Good Results on Echocardiogram, Seeing Some Friends I Haven't Seen in Years, and, Dinner with my Daughter

I have a correction to make in my last blog.  I was talking about the rate of blood going through my heart and I said ejection rate. It is ejection fraction rate. My friend Janet who was a nuclear medicine technologist caught that one. So we met at Mexicali. Since I got there early, I was checking my iPhone and she pounded on the driver side window. That scared me!  So as I was telling her how that upset me as she handed me a gift bag that I threw in the car.  Then I asked if she would take a picture of me wearing this top.  When we got in the restaurant it dawned on me that she had given me a gift. She said "I couldn't believe you did that". I couldn't either!  How odd!  She had gotten me a battery operated jar opener. I have no strength anymore and I must use gadgets to open things. It was a nice and thoughtful gift. 

There is this site called  The Rainforest Site. They were selling blouses as part of their fundraising. I support such a cause, the price was right and I also liked the look.    It has a point in the middle of the front and the back.  The back does not have a design, so a picture of the back blends in with my pants.   It is very comfortable, but not good for 107 degree day.  We headed straight in after doing this.   Here is the pictures Janet took at Mexicali's. 

On the day I had chemo, I forgot about it, sitting casually having my coffee, checking my email, sitting in my pajamas. A text alert began. it was time to leave at 15 minutes before my appointment. I ran around getting what I needed, getting dressed slapping water on my hair to get it to lie down. I usually arrive 15 minutes before my appointment.  I got there 5 minutes after. Though I was anxious, they felt it was okay.   While working out when I would see my oncologist, I brought up about having the echocardiogram two weeks earlier.  The results were good.  The ejection fraction was 65 percent. Any other issues are age related. And, I really do have a normal aortic valve which is tricuspid.  That was all a relief. 

I have a cousin who had heart surgery last year. It turned out he had a bicuspid valve. His siblings went to have their hearts checked out since this could be hereditary. They were okay. 

So at my art class, I showed what I had drawn of a peacock and feathers.  I had the feathers wrong going around the eye in the feathers. The picture of my peacock was off because the head and neck of the peacock were much lighter than the eyes on the feathers.  I worked on both of these factors and the pictures improved.  I also picked out a lizard to draw and a small peacock feather. This is what I have. One more week to work on the lizard. My classmate Linda does very well on her shading.  She has also became interested in drawing eyes. Both of us feel the critiques we get from Carol are so helpful. 

My Peacock

My Lizard

A Peacock Feather.

There are many ways people get to my blog and they all work. I don't think I've written anything offensive, but if your privacy is important, note this. If you go to my blog through this, you have more privacy:

   https://racheljerdin.blogspot.com

All my posts are here.  They come out once a week, on Sundays unless for some reason I'm too sick, in the hospital or having problems with my computer.  At least those have been what has happened already. 

I met with three friends that were a part of a group with our husbands.  I stopped meeting with them after moving and then Paul dying. I just couldn't get together with couples which reminded me of my loss, though they were all special to me.  I couldn't get past my loss and, my cancer and returned than, a stage IV.  Now that it is nine years later, there is enough time and grieving that I am happy to see them.  Three of us stopped coloring out hair, and it looks very good.  We met at Little Italy in town. I had not eaten there, but I really liked it. Food was very tasty. The ambiance was comforting.  So Stephanie, I see in our Red Hat group.  Karen and Becky I haven't seen in at least eight years.  One other woman of this group couldn't make it.  Lana will join us next month.  Anyway, it was really nice to touch base with them and catch up.  It was a lost part of my life. 

My daughter Shelley and I celebrated both of our birthdays late. We had dinner at Mama Roomba. It is a wonderful Caribbean restaurant.  I think it was initially noted to be a Cuban restaurant. It is the same food. Excellent!   I hadn't seen Shelley in about a month. It feels too long to me but I know she has a lot on her own late. Her oldest daughter will have a baby shower this next month. So she is actively involved in doing this.  In addition, she is waiting to hear when the exam for her realty license will be held. 

It was a full week for me.  I continue to make sure I have time to sleep in between these activities, otherwise, I really fade.  So I hope your week was good.  I look forward to seeing you next week.                Rachel

Seeing Friends in Visalia! Great Time as Always!

