OPIOD CRISIS

I went to the pharmacy today to fill a prescription of Vicodin. When I checked out the clerk said that will be $1.00. How is it possible that a prescription of opiods is &1.00 and my prescription of birth control pills costs $75.00.  There is something fundamentally wrong with that equation. No wonder we have an opiod crisis in this country. Those costs should be the other way around!

My dad sent me these cute socks.

Until tomorrow...

PHYSICAL THERAPY

I called about physical therapy for my shoulder  It was going to be a month wait.  I told her it would be healed in a month!  She looked further and found an appointment in two weeks.  I have to go 2 times a week for 4 weeks.

Then I also have to go to occupational therapy for wrist.  Once again she said it would be at least a month wait.  I pressed and she found an appointment in two weeks.  Unfortunately they are not in the same location so I can't do them back to back.  One location only does hands and is booked up for shoulders.  I have to go to therapy 2 times a week for 4 weeks.  I wonder if I will have time to do anything else for a month but go to therapy.

I made soup earlier this week.  It turned out really good.  I had some chard that needed to be used before it went bad so I made Spring Bean and Chard Soup with Toasted Almond Pesto.  I did not make the pesto because I am not a huge fan of pesto and I didn't have any basil leaves or almonds.  The soup was SO tasty that I ate it in a few days.  This soup is a keeper.

Until tomorrow...

GOOD AND NOT SO GREAT NEWS

I went to see the Orthopedic Sugeon today.  He read the MRI report and it was clear.

I do have a fracture of my hamate bone.  It is on the little finger side which is opposite of where they thought I had a fracture.  It is a little fracture.  This explains why it is hard to open jars or turn doorknobs.  Only about 2% of all wrist fractures are hamate fractures.  It is common in athletes that swing items such as golfers and baseball players.  Mine is in the hamate proper and not the hamate hook.  Since it is small I do not have to wear a cast or brace.  It will take 4-6 weeks to heal.  No lifting anything  heavy, don't swing a golf club or baseball bat, etc.  I should be fine.

I also have a longitudinal split tear in extensor carpi ulnaris tendon at ulnar styloid. 

Now the not so good news.  I have been having pain in my arm and shoulder.  When I saw the doctor the first time I had the cast on from the ER.  The doctor said the pain in my arm was from lugging around that cast.  Well, it isn't.  He thinks it is a torn rotator cuff.   He is taking a conservative approach and sending me to physical therapy for 30 days.  If the physical therapy works, then no surgery.  So, off to PT I go twice a week.

So during the fall I fractured my wrist and tore a tendon in my wrist.   With the torn rotator cuff I say I hit the trifecta. 

Until tomorrow...

FILLING IN THE CRACKS

I actually worked in my office all day today.  It was such a pleasure being in my office.  It was so clean and organized.  I have one 1" pile left to work on and then all the paper is gone. 

The handyman came today to work on some things.  The most important thing is the cracks in my plaster ceilings and walls.  The house settles and we have little earthquakes and that causes cracks in the plaster.  Plus in the last 6 months the city dug up and replaced the sewer lines and that was like an earthquake every few minutes for weeks. 

These are just samples of the cracks.  He spent the day patching and he comes on Wednesday sanding and painting. 

I can't wait until I see the doctor tomorrow.  My arm and hand are killing me.  

Until tomorrow...

OFFICE CLEAN OUT

I have before and after photos.
Before:

After:

I had a friend come over today to help me organize and plan for my updated office.  She helped me go through papers and books and junk.  I can see the floor again.  I can see surfaces again.  I have empty briefcases again.

The next step is deciding on a desk and a table.  I want a better table near me heating vent so the heat circulates around the room.  I need a better table for my printers so I can easily put paper in my printer/copier.  I need a desk that works for what I need.  I want an L shaped desk with more storage. My current desk has no drawers or storage.

I am excited for a change.

Until tomorrow...

CLEAN BUT NOT PERFECT

I started cleaning the house today.  Nothing big.  I put the Roomba downstairs to vacuum the bedroom.  It always freaks the dogs out but it was a necessary task.  The house has not been cleaned in a long time due to my accident and the Shinrex shot.  Happi immediately runs outside to pee when she hears the Roomba and Lucky runs in her cage to hide.  Once Happi comes inside she jumps up on my bed to stare down at it while it runs around the room.  She has learned that she is safe on the bed.

