I did very little work on my watercolor prior to our last class with Carol Bradshaw. We worked on a country scene with a shed and a large tree by it. I liked how mine worked with the fall colors.
Martha recommended bringing earplugs for sleeping at her home in Woodlake. I stay there after the Helping One Woman meeting. She said that since the riverbed is dry, the coyotes are coming near the house and sets the dogs to barking. The dogs barked a little before I fell asleep but I didn't wake up after falling asleep. I went to the Martha's home before we went to the Helping One Woman Dinner. The woman honored that evening lost her twelve year old daughter to cancer. This just started treatment in January. This woman, Heather came with her husband. He spoke for them and gave a very touching talk. I don't think I could have talked. Kudos to dad. My friends Annemarie and Jeanne came. I'm so glad they did. I hope they'll be back.
I had an appointment with my endocrinologist who felt I might need to have my parathyroid removed. She also discussed the possible issues if I don't have it done. It isn't a sure bet because I have multiple reasons for bones breaking and a slightly weaker area at my hip. I might have a higher percentage of bones breaking without the surgery. So I said I think I want the surgery if that is what is going on. I got called the following morning to see the surgeon in Los Angeles on Friday. I agreed to that, but it cut it close. I get Herceptin at eight AM. Sometimes it runs late, so I sent a message to alert them of my dilemma. But they got me in first and called pharmacy to start mixing the meds. My endocrinologist asked me to time my lab work for late November because I was having other bloodwork then. I called Kaiser and an RN told me to go ahead because the doctor would get those results the following day. I was able to look at the results and they are all in the normal range. I wonder what gives?
I met with my friend Janet at our regular haunt Mexicali's. She told me she had to put her dog Josh "Poopy" down the previous day. He became non-responsive and couldn't get up. She is grieving his loss. Her husband Ron had gotten Josh so this also brings up painful memories of Ron's death. I'm calling to check on her. She thought she should see someone and I suggested she see a psychiatrist and ask for Paxil (I take Paxil), she laughed and said "We could be Paxil pals!"
Anyway, the surgeon doesn't think that surgery is indicated yet. My stepmom Kate was with me so it helped to discuss it later. We went to a very nice restaurant to celebrate not having surgery. I spent the night at Kate's home which I had not seen since before the kitchen redo. I think it looks great.
Kate and I also talked about how she did when my dad died. She felt that medical people didn't take their concerns seriously and kept saying "you need support" as if it was a psychiatric issue instead of a medical issue. She was furious with them for treating them this way and has very bad feelings whenever she drives by where he was treated. She said she kept busy because everyone was telling her to do that. Her feeling is that people will take whatever time they need to heal and we are not all alike. She also resented getting cards like " Rejoice! He is now with Jesus!" This made her angry and as a result she does not give people printed cards but sends a note letting them know how she feels. "At least that is genuine". She is right. She saw a movie which came out in 2000 Sous le sable (Under the Sand) where she could identify with the feelings of the character played by Charlotte Rampling. This woman was dealing with the loss of her husband and using denial to cope. Kate feels that it is our inner strength that gets us through these tough times and without that and other supports, it is hard to do. "If you don't have supports, it makes it that much more difficult." When I lost my husband Paul, Kate sent me this book The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. I found it very helpful because i identified a lot with the feelings she was having.
Dainette, Meagan's mom had lost her husband several years ago and we talked about our experiences while Meagan was cleaning. We both agree "he's in a better place" or "he is no longer suffering" or quoting psalms is not helpful at all. Our issue is that WE ARE HURTING! We want our loved one with us but we want them healthy. I am at a loss as to what words help. Please, if anyone has ideas, I would love to hear.
Here is a very interesting article -The Conundrum of Energy and Fatigue. When people are at the end of their life, they tire easily. Here it is put in perspective. So keep this in mind when they can't do what the used to do.
I'm definitely getting more flexible moving my wrist and fingers. It's coming along. I missed my appointment on Wednesday at eight AM because I had in my mind it was on Thursday. I was just leaving Woodlake then for a 1 1/2 hour drive home.
Meagan, my grand-daighter-in-law came Thursday and gave the house a good cleaning. She, her mother Dainette and my great-grandson will be going to Texas to bring Meagan's best friend and her children back to Bakersfield. But, while they are there, they will visit Billy's father Johnny Ray, his wife and also his grandparents. I know this will be very special for them. I'm asking "take lots of pictures!"
This is the latest video of Conner saying yay.
Here are some cute photos of Conner. I feel like he is learning so fast! I got some good pictures especially when he was looking at his mom and Grandma Dainette.
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| Conner in my living room |
My friend Valerie was in the hospital. They still aren't sure if it was pneumonia, but she was in isolation and we couldn't visit her. She was supposed to come for our barbecue on Sunday, but she has bigger things to deal with. We still had our barbecue and she called saying she was released when we were about to eat dinner. We asked her to come over, but she didn't want to be seen in the condition she was in. We will have another when Valerie is better we think after the first of the year. So Etta, Tina and Sherry were here. It has been more than 35 years since we were all together. We are talking about getting a group shot like we had then and that each of us will stand in the same place. Good memories!
My uVerse was down and I and I couldn't publish my blog yesterday. Some were worried, but I'm fine. The technician is still here. I have been saying that this is like a dead zone and I don't get very good reception. He agreed that it was an issue. I hope he can fix it. By the way, he told me to call NCCD an organization that helps disabled people but he said also elderly, I think I qualify. You need to register with them and whenever you have a problem with uVerse, they will just send someone out to deal with it. No charge for a service call. I'm calling tomorrow. The number is 866-241-6568.
I just want to get this out now, so I'm going to publish it. Next weekend I'll be out of the area and will try to send my blog out. I'll keep you informed. Thanks for reading. Rachel
I just want to get this out now, so I'm going to publish it. Next weekend I'll be out of the area and will try to send my blog out. I'll keep you informed. Thanks for reading. Rachel
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