I had an echocardiogram. Most of the tests I have had are invasive, requiring radioactive material be put in my blood. This just required gel on a pad that she moved around to look at my heart. What I found out while I was there is that I don't have a bicuspid valve. It is a normal tricuspid.  I think it was over 30 years ago that a cardiologist did tests and told me it was bicuspid.  I could actually see the valve and I told Lori, the Sonographer that It looked tricuspid to me and she affirmed that I was correct. I have to wait for a doctor to read it and, if something else needs to be done or all is okay that Dr. Tun will inform me.  This test was done to see if my heart is leaking because my refraction rate is 80% and normal is 60%  Dr. Tun has never seen anyone with the results I have had.  Hopefully, all is okay.  We will see.

Hart Park has an area that peacocks like to hang out.  I went looking for peacock feathers for my teacher Carol Bradshaw. We have been working on peacocks for two weeks now. Well, it was easier said than done. There were several cars there when I arrived around 11 am. So people could have already picked up feathers. I did go to the opposite side of where people were and I found a couple of feathers.  Then I saw two within the gate where the peacocks tend to stay. It was too far to reach. I used the umbrella handle but I seemed to be pushing it further. Then I started looking for a long thin branch to reach it. I eventually did get two more feathers.  It turned into a bigger deal than I expected. I do have some peacock feathers from a stay at Martha's home, but I didn't find the bag I put it in.   

Peacock in Hart Park.  I don't think anyone lives in this house which has a gate around it.
That is where the Peacocks like to hang out.

Linda has joined us in class. Carol noted things I didn't get in the drawing of the peacock, so below is another stab at it. Carol also asked us to find a picture of a lizard to draw.  Below also is a picture taken from the feathers I collected, that Carol laid out and that I took the picture.  She said the focus of these recent drawings - peacock, lizard and snake are on patterns. I am not done with the peacock, but I will get it done tomorrow

Three Peacock Feathers.

Peacock - Still being worked on

Last summer I had lots of plumbing work done. It is not finished. My shower and bath are leaking and it has become ridiculous. So I had the same guy Trevor for part of the work then. Shower is fixed but the bathtub needs a lot more done. We settled on $650 for all of it.   Ugh!   But I really don't have a choice. I'm not doing work to make it prettier (though I would like to). I am focused on keeping it whole. If you wait too long, problems can get worse and you put out a lot more money at one time.   I am relieved though to have the repairs I had done completed.  He thinks it is time to replace the galvanized pipes in the house, but he did give me a guesstimate of $7,500 to replace those in the house. Way too overwhelming!  I don't have that sort of money. 

I gave a form to my doctor to get a handicap placard for parking. I do fine for most parking, but big events with hug parking lots are very difficult for me to handle because of the distance to get in. My doctor signed this and I will mail it to the Department of Motor Vehicles.   I have stalled on this a long time, but I really don't want to lessen my activities as much as I can. 

I told my friend Janet when we were at Mexicali’s about the results of the echocardiogram.  She was an nuclear medicine technician.  She said that the work when I had it done then, like at least 30 years ago is like comparing caveman times to now.  Pictures are much clear now.  I’m glad I have friends in the know to check with.

To top off the week, I met with friends I worked with in Corcoran. There were seven of us- Marc, Lynette and her husband Simon,  Bill and his wife Jana, Jody and me. We met at The Vintage Press which was delicious.  

Some of us talked about another restaurant called Craw Daddy's. When Paul and I lived in Visalia, we went there several times. It had just been built and opened.  Simon had heard a lot of ads on it recently.  We were wondering if it was a new owner and wondered if they had changed the menu some. Anyway, we thought it might be worth checking it out.   I did speak with Lynette after this and we are going to see if the restaurants in Visalia have been reviewed and perhaps go by that.  

We stayed at the Marriott which is being remodeled. Lynette and Simon were on the seventh floor (it has eight floors).  Jody and I each had a room on the second floor. There was nothing obviously changed on the second floor, but I did see my friends' room on the seventh floor. I liked it.  It had what looked like a very dark wood-slatted floor,  a sophisticated sofa, special lighting in the mirror, wide screen oversized television, and a wonderful large picture of the sequoias. The entire hotel is being redecorated.   I like to stay at that hotel when I visit, however,  prices are getting a lot higher and depending on if I can get a deal or not,  i would stay there less frequently.  There are less expensive hotels in the area and I could stay there.  

