE FOR THE WHOLE THING-SURPRISINGLY.  I OFFERED TO HEAR MY MEETING IN THE LIVING ROOM SO HE COULD SLEEP, BUT HE SAID NO TWICE-HE WANTED TO LISTEN IN WITH ME.  WHEN EVER SOMEONE COMMENTED THAT HE KNOWS, HE WOULD SAY "I KNOW HER" OR "I KNOW HIM".  SO I KNOW HE WAS PAYING ATTENTION.  ANY HOW, IT IS JUST PAST 7:30AM, AND HE IS STILL RESTING.  I JUST PUT THE NEW PAIN PATCH ON HIM, SO THAT SHOULD HELP WITH HIS PAIN LEVEL AS WELL.  I GOT UP AROUND 3AM, AS MIKE WAS BURPING A LOT AGAIN, AND SO I GOT HIM THE NEW MEDICINE THE NURSE JUST ORDERED FOR HIM.  I STILL HAD MORE SLEEP LAST NIGHT, SO I AM FEELING MUCH BETTER TODAY MY SELF.  THIS AM THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO BRING HIM HIS FREE WHEEL CHAIR, AND TRY AND GET CREDIT BACK FOR DAWN (MY NIECE) WHO WAS SO KIND, AND RENTED ONE FOR MIKE BECAUSE OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WAS DRAGGING THEIR FEET.  I'M NOT SURE WHO ALL ELSE WILL BE COMING TODAY FROM HOSPICE, BUT I WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE SOMEONE CALLING LATER, AND COMING OVER.  ALL I PRAY EVERY DAY (AND NIGHT)  IS THAT MIKE DOES NOT SUFFER.  HE IS A SWEET, KIND MAN, WHO ONLY REMEMBERS NOW THAT WE HAVE GREAT KIDS, WHO NEVER GAVE US ANY TROUBLE, AND THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN ALONG SO WELL (L.O.L.).  AGAIN, THERE ARE SOME REALLY NICE ASPECTS OF ALZHEIMER'S!!  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

"YOU KNOW I'M OLDER THAN 180 YEARS OLD, DON'T YOU"?

IT STARTED WITH A COMMERCIAL OF A WOMAN WHO WAS STILL WORKING AT AGE 84.  MIKE FIRST SAID "I'M OLDER THAN HER".  TO WHICH I SAID "YOU ARE"?  THEN MIKE SAID "YES, AND  I WILL BE CLOSE TO 90 PRETTY SOON".  I SAID NOTHING, I KNEW IT WAS ALREADY DARK OUTSIDE, AND SUNDOWNERS HAD SET IN.  HIS NEXT WORDS REALLY BAFFELED ME THOUGH-THAT'S WHEN HE SAID HE WAS OLDER THAN 180 YEARS OLD.   WHEN I SAID "YOU ARE"? HE SAID "YOU KNOW I AM".  AT THAT POINT,  I JUST LET IT GO.  HE WILL FORGET ALL ABOUT IT IN THE MORNING-I HOPE!!MIKE HAD ANOTHER ROUGH NIGHT-WHICH MEANS I DID TOO.  VERY LITTLE SLEEP FOR ME, BUT HE SAID HE SLEPT FINE.  IT MUST BE NICE IN SOME WAYS TO HAVE ALZHEIMER'S.  YOU DON'T REMEMBER ANY OF THE BAD STUFF OR ANY OF THE ACHES & PAINS, TOO BAD IT ALSO TAKES AWAY THE GOOD STUFF TOO.  THIS MORNING THE HOSPICE NURSE WILL BE HERE AT 9AM.  IT IS A LITTLE PAST 7AM NOW.  MIKE DID NOT WANT TO EAT ANY DINNER LAST NIGHT, WHICH DID NOT MAKE ME HAPPY.  HE WANTED TO GO TO BED STARTING AT 6PM, BUT I GOT HIM TO HOLD OFF UNTIL 7PM.  I WAS SHOOTING FOR 8PM, AFTER WHEEL OF FORTUNE, BUT HE SAID HE COULD NOT WAIT-HE NEEDED TO GO TO BED RIGHT THEN.  RIGHT AT 7:30PM, HE YELLS OUT "MOM"! THINKING SOMETHING WAS WRONG I RUSHED TO SEE WHAT HE NEEDED-ONLY TO HEAR HIM SAY "AREN'T YOU GOING TO COME TO BED TOO"?  I SAID YES, AND I DID.  HE DOES NOT LIKE TO BE IN BED ALONE, AND IF I TRY AND LAY DOWN FOR A FEW MINUTES DURING THE DAY OR AFTER MY SHOWER-HE IS RIGHT THERE READY TO GET IN BED TOO. WHAT I DO KNOW (WEATHER HE REMEMBERS IT OR NOT) IS THAT HE IS IN A LOT OF PAIN DURING THE NIGHT.  HE KEEPS ROLLING OVER FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER, AND MOANING.  THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE THEY CAN GIVE HIM-JUST AT NIGHT THAT WILL HELP WITH HIS PAIN, AND HIS SLEEP.  I WILL CERTAINLY BE ASKING THE HOSPICE NURSE ABOUT THAT THIS MORNING WHEN SHE GETS HERE.  WELL, MY DOGIES ARE HUNGRY, AND I NEED MY CAFE' CON LECHE' (CUBAN COFFEE), SO TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

MIKE'S 1AM ESCAPE !!

I WOKE UP TO THE BATH ROOM LIGHT BEING TURNED ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN.  I FELT AROUND FOR MIKE IN THE BED, BUT HE WAS NOT THERE.  I SAT UP IN BED TO FIND HIM FULLY DRESSED-SHOES AND ALL, READY TO DO WHAT I DO NOT KNOW!!  I ASKED HIM DID HE KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS, TO WHICH HE REPLIED "NO".  I TOLD HIM IT WAS 1AM, AND THAT HE NEEDED TO GET BACK IN BED TILL THE MORNING.  HE WAS NOT OVERJOYED, BUT HE DID IT.  BEFORE I FELL ASLEEP LAST NIGHT, MIKE WAS ONCE AGAIN SAYING A BUNCH OF STUFF THAT MADE NO SENSE AT ALL.  HE SAID "WE'LL TRY IT, AND IF IT DOES NOT WORK, WE'LL JUST THROW IT AWAY".  I SAID "WE'LL THROW WHAT AWAY"? MIKE THEN SAID "DIRE KNIFE".  I REPEATED IT JUST TO MAKE SURE I HEARD IT RIGHT, AND HE SAID IT AGAIN.  THEN HE SAID "IT WILL NOT BE EASY TO GET RID OF THEM".  I'M LIKE "GET RID OF WHAT"? AGAIN HE TALKS ABOUT KNIVES.  HE SAID "THE KNIVES, THEY WON'T GO DOWN EASY".  I COULD HAVE KEPT THIS CONVERSATION GOING, BUT I NEEDED SOME SLEEP, SO I TURNED OVER, CLOSED MY EYES, SAID MY PRAYERS, AND WENT TO SLEEP.  HE MUST HAVE JUST BEEN TALKING IN HIS SLEEP, OR DREAMING-WHO KNOWS?  ANY HOW, IT IS NOW 8:30AM, AND I HAVE BEEN UP FOR OVER AN HOUR TRYING TO CATCH UP ON MY BIBLE READING AND BOOK STUDY.  MASSEY IS COMING OVER AGAIN TODAY TO SPRAY, AND OUR DAUGHTER FONDA WAS OVER AFTER WORK YESTERDAY AND SPENT TWO HOURS RAKING LEAVES IN OUR BACK YARD. SHE IS AMAZING!!!  I AM STILL NOT FEELING 100%, BUT AM DOING A LITTLE BETTER THIS AM.  I JUST GET WORN OUT SO EASILY THESE DAYS.  I NEED A DAY OR TWO OF BED REST, BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!   WELL, I WILL NEED TO CALL HOSPICE THIS AM, AND SET UP THE FIRST NURSES VISIT.  I AM HOPING AND PRAYING THAT IT WILL GO WELL, AND THAT MIKE WILL NOT GET SUSPICIOUS ABOUT HIS CONDITION.  TILL TOMORROW-SPEAK KINDLY TO ALL-JUST ME

BACK TO NORMAL ??

