Tuesday on the Run

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

LadyM: get thee to a doctor or ER! Severe, sharp back pain is a symptom of the other stuff you are dealing with (unless you can point to something that might have cause it, just as a kick in the back by a kid.)

I have a special glow right now. Nuclear medicine will do that to a person!

It wasn't a totally unpleasant experience. Everyone was wonderful.

Since I can't do a treadmill stress test, they inject me with a drug that completely dilates all my arteries, putting the heart under stress that way. And with nuclear isotopes. Which requires an IV. Which they were trying to get into me a) after fasting, b) mostly dehydrated, c) after sleeping and then sitting for an hour, and d) without any way of heating my arm to bring the veins to the surface. That took two tries and a lot of digging around but they did it.

Most people don't react to the dilating drug, but some have side effect. Mine were relatively minor: almost instant headache (beyond the headache I already had from either tiredness or the nuclear isotopes injected in my system) and severe pressure on my chest. The antidote was laid out ready, and as soon as the test was over, they injected that in, which lifted the chest pressure and then headache, but left me shaky (like when you get the shakes after throwing up.) During the test my heart rate went from 53 to 89 and has just dropped down a little bit so I'm still feeling weird.

After the antidote I was to eat my snack and they thought that might cure the shakes. It didn't. The last test was another turn in the camera that takes photos of the heart from all angles. I like down for that and she covered me in a blanket and I did my best not to shake all the way through that since I needed to lie still.

Phoned dh to pick me up, got dressed, went and stood in the sun and waited for him to come. Took an advil as soon as he arrived (he had my backpack) and then had lunch. By the time I finished lunch the shaking had stopped. The antidote is like a shot of caffeine (it constricts everything) so that's probably what set me off and getting more food into my system helped. I'm still edgy and my heart rate is higher for me and quite strong (80 while sitting here typing) but I'm not shaking.

There are storms moving through and dh needs a drive to the hospital for an appointment with his cancer doctor (just annual checkup) and so I asked the technician while the doctor was injecting me if I would be able to drive this afternoon. He said yes, but the doc said, "It depends, could you drive before today?!"

We had lunch at Subway and came home.

Dh's appointment is in 2 hours so we'll leave in about 90 minutes. I'll probably just wait for his text in a mall parking lot nearby rather than drive home, even though home is only 6 minutes away. His appointment is usually only a 20 minutes.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

I had a totally rough night last night due to sore hip. I was thinking of Dee and how sore she must be. Hope to see sign of her soon.

Dh also had a rough night. He called his childhood best friend yesterday to wish him a happy birthday and was worried since we knew his wife's cancer had returned (through his mom's Christmas letter.) She is still alive and was on the call as well but things are day-to-day, and she was feeling bad because she has lost all sense of time and had no idea it was her husband's birthday. Dh felt bad about bringing that to her attention but I assured him no-one could have predicted that.

He is also feeling very badly for his friend, thinking about all he must be going through right now.

[Harriet]

((LadyM)) I was thinking stress could have caused worse back pain than you've experienced before. And of course it is hot summer time - when cases of sudden back pain related to dehydration do appear more often. I think you should let your doctor know this has happened to you, as Kathryn mentioned. It might be of interest to him/her, whether it had anything directly to do with other things or not. If stress related, it actually does have something to do with it.

As far as sudden back pain in general, it often comes at a time of slight movement of the same ilk as previous intense movement. Our family found this out from doctors when, for instance, my cousin had lifted his mother to help change position in the bed many times, over and over again, but went into incredible, debilitating back spasm only later, while bent over the same bed but carrying only a sheet.

[Harmony]

(LadyM) take care of yourself.

I only looked at today's posts so far. I am in an incredible loop of work here and work with DH and work with the DGKids and Dog. Issues all over the place. Employee issues... business issues...

We've been to the beach, played board games and cards...plus church...

Plus trying to keep up the house enough that we have food and clothes. Kids have their days and nights all backward which makes for interesting situations. Oldest DGS is at job, I had to take one guy home the sun was too much. I left dgs off there with multiple instructions and every sort of instruction for DH to watch out for him... he so wants to be "one of the guys" and not be babied... I checked on him on the way back through after dropping sun-weary guy off... and he was happily working with the screw gun, learning to keep it perpendicular to surface with other helper instructing. Good for him. I'll try not to worry myself sick.

Neighbor came through and cut our grass, trying to be nice, thinking something must be wrong here since the grass is grown up front and back as DH waits for the natural grass seed to mature and then he cuts... but now it's all cut down and $100 of bought seed spread around in the bare spots and just beginning in places to sprout has been blown around...of course DH is livid that he didn't just ask first before offering to help. I understand he was trying to be helpful, but it was so not...and he came to the door and I explained and he kinda slunk off. sigh... what else...

They brought every kind of electronics here with them. Their Roku and they want to show me every movie they've ever watched that they like and oh, pause it Grandma is taking a phone call..."come sit Grandma and watch this". I don't have time for all this! But we are surviving, that's about all I can say at this point...

Gotta run, have laundry to switch, they are about out of clothes.

[Ramblinrose]

Afternoon y'all...

Interesting going-ons in the village today. I too have worried about Dee and LadyM and I echo some of the advice others have voiced. Hope both are doing better.

It is hot, hot, hot here today...110* I hate days like these as I can't handle the bright sunlight...it makes me sick to my stomach and gives me headaches...and I can't tolerate the heat outside either. All my plantation shutters are closed at least 3/4 of the way. Very unusual for me, but it is what I need to protect myself. Watered my plants early this morning and even with double sunglasses, one stacked on top of the other, AND my hat I still began to feel dizzy and sick to my stomach. Boy am I ever good looking in a get-up like that.

The rest of the week's temps will be just as high or higher, so I need to plan for that.

