Tachi

I never know about home testing devices. My scale is off and I suspect my BP meter is off, its giving me just under 120/80. I need a new one I guess. Been trying to get the surgical binder off and use the heating pad, then use it on my ankle/foot. I also do a warm washcloth. Its about the same. I wont get out in the coming cold so maybe I can do a virtual visit. I guess it will take a little time for your hand to heal. Wish they had something you could dip your hand in and take th heat out. hang in there, hopefully it heals soonest. How did the skin visit go? Did they freeze em off? I had read use vaseline over neosporin when reading about my foot. I use neosporin anyway. But honestly I think theyre right in my case. Whatever I put on it cant get inside so its too late for any antibacterial stuff. I think eventually I will need a doctor and they will probably cut it open again. Saw my surgeon today. He's a good man. I am off the meds, off restriction and see him again in 3 months. However, still very much healing the wound and incisions and still going to be very careful and take it slow. I have a dozen or so cake and brownie mixes that I no longer will make. Going to give em to my nextdoor neighbors. Your place is drafty then. Good thing you have a super stove. My rental in Lubbock before I moved home was drafty. It had an old under floor gas heater. never used it. It would heat the front room and the other two rooms and bathroom were ice. Yea i laughed when i figured out my glass held 3 and not 2 cups. my poor kidneys. Im trying to slow down and not overdrink. The sad thing is we have sorely earned so much more than we have or will ever get. I laugh at these kids because they have no clue. Even if someone tries to tell them whats coming they dont want to hear it. their cup is full and theres no more room. Wish i could redo life knowing what I know just so i could spend time and energy on what really matters. Sounds like you need someone reliable to go through the property and do some work. But I guess as long as the main building holds up you're ok. Thursday its supposed to be 50ish and sometime around noon drop into the 20s in about 90 minutes. be 9 that night and frigid until Sunday. Luckily no rain, ice, or snow is forecast. Waiting to see if we lose power anyway. We shouldnt. Im staying home. Scratch Kodie for me, and take good care. Hoping your hand gets healed soon.

Talked to my doctor online, but forgot to ask about my foot, so I hope its not infected. We talked about my bloodwork. The alkaline phosphatase is high and concerns her. Could be liver or gall bladder (altho she doesnt think so), could be bone disease, bone cancer, or as a result of my prostate stuff. Doing another bloodwork the 27th and go from there. We ruled out sweet breads, cakes pies etc. Unless I can make something w/ low/no sugar etc. Anyway, will be wondering if i have cancer until I find out. It never ends. I guess Panther is claiming his territory. Too bad that cant be directed. How is your hand doing. Hopefully that heals quick. Are you able to eat ok? My bro would tell you to just order pizzas. judging by the food he always suggests its a miracle he is still alive. he sent me a box of italian fruitcake, which I love. But lots of bad fats. I thought to just eat a tiny bit at a time but today the ingredients actually list cholesterol, so i trashed it. he either knows nothing of butrition or doesnt care. And your place holds together. And snow is mild. Life keeps moving. I think I would be happy if it hit a sweet spot and rested there for a bit. I've read this is a big problem for alot of young people. they think life is always good and quiet. So they have no esilience and cant handle adversity. Remember the old Charlie Brown cartoons? The way adults sounded? Thats how we sound to cats..."waaa? waaa wa wa waaa". We get a winter storm this week, Thursday night a low of 9 and then Friday a high of 24. It starts warming up Saturday and in the 50s and 60s the following week. No snow forecast but they say parts of Texas will be without power. it's amazing to me after that last bad storm how they havent fixed anything.What do we have to do? I have a half cord of firewood so will look at the fireplace after my appt Tuesday and make sure its ready to go. At least you dont use the shop. I guess it wont hurt anything unless the walls fall down? Your husband sounds like my Dad in a way. Loving to work on things and spend hours in the shop. Curious how thigs work. I didnt inherit exactly that. I am more like Mom. A creative imaginative soul. What I wonder is how I will survive working til my end. And 'if' I can work that long. But honestly, given the current state of my health that may not be a problem. Oddly, I am presently at peace. Had another lesson in Mortgages etc. There is a $3600 shortage on property taxes. I saved 7400 for it plus emergency. But the mortgage company paid it in full and will add the amount I owe them to next years mortgage plus use the new property tax amount...which raises the mortgage payment by $660...about an extra 67% of thus years mortgage. So I will take my saved money and transfer it to the account that the mortgage is paid from and it should cover that amount. My SS will cover the rest of the house bills. I'm a bit frightened to see the medical bills and pray there's nothing else coming. I'm slowly running out of money. But i will fairly soon refuse to delve into anything else. there's no sense in being healthy just to be living on the sreet. Bloodwork again on the 27th. I can tell I'm healing inside and some issues have gone away. But the wound on my foot isnt healing or so it seems. The compression hose I guess was bunched cause it was uncomfortable in the hospital. It rubbed a blister which broke. there's a small bright red ring around it which isnt spreading. Doesnt hurt, isnt swollen or hot. I'm using a hot compress and then covering with neosporin. Was told to drink lots of water with that catheter etc. I have a set of large glasses that hold two cups each so was getting 4 a day at best. Finally did measure em and they hold over 3 cups. So I thought I as drinking 6-8 cups and was really drinking 9-12. Too much. Have slowed down and my bladder is healing i guess because its all heading to a more normal response. I have no idea how they make houses like yours, but it seems well insulated? Holds the heat well. I only use a couple rooms and wish I could close off some vents and close some doors but supposedly that can mess up the system. Jazzy is blessed to have you available.. Cool how things work sometimes. Well, going to take the trash out for tomorrow and make dinner. Turkey patty and some green veges. I think I have one more of the vegetable soup pack with okra and onion and peppers etc. take good care. I forget how cold it gets there. Keep warm. From the inside shot you posted your place looks in pretty good shape. I wonder what Panther will do after his current targets arec destroyed, maybe start on a tree.