 Bill looked good as did Jana. Jana is more of a Facebook friend, but I have met her at several gatherings. Of course Lynette and Simon looked great. Simon gave me a jar of canned lemons he brined.  He asked "Do you like Middle Eastern food?"  I do, but I had to order a couple of books so I could make some dishes. I'm really hoping there is a big section on vegetables. I've been to Turkey twice and I fell in love with the vegetables!  If we had it like that in the United States, I would easily eat all my veggies.  Marc looked very good. I believe that he really enjoys not working (like me).   I have not had a problem of thinking I had nothing to do. His life runs a little slower (as mine does). And he really takes his time having his coffee in the morning, then walking his dog (in the foothills of Sequoia) before driving to Visalia to work out at the gym.  I think it is over two years ago since I have seen Jody.  I can’t be sure, but it was great seeing her.  It is such a long drive for her to come and she can hit very heavy traffic, so she left for home early in the morning. We will look at getting together in the Fall.  I realized after I got home that I had not taken any pictures!  And, I don't think anyone else did either!  

Below is from another blog about a funeral procession on its way to the cemetery.  We need to think beyond ourselves when other people are hurting.  This is worth reading. 

https://pastorcindym.wordpress.com/2016/07/11/stopping-traffic/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

So that was a loaded week.  I got lots of sleep in-between events, so I did okay.  I really hope your week went well and I will see you next Sunday.                   Rachel

My Birthday - Good Medical Bills and Violence - Bad

It is really unnerving to get bills for medical services that are way beyond what you expect. I got two separate bills, one from a hospital and another from an outpatient radiology program for different services. I have coverage by Kaiser, an HMO so I would have a clearer idea of what I owe.  So I called Kaiser which worked on one and I called the hospital on the other. The woman I spoke with at the hospital said there should have been an allowance for the pharmacy which was $910.41 and is passing it up to a higher level to review. She thought it would be resolved in about a month.  So hopefully this all gets resolved.  The other bill Kaiser dealt with them and I don't owe anything.  That was a good birthday present!

The Erskine Fire was 100% contained on July 11. It burned 48,019 acres. We have had other fired around us, but not as bad as this one.  These fires are very frightening and it is still early in the fire season, so there is still a possibility of it destroying more here. 

I had my birthday this week with several celebrations. What a good week.  I've enjoyed celebrating it multiple days. Well one of my friends sent me this fabulously birthday song. I think it is so good that I thought many of you might want to send it to special people in your life. Here it is!

https://youtu.be/L4kFFMdVjl0

My step-mom Kate came here.  We went out for lunch at Chef's Choice Noodle Bar and then had dessert back at the house. We went to the Bakersfield Art Center where I take art classes and where I have three pictures on the wall. Kate, my step-mom and my teacher Carol know each other from taking art classes in the Los Angeles area way before I met Carol.  So I thought it was nice for them to see each other.  Even though it was warm, it wasn't as hot as it usually gets. Kate is not comfortable driving the distance she did to visit with her eyesight not doing as well as it used to.  I do understand that and I really like going to her home because there is much more to do there.  Kate was telling me about a man in a white pickup offering to paint her car where the scratches were when she was in a parking lot.   Well, I had the same thing happen. It was not a professional job, but I no longer have to look at the scrapes on my car. I had to go to an ATM machine to pay him. Kate did too. We wondered if it was the same man,but we live 125 miles apart. It was such a parallel on experiences that we were both laughing. 

I had my art class in the morning  on the day that Kate came. Another student, Linda was also there. We worked on doing the feathers of a peacock.  I did several pictures at home.  We have another week doing peacocks, so I will try another picture.This is what I came up with finally:

My Peacock would be much better in color!

I finally got together with Cathy, a fellow social worker I worked with.  It had been several months.  We met at Mama Roomba.  Very tasty food. She retired a year ago and does not miss work (neither do I!). Her oldest daughter is marrying later this year.  Her father had died since I last saw her, so she has been through a lot.  We did lots of catch up.  She found out she was pre diabetic. My step-mom also found out as well as me this year. It is hard to believe Kate is because she eats very well. Cathy was given a tip for controlling her blood sugar level.  She said she eats 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed and chases it with water. She actually checks her blood sugar level and takes this just before she goes to sleep at night. When she checks her blood sugar in the morning, it is in the normal range. She believed that of all the things she does to control her blood sugar, this is the most effective. I keep thinking we will meet sooner, but each of us has a lot going on which makes seeing each other more often, may not be possible.  Cathy said she was talking to someone where we used to work saying she would meet with me.  This person said, "I thought she was dead."  Cathy assured this person I was still around.  So that is a first of hearing someone thinking I was already dead.

I went to get my hair cut and when I was walking in, this man was washing people's cars and asked if I was interested. I agreed to have mine done. Wow!  It looked great!  I don't think it has been this clean since soon after I bought this car.  I might do this every time I get my hair cut. That way he could get more business and at least every five weeks, my car will look great. 

