Work Day

Trudy and I cleaned out and organized the bathroom closet. I was just going to save 6 towels and give Trudy the rest of them but she didn't want the dingy white ones so SI have more then 6. I can try to bleach the white ones and improve them.

Dad had a bad spell this morning. Three days ago he said he was feeling claustrophobic but let it drop. This morning we got up at 7 AM and he said he was feeling claustrophobic and he paced the floor all morning. I called Bro Hill to come give him a blessing and he and Bro Hansen came over. The blessing worked for he finally lay down and went to sleep.

I had made some chicken and barley soup/stew yesterday and I had some for lunch. Trudy must have texted Mary Kate for she called about Dad. Trudy has gone down for a nap and I may lay down too. It's almost time for a pain pill for my right leg is getting achy. I try to spread out the time I take the pills since I only take 3 a day. Yesterday, we went to have the oil changed at Pep Boys. I had a coupon for a $21.99 oil change. We left the car there and walked next door to the marble store and looked around. Then we went to Dollar General. I bought some cards and Trudy got some cookies for Dad. We didn't have to wait long before the car was ready. Next we went to Walmart to get some containers for several things. We did a lot of walking and my leg was hurting but I had to wait 'til the time was right so I could take a pill. I slept through the night without hurting. It's time to take another one right now.

Dr. Alexander

Trudy had to be at the H'ville air port at 4:30 AM to see Patrick off on his mission. She came to the house after that. We had an appointment with Dr. Alexander at 8 AM. We got to the H'ville office at 7:45 AM. Dad had a bunch of x-rays taken. Dr. Alexander thinks his pain comes from a pinched nerve in his spine. He'll have a MRI next week. We combined our appointments so we'll only have one trip to make. Mine was at the Madison office so I'll have to call and cancel it.

Sadie came with Trudy and helped Dad make up some pills. She swept the floor and Trudy did some wash. We watched some Duck Dynasty and then they left.

All of our trash cans are broken so I bought a pink garbage can from the Athens Hospital Foundation. It cost $75.00 and is a big, tough can like the city uses with the big garbage trucks that pick up the garbage cans and dumps them over the side of the truck. I called the county sanitation to ask if they would accept the larger can and they said yes but all the garbage has to be in bags. They don't pick up the cans they are so big. Now, I have 4-5 old garbage cans I have to get rid of and 3-4 old TV sets that are sitting out back. Karen is going to take me into town to pick it up tomorrow. It won't fit into my car, plus I can't drive yet. I will offer her $5.00 for gas since it's gone up so much.

Visit

Today Frankie and Rachel stopped by the house on their way home from Ole Miss. I had lunch waiting for them. They showered and put on other clothes to get the perfume smells away. We had a wonderful visit.

I went to church today and stayed for Sacrament. Bro. Decker brought me home. They had a temple workers meeting at a B'ham stake this afternoon and had to leave church right after the meetings were over. Ken leaves for San Francisco, CA tomorrow for a week and Karen will have to take care of the animals. Hope nothing unusual happens.

Frank has had a rough 3 days. Today he was more lucid but he was pretty much out of it for two days. His left leg is really hurting him. We see Dr. Alexander tomorrow and if he can't help him maybe the next stop will be the pain clinic.

Slow Day

While I was in the shower, Frankie called but Frank was out of it and didn't really know what he said. He and Rachel were supposed to spend the night with us last night but never showed up. I thought he might come today so I cooked a meatloaf I had in the freezer and made some brownies. I finally called him to see when they would be coming and they were in Oxford. He forgot to call me that they wouldn't be coming by. They will be by sometime Sunday.

Frank didn't take any caffeine pills today and slept the day away. He wasn't feeling good and I guess it was better to sleep than to be awake and feel bad. His medicine makes him sleepy and he has to take the caffeine pills to stay awake.

I walked out to the mail box to get the mail today. I really didn't want to but I knew Frank couldn't so I went. My cane works good on the ground. My hip hasn't hurt much today but I'll have to take another pill tonight. I called in for another prescription and hope they called it in for tomorrow. I see Dr. Alexander March 6th. Maybe by then I can drive again. I'll still have to use my cane, I bet.

