It's been a bit hectic around here. Thanksgiving was great. Food was outstanding. Sar had a bite of everything except turkey. She ate a big piece of pecan pie before the meal but I didn't complain. Glory's done a bang up job of making Sar's favorite foods. Appetite comes and goes - always glad to see her eat anything these days.
The health story: Briefly, the chest pain isn't as frequent which is the good news but when it happens it just about knocks her out. This makes all of us crazy and worried as hell. It can last a couple of minutes but once in a while, it goes on for what seems like an eternity. We administer crushed aspirin, call the doc, etc.
There are a few other concerns. Sar's on a round of antibiotics. We see the doc in a few days for another series of tests that will let us know whether these meds are working or she needs to have exploratory surgery. The imp's showing a bit of fatigue - hasn't given the medics a hard time except to tell them there is no statue of limitations for any harm or hurt they might inflict. The medics take a look at me, at Bull, at Max and acknowledge the warning. Mia bambina has not lost any nerve.
The "old" Sar pops up regularly. It's winter here, a bit of light snow, deer at the saltlick, frisky weather. She's restless, wants to be out in it. That's not happening on my watch. There's not enough snow to make snow people. We could get quite a bit of it this weekend; the imp is hopeful. I promised a sleigh ride if she behaves.
The kitchen is off limits for cooking and baking but my wife can manipulate most people. The imp managed to sit at the table and ice cookies. Glory says this brings back memories of when Sar was a child learning how to bake. She says Sar would ice a cookie, eat 2, ice another, etc. Sounds like my girl.
Sar's family will stay here for the rest of the month if surgery is the way we go. Otherwise, they'll head down to New Orleans to Christmas with friends. Alli and family have gone home to Chicago but Alli will return in a week or so.
We're making Christmas preparations. Sar's directing the decorating from the couch, barking orders like a general. Fortunately, she nods off often. When that happens I pick her up, take her upstairs and have her to myself for a while.
Will let you know what's next. We're weighing our options for getting a handle on fixing what's wrong. Sar's sick of the tests, probes, meds and all the other medical stuff.
For now it's a bit of a challenge keeping her calm, rested and doing as little as possible. The dogs as well as the damn cats shadow her every move, growl/hiss when I shove them away. I keep the bedroom door locked at night so I can keep her to myself.
Also want to add our thanks for the electronic cards, emails and notes. Your words of support are much appreciated.
Cowboy
Friday, November 30, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Full House
Cowboy here. It's been a hectic week or so. We're still at loose ends but a bit of progress has been made. Sar went through a bunch of tests. The good news is that she has a healthy heart. All parts work in sync the way they're supposed to. The not so good news is that some other part of her body is causing it to sound alarms. An endocrinologist was called in for consultation. Two labs ran tests. At this time the tests are inconclusive as to cause. The dosage on meds was adjusted. We go back next week to see if there's a sign of improvement. The worse case scenario at the moment is that my wife might be facing exploratory surgery.
Ok, better news: Sar has bursts of energy. They don't last long - 1-2 hours at a time, then she has to rest a bit.
Better news: Sar's family has flown in from Chicago for the holidays. Our house is full. Max, Glory and Violet are here. Alli and her husband Paul plus 4 grown sons are here as well as their damn cat. Bull is here - not just eating. He's in charge of the animals plus running errands. David will arrive tomorrow. He wouldn't miss Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Our young friend Patrick and his mother are expected for turkey day too.
Thanksgiving: Glory is cooking. That's the woman who taught Sar how to cook and bake. Normally Glory's a sweet lady but when she takes over the kitchen the woman barks orders like she was commanding the Pacific Fleet. Everybody jumps! We all have jobs. Believe me, nobody argues with the cook.
Sar's family: My wife went to live with this trio at about age 9-10 years old. First stable home Sar had. There's great love between those 4. To my dying day I'll be grateful they took her in. They were here in time to accompany us to some of the medical tests.
Max told the medics this was his girl child and they "best be doing what was right for her."
Glory told the medics if they hurt her girl she would see them drawn and quartered before sun down.
Violet said she would do the drawing and quartering.
And you thought it was just Sar who threatened docs.
