Tag: Cancer

Blogging · Mi Vida Loca · nonfiction · postaday

Kicking 2016 to the Curb

JackieP10 Comments

I hate to sound ungrateful. Really, I do….but I will be SO glad to see the end of 2016!

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I can’t wait for this horrible, terrible, bad year to come to an end. Can’t come soon enough for me. Not that I’m bitter……..

This was the year that the husband fought cancer, got sick on chemo treatments and was in and out of the hospital so many times I got to know the hospital’s emergency unit way too well.

My mom passed away. I miss her. We didn’t always see eye to eye on things. Ok, hell, we hardly ever did but she was my mother and the last few years we got close for the first time in our lives and then I lost her. Figures.

The husband and I fought the bureaucratic offices for any kind of help we could get just so we wouldn’t go without food or important medications. It was a hard, long fight but we won in the end.

Many good singers, actors, and people died this past year and much too early in life.

This was the year I saw an egotistical, hate spewing, bigot with a very limited and sometimes made-up vocabulary become the president-elect of the USA. I feel so scared for my home country and wince when I think of what is to come. (This is the only time you will ever read how much I dislike, distrust and abhor Trump on this blog. I keep my politics to myself)

Because of the constant stress, my health is not the best. I am a fighter, though, a survivor so I will get better and stronger this coming year.

I hardly wrote anything worthwhile. My plans for coming out with a few new books fell to the wayside with a loud thump. I could barely keep up with this blog, much less new books. It made me feel so…..wasteful. Wasteful of time and energy and my dreams.

Yes, 2016 was a terrible year. But, like all things it is temporary. A new year is fast approaching and I welcome it with a hopeful heart and a wistful soul.

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This coming year is when I plan to turn a few corners. With my health and with my writing.

I never make New Year’s resolutions. That’s just asking for failure. I have made a list of some things I want to work on this coming year.

Writing

Health

Diet

Mental health

These are just a few things I want to change for the better. I want to write those books. Lose those pounds. Become happier. Get my health back.

And take more time for my friends.

So, here comes 2017! About fricking time!

 

 

 

 

Christmas · His Days (about the husband) · Mi Vida Loca · nonfiction

News, Updates and a Christmas Question

JackieP27 Comments

Hello, People!

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First the news and updates. The husband and I have been doing the doctor rounds again. Nothing serious! Just his six-month cancer checkup and trying to get him some help for his back pain.

Good news….he is now officially cancer free and in complete remission! He has had a CT scan and a few months ago he had another colonoscopy and it showed him completely cancer free. Whew! That was a relief I can tell you. I know he was worried about it. Who wouldn’t be?

The husband has arthritis on the spine with the added complication of a number of spurs there too. We have been trying for years to get him more help for the immense pain he is constantly in. Yesterday we finally were able to get in to see a specialist for this. With the combined efforts of his general MD and help from a home care nurse, we got an appointment with this specialist yesterday.

It was almost an all day affair but it’s something we got used to this last year with his cancer. First off to the hospital lab for blood work, then to X-rays for….well, x-rays, then finally in to see the specialist. He asked a million questions, examined the husband and asked me a million more questions. Bottom line….the doctor wasn’t sure if he could help the husband. He ordered a more invasive x-ray done of the spine with a special dye and then we go back to see the specialist in about a month.

So, the husband is still on strong pain meds (which were prescribed even stronger) and we won’t know if any other procedures or meds will help his situation for another month.

It’s a beginning though and we are grateful for that!

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Now for the Christmas question.

I wanted to know who would like a Christmas card? A real, paper, Christmas card showing up via snail mail?

I am going to be making out my cards this weekend and wanted to know if any of my new friends and readers would like me to add them to my list? I have a number of you from the year before last when I started my list for Christmas cards but I know some of you have moved and a few of you are new(ish) to my blog.

Let me know in the comments if you would like a card and I’d be more than happy to send you one!

Me, personally, I LOVE getting things in the mail. It makes my whole day when I do!

If you would like one from me, Sam and the gang just let me know and I’ll contact you for your address! Also, if you’d like to send me one and don’t have my address, let me know that too and I’ll send you my address!

I didn’t do this much last year as it was not a good time for me then but this year will be different. I’m feeling much more…..un-stressed, I guess you could say.

Which is a good thing. So let’s have a Merry Christmas ya’ll!!

