EVERYTHING'S UP TO DATE IN KANSAS CITY!

However, I didn't go there. My trip was to Washington, D.C. with a few hours in Chicago going and coming home. Those stops were fun, and I'll try to write more about that another time. As you know, or maybe not, I travelled by train which means I left my home at 3:30 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 22, and arrived in D.C.'s Union Station at 1:10 p.m. Dec. 24.

This is not actually my train, but one I borrowed from another application. My best shot of my train was on a curve in the Allegheny Mountains with snow all around, but my best shot wasn't very good. The scene, however, was wonderful---imagine it.

It seems imperative that I tell you first what "up to date" means these days. Example: In D.C., adjoining Chevy Chase, Md and in Chicago the pedestrian walk signs at big intersections have an attached window which clicks down the seconds remaining for the scurrying pedestrian to make it safely across the street before the herd of vehicles is untethered and free to mow one down. Wish I'd gotten a picture of them; alas, I did not. The thought, "Toto, we're not in Louisiana anymore," did cross my mind. I was tentative at first and didn't trust 22 sec. to be sufficient time, but soon leapt right out there if we had 16 sec. I really can move fairly fast, especially if the wind is not a factor.

But here's what you really want to know---the latest restroom technology. So, we're all accustomed to sensor toilets that flush automatically, faucets that go on and off, and paper towels that stingily dispense towels based on our motion. But how about this?

Above it were the directions which explained that one should push the red button to rotate the plastic wrapped seat before using the toilet.

Who knew that peeing would become a learning experience?

At the Newseum, the place I was most eager to visit, the restroom walls were also decorated with headline bloopers. Each stall had one or two as well as the common area. How much fun is that? (It reminded me of the father in Cheaper By the Dozen who had educational info posted everywhere in their home so that the children would be learning wherever they were and whatever they were doing.)

More to come . . . I hope.

NOT KEEPING YOU IN SUSPENSE . . .

The surgery went well, but I thought that it was totally different from last time. The clarity of light and colors during surgery was different; and I felt things I didn't feel the first time. However, when I asked my doctor about these differences today she said the procedure was the same and that about 40% of their patients report the same difference in perceptions, so apparently many of us have eyes that are different. Who knew? We thought we had a matched pair---like shoes or socks. But some of us don't.

One small drawback: a tiny blood vessel in my eye got in the way during surgery. Consequently, I have a large circle of blood around my eye which makes me look as if I have been in a car wreck or fist fight. It will dissolve eventually, but I just look at people and tell them, "Believe it or not, I won." It doesn't hurt, just looks really pitiful. There are still a few weeks of medicinal follow-up with drops, drops, drops---some as many as four times per day.

HOWEVER, last night and today I was/am watching TV with no glasses and was able to drive to my doctor's office without them as well, just the big shades. Still need the glasses for reading. Actually, this evening I discovered that if I do the arm extension I can read without glasses as well. So, I'm really excited. I will probably need to get "readers" though. I could read the 20/20 line with the more recent operative eye today and could read 2 of 5 letters on the 20/25 line with the previously operated eye---the one which regressed and became very blurred due to the loose epithelium. My doctor said I do not have a loose epithelium on this second eye. YEA!

So, that's the news for now, and let's all hope that everything continues on course this time. No pictures this time; I don't think you want a picture of me just now.

Have a terrific Thanksgiving; be thankful; I know what I'll be thankful for. (I know; ended that with a preposition; bad me.)

THIS IS THE WEEK THAT WAS

Our orchid society is hosting a national show in late April, 2011. Note that I voted against doing this, but being the stalwart democratic person that I am I have done what I could to support the society's decision. Consequently, I am on the show committee and in charge of clerks for ribbon judging and AOS judging for the show. I know that means nothing to most of you, but it's a big enough chunk of work for one person. Also I have done what I, in conscience, could do to raise money to cover our costs. Let me explain that. We were asked to take orders for candles at outrageous prices for what the buyer would get and to do the same for cookie dough---the same thing elementary school kids are sent out to do. Nope, couldn't bring myself to do that.

