Not Today

There's an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" in which Ray's annoying mother Marie scolds him by saying, "Someday you'll turn around and I won't be here anymore." Ray quickly spins around, glares at her and says, "Not today."

Someday I'll get up in the morning and my leg won't hurt.

Out of Bed At Last !

Today, thanks to the steroids, I am back in the recliner, well-iced, and
feeling like I'm in paradise. I'm sitting in the sunshine with the door and
the window open, and it's almost like being out on the deck. I'm able to
walk around periodically, but still can't stand for long. I also can't sit,
which puzzles me because one would think that sitting would be the easiest
thing. Go figure. Before my relapse, I was able to ride around in the car
for as much as an hour and a half. Now I'm back to zilch.

Today I learned that it's a mistake to try to walk around right after taking pain meds. Not only do you topple over and scratch your nose, but you also anger your caretaker who works diligently every hour of every day to improve your condition and expects you to do the same and not to put yourself in peril. I'll have to get used to asking for more help. My fear is to become too demanding. It's a delicate balance because I'm beginninng fo feel more able to try to do things.

Today Dick went to visit Mother. I'm so glad - I want her to remember that she does have family out here somewhere. Hooray for Dick. He reports that he thinks she's beginning to suffer short term memory loss.

OK, Here's the Deal...

My physical therapy session last Thursday did me in. I'm literally worse than I was when the sciatica first flared up.

Still can't sit, because I seem to be unable to find an un-achy sitting position.

Still can't stand or walk without cane and pain. (The kind of pain that my Dad used to say, "Made ya moan, didn't it!", with a
cute, wicked grin. Sometimes you just have to wonder about football coaches.)

I'm spending all my time in bed, which sounds pretty enjoyable to most hard-working people, and really isn't too bad for the first eight or nine hours. I've been here since 5 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and it's now Monday at 10:30 a.m. You could say that it's the opposite of geo-caching.

My only comfy position in bed is lying on my right side with knees bent and ice packs on the left hip and thigh. Dick has a great icing system going, and so I'm the world's luckiest icee.

I've lost my appetite. I'm blaming it on all these high-powered pain-killers. They also sometimes make me physically ill and unusually sleepy.

Since I flunked physical therapy, Dr. Burke cancelled all of the PT appointments and came up with a new plan. Here's the deal:

1. First we'll re-run the steroid medrol pack. He has confidence it will take away the pain the way it did before. That starts today, and lasts for 5 or 6 days.

2. After the pain is gone, I'll have an EMG on Sept. 11 to determine nerve damage and muscle weakness.

3. If necessary, I have an appointment with a neuro-surgeon on Sept. 21 to check out my bulging disc.

Here's my soft, cuddly present for being sick. His name is Fleming Bearie Steiger. I'm beginning to feel slightly better this afternoon. Some might say it's due to the steroids, but I know it's because of Fleming and Dick.

Random Thoughts Since Thursday

[This is just an attempt by me to catalog my experiences so I won't forget the chronology.]


Sciatica is not such a big deal.

Mine began on July 17.

A little inflammation, a little discomfort, a little medication, a little rest, a little therapy, and voila! You're good to go.

I spent a lot of time in the recliner, where I could find a couple of truly comfortable positions, helped by either ice or the heating pad.

I also found a comfortable position in bed, which was almost totally pain free.

We followed directions to the letter.

I have kept track of every pill taken since July 17.

I haven't cooked a meal or cleaned the kitchen. I have been able to do laundry. I have trouble standing.

Before the first therapy appointment I was totally off all pain meds except Tylenol for 2 1/2 days!

I was walking slowly and with a limp, but hardly any pain.

I was feeling very proud of myself. (That's what goeth before a fall, you know.)

But when we got to the therapy part, we were blind-sided by something...who knows what.

After the first therapy session I was walking slowly, assisted by a cane.

When I got home I took some pain pills just because of the jostling of the clinician's evaluation.

After the second session, I couldn't walk or stand without the cane.

The pain was worse than anything I had felt since the onset.

It's too painful for me to sit or recline for any length of time.

I can find no comfy position in either the recliner or the bed.

Walking (with the cane) is horribly uncomfortable.

When I walk into the bathroom, if no one is around, I whimper like a 4 year old (not my usual style).

I called the clinic on Friday to explain my situation, and to ask for suggestions for something I could do to help myself.

Rest, they said. Rest and call back on Monday.

I wish I could find a position really conducive to rest.

So I've been in bed all day Friday and Saturday, with one more day to go.

