Many Memories Here

I am so pleased to find this little blog of mine is still here. There are so many memories, photos, poems here that I would be heartbroken to lose. I so wish I had kept up with my writings here.
If you are reading this because you’ve followed me in the past or I’ve followed you there is sad news to tell. You may or may not remember my posts about my oldest daughter, Bobbie Jo, she was written about here. Her battle with a brain tumor is here. Her winning that battle is here. What is not here is her battle with breast cancer that brought her and her younger sister closer together. The many trips to the hospitals, the surgery, the many radiation treatments. She beat that cancer, or so they said. Not here is the accident involving a van and a very large moose. My mad drive to meet the ambulance at the hospital, Ibeat it, the waiting was awful. The van was totaled, she was banged up and bruised but otherwise ok. Then came the private behind closed doors talk with the doctor. This was happening in early November 2016. The ER doctor told her and I the CT scan of her head and neck showed no injury, however, there is a growth in her neck and she should see her doctor soon. She said she would. She promised me she would. The holidays were coming, her birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, they all came and went. She seemed fine, she really did. She was often tired but that wasn’t unusual. She was losing weight, lots of weight. She finally had a regularly scheduled Dr. appt. and told him about the accident. That’s when the beginning of the end began. More scans, MRI’s, lots of blood drawn, new doctors. The diagnosis was thyroid cancer. After many, many appointments and the “We aren’t sure, we just don’t know, we are confused by the tests”. I kept pushing them to do something, to figure it out. The removing of her thyroid was only suppose to take 3 hours, instead it took 5 1/2. They slit her from ear to ear. The surgeon said he had never seen anything like it. She was full of lymphnodes, many, many lymphnodes. Too many lymphnodes. She spent several days in the hospital after. The day her dad and I picked her up to get her stitches removed she looked like she had the mumps, her whole face and neck was swollen. By the time we got to the surgeons office she was having trouble staying awake. She fell asleep in the chair. The nurse removed the stitches while the doctor spoke with us. The lymphnodeshad been tested, she had lymphocytic leukemia. The nurse alerted the doctor and he checked her over. He told us to take her straight to the hospital and he would call them. We did. She was experiencing respiratory failure, she spent 3 days wearing a bi-pap machine. She went home looking and feeling much better.
I must stop.... Bobbie Jo is no longer with us on this earth. She died in her sleep on June 9th, 2017. Her State medical insurance refused to cover the cost of a sleep apnea study. The clinic wanted $1,200.00 up front. I have so many emotions dwelling within me, her daughter and her sister too. And my Billie Jo is yet another story. Thankfully they caught hers early, she too was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She is doing well, learning to live without her thyroids and being stuck constantly to adjust her meds. I must stop now, I must rest.... I’ll be back soon to read, to write, to maybe figure out all of these feelings and emotions. Be well, Hug your loved ones often.....
Teresa aka Tess

Little Hands, Big Work: Fun Little Outdoor Experiment

Little Hands, Big Work: Fun Little Outdoor Experiment

Hello this Sunday evening.  I have been downloading art classes from Life Book 2016 all weekend. I got way behind and did not get them finished so must download before the site is locked.

I mentioned photos during my last post so here are a few:

I love painting on rocks. I prefer using paint pens I buy at Walmart.

Well this computer does not want to let me add another so that is it for now. Have a great week ahead.

Teresa aka Tess

Ahh Ha! I got it to load another pic. This pic was taken as we were getting off the ship in Cozumel.
Give me time to figure blogger out again and I will be posting more from our Cruise. I can't believe it's already been a year since. It was soooo much fun and a dream come true.