 

 

 

Mi Vida Loca · Monday Meeting · nonfiction

Monday Meeting ~~ June 13, 2016

JackieP10 Comments

It’s been quite a while since I wrote one of these Monday Meeting posts. So grab yourself something to drink and sit a spell.

 

Monday Meeting

 

Let me just freshen my coffee and I’ll tell you what I’ve been up to.

Ah, there we go. So, how is everyone doing? I’ve read about the terrible shooting in Orlando. So sad. I’ve read a lot of comments on posts about the shooting and let me ask you something…..has everyone gone completely crazy?? I tell you the comments are almost as bad as the shooting! People! Where has your common sense gone? Where is your compassion? Your love of other human beings? It saddened me that there were so many hateful comments. So many people took the opportunity to rant about the US government and blame Obama once more. Obama is no more to blame than I am! Come on people. One man went in there. One man made the decision to shoot those people. One man decided he was more important, more worthy, more whatever and decided to kill a bunch of strangers. One man with a gun. And his name wasn’t Obama.

Then, of course, you had comments that went off the rail about gun control. I won’t even go there. People need to wake up and smell the gun powder……but enough said on that also. My blog is not going to be the stomping ground for arguments. I won’t go there. I just feel so terribly sad for the many people affected by one man’s decision. The world is a scary, scary place where you have a place with little gun control and possibly a future president that is just as crazy and egotistical as the shooter.

I love my homeland, the USA but I’m so very sad of where it is right now and where it’s heading.

That’s about as political as I’ll ever get on here. Sorry folks. Just had to get it out there.

On to more personal news. The husband is finished with his chemo treatments. Yay!! This was his last month of them. He says he’s feeling better and his stomach seems to be doing much better. We have one more visit with the Cancer Clinic at the end of the month. Of course, he will have to have another CAT scan and colonoscopy to make sure everything is ok. They have already told us that he will have to be monitored for the next three to five years to make sure he stays cancer free. Still, it’s good to hear him say he’s feeling better.

That’s not going to help his health in other ways. He will always be disabled and in pain because of his back but at least we don’t have to worry too much about cancer now. And believe me, that was one big worry. It will also mean fewer pills for him to take, fewer doctor visits, less hospital visits. Less of a lot of things. So, it’s all good.

As for me. I seem to be in limbo. Ever since my mom died a couple of weeks ago, I feel like I’m just treading water. One good thing that has come out of it is that my sister and I are talking again. We are back to being friends……well…..back to being sisters anyway. Maybe the friend part will come later. I call her every weekend and we talk for a couple of hours. It’s nice. Especially since I was feeling a bit adrift as I used to call my mom every weekend.

Otherwise, I’ve been reading. A lot. One book after another. It’s what I seem to fall back on when I’m grieving. I remember I did it when I found out dad had died too. I just buried myself in books. Maybe I’m hiding. I don’t know. It’s my way to deal with things. I haven’t been writing. I just can’t seem to settle long enough to write. I do hope it will pass. I’m sure it will. Do you think it will?

I’ve also been cleaning house. Getting rid of stuff we don’t use. Just overall cleaning. It tires me out so I can sleep at night. It also makes me sore as hell but the place is looking good! I found out I’m not as young as I used to be. I tell you this getting older is hell. Things I used to do with ease, even ten years ago, is much harder now. I have aches where I never had them. Sigh. I hate that part of growing older. Better than the alternative, eh.

So, as with life, there have been bad things and good things going on. I’m hoping for more good for a while. I need to step back from the bad…..just for a bit longer…..and adjust.

 

 

 

How have you been lately?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His Days (about the husband) · Monday Meeting · nonfiction · postaday · Stories of my life

Monday Meeting ~~ May 2, 2016

JackieP24 Comments

Hello, People! It’s been a while since I posted a Monday Meeting. I haven’t been posting much at all the last few months. I’ll tell you why later during the meeting. So, let’s begin shall we?

 

Monday Meeting

 

Grab yourself something to drink. A cold one, a hot one, a wet one or a dry one. Your choice. Maybe even a snack. After all, it’s virtual and doesn’t cost me anything. Not that I wouldn’t supply the drinks and snacks if it was real, I would. I may be poor but I’m not cheap. Anyway, I digress.

Let’s get started with news on the husband. I wish I could say I have good news. Not sure if I do. His health is not getting better. Sometimes I think it’s getting worse, or that just might be because I’m exhausted. I don’t know anymore.

