FOOD CRITIQUE

I went to my client's office where they cook me lunch.  Today I was unimpressed.  They made me the mixed mushrooms and mini squashes sauted, roasted corn and poblano salad and spinach salad with avocado and poblano dressing.

My critique if they asked (they didn't) the spinach salad had WAY too much dressing and it was too spicy.  The sauted veggies were delish but not enough.  The roasted corn salad had equal parts corn and poblano peppers and I didn't like it at all.  Too many peppers.

I was happy I brought a banana and a yogurt to eat just in case.

Until tomorrow...

EYE UPDATE

My eye is doing better.  It didn't seem to be right away but now I see some improvement.  I don't really like putting the gel on my eye because the lashes get goopy and stuff like eye lashes and dust sticks to it.

I am happy it is not like sandpaper anymore.

I am curious why all of a sudden this is happening.  My theory is the bad air this year with the fires.  Almost everyday we get a bad air alert. 

Until tomorrow...

DISTURBING NEWS

Today I went to my client's where the gentleman passed away.  I had lunch with an employee to celebrate my leaving that clients office at the end of the week.  While at lunch we ran into some of her co-workers and I found out more about this gentleman's passing.

It turns out that he had an autoimmune disease.  He had dermatomyositis, an uncommon inflammatory disease marked by muscle weakness and a distinctive skin rash.  It kind of threw me a bit when I heard that a person I knew that had an autoimmune disease seemed fine one day and three months later was dead. 

Then I did what we all do, I came home and Googled dermatomyositis.  The condition can affect adults and children. In adults, dermatomyositis usually occurs from the late 40s to early 60s.  There's no cure for dermatomyositis, but periods of symptom improvement (remission) can occur. Treatment can clear the skin rash and help you regain muscle strength and function.  Two of the complications are aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems.  He contracted pneumonia and ended up on a breathing tube in the end. 

This really scared me more than I thought it would.  I always knew that having RA made me more susceptible to getting more dangerous diseases and I take precautions when I get a cold or the flu but this really put a scare in me.  To think a young guy could go that fast.

I will say that when I get even the slightest cold or flu, I take it easy and take it seriously.  But it makes me think, do I take it seriously enough? 

Anyway, it was disturbing news and my mind has been elsewhere.

Until tomorrow...

ANOTHER EYE INFECTION

Okay I don't know what is going on with my eyes. This is my second eye infection in, what, two months?  This time it is my left eye.  I woke up this morning and my eye felt like sandpaper.  Yup, it was another bubbly thing in my eye.  I called the eye doctor and she called in some antibiotics over the phone.  I have to take antibiotics twice a day and put gel on my eye three times a day.  Then the rest of the day hot compresses. 

I have no idea why this is suddenly happening.  The poor air quality?  The pollen count?  Allergies?  Who knows.

I am sure it will feel better soon.

Until tomorrow...

DEATH OF A FREIND

One of my clients employees died.  He died on Friday but I was notified today.  It was a bit of a shock.  I knew he had been ill but I didn't know he was that sick.  I was just shocked to get the email announcement today as I leaving my clients office.

This employee was a super motivator and a wonderfully giving person.  I will miss getting to know him better. 

Until tomorrow...

DINNER WITH MY PARENTS

Tonight I had dinner with my parents.  They are in town to do some family stuff.  Just a few hours of catch up.

My computer is working good and still no whistling.  So far so good.

Until tomorrow...

IS MY LAPTOP DYING?

Yesterday my laptop started making a whistling noise.  It just started out of the blue.  I use my laptop for 10-12 hours per day.  I am scared it is dying and I have to buy another laptop on one of my busiest weeks of the month. 

I backed up my computer last night and today I am taking it to the shop.  I need a geek to look at it and tell me what is wrong.  I got there and there was no line.  I found out later that I was supposed to make an appointment but, you know me, I just walked up and the had the guy wait on me. 