Mandolin I had been thinking of getting myself one for christmas but mentioned to bro that i had to wait til I paid for medical. So he sent me the money to get one. He thinks I will play him a Christmas carol on Christmas. Wont happen. I cant even really sit up to play, let alone am able to get a clear note. Someday. The've confirmed a dozen tornadoes now. And we had one near me, scary. What I'm doing is a small breakfast when i wake up. I've found if I dont eat soon after waking up I have problems. then lunch around noon and dinner around six and no snacking in between. I dont really feel hungry anymore. I can feel my stomach if its empty and hear it growl but dont feel hungry. In the same vein I also have problems feeling full. I need to just be careful with how i fill the plate and say this is all i get. Watching a Randolph Scott western, he was one of dads favorite cowboys. good actor. The picture was fine. i can tell how beautiful things are and thats what counts. I agree on survival mode. You've certainly had your share. You deserve to have a few months of peace and quiet. For me I feel like life is just slowly spiraling downward. one thing after another. I am wondering now if I can come back from this and get in shape or if this is just the beginning of the end. We shall see. I think I need a cup of tea. I started having a cup of green tea every couple days, supposed to be good for me. Take care.

Thats a really beautiful tree. Thanks for showing me. Reminds me of better days. thats a handsome Kodie too. he looks so peaceful. Nice looking home too. Beginnig to think modern medicine is little to do with how best to help the patient and all about following the guidelines. The compression socks they put on me in hospital were rubbing and gave me a blister. Well it wore trough and I'm hoping it isnt infected. Online appt w/ doc Friday so will watch it this week and ask her. My brother called, was nice, wanted to know when id be able to start looking for work. he always thinks theres a definitive answer. I have no idea and not real worried about it. I have to get healed and restudy and have the estate sale and sell the house and find an apt. I misunderstood the property taxes. they will pay the new amount in its entirety, an extra $3000+ and then tack it on to next year in monthly installments. Plus increase the escrow to meet the increase in property taxes. So next years mortgage goes up by over $600 a month.I have 7200 saved back for that purpose plus emergencies so will use all of it for the property taxes. I'll transfer it to the acct that pays the mortgage. Woke up this morning early to the tornado siren. I dont sleep well anymore. the area had terrible storms, Five known tornadoes and up to a dozen more suspected. Torrential rains and high winds. No loss of life but alot of damage. luckily we came through it here. I can see Kodie cooking, he would eat it all in the process. I had intended to make some soup or chili but havent yet. Going to have to wait on spending until I get the hospital bills. I dont think it will be real bad but then i dont want any bad surprises. I am reading food labels and ignoring food with bad stuff in it. What I have now will be boxed up for emergencies, like if we cant get food. The turkey and chicken is great. Wont buy instant oatmeal again. Confused about carbs and fiber. I had read something about adjust the carbs number in a food by the fiber number? Green beans seem to be a good food. Unfortunatel many of the recommeded foods i just wouldnt eat, like asparagus and cailiflower. broccoli is good if its mixed with good stuff. I have a long way to go for nutrition and in getting my numbers fixed. The white and red bloodcell counts concern me. I would be curious to see a new bloodtest in 6 months. I wasnt taking any scripts before this, just vitamins. I read the liver gets fatty if you eat too much. Since ad passed ive been a snacker and a comfort snacker. I could see where that added to it. And no exercise for months and eating bad fats and oils. Your husband and my dad were alike in growing up poor. yet they were both very smart, good with their hands and in the shop. Guessing he found the meaning of holidays in those he loved and in sharing the fun and love of the day. he sounds like a good man. Isnt it interesting how at this point it isnt about getting or even giving. There are some fine memories to cherish and remember. Watching Christmas movies. Or like me watching videos on the history of Christmas. I sent the bro and wife a couple presents and he sent me a mandolin for my surgery. Trying to learn to play but my focus is shot. Ive found some things different after surgery. My focus is all but gone. I dont sleep worth a flip. And my voice changed. Its more hoarse but I kind of like it. I was craving sweets for the first time in forever and right now im craving burritos or nachos. maybe i'm pregnant? Im sending out three cards this year. the family I contacted a year ago didnt stay in touch so im letting them go. I do wonder what Kodie thinks of that tree. Or maybe he just enjoys the lights and colors. He knows thats your tree so he is very respectful. he is indeed a very good dog. Best of luck on your surgery. My prayer for you is all goes well and then you get a peaceful time of healing. I have no clue what the urologist will do, besides make sure im ok and healing and talk about further care and healing. Hoping he doesnt want to stick anything in me. Im thinking he will have the results of tissue sampling. they took some of the tissue he removed during surgery to be sent to the lab and check for cancer. In most cases I think they would just watc it but praying it comes back clean. Funny how this Chrsitmas i dont really care about parties or presents and such. I just want to get well. Health really is the more important thing. Take good care of yourself and Kodie and panther. Stay warm.