I also picked up around the house.  I put things away and folded clothes.  The house looks almost passable.  Not perfect but passable.

My neighbor hangs decorations on his tree for every holiday.  I guess it is Chinese New Year.

Until tomorrow...

SHOULD I CLEAN THE HOUSE?

I know I am supposed to be wearing the very attractive and useful brace but it is so big and clumsy, I can't stand it most times.  I take it off and just rest my wrist.  I have to keep it in certain angles to keep it from aching.  I sure hope it isn't fractured but then I am not sure what is wrong with it.

Not being able to use it has kept me from cleaning my house, clearing my backyard, putting things away.  I really need to get this sorted.  I think it is making me depressed not having a clean house with things put away.  I may just go ahead and grit my teeth and bare it and clean up.  It will put a smile on my face.

Until tomorrow...

ORGANIZING AND REDECORATING MY OFFICE

A client's assistant has agreed to come to my house and help me organize and figure out how to redecorate my office.  My office is so not fung shui that I hate to use it or be in it.  Her space in their office is warm and inviting.  I want that.  She is coming to help me get that.

I realized today that I have been giving Happi 1/2 of the medicine I am supposed to be giving her.  Fractions were always hard for me.  I think I must have been out sick when the class learned fractions so when I came back, I never quite understood.  1/8th, 1/16th.  All confusing to me.  I was supposed to be giving her 1/8th of a teaspoon.  There is no 1/8th of a teaspoon measuring spoon.  Turns out I think I was giving her too little.  I think now I am giving her 1/18th of a teaspoon.  Now I have to wait two weeks to see if it makes a difference since I was under-medicating her.

Until tomorrow...

SUCCESSFUL MRI

This morning I looked out and another car was blocking not just my driveway but it was parked into my neighbor's driveway.  I asked my next door neighbor if it was her friend but she didn't know the car.  We agreed it needed to be towed.  I called but the person came back before the tow truck arrived.

I had to have the car moved because I was going to get an MRI on my wrist.  There was a cancellation at the doctor's office and I jumped on it.  Unfortunately I will not get the results until Tuesday since the doctor is on vacation.

That MRI should be used for a new form of torture.  Not that I believe in torture.  But if I did... 

First they sit me in a special chair that reclines.  Then they take my arm and with much pain, they make me put it out like a bird wing.  The arm goes in a MRI machine specially made for arms.  Then they put a weight on my hand.  My arm is laying down with my open hand facing up.  It is about 40 degrees in the room and they ran out of ear plugs.  My head is right next to the MRI machine.  It was as uncomfortable as I have been in an MRI machine.  That is saying a lot since I have had about 50 MRIs at least, in various incarnations.  Before this the worst was on my stomach getting a MRI biopsy.  Oh, it took about an hour.  Ugh.  The last film I ruined because I was shivering too much and I moved.  He got me some blankets at that point.

Anyway, it is over and now we wait.  He would not tell me anything.  But he made a noise when I explained my pain.  I took it to mean he had heard this before.

Until tomorrow...

PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY

Last evening a car parked in my red zone that allows me to enter and exit my driveway.  I put a note on their car that said "You are parked in a red zone.  It makes it very difficult for cars to exit both driveways.  In the future please do not park here or you will be towed.  Thank you."

I watched and a person drove up in another car, read the note and drove off.  It seemed like the owner read the note and decided to leave their car parked in the red zone.  Since I didn't know when they were coming back, I called the city to come tow the car.

Hours later my doorbell rang.  I ignored it.  I rang again.  I answered it and it was a guy confronting me about towing his car.  He said the note was a warning and he felt he could leave his car parked there.  Who was I to tow his car? 

I went inside and closed the door.  Don't worry I have a gate between me and anyone who visits (invited or not) and a very loud dog. 

It turns out he was a neighbor's friend.  The neighbor knew he had parked there.  It was him who came by and read the note and decided to leave his car parked blocking my driveway.  I called my neighbor and said why didn't you let me know and just move the car up a bit?  I wouldn't have towed it.  I didn't know who's car it was. 

