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,.

Dragged To Doc

Dick woke me up from a drug-induced haze at 8:15 a.m. and told me I had an appointment with the doctor at 9;15. Well I was in no shape to even get out of bed , let alone go out into public. So naturally I gave him a bit of a hard time - Why are you doing this to me, etc,etc.

Well we got there and the Doc is as great as ever. He decides the percocet is not working. so on we go to vicodin, and a steroid medol pack. He schedules a lumbar MRI in August. Whatever. All I want is to go back to bed.

Mackinac Island Day 1

They left this morning
.
They found 3 caches today.

I got a prescription for valium in the mail.

I plan to sleep for 2 days.

Healing Soon Please

My family has gone to Mackinac Island for a couple of days - I'm stuck here, sidelined by sciatica. (For more than you ever wanted to know about sciatica, see link above.) I have very good pain meds, good books, a heating pad, and a great recliner. I've been well stocked with all of my favorite foods, and I've already had 3 phone calls from the guys. I'm just dozing most of the day, and really glad of some time to myself to promote the healing process. You know how it is - with family around you always overdo even when you know better.

Dick is such a love - he says his hotel room is just fine, except it's too empty. Awwww... but we both know I'm better off here. My Doc says we'll give it 2 weeks and see how much better things are. If it's not better, we'll maybe do some P.T.

The guys are at the Fort on the Island right now, and their tickets will be good for tomorrow too, so it was good timing. Dylan found a sea gull feather on the dock at Mackinac City, and he says that it made the ferry go faster! Dick has several geocaches lined up that he wants to do while he's there. I think they'll have such a good time.

The Blues

I am so disappointed. This attack of sciatica is just darned inconvenient! I have pictures that Dick took of the last two days of activities of L,C andD (tubing and geocaching) but I can't go upstairs and put them on the blog. Sitting in that desk chair is just too uncomfortable. I'll post them when I'm feeling better.
I saw the doctor yesterday - he has prescribed 3 different meds for me, and one combo is working for about 2 1/2 hours at a time. So I just kind of zone out for a while. But later, moving around is still very uncomfortable. Tomorrow everybody is leaving for Mackinac Island, so I'll have plenty of time to rest.

Went to Doc

Darvocet didn't agree with system - went to get substitute. Now trying parvocet.

Back to Old Mission

At the Old Mission Lighthouse, Laurie, Chip and Dylan walked way, way out in the water. It stays shallow forever.




We found a very pleasant spot in the shade to read, people watch, and wait for them. The breeze was heavenly.




Here's Mr. D. after walking in the shallows.




A blast from the past - drinking Faygo Red Pop at the Bad Dog Deli. We ran into Rathergohiking and the Waypoint Kid there, and met the rest of their family.

Day at the Dunes

And there they go - up the Dune Climb for the Big Adventure.
Here's Laurie returning from the hike to the Big Lake.
When Dylan got back, there was a lot of sand to dump out of his shoes!
Chip and Dylan gave each other a High Five when they got back from the Big Trek!
Chip timed the hike so we would know exactly how long it took: 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 17 seconds.
Ice and cold beverages waiting at the end. This was a good time to hear all of the stories!

Laurie, Chip and Dylan decided that this year they're "dune" it - walking from the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb over to Lake Michigan. The hike is 3.5 miles round trip, but it's mostly through sand, and there are four or five dunes to climb on the way over. We researched it, and talked to the Rangers and everything. They said it would take 3 to 4 hours to complete the hike, but our guys did it in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 17 seconds! They're massive! They took water and snacks, and while it was difficult, they were none the worse for wear when they returned. Dylan suffered a minor loss of energy on the return trip, but he bounced right back when they took the rocks out of his pockets! Luckily when they got back, we were waiting with a cooler full of ice and cold drinks, and also luckily it was a relatively cool day, although there was lots of bright sunshine.

Here is Dylan's hiking guide:

How To Get to the Lake Through the Dunes

First you go up the hill and up the hill and then down the hill and up the hill and up the hill and down the hill and then up the hill and down the hill, and then down the big big big hill and then you go straight for a while, then you climb up the big, big, big hill out of the valley. Then down a little hill then up a hill and down a hill and up a hill and down a hill then go straight for (it seemed like) 250 billion miles, then you go up the hill, down the hill, KERSPLASH - you're in Lake Michigan! Pick up some pretty rocks in the water, put them in your pocket, and do the whole thing in reverse with rocks in your pockets, which is about 6 pounds extra.

What You Need to Go Hiking in the Dunes
You need a walking stick, some Chewies, and seven bottles of water.

Safety Tips in the Dunes
1. Do not eat the berries alongside the path
2. Do not jump into the poison ivy somewhere along the path
3. Do not do somersaults down big hills
4. Most importantly, when you're going up a steep hill do not let go of your stick
or you'll fall over backwards and go tumbling backwards down the hill.