We have seen no improvement, not even one small improvement.

There is constant discomfort despite the pain meds.

I have totally lost my appetite.

Dick has been very watchful and helpful. He's really good at keeping me iced.

He got me a beautiful teddy bear named Fleming.

We had thought that I was far along on the road to recovery.

What the hell happened?

Photographic Evidence of Traction

After getting some kind of a clinical dispensation, the tech was allowed to photograph the traction. Nobody had ever asked to be photographed before. I simply cannot imagine why (!). There's a harness around the midsection pulled very tight to keep the upper spine immobile. The hip harness is what pulls your spine toward the end of the table. The little machine at the end of the table is what provides the pull. It cycles between 40 pounds of pull and 100 pounds of pull. It cycles for 20 minutes.
The cord draped over my chest is a call button for the tech in case I should need her for anything. The little box on the wall is a kill switch in case the machine goes perquackey and starts pulling me like Westley in The Princess Bride.





The cord beyond my feet is what pulls on the harness. You actually can feel your spine stretching - it's a good feeling - a good stretch. After the traction, the clinician comes in and has you do exercises. The tricky part is not to hurt yourself. Today I felt hurt when she was finished. I went to visit Mother, and I shouldn't have done that. I should have just come right home. When I got here, I started in on pain meds again, and even some valium. I kind of resent have been marginally "re-injured", but maybe that's just the way it goes. I'm going to ask about it next time. I don't go back until Monday.

PT 2006

Physical Therapy has changed quite a bit in the past 25 years since the other time that I had sciatica.

First of all, this time the first encounter was longer. The whole visit took an hour and a half, with poor Dick sitting in the waiting room the whole time. The therapist spent about an hour doing an "evaluation", which means that I spent an hour walking up and down the hall 14,000 times for her, balancing on one leg after the other, pivoting, lying down on back, belly, right side, and left side while alternately raising my legs, bending, stretching, twisting in every position (Does this hurt? How about this?), standing on my head, waving my arms, and quacking like a duck.

The second part was a half hour of pelvic traction. The object of this is to "decompress" my spine. I also had cane practice. I'm not allowed to limp because limping negates the benefits of the traction. I have to use the cane just right so that my pelvis stays level. I use the cane at all times, even around the house.

The cane I use at home is the cane my Dad got when he graduated from the U of M. It has a block M on it, and under the M it says 3ED0, because he graduated with a degree in Education in 1930. The letters and numbers are in some kind of metal, but I don't know what it could be. Mother says I can't help but improve quickly using that cane!

I'll be going to PT three times a week for the next month. I think there will be pelvic traction each time. I hope we eventually get around to leg strengthening. I'm also trying some bed and chair exercises to counteract having been immobilized for the past month.

Today Dick did a lot of picking up and putting things away outside. He finished just before the rain started. Then we went to recycling, UPS, and Oleson's.

A Plan

I waited all day for a phone call from the Doctor. I kept checking the phone all day to see if there was a dial tone. We got 4 other calls, so I knew that the phone was working. Finally, I called the clinic yesterday afternoon 5 minutes before they closed. I very politely inquired as to when I might expect to hear the results of the test that I had 10 days ago. She very sweetly said that she would give Dr. Burke's nurse a reminder note, and that I could expect a call this morning. I guess all it took was that little kick in the pants!

Dr. Burke actually did phone me this morning. He called at 8:11 a.m. (Don't you love digital clocks?) The MRI showed a lot of arthritic changes in my spine, but he says that everybody over 60 has osteo-arthritis in their spine. It also showed several bulging discs in the lumbar region, but the trouble-making disc is L-4, which is bulging enough to pinch my sciatic nerve.

I'm starting physical therapy today at 3 o'clock. I'll do the PT for a month, and he says that by the time of the wedding I should be "moderately improved". I don't know what that means, but it doesn't sound too bad. If I'm not moderately improved in a month, then he says he would want to do some more tests.

A really good sign is that I haven't taken any pain meds except regular Tylenol for two days now. The pain is mostly gone, but walking is still difficult.

So, I have a Goal, a Plan, the Motivation, and a Cheerleader (Dick). I think I'll be good to go.

What The Heck, Go For It

My Doc didn't call again today, so I just went ahead and RSVPed to Joyce in California that we would be there for all of the wedding activities. I figure I have a whole month to practice walking. We just now mailed the post card.

Jana is always so inspirational - this is what her email said:

Actually I think it is kind of good to have a Goal to Work Towards, you
know? Especially since no one will provide any tunnel lightness for
you, you can come up with your own tunnel lightness.