2016

January 1, 2016

Greetings and Salutations fellow bloggers, family and friends,

    Is it really the year 2016 already?  Where has the time gone.  I started the year 2015 with a Cruise to Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cozumel with my wonderful husband.  What a fantastic experience we had on the Carnival Magic. We ate real authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken (I loved it and it tastes so much better than what I make) while at Jaimaca and learned they have no rodents or wildlife of any kind.  Just pigs and hens (they are called chickens only after cooked) and most are pets. Oh and plenty of fabulous birds, just gorgeous and they have bees for honey production. 
    We swam with the Dolphins at one stop and that is one experience I will always treasure.They are such soft and loving/obedient creatures. There are velvety smooth and seem dry to the touch. Our guide said they are very easy to train and each has their own personality. I also snorkeled for the first time ever.  So much fun! Plus we seen a barrier reef and sunken ships while riding on a partial submerged boat.  The colors and the oohs, aahs and WOWS underwater are truely gorgeous. Loved hearing the stories while riding and watching the undersea world go by thru the windows.  
    The year continued with everyday living and some good and not so good experiences. It was a really hot summer this year in Kansas. The end of the year starting in September was packed with strange adventures.  My daughter, Bobbie Jo (the brain tumor survivor for those of you wondering which daughter) was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39. Both my mom's sister and my mom are survivors, 1 eveven years and 1 seven years respectively I think. They both underwent radical mastectomies with no chemo or radiation, just a pill to take daily for a long time.  Bobbie Jo underwent a partial mastectomy in lateSeptember and was told she would need radiation treatments.  They believe they got all of the cancer and the one lymph node they took was clean.  I don't recall the exact term but her cancer was hormone fed so she will have to take a hormone pill the rest of her days. This time has brought my two daughters closer and more together out of need.  With 6 years between them and two completely opposite personalities they have never really shared sisterly times or togetherness much; more like just tolerated each other.  Billie has been a great help getting her sister to and from Dr. appt. and such.  The day of her surgery my hubby and I drove to Emporia together as Billie wanted to go on her own and Ravens daddy was able to take her and her mommy to the hospital.  As with most surgeries she had to be there early just to "hurry up and wait".Well Chuck and I hit a rather large coyote on the way.  It came out of nowhere and luckily did not fly up into the windshield.  We were not able to stop just then and found a small place down the road to pull in.  The drivers side light was smashed and the bumper pushed in rubbing the tire (luckily it was plastic rubbing and not metal, he was able to pull it back some) and some of the quarter panel mangled, we were lucky.  The insurance agent happened to be in Emporia and called to see if he could stop by and take a look. Such great service and a welcome diversion for hubby while "waiting".  I highly recommend the Emporia hospital except that the radiology dept. forgot to insert a wire the surgeon needed to be in place in order to do the surgery so that delayed the surgery by about 2 hours or so.  More "waiting"... the "waiting" is the hardest part. Everything turned out good that day and she actually went home the same day. The same day, unbelievable! In late October (I think as it is all such a blurr and I still work fulltime so coul;d not be with her as much as I wanted too) the radiation treatments started and Bille has taken her to almost all of them during October and early November, 5 days a week. 
    Oh a few weeks after we hit the coyote.  Billie Jo hit a deer with her car. She was alone at night and she said terrified to the point she just kept driving and crying.  She was on her way from Junction City to Manhattan (where she lives) to pick her husband up from work.  When she got to the parking lot she called me in tears and I wanted to go to her as we were in Manhattan picking up Boy Scout popcorn (yes we are still involved with the BSA). She said no and insisted I stay where I was.  The next morning when I seen the pics oh my it was so terrible.  He car was much more mangled than ours was. I am so grateful to the powers that be for not taking her life that day. Luckily she has a fairy godmother in a friend who's husband owns a mechanics shop and who loves her dearly (She went thru her own breast cancer battle in 2014 or 2015 too.) and she told Billie to find a way to get the car to the shop.  A mechanic friend of ours looked it over and said yes you can drive it but straight there and follow us.  He then loaded their other car that has not run in years onto a flat bed to take it to his place so he can try to figure out what is wrong with it. Here is the WOW and AWESOME part.  The mechanic that took the car she hit the deer with just happened to have an exact make/model car on his lot for parts.  She only had severe body issues, the engine and radiator were fine.  She got the car back two days later and there is no sign that anything had happened.  What a blessing her friend and the husband is. Early Christmas gift, no charge.  I love those two for their kindness to our daughter and can't express my appreciation enough.