He’s been having bad reactions to the chemo lately. The last couple of months he’s had to stop his chemo drugs as they were making him throw up. We talked to his cancer crew at the Cancer Clinic last month and they said to just keep trying to take the chemo. They also said that if he starts throwing up again, to stop taking them, as they didn’t want to damage his kidneys. They have him on anti-nausea pills but he still throws up. It is so hard seeing him seemingly get worse from drugs that are supposed to make him better.

I did get a chance to read his medical reports and the cancer doctor did state in them that it would surprise him if the husband would be able to tolerate the high dose he’s on. Well, guess what Doc? He can’t!

We will be talking to the cancer crew on Thursday. Hopefully, he will/can get a lower dose. If not, I think the husband will just stop the chemo altogether. He’s talked about it. Of course, he’s talked about wanting to die again too. He’s just in so much pain.

Good news front….I think it’s good news. I’m still waiting to see if it is or not. The husband got accepted to AISH…finally! After three years of trying. AISH is a government benefit program for people who are termed disabled and unable to work because of health reasons. Getting on AISH is a big deal to us, as it means a little more money every month and better medical coverage. It also could mean that the husband could get bars put in the shower to help him get in and out (we can’t afford them). He could also get other help. I’m kind of in limbo about how I feel about it all.

All the reams of paperwork I did on that for three years or more. It was a lot. Governments are the same everywhere. I think it’s just too soon to celebrate as all we have had so far is a phone call. I’m waiting for the official paperwork.

I’ve also had bad news about my mother. She was in the hospital for a few days a couple of weeks ago. She fell at home and couldn’t get back up. Her legs just failed. Thankfully she didn’t break anything but she is now having to use a walker and have someone live with her. My sister has been staying with her most of the time. I don’t know how long that will last as my sister has a family of her own. For now, my brother-in-law is holding down the fort. My mother also has ‘bleeding intestines’.

When I asked her what that meant, she said the small blood vessels in her intestines are weak and will break. The doctors told her there is nothing they can do and that for now the blood vessels stop bleeding on their own. My mother will turn 87 this year. I’m scared for her.

Gee, can things get any more bleak? I guess I shouldn’t ask that, as things always can get worse. Sigh.

I’m tired. I’m more than tired. I’m wiped. I also think the husband and I have matching ulcers. Fun times in Canada folks. I guess I shouldn’t complain, I still wake up every morning, I can still walk on my own, I can still do things for myself.

Count your blessings my friends. Count your blessings.

Because I’m so exhausted I haven’t been posting much. I haven’t been writing. I haven’t been doing a lot of things. I do what I have to and not much more. I just can’t. The grass outside is getting taller and thicker and I can’t cut it. I just can’t. So now I have to find someone who will, for free or next to nothing. The house inside looks a mess. The floors need vacuuming and scrubbing. The cobwebs from the winter need dusting and a million other things need to get done. Yet, it just sits there.

I care, yet, I don’t care.  I don’t have the energy to do something about it. I’m just trying to get through the days.

Wow, this post is a bit of a downer, eh? So I better finish it. Better days are coming……..

 

 

 

 

His Days (about the husband) · nonfiction · postaday · Stories of my life · Wednesday Whatever! · writing

Wednesday Whatever!

JackieP31 Comments

Hello, People!

Wednesday

 

Today’s post is going to be a bit of a catch-up. I don’t know how many of you noticed but I haven’t been around much lately. There’s a very good explanation for that. There is actually two reasons for me not being around, one, is good, the other not so good.

The first reason being the husband. He is back in the hospital. Monday morning at 4 a.m.  I had to call an ambulance for him as he was in so much pain he thought he was dying, or wished he was dying. That was a very long day. I did manage to have my first ambulance ride in the FRONT of the ambulance. I’ve had a couple of rides in the back. Riding in the front passenger seat was interesting. Especially at four thirty in the morning. No traffic for one and I saw a couple of coyotes crossing the highway.

Anyway, getting back to the husband. In the emergency room the husband was in terrible pain and throwing up. He couldn’t even keep water down. At first, they thought it was his appendix. They took blood and found he had an infection…..somewhere. More tests were ordered. I was there from 4:30 until almost noon. I had to go home and take my insulin and meds, so I left him there as the emergency doctor told me they would be keeping him for a while yet.