Oh my goodness, hope its feeling better. If you can make the appt maybe they can help with the burn. You need doctor where you can call and tell them what happened, they write a script and the pharmacy can next day it to you. I have wondered how many people get some form of skin cancer later in life. Seems very common. Be good to get that done. I dont sleep well. Still drinking alot of water so am up several times at night. Plus its hard to sleep on my back. The incisions seem healing faster inside than out. I have to be patient. Otherwise I feel very unmotivated. I cant do physical things but I should be reading and get back to studies. Last week we got some rain and yesterday we got a little rain. Today is overcast and 50s so I'm enjoying a mug of cocoa. Been checking food labels and looking at fats, good and bad and total. Most of the store made baked goods have too many bad fats. So i'm thinking if I find the right mix and substitute a lowfat or healthier oil like olive....will see. Havent heard anything from my brother. guess he is busy. I'm thinking talk with estate sale company next month and have sale in february. Then I can decide what repairs etc to have done on the house. My SS starts January, finally got the notice in the mail. I had forgotten they deduct the cost of Medicare from the SS payment each month, one less thing to do. Did your snow ever melt off or is it still Winter Wonderland? Was supposed to have my virtual appt w/ doctor friday but she had called in so will do that this Friday. I have been doing research on the markers on the tests. For the low red and white bloodcells I started folic acid and iron pills and got back on my B-12. I have to remember that my metabolism has been almost nothing since Sept. Ive had almost no exercise at all and tremendous stress. Im thinking my liver went bad from my diet and too many bad fats and oils. Exercise and better diet hopefully fix that. Guessing alot of the numbers tie into each other. Fatty liver and cholesterol and phosphatase. Then urologist the next tuesday and hope that goes well and I'll leave the medical people alone for a few months. I want out of the system. I have so many things to do. Is Kodie and Panther excited for Christmas? This is probably Panther's first one to celebrate with a family. Hope you get to see yours for Christmas. I'm hoping for peace and quiet. My other nextdoor neighbor hadnt been home for awhile. very nice older couple. The guy on the other side of me said she went into the hospital and then a home. he stayed with her the entie time. But now they are home. Very thankful for that. When Dad took his fall and couldnt help him build the fence between the backyards Mr Ruiz said no problem and built it himself. Nice man. Anyway, I know theyre happy to be home, esp for Christmas. Do you have a Christmas tree up? Do you usually have one? natural or fake? I had always thought it would be nice to have one growing in the backyard in front of the breakfast room window. The difference between me and my brother is he likes the fancy glittery loud decoration. I would rather just have a tree with a string of plain lights. The tree is beautifull enough on its own. But thats just me. My neighbor very nicely mowed the leaves in my front yard. next day the wind had blown the rest of the leaves off. I suppose tomorrow I'll start working on it. Just have to be careful I'm not twisting my gut. Do all the work with my arms and space it out over a few days. I'm weak and tire easier than before. I miss the decor, never been to a Christmas party or such. Miss the family and the snacks and food. In those regards it doesnt feel like Christmas. But then I dont like a commercial/party one anyway. I will have a look at my life and see where to go and what to do. Taking stock of my life. Hope things are better for you. take good care of yourself.

Thanks for the resources. I looked again at my bloodwork and my white and red bloodcell counts are low. The other markers seem to indicate a fatty liver or bone problems. NOTE- I found my A1C 1 Hemoglobin...its 5.1...normal. My triglycerides are normal. My wounds and gut are healing. I can cough carefully and dont get a twinge getting in and out of bed. I'm not accepting any meds except BP. The Finasteride I was taking for the prostate was dropping my BP from the 130s to the 110s. My goal is to get out of the system. Which means no meds and try adjusting diet and adding exercise as I heal. When the distribution network breaks down, and when the drugs are hard to come by...I dont want to be depending on them for my life. My constant frustrations with nutrition...there are acceptable/unacceptable foods for each nutritional purpose. Whats good for say heart isnt good for something else.I also see foods I know I just wont eat. And then there are foods that are expensive and/or hard to find. Then for many things theres the prep/cooking time. At this point I'll pack up the questionable food for use when the food supply chain breaks down. When I finish reading I will intersect acceptable foods and see whats left. My HDL is borderline low but my Triglycerides are ok, tho in the higher end. Its those pesky LDL/Cholesterol/Glucose/Alkaline Phosphatase that are a bit high. Whatcha wanna bet the doc wants to give me drugs. MAYBE my numbers were messed up because of my prostate? I think the medical system is capable of wonderful things. Where they shine is in the surgery like mine that really improves quality of life. But the system is hugely flawed in the day to day care. They want you in the system, in their control. I think the best course is a natural cure. I think dinners are set with me. Chicken and green beans or green mixed veges. Is say a chicken noodle soup ok for keto? If so I could do that and if not find another soup. Or even just do a salad. That first meal will be difficult tho. Much work to do. Take good care of yourself and the little family. Stay warm.