NO SLEEP!!  MIKE WAS IN A LOT OF PAIN LAST NIGHT-HE HAD SOME HOW MANAGED TO REMOVE HIS PAIN PATCH, AND THAT WAS NOT GOOD.  I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN OFF-I JUST NOTICED IT YESTERDAY.  AT ABOUT 2AM I GOT OUT OF BED TO PUT A NEW PAIN PATCH ON HIM, AS I JUST COULD NOT LISTEN TO HIM MOAN AND GROWN ANY MORE.  THANKFULLY, HE WAS DUE TODAY FOR A NEW ONE ANY HOW.  HE WAS UP VERY EARLY THIS AM.  I TRIED TO STAY IN BED A LITTLE LONGER, BUT WITH TWO HUNGRY DOGS NIPPING AT MY HEELS (I DID NOT GET HOME IN TIME TO FEED THEM DINNER YESTERDAY), I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GET OUT OF BED AND FEED THEM.  I AM NOT FEELING ALL THAT GREAT TODAY MYSELF-I HAVE A LOW FEVER, AND AM JUST PRETTY TIRED.  MIKE AND I HAD THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME WITH MIKE JR. & HIS FAMILY THIS WEEK-IT IS SO HARD TO SAY GOOD BYE TO THEM.  LAURA & MIKE ARE SUCH GREAT PARENTS-THOSE GIRLS ARE THE SWEETEST, CUTEST, MOST LOVABLE, MOST ACTIVE PAIR YOU CAN IMAGINE-AND SO WELL MANNERED!!!  THEY JUST LEFT THIS MORNING, AND WE MISS THEM ALREADY!!!  WELL, I NEED SOME COFFEE TO FULLY WAKE UP, AND SEE WHAT MUST BE DONE TODAY.  BTW, I SIGNED MIKE UP WITH HOSPICE YESTERDAY-THAT WAS HARD-BUT I WAS WELL SUPPORTED BY ALL THREE OF OUR CHILDREN.  THEY WILL BE CALLING ME TODAY TO FINISH THE PROCESS. I HOPE I CAN HANDLE IT BY MYSELF!!  TILL TOMORROW-I WILL TRY AND REMEMBER-ONE DAY AT A TIME!!  JUST ME

A WONDERFUL FEW DAYS !!

AS I MENTIONED ON LAST TUES. OR WEDS., OUR SON, HIS WIFE AND THEIR TWO ADORABLE GIRLS ARE IN TOWN VISITING, AND TAKING A NEW FAMILY PHOTO.  THE PHOTOGRAPHERS CAME TO FONDA'S  HOUSE, AND DID A MAGNIFICENT JOB!!  WE WERE ABLE TO GET GRANDPA (MIKE) WITH ALL THE GRAND KIDS IN ONE PHOTO, AND OUR BASE FAMILY IN ANOTHER, OUR THREE CHILDREN IN ANOTHER, AND EVEN ONE OF MIKE BY HIMSELF.  THEN WHILE OTHERS WATCHED MIKE FOR ME, FELINA, CANYON, AND I WERE ABLE TO TAKE THE GIRLS TO MONKEY JOE'S FOR A COUPLE OF NON STOP ACTION!!!  NOT SO MUCH ON OUR PART-ALTHOUGH CANYON DID HIS FAIR SHARE OF RUNNING AFTER THEM, BUT ON THEIRS !!!! THE ONE THEY CALL "GO GO GODZILLA" IS ONLY 2, AND SHE IS LIKE A TORNADO!!  SHE IS ALSO AS STRONG AS ANY 5 YEAR OLD, AND IT WAS JUST A LOT OF FUN WATCHING HER KEEP UP WITH THE BIGGER KIDS!!  ON A NOT SO GREAT NOTE, MIKE HAD A LOT OF PAIN LAST NIGHT-EVEN THOUGH HE DID NOT COMPLAIN TO ME, HE WAS MOANING AND GROANING WITH EVER TURN.  HE WAS UP AROUND 5, AND APPARENTLY COLD, AS HE HAD A COAT ON, WINTER GLOVES, AND A BLANKET WRAPPED AROUND HIM IN HIS RECLINER!!  HE WAS RUNNING A FEVER LAST NIGHT, AND STILL HAS A BIT OF ONE THIS AM.  MY CHILDREN HAVE ARRANGED FOR HOSPICE TO MEET WITH US AT MY SISTER'S HOUSE (ACROSS THE STREET) THIS AM TO SEE HOW THEY MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME WITH OUT ALARMING MIKE AS TO HIS TERMINAL BONE CANCER.  I WILL NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN NO MATTER WHAT I HAVE TO DO.  ANY HOW, OUR SWEET NEIGHBOR MARTHA WILL BE WATCHING MIKE WHILE I GO TO MY SISTER'S THIS AM.  WHAT EVER WOULD WE DO WITHOUT DEAR NEIGHBORS, GOOD FRIENDS-AND GREAT FAMILY SUPPORT???  TILL TOMORROW-CHERISH THE DAY-JUST ME

GREAT NEWS !!

OUR SON AND HIS WHOLE FAMILY ARE HERE!!  MIKE AND I WILL BE STAYING OVER AT OUR DAUGHTERS MOST DAYS AS WE ONLY GET TO SEE THEM ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR!!  OUR WONDERFUL NIECE DAWN GOT US A LOANER WHEELCHAIR SINCE OUR INCOMPETENT INS. CO. (CITRUS CARE) HAS NOT.  IT WAS ORDERED OVER THREE WEEKS AGO, AND MIKE CAN HARDLY STAND MUCH LESS WALK. SHAME ON THEM!!  WELL, I WILL BE AWOL FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT WILL DO MY BEST TO CATCH UP AFTER THEY LEAVE.  ONE FUNNY THING MIKE SAID BEFORE I GO.  HE SAID (WHILE WE WERE IN BED-MAYBE SLEEPING), "I WAS THINKING ABOUT FELINA-SHE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE PRESIDENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO".  I COULD HARDLY KEEP FROM  L.O.L. BUT I SAID "AND THEN WHAT HAPPENED"?  AND MIKE SAID "I'M NOT SURE, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE".  HE HAS NO IDEA HOW MANY FUNNY THINGS LIKE THAT HE SAYS LATELY-I'M SO GLAD OF THAT, AS IT KEEPS MY MIND OF THE OTHER BIG ISSUE.  WELL, THAT'S IT TILL LATER-MAKE IT A GOOD DAY!!  JUST ME

MIKE WAS WASTED ALL DAY YESTERDAY!

MIKE AND I  WERE SUPPOSE TO GO TO OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR'S FUNERAL YESTERDAY, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK OUT THAT WAY.  WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO, MIKE WOULD NOT, OR COULD NOT MOVE.  I TRIED AND TRIED TO WAKE HIM-AS DID MY SISTER AND OUR DAUGHTER FONDA WHO WAS ALSO THERE, BUT HE DID NOT BUDGE. HE HAD ALREADY BEEN SLEEPING ON MY SISTER'S SOFA FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS, SO NONE OF US COULD UNDERSTAND WHY HE WAS SO TIRED.  SADLY I HAD TO MISS THE FUNERAL, AS I COULD NOT LEAVE MIKE ALONE.  AT AROUND 3:30PM WHEN MY SISTER GOT BACK HOME FROM THE FUNERAL, AND PICKING UP OUR DOGS AT THE GROOMER FOR US SHE AND I WERE FINALLY ABLE TO GET MIKE UP.  HIS LEGS WERE SO SHAKY THAT WE BOTH  HAD TO HOLD HIM UP-ONE ON EACH SIDE OF HIM. ONCE WE GOT BACK HOME IT WAS RIGHT BACK TO BED.  HE SLEPT UNTIL AROUND 6PM AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO WAKE HIM UP AND GET HIM TO EAT SOME DINNER.   HE THEN WAS TOTALLY CONFUSED AND THOUGHT IT WAS MORNING.  WHEN I TOLD HIM IT WAS PM NOT AM, HE SAID "GET OUT OF HERE"!! HE DID NOT BELIEVE IT WAS IN THE PM TILL HE SAW THE NIGHT TIME NEWS.  AFTER I TOOK MY SHOWER I WAS DONE-I FELT LIKE A WET NOODLE.  I TOLD MIKE I WAS GOING TO GO TO BED,  HE SAID OK, AND THEN PROCEEDED TO COME TO BED ALSO.  HE IS STILL SLEEPING THIS AM, BUT IT IS ONLY 9:30AM, SO I AM NOT CONCERNED AS YET.  I SURE AM HOPING FOR A BETTER DAY TODAY.  I DID GET ONE BIT OF GOOD NEWS, OUR NEIGHBOR SAID MIKE COULD HAVE HIS MOTHER'S LIFT CHAIR (THEY ARE VERY COSTLY), HE SAID HE AND HIS BROTHER WILL BRING IT OVER ONE DAY NEXT WEEK.  I AM TRULY APPRECIATIVE!!  THERE IS ALWAYS A SILVER LINING IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH!!  JUST ME

HE'S UP- AND IT'S NOT EVEN 10:AM !!!