I waited at home for the husband to call me…..with no call. I waited….and waited…and waited. Tried to take a nap, but worry kept me from that. I finally called the hospital at around 6 p.m. They told me they were keeping him and transferring him to a regular room. They gave me the floor he would be on so I called the floor nurses desk. They told me …. yes he was in the room but sedated for now and that I could talk to him later.

The husband finally called me about forty-five minutes later. Seems it wasn’t his appendix after all. It was his colon. It was infected and had a blockage. So they were keeping him for a few days, he wasn’t to have anything to drink or eat until they rid him of his blockage and knew he would be ok. I told him I would come and see him in the morning. Which I did. Just in time for me to have to step out of the room while they gave him an enema. Yeah, I know….too much information. Sorry.

Anyway, to keep a long story short. He is supposed to be home sometime this afternoon. Unless they change their minds. Poor guy was so hooked up to so many things he could hardly move. But, at least, he’s alive and he doesn’t need surgery. So far. He’s had it rough the last few months.

The second reason I haven’t been around much is that I’m writing a new book. I had this character keeping me awake at night. I don’t need some character keeping me awake, as I don’t sleep very good as it is. She insisted I put away Dee and Tee away for a while and write her story. She almost dictated what I’ve been writing. So, I am working on a new book. It’s a bit of a continuing story of a short story I did on here about three years ago. It was called ‘The Arsonist’. Some of you might remember it.

The book is going to tell the story of how a girl/woman turned out to be an arsonist for hire. Why she sets fires, how it makes her feel and why she wants to stop. It’s going to be about how she’s not really a bad person, even though she sets fires. How she wants to stop, but can’t. And how one man is on the hunt for her, finally tracks her down and what happens between them and more importantly what happens to her. I think it’s a mixture of psychological suspense with a touch of romance. I’ll keep you updated on the book(s).

I’ve fallen so far behind in my reading and blogs and stuff. But, I’m still around. You can’t get rid of me that easily. So, see you next time!

 

 

PS….A quick update since I wrote this post. The husband will have to stay in the hospital for now. I just received a phone call from him. He told me he has had a bit of a set back. He tried to eat some soup and it didn’t go too well. He’s in severe pain again and can’t keep anything down. So for now he is where he needs to be. Keep him in your thoughts if you will. Thank you. 

 

 

 

 

Mi Vida Loca · Monday Meeting · nonfiction · postaday · Stories of my life

Monday Meeting ~~ December 7, 2015

JackieP19 Comments

Today’s meeting has some good news in it and some bad news. Let’s get started.

 

Monday Meeting

 

Grab a warm beverage and sit a bit with me. I have my regular coffee. Can’t live without this stuff. I hope you have had a good weekend. Everyone in the holiday spirit yet? No? Not quite? Like me, I’m not there yet.

Yes, I know I’m procrastinating a bit here. I debated for a while whether I wanted to post the bad news today. Then I thought…you guys have been with me since the beginning of the cancer battle with the husband and I appreciate it more than you know.

We just got back a little while ago from seeing his surgeon for a post-operation check up. The husband is healing nicely, although he had a rough weekend. The doctor said he will have good days and bad days and that soon the good days should outnumber the bad as far as the pain is concerned with his surgery. It’s a slow healing process. Unfortunately, the doctor also had some bad news to tell us.

The husband had what the doctor says is ‘high level 2’ cancer. He’s not out of the woods yet. He needs chemo. When they did the blood tests and biopsy of the tumor it was determined that the cancer cells did break through the colon walls. Good news is it didn’t affect his lymph nodes or any of his organs. The doctor wants the husband to have chemo to “mop up any stray cancer cells” that are in his body.

The husband doesn’t want to do chemo sessions.

We discussed things and I asked him to at least talk to the cancer clinic, get the information on what kind of chemo he would have to take, for how long and what were the possible side effects before he makes a final decision. He agreed to that. He still may say no. It’s his decision. I will stand with him on whatever he decides. I know he would do the same for me.

So the fight continues.

Sam (c) JLPhillips 2013
Sam (c) JLPhillips 2013

On the good news front. I won a contest! Yay me! I just wish it was for writing. LOL It’s not. I entered Sam (my dog for those who don’t know) into a contest with CertainTeed Insulation in Canada to win a custom-made doghouse and a $2500 dollar gift certificate to Lowe’s early last month and found out Friday afternoon Sam and I won! I was so thrilled! I couldn’t say anything until they made their announcement on Facebook today. You can find it ……here

I won the doghouse made by Damon Bennett. As for the $2500 dollar gift certificate that is going to buy us a refrigerator and dishwasher! Maybe a new wash machine too if I can squeeze it in. I can’t believe I won! We need a new fridge too as the one we have is going out. You can’t put anything on the top shelf you don’t want frozen because that’s what it does. It freezes things on the top shelf and rots things in the crisper. The dishwasher hasn’t worked in two years. The wash machine works but is absolutely huge and I need a stick to get the clothes out of the bottom of it, as I’m too short to reach them. So I am so looking forward to shopping for these appliances!