However, we finagled a booth at Les Boutiques de Noel, a high end shopping extravaganza, this year held at the Bossier City Civic Center where people have to pay to get into shop, to sell live plant arrangements. I launched into that whole heartedly, and by the time we were ready to do it I had collected 36 containers/baskets and lots of decorative items to decorate them including ribbons and bows---probably $150 worth, all from estate and garage sales. Of course, others had collected as well; some people spent $10 each on their containers; I had a $3 limit on what I purchased. But my point is that everybody contributed a lot. We bought the plants as none of us would have had enough plants in bloom to do this.

On this past Tues. we began putting them together. Approximately four of us had experience in doing this and were good and fast; the remainder of us (that includes me) were novices. But we had a lot of fun putting them together and learning. My pictures are not very good as I really didn't have time to set them up. But here's a sample.

(Remember you click on the pictures to enlarge.)

Oh, yeah, this container was one I got for $1 at an estate sale; originally a holder for a votive candle. I didn't do the arrangement.

Sorry the red bow is behind this because it doesn't show as well.

This container is another I purchased for $1 and is actually a cup; isn't it a great arrangement? I didn't do that one either.

On that Tues. we put together 49 arrangements. We should have stopped there; however we had high hopes and met again the next day to put together more (?). The preview party was on Wed. night, and the actual sale was Thurs., Fri., and Sat. I worked 1 - 6 on Thurs., on Fri. I had to take the cash box to the person opening on Fri., then came back later with material to pack around sold items to stabilize the containers in boxes. Sat. was orchid judging day and the other volunteer who usually works with me for that agreed to do the sales, and I would handle judging responsibilities alone. We were worlds apart, but really in distance it was probably only about 2-3 miles.

Our table on the first day of the sale.

Don't know the outcome of our efforts yet, but I know we were getting only about half the sales we expected. Definite downer! But if anybody is really curious I will let you know. I will say that some of us acquired new skills, even the two men in our society who showed up to help. (We have more men, but only two ventured into this activity. They had a great time and learned how to "glam" up an arrangement.)

So, what's next? Operation on the left eye will be this Monday morning. I am to report at the surgery center at seven a.m. (ouch), but Jaz has graciously accepted the responsibility of getting me there and back once again. The doctor says she will do something a little different this time and, God willing, the sight improvement will be much more immediate without change. The first time it was great 24 hrs. post surgery then went downhill. Who knew about my loose epithelial? BTW the left eye bag is different from the right eye bag. I know you are tracking that information. Here's the left eye bag:

Don't ask me about the cheesy shades in this one; I'm taking my big boxy shades from the first go round. Keep your fingers crossed and say your prayers for me, please. The right eye is still improving, but I don't think it's as good as it will be yet. I just really want everything to be done before the Tea Partyers/ Republicans rip Medicare into oblivion.

So this week is done, and it's on to a new one. Surgery, big holiday, family coming, ---Wow! So much to look forward to! Best wishes to all of you!

MIRACLES

Many years ago Goo declared "The Miracle of the Wood," credited to me. Here's what happened. The whole family was gathering for Christmas dinner, and my small dining table would not accommodate everybody. So I purchased a sheet of plywood (4 ft. x 8 ft.) and had it cut in half. We placed it on the small table, and voilA everybody could be seated. She made a great tablecloth. It worked out just fine.

A couple of years went by before we were all gathered again, and the plywood which had been in storage had warped somewhat. Being the miserly person that I am I was not about to buy another sheet of plywood. So . . . a few weeks before the gathering I put a plastic sheet on my nice but small table, placed the old plywood on it, sprinkled it liberally with water and placed cinder blocks (I love them) on top for weight. By the time we were ready to set the table everything had leveled out, and we were good to dine again. That was "The Miracle of the Wood."

There was another miracle Goo credited me with, but I can't remember what it was. I hope she can and will refresh my memory. I just take miracles for granted I guess.

But here's the latest. About a month ago I noted a wasps' nest in the corner of my carport. It was a little scary as I really didn't want to be stung by a wasp or wasps. A couple of days later I discovered that the wasps not only had the corner nest, but had a colony on the outside two sides of the corner with a multitude of wasps. There might have been 75 - 100 wasps in all. That was very scary. You can check with Jaz and Oyster who both witnessed this conglomeration.