     That was not the only deer accident in the family.  Our other son in law hit a deer smake on at night and no way of attempting to miss because three were just standing in the road.  Luckily he was by himself and had his cellphone with him. AND he was not hurt.  The car however is a complete mess.  The radiator is pushed into the engine and the front bumper is mangled and the hood flew up and smaked the windshield so it is a mess but did not break apart into his face thankfully.  He has a second car that has good engine and radiator but does not run so he will be parting out to fix the car himself.  Luckily they have friends that are letting them borrow one of their cars for the time being. And I bet you think the story of car troubles ends there.... Nope. 
    My nephew Travis bought his very first car with his own money and wrecked it not a month later.  He was not hurt but decided it was best to sell the car.  He was honest about the accident and what was wrong and someone did buy it.
    We had one heck of a storm here the beginning of this winter and a tree fell on my brother James's truck, a big tree.  Luckily he has full coverage because the insurance company totalled it.  And the next day after the first tree fell another one fell. He was just beside himself with grief and worry and no power and two little ones to care for.  But the good news again noone was hurt and his landlord and a neighbor did come and help cut up the tree and remove it. I am so glad my nephews and brother were inside the house when this happened.
   I had my brothers and their families as well as my girls and their families here for Thanksgiving as mom went to my stepdads sons place for Thanksgioving. They bought a new house and Henry was eager to see it. We had a wonderful thankful celebration that day with plenty of turkey, pie and laughter. 
    Christmas Day was awesome with us, our girls and families and a dear friend of Bobbie Jo that is heloping her out as much as possible.  It was a very good day and I so enjoy seeing my two girls interact lovingly and not just tolerating.  There was no hostility in the air, I loved it.  And while Bobbie rested on the sofa Billuie helped mom wth the china.  We always wash the china first.  She even deboned the left over turkey and got all the tlittle tidbits out for soup.  I love making turkey soup. 
   Hubby and I won tickets from the local Rock station we listen too to a "70's 80's 90's New Years Eve Party" at the Columbian Theater in Wamego.  We made a night of it and rented a motel room. If you are ever in Wamego, Kansas I highly recommend the Simmer Motel.  Such a cozy, clean atmosphere and free high speed WiFi.
Not that we had much time to use it. I was so delighted when we entered the room amd it felt as if it was decorated just for me.  Chickens and roosters decor.  And an antique desk and oh my it was just beautiful.  My kitchen is decorated in roosters. I don't know why but I love the rooster decor. We went to the party dressed as hippies. It was so much fun putting our costumes together.  The band was called Electric Suede and they were really good.  Free horsderves, fun decorations, a beautiful setting, hats, horns, a cash bar and a free glass of champagne to toast the new year. So much fun, we had not done anything like that in years if ever! I tried a new drink to me, it was called an Electric Smurf. Coconut rum, rum, pinapple juice, grenadine and whatever else they put in it. It was yummy and made me think of fruity drinks on the Islands.  I so want to take another Cruise.
   I also did Life Book 2015 which I am way behind on and gifted myself Life Book 2016.  I love Tamara LaPorte and so enjoy all of the neat classes and even already follow some of the artists that she lines up to teach.  Tam's website is Willowing and Friends. I suggest you go over and check it out. She is awesome, her art is whimsical & fun & creative (mostly mixed media) and the classes are still available for sign up.
   So now for 2016.....
I am eager to see what 2016 will bring us and praying there will be no vehicle accidents and no more cancer in the family.  I also am hoping it does not fly by as fast as 2015 did.  Oh and in October of 2015 I decided to stop dying my hair.  It is almost dye free now and I am very salt and pepper - brown/gray/white.  I hope it is mostly white once I gray completely and what's funny is my mom grayed in the front first like a crown; I am too. But my moms color is gray. Ok so I will post some pics of 2015 at some point and a new years goal is to visit my blog and post more often.