The husband and I were determined to have a good Christmas anyway because I have one of a kind friends that were going to make sure we did. 🙂 This win just puts that cherry and extra bits on an already fabulous cake.

So, as always in life, there is the good that balances the bad. Almost.

 

 

 

What extra goodie are you planning for this Christmas?

 

 

Blog challenge · Mi Vida Loca · NaBloPoMo · Nano Poblano · nonfiction · postaday · Stories of my life

Update and a Reminder!

JackieP22 Comments

Hello, People.

It’s been a very busy and stressful last couple of days for me. Whew! Yesterday morning the husband had his colon operation. They started at 9 am and he didn’t get into his hospital room until 3 pm. It was a long day of waiting. I went to see him yesterday afternoon and he was still pretty groggy and out of it. I wasn’t able to talk to the doctor, but the nurses said he was doing well. His son and I only stayed for a short while. Just to assure us he was ok, then we left and let him have his rest.

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I was there again bright and early this morning. He looked good but was in pain (of course). He told me the doctor had been in to see him around 5 am this morning. That’s when I found out the reason for the surgery taking so long yesterday. Seems they closed him up after the surgery but couldn’t stop the bleeding. His blood pressure went down to 50/30. They had to give him a transfusion and get him stable before he could go to the recovery room.

Last night and this morning he was still bleeding internally. They are monitoring him and if it keeps up through today the doctor told him they will take him back to surgery, reopen  him up and try to repair it so he stops bleeding. Seems sometimes the body will stop it itself but if not he goes back in. Always seems to be another road block for him.

He was in good spirits this morning. His color was good and he was joking around, so that helps. I think he was just relieved it was over with, or almost. As for the cancerous tumor, it’s all gone along with 1/3 of his colon. They didn’t find any more masses or tumors when they operated, so there is good news too.

As for me. I’m tired but less stressed knowing he will be ok. At least I’m pretty sure he will be ok.

Thanks for all the warm thoughts. It does help. I do hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving tomorrow will have a wonderful day!

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Don’t forget that both my books are on sale on Amazon!

 

 

 

Blog challenge · Mi Vida Loca · Monday Meeting · NaBloPoMo · Nano Poblano · nonfiction · postaday · Stories of my life

Monday Meeting ~ November 23, 2015

JackieP6 Comments

Well, look at this! I’m actually having a Monday Meeting on a Monday. Hope you can join me.

 

Monday Meeting

 

Hello and thank you for reading. I have a few things to catch you up on today. So, let’s start shall we.

First on the husband front. His colon surgery is tomorrow morning at 9 am. He has to be at the hospital at 6:30 am for check in and pre-op. So, if you don’t see a post from me tomorrow that will be the reason why. Of course, if I was smart I would schedule a post to happen tomorrow, but not sure I’m that smart or ambitious. Ha! I might do a quick post just to let you guys know how he is doing.

He’ll be in the hospital for about 3 to 7 days, depending on how he does. He’s just glad to finally get it over with. Also, during his other pre-op tests last week they found he had some major blockage in his carotid artery on the right side of his neck. Plaque buildup they told us, which could lead to a stroke. Sigh. At least they found it BEFORE he has a stroke. They told us that they will be extra vigilant during the operation and that he can have it dealt with afterward. Meaning, he will be on cholesterol pills and they might have to operate on his artery to clear the blockage. We will face this further bad news later on. Let’s deal with the cancer first.

Poor man, he will be paranoid about tests if this keeps up. I told him, at least they are finding these things out before anything major happens, so it’s a good thing. Please keep him in your thoughts people. All the positive energy helps. Thank you.

A tiny bit of good news. I’ve lost some weight! Yay me. With all the worry, stress, and running around the hospital I’ve managed to lose a few pounds. Now I just need to keep going. Without the worry and stress, though. So I’m not the one having the stroke. My blood pressure is still high and that has me worried too, which doesn’t help. Always something around here with us old folk.