It just struck me and almost knocked me over how theyre treating me. Elderly they want to get hold of and run them through their system like they had no say in their own health. They were that way with Dad. now theyre doing that with me and I refuse to surrender my personal sovereignty. Im 65, i'm perfectly capable of doing and deciding whats best for me. This practice has lied to me several times and has no credibility at all. If it wasnt for this doctor and maybe even in spite of the fact I like her, I would have found another place to go. My Insurance has a network and this doctors office is in their own huge network. I want the power of decision. I'. going to talk with her about my blood test results and will change my diet and add exercise as I can but I wont start meds. I will consider a bp med or at least continuing Finasteride, it was for my prostate but reduced my BP nicely. I will do the health plan visit but will not do a physical or anythong else. I need to heal from this and give it time to work with myplan before anything else. And above all I need to finish the estate, sell the house, and find an apt. I'm going back to not answering the phone and if its important they can leave a message. i bet they called and didnt. Thats my rant Making the fat bombs tomorrow. Its in Panther's blood to roam around and hunt and fight if need be. Doubt anyone can change that. He sure likes tearing things up. Must be the wild in him. They tried that home visit with dad and he didnt want it. No matter what i said they kept calling. they want to come out at will and make decisions and work people through their system. Thats great if you want it and cant get to a doctor. But let people call and ask. Its like they assume theres things wrong with you and want to take control. Sorry about your friend. It seems more and more these days. God rest her soul. I remember having cold wood floors and a cold house. I never wanted to get up. Ive never had a wood burner so I dont know what you do. So far i've looked at keto and low cholesterol. It's going to be pretty basic. 50% vegetables...broccoli, green beans and lima beans, lettuce, carrots, cucumber, onion 25% healthy carbs...brown rice and qiuinoa, yogurt, whole wheat bread, apples, going to add some pears 25% lean meats...turkey and chicken. fish eggs olive oil, nuts, avocado, seeds Breakfast can be oatmeal with sliced apples or maybe pears Going to supplement Omega-3 and maybe whey protein powder Lunches i usually do soups or can do a nice salad. Thats as far as ive gotten. And when im able will start exercising again. What I wonder and need to ask him. Caffeine irritated me bad when I was going through my problems. So I wonder if I can drink chai or tea or cocoa now? How do i know if it's irritating me, since i cant really tell. Good thing is I dont eat sugar, dont fry foods, dont use salt. I'm hoping my numbers go down now my surgery is done and once i get my diet fixed and start exercising. I still have reading to do and will adjust as needed. Take good care of yourself, stay warm.

Good thing the pipes didnt freeze. Five inches probably isnt bad for you folks. here everyone would be panicking. I guess Kodie and Panther are bonded now. Thats kinda cute. I splurged for dinner and shouldnt have. Chicken Express. My favorite fastfood place of all time. fried chicken and corn nuggets, they forgot the okra. Not supposed to have fried anything. Now im falling asleep because it crashes my metabolism. But it was soo, anyway I'll consider tht a final farewell to unhealthy food. Need to read through what is needed for my lab results and read through all the keto info and see what i can do. Will have to make due with what i have im afraid. The doctors office called again and the lady told me I needed to schedule for my 'mandatory' checkup for my Insurance. I let her know there is no mandatory checkup for my ins and after I heal from this operation I dont want to see or hear medical anything for awhile. I am visiting online with my doctor next week about my bloodwork so she can clear this up. What is offered free annually by medicare and my Ins recommends is a health planning visit. Where I meet with my doctor, go over my history and make a plan to stay healthy. It is nothing like a physical. My ins doesnt pay for a physical. I love my doctor but the rest of that practice i cant stand. Ive caught them lieing to me several times. I feel absolutely listless and need a spark again. Decided not vto get any more decor for Christmas, I'll just go with what I have. We are in the 50s and will hit the 60s and 70s next week, crazy. Ok, im off to read and fall asleep, take good care of yourself and stay warm.

Thanks for looking out for me. I need to see what to eat and not eat for each bad number on my bloodtest and see how to eat on keto and med diets. I unfortunately cant toss out my food at this point since I will have medical bills coming. So will do the best I can with what I have. As fa as recipes go...maybe a simple casserole or a recipe with turkey? Or/and an easy bread or sweetbread? I plan on eating turkey and chicken. And lots of green veges plus some pears. And a piece of toast. My biggest problems now are healing and constipation. I was trying not to take things every day but adding Stool softener and metamucil capsule every night. Trying to eat as much fiber as I can. And drink water. But still struggling. Maybe kodie was doing a snow angel the dog way, lol. He sounds like he really loves playing. Normally we would be low 60s, swinging between 40s and 70s, crazy. Healing-I read to heal internal wounds 6 weeks. Fully up to three months. The way they did this its a shorter recovery time. But I will be very carefull. Going to do nothing til january. And then come back slowly. Sounds like your heating is set for the winter. I dont have alot of wood but may make a fire one cold night just for the smell. It is amazing how much better I feel just having the catheter out. I feel pretty good except for the incision pain and soreness behind my big incision. When I wake up i do a hard stretch w/out thinking and it hurts likecrazy. Im trying to not stretch. Thanks for the keto link, will read tomorrow. One of the pleasant surprises about this surgery is that there is no incontinence. It doesnt touch the sphincter to the bladder so that part is intact. But my poor bladder was crushed by the prostate si i pee alot. Lol. But i can pee. Thats whats important. making some mild chili, is 54 and overcast, feels pretty good outside. I feel pretty good. Being mindful to walk around yet not lift or strain. How much snow do you have? Too bad Kodie isnt bigger or he could pull a sled. Take good care of yourself and stay warm.

Went to the Urologist today and they removed my catheter. They were very sure this all worked. I must say I've never peed so well in my life. Just a bit of discomfort but hopefully that goes away. I had been drinking so much water when i woke up. i thought they would ask me to pee for them. Nope. they just removed it and said 'youre done sir'. Its such a relief to regain my ability to pee, seems crazy. Hoping no complications. My bladder will need to heal but so far lasting an hour and a half. Now also a matter of the wound(s) healing. Belly is still sore. Sometimes, I wake up in the morning and my body automatically stretches, or rather the muscles tense. This morning was afarid I'd ripped my gut, that painful. I think there are many things that could skew the numbers. But in any case I will look at refining my nutrition and exercise when I can. Healing of wounds approx 6 weeks. fully healed to 3 months. Good to hear Kodie is back. He seems so easy going.Such a good puppy. Snow is more fun when you dont have to shovel it, drive in it and all that fun stuff. I like watching it fall and what it does to the garden. Got some soft molasses cookies, good stuff. Take care this week. I've read is supposed to be a dry and warm winter til Jan and then back to normal. Then ive read its going to be colder and wetter. I never know who to believe. One cold night I should light a fire. I dont use the living room but the smell would be nice. Good you're getting wood, get stocked up now. I need to take some time and read on whats in each of these. Keto sounds really good. I have alot of food on hand. I think I will eat what I can have and save the other stuff for emergencies. Esp if I can make some breads or sweetbreads. Take good care of yourself, stay warm.