I met Janet at Sandrini's for dinner on my birthday.  That was a lovely evening. Though we were talking about the terrorist attack in Nice, France. From a very young age, my mother would tell me "All of France is celebrating your birthday. I took this for granted until I was 7 or 8 years old.  Then I asked my mother, "how do they know me?  How come I don't know them?"  Then she explained the holiday Bastille Day falling on my birthday. I feel a connection to the French people because of this. Much later, my husband Paul and I went to Paris. My brother Ben met us there. I have wonderful memories of that time. I feel for the French people with the losses they are now experiencing. They hardly have a chance to recover from one terrorist attack before they are dealing with another. I stand with the French people!   The other thing we discussed was as there are more and more killings, people are becoming more and more desensitized which is not good to us.  It is the norm!  This is becoming a part of life so that people don't become as horrified as they did. But I also think it is a way people cope with this so they aren't falling apart with each incident. Then the following day was an attempted coup in Turkey.  I have been there twice.  I thought the people were very nice and the setting is unbelievable.  Then the food is so fantastic - Especially the vegetables.  Why don't we do it like they do it?!  I want this violence to stop.  I think most people do.  Life is hard enough without having events like these!

My friend Barbara and I went to the Vietnamese restaurant called Saigon. I don't go here very often, but they have very tasty food at a reasonable price. Then we went to see The Secret Life of Pets.  Cute and lots of fun. 

So I had a full week celebrating my birthday several times. Shelley and I will do our birthdays together at the end of the  month. I look forward to that. 

I have several things going on this next week. I hope this last week was good for you and that your next week will go well.   I will see you next Sunday. 

Rachel

Update on my Kitties

An update on my kitties, Pepper and Daisy:  Pepper is extra loving since her two week adventure somewhere outside. I think she is very happy to be back. Daisy has learned to be a little more independent. She used to follow Pepper to the living room, but she finally comes out on her own starting when Pepper was away. I think she found that it was okay to come out, so now Daisy comes out and Pepper follows.

Pepper has become more loving!

Daisy has become more brave!

I have complained a lot that my nails have become dry, brittle and very week. I hear I'm not getting enough protein. I have not changed my eating pattern substantially, so I don't think that is the problem. I am getting chemotherapy. It is Herceptin. It doesn't make me feel bad, but it could have an affect on my heart. I will have an echocardiogram in a couple of weeks to see if there is a problem. A doctor friend of mine suggested that the chemotherapy may be causing my nail problem. It is frustrating because it breaks even in the nail bed. I have used creams, lotions and oils on my nails. I'm not sure they help. I also have tried pills like Biotin and a multivitamin. I still take those.  That would be long term if it is going to help!  So, I think I have tried all the types of polishes for strengthening my nails. Most don't last well at all and my nails were still breaking!  Well I saw that OPI has this nail strengthener called Nail Envy. When I go for a pedicure, I pick OPI, as it lasts much longer than other nail polishes.  I think I finally found what works!  If you have a problem with you nails, check out OPI. I am really impressed and relieved to find something that works!  By the way, gel does not work for me because they file across the whole nail to help make it stick better. My nails are already thin. I don't need more of it removed.

My daughter Shelley talked about going to the coast for Independence Day. I just thought "hot and crowded".  Ugh. Neither of these are appealing to me. Then she said that there was a concert and fireworks show on the other side of town. I bowed out of this also for the same reason.  I know I would have loved this when I was younger.  I no longer enjoy this. There used to be a fireworks display put on at Bakersfield College three blocks away. We didn't see the ground displays from my home, but we did see the ones shot into the night sky from my front yard. They stopped this because of cost.  I liked when I could see it from my home, because I can go into my home immediately and cool down.

My daughter Ronda in Illinois sent me pictures of their celebration.  Their food sounded great. Here is a picture of Ronda and her partner Tom.

Tom and Ronda

Our Red Hat group met at Dewars, a local well-known ice cream parlor.  This is a once a year event.  My daughter Shelley and I enjoyed it a lot. I brought my own whipped cream because they use marshmallow cream.  Shelley got ........... And I got a banana split.  This is a once a year experience.  I also took a sweater because it can get soooo cold in there. It is okay for a few minutes, but after a bit, I feel it in my bones!  They also have wonderful chews which are addictive to me. I took some peanut butter chews home. As you might notice, extremes in temperatures are very difficult for me to handle!  And, I was not always like this!