I am being a nag here -- but, you know that katami bar? I think 2
minutes daily of using it to stretch would probably be really, really
good. I mean, unless it hurts. Remember -- stretching feels gooooood.

Thanks, Jana. And now I definitely do have a Goal!

Mom and a Ride

We had a good visit with Mother. She tires quickly, and confuses parts of the conversation because of her poor hearing. But generally speaking she's fine.

We did a little cache maintenance, stopped to look over another park for possiblities, and did our cruise. I was shocked at how weak my left leg is and how slowly I was walking. The sciatica pain is mostly gone if I behave myself, but there's still a lot of work to do.

No News

Since the MRI was a week ago, I was pretty sure I would hear about the results by Friday. But there hasn't been a phone call or letter, so the next possibility is not until Monday. I would really like to get started on some kind of rehab - my left leg is noticeably weaker, and I walk like a drunken sailor. I'm mostly just elevating it and resting it.

My shoes for California came, and they're all fine except for the dressiest ones which were way too tight - hope I can exchange them. I lke the style.

Rick emailed that Fritz and Ruth will be going to Traverse Manor on Sept. 2. It's a real relief that there is finally a plan for the two of rhem. They both need so much help, and they're so far from family. I know Fritz will be both frustrated and relieved. He hates the part about not being able to drive anymore, but he'll be so relieved to have help with Ruth, who is very high maintainance at this stage of her life.

Dick took some cachers out to Power Island this morning to find the oldest cache in Michigan. He said they all were successful and had a good time. I believe it was photobug2, rathergohiking & the Waypoint Kid, and the Farm Boy and the Teacher. I think he has plans to take another group out there on the 25th. He went caching with them yesterday too.

Kim is Home, Kim is Home

The ordeal is over for Kim and Mike! We got this email last night, and we were so happy and totally surprised! They sort of sneaked out of Minnesota at the first possible moment. Who can blame them!! I edited the email to remove most of the personal things and all of the medical numbers, etc. But I couldn't resist including it because I think it's so charming, positive, and romantic in its own way:

Arrived in CA at 0200 this am.1 day earlier than anticipated since all
apptments were done on Tues afternoon and the need was overwhelming to
scram. The gal needed to get home."Home." An interesting concept when
you relocate 2000 miles from 12 years ofdeep friendships andmost of
your family only weeks before losing an organ system temporarily and
downsize 50% in housing,But here it is,2 months later and our house
is NOW a home. Like when you bring your first kid back from the
hospital when they are born...but better. This team was short our power
hitter for too long this season.

The Kid was unbelievable. I would have crumpled. Temps in the 104 range
for days,pain, diarrhea, pulmonary compromise,full body edema,
nausea....Got on the plane late last night as instructed: scarf, hat,
leg wraps and filtration mask. Fellow travelers wondering....Jessica?
Garbo? Jennifer? They have no idea. She Belongs to Me - (Bob Dylan
http://bobdylan.com/songs/belongs.html)

We did it. Time to make living routine with more than a touch of
priority affirmation, thankfulness, and perspective. Thanks to everyone
for their support, thoughts and encouragement.

Hey! I Lost a Day!

Sleep is a wonderful thing - but are you really supposed to sleep for a whole day? I lay down yesterday afternoon for a nap. When Dick woke me up for supper, I fell asleep over my plate, and couldn't stay awake long enough to eat anything. So he very gently suggested that I just go back to bed, which I did with no argument. I did wake up at 1:25 a.m. and sort of watched TV for about an hour, went back to bed and was wakened by Dylan's phone call at around 7:30 a.m. Went back to bed and finally did get up and dressed around 9 a.m. Then Dick decided to go caching around 9:30. As soon as he left, I went back to bed. Holy cow. I didn't wake up until he called around 1 p.m.

I figure I must have slept for 18 or 19 hours. This just never happens. I hope I've caught up on my zzz's by now.

Just got a call from my cousin Virginia who told me that Aunt Effie died last night at the age of 108 1/2. She would have been 109 in November. When Aunt Effie was 100, someone asked her how it felt to be that old. She said, "Well, there's no peer pressure!" She had many descendants both living and dead. It will be interesting to read her obit. Mother is now the only surviving daughter-in-law of Grandma Kanitz's nine sons and daughters-in-law. Dad was the last surviving son. Makes sense because they were the youngest of the eighteen sons and daughters-in-law.
Here's a picture of the whole family - Grandma and her nine sons and their wives. In this pose, the men are seated according to age, with Uncle Walt and Aunt Opal on the left, and Mom and Dad on the right. Grandma, of course, is in the middle.
In this picture Mom is on the left. Aunt Effie is seated the furthest left by the big round pitcher. (It was green.) It must have been take the same day as the one above because doesn't it look like they're all wearing the same clothes?