MIKE SEEMS ALMOST LIKE HIS OLD SELF TODAY-YIPPEE!!  I ATTRIBUTE THAT TO THE FACT THAT HE KNOWS HIS SON, DAUGHTER LAURA, AND THE TWO SWEETEST GRANDDAUGHTERS EVER, WILL BE HERE SOON.  EVERY DAY HE ASKS ME WHEN THEY WILL GET HERE, OR WILL THEY BE HERE TODAY.  HE EVEN WENT TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT TALKING ABOUT THEM, SO I KNOW HE IS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR VISIT AS ARE WE ALL!!  IF ANY ONE HAS ANY IDEAS HOW WE CAN GET A STRIKE GOING WITH S.W. AIRWAYS, PLEASE LET US KNOW.  WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO KEEP THEM HERE A LITTLE LONGER!!  MIKE SLEPT WELL, AND THE MYSTERIOUS BLOOD SEEMS TO HAVE LEFT AS MYSTERIOUSLY AS IT APPEARED-THANKFULLY.  WE SURE DO NOT NEED ANOTHER TRIP TO THE E.R.!!  MIKE IS STILL EATING PRETTY GOOD WHEN HE IS UP, BUT HAS MISSED A COUPLE MEALS OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS BECAUSE OF SLEEPING SO LATE.  HIS WEIGHT IS NOW 166. NOT GOOD FOR A MAN SIX FOOT TALL.  I THINK I MAY HAVE GOTTEN A LIFT CHAIR FOR MIKE FROM OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR.  I SPOKE WITH HER SON YESTERDAY, WHEN HE RETURNED MY POT (I MADE SPAGHETTI FOR ALL OF THEM).  HIS MOM (WHO JUST PASSED AWAY ON THURS.), HAD A LIFT CHAIR, AND HE SAID WE COULD HAVE IT FOR MIKE IF WE WANTED IT, AND I OF COURSE SAID YES!!  HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET IT TODAY.  WELL, MIKE WANTS TO KNOW WHERE I AM AND WHAT I AM DOING, SO I NEED TO GO SIT WITH HIM.  THERE ARE MANY GOOD THINGS AHEAD-IF WE JUST KEEP POSITIVE-JUST ME

DID YOU KNOW THAT TICKS COME FROM ANTS

MIKE HAD THIS AMAZING REVELATION WHILE WE WERE IN THE DRIVE WAY AT MY SISTER'S HOUSE YESTERDAY.  HE SAW TWO OR THREE ANT HILLS, AND THEN HE SAID THE ABOVE.  IT DOES NO GOOD WHAT SO EVER TO TRY AND CHANGE HIS MIND-TICKS APPARENTLY COME FROM ANTS-PERIOD!!  AT LEAST NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE SO DARN STINKING MANY OF THEM!!!    AS YOU MIGHT HAVE GUESSED, MIKE IS STILL IN BED.  I TRIED TO LOOK OVER HIS SHOULDER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY MORE MYSTERIOUS BLOOD STAINS, BUT I WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL HE WAKES UP AND GETS OUT OF BED.  TODAY WE DON'T HAVE ANY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS, SO IT SHOULD BE A PRETTY SLOW DAY.  MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR OF 15 YEARS HAS ALSO BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH TERMINAL CANCER, BUT THEY ONLY HAVE GIVEN HER 3 OR 4 DAYS TO LIVE.  SOOOOOO SAD.  NOTHING BUT SADNESS IN THIS OLE SYSTEM-I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THE NEW ONE TO GET HERE.  I'M SURE MANY OTHERS FEEL THE SAME WAY. I WILL BE TAKING HER FAMILY FOOD FOR DINNER TONIGHT (SPAGHETTI & MEAT BALLS), I JUST WISH I COULD DO MORE.  I DID STUDY WITH HER FOR A SHORT WHILE, AND ODDLY ENOUGH WE DISCUSSED FROM THE BIBLE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE, WHERE ARE THE DEAD, AND WHAT HOPE FOR OUR DEAD LOVED ONES.  SHE CHOSE THOSE SUBJECTS-MAYBE SHE ALREADY HAD AN INKLING OF HER CONDITION.  WELL, ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE MUCH TO DO, AND I TRY AND GET ALL I CAN DONE WHILE MIKE IS SLEEPING, SO I CAN SPEND EVERY WAKING MOMENT WITH HIM.  SO TILL MONDAY-HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK END AND DON'T FORGET TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK, FOR ONE EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP/FUN !!!  JUST ME

STRANGE BLOOD!!

FOR TWO DAYS IN A ROW, THERE HAS BEEN QUITE A LOT OF BLOOD ON MIKE'S PILLOW, CLOTHES, & SHEET.  I CAN NOT FOR THE LIFE OF ME FIGURE OUT WHERE IT IS COMING FROM, AND MIKE SAYS HE HAS NO IDEA EITHER.  THAT REMAINS A MYSTERY.  MIKE & I BOTH WENT TO BED QUITE EARLY AGAIN LAST NIGHT-AROUND 8:30PM.  I HAVE BEEN STAYING TIRED LATELY-MAYBE DUE TO THE ADDED ROUTINE, OR JUST MY TIRED OLD BLOOD.  ANY HOW, MIKE IS STILL IN BED.  HE HAD ANOTHER LEAK, SO I GAVE HIM A NEW STOMA BAG, BUT HE WANTED TO STAY IN BED FOR A LITTLE LONGER.  NOT UNUSUAL AFTER GETTING HIS BAG CHANGED.  I WAS UNDER THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT I WAS GOING TO GET SOME ANSWERS FROM MIKE'S DOCTOR YESTERDAY, BUT INSTEAD, THEY GAVE ME A BUNCH OF TEST!!  ALSO THE DOCTOR WAS IN A CRANKY PANTS MOOD BECAUSE HE WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HIS ALLERGIES, AND WAS TIRED & SLEEPY (HIS WORDS).  SO NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DON'T HAVE THE UPDATE ON MIKE THAT I HAD HOPED FOR. THE DOCTOR DID SAY THAT MIKE HAS A FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT ON THE 8TH, AND HE CAN DISCUSS HIS CASE WITH ME THEN.  I TOLD HIM THAT MIKE STILL DOES NOT HAVE HIS WHEEL CHAIR, SO IF HE HAS IT BY THE 8TH WE WILL BE THERE OTHER WISE I WILL HAVE TO CANCEL!!  MIKE CONTINUES TO BURP CONSTANTLY SINCE HE HAD THAT COLONOSCOPY.  I AM TRYING EVERYTHING I KNOW OF TO STOP IT, SO THAT HE DOES NOT WIND UP BACK IN THE HOSPITAL.  OUR SON AND HIS FAMILY WILL BE HERE IN JUST ONE WEEK, SO I AM HOPING AND PRAYING THAT I CAN GET THINGS UNDER CONTROL AT HOME.  WELL, I HAVE SO MANY PHONE CALLS TO MAKE, AND I AM SO FAR BEHIND IN MY STUDIES, I REALLY NEED TO SAY SO LONG FOR NOW.  HOPE YOUR DAY IS STRESS FREE-JUST ME

LONG DAY YESTERDAY

MIKE IS STILL RESTING IN BED DISPITE THE TWO PHONES CALLS WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THIS AM AND BOTH OUR DOGIES DOING THEIR VERY BEST TO WAKE HIM UP.  THEY STILL MISS THEIR WALKS IN THE AM, BUT NOT ONLY CAN MIKE NO LONGER DO THEM, BUT BECAUSE OF THE TICK SITUATION, MASSEY SAID THEY SHOULD BE CONFINED TO THEIR OWN YARD FOR THE TIME BEING.  I THINK MIKE MAY THINK THAT MORE IS GOING ON THEN MEETS THE EYE.  YESTERDAY HE HAD SOME BLOOD IN HIS OSTOMY BAG, AND WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. I TRIED TO MAKE LIGHT OF IT BY SAYING IT COULD BE FROM HIS LAST HOSPITAL STAY-TO WHICH HE REPLIED "WHEN WAS I IN THE HOSPITAL"?  I ALSO TOLD HIM I WOULD ASK THE DOCTOR ABOUT IT AT MY APPOINTMENT TODAY.  I TRY HARD TO KEEP HIM CALM, AND I THINK FOR THE MOST PART HE IS.  HE IS GOING TO BED EARLIER AND EARLIER, AND GETTING UP LATER AND LATER, BUT HE SAYS HE IS OK JUST TIRED.   HE IS ALSO VERY EMOTIONAL LATELY.  IT IS LIKE HE IS ON THE VERG OF CRYING WHEN EVER HE SAYS HE LOVES US, OR WHAT GREAT KIDS WE HAVE.  HE SAYS "WE MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING RIGHT-THEY SURE TURNED OUT GOOD". MY SISTER VICKIE HAS BEEN A HUGE HELPER IN ALL THIS.  NOT TOO LONG AGO THE ROLES WERE REVERSED, AND MIKE AND I WERE HELPING HER WITH HER TERMINALLY ILL HUSBAND NOW, I AM SURE THANKFUL TO HAVE HER SO CLOSE BY.  I FEEL GUILTY BECAUSE I HAVE SO LITTLE TIME FOR PERSONAL PHONE CALLS NOW.  MOST PEOPLE WHO CALL WANT TO KNOW HOW MIKE IS DOING, AND WITH HIM SITTING RIGHT BY ME, THERE IS NO WAY I CAN TELL THEM.  ANY HOW, ONE SUCH FRIEND IS ON HER WAY OVER RIGHT NOW (GAIL), SO I NEED TO GET DRESSED.  I HOPE I WILL HAVE MORE NEWS TOMORROW AFTER SPEAKING WITH MIKE'S DOCTOR TODAY.  TILL THEN-NEVER THROW IN THE TOWEL-JUST ME