P.S.
Do not do this in the summertime!

After everybody cooled down and re-hydrated, we went over to Glen Arbor to Art's Tavern for lunch. The food was excellent, and we were really proud of everyone! We had such a good time. After lunch we drove over to Leland to look at the boats in the marina - always so enjoyable.



Everybody enjoyed looking at the boats and yachts.



The Leland Marina is a great place to stretch your legs and see some great watercraft and just enjoy the day.

Dylan discovered a school of fish. They were quite large - not minnows - but I don't know what they were.

I really enjoyed the Marina - the boats were interesting and beautiful.

We had a lovely long leisurely drive through Leelanau County, and ended up at Moomer's for dessert. The perfect ending for a perfect day!

Last Class

Dylan's College for Kids class is over. He's very happy with it, and he says that he would do it again every summer. He really did enjoy it. Today was the day that the kids presented their inventions. Here is Dylan with his two inventions: Super Shoes, and Slow Motion Ball. In the classroom shot, you can see Chip in the background.

We all met for lunch at Bubba's. Then I came home, and everybody else went to play mini-golf, and ride go karts, and take in Friday Night Live downtown. I think everybody had a very good time. Right this minute, Chip and Dylan are having a campfire.

I'm having a bout with sciatica for the first time in 25 years. I'm doing everything I can think of to not irritate it further, and to make it feel better fast. Next week we plan to go to Mackinac Island, and I want it to be better by then. Right now it is quite uncomfortable!

Pirates and Inventions

Dylan's assignment is to come up with an original invention. He's really been brainstorming. His first idea was a flying beach ball which then turned into a slow motion ball. His second idea was Super Shoes which can't get stuck in the mud. He produced both of them!

Rathergohiking has a Pirate cache out in Yuba, and the guys went searching in the Maple Bay Natural Area to find it. Dylan found some pirate treasure!

Laundry

Dick and I stayed home to get some jobs done. He worked outside straightening things up, and I did laundry.

Laurie and Chip took Dylan to class, and then spent the rest of the day looking at subdivisions and houses and such. So far they haven't made any down payments (just kidding).

Hoosier Valley

Dylan's second day at "College". After dropping him off, we went again to the Omelette Shoppe for a great breakfast! Dylan seems to really like his Inventors Class.

In the afternoon, we went geocaching in Hoosier Valley. ABXGuy has put out a series of 10 caches over there, almost in our back yard. Laurie and Dylan were first to find on all 10 caches, so it was a very successful outing. It took us from 2 p.m. until 5:30.

College for Kids

Dick signed Dylan up for a class this week. It's a class about Inventors for kids in grades 1-3, so it was perfect for Dylan, who just finished second grade. It will meet every morning this week from 10-12. Laurie, Chip, Tom and Dick delivered Mr. D to his class, and then went to the Agency so Dick could see if there was anything pressing there for him to attend to. Everything was OK.

Chip and I went to the eye doctor to have his eye checked out. He had gotten something in his eye while weed whacking on Friday. It turned out to be nothing to worry about. We all met up at the Agency and went for breakfast at the Omelette Shoppe. It was great to have a chance to visit with Tom in depth - we really didn't get much of a chance to visit all weekend.

The septic pumper had already finished his job by the time we got home, so the washing machine is back in business!

Tom's plane took off at 3:11 p.m., and then he had a 3 hour layover in Detroit, poor thing. He arrived home safely. We were so glad that he was able to get away even for such a short time!

Everybody but Dick went to see Pirates of the Caribbean at 5 p.m. We enjoyed it - it was entertaining. Everything was fine in the theater, but outside we were having a big storm. Trees were down all over on the way home. The traffic signal at South Airport Road and US 31 was out, and when we got home we had no power. In the theater we didn't have a clue what was going on outside!

A Shower for Amy

The picnic is over - long live the Shower! Barb, the hostess, changed the venue from her home to an air-conditioned restaurant. We met at 11 a.m. at South City Limits for Amy's Bridal Shower. It was just charming. There were eight of us who all survived GenFest together, and were ready for brunch: Barb, Sharon, Melissa, Shelly, Laurie, Melanie, Amy, and me. The private room was blessedly cool, and the brunch was the best I've seen in a long time. The company was great, the gifts were fun, and it was a good time.

Then it was time for the Concord Place family picnic - Mom was proud to have the biggest family group in attendance - Dick and me, Chip, Laurie, Dylan, and Tom. The food was OK, the games were stupid, but we all hung in there. Laurie and I were full from the great brunch earlier, but the men enjoyed the hot dogs and beans and such.

Afterwards it was time to go home and put our feet up and relax after our Big Weekend.
We had to ration water use - no washing machine, etc. because of the septic failure yesterday.