  Blessings for the New Year to All of You,
  Peace Out,

Tess

TGIF

Greetings All,
What a week I have had. Came down sick last Thursday. Went to the doctor and it was as I expected, my boinchial asthma acting up.  Got a handful of prescriptions, went back to work and was promptly sent home. I had Friday and Mon. - Thur. this week scheduled off thank heavens. 

Tuesday the 22nd I had my second vein ablation. All went well and much less pain than the first leg. Wed. was the follow up and worked out just fine. They are pleased with the results and I am sure I will be too with less swelling and pain in the leg and foot once all is healed. Now I just have to wear a compression sock for 2 weeks on that leg.  Should be wearing them all of the time actually.

Yesterday was my husbands retirement reception from his 30 yeas service for the city. He is ready to be retired and get some work done on the house and do more scouting. I am proud of him and his accomplishment. I also spent 3 hours with my favorite hair and nail tech yesterday. I love spa days. :)

So I am off to work today. I could get used to a one day work week. No such luck for me. Retirement is about 8 years away and I don't think I could get a lot accomplished in just one day. I could handle a 4 day work week though now that hubby is retired. Hmmm! I might I have to work on that.

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend ya' all!

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Hello, Hello Lovely People,

It's been a rather strange beginning of spring here in Kansas. We've had lovely warm days, windy warm/cool days, sudden rain showers and downright cold days.  My allegries are kicking in, itchy watery eyes and I've had to use my rescue inhaler four times this past week. We've also had some field burning in the area which has made for some awful smoggy, smelly days.  I really don't think they should be burning fields this time of year because the wind can come up suddenly. I think those days caused the asthma/allergies to act up more than spring did.

I hope you all are having some nice spring days. I have tulips blooming. Yeah!  And a sweet cubscout brought a daffodil stem to each of his specail ladies at scouts last Thursday. J.J. is such a sweet kid. I do enjoy my little men. I work with Tigers, that is first graders.  I will be the Tiger leader again next school year as we have two Tiger parents that took training and signed up to be leaders this year so they will move on with their sons.

I have spent some time each day this past week working on a Life Book 2014 class.  I have officially created my first paint over collage.  Here it is before:

And here it is after:

There are lots of layers in this and I did learn a few techniques or tow or three or many. LOL! I love Tamara Laporte's artwork and this lesson was so much fun. I have seen paint overs before. Lisa Bebi does them and hers are completely different from Tam's. I love Lisa's too. There is so much to see and do and learn on the world wide web.  Art is calming and soothing for me.  Much like cheap (or sometimes not so cheap) therapy.

Hope you all have a good week ahead.

Be Happy, Be healthy, Be Safe,
Tess

Sweet Sugar Doodles

Hi All,

Here it is another Monday. Some would say "Ugh!, It's Monday again". Not me this week. This is a short week for me. I am off on Wednesday and Thursday and I'm going in for a facial, brow wax, haircut and color touch up, manicure and pedicure.  In other words I am going to pamper myself this week. Oh and play with art supplies too, of course. I'm lucky my daughter, Billie Jo,  works at a Salon and Spa and I get a deep discount. She gives me wonderful facials. She is tightening up my sagger old lady skin. I always feel so pretty after seeing her, and relaxed.

 

I am working on Lesson 5 of Life Book 2014. Here are my Sugar Sugar Doodles.

 

If you want to see some really fun artwork go to Marieke Blokland's blog page. Just click on her name. I've had lots of fun making a suar addict page with a distorted face.  I'll show you when it's finished.  Now go and have a wonderful week and smile a lot. People will wonder what you are up to. LOL!

 

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

TGIF

 

It sure has been a busy week. Work has been slow some days and crazy others.  I would much prefer a more consistent flow of work. But am happy to be working as know many aren't.

I accomplished something fun this week too. I finished this handmade envelope art.