GRIM TASK

YESTERDAY I SPENT A GOOD COUPLE HOURS WHILE MIKE WAS SLEEPING TO RESEARCH ALL THE THINGS INVOLVED WITH THE PASSING OF A LOVE ONE.  HORRIBLE DAY!!  MIKE AND I BOTH HAVE AGREED TO BE CREMATED, BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DECIDED UPON AND DONE IN ADVANCE.   I DO NOT WANT MYSELF OR ANY OF MY CHILDREN HAVING TO MAKE THESE DIFFICULT DECISIONS AT ONE OF THE WORST TIMES IN OUR LIFE.  I HAD TO STOP AND LEAVE THE REST FOR THE DAYS AHEAD, AS IT WAS NOT PUTTING ME IN A HAPPY PLACE, AND THAT IS WHERE I NEED TO BE AT ALL TIMES AROUND MIKE.  THIS MORNING THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF BLOOD ON MIKES PILLOW, SHEET, CLOTHES, AND EVEN THE MATTRESS PROTECTOR.  HE DID NOT SEEM TO KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM, AND I SEARCHED HIS UPPER BODY, AND COULD NOT SEE ANY PLACE THAT THE BLOOD COULD HAVE COME FROM.  HE SAYS HE IS FEELING OK, SO I WILL JUST HAVE TO KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON HIM THEN USUAL.   I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIS PCP TODAY-NOT SURE WHAT HE WANTS TO SEE ME FOR.  I'M SURE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MIKE'S CONDITION, BUT EXACTLY WHAT-I DON'T KNOW.  WE ONLY HAVE NINE MORE DAYS TILL OUR WONDERFUL SON, HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE LAURA, AND THE TWO MOST GORGEOUS GRAND BABIES ON THE PLANET COME FOR A VISIT.  I KNOW IT WILL MEAN THE WORLD TO MIKE AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY AS WELL.  I NEED TO GET DRESSED NOW, AS OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR IS IN THE HOSPITAL, AND MIKE WANTS TO GO SEE HER.  I STAY EXHAUSTED ALL THE TIME, BUT SOMEHOW, GOD GIVES ME THE ENERGY I NEED FOR EACH DAY.  TRY AND MAKE YOUR LOVED ONE SMILE TODAY-I KNOW I WILL-JUST ME

SLEEPY SLEEPY DAY

MIKE WAS IN BED MOST OF THE DAY YESTERDAY.  HE GOT UP TO GO TO THE MEETING, BUT I COULD SEE SOMETHING WAS WRONG.  I KEPT ASKING HIM BUT HE JUST SAID "I DON'T KNOW".  HE WAS BURPING CONSTANTLY, AND COULD NOT EAT HIS BREAKFAST, SO I SAID WE WOULD GO BACK TO BED AND LISTEN TO OUR MEETING. HE FUSSED A LITTLE INSISTING HE COULD MAKE IT, BUT IN THE END, I PUT HIM BACK IN BED.  HE DID NOT GET UP FOR LUNCH UNTIL FONDA (OUR YOUNGEST) CAME OVER FOR A VISIT.  HE GOT UP FOR HER, AND SHE GOT HIM TO EAT A P&J SANDWICH, AND TAKE HIS PILLS.  RIGHT AFTER FONDA LEFT MIKE WENT RIGHT BACK TO BED, AND STAYED THERE TILL I TOLD HIM DINNER WAS ON THE TABLE.  HE DID NOT GET UP RIGHT AWAY, I HAD TO GO BACK INTO THE ROOM SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEN HE FINALLY GOT UP AND ATE.  AFTER DINNER I PUT HIM IN HIS RECLINER, AND TURNED ON THE FOOTBALL GAME.  OUR GOOD FRIEND TERRY SWOFFORD & HIS WIFE DARLENE CALLED, AND MIKE SPOKE WITH TERRY, BUT WAS SOUND ASLEEP EARLIER WHEN DAR CALLED.  NO MATTER WHAT MIKE MAY BE GOING THROUGH, HE CONTINUES TO BE HAPPY EVERY DAY AND EVEN TELLS US HOW LUCKY HE IS BECAUSE EVERY TIME HE GOES INTO THE HOSPITAL-THEY FIX WHAT'S WRONG AND HE GETS TO COME BACK HOME.  MY HEART BREAKS, BUT I JUST SAY SOMETHING LIKE "IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE IRISH!!  OUR FRIEND GAIL TELLS HIM THAT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE HE STILL WINS AT PHASE 10 OR RUMMIKUB SOMETIMES.  OF COURSE WE NOW BEND THE RULES A LITTLE JUST FOR HIM!!  WELL, IT IS POURING DOWN RAIN, AND I AM SO GLAD I HAVE NO PLACE TO BE THIS MORNING. MIKE  SLEPT WELL LAST NIGHT, AND IS STILL RESTING.  IT IS ALMOST 10:30AM., AND I AM HOPING THIS WILL NOT BE A REPEAT OF YESTERDAY. IT IS NOT LIKE MIKE TO STAY IN BED THIS LATE.   WELL, I SURE HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU AND YOURS-TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

" GET OUT OF HERE " !!

THAT'S WHAT MIKE SAID TO ME WHEN I WAS EXPLAINING WHAT A COLONOSCOPY IS.  WHEN I SAID THEY PUT A SMALL CAMERA UP THERE-BEFORE I COULD FINISH MY SENTENCE-HE SAID THE ABOVE.  I'M SURE HE STILL THINKS I WAS PUTTING HIM ON, BUT THAT IS WHAT THEY REALLY DO.  MIKE IS STILL RESTING RIGHT NOW, BUT SEEMED AGITATED DURING THE NIGHT.  I KEPT ASKING HIM IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG, OR IF HE WAS IN ANY PAIN, BUT HE JUST SAID "I DON'T THINK SO".  I AM NOW WONDERING IF PAIN EVEN REGISTERS WITH MIKE OR IF HE IS IN PAIN, MAYBE HE IS JUST NOT ABLE TO EXPRESS IT OR FIGURE OUT WHAT IS HURTING HIM. SINCE WE GOT BACK HOME,  I AM HAVING A REAL PROBLEM WITH HIM AND HIS NIGHT TIME FOLEY BAG.  I THINK HE GOT SPOILED IN THE HOTEL/HOSPITAL WHEN I WAS EMPTYING IT EVERY COUPLE OF HOURS, AND NOW HE NO LONGER WANTS TO WEAR IT.  I GOT HIM TO COME TO BED WITH IT ON, BUT THEN AFTER I FELL ASLEEP, HE GOT UP AND TOOK IT OFF.  ALL I CAN SAY IS-GOOD THING I HAVE PLASTIC ALL OVER MY MATTRESS, AS WELL AS A PLASTIC TOP MATTRESS COVER, AND LASTLY A BLUE BED PROTECTOR WITH A TOWEL ON TOP OF THAT!!  I MAY HAVE TO PUT NEW STOMA BAGS ON MIKE EVERY DAY, AND CHANGE THE SHEETS, BUT AT LEAST MY MATTRESS WILL BE SAFE!! I NEED TO WORK ON MIKE'S WHEEL CHAIR AGAIN TODAY-THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS APPROVED IT, SO I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE DELAY.  MIKE HAS BEEN BURPING ALMOST NON STOP FOR TWO DAYS NOW-IF IT CONTINUES PAST THIS A.M., I WILL HAVE TO TAKE HIM TO HIS PCP TO SEE IF HE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT IS ALL ABOUT.  I TOLD MIKE THAT IT IS PROBABLY GAS FROM THE COLONOSCOPY, AND JOKED WITH HIM THAT I WAS SURE GLAD IT WAS NOT COMING OUT THE OTHER END.  WELL, IT'S A LITTLE PAST 9:30AM, AND MIKE IS STILL IN BED.  I NEED TO GO CHECK ON HIM AND MAKE SURE HIS STOMA BAG IS NOT OVERFLOWING.  IN MIKE'S CASE, THE STOMA BAG (GLASS) IS ALWAYS HALF FULL!!!  TILL TOMORROW, HOPE ALL YOUR TROUBLES ARE MOLE HILLS-JUST ME