He asked me if I had the extended warranty?  I had it for the first year but the computer is about to be 2 years old.  He ran a diagnostic while I got to know the guy sitting next to me.  He is starting online grad school on Monday and his computer bugged out.  I know that type of stress. 

The diagnostics went fine and the noise started up.  I had told them I thought it was the fan and guess what, they think it is the fan.  They do not have the part and told me to go to another place to get it fixed.  It will only cost about $80.  But first he blew out the fan twice and changed my processing speed to a lower speed.  He said I had it at the highest speed and that may be making it whistle too.  He said to test it at the lower processing speed for a day or two and see if it still whistles.  He said it won't hurt anything.  Then if it starts whistling again go get the fan fixed.

It sounds like a plan to me.  He said my computer is in really good shape otherwise and I don't need to buy another one.  That surprised me since they sell computers, I thought they would try to get me to buy another computer.

So fingers crossed that this works.  Oh, forgot to tell you the best part.  They didn't charge me for the tech visit.  Just a good luck and go to the other place to buy the fan if it still has problems.  What a shock!  I was there for 45 minutes and no charge.  Awesome.

Until tomorrow...

GOOD NEWS ABOUT HAPPI

I got the pee test results today. I had to "collect" pee from Happi this morning. I designed a mini tin foil pan to put under her to catch some pee. Then I put it in a cup. At the vets they tested it and it came up "regular" pee. Not diluted.

So either the eye drops are working or it is a coincidence. This week we are going to do a test to see before we put her on an expensive medicine.

I also have her on the 4 x a day small meals plan and the teeth chattering is so much better. I slept a whole night with no chattering!! First time in so long I can't remember. Hopefully this is the cure.

I also got my veggie and fruit box.

* Yellow summer squash
* Golden crush melon
* Watermelon
* Red bell pepper
* Pears
* Celery
* Corn
* Heirloom tomatoes
* Carrots

Yum!

Until tomorrow...

KEEPING THAT TUMMY FULL

Today was the first day of Happi with the new regime.  She was not happy. She does not like getting all her food at one time.  She is used to getting fed her food twice a day.  Today she got fed 2/3 her food in the morning.  Some more food at lunch time.  About 2/3 her regular dinner food and she will get more food at bedtime.  You are probably asking why? 

The theory is that she gets a empty tummy and it hurts her.  Then she chatters her teeth.  Teeth chattering can be a sign of pain.  It has taken me a long time to convince the vet that her teeth chattering is not just an "old age" thing.  Today I noticed a significant decrease in teeth chattering.  I did notice a bit of whining that she was hungry at certain times.  I keep laughing that Happi keeps wanting to eat earlier and earlier with the time change and with it getting darker earlier.  Today she wanted to eat at 2:30pm.  I think she is retired!  Living in a retirement community and eating dinner for lunch. Getting the early bird special.

This is a test and we will see how she is after a few days.   The idea is to keep her tummy full most of the time.

Until tomorrow...

ELECTRICIAN DAY 4

It is over.  I have electricity in all rooms and out back.  Yay!

The electrician showed up early this morning, even before I got the car out of the garage.  He went right to work trying to figure out why I had no electricity in just some places:

• the overhead light in the guest room
• the overhead light in the hallway
• the overhead light in the living room
• the overhead light outside my front door
• the lights up my stairs
• the sconces over the fireplace

 That is it.  They are all in the same basic area so that makes sense but they are in different rooms.  Anyway, he got it turned on.  It was a loose wire in the circuit board.

I am just happy to have all my electricity working again and to have lights tonight.

Update on Happi: last night I tried the new procedure of giving her an extra meal at bed time and I haven't slept so well in weeks.  She seemed to sleep better too.  We will see if it is a fix.  

Until tomorrow...