Dr. Appointment

Trudy gave Dad and me pedicures this morning. I had an appointment with Dr. Walker today to make up for the one I missed because of the operation on my hip. I got some refills on some meds and found out that I had a fungus on my left big toe. He said there were various cures for it. The pills had bad side effects and the one thing that seemed to work was Vick's VaporRub. It has an ingredient in it that other cures have and it is effective and inexpensive. I got some and will start using it tonight. I looked on the internet for cures and VaporRub was mentioned there too.

We went to CVS to see if there were any coupons we wanted but there weren't. I got 8 rolls of toilet paper that Frank likes and the VaporRub. Probably could have gotten it cheaper at Walmart but we were there and I didn't want to think about walking, or riding a buggy, in Walmart. Trudy went in for me while I sat in the car. We went to Goody's because I had a $10.00 credit for my birthday in January and a 20% off coupon. I got a pair of silver earrings that were $40.00 that were discounted some and then with my coupons, they only cost me $3.00.

We then stopped by West Side Pharmacy to get the prescriptions and Trudy went in for them. When she came out, she didn't have the shampoo that was prescribed. I got miffed and went in to see what the problem was and it seems the shampoo prescribed, and what I already had some of, was over $100.00 a small bottle. The pharmacist said the same ingredients were in Selsun blue, but it was 1% instead of 2.5% like the $100.00 bottle. He said just wash my hair more with the Selsun blue and it should do. It has a fragrance in it but I got the bottle that had the least smell to it.

Frankie is supposed to come here to spend the night tonight, but we haven't heard from him. He might be late. He's headed to Ole Miss for a mini reunion. I'm already dressed for bed and may or may not wait up for him. I told him to call and remind us that he was coming but we haven't heard from him.

Back to Exercising

Janet came and picked me up for exercise today. It was good seeing all the ladies again. Janet used weights and bands and peppy music in her routine and it was good. I could do most all of the exercises except the ones where we were marching or swinging both legs. I said I wanted to come Friday but later realized that I couldn' because Frankie was coming too spend the night with us Thursday night and then leaving Friday Morning. The next Monday Frank sees Dr. Alexander at 8 AM and I want to go with him.

Trudy got here as I was leaving the house this morning. She had come from taking Sadie to Seminary and she went downstairs and crashed. She got up around lunch time and we made a meatloaf and meat balls out of some hamburger she had bought me at Sam's. The meat loaf is in the freezer but I will get up and and put it in the refrigerator so I'll have some food for Frankie.

I was up a lot today using me cane. I really love it and it was well worth the extra expense. Tomorrow, Trudy'll take me to see Dr. Walker. I will see if I have a big toe fungus and I will get some more special shampoo for itchy scalp.

Tonight, Trudy has gone to the H'ville Stake center to Sadie's New Beginnings program. At first, I said I would like to go but after all the standing I did today, I realized it would be too much for me.
She'll be back around PM.

Surprise

My Hurricane cane came in today. It is a cane that stands alone and is very sturdy. I have been using it all day and it's great. Janet is coming to get me tomorrow to go to the senior center and I'm glad that I don't have to be on the walker. It will be interesting to see her class.

Trudy will probably not be spending the night anymore. I think George told her he missed her. I cooked a pot of chicken barley soup today and it was good. We have plenty to eat. She will be over tomorrow and we will cook up some food to put in the freezer.

Interesting Day

I wanted to go to town today so we went. Dad had a rough meds day and he stayed in bed while we were gone. We drove to see Forrest and take him 2 peanut butter sandwiches and then we went to Publix's to do some coupon shopping. I rode in the electric buggy. We got some good deals. I had wanted to go to Goody's but after Publix I was tired so we came home. After lunch of Taco Bell, Trudy started on organizing my food pantry. She organized the one in the kitchen and then tackled the pantry. Wow! I saw things I had forgotten I had. We threw away a lot of things and you can actually walk into the pantry now. She did all the work but I supervised! I finally had to get off my feet but we were through by then and had to start on supper.

Trudy had bought some frozen veggies and chicken breasts at Sam's and we had a can of Progresso meal starter and we cooked the chicken in it and had rice and gravy and whole green beans, which were very good. Trudy's soaking in the tub now and I had to take my 3rd pain pill so I could lie down and go to sleep without my leg bothering me. I can't seem to get by with only taking 2 pills. I guess as I heal more, it'll get better. Plus, the Dr. will stop prescribing them for me. I surely hope the pain will be gone before that happens...hope, hope, hope.

