Yesterday I joined a local chapter of the Red Hat Society, "The Ladies With Hat-i-tude."
I'm really not much of a joiner, but after DH's stroke, and moving 160 miles from where we had lived the last 13 1/2 years, I needed something for just "me." So with that driving me, there I was yesterday at noon, resplendent in my purple shirt and red hat that doesn't go!
It's a swell bunch of ladies, and I felt at home. Of course there was laughter, food and wine, so it was my kind of good time!
I probably never would have done this without the impetus of DH's stroke. Sometimes life pushes us to journey places we never dreamed of going.
It's not necessarily a bad thing.
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but to slide in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming WOW . . . What a ride!"~Anonymous
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Update: 5 1/2 Months Post Stroke
Our last "normal" day was March 31, 2005, but we didn't know that then.
We had gone to dinner at a new Mexican Restaurant, watched a little TV, and went to bed. He tells me (I slept through this part) that he woke up about 11pm because he smelled something burning. He looked outside and didn't see anything, and went back to bed.About 2AM he woke me up, saying something was wrong. He was dizzy, couldn't walk without stumbling, and had what he described at the worst headache in his life. So we sat up in the living room for a couple of hours, seeing if he would get better (He'd had one episode where his BP spiked, and I took him to the ER. At least that's what they said it was. Symptoms were similar, but not as severe. I'm not sure he didn't have a stroke then, a couple of years ago).
We went back to bed for an hour or two, and when we woke up he was no better, so I took him to the VA clinic when they opened at 7:30AM. They immediately assessed him and sent him to the local imaging clinic for an MRI. The technician there was not very supportive, and Rollin couldn't handle the tube. I asked to sedate him and he said no. So I took him home, stopping to tell the DR what had happened. He said he would have ordered sedation if the tech had called. I tried, what more could I do? So they said take him home and if he gets worse over the weekend, take him to the ER.
Monday afternoon he had an open MRI. He was still scared, but they let me sit on a chair and hold his hand through the procedure. It was after the VA clinic had closed by now, and so we went directly home. About 5:30PM the DR calls me and says he'd had a stroke. I remember my response "Oh, really?".
He told us to be back at the clinic first thing in the morning. He had some trouble walking the first couple of days, and so they gave him a cane. He only used it once and never needed it again. No paralysis, no loss of speech or body functions. And as I told my girl friends, he didn't drool! (~_~) Sometimes if you don't find the humor in the situation, it becomes way too overwhelming and depressing.He tried to drive that first weekend, before we knew it was a stroke. After he ended up on the wrong side of the road, going the wrong way, he pulled over and I drove (if you knew me, you'd find that amazing--I avoid driving whenever possible). But stroke changes you, not just the person who had it, but the caregiver, too. You should see me drive now. I had no choice for the first three months, if I wanted to go somewhere, I'd have to drive!
Other than short term memory loss (he's a cook by trade, and the first time he tried to cook potatoes for dinner I went into the kitchen and found them turned off. I asked him and he said they were done. Of course I put a fork in them and they were hard as rocks. He'd turned the burner on, turned around, and turned it back off, thinking they were done) he's suffered from fatigue (takes a couple of naps a day) some depression and a lot of short-temperdness.
But we try every morning to hug, to kiss good bye (I work, he doesn't) and to repeat our mantra "Today's a new day."
It does get easier, but every day's a struggle.
We had gone to dinner at a new Mexican Restaurant, watched a little TV, and went to bed. He tells me (I slept through this part) that he woke up about 11pm because he smelled something burning. He looked outside and didn't see anything, and went back to bed.About 2AM he woke me up, saying something was wrong. He was dizzy, couldn't walk without stumbling, and had what he described at the worst headache in his life. So we sat up in the living room for a couple of hours, seeing if he would get better (He'd had one episode where his BP spiked, and I took him to the ER. At least that's what they said it was. Symptoms were similar, but not as severe. I'm not sure he didn't have a stroke then, a couple of years ago).
We went back to bed for an hour or two, and when we woke up he was no better, so I took him to the VA clinic when they opened at 7:30AM. They immediately assessed him and sent him to the local imaging clinic for an MRI. The technician there was not very supportive, and Rollin couldn't handle the tube. I asked to sedate him and he said no. So I took him home, stopping to tell the DR what had happened. He said he would have ordered sedation if the tech had called. I tried, what more could I do? So they said take him home and if he gets worse over the weekend, take him to the ER.
Monday afternoon he had an open MRI. He was still scared, but they let me sit on a chair and hold his hand through the procedure. It was after the VA clinic had closed by now, and so we went directly home. About 5:30PM the DR calls me and says he'd had a stroke. I remember my response "Oh, really?".