It's hard to believe that Mom is the only one left.

Hi Mom

The Big Event of the day was going to visit mother. She was very glad to see that she really does still have a daughter.

We took care of all of the financial details, additions, balancings and such. We caught up on all of the Concord Place doings (there aren't any), and enjoyed recounting all of the cute Dylan stories from July.

Mother gave me all of the good motherly advice about taking care of myself, not overdoing, canceling the California trip and many other things that I should and shouldn't do. She'll be 98 in a month, and she's still mothering me! So watch out kids - I guess it never ends.

We had a great drive through town on a perfectly beautiful day, and Dick showed me the lot that L&C picked out.

And I didn't overdo, Mother.

MRI Redux

Had the test. Now mind you I've give up whining forever, so this is not a whine - this is a completely objective report.

This time the MRI seemed even noisier than I remembered, and quite uncomfortable because you have to lie flat on your back for the whole time, and that's the position I especially haven't been able to tolerate for the past couple of weeks. The test seemed to go on for an hour, but as I left the clock showed only 25 minutes had passed. It seemed to be a long time to stay motionless in an uncomfortable position. But it's over! That's the best part.

We went for a lovely ride and got iced tea and it was just like being alive again.

Downtown was beautiful and full of "touristers", and you wouldn't believe what's happening on Washington Street. The last half of the day was lovely.

The Iceman Cometh

The repairman from Max's came today and finished the refrigerator. So now we have a new gasket and a new ice-maker. No more buying bags of ice - hooray! No more condensation on the floor. Hooray!
I'm having fun ordering things on the internet while I'm sitting in my chair healing up. Mostly great stuff for scrapbooking, and some necessary wardrobe items. Yes, that's it - necessary items.

All we Can do is Cry

I'm a student of common sense and rationality, straightforwardness and integrity

http://www.slate.com/id/2147398/?nav=aisDr. C

What, Me Whine??

I actually am quite a bit better than I was 3 weeks ago, but to be honest, I thought I would be totally better by now.

It seems to me that I've been complaining a lot so I'm going to try to keep a stiff upper lip and stop being such a whiner - especially when I know so many people at the moment who have much more whinable situations than I have.

Just for one example, have you ever heard Aunt Odette whine about anything at all? Me either. (Well. maybe once I heard a sort of a whine about Uncle Doug, but nothing at all compared to a Nan-Whine.)

And our friends Tim & Susie for example - Susie's Mom died last Feb., and last Sunday Tim's Mom had a stroke of the more serious sort and are they whining? Nope - they're dealing with it.

Kimiko Marie is the least whinable person on the planet. Here she is, dealing with tests, proedures, pokings and proddings beyond our wildest imaginations, more closely threatened than we will ever be by life-ending situations on a minute to minute timeline, and yet teasing her Dr. hubby and blaming it on febrile delirium. A whiner? I don't think so. Michael sends daily updates and here's a sample:

Today pretty much the same..fever 39-40 which is not uncommon, every
antibiotic known being given, IV fluids, tylenol, Mag, Phos, Potassium
and gatorade orally as tolerated. A waiting game where, we are told,
cells start to produce anywhere from day 10-14. Today is 11. She is
strong and upbeat, resting with a fever. Still comes up with zingers
claiming febrile delirium. Ha.

(Haven't heard one whine from either of them yet. By the way a temp of 39-40 equals approximately 104* F.)

As for me, my leg hurts. Big whoop. Oh the tragedy of it all. I can't think of a better place to spend my downtime, or a better person to spend it with, or a better doctor, better neighbors, or more beautiful scenery out my window, or nicer weather. I'm the most fortunate whiner in the galaxy. To those who are sick of hearing about my stupid sciatica, I'm sick of it too - so this is the end. No more complaining. Amen.
(With the possible exception of my kids, who have earned a little mom-whining over the past 45 years. Some more than others. Sorry, kids.)

In Another Galaxy Not So Far Away

I'm spending the day sitting in the recliner. Again. With my vicodin of course.

Dick has been bustling around stacking wood, shopping, etc. I'm sitting in this chair. Whoopee. But I'm not feeling sorry for myself because I think I've turned a corner - this is the first day that I have felt better since July 20, so that's very positive.