I dont have that on my bloodtest. The one thats border high is just 'gluecose'. They sent this in the mail and of course it doesnt mean anything to me until I look it up. Im not accepting meds until I heal and try exercise and diet. Considering how Life has been this year and esp the past 3 months. What I had on hand is Phillips stool softener. Going to walk more today. I can feel it in there and I feel and pass gas. But just cant push it out. frustrating. Doesnt help that I can get painful bladder spasms trying to have a bm. Going to try the heating pad I think. This will take some time so have to be patient. I feel safer getting in and out of bed. The gut pain is less and less afraid of splitting open anything. Glad to see you had a good time. Isnt it good to see young people in love. Hard to remember that I was that way at one time. One of the seasons of life. Poor Kodie. Hope he's recovering. I bet he missed his yard. I will be researching a new nutrition and going chicken and turkey, no fried, green veges. pears, one slice of toast a day. Many of what they recommend I simply wouldnt eat. But I will find a way. no recliner. Just have to do the best I can. Maybe the worst part is not knowing and worrying somethong is wrong inside. Dehydrated today, maybe the 3 stool softeners from yesterday. So dropping to one if I can rehydrate. I think its a balancing act. Just have to be ok to get to my appt Monday. Batten down the hatches and stoke the fire. I love snow but probably not the amount you folks get. We are 54 today and a light rain. Normally id find an excuse to get outside because I love this weather. But staying in today. Take good care of yourself and the beasts, stay warm.

Feeling a bit better each day. I was constipated but had a goodmovement this morning bu It feels as if the Int tract muscles are very weak and cant push. I get bladder spasms whenever i try and have a movement and I pee around the catheter with pain. It pees alot more than previous bladder spasms so am hoping that means he fixed me. I only took hydrocodone twice and each time took a half a pill. Dont need em anymore. Took some of the Azo for bladder spasms but they can cause constipation so trying not to. Theyve confused me. Ive been taking the antibiotics but the release sheet says take those the dy of my cathetr remobal which isnt til monday. But that doesnt make sense so im taking em. I wear a surgical girdle over my abdomen and incisions. most of the incisions are small but the middle one he had to made much larger since my prostate was so big. I always seem scared im going to rub the glue and stitches off. And that i will bust my gut getting in and out of bed. I am indeed quite sore but not pain needing a pill. Sleeping alot. Crashing several hours earlier. Drinking as much fluids as possible. I get up and walk around peiodically, but hate getting in and out of bed. Monday have my followup and hopefully he will remove the catheter and I can pee on my own. As I pee around the catheter now its tinged with pink, which is normal and will continue a couple days after removal. The nurses and techs were very good and took good care of me. Compared to how the other hospital treated dad I'm shocked and gratefull the surgeon had me go there. he is a really nice guy. I really cant thank him enough. Most bizarre thing in my life was coming around in the recovery room, started out as a dream and slowly became real. I had the impression of a large room full of beds populated by people. The woman next to me was in some distress, no idea why. But they fed me solid food, even tho it was a good bet I was constipated. They gave me stool softeners. Im drinking like a fish, taking stool softeners, started M.O.M. last night and will continue...and a spoon of olive oil. So, I can say I'm doing as well as can be expected, still need to solve constipation and removal of catheter Monday 'should' let me pee normally again. I already have three packs of diapers and i'm sure i'll use every one. I'll be on restriction for 6 weeks and have to take it easy after that. But I'm so happy its over. So happy. Thankful for my neighbors who came and got me and called me the next day to make sure I was ok. Now I just worry about how much it will cost me. SS wont start til january, since I misunderstood how it works, but thats ok. Hope you're feeling better. Seems you always are on the go and helping someone. Praying you get some peace and rest. Did you get to have any fun? How was the feast? I hate driving on the freeway now as well. Monday I have a 30 minute drive. Neighbor said he would drive me. I hate letting people help but I may do it. Esp since I may be peeing my diaper on the way home. Stool softeners dont work for me. I got a bottle of what you recommended so will try that or go olive oil again. I will be taking it very easy for a week and move a bit but still be carefull through end of year. I have to get up and move around. My strength is fine, balance is fine, I feel ok. Except the incisions are sore and my gut hurts. Soon will get back to studying. They mailed my blood test results. I am pre diabetic, may have liver or bone problems and high cholesteral. Hope all is well with you and Kodie and Kitty. Take good care of yourself.

Thank you. I crashed early last night because I havent had much sleep for about 4 or 5 days. I took a half a Oxycodone and I slept. I can see how people get hooked on that stuff. It was a very peaceful feeling. I should be able to handle the pain during the day so will take them only at night. I feel a bit better today. more mentally aware. Walking as much as can. My biggest problem is my intestines havent woekn up yet. I know I need to cause I can feel it. I had no problem passing gas. Taking stool softeners but feels like theres just no muscle to squeeze. he had to make a larger incison than normal since my prostate was so big. He is going to email me pictures. I thought i'd make them into a Christmas card for my brother. I have a followup appt this coming Monday where he should remove the catheter. He was very confident my problem will be solved. I think the only other issue will be does the bladder wor and retraining it. It has to recover and heal. My prostate was so big it was crushing my poor bladder. I only had perhaps one third or half capacity. So still have some work to do in recovery. I have food for Thanksgiving but unless my tract comes awake I wont cook. Going on light meals until it works. So far so good. You folks have a good Thanksgiving. I just want you to know I am thankful for your friendship and kindness. Take care.

