On Monday I went to the gym for my last pre-op visit.
I'm taking a month off since I'll be doing out-patient PT
at the Hospital. I'll resume with Hannah at the gym in
August. For a few weeks I'll be seeing Hannah on
Mondays and Wednesdays and going to the hospital PT
on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hopefully, this will get me
back on my feet and ready to walk at least 2 miles.
On Tuesday Robert went to the VA and discussed with
Dr. Braun the noddles that showed up on his CT scans.
Dr. Braun is sure they aren't cancer and are probably
lymph nodes since they are appearing in other parts of
his body, too. Just part of the leukemia.
Connie and I went to the hospital for my pre-op training.
The first step was meeting with a nurse, and getting a
run-down of what to expect before and after the actual
surgery. That meeting ran over time such that we were
late for my appointment at the surgeon's office.I showed
obvious concern about being late, but the nurse so not to
worry about it, they are used to it. Maybe so, but they
don't like it. The nurse in the surgeon's office, Jamie, had
called my home phone and left a message saying that I
had an appointment at 10 AM and I wasn't there. We
arrived about 15 minutes late. I should have gotten a
wheel chair and had Connie push me because it was
some distance from one office to the next or one end of
one building to the far end and basement of the other.
By the time the day was out my pedometer registered
1.09 miles, all in the hospital! And I was bushed. At
the surgeon's we met with his assistant. She was
concerned that I wasn't stopping the blood thinner
sooner and said that I'd probably have to have a
general anesthetic instead of a local. Because of my
heart this was not in the books. So we were sent
on a goose chase to "just stop an anesthesiologist in the
hall and ask if I could have a local anesthetic if I hadn't
stopped my blood thinner until 48 hours before the
surgery." For her that was probably possible; she
probably knows them all and they her. We went
back to the other end of the hospital looking for any
doctor. Finding none, we talked again to the first
nurse and she said she'd look into it and we shouldn't
worry about it. A relief! Later she called on my Cell
and said she had checked and not to worry; 48 hours
was fine and I would have a local. At noon we were
due in a class to orient us about after the surgery. We
were late to that, too. But it was useful class and they
also provided us with a box lunch. After the class we
went to the PT department and I got signed up for
PT for six weeks. We got home about 3; I was
exhausted. Connie headed home and I fell asleep.
On Wednesday both Robert and I were happy to
take it easy.
Thursday Rebecca arrived at 7 and was busily
working when I went out about 7:30AM. At
10:45 AM, Viki picked up Robert and they
went to the County Commissioners meeting
where Land Marking the Red Barn was on
the agenda. It passed with minimum discussion.
The barn in Salina is now officially Land Marked
as the Red Barn in Salina, Colorado.
On Friday, the 4th of July both Rebecca and
Lorena came to work. I'd offered them the day
off (without pay), but they both preferred to
work (for pay).
After they both had left and we'd had lunch we
headed for Connie's. Carl and family also
showed up. We all sat around inside and
chatted while Connie bustled around from
kitchen to outdoor grill and back again. She
refused help from Martha and me, but Greg
did pitch in and help her. Alan and Meara
were home for the 4th. They had come from
California via the Grand Canyon and had
walked three miles down on the Angel Trail.
At the three mile mark there is a rest stop.
They turned around at that point and walked
back up. Along the way Alan developed
some lovely blisters and both feet. He was
limping almost as much as I.
Connie provided us with a magnificent buffet
dinner; half of the dishes without salt. Thank
you, Connie!! All the dishes were delicious.
I especially liked the lamb and the curried
chicken, but it was all pretty spectacular.
Carl and Martha provided the dessert; Key
Lime Pie from Carl and homemade Heath
bar ice cream from Martha.
In the evening Greg and Ariel set off a bag of
fireworks, some of which were quite spectacular.
Ariel did a good job and I think, had a great
time. From their deck we could see fireworks
from Pike's Peak to Longs Peak. The town
of Parker out did itself. What a mighty show
they did put on. Quite the competition for
Ariel and Greg.
Robert and I spent the night there, in our Van.
Carl, et al drove home.
This morning Alan and Meara took off at
8 AM heading for California.
Robert and I stayed and had breakfast. Connie
had made an apple crisp for breakfast which
was mighty fine.