ANOTHER ROUGH NIGHT

MIKE WAS NOT FEELING WELL AT ALL LAST NIGHT.  HE SLEPT MOST OF THE DAY, BUT AT LEAST HE HAD A BIG LUNCH.  HE ONLY HAD A COUPLE BITES OF DINNER, AND THEN HE GOT SICK AND BARFED.  I GAVE HIM SOME TUMS, BUT THAT DID NOT HELP MUCH.  I TRIED TO GIVE HIM AN ENSURE SO HE COULD TAKE HIS P. M. PILLS, BUT ONE OF THE PILLS GOT STUCK IN HIS THROAT, AND THEN HE STARTED BURPING AGAIN.  I KNOW HE IS WEAK FROM SEVERAL CAUSES-LOSS OF BLOOD, LACK OF SLEEP, PLUS HIS OTHER MORE SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUE.  I DON'T KNOW IF MAYBE WE BOTH CAUGHT SOMETHING IN THE E.R., BUT I ALSO HAD TO UP CHUCK MY FOOD DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY.  I SURE HOPE NOT, AS I THINK WE ALREADY HAVE QUITE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH.  IT'S GREAT TO HAVE SO MANY FRIENDS SAYING PRAYERS FOR US.  THAT IS ABOUT THE ONLY THING WE CAN DO FOR EACH OTHER THAT DOES NOT COST ANYTHING, AND YET DOES THE MOST GOOD.  I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT MIKE WAS ABLE TO SLEEP ALL NIGHT AFTER GETTING SO MUCH SLEEP YESTERDAY, BUT IT IS NOW AFTER 8:30 A.M., AND HE IS STILL IN BED.  WE DID THE SAME LAST NIGHT AS WE DID THE NIGHT BEFORE-WENT STRAIGHT TO BED RIGHT AFTER WHEEL OF FORTUNE. SO FAR THIS AM,  I'VE ALREADY DONE THE NORMAL THINGS.  I LET THE DOGIES OUT, AND THEN FED THEM.  I EVEN REMEMBERED TO TAKE MY MORNING MEDS!!  IT IS SORT OF NICE TO HAVE A LITTLE QUIET TIME IN THE MORNING.  MIKE LIKES TO HAVE MY FULL ATTENTION WHEN HE IS AWAKE, SO THAT MAKES READING MY BIBLE, THE NEWS PAPER, OR ANY THING ELSE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.  HE WILL EITHER ASK ME ONE QUESTION AFTER ANOTHER, OR SOMETIMES WILL JUST START READING THE PAPER OUT LOUD.  I KNOW HE IS NOT AWARE OF WHAT HE IS DOING-OR IS HE???  ANY HOW, I KNOW THAT I WILL TRULY MISS ALL THOSE THINGS ONE DAY, JUST LIKE HIS SNORING, AND BACK SCRATCHING/PATTING, SO I JUST SMILE INSIDE WHEN HE  DOES THEM NOW.  HE SAID HE WANTS TO TRY OUT THAT NEW BATH TUB LIFT TODAY THAT I GOT FOR HIM.  IT LOOKS GREAT, I JUST HOPE IT WORKS GREAT.  I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW HOW HE ENJOYED IT TOMORROW.  OH, BTW, MORE ON THE FOLEY OVER NIGHT BAG.  MIKE DECIDED HE DID NOT NEED IT ANY MORE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, SO HE TOOK IT OFF!!  OF COURSE  IT LEAKED, AND I HAD TO PUT A NEW STOMA BAG ON HIM AGAIN THIS AM.  TILL TOMORROW-BE BLESSED- WE ARE!! JUST ME

" WHERE DID ALL THE PEOPLE GO ? "

LAST NIGHT, I THINK MIKE WAS STILL DISORIENTED, AND THINKING HE WAS IN THE HOTEL/HOSPITAL.  HE WANTED TO KNOW WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE WENT, SO I ASKED HIM WHAT PEOPLE?  HE SAID "YOU KNOW, ALL THOSE PEOPLE".  THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT SO I JUST SAID THEY ALL WENT HOME, NOW IT'S JUST YOU, ME, THE DOGS, AND AMANDA (OUR TALKING DOLL). IT IS ALMOST 10AM, AND MIKE IS STILL IN BED SLEEPING.  HE IS VERY TIRED, AND I LET HIM REST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AS THAT'S WHEN OUR BODIES DO THEIR BEST WORK TO GET US FEELING BETTER.  I WENT THROUGH A REAL CRANKY PANTS STAGE YESTERDAY MYSELF, AS I THINK THE SLEEP DEPRIVATION JUST GOT TO ME, AND IT WAS NOT PRETTY.  I APOLOGIZE PROFUSELY IF I HURT ANY ONES FEELINGS!! I THINK I AM ALL BETTER TODAY-AT LEAST I AM FEELING 100% BETTER THAN YESTERDAY!!  MIKE AND I BOTH WENT TO BE AT 8PM LAST NIGHT, RIGHT AFTER HIS FAVORITE SHOW (WHEEL OF FORTUNE).  I GOT UP A LITTLE AFTER 6 TO LET THE DOG OUT, AS WE CLOSE THE DOGIE DOORS AT NIGHT.  THEN I WENT AHEAD AND FED THEM, AND MADE MYSELF THE FIRST REALLY GOOD CUP OF CAFE' CON LECHE' THAT I HAVE HAD IN 4 DAYS!!  YUMMY!!!!! WELL, TIME FOR ME TO GET MIKE UP AND FED.  HE NEEDS HIS REST, BUT ALSO FOOD TO GET HIM STRONG AGAIN.  OH, AND BTW, I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WORSE  THEN HAVING NO NIGHT TIME FOLEY BAG AT THE HOSPITAL-MIKE'S WAS LEAKING SLOWLY ALL NIGHT LONG, SO NOW I NEED TO REALLY CLEAN THE FLOOR BEFORE IT STARTS TO LIFT!!!  SO TILL LATER-BE HAPPY WE HAVE TODAY-JUST ME

" WHAT'S THE NAME OF THIS HOTEL ? "

SORRY FOR NOT HAVING ANY NEWS FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT MIKE HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE ER (BLEEDING ISSUE) ON SAT. AFTER THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK.  WE JUST GOT HOME TODAY A LITTLE WHILE AGO.  I AM DEAD TIRED, AS I COULD NOT SLEEP IN A CHAIR, PLUS THEY DID NOT HAVE AN OVER NIGHT FOLEY FOR MIKE'S STOMA BAG, SO I HAD TO BE AWAKE TO EMPTY IT EVERY TWO HOURS OR SO.  I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN RUN OVER BY A MACK TRUCK, AND YET, I NEED TO KEEP GOING.  I HAD TO PUT CLEAN SHEETS ON THE BED AS SOON AS WE GOT HOME AND WASH THE OTHERS.  I HAD TO PICK UP MEDICINE FOR MIKE AND THEN PUT THE HOUSE BACK TOGETHER (MASSEY SPRAYED AGAIN TODAY).  THE DOGS WERE VERY HAPPY TO SEE US (WE PICKED THEM UP FROM THE GROOMERS) AS OUR WONDERFUL SON-IN-LAW ART DROPPED THEM OFF FOR US.  NOW I AM COOKING DINNER, AND THEN I WILL DROP DOWN I AM SURE!!!  THAT WILL BE IT FOR ME TODAY.  I JUST HOPE I CAN KEEP GOING TILL THAT IS DONE.  ANY WAY, MIKE SAID THE ABOVE AS WELL AS MANY OTHER FUNNY THINGS-MAYBE FROM THE LOSS OF BLOOD, OR MAYBE JUST BECAUSE IT WAS AT NIGHT-OR THE FACT THAT WE WERE AWAY FROM HOME, AND HE WAS DISORIENTED.  HE SAID HE DID NOT THINK OUR HOTEL ROOM WAS SAFE, AS PEOPLE KEPT COMING IN!!  I WROTE DOWN A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS HE SAID THAT HAD ME CRACKING UP, BUT SADLY I LEFT THEM IN THE HOTEL (I MEAN HOSPITAL) ROOM. THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY, SO, TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

MIKE IS NO LONGER HAPPY WITH STOMA BAG

THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIMES NOW,AND I'M NOT SURE WHY.  MIKE WILL SIT UP IN BED, AND I WILL ASK HIM WHERE HE IS GOING.  HE SAYS "TO THE BATH ROOM".  I ASK HIM "WHY"? THEN HE REPLIES "CAUSE I WANT TO".  I TRY AND EXPLAIN THAT HE HAS AN OVER NIGHT BAG THAT KEEPS HIM FROM HAVING TO GO TO THE BATH ROOM TO TINKLE DURING THE NIGHT, BUT HE JUST IGNORES ME, AND GETS UP AND GOES INTO THE BATH ROOM ANY WAY.  I HEAR HIM BRUSHING HIS TEETH, (WE HAVE A SONIC TOOTH BRUSH-NOISEY) AND DOING WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE.  NOW HE IS STILL IN BED, AND I AM PRETTY SURE THE BAG IS ABOUT TO BURST.  THEY ARE NOT MEANT TO HOLD MORE THAN 2-3 HOURS WORTH AND MIKE TOOK OFF THE OVER NIGHT BAG AT MIDNIGHT THIRTY!!!  I JUST TRIED TO GET HIM TO EMPTY IT, AND HE TOLD ME-"PRETTY SOON". ON A DIFFERENT NOTE, MY SON IN LAW MIKE B. WAS OVER YESTERDAY, AND HELPED WITH A COUPLE THINGS I COULD NOT DO FOR MY SELF.  I REALLY APPRECIATED THAT, AS HE HAD BEEN WORKING ALL DAY, AND I'M SURE HE WOULD HAVE RATHER GONE STRIGHT HOME AND SOAKED IN A TUB!! SPEAKING OF TUBS, THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MIKE B. PUT TOGETHER FOR US.  I BOUGHT A BATH TUB LIFT FOR MIKE SO THAT HE CAN SOAK IN THE TUB ANY TIME HE WANTS, AND USE THE LIFT TO GET UP OUT OF THE TUB WHEN HE IS DONE.  NO MORE 911 NON EMERGENCY CALLS FOR US!!! WELL, IT IS CHILLY IN THE HOUSE FOR ME-75% WITH OUT THE AIR!! IT LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT ACTUALLY START GETTING SOME COOLER WEATHER NOW.  NO COMPLAINTS-THE COOLER THE BETTER!  GOT TO GO GET DRESSED NOW, SO LAUGH, LOVE, PRAY, AND BE HAPPY-WE ARE!! JUST ME

NO SCOOTER FOR MIKE !!