ELECTRICIAN DAY 3

The electrician came again this morning.  This time there was only one guy.  He worked on the circuit breaker panel where he finished rewiring my electrical system.  Then he went out back to fix the electricity in my backyard.  The outdoor outlets have not worked for about a year.  He finally figured it out.  The plug with the GFI had a leak in the cover and shorted out the backyard.

Once he got that fixed he had to take some wires that were encased in the wrong material and make it right.  It looks really nice now.

He thought he was ready to go home when I tested all the electricity in the house and 5 lights didn't come on.  He tried to make them work but he could not figure it out.  It is clear a fuse is not wired correctly since the lights worked this morning.

So I am sitting in a dark front part of my house watching TV and typing on my computer.  He will be back for a 4th day tomorrow and hopefully will fix this mess.

I also spoke to Happi's doctor.  We agreed that I need to do a new course of care for Happi.  I am continuing the eye drops, the anti inflamatories, and the stomach meds but I am adding more meals per day.  This is to see if having an empty stomach is the problem with her.  If having an empty stomach is causing her pain, then I will feed her less but more often.  I am going to give it a try.

Until tomorrow...

ENDING MY TIME WITH A CLIENT

I had a meeting with a client today.  My contact ends next Friday and we are not going to renew.  I have been with them for 9 months.  I am happy that I am leaving.  I enjoyed working with them and I like most of the people but my time with them is up and I need to go.  I hope there are some people that I stay in touch with.  It was starting to feel like a job.

I also say my eye doctor.  She said I have a problem with flaking on my eyelids that causes bacteria that causes infections. I have to buy some sort of cleaning fluid for my eyelids.  Ugh. I wonder how much of this eye stuff is from the Sjogrens and how much this year is from the bad air from the fires and allergies.  My eyes are itching constantly.  I never used to have such itchy eyes.  

Until tomorrow...

FOGGY DAY

The weather was super foggy and I just wanted to stay inside today.  I watched a couple of movies - Carol was one of them.  I just sat on the couch and took a bath.

Just a slow relaxing day.

Until tomorrow...

DRAG QUEEN BINGO

This afternoon I went to Drag Queen Bingo with H and M.  What a great time!  We met the host of for the evening on the way inside the building.  She was hysterical.  I have never won a raffle prize and this time I was going to win a raffle prize!  I bought $20 of tickets.  It goes to a good cause.

The bingo was fun and there were lip synch/dance offs that were fun to watch.  At the end I finally won a raffle prize.  I won a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne.   I am also supposed to get two free tickets to a future event - Drag Queen Wrestling.  No the drag queens will not be wrestling, there are real wrestlers.

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

Until tomorrow...

VERY BUSY WEEK

This was a very busy week.  Today as supposed to be an easy day but it ended up being a stressful, long day.  I was only supposed to be at a client's office until around lunch time but I was still there at 4:30pm.  Exhausting having to fight the Friday afternoon traffic.

I want a relaxing weekend.

Until tomorrow...

HAPPI'S EYE DROPS

Happi's eye drops have been going okay.  Giving a dog 3 eye drops in each eye two times a day is not the easiest thing to do.  Happi is usually good for the first eye.  Then she doesn't want to get the drops in the second eye.  It doesn't matter which eye, she just doesn't want anymore drops.  Today she was on the bed getting her drops and after I gave the first set she sat up and started to back up and almost went right off the bed backwards.  I grabbed her neck and pulled her.  She cried out but I tried to explain to her that she was about to fall off the bed on to the concrete floor backwards.  She did that once and she got hurt so I didn't want her to do that again.

Now I make sure she isn't near the edge.   The eye drops seem to be working but we need to test her pee to see if it really is.  She is peeing less and drinking less and her incontinence is gone.

The teeth grinding is getting worse.  I need to contact the doctor and see what he says.  She wakes me at 4 am knashing her teeth every day, then keeps me up until 5:45 when she wants to go out and then she goes back to sleep until 7 am and then she is restless until I get up at 7:30.

There has to be a solution.

Until tomorrow...

