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