My neighbor know's I tow cars that park in my driveway.  I tow about 5 - 10 cars a year.  It is a well known fact in the neighborhood.

Anyway, I don't think we are friendly neighbor's anymore.  She sounded pretty angry on the phone.  

People don't take responsibility for their actions.  He parked illegally.  I was within my rights to tow the car. 

Ergh...

Until tomorrow...

GOT STARTED EARLY

I got up early and got going. I had a lot to do today.

I had to return the broken frames I bought at Michael's. They didn't want to replace them at the same price. Oh, but they did.

Then off to return DVDs at the library.

Then to Pet Food Express or whatever it is called to buy pill pockets. They now make pill pockets for liquid medicines!! I bought some to try to use for the Medicine Battle with Lucky.  I also looked at diapers for Happi.

The vet called me when I got home and said I could stop giving Lucky the medicine since she seems better. I will have to try the pill pockets another time .

Until tomorrow...

A DAY IN PAJAMAS

It is a nice day but I decided I wanted to stay inside and do a lot of nothing inside. I did laundry and some other stuff but I did it in my pajamas. I watched the new season of Grace & Frankie.

Until tomorrow...

WOMEN'S MARCH 2019

Today was the Women's March in my area.  I got myself ready and met some friends. We walked together.

One of the best signs:

I came home and took a bath and put on my pajamas.

Until tomorrow...

THE RAIN

The rain has been falling for days. It can get depressing after a while of days and days of continuous rain. Today it finally stopped. The sun came out. It is supposed to be sunny all weekend. That will pick up my spirits and get me out of the house.

Until tomorrow...

LUCKY MEDICINE WARS

I took Lucky to the vet today. She acted perfectly fine. They checked her out. The doctor looked at the pictures of her bloody stool. They took a stool sample. They are testing her for Giardia and parasites. I will get the results tomorrow.

Meanwhile I have liquid Flagyl to give her twice a day. They wanted me to give her pills but I nixed that idea. She does not take pills well so liquid it is.

That started battle number 1. Getting her to take the medicine. I mixed it with her food and she would not eat the food. So I had to go to plan B. I got her cone and put it on. I held her cone and collar and when she growled I stuck her medicine in her mouth. It only took 20 min. Then she proceeded to spit it out all over the kitchen .

Oh goodness, 7 days of this!?

Until tomorrow...

I'LL BE HONEST

Okay, I 'll be honest.  I don't like the new apparatus.  It is bulky and kind of hurts.  I can't type with it on.  It feels too big.  I wear it when I leave the house but at home, I am careful with my hand.

I am just so happy to be able to do things again.  I can type and zipper.  I can wear real clothes.

I won't say my arm/elbow/wrist feels perfect.  It doesn't.  But it doesn't hurt enough to do anything about.  It is hard to tell if the pain in my arm is from wearing the cast or from the accident.  I guess time will tell.

I went to pick up Happi's medicine and ran into her doctor.  He told me her blood and urine tests all were great!  He thinks she is peeing because her stomach/intestines are bothering her.  He says she has a form of IBS and it is bothering her so much that she is drinking a lot of water and peeing.  I know she is drinking a lot of water again because I hear/see it.  So it makes sense she would be peeing a lot.  The question is why and what can be done about it.  He gave me a new medicine to put in her food.  It is bitter and he said she may not like it.

I fed her and she tried to eat around it but then she would have no food.  So she ate almost all of her food.  She left some.  Almost immediately she began having the most horrible gas.  I walked in the room and thought something died.  It was bad.  Plus her stomach was all upset, I could hear it rumbling and tumbling.  Poor thing.  I think we need to talk to the doctor tomorrow.  I hear her right now having a dream where she is running and her legs are moving.  So cute.

Well, it can't be a day in my house without another pet having problems.  Lucky didn't want to eat breakfast and then ate dinner.  Then she had bloody stools all over the house.  I called the vet and they said it was fine to bring her in tomorrow as long as she was not lethargic.  She is not lethargic.  I don't think we need to go to the ER tonight.  I am not sure what is wrong with her.