ELECTRICIAN DAY 2

The electricians showed up this morning and began work by shutting off the electricity.  My neighbor let me have her wifi password so I can at least check email a few times a day.  It is super slow like back in the 1980's with dial up since she lives just far enough away that I only get one bar.  But at least I have wifi!

They did their work but unfortunately it is not complete.  They have to replace some wiring that is not up to code.  My backyard has no electricity and that needs to be fixed.  They are coming back next week to finish it up.

Until tomorrow...

ELECTRICIAN DAY 1

Today was the first day of the electrician visit.  They are here to fix the metal box around my electrical meter and do some work on my electrical circuit board.  I have been warned that I will be two days with no electricity during the day.  I am ready.  I charged all my electronics and put food in a cooler so I won't open the refrigerator.

I had no wifi for most of the day so I had to find things I can do that do not require electricity or wifi.  Ugh.  Try that in 2018.

They will be back tomorrow.

I was supposed to take my friends foster kid to a concert tonight but at the last minute the kid decided he didn't want to go.  So no concert.

Until tomorrow...

PREPARATION FOR ELECTRICIANS

Tonight I have to prepare for tomorrow when the electricians arrive.  Since I will not have electricity for an entire day, I have to charge all my electronics. I have to figure out what to do with the fish.  The fish can't sit in his tank all day without a filter.  I decided to fill a bowl with fresh water and put him in that for the day.

I got a cooler to fill with food so I don't open the refrigerator all day.  I sent clients my cellphone just in case.  I can get emails on my phone but not all my clients use my work email and those I will not be able to check all day.

I just wanted to be ready.  I have to move my car out of the garage first thing in the morning.  Gotta go to sleep.

Until tomorrow...

RELAXING DAY

Today is a relaxing day.  It is horrible weather and I just want to relax after spending time with family.

Until tomorrow...

UTI

Today is the last day my cousins are visiting.  Unfortunately I woke up with a UTI.  I called the doctor's office immediately to get some medicine so I can meet up with my cousins.

I got the meds and met up with them.  We went to a pizza parlor but their ovens were broken so we had to find some more food.  We ate lunch and went shopping.  I bought a jean jacket and then I started to feel ill.  I think it was the antibiotics.  I said goodbye and went home.

I went to bed and took a 3 hour nap.

Until tomorrow...

PART OF THE DAY WITH THE COUSINS

After half a day at work, I went to meet the cousins for a couple of hours of lunch and sightseeing. We walked around and saw some sea lions.

It was an exhausting day and I got home and took a short nap. I finished watching this series on Netflix "Republic of Doyles".

I look forward to seeing the cousins tomorrow.

I got my fruit and vegetable box. This time I got:
* Zucchini
* Cantaloupe
* Broccoli
* Gypsy peppers
* Pluots
* Heirloom tomatoes
* Carrots
* Pears

Until tomorrow...

COSTCO

I got the call that Happi's medicine was ready at Costco.  Since I let my Costco membership expire, I had to inquire about whether I could get a prescription filled there.  I am shocked that a membership is not needed to get a prescription at Costco.  But if you do not have a Visa card, cash is needed.  I had to bring $200 cash to get the prescription filled.  While I was at Costco, I decided to end my one-way feud with Costco and renew my membership. 

I took the medicine to the vet's office and they put the nasal spray into an eye dropper.  You can't put nasal spray up a dog's nose but you can put drops in a dog's eyes.  Happi will be getting 1-4 drops in her eyes 2 times a day.  In a week we will see if she is doing better.  Peeing less and drinking less.

I also spoke to the electrician to make sure that when he comes next week, I will have electricity at night.  I will.  I am so happy.

I am not seeing the family visiting today.  They are off on their own today.

Until tomorrow...

THE COUSINS ARE HERE

My family has come to visit.  It is my cousins and their kids.  The house is clean and I am ready. 

Tonight I met them for dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant.  We all got burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and tortilla soup.  By the empty plates, I think they liked it.