When a tech tried to draw blood, my wife actually hissed. Vampire!
Violet's reaction was instant. Grabbed the guy's arm and warned him to be careful.
Try to picture this. Glory is a redhead with a temper to match but a reputation for mothering everyone. Violet is barely 5 feet tall, blonde china doll, speaks softly. Harm her girl and consequences be damned. The woman carries a switchblade. At 70, Max is as fit as any man 30 years younger.
Then there's Alli. Another kid that survived the mean streets. Hurt a hair on my wife's head and before you could blink you'd need your own medics. I watched and listened to what they had to say. Guerilla warfare in the making.
As I write this the imp is resting on the couch. The cat is hovering. The dogs go back and forth between the kitchen and the couch to supervise. Glory is baking pies. Max just made another pot of chicory coffee. He's laughing at the Cajun words Violet is teaching Bull to pronounce. I'm happy to report that my wife writes a few words here and there and hopes to have a story finished sometime over the holiday season.
For now, the house is full. There's a lot of laughter, good food and a great deal of hope for what's to come. Thanking you for all your good wishes and hoping this is just the beginning of a joyous holiday season.
Cowboy
Ok, better news: Sar has bursts of energy. They don't last long - 1-2 hours at a time, then she has to rest a bit.
Better news: Sar's family has flown in from Chicago for the holidays. Our house is full. Max, Glory and Violet are here. Alli and her husband Paul plus 4 grown sons are here as well as their damn cat. Bull is here - not just eating. He's in charge of the animals plus running errands. David will arrive tomorrow. He wouldn't miss Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Our young friend Patrick and his mother are expected for turkey day too.
Thanksgiving: Glory is cooking. That's the woman who taught Sar how to cook and bake. Normally Glory's a sweet lady but when she takes over the kitchen the woman barks orders like she was commanding the Pacific Fleet. Everybody jumps! We all have jobs. Believe me, nobody argues with the cook.
Sar's family: My wife went to live with this trio at about age 9-10 years old. First stable home Sar had. There's great love between those 4. To my dying day I'll be grateful they took her in. They were here in time to accompany us to some of the medical tests.
Max told the medics this was his girl child and they "best be doing what was right for her."
Glory told the medics if they hurt her girl she would see them drawn and quartered before sun down.
Violet said she would do the drawing and quartering.
And you thought it was just Sar who threatened docs.
When a tech tried to draw blood, my wife actually hissed. Vampire!
Violet's reaction was instant. Grabbed the guy's arm and warned him to be careful.
Try to picture this. Glory is a redhead with a temper to match but a reputation for mothering everyone. Violet is barely 5 feet tall, blonde china doll, speaks softly. Harm her girl and consequences be damned. The woman carries a switchblade. At 70, Max is as fit as any man 30 years younger.
Then there's Alli. Another kid that survived the mean streets. Hurt a hair on my wife's head and before you could blink you'd need your own medics. I watched and listened to what they had to say. Guerilla warfare in the making.
As I write this the imp is resting on the couch. The cat is hovering. The dogs go back and forth between the kitchen and the couch to supervise. Glory is baking pies. Max just made another pot of chicory coffee. He's laughing at the Cajun words Violet is teaching Bull to pronounce. I'm happy to report that my wife writes a few words here and there and hopes to have a story finished sometime over the holiday season.
For now, the house is full. There's a lot of laughter, good food and a great deal of hope for what's to come. Thanking you for all your good wishes and hoping this is just the beginning of a joyous holiday season.
Cowboy
Monday, November 12, 2007
Brief heads up
Cowboy here. Sar had a rough night last night. She was feeling good, more like herself all day - for a few days actually - then about 10 last night I caught her rubbing her chest. She finally admitted to a bit of pain, more like a dull ache she said. Spoke to the doc, gave her crushed aspirin, things got better in a matter of minutes.
Had the imp to myself for a change. David went home. Bull was out with friends. Held her till she fell asleep. Even went so far as to let the dogs in the bedroom. I'm gonna hear about that for years to come.