Kids have sent roses - so beautiful. Thank goodness for the laptop - it's been my link to life, news, & friends. I haven't been able to concentrate on reading, which is usually quite a lifesaver...but this time it's just been too hard to get into a comfy reading position. I am much better today and I'm thinking I'll be terrific in another two weeks.

In another galaxy of medical expertise Kim has begun to respond to her drastic treatment. She has a massive number of cheerleaders on her side, and such a supportive family! Go platelets, go platelets!!

Everybody has someone to worry about - could be yourself, your spouse, a friend or a neighbor. The worst worry of all has to be your child of any age who is putting up such a fight for life and all you can do is be there. So Sniders, we're with you 100%- if all of the friends who are thinking of you were actually there, Mayo would have to add a new wing or two. And if Marie could only be there, she would get those doctors straightened out.

Lost in a Valium Bottle For 3 Weeks

My latest scientific discovery is that valium (5mg) is useless. It was prescribed as part of a pain regimen to relieve the discomfort of sciatica.

I wrote a letter to L,T & J yesterday whining about my sciatica pain and my medications. Thank goodness for children - you can usually subject them to some heartfelt whining without fear of a series of repercussions. It's a good type of
payback. Here's part of my letter from Tom:


>> I recommend morphine. It rocks.
Do you have some you could spare?

>>Sadly, no. It requires hospitalization.

It seems that vicodin is the morphine of Northern MI.

>>Yeah as far as I can tell doctors hand out Vicodin like lollypops.
I've got a lifetime supply. It doesn't really work. Granted, if I take two Vicodin when I'm not in serious pain I get high as a kite. But when my kidney stone kicks
in it's like the Vicodin isn't even there. I've got Percoset, too,
which according to Dr. Amy is supposed to be stronger but I haven't
noticed a difference.

I told my Doc he could either give me morphine or shoot me, but
all I got was vicodin and valium.

>Never tried Valium. I think my margaritas are probably more effective
>than any of that crap. Seriously.

So far it's about as effective as having the Pope wave some smoke
in my general direction.

>Yeah, I definitely feel for you. With the kidney stone the attacks
>usually only last 2-6 hours. It sucks, but you can gut it out. I
>can't imagine it going on for days and days.
>> Or the Ditty Bops. They are touring Michigan.

Do THEY have morphine?

>Doubtful. Maybe an outside shot at some pot, but that's probably about it.

*****************************************


I ran out of valium today, and while I was waiting for the refill to be fetched I noticed that I was feeling much better without it. A LOT better! Valium had no effect on the pain whatsoever, and I actually feel more like myself.
Sometimes I get the feeling that the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians are in charge of boiling the leaves and bark for my pain medication.

I was prescribed Darvocet originally for the sciatica, but it made me physically ill. The next thing we tried was percoset plus valium. This combo totally knocked me out -it didn't touch the pain, but it did put me to sleep. So now I'm happy just taking the vicodin by itself. I'm actually feeling halfway normal.

In Hot (Dog) Water

When you're ill and you have diabetes and high blood pressure, your body does even stranger things than usual. One of the things that happens to me is that I lose my appetite, yet get certain cravings. So for the past week I haven't been eating properly, and I've had a craving for ice cream (butter pecan).This is nobody's fault but my own, and may not even be my fault, who knows. The diabetes guidelines know all about this, but unless you're a true student of your disease, how would you even know about it. This is what you're supposed to know:

Food for sick days

If you are too sick to follow your meal plan, try to replace carbohydrates with liquids or soft foods. Carbohydrates provide sugar so that the body does not have to burn fat for energy. Burning fat produces ketones, which can be dangerous. Carbohydrates also prevent blood sugar from dropping too low.

Small, frequent feedings may be easier for you to tolerate during an illness, and help your digestive system provide energy to your cells more quickly.

Try to drink 4 ounces of clear liquids such as tea, apple juice, or diet soda every hour.

If you can keep food down, but still have no appetite, try l/2 cup cream soup, 1/2 cup cooked cereal, 1 cup plain yogurt, Jell-O, 1/2 banana, 1 scrambled egg, 1/2 cup custard, or l/2 cup sherbet. Once you're feeling better, try adding toast, vanilla wafers, and small amounts of food from your regular meal plan. Avoid spicy foods.


[Yogurt and banana worked pretty well, as did butter pecan ice cream.]


Diabetes :
Sick Day Management

(Your blood sugar may go up if you have a cold, flu or infection.)