The wind started blowing while we were at Publix and the weather turned colder. It's blowing now and it will be stormy tonight. Hopefully, there will be no tornadoes in the storm.

Frank seems to be getting worse. He still has trouble walking and sometime seems confused at things. At other times, he's fine. Could it be old age? O joy. A great thing to look forward to!

Sunday

Went too Sacrament this morning. Enjoyed the meeting. It was a bit uncomfortable sitting in the folding chair and I know it's not time to go to church full time.

I cooked Omaha steak burgers for lunch. Our meals haven't been satisfying lately and I've been mindlessly eating. Trudy brought some frozen veggies and chicken from Sam's and we will fix meals tomorrow. She will be here until Thursday and then Frankie will be spending the night with us. He's headed for Oxford, MS for a mini-reunion.

I will be needing a cane pretty soon as my leg gets stronger and as I was lying on the couch watching TV, the commercial for the Hurry Cane that stands up by itself came on. I got so excited about getting the info on it that I jumped off the couch and walked into the kitchen with out my walker! It didn't hurt too much. I was so surprised at what I had done. The cane should come in in two days. I ordered it from Amazon Prime. I forgot it was Sunday when I ordered it so I broke the Sabbath day. I'm very sorry I did it. I usually am very careful not to order anything on Sunday but I was so excited about getting the information that I forgot it was Sunday.

I've got to get to the senior center and visit with everyone and join in the exercises that Janet is doing. Maybe I can incorperate some of what Janet does into my routine or maybe I could get Janet create a new routine for me to learn. That would be fun.

It's fun having Trudy coming over every week. Frank helped me get onto her new foam bed and it is very comfortable. After I get well am  able to cook, I can have all of Trudy's family over for supper one evening

Waiting Game

I've been trying to take only 2 pain pills a day, but I can't seem to do it. I can go 10-11 hours during the day without taking one  but at night the pain catches up with me and I have to take the 3rd pill. I can't lie down until it gets into my system because my leg cramps on and off and I can't be still. I took one at 9:30 PM and will have to wait until after 10:00 until it gets into my system and I can lie still in the bed. The Arthrotec doesn't help like I thought it did. This pain is too much for it to help. I don't know how long I'll be able to get the pain med but I hope it will be as long as I need it.

I threw 1/2 a meat loaf away today. It was nasty. The black beans and rice are good but you have to eat a lot to get full and then I get hungry two hours later. I'm trying to control my portions so I'm trying to not eat as much. I lost 8 lbs. with the two operations and I'm trying not to gain it back.

Karen will pick me up for church tomorrow just for Sacrament. The Primary is bad need of a pianist but I don't know if I'm ready to go back full time yet. I have to find the pillow I had on the piano seat before I play any, either that or get a new pillow.

When I was downstairs helping Frank put together the cart yesterday, I got to lay on Trudy's bed. It's a foam bed and felt good, as good as my foam mattress. Frankie will be visiting soon and will be happy to have a nice bed to sleep on.

Frank had a bad day today but I got his meds in him and he got up for lunch. He was going to order the wheelchair today but we didn't know how small the borrowed one was and we were going to try to get one a bit larger than it. It has to be light enough so Trudy and then I can put it in the trunk of the car. We have a wheelchair ramp and all we need now is a wheelchair.

Frank is interested in seeing about a sleep number bed. They said a twin bed started at $800.00. I wasn't impresses with the sleep number and got the therompedic mattress instead. I really like it.

Good Day

Trudy got up early. She had to drive to Leeds, AL to meet Mary Kate and pick up Sadie who had been spending the week with Mary Kate and family. She won't be back until Monday.

I had a good day. I even helped Frank put together a heavy duty cart we got to help roll groceries around in the basement. It was downstairs and I used one of Frank's canes to prop myself up on. I can get to the piano now but I don't know where Trudy put the pillow I use on the piano bench. I think it would make sitting on the hard bench a bit easier. I'll go to church Sunday but I won't stay for the entire meeting. Karen will bring me back after Sacrament.