A bit of background here. Sar's used to having the pets around. The 2 companion dogs shadow her every move. When the normal routine is off, they get closer. They need to sniff, check things out, keep a watchful eye. I let the outside dogs in a couple times a day to say hello. They get nervous when they can't see her. The damn cat gets under whatever is covering her or sits at her shoulder, then spits if it thinks we're doing something wrong. I slipped an arm under her neck to raise her up a bit to administer meds. The animal BIT me. Wasn't expecting that, yanked my arm away. This caused the Rott to growl - the dog isn't crazy about my ministrations.
Why do I tolerate this? Because the imp is happiest when her pets are nearby and I'm a patsy when it comes to my wife.
Ok, I thought things got better last night - Sar was asleep. About an hour later she woke, complained of chest pains. Didn't waste time getting to the ER. They kept her till early this morning. Intermittent chest discomfort for a few hours - all the machines were hooked up to monitor vitals. End result is we have 3 days of more tests this week starting tomorrow. We'll be going home at the end of each round of tests - staying in the hospital overnight is too stressful all around.
Will try to post another update at the end of the week. We should have some news by then. Also, many thanks for the good wishes and the notes and cards. We are both appreciative of your friendship.
Cowboy
Had the imp to myself for a change. David went home. Bull was out with friends. Held her till she fell asleep. Even went so far as to let the dogs in the bedroom. I'm gonna hear about that for years to come.
A bit of background here. Sar's used to having the pets around. The 2 companion dogs shadow her every move. When the normal routine is off, they get closer. They need to sniff, check things out, keep a watchful eye. I let the outside dogs in a couple times a day to say hello. They get nervous when they can't see her. The damn cat gets under whatever is covering her or sits at her shoulder, then spits if it thinks we're doing something wrong. I slipped an arm under her neck to raise her up a bit to administer meds. The animal BIT me. Wasn't expecting that, yanked my arm away. This caused the Rott to growl - the dog isn't crazy about my ministrations.
Why do I tolerate this? Because the imp is happiest when her pets are nearby and I'm a patsy when it comes to my wife.
Ok, I thought things got better last night - Sar was asleep. About an hour later she woke, complained of chest pains. Didn't waste time getting to the ER. They kept her till early this morning. Intermittent chest discomfort for a few hours - all the machines were hooked up to monitor vitals. End result is we have 3 days of more tests this week starting tomorrow. We'll be going home at the end of each round of tests - staying in the hospital overnight is too stressful all around.
Will try to post another update at the end of the week. We should have some news by then. Also, many thanks for the good wishes and the notes and cards. We are both appreciative of your friendship.
Cowboy
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Some ups - some downs
Cowboy here. An update for you. Sar takes a couple steps toward better health, then a half step back. She's getting a bit of rest - most of it forced on her. I know I've stepped down in the genetic world - no longer a Neanderthal. More like Pro-Magnum man according to my wife. So be it. Hoping to get back up to "were you spawned from an armpit?" and "camel spit."
When I'm home I let her online briefly - there's email to read and answer but about 20 minutes is her limit. When I'm away from home I know she sneaks into a site she favors but even then I doubt she has enough energy to stay online long. I've said she can sit up in bed and write but online for any length of time is a few days or weeks away.
David was here for close to a week and brought junk food home. Those 2 eat plenty of burgers and other crap but as long as the imp's eating I'm not complaining. Sar has a hard time falling asleep but David has a sure cure. He sits by the bed and recites long drawn out battle strategies and the imp dozes off. Caveat: He's susceptible to her tears. He sees those and whatever she wants, she gets.
Bull falls apart if he suspects Sar is having a bit of pain. Well, we all do but he takes it hard. He sings her to sleep - the kid has a voice on him - when he thinks I'm looking elsewhere he holds and rocks her until he's sure she's asleep. Hard to believe the 3 of us have distinguished ourselves in battle and fall apart when we see a tear on the face of 1 little woman.
I do the dirty stuff. I get the meds down her throat. I make her stay in bed or covered up on the couch. I'm the one who won't let her climb stairs or cook. I'm the one that lays down the rules. The doc says there's a chance he'll clear her to walk around a bit in a few days.
Sar's getting cranky. She's making demands. She's setting the dogs on us. These are good signs.