He told us to be back at the clinic first thing in the morning. He had some trouble walking the first couple of days, and so they gave him a cane. He only used it once and never needed it again. No paralysis, no loss of speech or body functions. And as I told my girl friends, he didn't drool! (~_~) Sometimes if you don't find the humor in the situation, it becomes way too overwhelming and depressing.He tried to drive that first weekend, before we knew it was a stroke. After he ended up on the wrong side of the road, going the wrong way, he pulled over and I drove (if you knew me, you'd find that amazing--I avoid driving whenever possible). But stroke changes you, not just the person who had it, but the caregiver, too. You should see me drive now. I had no choice for the first three months, if I wanted to go somewhere, I'd have to drive!
Other than short term memory loss (he's a cook by trade, and the first time he tried to cook potatoes for dinner I went into the kitchen and found them turned off. I asked him and he said they were done. Of course I put a fork in them and they were hard as rocks. He'd turned the burner on, turned around, and turned it back off, thinking they were done) he's suffered from fatigue (takes a couple of naps a day) some depression and a lot of short-temperdness.
But we try every morning to hug, to kiss good bye (I work, he doesn't) and to repeat our mantra "Today's a new day."
It does get easier, but every day's a struggle.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Splat
What an exciting day so far, and it's not even noon!
I took my walk this morning and was having a great time. I have a 40 minute route through the neighborhood, a canal/lake walkway, and a small park. The birds were singing, there was a slight breeze, the sun was shining, it was great to be alive!
And then it happened.
Flat on my face on the pavement. Scratched the lenses on my sunglasses, bloodied my knees, hands, and chin. So,after unceremoniously picking myself up from the pavement, I dusted myself off, put my hand to my chin and realized there was a fair amount of blood on it. Walked slowly to the nearest water fountain, rinsed off my hands, chins and knees, and proceeded to find the nearest park bench.Caught my breath, and walked back home, where I was promptly chewed out for not using my cell phone to call for help
Excuse me, I fell, I wasn't mugged! A couple of Ibuprofen later, an ice pack and a brief rest, and I appear none the worse for the wear.
Whew, life is an adventure!
I took my walk this morning and was having a great time. I have a 40 minute route through the neighborhood, a canal/lake walkway, and a small park. The birds were singing, there was a slight breeze, the sun was shining, it was great to be alive!
And then it happened.
Flat on my face on the pavement. Scratched the lenses on my sunglasses, bloodied my knees, hands, and chin. So,after unceremoniously picking myself up from the pavement, I dusted myself off, put my hand to my chin and realized there was a fair amount of blood on it. Walked slowly to the nearest water fountain, rinsed off my hands, chins and knees, and proceeded to find the nearest park bench.Caught my breath, and walked back home, where I was promptly chewed out for not using my cell phone to call for help
Excuse me, I fell, I wasn't mugged! A couple of Ibuprofen later, an ice pack and a brief rest, and I appear none the worse for the wear.
Whew, life is an adventure!
Friday, April 08, 2005
Stroke
We had a huge scare last Friday morning. My husband, who just turned 58, had a stroke.
I waited 5 1/2 hours before seeking medical treatment. I thought it was "just" another instance of episodic high blood pressure, and it could wait until the VA clinic opened.
Now I know that he had 4 of the 5 warning signs of a stoke. We are lucky that it appears to have been a "minor" stroke. The doctor told me if it ever happened again, he needed to be taken to a hospital within the hour, to prevent permanent and extended damage.
Knowledge is power. Be prepared! The following information comes from the National Stroke Association website (www.strokeassociation.org)
Stroke is a medical emergency.
Know these warning signs of stroke and teach them to others.
Every second counts:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience symptoms!
Time lost is brain lost!
I waited 5 1/2 hours before seeking medical treatment. I thought it was "just" another instance of episodic high blood pressure, and it could wait until the VA clinic opened.
Now I know that he had 4 of the 5 warning signs of a stoke. We are lucky that it appears to have been a "minor" stroke. The doctor told me if it ever happened again, he needed to be taken to a hospital within the hour, to prevent permanent and extended damage.
Knowledge is power. Be prepared! The following information comes from the National Stroke Association website (www.strokeassociation.org)
Stroke is a medical emergency.
Know these warning signs of stroke and teach them to others.
Every second counts:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience symptoms!
Time lost is brain lost!
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
My Italian Charm Bracelets
Each charm has been picked out especially for me, either by me someone near and dear to me. I like to think of it as a "snapshot" portrait of who I am. I have collected and received so many charms, I just started my second bracelet!