1. Check blood sugar if you have these symptoms.

A. Symptoms

1. Fever
2. Loss of appetite
3. Nausea
4. Vomiting
5. Loose watery stools
6. Increase in thirst or hunger
7. Urinating causes pain

B. Monitor
1. Before breakfast
2. Before lunch
3. Before dinner
4. Bedtime

2. Always take your insulin or diabetes pill even if you cannot eat your regular foods

3. Drink plenty of fluids

A. Eight ounces of calorie free liquids every hour (noncaffeine)
1. Water
2. Bouillon
3. Canned clear soups
4. Tea or Diet soda

If you cannot tolerate liquids by mouth, see your doctor for antinausea medication or possible I.V. (in the vein) fluids.

B. If blood sugar level is equal to or greater than 250 to 300 before you meal, continue to drink calorie free liquids.

C. If blood sugar is 180-250 before your meal, eat one food choice equal to 15 grams of carbohydrate.

Each of the following foods and beverages contain approximately 15 grams of carbohydrates:

1/2 cup apple juice
1/3 cup frozen yogurt
1/2 -3/4 cup regular carbonated beverage (not diet)
1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream
3/4 of a double-stick popsicle
1 cup gatorade
3 teaspoons honey
1/4 cup sherbet
5 Lifesavers
1/4 cup regular pudding
1 slice dry toast
1/3 cup sweetened Jell-o gelatin
1 cup broth-based soup
6 saltines
D. If blood sugar is equal to or less than 180 before your meal or urine shows negative ketones and food is tolerated, eat your usual meal.

4. Check for ketones if blood sugar is equal to or greater than 240.

5. Please telephone your health care provider if you have any of these conditions.

A. Temperature equal to or greater than 101

B. Vomiting occurs more than once, CALL IMMEDIATELY

C. Breathing is difficult

D. Loose watery stools occur more than five times in a 24 hour period.

E. Blood glucose levels are higher than 300 after checking twice.

F. Urine ketones measure moderate or large.
*************************************************************************************************************************



This is probably such good advice to someone who is clear headed and pain free and interested. But for someone who is hallucinating about wild cats, unable to find one single comfortable position, and trying very hard not to overdose on some very strong medication, those guidelines are written in hieroglyphics,

Diabetic people can't fast -they have to have something every 4 or 5 hours just to keep conscious. I remember having a banana sometime this morning. But now it was 4:30 and time for something else. A hot dog seemed quick and easy and so I asked about the possibility of a hot dog. I could have done it myself, but standing is still very very uncomfortable so I asked Dick if I could have one. This elicited some kind of a shouting tantrum beginning with NOW? You want a hot dog NOW? And something vague about how I'd thoughtlessly, impolitely slept through filet mignon and sweet corn last night, and so how could I possibly want hot dogs now when anyone could intuit that we were to have chateau briand and pate de foie gras in a mere 3 hours or so. Now I'm in hot water with Dick because I wanted a hot dog. I did get two lovely delicious hot dogs which I enjoyed and appreciated. But I have a feeling that Dick is not speaking to me at the moment. It's possible that sciatica lasts much too long to put up with, and that I would do everyone a favor by taking a week at a good hotel.

Pineapple juice is the answer. Or peanut butter crackers. Or keeping popped corn on hand. It really doesn't take much.
I just have to deal with it.

Suddenly It's Over

This was the last day of the Big Annual visit of Chip, Laurie and Dylan. Things went very smoothly largely because Laurie had things pretty much under control last night.

Dylan and I had time for a long talk about the visit - some new things that we did and some other things that we didn't have time for this year. We missed riding the pontoon on Torch Lake this year, and stopping at Docksides for their fabulous cherry chicken salad for example.

He always enjoys the family picnic and he really enjoyed going tubing at the Rapids this year...I'm sure it will be a "must-do" activity next year. I think they went down there three times this summer.

Dylan was especially sweet this year, especially to his Grandma. When the sciatica flared up, he couldn't have been nicer or more understandintg.

Good Drugs

Went to bed at 10:30 p.m.- woke when phone rang at 8 a.m. Slept through the night just like a baby. Vicodin,steroids,aleve & valium.
Played with Dylan - magnet games. Made magnet book for Dylan.
Guys went tubing from 1-4 at rapids.
Napped whole time.
Kids leave tomorrow.
i feel sick,hurt,out of it,sad because of incomplete visit. Wish they could come for Christmas or something. Once a year is not enough. especially when one is laid up for more than a week,.