I JUST FOUND OUT YESTERDAY THAT BECAUSE MIKE HAS LATE STAGE ALZHEIMER'S, THAT MEDICARE WILL NOT OK THE SCOOTER FOR HIS OWN SAFETY (SUPPOSEDLY).  I THINK MIKE COULD HANDLE THE SCOOTER-BUT THEN I MAY BE LIVING IN THE PAST-OR JUST WISHFUL THINKING.  BETWEEN THE PAIN MEDICATION, AND THE MEDICATION FOR HIS ARTHRITIS, HE SEEMS TO BE DOING MUCH BETTER.  HE IS ALWAYS IN AN UP MOOD, AND IS COMPLAINING LESS ABOUT HIS KNEE PAIN.  THAT'S A GREAT THING.  MIKE IS ALSO SLEEPING MUCH BETTER AT NIGHT FOR THE MOST PART.  HE HAS NOT WANTED TO GET OUT OF BED FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS TILL AFTER 10AM.-NOT LIKE HIM AT ALL, BUT THAT IS OK WITH ME, AS LONG AS HE SEEMS RESTFUL.  HE IS STILL EATING LIKE A CHAMP. I MADE HIM PANCAKES (4) THIS AM WITH 3 SLICES OF BACON AND HALF A BANANA, AND POOF-IT WAS ALL GONE IN NO TIME!!  HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK ON SAT., AS HE KNOWS HE WILL HAVE A WHEEL CHAIR, AND THAT OUR TWO DOGIES WILL BE PULLING HIM.  DAWN (OUR WONDERFUL NIECE) BROUGHT OUR SHIRTS TO US YESTERDAY (ALONG WITH A TRAY OF FOOD-THANK YOU!!). THE DOGS STILL HAVE THEIR BANDANNA'S FROM A PREVIOUS YEAR, SO THAT SHOULD MAKE FOR A CUTE PICTURE!!  IT IS GETTING CHILLY HERE TODAY-IN THE 50'S.  THAT IS GOOD NEWS, AS IT WILL SAVE US BIG ON OUR AIR CONDITIONING BILLS.  WELL, I NEED TO GET DRESSED-MY SON IN LAW (MIKE) WILL BE HERE SOON TO PICK UP HIS SHIRTS FOR THE WALK, AND I AM STILL IN MY P.J.'S..  ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THIS DAY-WE WILL!!  JUST ME

"I THINK I NEED TO SEND SOMETHING TO SOMEBODY"

FOR TWO DAYS IN A ROW, MIKE HAS SAID STUFF THAT IS TOTALLY OFF THE WALL.  I ASKED HIM (AFTER HE SAID THE ABOVE) "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU NEED TO SEND SOMETHING TO"? MIKE SAID
"I DON'T KNOW, BUT I THINK IT MAY BE TWO OR THREE THINGS".  MIKE THEN TELLS ME "I THINK YOUR DRESS IS PRETTY" TO WHICH I SAY "THANKS HONEY".  PROBLEM IS, I'M NOT WEARING A DRESS!!  I WAS IN SLACKS AND A TOP.   I WISH I COULD REMEMBER ALL THE OTHER NON RELATED THINGS HE HAS SAID THAT MAKE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE, BUT I GUESS MY MEMORY IS NOT THAT GREAT RIGHT NOW EITHER.  I SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME YESTERDAY WORKING ON THE WHEEL CHAIR, AS ALL THE "IN NETWORK" PLACES FOR D.M.E. DID NOT HAVE A TRANSPORT WHEEL CHAIR, SO I HAD TO GET MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO AGREE TO LET US GO OUT OF NET WORK TO FIND ONE, AND THEN I HAD TO FIND A PLACE THAT DID CARRY THEM.  NEXT I HAD TO GET THE PLACE THAT DID CARRY THEM TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE TO ALLOW ME TO DO BUSINESS WITH THEM. WHEW!!  NOTHING IS EASY ANY MORE!!!  I THINK I THREW MY BACK OUT CLEANING THE BACK PORCH RIGHT AFTER GETTING A REALLY NICE BODY MASSAGE ( THANKS FONDA)!!  MIKE WAS TAKING A  NAP, AND HE DID NOT WANT TO GET UP, SO I HAD SOME NERVOUS ENERGY-WHICH I WILL PAY FOR TONIGHT, AND IN THE DAYS TO COME-DARN IT ALL!!!  WELL, I NEED TO GET MOVING-AS ALWAYS THERE IS MUCH TO DO.  TILL TOMORROW-DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOUR LOVE ONE.  JUST ME

BATHTUB PROBLEM SOLVED-NOW WORKING ON THE SCOOTER!!

IT IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR MIKE TO GET AROUND, AND WITH THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY (SAT. THE 22ND) I REALLY  NEED TO GET A WHEEL CHAIR FOR HIM.  THANKFULLY I HAVE A LOVING AND CARING NIECE (DAWN B.)WHO WAS SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM-SHE TOOK CARE OF IT FOR ME.  NOW THERE WILL BE A WHEEL CHAIR WAITING FOR MIKE ONCE WE GET TO THE WALK.  I AM FINDING THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE REACHING OUT AND TRYING TO HELP, AND I AM TRULY GRATEFUL.  I HAVE HAD A FEW DAYS, AND NIGHTS WHERE TEARS WERE WELLING UP, AND I EITHER TOOK A SHOWER OR WENT OUT SIDE, AS I AM DETERMINED NOT TO LET MIKE SEE ME CRY.  I DO A LOT OF PRAYING, AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE ALSO PRAYING FOR ME TO HOLD IT TOGETHER AS WELL.  MIKE IS SLEEPING BETTER WITH THE PAIN PATCH, AND THE SLEEPING PILL.  HE IS ALSO DOING BETTER DOING THE DAY-STAYING AWAKE A LITTLE MORE.  YESTERDAY WE PLAYED SEVERAL GAMES OF BACKGAMMON, AND THEN AN OLE FRIEND CAME BY (GALE R.) AND WE PLAYED A FEW GAMES OF RUMMIKUB.  MIKE STILL ENJOYS PLAYING THE GAMES, BUT IS NOT TOO GOOD AT FOLLOWING THE RULES ANY LONGER.  WE JUST LET HIM PLAY THE GAME "HIS" WAY, AND THAT KEEPS HIM HAPPY.  WE ARE COUNTING THE DAYS TILL OUR SON AND HIS FAMILY GET HERE IN NOV.. I THINK IT WILL DO US ALL A WORLD OF GOOD.  WELL, TIME FOR ME TO GET DRESSED AND EAT SOME THING, SO TILL TOMORROW-FIND A REASON TO SMILE!! JUST ME

GOING TO BED EARLIER AND EARLIER

LAST NIGHT, MIKE WAS IN BED BEFORE 6:30pm!!!  HE IS SLEEPING MORE AND MORE, AND HAVING MORE AND MORE TROUBLE WALKING.  HE IS NOW USING A CANE UNTIL THE WHEELCHAIR COMES.  HE IS ONLY COMPLAINING ABOUT HIS KNEES, FOR WHICH I AM TRULY GRATEFUL.  HE CONTINUES TO WANT TO GO TO THE MEETING WITH ME, BUT I CAN SEE HOW MUCH HARDER IT IS FOR HIM.  THE BROTHERS ARE SO KIND, IF HE IS IN THERE FOR VERY LONG-THEY WILL GO IN AND CHECK ON HIM FOR ME.  SUNDAY IT WAS KIND OF FUNNY.  HE WAS IN THE BATH ROOM FOR QUITE A WHILE, AND SO KEN R. WENT IN TO CHECK ON HIM, AND IT WAS PITCH BLACK IN THERE. THE TIMER HAD BEEN LEFT ON, AND THE LIGHTS WERE OUT.  KEN TURNED THEM BACK ON, AND SOON AFTER WARDS MIKE CAME OUT.  THE FIRST THING HE SAID TO ME WAS "SOMEBODY TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS"!!!  I EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AND OF COURSE HE WAS OK WITH IT. I THOUGHT MIKE WOULD WANT TO WATCH FOOTBALL, SO I WENT INTO MY ROOM AND WAS WATCHING SOME PRERECORDED SHOWS.  WHEN I GOT UP TO CHECK ON HIM, HE WAS NO WHERE IN THE HOUSE. I LOOKED IN THE BACK YARD FIRST, AND HE WAS JUST SITTING ON THE BACK PORCH-PRESLEY (OUR MALE DOG) BY HIS SIDE.  IT MADE ME SO SAD, AS I COULD JUST IMAGINE WHAT HE WAS THINKING "BOY WOULD I LOVE TO BE PULLING SOME WEEDS RIGHT NOW"!!  I'VE NEVER KNOW ANY ONE WHO ENJOYED DOING THAT MORE THAN MIKE.  WELL, THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR TODAY-I'M STILL COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, AND MY GLASS IS STILL HALF FULL.  HOPE YOUR DAY WILL BE JOYOUS!  JUST ME

HARD DAYS NIGHT!!