Then we went back to my house.  We sat around and talked and played with Lucky.

It was great to see them.  They are here for a few days and we will continue to get together.

Until tomorrow...

ELECTRICIAN FINALLY

I finally got the call from my electrician!  Of course he wanted to do the work this week when my cousins are visiting.  I asked him to wait until Tuesday.  While he is doing the work I will have no electricity for two days.  I hope it isn't too hot.  I will need to charge everything up and conserve my battery.

Update on Happi: The doctor called to say she does not have Leptospirosis.  That is good news!  Now we are going to treat her for diabetes insipidus—an uncommon disorder that affects our pet’s ability to conserve water. Because of this disease, your dog or cat urinates and drinks water excessively in an attempt to keep up with the loss of water through the urine.  They called to say they found a place that has the medicine she needs. It is a human nasal spray.  I need to buy it and then bring it to the vet and have them put it in an eye dropper.  You can't use a nasal spray on a dog.  I will be putting eye drops in her eyes.  We will see how easy that will be.  She is a good and patient dog.

I also got a call that my cousins are arriving a day early.  My house will not be as clean as I expected it to be but what can I do?  But as my friend said, when isn't your house clean?  I think I see the dirt and mess more than others do.

Until tomorrow...

EYE DOCTOR CHECK UP

Today I went to the eye doctor for my check up. I was supposed to have my check up on July 5 but after my fall on July 4th, I was in no condition to go anywhere.

This was a follow up from the eye infection I had about 2 months ago. The infection is gone. The doctor is concerned that my continued dry eyes is causing permanent damage. She says I have divots on the surface of my eyes from long term dry eyes.

I have been told to use eye wetting solution 2-4 times a day. I said I would try. I just hate eye wetting solution because they are goopy. My niece has to have many eye drops every day and I think she is a champ for doing that every day.

I have also been having an issue where my eye tears uncontrollably. The doctor explained that I should put drops in my eyes. The tears when my eyes tear are not the right tears for wetting your eyes. It is called Epiphora. There is insufficient tear film drainage from the eye or eyes. Instead of the tears draining through the nasolacrimal system, they overflow onto the face. She says my tear ducts may be blocked or too narrow.  If this is the case I may have to get my tear ducts flushed. That does not sound fun.

Maybe I will use the drops.

Until tomorrow...

GETTING READY FOR MY VISITORS

I have some family coming to visit later this week. That means that I need to do the deep clean to the house. Today I did some of the list:

* Cleaned my downstairs bathroom
* Make the guest room bed
* Looked for old photos to show their kids
* Went to the supermarket
* Went to the pet store to buy pee pads and doggie diapers

The list continues tomorrow.

Until tomorrow...

CRAZY DAY

I had a varied day today. 

1) I took my friend M out to lunch at a Thai restaurant for his birthday. It is my favorite Thai place. The food is always so good.

2) I went through a large pile of old mail and recycled 99% of it. Now I can see my credenza again. I put away a bunch of items that just needed to be put away.

3) I took both dogs for a walk after dinner. It was a normal walk until Happi stepped on some sort of prickly item. She tried to walk on two legs but that was not too successful. Her little back foot was curled under and she was trying to walk on it and her leg was trembling.  I picked her up and tried to feel if something like a rock was caught in her pad. I ended up carrying her home (my elbow is never going to heal!).  At home I got her to lay down and I pulled a half inch long straight pointy thing out of her foot. I searched for more prickles but she kept pulling her foot away. She was limping and shaking.

I put her in the car and took her to the hospital. The doctor looked at her foot and didn't see anything. By that time she was walking better. They said to keep her in the waiting room and let her calm down and walk around.  In 15 min she was walking fine just a little tender.  I checked out and they said no charge. Nice!

Now I am sitting on the couch with my feet up.

I read my sister-in-laws blog today and my nephew was asking about the saying "we'll put out the welcome mat".  I wanted show him my new welcome mat.