 

It is made of one large folded sheet of watercolor paper.  I learned how to make it during a Life Book 2014 art class with Carla Sonheim.  She is fun to listen to and gave us all great inspirational tools to use.  We made blob animals and washi tape animals and just all kinds of things to get the creative juices flowing. If you wish to sign up for a fun year long Art Class there is still time.  Just click and go check out Willowing & Friends. Tam is the owner of the sight and the sponsor of Life Book 2014. I have all of the lessons from Life Book 2012 saved too but never did much that year. This year I vow to make use of the tutorials and PDF's and friendships that I can build there.  What I like about the classes is that they are tutorial videos and PDF's and I can work at my own pace.  We are at the end of week 11 of 2014 and I have just finished week 3's lesson, or was it week 4?!  Hmm! No matter...I am having fun with it and never did finish the week 1 lesson because I am just stumped. Maybe I will do it in June since January is past. LOL!

More later... Have a great weekend

AND

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Gone Too Long

Hello All,
 Seems like I've been gone forever from this blog.  I have been so busy with life and not at all doing what I've really been wanting to do.  A goal for 2014 is to be present more in my favorite online communities.  I have also signed up for Life Book 2014. I am on Lesson 3. I think lesson 8 or 9 will be up soon. It is ok though. Slow and easy wins the race...and it's not even a race. LOL  One of my words is "complete". That will be a stretch. But I am having fun with it.

2014 sure came in with a bang this year.  My husband had pneumonia end of 2013 and beginning of 2014. He fought going into the hospital.  His blood pressure was so low one night he did not have the energy to fight any longer.  He spent 4 days in the hospital. I got him home and then a few days later his blood pressure shot up, way up. He just looked at me and said take me to the hospital.  They tried many different drugs to bring it down. Most of which were meant to almost stop his heart so that it could restart at it's own rythm. This scared the hell out of me. They were going to send him to a hospital in another city to a cardiologist as they could not get it to go down...his blood pressure. Then the other hospital refused him because they said he was not stable enough for tansport. Keep in mind he was still not fully recovered from the pneumonia.  Anyhoo, long story short he spent 2 more days in the hospital.  He lost over 20 lbs. and 1 pant size during his ordeal.  He came home with an oxygen machine which he seldom uses now. He is doing great and seems to be fully recovered. He is even off one of his blood pressure meds so he only takes one now. I do not want to relive January 2014. I did not like him being so ill at all.

As for me I have gained weight...no wonder I eat when I am upset/anxious/nervous. Not his fault though.I am not blaming him at all. I need to just stop eatig everytime I get upset. Grab water instead.
 I just had a vein ablation a week ago. My leg and foot swelled up bad. Seems a vericose vien also had vein reflux. They first thought it was cellulitis, which I found out was a skin infection. Why don't doctors or nurses take the time to explain these terms? Glad we have the internet now. I would hate having to look this stuff up in a medical book like my mom did. My mom the nurse...I think she still has some of her medical books. :-) I do ask her things now and then but don't always want too until I know what it is myself and if she will freak out when I tell her. So I had a vein ablation and it was not pleasant. I hope it solves the leg pain and swelling. I have to wear a compression stocking for 2 weeks and that is a joke for a plus sized gal. I should have told them to pull from the mens section. It is a thigh high and will not stay up on my thigh. rolls down to just above the knee and then feels like a rubber band around my leg. I even bought skin glue. Haa, that stuff is sticky but did not work. Stuck my thights together though. (Did I just confess that? oh lord help me stop.) So I am improvising in all kinds of ways to keep compression on that leg. I have 3 ace bandages. They help a lot.
I will try to include a few family photos along the way in my next few posts. Bobbie Jo is doing great for those of you that followed me before. Raven is 14 now and growing into a lovely young lady. Billie Jo (my youngest daughter) is now a estetician and works at a local salon giving facials, peels, waxes and such. She loves it. I love being her client. ever had your nose hairs waxed? Ugh!  She got my upper lip last month. No warning just glopped it on. It was funny...I looked gorgeous! (Cheesy arent I!)
So by for now....Take care all and if you are in the snow storm areas be warm.