I made a meat loaf and put too much tomato sauce in it so it wasn't so good. Frank said we could eat it. It's better when I follow a recipe. I also cooked some brown rice and made black beans and rice with kielbasa in it. Frank doesn't like the kielbasa so I'll rake it out of his portion. When Trudy gets back, we are going to plan some meals so I can try to cut down on the amount of money I spend at the grocery store. She is back to coupon shopping but I don't want to do that.

New Milestone

I took a shower by myself today! I didn't even have to use the walker to help me get into the tub. This is a small thing unless you haven't been able to do it in two months. I feel great. It was a good mood lifter. Slowly but surely I'm gaining my independence back. I haven't mastered cooking yet and even though I can go up and down the basement stairs, I can't do anything while I'm there. I'm still connected to my walker. Trudy has been washing our clothes and doing most of the cooking. I cooked a meal or two but they left a lot to be desired.

Today is Valentine's day. Karen stopped by and brought me some chocolates and I helped her cut out some finger puppets for her Primary lesson Sunday. I will go to church but will come home after Sacrament.  Maybe I should stay and help out with the Primary music. Don't know.

I got dressed today. My two muumuus needed to be washed plus it felt good to be dressed. I even put on make-up.

Good Report

I had my last PT session today. I really impressed the lady with what all I could do. She was very happy for me to see such progress. I was happy too. She thought I was ready to start using a cane, but my body says it's not time yet so I'll keep using the walker. Sometimes I get up and start off without the walker but I usually realize I need it before I get too far.

There was a Master Gardener meeting today and I thought it was Wednesday. I was going to see if Janet wanted to go to it, but as I was e-mailing her tonight, I realized the day of the meeting was today and not Wednesday!

I cooked my first meal tonight! We had eggs and pancakes. I used the cast iron skillet so the pancakes wouldn't stick. The eggs left a residue in the skillet but a little water and some rubbing got it off. I oiled the skillet to keep it ready to use.

Trudy and I will have to go grocery shopping tomorrow. She had been busy getting ready to do some, I can't spell the word but here is what I think, coupon shopping. Well, the word was right, it wasn't correct when I put an "ing" on the end of it.

I've only had one pain pill today but I did take an Arthrotec in the afternoon when I got uncomfortable and it worked. I don't know if I should take both meds together or not. I'll try to look it up.

Didn't Get Out

Woke up at 6:15 AM and Frank was sick. I took care of him and called Janet to tell her I couldn't go to the senior center. Trudy came early and she was a big help.

Frank felt better today. Trudy stayed the night and tonight too. She has been cooking and cleaning for us and has been a big help.

PT really worked me out today or the pain meds weren't in my body soon enough. I felt the work out just about all day. I've gone 5 hours before taking another pill and I'm glad but I still need them.

Mary Kate and possibly Nate will be coming up tomorrow in the evening. They will be here until Sunday, I believe.

Getting Out

May be getting out of the house Wednesday. Janet said she would come and get me if I wanted to visit the exercise class. I would like that.

Trudy didn't come over today. Sadie was not feeling good. I told her not to come, that we were fine. She called at 5 PM and said she would be over in the morning. We have some washing to do. I still can't go down the steps to the basement to wash anything. And I'm not too good at cooking from scratch yet. We've been eating food that Trudy cooked two days ago. We still have some chili that came from one of the sisters at church. We've really been eating good.

Frank had a bad day today. He didn't get up until 1:30 PM. He should have a better day tomorrow.

We've found a wheelchair we want from Amazon. The prices are great on Amazon compared to other stores. We'll have one if anyone needs one.

Keeping On

I'm trying to take the pain meds 4 1/2 hrs instead of every 4 hours. So far, so good. I'm getting around better. Trudy took me to get my hair cut last week and we went to Lowe's. I got to drive in an electric scooter that was fun. Should have gone to church today but was afraid. Maybe next week.

Frank's left hip is still giving him problems. He walks around with his walker or two canes. He sees the Dr. in 2 weeks. I'm afraid the Dr. will say that nothing is wrong and will suggest pain meds and he already takes pain meds for his arthritis.

Trudy is still coming over Monday and Tuesday and Thursday and Friday. She has been a big help. She gave us pedicures last week and I didn't think feet could feel so good!

Mary Kate will be coming up this week-end because Trudy and George are going to a concert in Nashville Friday.

Trudy cooked a lot of food Saturday before she left and we've had plenty to eat.