Made it home, praise God. In pain of course and afraid of hurting myself more. There is no position that doesnt hurt but trying to avoid the oxycodone. For the next week its just chillin and healing. I really cant do anything else. Hospital was super, nurses and techs were awesome and took great care of me.

Thanks Marty. May be a day or two. They say I'll be walking the same day and can take care of myself. But if i'm taking pain meds I may be sleeping alot. Take good care.

I took olive oil at bedtime for a couple nights and one metamucil capsule and it seems to have done the trick. Once I get home will continue the metamucil. When I got home Pcp s office called to set up remote appt with my doc because my tri-glycerides are high. Had to look it up and is related to heart problems. I dont eat a bad diet and I dont drink. But I did drink some for many years and some of what I eat is bad for TGs. Good we caught it but I dont want to get involved in alot of stuff now. Researching now what I need to give up and what I can eat. As far as I can read I can have turkey, chicken, some fish...green beans, limas, brown rice and quinoa,...broccoli...Yogurt...and i'm leaving out things I wouldnt eat like squash. I'm sure she will talk diet with me. I know I need exercise and will do that after a month of healing. easy stuff at first. And my preference is to tackle this first with diet and exercise...which I wont be doing for a month or so. I've heard the meds for cholesteral have bad side effects. I will be giving up some foods I love, some comfort food but oh well. You are a strong person, always helping others and running errands. What I often wish and pray for you is some peace and quiet and rest. Thats where Kodie is so wonderful. Wanted to ask if you were getting Feral Kitty a present. What do you get a feral cat? I set up a cab today, 5:15, up at 4am. Dont know if I can do it. Have no choice. Scared but also so excited to get it done. Will see how bad I feel after and if I can walk into CVS for meds. I'll let you folks know how it went. I'm sure it will be fine. Dont forget your documents. I want to wish you and Marty a Happy Thanksgiving. take good care. Are you cooking a turkey or visiting family?

Thank you Marty. It's times like this I really miss my folks. I appreciate you very much.

What a surprise, surgeons office called me and he has an opening for Monday at 7:15. Guess i'll get a cab over. Trying to get ahold of my neighbor who said he'd help. No idea if they'd let me leave in a cab or I have to have a person. But then I really dont have a choice. If my neighbor is out of town for awhile I'm out of luck. I had asked the surgeon if there was any prep and he said no. But I have to go to my pcp for prep this afternoon. Will do an advnced life directive and ask about the constipation. I know its important to get the system going again after surgery and if I cant poop then its going to be a problem. I did a spoon of olive oil at bedtime last night and had a small bm this morning. But its not enough. I cant really take anything before the doctors visit. It kind of handcuffs me as far as taking anything at all because I dont know if or when I need to be somewhere. And the hospital may want to have me come in for a prep visit beforehand. I'm thinking they wont do surgery on me yet. Scared to death but I want this to be over. Cleaning house and making a list of things to do and take to hospital. Geez, pre-op appt with pcp in a few. Hosital will call me to set up a pre-op there. No idea what they are doing. But I took a teaspoon of olive oil last night and had several small movements today. So will see. Will need a cab to get to hospital Monday. Leave about 5am, geez again. Neighbors are nice enough to agree to come get me. Praying this all goes well and I can get my health back.

Urine test...just kidding...curious to see if the UTI is gone now that the meds are done. He refused to run a urine test. Said that taking urine from the catheter bag meant it was tainted. I had read yesterday that peanut butter is good for keepig the system going and fat too. Geting fat and fiber and fluid in the system helps make healthy stools etc. I must be old because I talk about health stuff like its nothing. Honestly I see alot of good ideas but I think at this point its too late to get me going. One thing I read was do a spoon of mineral oil or olive oil. I might stop on the way home and get some mineral oil. I guess Kodie's breed is made for the cold so its just like home. Its in his genes. Had a neighbor one time who had 20ish cats. They patroled the neighborhood. I had a small bbq grill with a removable lid. One day I was smoking a roast and when I went out to check the grill...the cats were dragging my roast across the yard. they had knocked the lid off. Your heel...maybe its dry and cracked skin? I get that on a couple fingers, only those and I dont get it. When it cracks open I use superglue and when its dry wrap some athletic tape on it. SS-thank you, my Bday is the 8th so will get mine the second wednesday of december supposedly. They said our normals temp is in the 60s but I think thats a bit high. We are 40s for the high a couple days then 50s. Nights go down in freezing. Sometimes cold fronts will whisk right down the great plains through Oklahoma and settle over us. Edit-saw the surgeon and like him alot. he wants to do this before the end of the year so I assume next month. Its a robotic procedure. he never has his hands in me. they machine makes 5 incisions and sticks the instruments in and he controls them thru a 3d screen and interface gloves. One night in hospital and go home. He is going to place a temporary catheter tap in my abdomen. A week after surgery he removes the catheter and if I cant pee normally I pee tru the tap. Either open the valve over the toilet or hook it up to a regular bag. He wants my poor catheterized member to heal. And if by chance I cant pee i'm not running to the ER for a new catheter. 80% success rate. Still a bit constipated and that concerns me. Did have two small this morning but none since, sorry thats gross. Theres always something. I got some mineral oil and may try that. Was going to go in and see my doctor but she has no openings. Maybe thats one reason why ERs are so crowded, people cant get i to a doctor. There is no prep for this, no checking my heart or whatever to see if im healthy enough. I'm scared to death but want this prostate etc fixed so bad, have to push forward. Thats all here, wish it was dull and boring. Take good care