Be Happy, Be Healthy and Be Safe,

Tess

2013

Happy New Year to you all....Family and friends, both new and old!

Here we are on the first day of 2013.  I heard it mentioned on one of the channels I was watching last night that this year being the 13th year is considered by some to be bad luck.  They even placed lucky charms, rabbit foots and such, on the ball drop. I think this was the NY Times Square ball drop.  So silly as each new year is what we make it to be, no superstitious mumbo jumbo is going to get me down this year..

 I am looking forward to a new year of love and laughter, good health and cheer.  I weigh more that I wanted to on this date but, this is an old pattern with me, and as long as I am healthy I am prepared to accept myself as I am.  I will however endeaver to get back into the gym again this month as it is good for my arthrisit and my new bionic knee. I  don't want it to stiffen up on me.
Sadly I must admit in years past I have made grand new years resolutions and sadly never kept any of them going.  So this year...No New Years resolutions from me.  I will just be as happy and as healthy as is possible for me this year. 

I spent a quiet Dec. 31st with my hubby watching movies and I beat his butt at Yahtzee.  Woo Hoo!  That seldom ever happens. :) And this old couple stayed awake clear past 1:00 AM CST.  Not a usual occurance for us at all.  It snowed on the last day of 2012 and my world is blanketed in a soft coat of snowy white.  I love the snow on the trees.

How about you? How did you spend your New Years Eve?
 Do you have trouble keeping new years resolutions?
 Have you made one for 2013?

Be Happy, Be Healthy and Be Safe,

Tess



Happy Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone,

What are you thankful for today?

I am thankful for the skilled hands of the surgeons.  This year I had a badly degenerated knee replaced and am doing just fine.  I am also thankful for the surgeon that did my mothers mastectomy.  I am so very thankful to be able to report she is doing great.  No chemo or radiation was needed,  I am so thankful for this miracle. :) Thank you all for your prayers.

I am also thankful for the many family and friends I have in my life.  I am blessed with a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters.  I am thankful Bobbie Jo was accepted into HUD housing and her and Raven now have a cute two bedroom apartment to call their home.  A fresh start and a new beginning of sorts for them.  I am thankful for my scouting friends that help keep scouting alive in our town and supply such great support to me and other leaders or parents and the scouts when needed.
                                      
I am thankful for the wonderful teachers at Bellus Academy in Manhattan, Kansas for instilling such a great fondness of skin care within my youngest.  Billie Jo is now a graduate of Bellus Academy Estethics Program and can do wonderful facials, suggest proper skin care and is the queen of waxing. (If you haven't tried the Murad line of skincare products you must.  They are wonderful.) Her temp license arrived last week and she already has been offered a position at a wonderful Salon and Spa in my hometown. :)  She only lives a 20 min. drive away (depending on traffic or road repairs that are going on now maybe 30 min.).  Which means we may get to see more of her more often, yeah!!

                     (Here we are with Billie Jo on her graduation day.)

I am also thankful for the healthy birth of my newest nephew, James Jr., this past April.  His mommy has cerebral palsy and this was a risky pregnancy but she and baby came throuh it and I have another beautiful baby boy to spoil in my life.  :)  What can I say, I had daughters and always wanted a son; then was blessed with a granddaughter.  Sooo I spoil my "adopted sons" being cub scouts and my nephews.  It's all good! :)

                                                (Little James is 4 months old here.)

And there is sooo much more to be grateful/thankful for but I won't bore you any further.  So please do tell, what are you thankful for this 2012 Thanksgiving Day?

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Hello Friends,
Please pray for my mom, Joan B., She had a simple mastectomy on Friday.  She kept it secret from the family untill the last minute when they told her for sure it was cancer.  She got the final news on a Wed. and was in surgery on Friday. She was out of the hospital and home the next day.  We now wait to find out if she needs chemo or radiation.  Please pray not.  My aunt had the same surgery 9 years ago and only had to take the pill for 5 years.  We are praying that is all mom will need. This is the third direct relative touched by breast cancer as my mom's mother had it too. Scarey!! And yes I have my mammo every year as does my sister.