Until tomorrow...

NEW APPARATUS

I went to the orthopedic surgeon today. He said he doesn't look like anything is broken. He took off that lovely cast. He said it looked okay. Then he touched the spot the ER doctor touched. I jumped. He touched it again. I jumped again.

The doctor said the is scaphoid bone and it could be fractured. It is hard to see that fracture on an x-ray. He put the thumb brace on my hand and said if it still hurts in a week I am to go back and get an MRI.

In the afternoon, we met with a new dog sitter. She is a friend of my friend S. She is super nice and we have tons in common. Lucky loved her, of course.  She said she would even take care of Sunny the bird.

Until tomorrow...

TAKING A DAY TO RECOVER

I am taking another day to recover.  I still feel a little tired and my arm hurts.  With this cast I can't do very much.  Here's a list of things I can't do:

• tie my shoes
• blow my nose
• zip zippers
• button my jeans
• wear a coat
• wear long sleeves
• hold anything in my left hand
• drive with two hands (I have a manual transmission)
• sweep the floor
• type with two hands on a computer
• of course, take a shower

I know there is more but that is a short list. So I have to wear sweat pants, slip on shoes and short sleeves.  I have to wrestle to get my bra on.

Anyway, that is why I am staying inside.  Tomorrow is the doctor's appointment and hopefully he will give me good news and take this cast off.

Until tomorrow...

BIG EXCITEMENT I TOOK A BATH

Today was another day of rest and relaxation. At least the nausea has passed. I am not sure if it was from the Shinrex shot or if it was from the pain in my arm.

My arm/hand/wrist doesn't hurt as much as yesterday. Funny thing my shoulder hurts more.

I wrapped my cast in a plastic bag (once I could find one since plastic bags are outlawed in my state) and took a bath. It felt good to get the hospital ick off me.

Today I was able to do a few things like wash a few dishes and do more than heat up soup from a can.

I continued to rest a bunch.

Until tomorrow...

DAY INSIDE

Today was spent inside on the couch and in bed. My friends son came over in the afternoon to help walk Lucky and feed the dogs. While he was here he also took down my Christmas box and tree. He brought up water, took down recycling and moved some things around. Now the house is a bit more cleaned up.

It took me all day to watch one movie because I kept falling asleep.

Until tomorrow...

SHINREX SHOT

Today was a very rainy day.  I went to work for a client mid-day.  Then I took a cab to the vet's office to pick up Happi's special stinky food. I had the cab wait and he took me home.  Then I took the bus down to the post office where I picked up a large box of wee wee pads. From there I went to get my Shinrex shot. This time it didn't hurt when I got the shot.

Hours later the spot where I got the shot hurts a fair amount. I put ice on it.

When I was walking from the post office to get the shot, while carrying the big box, I slipped on a metal plate on the sidewalk. I landed on my left elbow and my butt.  I may have hit my hand also. Two guys helped me up on my feet.

I didn't think I was hurt and my elbow wasn't even bruised.

Around 6 pm my hand started to hurt. More and more as time went on. By 8:30 pm I could not stand it and my hand was starting to tingle. I had to go to the ER.

I got myself ready and called a cab. The ER was not crowed and I got through triage pretty quick. Then they gave me some Motrin and an ice pack. I was in a lot of pain. They took me to do x-rays of my hand, arm and elbow. During that process I almost vomited.

I had to wait a few minutes for a bed. My friend S started texting me to keep me company. The doctor came and said the x-rays said there was no break. But he can't understand the pain I am in. He suggested immobilizing the forearm and wrist with a cast type thing made out of fiber glass. So that is what they did. It can come off but I am not sure I can do it alone.

He gave me some Norco and sent me home. I tried to write this post but I started to get nauseous. So I went to sleep.

Until tomorrow...

JUST A BIT WRONG WITH HAPPI

This picture is for my Dad who likes the pictures.

I know I talk about my dogs a lot but they are my babies. 

I am worried something has gone wrong with Happi.  Not horribly wrong just a bit wrong.  I thought it was a urinary tract infection at first and called the doctor for an appointment. 