 

I NEVER KNEW THE MEANING OF THOSE LIRICS FROM THAT BEATLE SONG UNTIL YESTERDAY.  I GOT BAD NEWS AFTER BAD NEWS, PLUS, I HAD TO CALL 911 FOR A NON EMERGENCY TO HELP GET MIKE OUT OF THE BATH TUB!!  ALSO WE HAD MASSEY COME BACK OVER TO RETREAT THE HOUSE AND THE YARD, BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT-WE ARE STILL FINDING LIVE TICKS WALKING AROUND THE HOUSE (AS IF THEY OWNED IT), AS WELL AS ON OUR TWO POOR DOGIES WHO HAVE TAKEN THE BRUNT OF IT AS I HAVE TO TAKE THEM TO THE GROOMERS EVERY TIME MASSEY TREATS THE HOUSE!!  I HAD PLANNED A MUCH SLOWER TRIP TO THE POOR HOUSE, BUT I THINK THE TICKS MIGHT JUST SPEED IT UP!!  MIKE IS STILL IN A VERY GOOD MOOD EVEN THOUGH I AM NOW FORCING HIM TO USE A CANE IN THE HOUSE AND TAKE IT EASY.  HE IS NOT USE TO ANY OF THIS, AND I KNOW IT MUST BE ALMOST AS HARD ON HIM AS IT IS FOR ME TO KEEP A SMILE ON MY FACE WHEN MY HEART IS BREAKING!!   WELL MIKE WANTS TO PLAY ME A GAME OF BACKGAMMON NOW, SO I WILL SAY SO LONG FOR NOW.  NO DAY IS PERFECT, BUT THEY STILL CAN BE HAPPY-SO MAKE THE MOST OF EACH ONE-JUST ME

 

 

 

Basket Raffle

Benefiting The Alzheimer’s Association

“Upgrade Your Life Basket”Valued at $ 3453.00 !!

$20 per ticket – no limit

(Drawing will be the Morning of October 22, 2011

at the Orlando Alzheimer’s Walk at Lake Eola)

　
　

Contents of The “Upgrade Your Life Basket” for Orlando:

Sixty (60) Day FULL Golf Membership at Tuscawilla Country Club
Four (4) Rounds of 9 Holes Golf at Winter Park Country Club
Two (2) Professional Teeth Whitening By Dr. Marcia Martinez
Gift Certificate For “Stella Luca Hair Salon Winter Park”
Hair Product Gifts From “Stella Luca Hair Salon Winter Park”
Premier Design Jewelry Gift Certificate
Shellac Manicure By “Nails Done Right”
OPI Pedicure By “Nails Done Right”
One (1) Hour Swedish Massage By “Fitness Massage”
Two (2) 60 Minute Massages By “Balance Massage”
Acupuncture and Consultation By “Stillwater Healing Center”
Corporate Tax preparation By Rose Gamba, CPA
Personal Tax Preparation By Rose Gamba, CPA
Three (3) Hours Personal Book Keeping by Rose Gamba, CPA
Chiropractic Exam & Consultation By “Be Simply Well Chiropractic”
Botox Injections 20 unitsTO Purchase tickets go to:
http://2011walktoendalz.kintera.org/orlando/bonellihayesuniversity

and then I will mail you your tickets! Hopefully the winning
one. For more information, please contact me, Dawn Bluni at 561-
789-0056 for more information.

THE WHEEL CHAIR

I WENT TO MIKE'S DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT YESTERDAY TO SPEAK WITH HIS P. C. P. IN PRIVATE ABOUT MIKE'S CONDITION.  WE WERE IN TOTAL AGREEMENT, THAT TELLING MIKE THE CANCER HAS SPREAD TO HIS BONES WOULD NOT BE IN HIS BEST INTEREST.  THE DOCTOR FURTHER SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE ANY FURTHER TESTING, AS THEY WOULD BE INVASIVE, PAINFUL, AND FRUITLESS.  HE HAS ORDERED THE PAIN PATCH TO HELP WITH HIS PAIN, AND A WHEEL CHAIR FOR MIKE TO PREVENT HIM FROM FALLING AS THAT WOULD BE DANGEROUS AT THIS POINT.  HE IS ALSO GOING TO TRY AND GET HIM A MOTORIZED SCOOTER SO THAT HE CAN STILL GET AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD HE LOVES WITH HIS DOGS THAT HE ALSO LOVES.  HE HAS  BEEN SURPRISINGLY AGREEABLE AND EVEN WILL BE USING A CANE IN THE HOUSE.  I THINK HE IS REALLY RELIEVED, AS HE WAS GETTING VERY CONCERNED THAT HE WOULD FALL.  HE CONTINUES TO AMAZE ME-HIS MOOD IS STILL HAPPY, AND THAT MEANS THE WORLD AND ALL TO ME!!  WE ARE STILL PLANNING TO DO THE ALZHEIMER'S WALK ON THE 22ND OF THIS MONTH AT LAKE EOLA (8AM).  HE WILL BE USING HIS WHEEL CHAIR, AND OUR TWO CKC SPANIELS WILL BE PULLING HIM ALL THE WAY.  PLEASE GO TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE WALK, THE RAFFLE, AND HOW TO DONATE ITEMS OR BUY TICKETS!!  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

Basket Raffle

Benefiting The Alzheimer’s Association

“Upgrade Your Life Basket”Valued at $ 3453.00 !!

$20 per ticket – no limit

(Drawing will be the Morning of October 22, 2011

at the Orlando Alzheimer’s Walk at Lake Eola)

　
　

Contents of The “Upgrade Your Life Basket” for Orlando:

Sixty (60) Day FULL Golf Membership at Tuscawilla Country Club
Four (4) Rounds of 9 Holes Golf at Winter Park Country Club
Two (2) Professional Teeth Whitening By Dr. Marcia Martinez
Gift Certificate For “Stella Luca Hair Salon Winter Park”
Hair Product Gifts From “Stella Luca Hair Salon Winter Park”
Premier Design Jewelry Gift Certificate
Shellac Manicure By “Nails Done Right”
OPI Pedicure By “Nails Done Right”
One (1) Hour Swedish Massage By “Fitness Massage”
Two (2) 60 Minute Massages By “Balance Massage”
Acupuncture and Consultation By “Stillwater Healing Center”
Corporate Tax preparation By Rose Gamba, CPA
Personal Tax Preparation By Rose Gamba, CPA
Three (3) Hours Personal Book Keeping by Rose Gamba, CPA
Chiropractic Exam & Consultation By “Be Simply Well Chiropractic”
Botox Injections 20 unitsTO Purchase tickets go to:
http://2011walktoendalz.kintera.org/orlando/bonellihayesuniversity

and then I will mail you your tickets! Hopefully the winning
one. For more information, please contact me, Dawn Bluni at 561-
789-0056 for more information.

THE RAIN HAS FINALLY STOPPED!!

I AM NOT SURE IF THE RAIN EFFECTS OTHERS AS IT DOES ME, BUT WHEN IT RAINS, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY BONE IN MY BODY HURTS.  STILL, THERE IS MUCH TO DO, AND AS THE FIRST GIRL WHO PLAYED MONK'S NURSE (SHARONA) USE TO SAY-I NEED TO S I U (SUCK IT UP)!!  MIKE WAS UP AND DOWN AGAIN LAST NIGHT DESPITE THE FACT THAT I GAVE HIM TWO PILLS FOR PAIN AND SWELLING, PLUS A SLEEPING PILL.  I HAVE DECIDED TO TRY SOME HEAT ON HIS KNEES, SINCE THE ICE AND ALL THE RUBS DO NOT SEEM TO HELP WITH HIS PAIN.  WE ARE OPEN TO ANY SUGGESTIONS TO HELP WITH HIS KNEE PAIN-I THINK OTHER THAN THE HEAT, I HAVE TRIED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.  HE CONTINUES TO BE UNABLE TO WALK THE DOGS, AND THINKS THAT THE DOGS ARE UPSET WITH HIM.  I TOOK THE DOGS FOR A WALK YESTERDAY, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO MAKE THAT PART OF MY DAILY ROUTINE.  PLUS HE IS HOME ALONE WHEN I AM WALKING THE DOGS, AND NOW I TOO AM AFRAID HE WILL FALL.  IN MY WILDEST DREAMS, I COULD NEVER PICTURED MIKE AS BEING FRAIL.  HE WAS ALWAYS SO TALL AND STRONG.  HE HAS LOST A BUNCH OF WEIGHT, AND NOW I DOUBT THAT HE EVEN WEIGHS 170!!  I CONTINUE TO TRY AND MAKE MIKE LAUGH OVER SILLY THINGS THROUGHOUT THE DAY, BUT INSIDE, THERE ARE ONLY TEARS.  I AM THRILLED THAT OUR SON AND HIS WHOLE FAMILY WILL BE COMING DOWN SOON.  IT IS BOUND TO BE GOOD FOR ALL OF US!!!  WELL I NEED TO GET DRESSED, AS IT IS PAST 9AM.  HOPE YOUR DAY WILL BE A CHEERY ONE-JUST ME