Thank you for your prayers,

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Teresa aka Tess

Mod Podge Rocks!: 20 easy Mod Podge craft projects for beginners.

Mod Podge Rocks!: 20 easy Mod Podge craft projects for beginners.: Are you a beginning Podger? Welcome! I'm pleased to introduce you to your new addiction. I think the best way to learn to use Mod Podge is...

Hi This is Tess....I love Amy Andersons MOd Podge Rocks blog and I just had to share this post with you.  Have Fun,
Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,
Tess

Wound Vac Removal

My knee replacement surgery was on Monday, June 11th, 2012.  I left the hospital on Thursday, June 14th with an ugly wound vac on my leg.  The plan was to have it removed during my first physical therapy session on the following Monday.  The wound vac never really did seem to work properly.  There was a tube connected to the wound vac that went to a small hand held devise just a bit bigger than a deck of cards.  I had to carry it around with me all of the time. Basically it was just a nuisance.  The wound vac ended up looking similar to a piece of beef liver taped to my knee.   

Anyways, on the Saturday after my release from the hospital the hand held devise started beeping.  We checked the instruction manual it said there was a possible leak.  The alert light on the devise was lit up also.  So, after many phone calls to the doctors office and the hospital we finally got a call back from the surgeon, Dr. Alan Holiday, and he spoke with my hubby about what was going on and he told him how to take it off.

Above is the start of him removing the tape that was securing the wound vac to my leg. Below is the wound vac partially removed.  I was afraid the thing would stick to the incision and pull but it did not at all.

 

And here is my swollen leg with 42 staples The reddish blotch on the left is a blister that had started forming the day after the surgery.  Of course pulling off the wound vac made the blister pop which was an ok thing.  Hubby pressed a clean tissue against it to help drain it and then applied a clean bandage.  Luckily the hospital had given us a couple of them.  

I know it is already June 26th as I post this but with all of the rehab I am doing and exercising at home and laying with my leg up it is not exactly easy to get to the internet.  I tried blogging using the I-Pad hubby got for Fathers Day but could not get the pictures to come up so I'm using the lap top.  

I have more pictures to share but it is ice pack time so must bid you all ado for now.

Be Happy, Be Healthy and Be Safe,

Tess

  

An Almost Emergency

Greetings all, What an interesting day yesterday was. We thought we were going to have to visit the emergency room. Let me back up here and fill you in on what happened. My Hubby and I were discussing supper and what I might want him to fix and what he might want. We had come to an agreement, chicken wings, and he was about to get up to go start cooking. He had during the conversation teased that supper would be ready about 8:00. Way too late for me. Anyway, about that time the beeper alert alarm went off on my wound vac device. That was annoying to say the least. I had the instructions for thr device in my walker pocket and gave it to him. There was a yellow triangle lit up with an exclamation point so he read that it was an alert to possible leak. We could not find a leak that we could see or feel. I had noticed the drainage in sponge bandage over the incision had started turning a pretty shade of purple. Also the blister next to the bandage was getting bigger. We had not seen any drainage in the tube going from the bandage to the device all day either. We called the surgeons number and got an answering service and told them what was happening. She said she would page the doctor and call us back. In the meantime we called the hospital and tried to get connected to the surgical unit. No answer, I was not surprised as it was hospital patient supper time. The operator did connect us to the head nurse and she told chuck to turn it off and then back on. He had already done that once but he tried it again. She said to take me to the E.R. So a doctor could look at it. So hubby is getting me dressed to head to the hospital and saying maybe supper really would be at 8:00 when the phone rang. It was my surgeon. He spoke with hubby about what all was happening and what he had already tried and my surgeon said it was time to come off. The device is disposable an only good for 4 to 7 days. It was scheduled to come off on this monday at my rqehb appt. So hubby got instructions on what to do and then my hubby became my personal Dr. LOL! First a caretaker/nurse and now a doctor. I love my hubby so much for being willing to do whatever it takes to take care of me. I thought it would create a bloody mess but it did not. It pulled a bit at the skin but did not pull on the incision at all. The blister did pop so he let it drain and lightly pushed on it with a tissue to get it to drain a bit more and that was that. It was off! I expected pain and torture taking that thing off and really there wasn'nt much to it. Hubby just went slow and easy and took his time about it. We left it open to air out the rest of the evening while he fixed supper. I think I counted 38 staples but I could be wrong. I got to take a shower twice in the hospital and a sponge bath and at home I had a sponge bath but last night I got to take a shower and wash my hair. Woo Hoo! That sure makes a person feel so much better. Getting me into the bathtub is a whole different sturdy I will share sometime. In the meantime, Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe, Tess