Early this morning we went in to the office.  Happi was not happy about going in.  She walked really slow, sniffing each crack in the sidewalk.  Finally, I had to carry her to arrive on-time.  I explained to the doctor what was going on: Happi has had some accidents on the floor in the kitchen, my bedroom and on my bed.  She is drinking a large amount of water again like she did before her surgery.  She is licking her lips again and drooling.  The doctor tested her pee and blood, checked her surgery site and looked her over.   He thinks she doesn't have a UTI but that she is having issues in her intestines. 

So, the food is working.  Her poop is the best it has been in years.  The surgery, hopefully, cured her UTI problems.  She has not vomited in weeks so her stomach is much better.  Now the last part is her intestinal problems. Once this gets fixed, BAM!  Tomorrow morning I start Prilosec first thing in the morning.  Then we continue the Suculfrate three times a day. 

It is so great to see Happi acting like herself again.  Older but still a lovebug! 

Until tomorrow...

I GOT KICKED OUT OF JURY DUTY

I am so happy.  I showed up for jury duty at 1:30 as required.  I sat in a room with a couple of hundred other people who didn't want to be there.  We listened to an annoying message over and over again until my name was called.  At that point I was told to go to a court room with about 75 people. 

We listened to the judge give us instructions.  She was very nice (not like the last judge I was in front of two years ago) and told us this case was going to be 14 business days long.  If anyone had a hardship, she would entertain it.  But first if we didn't have a hardship or was happy to be on a jury, take a slip and come back tomorrow.

I had a hardship so I filled out the form for a hardship waiver.  I explained I am a consultant and my work and livelihood depends on me working.  I also explained that I am taking a Shingles shot this Friday and I may not be well enough to come to sit in a jury all day on Monday.  The judge gave me a waiver and I was let go.  I am free for two years.  Yay!  I was out in less than 1.5 hours.  Woo Hoo!

Until tomorrow...

MY FRIEND HAS PASSED

My friend passed away today. I've known her my whole life.  She lived a full and long life. It is a sad day for me and many others.

I will miss her.

Until tomorrow...

NO JURY DUTY YET

I have no jury duty today and I just found out I have no jury duty tomorrow. I hate living life in limbo.

I tried to buy Happi's special food online but they said they were out of stock. I called the vets office and they will not get any until Friday. I found a place where I can buy it by the can. I went and bought 8 cans. Next time I will need to buy it much earlier.

Until tomorrow...

ART ON THE WALLS II

I spent the day at the art store purchasing frames for my pictures. It was pouring rain so shopping was not a pleasant experience.

When I got home, I began cleaning the frames and glass and put the photos in the frames.  They really looked good. Even better than I thought they would.  Three of the frames had problems so I have to return them.

After I framed all the pictures, I walked around the house figuring out where I plan to hang the photos.  I am taking down old pictures/items and hanging my photos in their place.

I will no longer have empty walls.

I had a lovely unexpected phone call with my niece and nephew. It was sweet that they called me on the video phone.

Until tomorrow...

ART ON THE WALLS

I spent part of my day framing photos.  I spent the other part of my day getting the photos printed.  Walgreens screwed up my order and I only got some of my photos.  When I called to find out where my missing photos were the guy who answered the phone said "well, just come back and get them."  I told him I already came down once in the pouring rain to get my photos.  He said "well, you can come back."  I said the appropriate answer is "Ma'am, I am sorry you will have to come back because we made a mistake.  He said "uh, sure."  Great customer service.

I printed photos of family and friends so now I have updated photos in my home.  Then I decided to frame and put up my own photography.  My plan is to have the pictures be rotating art.  I will share once I hang the pictures.

I have to go buy more and nicer frames for the many photos I have printed.  I am excited to have my art on the walls.

Until tomorrow...

TAKING DOWN CHRISTMAS

Is it wrong to still have Christmas decorations up in the house?  I am still enjoying the sparkling lights on my little fake Christmas tree and the lights on the fireplace.  It is nice to have all the glittery stuff around.  I guess it needs to come down sometime soon.

The dentist called today to see how I was doing.  My tooth hurts a bit when I drink cold water but that is it. 

I ran some errands today in preparation for the bad weather.  It is supposed to rain for 6 days starting tomorrow.  I am so not excited about that. 

