Medications

Ed's really been struggling with health issues the last couple of years, and the doctor's had him on tons of different medications. Ed finally concluded that the meds were reacting to each other and messing with his brain (memory loss, terribly cranky and moody--in spite of being on an antidepressant, fatigue--beyond his regular Fibromyalgia fatigue and pain). He had this experience when we were living in California before the Fibromyalgia diagnosis where the doctors were treating symptoms.

Ed decided he wasn't going to take the meds anymore and quit cold turkey (everything but a gastrointestinal med)--including the blood thinner. *gasp*

He started feeling better and was doing pretty well until Friday, when he started swelling. His leg got really bad. As a reminder, he had problems with a swollen leg not long before he had that near death experience with blood clots in his lungs. So, you can imagine how freaked out I was. But I called in the big guns (the kids) and asked them to talk with him about starting the blood thinner again. It didn't hurt that Ed's brother (who has also been having health issues and also quit taking his meds and had a wake up call as a result) called and talked with Ed about his experiences and the resulting epiphany.

Ed told me last night that he wanted to fix it naturally if he could. When he got up this morning and the leg was still really swollen, he took a blood thinner pill.

Woot!

ETA: Ed's frustrated that now he took the blood thinner he can no longer take Ibuprofen for his pain. The only alternative is Lor Tab. Not good.

Poor guy can't win.

New Edit Done!

Wow! I finally finished working through a major edit/rewrite on my story (still can't figure out a title for the dang thing). I'm over 100,000 words now. I still have a couple of story glitches to work through (like more of a main character in Part 3 without making the addition anticlimatic).

*sigh* There's so much involved in this fiction writing thing, but I am having SO much fun learning how to do it.

My niece, Carole, has been helping me out by reading it and giving me feedback. Carole read it to her daughter, Kay, and they both really like it. I can't express how thrilling it is to be a storyteller and having people like your saga (hopefully they're not just trying to be nice).

Now I will take a break from my first story and get back to work on the SciFi tale. Paul's been bugging me about it again, and last night we were bouncing ideas around.

So much to do and so little time ...

Davey Update

Dang but he's a cutie! Another two days, and he'll be a month old.

Family Visit

It was so fun this weekend to be able to visit with Ed's brother Richard's daughter, Christine and her husband Paul and son Matthew. We haven't seen Christine in about four years and had never met her hubby. I feel really stupid that I didn't think to take the camera out before Paul had to fly out early this morning.











And here's a more recent picture of Robert and his little Davey.

Conference in Springdale

Not much better a locaton than Springdale for a conference. It's just outside of Zion Park National Park, which must be one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

To Brighten Your Day

I was tempted to post something dismal and discouraging because it's been a really tough couple of weeks. And then my Dad sent this to me and it brightened my day so much, I thought I'd share ...

At my recent assault trial, I offered a plea of "Guilty with an explanation."

The judge asked me what my explanation was, so I told my story.

"Your Honor," I said, "I had a mammogram appointment, which I actually kept. I was met with: 'Hi! I'm Belinda!' This perky clipboard carrier smiled from ear to ear, tilted her head to one side and crooned, 'All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, then slip on this gown.

Everything clear?' I'm thinking, 'Belinda, try decaf. This ain't rocket science.' Belinda skipped away to prepare the chamber of horrors.

With the right side finished, Belinda flipped me (literally) to the left and said, 'Hmmmm. Can you stand on your tippy toes and lean in a tad so we can get everything?' 'Fine', I answered. I was freezing, bruised, and out of air, so why not use the remaining circulation in my legs and neck and finish me off? My body was in a holding pattern that defied gravity (with my other breast wedged between those two 4 inch pieces of square glass) when we heard, then felt a zap!

Complete darkness and the power went off! 'Oh, maintenance is working. Bet they hit a snag.' Belinda said, and headed for the door.

'Excuse me! You're not leaving me in this vise alone are you?' I shouted.

Belinda kept going and said, 'Oh, you fussy puppy...the door's wide open so you'll have the emergency hall lights. I'll be right back.'

Before I could shout 'NOOOO!' she disappeared.

And that's exactly how Bubba and Earl, maintenance men extraordinaire, found me ... half-naked with part of me dangling from the Jaws of Life, and the other part mashed between glass! After exchanging a polite 'Hi, how's it going' type greeting, Bubba (or possibly Earl) asked, to my utter disbelief, if I knew the power was off.

Trying to disguise my hysteria, I replied with as much calmness as possible 'Uh, yes, yes I did thanks.'

'You bet, take care' Bubba replied and waved good-bye as though I'd been standing in the line at the grocery store.

Two hours later, Belinda breezes in wearing a sheepish grin. Making no attempt to suppress her amusement, she said, 'Oh I am sooo sorry!' The power came back on and I totally forgot about you! And silly me, I went to lunch. Are we upset?'

And that, Your Honor, is exactly how her head ended up between the clamps...."

The judge could hardly contain her laughter as she said 'Case Dismissed!!'

Easter

First Easter in 10 years with no grandchildren around. *sigh*

There is not room for Death,
Nor atom that his might could render void:
Thou - Thou art Being and Breath,
And what Thou art may never be destroyed.
~~Emily Bronte