I have a can of EcoSmart wasp and hornet killer spray which has a really long spray length. I had to use it on the front porch a couple of months ago, but that was fairly simple as I could spray and immediately duck back inside the house. In the carport I would have to spray and move 20-30 ft. to get back inside. Wasps do not take kindly to this kind of attack and keep flying around angrily for a day or two (literally) if they aren't among the casualties. Factor into this procedure my recent eye surgery, and I wasn't eager to attack and run for cover.

However, when I took Mack out for a few minutes this evening before the storm came I looked up at the wasp havens. They come home to roost at night. Guess what!!! They were all gone!!! I think this may qualify as "The Miracle of the Wasps."

Now if Goo can come up with the missing second miracle maybe I'm on my way to canonization. Does one absolutely have to be a Catholic to become an official saint?

RIGHT EYE UPDATE

Today was the day I thought we would be scheduling surgery on the left eye to remove that cataract; it was also the day we anticipated rain in our area. Neither goal accomplished. I can't answer for the weather patterns and their flow; we just didn't get any rain, and the drought continues.

As for the eye progress: my doctor told me on the day she completed surgery that the epithelial was loose. Today, one week post-op my vision is still very blurry in that eye. Others have told me that their vision was restored, better than it ever had been following this surgery, so I was very discouraged when I went in for the check-up today. My doctor dilated my eye again and did two tests after which she assured me that the underlying structures were in good shape, but the epithelial coating of the cornea was loose, and she sent me home with an armload of eyewashes to use for two more weeks. That's when I go in for another check. (Guess what: there are limits to how much individualism I wish to express. This ain't one of 'em.) I asked if the second eye would take as long to heal as this one, and she said not necessarily, but maybe.

However, this is the eye with glaucoma, the one with little vascular "explosions" (sorry, I can't remember the term) on the retina, and the eye which had one tiny bit of plaque in one of it's retinal pictures. All of these have been contained through very careful following of directions. My doctor noted today, "You've never had a problem with the cornea before." How much is left to go wrong(?) I wondered. Anyway, we are mustering through.

My hope is that the left eye when it comes due won't have as many problems since it has been relatively free of the other problems. We'll see---hopefully-literally!

So that's where I am, and here is a picture to bleed your tears, sympathy, and condolences:

I only have to wear this shield at night and usually I don't have this much tape on it. It started to come loose during the night, and I added tape, so save a few tears, o.k.? The good news is that I got to wash my hair tonight, and I am feeling so good. YEA!!!

THE BIG DAY!---RIGHT EYE

Well, as friends can tell you, I faced this day with trepidation. However, I actually settled down (without sedation) last night and slept pretty well. The orders were nothing to drink or eat after midnight, and I followed that. I put little signs up for myself that said "Don't drink" on my thermal cup with ice and water in the bathroom, on the bathroom mirror, and in the kitchen. That was just in case I in my sleepy state I tended to take a swig of water in the middle of the night or early morning. Instead I just rinsed out my mouth and spat it away. At least I could hydrate my dry mouth.

Jaz and I arrived on time at the out patient surgery center well on time. After copying my ID, Medicare card, and insurance card the first question was, "Are you considering a Living Will today." I wasn't prepared for that, and it shook me a little. I finally said, "Not today." I then had to sign about six different forms and felt they should have given me the keys to the place right then. After joining Jaz in the waiting room I was prepared to wait a while. However, in five minutes or less I was called.

The nurse, Susan, took my vital signs and began the eye drops which are antibiotic and dilating drops. Then I had to take off my shirt and put on a gown over my jeans, etc. Then electrodes were placed on my chest and back. A needle was inserted in my left arm, and a B/P cuff placed on the right arm. Then there was another round of drops. A young man came in and introduced himself as the anesthesiologist. That was the last I saw of him, but he may have come in later in the OR. All of this was done before and during the time I sat in a recliner. Between these interruptions I read my book. (I always take a book with me wherever.) Then there was another dose of eye drops to the operative eye. (I don't think I mentioned that I had been on a regimen of eye drops to that eye for the two previous days.)

My surgery was scheduled at 11:00 a.m., and just before that time a gurney was brought in and exchanged for my recliner. When I was wheeled to the OR I finally was able to glimpse a clock; it was 11:05. I'm not sure when the anesthetic IV was started; I will just say that I was never knocked out completely, but by the time I was in the OR my mouth felt a little dry, and found that though I knew what I wanted to say, it was a little slow and difficult to get the words out.