 

 

 

On the book front. I am being super optimistic about the success of the husbands operation and beating cancer that I have scheduled a sale on BOTH my books this week to celebrate. The first book, The Canine Caper will be for FREE on November 25 – 26th! The second book, A Case of Deceit will also be on sale starting November 24th until the 27th. For the first 18 hrs the book will be for 99 cents, then every 18 hrs the price will go up until it hits the regular price. So grab it early for the best price!

Either book (or better yet, both books together) would make a great Christmas gift for any reader in your family! The second book, A Case of Deceit is also available in paperback from CreateSpace, which you can click on through Amazon.

I do hope everyone has an amazing week. See you next time!

 

 

 

 

Blog challenge · Mi Vida Loca · Monday Meeting · NaBloPoMo · Nano Poblano · nonfiction · postaday · Stories of my life

Monday Meeting ~~ Isn’t This Monday?

JackieP8 Comments

Hello, People!

Monday Meeting

 

Yes, once again I’m having my Monday Meeting on a Tuesday. If anyone noticed, which I doubt anyone did, I didn’t do a post at all yesterday. Damn there went my perfect posting month. I’m afraid there will be a few more missing days before the end of this month. I’m ok with it. More important things are going on.

So grab a comfy chair, your favorite drink and lend an ear or in this case, eyes.

As many of you know the husband has colon cancer. The doctors are moving fast on this, which is a good thing. His surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday, the 24th of November. I believe that’s about a month from diagnosis to surgery. There is a lot of things for him and I to do before his surgery, mostly him. I’m just there to help remember things and keep him on time. We’ve spent more time at the hospital these last few weeks then we’ve spent in the last fifteen years. One thing I have noticed…they have the most uncomfortable chairs my sorry butt has ever sat on! It’s a lot of hurry up and waiting.

Yesterday was one of those days. We didn’t know until Friday afternoon that he had to be at the hospital on Monday morning for pre-op. What they told me on the phone was he had a couple of people to see, one doctor and the anesthesiologist. Wouldn’t take long at all. I wonder if that is hospital talk for ‘it will take hours and hours’. Ha! Because that is what it did.

We got there in good time, got registered, was sent for him to have an EKG done. Wasn’t expecting that. Off we go to the other side of the hospital. That tech after she is done, sends us off to finally talk to the first doctor, which I’m still not sure why, but hey, who am I to question it. He asked dozens of questions, wrote down all the meds the husband was on and listened to his breathing. That took about thirty minutes. He said to wait where we were, a nurse was going to come in and explain some things and ask some more questions. Ok, more questions, what more could they ask?

The friendly nurse comes in with a handful of brochures and sheets of paper. She asks thousands of questions, again writes down his meds, explains all the procedures to us and kept calling the husband ‘sir’. I would just smile every time he winced at her ‘sirs’. I almost laughed when she lectured him about what a good wife and helper I was and not for him to take advantage of me in the coming weeks. Hahaha. I loved that. He thought it was funny, so no harm done.

Then it was time for the anesthesiologist to come talk to us. Very nice woman. Told us what she would be doing, asked a million questions, listened to his lungs and heart and said something about his carotid artery in his neck on right side. Hmmmm. She said she wasn’t happy with how it sounded? Felt? She says she thinks there is plaque in the artery and since she didn’t want the husband to have a stroke while under for the operation she wants it checked out. So she finishes and we were told to wait as they wanted blood samples. We wait a few minutes and the woman who draws blood comes in with her mobile blood-letting machine and takes a huge vial of blood from him. Alright! Maybe we are done now? We’ve been in the hospital for several hours by now.

Um, no we aren’t done…..

Told to go back upstairs and get an x-ray done of his lungs. The doctor wanted another one, so off we go. So far we have been from one side of the hospital to the other. Now we are going back to the other side. Poor husband is groaning in pain from his back. I’m tired and my legs are about to give out and the husbands son, who was kind enough to take us to the hospital that morning has been waiting for us for several hours by now. But we aren’t done yet…..

They call up to x-ray and tell us that we are to come back downstairs when we are done. What? Again? Argggg……

We go back downstairs for two things. They decided they want the husband to do a breathing test for his lungs. Also, the anesthesiologist wants him to have a sonogram done on this carotid artery so they are calling the radiologists to get that set up. Holy tests, Batman!