Cowboy
When I'm home I let her online briefly - there's email to read and answer but about 20 minutes is her limit. When I'm away from home I know she sneaks into a site she favors but even then I doubt she has enough energy to stay online long. I've said she can sit up in bed and write but online for any length of time is a few days or weeks away.
David was here for close to a week and brought junk food home. Those 2 eat plenty of burgers and other crap but as long as the imp's eating I'm not complaining. Sar has a hard time falling asleep but David has a sure cure. He sits by the bed and recites long drawn out battle strategies and the imp dozes off. Caveat: He's susceptible to her tears. He sees those and whatever she wants, she gets.
Bull falls apart if he suspects Sar is having a bit of pain. Well, we all do but he takes it hard. He sings her to sleep - the kid has a voice on him - when he thinks I'm looking elsewhere he holds and rocks her until he's sure she's asleep. Hard to believe the 3 of us have distinguished ourselves in battle and fall apart when we see a tear on the face of 1 little woman.
I do the dirty stuff. I get the meds down her throat. I make her stay in bed or covered up on the couch. I'm the one who won't let her climb stairs or cook. I'm the one that lays down the rules. The doc says there's a chance he'll clear her to walk around a bit in a few days.
Sar's getting cranky. She's making demands. She's setting the dogs on us. These are good signs.
Cowboy
Friday, November 02, 2007
Brief Note
Cowboy here: My wife wanted to post yesterday - day after Halloween - but you can blame me for making her stay in bed. Not that being in bed made a hell of a lot of difference.
The imp's had a setback health wise. Heart issues came up again. All was going well, then she got a stomach bug. Emptying that little stomach took a severe toll. Blood pressure/heart rate were out of whack for close to 24 hours. When that was resolved she ended up having severe back pain. The doc told me to put a heating pad on her back. Too bad he didn't say "backside"-- I could have handled that on the spot.
My bambina was awake close to 40 hours before finally falling asleep. That was last night. Now, 13 hours later, the imp is still asleep. She's in good hands. David is back from the Solomons. Bull is here. All of us rotate a "Sar watch."
Sar was able to enjoy Halloween. I'll let the imp tell you the details but suffice to say she stole a lot of chocolate from the kids, ate enough to satisfy a sweet tooth, probably stashed the rest. I'll have to throw a BBQ for the neighbors in way of apology.
I've told my wife Thanksgiving might be a smaller affair this year. It's a big holiday for us - lots of guests - but I'd rather have her resting than running out of steam preparing a lot of food, getting worn out. I've suggested having it catered or having some of the food catered. Sar will not entertain the idea of going to a restaurant. Somewhere along the line there will be a compromise.
For now she seems to be improving. Appetite is returning which is always a good sign. Since David is here, I suspect her dreams are filled with mischief plans.
A healing thought headed this way would be appreciated.
Cowboy
The imp's had a setback health wise. Heart issues came up again. All was going well, then she got a stomach bug. Emptying that little stomach took a severe toll. Blood pressure/heart rate were out of whack for close to 24 hours. When that was resolved she ended up having severe back pain. The doc told me to put a heating pad on her back. Too bad he didn't say "backside"-- I could have handled that on the spot.
My bambina was awake close to 40 hours before finally falling asleep. That was last night. Now, 13 hours later, the imp is still asleep. She's in good hands. David is back from the Solomons. Bull is here. All of us rotate a "Sar watch."
Sar was able to enjoy Halloween. I'll let the imp tell you the details but suffice to say she stole a lot of chocolate from the kids, ate enough to satisfy a sweet tooth, probably stashed the rest. I'll have to throw a BBQ for the neighbors in way of apology.
I've told my wife Thanksgiving might be a smaller affair this year. It's a big holiday for us - lots of guests - but I'd rather have her resting than running out of steam preparing a lot of food, getting worn out. I've suggested having it catered or having some of the food catered. Sar will not entertain the idea of going to a restaurant. Somewhere along the line there will be a compromise.
For now she seems to be improving. Appetite is returning which is always a good sign. Since David is here, I suspect her dreams are filled with mischief plans.
A healing thought headed this way would be appreciated.
Cowboy
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