Gin

Just found out today that my 47 yr. old son has congestive heart failure. Can not get any details. Do not know if it is mild or severe. Not even sure where he is...USA or Mexico. He texted my daughter. Said he had problems breathing. She told him that he had to get care today. Did he? Who knows. There are a lot of heart problems in the family. He is carrying a lot of extra fluid.

Kay,. My son does not communicate with me very much. Only text. Sometimes. I warned him, but no answer. We try, but not always successfully. You know how that goes. Gin

Karen, His foot and ankle are injured. I just wish he would get out of Mexico. I also worry that the border will close. Thanks for thinking of him. Gin

I have had my pacemaker for a year. Named it Sparky. It gave me at least a year of life. Now I just have to live it the best I can. Even though I do not feel much purpose for my life without Al, I am still glad to be here at age 80. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sparky.

George, it is tough. Al will be gone 5 years this coming Oct. It sure does not get easier. Thinking of you.....Gin

Kevin, my heart hurts for you and your daughter. Hope she gets the help she needs. Gin

Marg and Dee.... this 80 yr. old also knows! Gin

George, my prayers for your healing and wisdom go up to God. I had an incident last week when my cardiologist asked what anti cholesterol drug I was on. I told him NONE. he said “Why not?” Well, because my levels were ok. He did not agree. They want that LDL down to 70. He prescribed a high dose of a statin. I have known so many who had big problems with statins (Al included). Called him back and read my numbers to nurse. She called back and said to definitely take it. I called my primary and went in the same day. He agreed with me. Wrote a prescription for 1/4 dose. I was very nervous about taking it when I am alone. This is hard work looking after the medical stuff. Rooting for you, George. Gin

This has been a rough week. My brother has some dementia. So hard to see him deteriorate. He used be the head of engineering and now he can not remember where he went for lunch. His wife of 61 years died suddenly this past Sunday. Have no idea how he can possibly live by himself. His 2 daughters are with him, so I hope something can be arranged. I am not comfortable asking him to live with me. I can barely take care of myself. He can not be left alone. Then my 47 yr old son had a motorcycle accident in Mexico. A "kid" that age is not interested in listening to his mother. He injured his ankle and foot. I told him to get it xrayed. No. Now he can not walk and he thinks it is infected. Have to get thru funeral first.

Just wanted to tell all my friends here to have as Merry Christmas as you can. I know that this is a very hard time for all of us. Life as we knew it is gone. I will have some time with my daughter and grandchildren tomorrow. Another daughter on Saturday. Hard to be too enthusiastic about anything, but I will do my best. Take care of yourselves and keep posting. Gin

Yes, nothing comes near to what Al and I meant to each other. NOTHING! Gin

Absolutely, Gwen!!

People tell me I need more friends, also. Easier said than done. I would love them, but it takes a long time to develop a friendship. With limited mobility, getting out is not easy. I try. I really do. Knit club, book club, bible study. People are nice, but I would not call them friends. My friends have either moved, died or are in nursing homes. Getting old is sure not for sissies.

No problems here, Gwen. Left this forum, and able to get back in fine.

Karen, keep that light on! Hope you did not do too much damage! Gin

Johnny,. Thinking of you today. It is so hard. Gin

Marg and Kay, Some things are just over forever.

Kay,. I do not even miss it. Without Al, it means nothing.

Marg, I will not go to any plays anymore. Al and I used to go to 1-2 a week. People have asked me to go with them. I thank them and refuse. That was OUR thing. They do not understand, but I am used to that. Gin

George,. So glad you are OK. Prayers for a quick and complete recovery! A blessed Thanksgiving to you! Gin

Kay, hope the weather guys are wrong. It is so hard to keep shoveling and try to get the car out. My turn will come again but not for at least another week. Gin

Yes Gwen, It is so lonely. I went to church this morning and it was so good to at least see people. Then I came home and had several bad coughing spells. Maybe I am not as well as I was hoping. Ordered cold and cough stuff on Amazon. Coming tomorrow. I do not even want to go to the store anymore. Hope you have an OK day tomorrow on your bday. I had my 80th in July. No Al. No fun. I wanted to get a dog. Always had one. Afraid I could not take care of it. Especially in the winter. So, there is nothing else alive in the house. I will probably even kill the one poor plant that lives here. Better go water it now. Hope things improve for you soon! gin

I do not know many people there. Just recently became a member there after my church closed. So, I either get there on my own or do not go.

All back to “normal”, whatever that is. Sinus infection much better, but still feel so isolated. Nothing going on today. Will try for church tomorrow. This is a BIG church with lots of things going on, but I have little energy to go to them. Tomorrow is a Bach cantata with choirs, orchestra, soloists. I went to one many years ago and it was great. Now I have to concern myself with things like parking and how far I have to walk. I am grateful for television, telephones and the internet. And for all of you. This is a rough journey we are all on.

It was a cold, dark, gloomy day here in Chicago. I have no spirit for the holidays. Nothing seems good. My brother is falling deeper into Alzheimer’s. I am getting over a bad sinus infection. I had to go to the bank and that was the only human I saw all day. I so miss being around people. The suggestion I received was to make more friends! Easy to say!! I am 80 and not in great physical shape. I need to get busy and clean out the house I have lived in for 54 years. Then what? The poor lady at the bank.... I asked her all about her family and her holiday plans. I used to have plans, but they are gone. Guess I am having a pity party. Sorry. Gin