Finally, he is done for the day. The sonogram is set up for Friday morning, early. We go home and collapse. Whew, what a process!

I am glad they are so through, less chance of anything going wrong. It is very tiring though. Now, the husband just wants it over with. Don’t say I blame him. Anyway, that’s why there was no post writting yesterday. I was wore out and my mind was a disaster area. That’s also why there will be a few more posts missing next week. I’ll be at the hospital visiting a hurting hubby.

On other news…my mother got her birthday package of cards and gifts and was so happy! Thank you once again for all of you that sent her something. She says she is happily organizing all the recipes and already has a few marked to try right away. She told me that the day the package came, her home care nurse was there when she opened it. They both thought it was a really nice idea and was amazed how many cards she got and from so many places. 🙂

Now, I’m going to rest for a while and see if there is any chance in hell of catching up with everyone else’s blogs. See you!

 

 

 

Blogging · Mi Vida Loca · Monday Meeting · NaBloPoMo · Nano Poblano · nonfiction · postaday

Monday Meeting ~~~ November 9, 2015

JackieP8 Comments

Monday Meeting

 

Today’s meeting is a bit late, but it’s still Monday so I did make it! I hope everyone’s weekend was great and the week brings sunshine and smiles to you.

Guess what I woke up to this morning? Snow!! About two inches of the white fluffy stuff was here and more was coming down. First major snow of the coming winter season. Of course, the husband and I had to go out in it this morning. We had to go to the hospital for his CT scan. We were there for three hours. They scanned his stomach and lungs for more tumors. We should know Thursday afternoon the results of the scan. The reason it took so long as he had to drink a liter of water with something mixed in it for his stomach scan. A big glass every half an hour for 2 hours. That’s a lot of water and a lot of sitting on their uncomfortable chairs.

At least he had me there to talk to. It was a long wait. Then they took him in to be scanned and injected him with their special devil’s potion of ink stuff. So he was full of it today. Ha, which doesn’t mean he isn’t usually full of something. 😉

All in all he’s doing pretty good, considering. I know he’s worried and scared, so am I, but he is handling it a lot better than most thought he would.

Sam got groomed last Monday too. The groomer I have is a wonderful woman named Tammy who runs a Mobile Dog Grooming trailer. I love that she comes to the house. Sure makes things easier on Sam. She took a picture of Sam for Christmas in an elf hat, fancy tutu collar next to a big box of toys. As soon as I can get a copy of it I will post it. She’s doing it for all her dogs and her customers as we don’t see her in December. She takes the month off to be with family during the holiday season. I can’t wait to see Sam in his Christmasy outfit.

Pretty boring week I had last week. Same for the weekend. Nothing much going on. Well, I mean there is always something going on, but some things I can’t mention as it’s not my story to tell. Let’s just say I’m so glad I don’t have kids and what kids we do have is the husband’s. 😉 Not that he needs the drama right now. Unfortunately, I can’t control everything he hears.

So that’s pretty much it for me for now. Next Monday will be a new update on things in the crazy world I live in.

 

 

 

Mi Vida Loca · Monday Meeting · NaBloPoMo · Nano Poblano · nonfiction · postaday · Stories of my life

Monday Meeting ~~ November 2, 2015

JackieP9 Comments

Good day, People! I hope your weekend was good and that everyone that celebrates Halloween came through it without being haunted. 😉  Let’s get to the meeting shall we?

 

Monday Meeting

 

Help yourself to all the Halloween candy you want. Grab your favorite beverage and sit a spell.

This is the second day in November and I’ve done pretty good with Nano Poblano/NaBloPoMo. I’ve made it two days in a row! Ha! Let’s see how I do in a couple of weeks. Yesterday after I posted to my blog I had to do paperwork for a government agency that might help the husband and I. Took all afternoon to get that ready. Good thing I’m organized, otherwise it would have taken much longer. Comes from being a secretary for a few years in my misspent youth.

Do they even call them secretaries anymore? Or do they call them something else now? Administrative assistant? I was that once too. Worked for the newspaper in Waco, Texas for a while. I liked Waco, it was a friendly place to live.

Anyway, I digress. The problem with government agencies is that they won’t help you unless they know every little, tiny, minute detail of your life for the past five years or more. From your finances (don’t have any), to your health (bad), and don’t forget that note from your mother (good thing she is still alive) and a pint of blood (don’t want mine, it’s contaminated). They want everything yesterday, but will get back to you in about three months….maybe (if you’re lucky).