I Am Home With a Brand New Knee

Greetings all, I am home. I had wonderful care while in the hospital. The nurses and aids were great as were the pt and ot people. My knee hurts something awful but I know within the next 3 to 4 weeks the pain should ease up. As long as I get up and do my exercises and walking. I have an awful time bending the knee at this point. But I can do it. I start rehab on Monday and am sure I will be able to handle it. Well I sorta have to now, don't I?! My surgeon came in to see me everyday. I tease my girls that I am now the "bionic momma". Yeah, the "the bionic momma"' I like that. Well I had better attempt sleep. I hope you all are doing well. Take care, Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe, Tess

Greetings all,
 It's been far too long since I last posted on my blog.  So much has been happening and I've just not had the energy or inspiration to connect.  Some of the happenings going on around here:
My osteoarthritis in the knees has been getting harder to live with.

About a month ago I went down to my basement only to step ankle deep into cold water.  We finally found that someone had turned on an outside hose, broke the handle off the spray nozzle and dropped it near a basement window.  Neighbors told the police they had seen some kids hanging out in the parking lot next door and the alley.  I figure they probably were just wanting to get a drink of water but....they entered a fenced in yard to get to the hose and then left it on.  So it was written up as vandalism and we had to call someone to come and get rid of all of the water, and carpeting and carpet padding.  Then weeks later they found mold and now the paneling is gone and they cut out and replaced some of the wall board.  I feel as if this basement clean up will never be done.

My husband has been having trouble with his back again.  His sciatic nerve is pinched and he has that poke in the buttocks feeling and his foot goes numb.  He has had an MRI and it was sent to a neurosurgeon to be reviewed.  Seems he has very bad arthritis along his spine.

And I am scheduled for complete knee replacement surgery on June 11th.  They will be replacing my right knee.  The metal is called Oxynium.  I think I spelled that right.  I am anxious, excited, nervous and hurting something awful.  I have been taking vitamin C, vitamin D3, Iron and Folic Acid to prepare for the surgery.  I am now off all of the anti-inflammatory meds I take and I sure can feel the difference.  I can't take anything right now that may cause bleeding such as aspirin or Naprosyn or Glucosamine.  I can't even take my fish oil at this point.  I must say I've noticed I have a bit more energy since starting the vitamins regimen.  I found the Vitamin C and vitamin D3 in gummy form.  Easy to take.

So, my apologies for being so absent here.  I will post again after my surgery.  I am scheduled to be in the hospital 4 days and off work for 4 weeks. 

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

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Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,
Tess

Smiles

Senses
Merging
Into
Loving
Emotions
Simultaneously
~ Teresa Mahieu, Jan.2012

Muffin Tin Mom: How to Make A Clay Heart Necklace (For Kids And Gr...

I found this fun and easy tutorial for clay heart pendants on Muffin Tin Mom. I am definitely having my cub scouts make these for their moms or granmoms for Valentines Day.
Take a look:
Muffin Tin Mom: How to Make A Clay Heart Necklace (For Kids And Gr...: My new crafty love is clay. Clay is great for little hands. Your little one can pound it and smush and mold it into different shapes. T...


Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,
Tess