The good news is that I checked and I don't have jury duty on Monday.  I have to check every day about the next day.  One day down.

Until tomorrow...

SAD DAY

Today is a sad day. 

I went to the post office today and picked up a box my mother sent me with things from a friend.  I have a family friend who is 95 years old and she is quite ill.  She has been in an assisted living for a few months and today she was moved into hospice care.  Now, at 95 it is not unexpected but it doesn't make it any less painful. 

The box contained some items my mother gathered from her home.  Some of the things were expected and one thing was not.  My friend and I were both Raggedy Ann and Andy fans. She more than I but it was something we had in common.  As a child, she would read to me from a very old and worn out Raggedy Ann and Andy book.  Years ago she sent me that book and it is something I cherish. 

The box contained a few Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and figurines.  A plaque with Andy and one with Ann.  There was also a dragonfly pin.  My friend always wore a pin.  Every day she had a pin on her suit or shirt.  I remember her wearing this dragonfly pin. 

The most cherished item in the box was a picture frame.  Many years ago I visited her and she and I had our photo taken together.  It was at her business.  She had a printing business long before it was acceptable for women to own printing businesses in the male dominated field.  When I used to go to her office, she would let me hang around and then she would put me to work far away from the dangerous printing presses.  I was only a young teenager and she was careful that I wasn't hanging around with grown men at her business. 

The photo showed she and I behind her counter in her business.  The photo was put in a frame.  I decoupaged the frame with sayings, words and pictures.  There was Raggedy Ann and Andy, hearts, the words friends, next door, and laughter.  I couldn't believe she kept it all these years.  

It is now sitting on my bookshelf.  It made me cry when I opened the box.  It is making me cry now.

Until tomorrow...

CRACKED TOOTH AND TEMPORARY CROWN

Aren't these sneakers great!? They are so cute.

This weekend I was eating when I heard a crunch. It was my tooth. My crown came off. It has happened before.

My dentist said to come in this morning at 9am. Right away she shot me up with Novocaine. She took x-rays to see how bad the damage was. Then she shot me up with more Novocaine.  Then more. And more. I think I got 15 shots overall. I could have been punched and I probably would not have felt it. She had to keep shooting me because there was a nerve that was not numbing.

Turns out the crown did not just pop off. The tooth crumbled under the crown and then the crown popped off. The dentist had to grind down the tooth, and grind down the tooth, so she could put on a temporary crown. Four hours later she was done. I may be able to feel my face by tomorrow!

I have a temporary for two weeks. Then I get a permanent crown.

Now the question is will I be able to get the Shinrex shot? The dentist said most likely but we have to see.

I guess I am off to a great start on my medical deductions for my 2019 taxes. A crown with no dental insurance costs the same as what I paid for Lucky's last dental. At least I get a tax break with human dental care.

Until tomorrow...

WELCOME 2019!

Happy New Year!  The dogs did not let me sleep in for the new year, they got me up at 4:50am like normal.  Happi has not learned that the time changed, she thinks it is 5:50am.  I am working on getting her to sleep in one more hour.  I go back to sleep for a few more hours.

Since I fell asleep last night during Season 3 Episode 10 (the season finale) of The Man in the High Castle, I woke up and watched the season ending. 

I went to the movies to see The Favourite.  It was really good.  It is a period piece movie about a queen and two women who are vying for her attention and power.  It was funny and unique.  It reminded me of Victoria and Abdul not in the story line as much as the humor.

Tomorrow I go to get my crown put back on and I can eat regular food again.  I was unable to eat popcorn at the movies today. 

I am hoping the calendar I bought from Amazon shows up tomorrow.  I purchased a calendar since my free calendar from the City didn't show up this year.  I guess the city ran out of calendars. I was a little slow ordering my calendar this year.  Then when I went to the Mall, I bought a calendar 50% off.  The calendar from the Mall is this:

But the one I got through Amazon looks like this:

I have to wait until the Amazon calendar arrives to make my decision which calendar to put in my kitchen. 

I have not made any resolutions this year.  I need to think a but more about it.  I asked for an extension.  Ha ha.

Until tomorrow...