As for the husband, he’s quiet. Too quiet. Makes me worried but not much I can do. I know he’s worried and scared. Hell, who wouldn’t be if they were told they had colon cancer. He sees his therapist this afternoon, so I’m hoping he will open up to her and tell her how he feels and get it out. I’m not holding my breath on that one. I’m keeping my eye on him and I even managed to make him laugh yesterday. Just being my silly self. Haven’t heard him laugh in a long time.

My book, A Case of Deceit came out on the 30th of October. Ready to buy in paperback and kindle. Yay!! I haven’t really pushed it, yet. I’ve been so busy with other things that I kind of put the marketing on a back burner. I’m sure most of you are not too sad about not seeing more books for sale. ha! That’s the bad thing about trying to sell your books to other authors. The good thing is they understand. 😉 If you are interested in reading a good book, click on the books on my sidebar and take a gander! Thank you.

The birthday cards that a lot of you good people sent me for my mother is being sent today. She is going to be surprised when she gets this packet! So many of you were so kind to send her little gifts too. All is appreciated and I will let you know her reaction when she gets them. She knows she is getting something and that it will be late for her birthday, but she is still excited to know they are coming. When you get to be 86, you get your excitement out of the little things in life.

That’s about it for me today. Now I need to get my butt in gear and get some more things done. See you tomorrow! Have a wonderful week!

 

 

Mi Vida Loca · Monday Meeting · nonfiction · postaday · Stories of my life

Monday Meeting ~~ October 26, 2015

JackieP15 Comments

Hello, People! I do hope your weekend was fabulous and that the start of the week goes well for you. Shall we get this meeting started?

 

Monday Meeting

 

Grab a drink and a snack and sit a spell.

First, news on the husband. We received the biopsy results of his colonoscopy this past Thursday. It wasn’t the best news, but it wasn’t the worst. He has what they call a “suspicious” tumor in his colon. It’s not classified as cancerous, but it has the potential to become cancerous as it does have cancer cells in it. So the doctor has decided to treat it as cancerous. Confused yet? Yeah, lots of mumbo jumbo for what I would call a pre-cancerous tumor.

They will be operating to remove it soon. Unfortunately the spot it is in means they will  have to remove one-third of his colon. First, though, is a CT scan of his stomach and his lungs to make sure he doesn’t have any more tumors. That won’t happen until the 9th of November. So stay tuned for more updates and thank you for all your warm thoughts for him. We both appreciate it. Another bump in the road of a very bumpy road the last three years, but we will deal with it as best we can.

My book, A Case of Deceit is done and formatted and ready for sale on Amazon on the 30th. Yay!! It is also ready now for buying as a paperback. Just click on the button on my sidebar and enjoy! The sales of my book will help pay for gas money in the coming months for the husband and me to the various doctors and hospital visits we are sure to have to make. Thank goodness I got it done in time. Thank you for pre-ordering or purchasing it. I do hope you enjoy and please, be kind to this author and leave a review! 🙂

I have started my third book in the DeeDee Watson, PI, series. I’m excited for this one as I think it is even better than the others. (Which I hope means I’m getting better) It’s set on a cruise ship with another cast of unforgettable characters including Dee’s mother. Wait until you meet her. 😉 I love her. She’s actually a take on my own mother, but shhhh don’t tell her ok? She’s much more…..um…..well you’ll see. Let’s just say she’s nothing like Dee.

Are you ready for Halloween? Do you even celebrate it? I used to but don’t any longer. Just too tired and wore out lately. But, I love seeing all the stuff out there for it. It’s still one of my favorite holidays. I love all the ghoulish stuff. Wonder what that says about me? ha! We don’t have any kids come around. Don’t see that happening much anymore truth to tell. I think it’s more school activities and private parties. Which is safer these days, but such a shame. I remember going trick or treating in the dark and enjoying all the kids in the neighborhood doing the same. Very few houses didn’t participate back then. It was safe and a lot of fun. Sometimes the changing of the times is not a good thing.

I’ve received quite a lot of birthday cards for my mother the last few weeks. A big heartfelt thank you for all of you who have sent something! I will be mailing them all to her later this week. She knows she is getting something, but doesn’t know what yet. She’s going to love this! I will, of course, let you know what she says when she receives them. So stay tuned for that! You guys are wonderful!

That’s about it for this week. Let me know what’s going on in your little slice of the world! Above all, have some fun people!