Pacemaker day 3 01-20-24

Well, I don't have much to write about, but time a plenty!  Usually I take pictures when we walk, but I can hardly manage the cane and the leash and the sling on my left arm.  So, the pictures you will see this week are all from the past.   I did start to have some pain and the itchy bandage continues to be an irritant.  To be honest, I think one problem is my saggy boob!   I'm trying to think of a one boob bra sort of "fix".  But maybe I can just wear a whole  bra,  I'll try it in the morning, I have a couple old stretched out bras in a drawer somewhere!!   I dug out an alpaca serape from the  70s because I can't lift my arm enough  to wear my regular jacket.  It is very warm and was good protection from the sprinkles we had on both morning and evening walks.  The sprinkles are to continue for the next three days, hope we can hit some lighter times.  I am enjoying being out walking, it has become such a regular part of our lives that skipping a day seems off-kilter.   We do miss because of wet weather and KoKo goes out back to find a potty place with me standing guard against the coyotes.  Just like on a walk, I have my cane, a can horn, and a whistle.  Don't think I could pick KoKo up with the sling,  but I'd do it if I had to. 

I'm just reading, dozing, working on my laptop a bit, and throwing Froggy for KoKo to  chase.  He is quite good at bringing Froggy back for more  throwing and when he comes back without him  it is  the end of the game.  I do so appreciate the texts, phone calls,  and  e-mails.  This is only two days of recovery and I am beginning to feel the isolation  - like Covid in Spring  2020.  I may try some sewing, but might not be able to machine quilt because of the left arm restriction.  Heck, maybe I should dig out one of the hand applique or piecing projects that are stacked on shelves of the same.  

Fifteen to Twenty years ago when fabric postcards were very popular I belonged to an online  group and also taught some classes.  Also, I branched out and made some slightly larger pieces for sale.  They were all ten inches or less. 

About 10"   Sold

About 10"   Sold

"Nipsy" a  postcard 6"X4"   Sold

Postcard  6" X4"  Gifted

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Dear Amy in  Austin,  I don't know how to answer you directly so I hope you see this "PS".  The pile of fabrics I showed the other day was what one student brought to Ruth McDowell's class at Empty Spools at Asilomar some years ago. It always makes me smile.  The blues  went  into  a blue and while quilt that remains unquilted!  The English would call that a "flimsy".  Del

Pacemaker Day 2 01-19-24

Day one of recovery.  Still no pain, but like so many wounds it itches like crazy!  There is a  very thick pad over the incision and rubbing it has no effect on the itch.  Went all around with Cortizone stick which helped a bit.  Today I did not have the tiredness I have been waking up with every day for years.  My oximeter read 81/96 and has been steady at 60/96 all day.  MUCH  better than the  38 to 50 it has been since I started  recording it in mid-summer.  I actually feel ALIVE!  Hope it lasts.  I am wearing the sling to remind me not  to lift my arm higher than my shoulder and  it is very effective.     Today I was drowsy, which I attribute to the  anesthetic,  so  have  just napped...read...napped...massaged KoKo...napped...read...  repeat!   A neighbor walked KoKo this morning, but he and I went about 5pm to do the short walk, a little less than a mile.  It was okay and I enjoyed the cool evening air. Have an appointment  next Tuesday to see the surgeon and possibly have a smaller bandage.  Thanks for the cheering notes.  Del

FLOWERS TO  BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY

French Marigolds

Amaryllis

Peonies

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Pacemaker 01-18-24

Procedure to implant pace maker was almost painless, but I was mostly unconscious.   No post op pain - YET.   Checked in at 11:30am. Surgery at 1:30pm, dinner about 4pm (after not eating since 10pm last night),release from recovery room at 6:45pm, home at 7:15pm.  I have always been leery of St. Judes, but it was great.  I had two lovely lady RNs and a nice young man who might be a nurses aid considering the tasks he did.  In the recovery room I slept some, but hospitals are so noisy along with buzzing and ringing equipment.  So I am going to sleep when I finish this.

I do hope this is the answer to my lack of energy and loss of mojo.  It is so depressing to not be able to do the things I enjoy.  My new primary is the good doctor who recognized the symptoms and recommended seeing a cardiologist. 

Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers.

They inform each  patient of the caregivers names.

These very nice curtains  encased my private cubical.

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Wordless Wednesday 01-17-24

 

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Weather 01-16-24

The  camellias are starting to bloom.

I have one Calla Lily blossom. 

But, of course, we always have roses blooming.

Well, this isn't really about weather, I will just mention it.  Hearing frightening reports from friends in different parts of the county -  cold, snow, ice, wind, falling trees and branches.  I almost feel guilty living in  SCalifornia.   It has been cold with morning temps down to 40F  and we are not  accustomed to much  cold.  I try to waiting until it makes 50F before taking KoKo for his morning walk.  The cold doesn't seem to bother him, but 50F is almost too cold for me.   Gloves  for  my  arthritic  hands and a  vest  under my jacket.   I can't even imagine anything below 40F.

I am still trying to talk to someone in the orthopedic department to see if there are any post-op restrictions on dog walking  or driving.   Guess they are too busy to call me back.  Gotta get  some answers TOMORROW!  

I went  to the Surfside QGuild Board Meeting in Dana Point  this morning and took KoKo in his stroller.  Everyone is always surprised at how good he is and how obedient. He either sleeps in my lap or in his stroller.  Somehow I just needed his company on the 1 1/2  hour drive in  the morning traffic, which seemed extra bad today.   

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A Monday Update 01-15-24

I haven't been able to blog for a few days because the Internet doesn't like me or my laptop  doesn't like me or maybe it is AT&T.  I do need to take the laptop in to see if someone can make the spacebar work all the time.  I'm still hitting it several times for each space.  Slows down typing speed and requires looking at the screen to see if it has spaced...or not!

When I am driving I try to identify the make of the cars around me.  Mostly by their identifying logo, but some I just recognize, like Tesla.  And I was thinking last week that I didn't see  many Volvos anymore.   So I specifically look for them - not many!  The workmen are still remodeling the  park behind our house and they park their very large equipment on our street which is right around the corner from the park  entrance.  This thing is huge and I and my neighbor wonder what they are going to do with it since the entire park has been sodded with real grass and looks like it is ready for the public again.  

Imagine my surprise when I actually focused on the back of it.  It is a Volvo.  Guess they are making huge vehicles instead of a bunch of bitty ones.   LOL

On a more serious subject...    I finally was able to get an appointment with a cardiologist and he had me wear a 24 hour  monitor about a week ago.   On Thursday he called to say I need a pacemaker - NOW!  So on this coming Thursday I will have the outpatient procedure at St.Jude in Fullerton.   Friday I had all the pre-op blood tests, x-ray, discussion with the OR nurse.  It took most of the day as there seemed to be hundreds of patients there for various tests.   I have thought of some questions, but the admissions lady who told me to call anytime, was not available today because of the holiday.  Of course.  

Pacemakers have  been in use for at least 70 years and one statistic shows that around the world 1,500.000 are implanted every year. Therefore I am not worried  about the procedure.  However, I do need to see about walking KoKo and driving and packing for the Pat Pauly workshop which starts on Feb 5th.  There is a huge materials list and I have pledged my two six foot folding tables.  At some point  the guys in the neighborhood are going to disappear when they see me coming. They are all so helpful to this old lady.  But there might be a limit. 

I don't anticipate any limit on computing or sewing.  And I hope this will give me my  energy back so that I might truly clean my house!  

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