Me, Evelyn and Shelley, my daughter

Me and my daughter Shelley

Those of us who came for ice cream:
In back Claudia, Jo
in front Shelley, Evelyn, me and Judie

Judie, one of our Red Hat ladies asked if anyone had given shots and Shelley said "Rachel has".  She needed an estrogen shot in her bottom. I could not draw up the liquid to give the shot, but then this young woman comes in who was an RN. She did it but was unwilling to give the shot. I tried twice and the needle would not go in. We got Evelyn who noted the end was in two parts (a deformed needle) which was probably the reason it wouldn't go in.  I was just imagining how much this was hurting her. I wasn't willing to push harder. So she was going to take it home and put a new needle on it.  That was stressful!  And to think I used to have a terrible fear of needles.  I don't want anyone to hurt from this!  Next time we meet in September,  it will be at the Crystal Palace.

I drew another toad.  We have class on Tuesday.  This six week round we will be drawing a peacock, a lizard and a snake.

Another Toad!

I did have dinner at Mexicali's with my friend Janet and she is doing well.  And that was my week.  It was even a little slower, but that is okay.  I expect to be doing more this next week.  I do hope you have a good week and I will see you next Sunday.               Rachel

First Friday for the Student Artists

I started the week incredibly tired, sleeping many hours.  I didn't get anything done except reading then, because I felt a strong need to lie down.  I finally took my pain pills and felt my energy return.   I have been taking my pain pills, but I try to stall in taking them.  I think I shouldn't be doing that.  I can't get in to to the doctor in the pain clinic until September, but they will renew my meds until then unless I try to cancel or change my appointment date until later.

I called Shelley to let her know I had her birthday present. She came by after work, having a glass of wine and opening the odds and ends of things I thought she would appreciate. She has done so much for me, that what I gave her was a small token of my gratitude for all she has done to help me. 

First Friday was special because Carol Bradshaw had her students' pictures on the wall, including mine. It really was nice too see it framed and on the wall. I actually thought I have had art lessons longer this I have had. This coming September it will be three years. I have come a long ways.  Before the class, I could do stick figures, and, I'm not exaggerating!  So my thought is, all of us can improve in art and I think I'm a good example of this. My daughter Shelley and her husband Michael came by and  two of my friends Janet and Barbara also dropped by. We had wine, punch and appetizers. We also had a married couple playing guitar, Dave  and violin, Brenda.  It really was lovely.   I didn't get a picture of Janet!  My pictures are the top left -"river rocks", third from the top left, my toad, titled "Why Exercise" and the third one is second row, third from the right, "Old Lion".  I like the people at The Art Center.  Warm and encouraging people who are artists themselves.  Most, much further than me, but that is okay.  

The Display of Carol Bradshaw's Students -  Some topnotch art here!

Pointing toward my rocks.

Pointing at my my toad, titled "Why Exercise/"
A man loaned me his cane to  point.

Pointing toward my  "Old Lion"

The instructor for the students' display,
Carol Bradshaw

Deb and Linda, fellow classmates

Dave and Brenda found a good place to set up

Performers, Husband and Wife team, Dave and Brenda

Rolene also in my class

My daughter Shelley and son-in-law Michael

My friend Barbara came to see

Carol sitting, Wayne and Deb holding Carol's quilt (almost done!)
Wayne and Deb have been classmates of mine

Toni our Manager with her puppy, I think her name is Trixey

Appetizers and Drink

  

This week I worked on a mother rhinoceros and her baby.  Last time I did it, it looked more robot like.  This time it looks more solid and more real.  No class this next week either.  So,  next week, I am going to work on two toads that didn't get in the exhibit.

Mother and Baby Rhinoceros

My friend Barbara and I saw "Free State of Jones" with Matthew McConaughey.  Painful story. I didn't realize there were areas in the south that did not want to fight with the Confederacy against the Union. The blacks and whites joined together in the area to fight to be free.  A powerful movie. We were going to go to this relatively new Thai restaurant in town, but Barbara dropped by the night of First Friday and found one fan in the entire restaurant and no air conditioning. There were a lot of people there, but with the heat over 100 degrees, we are not willing to be so warm.  So we went to the Tofu House. There were few people there but the food is delicious. Barbara and I believe the title should be Korean Barbecue.  We think the name is probably a turn off for many people who would think the main course f food would be tofu. More people would gravitate to Korean Barbecue than Tofu House.

This is worth reading. My daughter Shelley sent it to me. From PBS, What to Say to Someone Who is Dying:

https://www.facebook.com/pbs/posts/10153804408872169

That is it for the week.  I hope your week went well.  I think I will lie down and read.  I'll see you next Sunday.                        

Rachel