Until tomorrow...

HORRIBLE MIGRAINE

I can't write much. I have had a horrible migraine all day. I keep thinking I can rally but then I have to take another nap.

Until tomorrow...

MY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT

Today I had my doctor's appointment with my primary doctor.  I needed him to fill out my foster adopt medical paperwork and do our bi-monthly check in.

I have been feeling better since he increased my thyroid medication dosage. I no longer feel like I want to fall asleep at 2pm.  He also told me what I have: Hashimoto's disease.

Hashimoto's disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck below your Adam's apple. Inflammation from Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, often leads to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).  Over time, the hormone replacement dose you need to adequately replace your thyroid function may change.

Just another autoimmune disease to add to the ever growing list.

We also talked about this new shingles shot. He said he had one available but he said that everyone who has taken it feels crappy like they have the flu for about four days. I have family coming to visit and I really don't want to feel sick for the next four days. I need to plan for this. And this is only shot number 1. He said people feel so awful after the first shot they ate not returning for the second shot therefore rendering it useless.

I can't get on Xeljanz until I get these shots. Plus I risk getting shingles since I am autoimmune compromised.  Ugh! This is a no win situation.

My doc was not happy that my dog may have Lepto a bacterial infection that can be passed from dog to person.  He said to call if it comes up positive.

Update on Happi: she seemed better today and I took her for a walk. She is snoring next to me right now.

Until tomorrow...

MAYBE A DIAGNOSIS FOR HAPPI?

I got the test results for Happi today.  Yesterday she went in to get her blood and urine tested. 

The doctor said her blood test was fine.  No cancer or other bad things.  That is the good news.

Her urine was very diluted.  She has had diluted urine before but this time it was very diluted.  Like almost water.  That means she is drinking so much it is going right through her.  Now the question is why? He said it could be one of three reasons:

• Leptospirosis which is a bacterial infection.  These bacteria can be found worldwide in soil and water.  A dog can get it from having any mucus membrane or a scrape or cut and coming in contact with urine-contaminated soil, water, food or bedding and other ways.  Signs of leptospirosis may include fever, shivering, muscle tenderness, reluctance to move, increased thirst, changes in the frequency or amount of urination, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes), or painful inflammation within the eyes.  Leptospirosis is generally treated with antibiotics and supportive care. 
• Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare disorder that affects water metabolism, preventing the body from conserving water and releasing too much of it.  This condition is characterized by increased urination, dilute urine (so-called insipid, or dull urine), and increased thirst and drinking. This disease is not related to diabetes mellitus (insulin diabetes).  Nephrogenic DI, meanwhile, can be caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which functions to stimulate the capillary muscles and reduce the flow of urine, effectively conserving water for the body's various functions. The cause is found in the kidneys and their inability to respond appropriately to ADH, allowing too much water from the body to escape into the urine.  Diabetes insipidus is usually a permanent condition, except in rare patients for which the condition was trauma-induced. The prognosis is generally good, depending on the underlying disorder.
• Psychogenic polydipsia is behavioral.  The dog is drinking water out of boredom, stress, or just because the dog likes to drink water.  The treatment is walking the dog more often.

These are the three diagnosis we are working with.  Immediately the vet sent out for a Lepto blood test since the lab still had Happi's blood work.  That will take until next week to find out if she has this bacterial infection.  If she does, Lucky and I will have to be tested.   Meanwhile we just have to wait and see.

I do not think it is the last one but who knows. 

That is the story with Happi.

I took Lucky today to the vet because, frankly, that is my new home-away-from-home.  She needed her yearly check up and nails cut.  She passed her yearly check up with flying colors and was SO happy to get her nails cut.  I should have taken a photo of the smile on her face!  It is nice to have one dog that doesn't need any fluid tests this week.  Also, her teeth were not so bad that she needs a dental now.  Yay!

Until tomorrow...