S
Friend
American Flag
Pepsi Symbol
Computer
Gram
Mom
U.S. Navy
Key to My Heart
Camera (Charm has since fallen off)
Texas Map
Mom
Mt. Shasta
35
Gold Beach, OR
Friends 4 Life
Fortuna Huskies
Redding Sundial Bridge
Dolphin
I (Heart) Wine
California Dreamin’
G-Five Logo
Hawaiian Hibiscus
Double Hearts
Flower
Circle of Friends
Dragonfly
I (Heart) My Daschund
Golden Gate Bridge
Lake Havasu
Route 66
California Bear Flag
Mom (Heart) Daughter
I (Heart) Scrapbooking
I (Heart) Sushi
Heart
I (Heart) Wine
Red Star
S
Friend
American Flag
Pepsi Symbol
Computer
Gram
Mom
U.S. Navy
Key to My Heart
Camera (Charm has since fallen off)
Texas Map
Mom
Mt. Shasta
35
Gold Beach, OR
Friends 4 Life
Fortuna Huskies
Redding Sundial Bridge
Dolphin
I (Heart) Wine
California Dreamin’
G-Five Logo
Hawaiian Hibiscus
Double Hearts
Flower
Circle of Friends
Dragonfly
I (Heart) My Daschund
Golden Gate Bridge
Lake Havasu
Route 66
California Bear Flag
Mom (Heart) Daughter
I (Heart) Scrapbooking
I (Heart) Sushi
Heart
I (Heart) Wine
Red Star
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Auld Lang Syne
What’s your least favorite day of the year, I wonder. “My, that’s an odd question” you think. But wait, just play along with me. So you think “My favorite day, well, that’s easy – it’s Christmas, or it’s Thanksgiving, or it’s the Fourth of July,” or any other day with special significance to you. But least favorite? Who has a least favorite day, unless it’s April 15th.
Might I suggest that my least favorite day of the year is New Year’s Eve. When the song starts (you know the one, the song you sing after you kiss some stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve) I invariably start to tear up.
But wait, I can hear you already. “No, she’s wrong. It’s not a sad song, it’s about looking fondly back at the old year and looking forward with anticipation to the new year.” Maybe, but deep inside me something says it’s mostly about looking back with regret, and not really looking forward at all. And life is too short to regret time already spent. So let’s skip all that reminiscing and rehashing and usher in the new year, 2005, that hopefully, is kinder and gentler to us all.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave
with the intention of arriving safely
in a pretty and well preserved body,
but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up,
totally worn out,
and loudly proclaiming
“WOW, what a ride!”-----anonymous
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
10 Places I Want to Go Before I Die
1. Yosemite
2. Tuscany
3. Historic sites in Boston
4. Tuscany
5. Yellowstone National Park
6. Tuscany
7.Washington D.C.
8. Tuscany
9. New Orleans
10. Did I mention Tuscany?
2. Tuscany
3. Historic sites in Boston
4. Tuscany
5. Yellowstone National Park
6. Tuscany
7.Washington D.C.
8. Tuscany
9. New Orleans
10. Did I mention Tuscany?
Monday, December 27, 2004
Ho3
I have a Christmas pin that was my son's in high school.
It has the word HO in big letters with the exponent 3 up to the right side (i.e. "Ho Ho Ho")
So my granddaughter Ally comes over and sits in my lap on Christmas, at their friend's house, where we were having dinner. She wraps her arm around my neck, and says "So, How's it going, Ho Three?"
The women were all congregated in the kitchen, and we all laughed out loud. Of course we couldn't explain to Ally, and she looked at us all peculiar, trying to figure out why it was so funny!
I wonder where Ho One and Ho Two were?
It has the word HO in big letters with the exponent 3 up to the right side (i.e. "Ho Ho Ho")
So my granddaughter Ally comes over and sits in my lap on Christmas, at their friend's house, where we were having dinner. She wraps her arm around my neck, and says "So, How's it going, Ho Three?"
The women were all congregated in the kitchen, and we all laughed out loud. Of course we couldn't explain to Ally, and she looked at us all peculiar, trying to figure out why it was so funny!
I wonder where Ho One and Ho Two were?
Friday, November 12, 2004
Scott Peterson Verdict
Why am I so positive he was guilty as sin?
And why do I feel almost joyful over this verdict (the exact opposite of how I felt when John Kerry was defeated just last week?)
Inquiring minds want to know.
And why do I feel almost joyful over this verdict (the exact opposite of how I felt when John Kerry was defeated just last week?)
Inquiring minds want to know.