All I know about my visit with the surgeon tomorrow is that its a consultation for surgery. have no idea whats involved. I would guess he wants to see if im a good fit and healthy enough and tell me about the procedure and answer my questions. I dont know if they do any testing on me to see if im healthy enough. They are supposed to do a urine test so we will know if the uti is all gone. The other problem now is ive been constipated all week. Once you open up your health things start to happen. Pretty sure i'll end up in the doctors office for that. In a way I want to get it over with but in a way not too fast. i know he wont do surgery if i'm constipated so have to solve that one. I guess Panther has claimed your porch as his own. Doubtful the little tricks I know would work on a feral kitty. They are untrainable as you know. Stubborn. I thnk you got Lucky with Kodie. Just everything about that pup was good. And he is luck to have you, I dont think he could find a better home. So tell me, are you going to get him a doggie sweater? I guess he doesnt need one. But people seem to like dressing their dogs. I wont ask about Feral Kitty, That would be quite dangerous. How is your heel feeling? maybe bumped it or stepped wrong? Just a little mis step and pressure bruised it. Yes, investments have taken a dump. many have lost alot. But they say just sit tight. Ive been following the house on Redfin. It was way down and then the other day jumped up 30-40k, so I wonder how reliable it is. Hopefully it recovers. The only good side if it stays down is that hopefully rents go down. Holding my breath to see that my SSstarts in December. Should be about enough to cover mortgage and bills except for the increase in property taxes. that will be a big help. Covid changed many things and messed up life for many. Things changed and will probably never go back. Almost all my friends have been at work. I'm never been interested in partyng with them so after i left work they vanished. I have one best friend in Lubbock, solid guy. I read a couple entries, her husband. better off just moving on I think. Sometimes I wonder how people can be so selfish abd cruel. But then theyre fallible humans. I'll read some more tomorrow. We are headig into Winter40s a few days and then 50s, so a bit colder. Well wish me luck tomorrow. Hopefully I pass my urine test. I didnt even study. I just hope I dont get lost. Then well move on to the next problem. Do you have snow yet? Take good care of yourself. Maybe I should send you a new porch for Christmas. Be good.

This started Aug 24th. I think the UTI is better. No more blood in my urine. Meet with the surgeon Tuesday if I can find his office. They will run a urinalysis so we will see if the UTI is gone and if he will do surgery. They approved my SS and it should start in December. It will be enough to pay the mortgage and house bills except not all the property tax. That relieves alot of stress. We are 44 and rainy today. looks like our warm Fall weather is gone and Winter is here. Will keep Julie in my prayers. When I worked a the Walgreens in Lubbock i talked to some people with similar problems. It really makes you stop and think. Hoping she ges more relief soon. Now the value of the house has shot up about 40k. I'm wondering how accurate Redfin and others like it are. I thinkI will just do my best and whatever comes my way will be a blessing. Love it when government gets all belligerent on citizens. They should use some of the money we give them. And do their job properly in the first place. Puppies need toys. And hopefully they dont chew up people things. You're a proud Mom. Im going to try and avoid putting up that hufe Christmas Tree my brother sent me. Really no reason to. I have a small artificial three footer that will do. I'd rather hang a wreath and some garland and ornaments in my room anyway. Thats where I will be. I started rewatching all the old movies one night. But I couldnt sit through them. They reminded me of good times years past. Guess I was trying to recapture the feelings. It doesnt work, you cant go back. Only forward. Maybe I should start up the artwork again along a Christmas theme. I had a plan years back. Move home, get an education in animation. then find a job wherever and work my dream. I didnt hang on to the friends I left. I didnt have time to make friends here, between work and school and the folks. So I find myself with no real friends here and just a few total. Ive always been a loner. But now my health is failing it would help alot here. Dinner time. Hot stew in a flor tortilla bowl with cheese. Take good care