I won't relate a play by play of the whole operation because I don't really know exactly what was taking place when. Even when there is no pain, it is difficult to alleviate tension, and I frequently found myself tensing up---usually in my left shoulder which when I became aware of it, I would try to relax that part of my body. The drape also blocks the vision of the non-operative eye. Because of the "drape" over the rest of my face (it's a little heavy and blocks light and some sound + my aging hearing loss) though I could hear the doctor and others assisting talking, I couldn't always understand what they were saying. For instance I could hear her direct me to look down, or directly at the light, and to increase the anesthetic. Furthermore, I could see her fingers at times though I couldn't see the instruments or what she was doing. It's a very strange experience. I heard them record the concluding time as 11:42.

Soon I was rolled back to my alcove, and given a choice of drinks. I chose Diet Coke because I could share that with Jaz. (She's a Diet Coke-aholic.) They allowed her to come back very soon afterward, and after checking my vital signs a couple more times, we were good to go. We had to stop at a drug store for Tylenol to use as a pain killer. The pain I have experienced is in my eyelids, i.e. blinking hurt. If I could keep my eyes open all the time---fine; if shut all the time---fine. However, it's getting better rapidly. I've taken two doses of Tylenol, and the pain is almost gone.

Vision in my right eye is blurry due to the surgery and the lubricant put in after surgery and the eye drops I have to use for the next week. That will gradually clear I've been assured. Currently there is a contest between my eyes because the left eye still needs my current glasses, and the right does not, but it is blurry. But it's getting better, and the doctor expects me to drive to her office tomorrow on my own for a check-up. Everybody stay out of my way!!!

DISCLAIMER: If I have more typos or mistakes than usual, chalk it up to "faulty vision."

Anyway, I know you've been wanting to see the eye kit. Here you go:

Preoperatively it came with about four sheets of instructions/directions to the surgery center, Rx for another eye drop, and a bottle of eye drops, and some little vials of a third eye drop, a hard plastic eye guard, and duct tape, and the dark protective sunglasses to wear over my glasses. Coming home there was only one set of directions plus the other "stuff." Here it is:

I guess for the other eye they'll simply rip off the "right eye" sticker and put on one that says "left eye." Hope you're not disappointed in this disclosure. Yes, this was photographed on the top of the washing machine.

The only reason I've posted about all this is to save myself many e-mails and I needed to stay up late enough to do my second application of eye drops, because to be honest, I've been exhausted since the surgery, probably due to nerves rather than actual physical stress. Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement and especially to Jaz who took the day off to drive me and brought me a lunch when she picked me up so I wouldn't have to prepare anything when I came home. How good can life get?

HOW IS LIT CELEBRATING HER BIRTHDAY?

(Forgive me for using third person in the title; it just always sounds so exciting when Dagromm does that. Like someone is really interested, you know? Now I'll get back to myself.)

Well, it's a long story, much like my life; but not quite that long. Let's start with the fact that I have already purchased Amtrak tickets to visit Goo over Christmas and New Year's. About a month ago I suddenly thought, " Why should I put off cataract surgery until after the trip if I could see much better when I am in Washington, D.C.?" So, I began to do the now standard internet search on information about such surgery, expectations, etc.

Then last week I was scheduled for a six months check up with my general health care provider; I mentioned to her that I was tentatively scheduled for said cataract surgery, and she said that the doctor would want an EKG, and we could go ahead and do that at the moment. Sounded good to me, and we did. After looking at the EKG she turned very solemn and said there had been changes and that she felt that an echo cardiogram and stress test were in order. (It had been a little over six yrs. since the last tests.) Well, that certainly put a damper on things, and driving home I thought that I should go ahead and contact LSUS Med. School about the donation of my body, update my will, make provision for my pets, etc., etc.