MIKE CONTINUES UNABLE TO WALK DOGS

AFTER WE GOT BACK FROM DREW MEDICAL (ALL THEY HAVE DONE SO FAR IS GIVE HIM THE INJECTION OF THE NUCLEAR MEDICINE), AND THEN TOLD US TO COME BACK FOR THE TEST AT 12:30pm.  MIKE IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE  BACK AND FORTH TRIPS, BUT THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THAT.  I SAT HIM IN HIS RECLINER AND PUT ICE ON BOTH KNEES, AND THEN I WALKED THE DOGS.  I STOPPED OVER AT MY SISTERS WHERE I WAS ABLE TO CRY AND GET COMPOSED BEFORE COMING BACK HOME.  I KNOW VICKIE IS WORRIED ABOUT ME, BUT HONESTLY I AM HOLDING MY OWN, AND I NEVER BREAK DOWN IN FRONT OF MIKE.  I KNOW THAT THE GOOD LORD IS HELPING ME THROUGH THIS, AS I KNOW I COULD NEVER FACE EACH DAY ALONE!!  ALL OUR KIDS ARE GREAT, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN COMPARE WITH THE HELP I AM GETTING FROM GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT.  THE FACT THAT MIKE DOES NOT WANT TO MISS ANY MEETINGS IS ALSO SUCH A JOY FOR ME.  WE COULD HAVE STAYED HOME YESTERDAY, AS OUR CONGREGATION WAS IN DAYTONA FOR OUR CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY, BUT NO, HE WANTED TO FIND ANOTHER KINGDOM HALL TO GO TO.  HE EVEN SAID LET'S GO TO DAYTONA, BUT THERE IS NO WAY FOR HIM TO TRAVEL THAT FAR AND THEN SIT ALL DAY FOR THE MEETING.  HE WAS HAPPIER THAN HECK TO GO TO FELINA, JAKKI, AND JUDAH'S MEETING.  IT WAS A GOOD MEETING, AND I GOT SUCH A KICK OUT OF WHAT HE DID WHEN A SMALL CHILD ANSWERED LOUDLY THE ANSWER OVER THE MIKE-A CLOSED FIST UP IN THE AIR, WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE.  SAME AS MIKE'S WORDS WOULD HAVE SAID-THE LITTLE GUY NAILED IT!! TOOO CUTE!! WELL, WE MUST HEAD BACK TO DREW SHORTLY FOR THE REST OF THE TEST.  I WILL NOT KNOW THE RESULTS FOR 3 DAYS, BUT AS SOON AS I KNOW ANY THING MORE-I WILL SHARE.  TILL TOMORROW-JUST ME

FRIDAY ALREADY !!

WELL, MIKE WOKE UP VERY  EARLY THIS AM.  I WOKE UP AT 3:30AM, AND HE WAS ALREADY UP AND GONE!  HE WAS NOT ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN I ASKED HIM.  HE SAID HE DID NOT KNOW WHY HE GOT UP SO EARLY-ONLY THAT HE WANTED TO.  HE CONTINUES TO COMPLAIN ABOUT BOTH HIS KNEES NOW-AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THE RIGHT ONE.  MONDAY WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE BONE SCAN, AND I NEED TO CALL THEM TODAY TO FIND OUT IF HE CAN EAT BREAKFAST OR IF HE HAS TO GO ON A FAST.  IT ALWAYS SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SO MANY THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF, SO NO MATTER HOW MUCH I TRY TO GET IT ALL DONE-I FALL SHORT, AND I HATE THAT.  I SURE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOME OF THAT ENERGY BACK THAT I HAD IN MY YOUNGER DAYS.  GUESS ALL OF US WOULD!!  MIKE CONTINUES TO BE IN A GOOD MOOD, BUT I KNOW IT KILLS HIM THAT HE CAN NO LONGER WALK HIS DOGIES.  SPEAKING OF THE DOGIES, I FOUND A NEW WAY TO KEEP THEM STILL AND QUIET WHEN EVER I HAVE TO TAKE THEM TO THE VET OR TO THE GROOMERS.  NORMALLY PRESLEY WILL WHINE AND WHINE OR BARK FROM THE MOMENT WE GET INTO THE CAR TILL WE GET WHERE WE ARE GOING.  JUST FOR THE HECK OF IT, I STRAPPED AMANDA (MIKE'S TALKING DOLL) INTO THE BACK SEAT WITH THE DOGS, AND GOT HER TALKING.  BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I HAD THREE DOGS IN THE BACK SEAT WITH HER, AND THE ONLY SOUND YOU COULD HERE WAS AMANDA'S!! THEY WERE HYPNOTIZED BY THAT CUTE LITTLE DOLL!!  I WILL BE TAKING HER FROM NOW ON FOR ALL FUTURE TRIPS WITH THE DOGS!!! I JUST PUT ICE ON BOTH MIKE'S KNEES, AND NOW I NEED TO GET DRESSED, AS HUMANA WILL BE COMING AT 10AM TO DISCUSS THEIR PLAN WITH US.  I HAVE BEEN HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THE NEWS WE GOT FROM MIKE'S CT SCAN, BUT I HAVE NOT LET ON TO HIM WHAT IT SAID, NOR HAVE I BEEN SAD AROUND HIM.  HE JUST TURNED 78 YESTERDAY, AND I AM SO THANKFUL TO STILL HAVE HIM HERE WITH ME.  ENJOY YOUR LOVED ONES EVERYDAY-JUST ME

" I CAN'T WALK THE DOGS ANYMORE "

MIKE SAID THOSE WORD TO ME THIS MORNING.  HE SAID HIS LEGS-ESPECIALLY HIS KNEES HURT HIM SO MUCH NOW THAT HE IS AFRAID HE WILL FALL.  THE DOGS ALMOST TOOK HIM DOWN THIS MORNING WITH ME STANDING RIGHT THERE!!   I KNEW HE WAS GETTING WEAKER AND WEAKER, AS I CAN SEE THE CHANGES ON A DAILY BASIS, BUT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HE ADMITTED THAT HE CAN NO LONGER KEEP UP THE WALKS WITH THE DOGS OR DO ANY OF THE MOWING OF THE YARD.  THIS IS SO SAD AND MUST HAVE BEEN VERY HARD FOR MIKE TO ADMIT, AS BOTH THINGS ARE THINGS HE GREATLY ENJOYS DOING.  MONDAY HE WILL BE GOING FOR A NUCLEAR BONE SCAN TO SEE HOW FAR REACHING THE CANCER HAS GONE.  I HAVE TOLD HIM THAT MY SISTER JUST HAD A BONE SCAN, AND IT SHOWED THAT SHE HAS OSTEOPOROSIS.  MAYBE HE HAS SOMETHING LIKE THAT TOO.  I DO NOT WANT HIM TO KNOW ABOUT THE CANCER, AS IT WILL ONLY MAKE WHAT EVER TIME HE HAS A STRESSFUL ONE, AND I SURE DO NOT WANT THAT FOR HIM.  I SUGGESTED TODAY THAT WE MAY NEED TO GET HIM ONE OF THOSE LITTLE MOBILE CARTS SO HE CAN CONTINUE TO TAKE HIS DOGS FOR THEIR WALKS-I WILL LET HIM THINK ABOUT THAT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT HE DECIDES LATER.  HE IS ALSO LOSING MORE WEIGHT, HE IS NOW DOWN TO 172.  I WAS JOKING WITH HIM AND SAID I NOW OUT WEIGHT YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME-I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT FOR SURE.  WELL, WE ARE OUT OF OUR HOUSE SO THAT MASSEY CAN RE TREAT, AND WE TOOK BOTH OUR DOGS AND MY SISTER VICKIE'S YORKIE TO THE GROOMERS, SO WE SHOULD ALL BE 100% CLEAR OF ANY TICKS NOW.  WE ALSO HAD OUR HOME "SPRING CLEANED" YESTERDAY, AND WHAT A NICE DIFFERENCE THAT MAKES!!  WELL, THAT'S IT FOR NOW-I NEED TO EAT AND THEN GO PICK UP ALL THE DOGS, SO TILL TOMORROW-WE ARE STILL ENJOYING OUR LIFE LONG JOURNEY-HOPE YOU ARE TOO!!  JUST ME

NO NEWS WAS "NOT" GOOD NEWS!!

I AM WRITING TODAY WITH A VERY HEAVY HEART.  THE UROLOGIST GAVE US THE REPORT ON MIKE'S C T SCAN ON FRIDAY, AND IT WAS NOT GOOD.  IT SEEMS THAT THE BLADDER CANCER THAT HE HAD HAS GONE INTO HIS BONES.  NOT GOOD!!  TO FIND OUT HOW FAR REACHING IT IS, I WILL NEED TO TAKE HIM FOR A BONE SCAN.  I AM WILLING TO DO THAT-JUST FOR MY OWN SATISFACTION, BUT AS FOR FURTHER TREATMENT (BONE BIOPSY, CHEMO, OR RADIATION), I DON'T THINK I WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE.  MIKE SEEMS HAPPY AND DOES NOT COMPLAIN OF ANY PAIN (EXCEPT FOR HIS KNEES), SO I WOULD NOT WANT HIM TO BE TROUBLED BY THE THOUGHT OF THAT EVERY DAY.  I HOPE MY KIDS ALL AGREE THAT TELLING HIM WOULD NOT BE A GOOD THING FOR THEIR DAD-I GUESS THEY WILL LET ME KNOW IF THEY DON'T, AND WE WILL HAVE TO DISCUSS ALL THE PROS AND CONS TOGETHER.  THE FIRST THING WILL BE THE BONE SCAN WHICH I WILL TRY AND SCHEDULE TODAY.  I SURE HAD HOPED FOR BETTER NEWS, BUT LIKE THE SAYING GOES-IT IS WHAT IT IS.  THAT'S ALL FROM ME FOR TODAY, EXCEPT THAT I HAD A WONDERFUL SURPRISE VISIT FROM TWO DEAR FRIENDS ON SAT.  (JUDY & DANNY) WHICH DID BRIGHTEN DAY!! JUST ME