Mom's Health

Yesterday, I spent the day with my mother. We had a pleasant day together, even though it was very hot for me.  I don't care for temperatures over 90.  Mom, on the other hand, is more comfortable when it's hot, as she freezes when it's below 75.

There aren't many things I can still do for my mom.  I help her with her medical issues, because I'm the only one in the family with any medical training.  I like to go with her to her medical appointments, so I can keep a tab on what she tells the doctor.  She doesn't always tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, because she has a deep fear of being put into a nursing home at her age.  She will lie like crazy if it will help her stay out there on that farm.

My brothers help as much as they can, but Bret is a long haul trucker and is gone sometimes for over a week at a time.  He and his fiancée have moved to town and are buying a house together. Up until recently, he lived with Mom and helped her with her grocery shopping and other chores around the house that she can longer do.  She misses him being there to talk to and help her.

My other brother, Tom, lives just up the hill a few hundred yards from her, and he checks on her daily.  His wife, Cindy, also checks on her and brings her groceries, and medical prescriptions from the pharmacy.  They also invite her to their home for meals.  I really appreciate their help on that.

My sister, Linda, lives 50+ miles northeast in Fairbury, Ne. and works fulltime+ overtime at her job, so she isn't able to do much very often. She does call her every week though to visit, and comes down as often as she can get away.

There are numerous family members (cousins and nieces and nephews) who offer to help and stop by to see her occasionally.  So she has a fairly good support system.  My dad passed away years ago.

So yesterday, she had this doctor's appointment. After the appointment, she wanted to eat at the Dairy Queen, then she wanted to do some shopping, and following that, we stopped to visit one of her granddaughters at her job for a few minutes.  Finally, we were on our way home to her house.  She insisted I eat some watermelon with her, however, after she got me started eating my slice, she decided she didn't want any herself.  It was probably all just contrived to keep me there with her.  She admits to being lonely.  So I ate watermelon, then I told her I had to get back home to get my own chores done.

I contacted my siblings and filled them in on what had happened at the appointment and a few other pertinent details about her care.  We decided she was being a pickle. But I commented that once she is gone, we'd be wishing that "pickle" was back again.  So we'll keep on keeping on with her and loving her as much as we can.

She seemed to be in good spirits yesterday, so it was a good day. I hope to have many more good days with her for a long time to come.

If you still have your mom, give her a call or stop by and give her a hug.  She deserves it.

Cancer is back

We called Dr. Rosso's office this morning, he returned our call to tell Dennis his PSA was up to 1.4.  So the cancer is active again.  He's scheduling another appointment in 3 months to check on how it's doing.  So it begins again.

I feel very fatigued today. I think it's from the stress about Dennis' cancer coming back. I have a sinus headache and ache all over. Probably won't get a lot done today.

I'll try to work on the house.  Housework often helps me work stress out.  I get a lot of it done when I'm angry or upset about something.

I might take a nap later too. I could use one.

Trusting in God

This week is difficult, to say the least.  Dennis had an appointment with his Urologist from Manhattan yesterday.  He'd had his usual lab drawn last week.  The labs have been consistently  good, with his PSA untraceable.  But yesterday, his PSA was up. I don't know the exact level, but Dr. Rosso is concerned.  To be sure, he had a repeat PSA level drawn, and he sent Dennis home, promising to call him with the results.  We still haven't heard from him.

So.  Is this good news?  Bad news? Or did Dr. Rosso just forget to call?  Dennis will probably have to call his office tomorrow to remind him and find out what's going on.  There was no return appointment made, no conversation about what treatment is needed, if any, and we are just hanging here in limbo.

I've been trying to set up a local event here in Clyde at the Branch. So far, I have 7 vendors lined up, including me, with my Ruby Ribbon and my art.  I'm still trying to unload all those cookbooks I made years ago, too.  I have an Avon representative, a Lularoe Stylist, a tee shirt and earring designer, a 31 Bag representative, a Monat rep, and an author wanting to sell her own books.
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I'm hoping this activity will keep my mind off our health issues.  I'm still trying to get the VA to approve my meds by mail.  I'll call them again tomorrow. The last time I called I got put on hold for 30 minutes before they told me all their reps were busy.  I get so frustrated that I hang up.  I need to stick it out, otherwise, I'll have to drive to Manhattan to get my meds at a VA approved pharmacy, like HyVee. Apparently, Walmart is not on their list.

Well, it's time for me to turn into a pumpkin once again, so I'll drag my vines back into the bedroom after I do my Bible study, and then read my novel until I get sleepy.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day

Trust in God!  If He brings you to it, He'll bring you through it!

Grandma's Fantasy

Grandma’s Fantasy

I love the sound of children at play
They jump and run and laugh all day.
I forget that I’m old and gray,
And the years just fall away.

In my mind, I’m not so old,
My pockets are filled with gold.
I jump and play and talk so bold
And do as I am told.

Then I look around and finally see,
The children are not so free.
To their mothers they must plea,
She’s busy as a bee.

And then to school, the kids must go,
To find out all they must know,
And Grandma sits and watches the show,
And wishes time would go as slow.

Dixie Barnes 2016