The echo cardiogram was on Tuesday, and there were small signs posted everywhere admonishing us not to ask the technician about "how it looked." I take these seriously and didn't. Thurs. I went to the ophthalmologist to have my eye measurements taken for the upcoming surgery and received my "Right Eye Kit." Some eye drops, a Rx for more eye drops, and lots of instructions, plus a hard plastic eye patch, a roll of "duck tape", and those big black glasses were the contents. The encouraging part of this is that the patient is expected to drive him/herself back for a check-up the next day. On the day of surgery someone else is expected to drive due to the mild anesthesia one will have experienced.

So, that brings us to today when I checked in at 7:27 a.m. at the hospital for the stress test. I won't go through all the details of that because some of you will have been there already and don't really want to "re-live" it, though it isn't that terrible. It does take a fairly long time, which seems longer because there is a needle stuck in your arm which you have to protect, but it could be worse. The doctor and the Nurse Practitioner that I see were both in attendance. They were very complimentary on my "performance."

At one p.m. I was back to see the Nurse Practitioner to get the results of the tests. Are you ready? Everything was fine!!! The prolapsed mitral valve was still the same, but everything else was top notch. (This includes both tests.) She didn't say "for a woman your age", and I appreciate that. Both she and the doctor were impressed that I kept up with the treadmill increases, didn't break a sweat (how could you in that ice house?), and wasn't even near ready to give up when they said I had reached what was expected of me. Seriously, I could have gone on for a few more minutes. Ali, the technician who did all the prep. work, and hook ups, etc., and I had some really terrific conversation time, and I think we are now great buddies. We seem to have similar outlooks on life in general.

With this new optimistic outlook I drove to Sam's for a gas tank fill up. I do this at the first of each month and try to keep my driving within that filled tank range for the remainder of the month. Part of the strategy I developed when gas prices skyrocketed a couple of yrs. ago. However, it may be blown this time because I'm to go to Alexandria on Sun. to help take down the display the orchid society put up today for Alexandria's show. We'll see.

Still feeling euphoric after filling the gas tank I decided to go to Wonder Cuts for a much needed hair cut. Can you believe it? I walked right in and was immediately called for the shearing. Looks like a great haircut so far, and it feels so good. That went so fast I still had excess time before my four o'clock appt. for a mini-pedicure (a month overdue).

I decided to drop in on Chill at his store and hoped to catch Jaz there, but missed her. When I walked in he gave me a stern look (as if I'd intruded) and started giving me this double armed swishing movement over to the center aisle of the store. I didn't understand, but I followed his direction. Then I saw the man in the straw cowboy hat, jeans, T-shirt, and tattoos. And I remembered what he had said about a month ago, "He looked as if he'd just come off the farm." Then Chill said, "This is my mother; this is Nicholas Cage."

Well, I can only say that Mr. Cage has absorbed all the gentility of the south if it wasn't already in his nature, though I suspect it was. He said, and I quote: "How do you do, Ma'm. My son and I enjoy your son's store very much." I replied that I enjoy it too, but that it usually makes me sleepy. (I usually start yawning in there; today I didn't.) He went on with his shopping, and I waited until I could have Chill's attention. That came when Mr. Cage had a cell phone call and went outside to talk; Chill thought that Jaz had called me to say NC was there, but I explained that I had come to talk about my health revelations, and discuss the upcoming surgery, and to show off my Right Eye Kit. That gave him the willies.

Anyway just before I left Nicholas Cage decided to ask a question or two of me regarding when Chill started reading comics, and we exchanged one or two other family stories. Let me just say that he was a very nice person, maybe an inch or two taller than Chill, very clean cut (except for the tattoos which to me are a distraction), and skinny as a rail. In fact, just shortly after we were introduced I was thinking: "We look about the same in our jeans---weight wise."

Then I headed over to Chill and Jaz's house to have a planning strategy meeting with Jazz, and , fortunately, we worked that out insofar as we know when the surgery will be. Sometime on the 13th of Oct. between 8:30 and 1:30. More to come on that.

Finally at 4:00 I was able to have my mini-pedicure from Sokum, one month overdue. My toenails are now very pink and are nice and short. The main reason for pedicures is that with aging my great toe nails are so tough that I can't cut them, and sometimes Sokum has a problem with them too. But they feel good and look garish, but that's o.k.

So that's how my birthday has been celebrated so far. I know it's not until tomorrow, but it feels like a celebration today. Thanks to all who have wished me well already; I appreciate it so much.