*sigh* where do I begin, where does this all end. Forgive me if I told some of this. Saw my urologist and my prostate is as big as a cntalope. I see the surgeon on the 15th, he will test my urine and we will go from there. Im opting to get tis over with asap. Catch is hes a very long drive on the other side of Ft Worth. I woke up today wit brown urine. Ive had funky urine before so just started drinking lots of water. then before dinner the catheter stopped draining. So I went to the ER...again. Very busy but I survived. I have a bad UTI and thats probably where the blood is coming from. They changed my catheter, which hurt because of the UTI. In there a total of 7 hours. He gave me a script for antibiotics and a nausea med, because the antibiotics (Cipro) can make people sick. Lovely. Oh, and when I was in the ER I was getting frequent, bad bladder spasms. Still one or two here and there, so am on my heating pad again. I read that the blood is from the bacteria irritating the urinary tract linings and the bladder. I'll run get my meds first thing tomorrow and supposedly the blood will clear up in 1-2 days. Good, because its scaring me like crazy. So I have to get this cured so I can see the surgeon, else will have to push that appt back. Im worn out, didnt eat much, feel bad ad am afraid thats from the UTI gettings serious or blood loss. But probably just because im up too late and stress. Kitty looks angry. handsome cat though. Lots of fur or else lots of eating. Forestry there sound like typical beaurocrats. Housing market has fallen and ive read it will do so again. Ive given up on it. I went ahead and applied for SS. Wont be much but if it will just pay the mortgage and some bills im happy. I misunderstood how it all works and should have been pulling it already. I wont be working before my full retiremnet age and once I reach that I can earn all I want with no penalty. Not that I think anyone will hire me. Snow already, goodness. We will hit 80 tomorrow with lows in the 50s and 60s. We added another inch and a half last week. It rained a bit while I was in the ER but I dont think it was much. I always enjoyed the snow when young, just dont enjoy driving in it. But I can sit and look at it all day. Too bad I cant drink some hot tea or chai or cocoa. I tried some cocoa one day and had some pain in my rt side, guess the prostate. The man who fixed the car...now thats a good man. If you can you should make him some cookies. oh, the catheter sadly will stay in through surgery and 10 days after. then we will see if I can pee. I would even settle for wetting my pants. Just as long as it comes out, we can finetune it later. My dentist used to give me T3 plus codeine and it wasnt all that good. I think maybe alot of doctors are afraid to write scripts for the strong stuff. I guess they think its dangerous for her to have it. its a wonder tough theres nothing else to give. Sounds like you have some interesting and beautiful trees. Nothing like a beautiful yard to sit and relax in. How is Kodie doing? I wonder if he's dreaming of dog toys for Christmas. Well, i'm going to try and sleep. Take good care of yourself.

Thanks Marty. And yes one big step forward. According to my Urologist and I will talk to the surgeon the 15th, its a minimally invasive procedure with usually one night in hospital and walk next day. Sadly, there is no one here except perhaps my nextdoor neighbor who has offered to drive if theyre in town. I also need to do an advanced directive just in case. But it's a very safe procedure. Will be very happy and thankful to get past this.

Praise God, I dont have cancer! Phew. Saw the urologist today. My prostate is now famous because its the biggest one he and the lab has ever seen, like a cantalope. Meds wont fix it so surgery it is. Sadly, the surgeon is an hour across town and will have to drive the freeways, and those get scary. I may call and see if I can just talk to him online or on the phone. What was described was less invasive. Overnight or two in the hospital. They poke a couple holes in me and use microtools with robotic surgery to take out pieces on the prostate. Need to figure out how brave I am as to how soon . Will get a better idea in two weeks. Hate hospitals and want this to be done. One month recovery at home, cant lift over twenty pounds. Hope tey get your car done. Nowadays seems they make them so theyre hard to work on. I dont even bother changing the oil in mine anymore. Used to be you could everything yourself. The yard sounds good. I can only imagine how pretty that Lilac tree is. Good that its not going to waste. Bet its a load off your mind to get that yard cleaned up. I guess if nothing else the threat of fire gets everyone to clean up. I had heard several times about California. That they were not cleaning up their forests properly, cutting branches away from power lines, dead brush. And thats what heavily contributed to their fires. I dont understand doctors and medicine. I agree, what is Julie supposed to do? Cant they give her anything else? It scares me to have to go into the hospital because of things like this. Maybe what she had before was a Tia (I think thats the term) My Dad had at least one, went to the ER and got checked out and tey found nothing wrong. My best friend gave me some advice as relates to my dad. You can only do so much and then you have to let go. I dont understand him either. Panther has adopted you so he sees your home as his home. You are the momma cat. Over two days we got 3 inches of rain and supposed to rain Friday. So no more watering. Due to the nice weather my electric bill was way down but I hd two times where i left a sprinkler on overnight ad ran the system with the leaky zone. My mistakes and it cost me 110 bucks extra in water. No more watering I think. We should have a couple weeks with 50s to 70s, which is perfect for me so I have to enjoy it. Well, now that I know I have the biggest prostate in the world I can stop the supplements and diet. They wont reduce it. Scares me to have an operation because I know many things can happen and seeing the way my Dad was treated in the hospital, I dont want that. But it has to be done so may as well get it over with. You folks take good care of yourselves. Hoping you get some peace and quiet. Take care.

The Urologist will indeed take the catheter out. Replace it with a camera, hopefully a flexible tube, and get film of my urethra and bladder. Google says its 'uncomfortable. I say every time teyve put a catheter in or out it hurts. I would love to be able to pee and leave it out but I really doubt that my prostate has come down much. Google and my brother say it takes 6 months for the meds to work fully, IF they work. And mine was the size of a grapefruit. he may want to leave it out but I dont care to have to go to the ER later that day like I did before. was thinking I could have him leave it out and then hang around in the hallway for a couple hours and drink water. If I cant pee before they close he can put another catheter in. But I would have to be able to pee fully and easily. Last time I could trickle at first and that was because the catheter was keeping the tissue apart. But then it closed up again. I read the Bladder scan results come back in a week. Hopefully at least he can tell me if the MRI indicates cancer. In any case I need to start cleaning and straightening house for an estate sale. Luckily thats all I will have to do. I really dont want a bunch of strangers in here and spreading germs etc but no choice. So sorry about your sister. Praying and hoping they can get her feeling better. Bad air/smoke irritates your mouth malady. Have you ever considered getting Oxygen? I know that you are active and do alot. But I wonder if it would help on the dirty air days to use oxygen. Breath through the nose and all. The more I read on nutrition the more i'm convinced the best thing would be to eat only fresh food and organic food. Panther...do you have any pieces of old carpet? You could try wrapping them on the posts. We are supposed to get rain all day tomorrow and early Saturday but we will see. Hope all is well there. Take good care of yourself and Kodie and Panther.