10 Places I've been
10 Places I've been (besides where I grew up & live now)
1. California-Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, SanDiego Zoo, Sea World, San Francisco, Needles, Monterey, Carmel, Capitol building in Sacramento, MarineWorld, wine country in Napa Valley and Amador County (and lots of other places all over the state)
2. Texas - Austin, Dallas (JFK Museum, Southfork, the WestEnd), Fort Worth (Billy Bob's), San Antonio (The Alamo, Sea World
3. Kauai, Hawaii
4. Vancouver, BC and Tijuana, Mexico
5. Washington - Seattle for 3 months every summer as a kid (World's Fair in 1962), Everett, Bothell, Whidbey Island
6. Oregon - Oregon Caves, Sea Lion Caves
7. Tennessee - Nashville (Fan Fair 1992)
8. Nevada - Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin
9. Arizona - Kingman, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Williams (Grand Canyon)
10. A bunch of other states on the way to and from Tennessee (see #7 above)
1. California-Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, SanDiego Zoo, Sea World, San Francisco, Needles, Monterey, Carmel, Capitol building in Sacramento, MarineWorld, wine country in Napa Valley and Amador County (and lots of other places all over the state)
2. Texas - Austin, Dallas (JFK Museum, Southfork, the WestEnd), Fort Worth (Billy Bob's), San Antonio (The Alamo, Sea World
3. Kauai, Hawaii
4. Vancouver, BC and Tijuana, Mexico
5. Washington - Seattle for 3 months every summer as a kid (World's Fair in 1962), Everett, Bothell, Whidbey Island
6. Oregon - Oregon Caves, Sea Lion Caves
7. Tennessee - Nashville (Fan Fair 1992)
8. Nevada - Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin
9. Arizona - Kingman, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Williams (Grand Canyon)
10. A bunch of other states on the way to and from Tennessee (see #7 above)
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Grandkids
So my nine year old granddaughter calls me.
HER: Hi, Grandma. I really love you.
ME: I know you do, Sweetie. I love you too.
HER: Grandma, can I ask you a question?
ME: Sure, Honey.
HER: Is it true
My dad had to walk to school
50 miles
each way
in the snow
naked
with a goat tied around his waist?
ME: And with Uncle Rob on his shoulders!
HER: (Aside) Dad, you had to have Uncle Rob on your shoulders, too?
HIM: Hey, he had to get to school, too!
HER: Grandma, are you telling me the truth?
ME: No, Honey, I'm not.
HER: (Aside) Dad, I knew it! You were lying to me! (Much muffled laughter). Thanks, Grandma, that's all I needed to know. Bye.
HER: Hi, Grandma. I really love you.
ME: I know you do, Sweetie. I love you too.
HER: Grandma, can I ask you a question?
ME: Sure, Honey.
HER: Is it true
My dad had to walk to school
50 miles
each way
in the snow
naked
with a goat tied around his waist?
ME: And with Uncle Rob on his shoulders!
HER: (Aside) Dad, you had to have Uncle Rob on your shoulders, too?
HIM: Hey, he had to get to school, too!
HER: Grandma, are you telling me the truth?
ME: No, Honey, I'm not.
HER: (Aside) Dad, I knew it! You were lying to me! (Much muffled laughter). Thanks, Grandma, that's all I needed to know. Bye.
Friday, November 05, 2004
10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Me
Friday, November 05, 2004
1. I'm an avid scrapbooker.
2. I was married at 17.
3. I turned down a full tuition/fees college scholarship. Instead I got married, had three kids in the next five years, and got my AA (i.e. “half” of a BA! (~_~)
4. I wanted to be a print journalist.
5. I’m been addicted to reality TV since the first episode of Survivor.
6. Desperate Housewives is my favorite new show
7. I’ve only had two jobs in my life, the first one for 14 years, and this one for 10
8. I cried on the way to the hospital to have my third child, begging the DH not to be mad at me if it was another boy (It wasn’t, and hey, if it had been, it would have been HIS “fault”, not mine! (~_~)
9. I didn’t have any “single” dates in high school, only group dates
10. Instead of stuffed animals, I slept with books!
1. I'm an avid scrapbooker.
2. I was married at 17.
3. I turned down a full tuition/fees college scholarship. Instead I got married, had three kids in the next five years, and got my AA (i.e. “half” of a BA! (~_~)
4. I wanted to be a print journalist.
5. I’m been addicted to reality TV since the first episode of Survivor.
6. Desperate Housewives is my favorite new show
7. I’ve only had two jobs in my life, the first one for 14 years, and this one for 10
8. I cried on the way to the hospital to have my third child, begging the DH not to be mad at me if it was another boy (It wasn’t, and hey, if it had been, it would have been HIS “fault”, not mine! (~_~)
9. I didn’t have any “single” dates in high school, only group dates
10. Instead of stuffed animals, I slept with books!
Thursday, November 04, 2004
The Beginning
I was introduced to the concept of "blogging" today by my younger sister, who sent me a link to her daughter's blog. I was instantly hooked on the concept. A place to muse, to reflect, to rant, to expound on the little things in life, as well as those larger ones.
I'm going to like this!
I'm going to like this!
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