Amazingly I found a swimsuit. Put it off as look as I could and then forced myself to Macy's. Parked so I could walk directly into the womens' department, found two suits, tried them both on and low and behold they both looked terrific. Had to choose between the two, paid for the one and was out the door in less than 20 minutes. Plus if was on sale and with all the promo's going on, I paid half price. Am thinking about going back and buying the other one when I have to go out on Friday.

Same thing happened with a pair of sandals I've been scouting around for. All I wanted was a pair of black dress sandals with heels that weren't 5" high. I was getting to the point that I didn't even care about the price. Figured since I had such good luck with the swim suit and I was already in the mall, went to a shoe store and there they were just waiting for me Plus they were less than 20 buck and came with replacement heel tips.

When I went to pay for them the young man behind the counter said....do you mind if I ask you a personal question?? I said..ask away. He wanted to know what perfume I was wearing. This caused me to giggle out loud which I could see puzzled him. I explained I get asked that question every time I wear it and that he was the 5th man in two weeks who stopped me to ask what I was wearing...two men stopped me in the grocery store the other day...one right after the other.

Its called Sophia's and the guy said...guess its really expensive. And I was happy to tell him he could buy it at Walgreens for about $25. I should get paid a commission from the perfume company because I have sent so many people to buy it.

Since I'm gonna be stuck inside for most of the day for the next few days I've been eyeing some drawers I'd like to declutter. Its a good time to do that.

Thinking about LadyM and all the rain that is heading her way. Same for my son who is in Dallas. I think during the last 8 weekends there has only been one without rain. Not fun when you work inside all week long, plus the lakes and rivers are on over load from the past storms and this one is really gonna do a number on the areas again.

Off to finish my desk work...another benefit of having to stay indoors. Waving to y'all and thinking about y'all and all your family members. Hang tight... hugs to all

[Harriet]

Harmony, mine are gone now, but here we have the battle of the what-to-watch and big differences of opinion! DangerBoy (oldest) has different tastes than little britches, and it's been made clear to little britches that he must be vocal to get his way around big brothers, LOL! WonderBoy in the middle is sometimes amiable to either one, although he may be quietly hatching other plans. He bears watching! Their mother knows the magic of outdoor play and also the magic of the reward of use of her laptop, for good behavior! Oh, I hope your dgrandson doesn't have a really tough hot day at work! Wonderful that he can be proud of the day, though.

Sunny, you really had a lot of folks at your house, too.

Kathryn, even though it sounds like they kept you safe, they certainly gave you the expected stress. So sorry about the phone call that upset friend's wife - no, absolutely no way to have seen that coming, with just a kind birthday wish.

Twins' Mom, how long is it she will be away, again? A meaningful adventure. Noticing her weather will be somewhat cooler there - that will be welcome!

Dove, I hope the therapy continues to be good for your shoulder.

Nancy, this last allergy (?) stuff with me turned into an earache for a couple days, then eased up.

Hi back to blessed.

Slight frantic moment with extended family today, but HRH calmed me down and said something that made me think to call "the horse's mouth" for clarification, and there was nothing to worry about at all. So I was able to get some calming info out. HRH is fond of saying that between the two of us, we can come up with one good brain. Possibly true.

Have grocery shopped. Ugh. Stifling weather. Abandoned the other two errands for a while. Home to regroup.

I need Ramblin'Rose's luck at a dept store.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Back from driving dh to his appointment. Found a parking spot in the residential neighbourhood (but almost half a mile away - the no parking zone is HUGE around the hospital!) so was able to sit there and read while waiting for dh's text. Was back to the hospital in no time flat just after dh came out the door.

Was sure we'd be hit by a thunderstorm while I waited but it blew over and the sun is out again. The balcony looks inviting (but windy) and I have a good book so I might head out there.

I'm pretty wiped after my adventure today so am keeping very quiet.

I'm also getting worried about Dee. Hope she checks in soon. (Edited to add: I just checked out her stats and she last visited this morning so she made it through the night.)

[helia]

I'm on the run so can't carefully cuops right now. . . Actually literally. I'm heading out the door for a jog asap. The weather here is sunny with clear skies - but cool and dry! Wonderful!

I'm thinking of ((Dee)) and her fall. And now I'm seeing that ((LadyM)) has hurt her back. Take care of yourselves, dear friends. . . I'm sad to hear of anyone here in pain. ((HUGS))

I feel like I can relate to your mixed emotions re: dd, ((Twins)). I'm always somewhat sad and somewhat relieved when dd19 leaves, though she has certainly never been gone for such a long time. When will your dd be back? As much as I know about this trip, it sounds like an interesting and wonderful educational experience for her. If some things don't go exactly right, maybe it will be a learning experience in other ways too.

Today: I typed up some notes for the new moms group steer. comm. chair this morning, and then met with her for about 1.5 hours. The position is in good hands, I believe. I popped in at my office this afternoon and got my new very low-key teaching assignment - just one T - Th class, late in the afternoon. I'm OK with that; I don't need the $$ and I'm happy to take a bit of a breather. Now, I'm starting the process of of contacting people re: appointments and meetings that were on hold until I knew my new schedule.

Alright, I need to go. . .I'm hungry and tired so I need to get this jog done.

[Harriet]

LadyM, I am supposed to tell you from HRH that a kidney stone is more likely when a spouse has a history of them. There won't be an inherited tendency, but a similar environment.

This ends the diagnostic portion of my posting - sorry.

I have been a perfectionist and prepared dd16's folding notebook for tomorrow. I understand there will be several hundred people there, and this same notebook has been given to each one to take notes. So I covered a one-inch-wide bright blue stripe from a magazine page with scotch tape, and wrapped around the front cover. Hers will look different from others and not be misplaced. Stuck a pen inside, put her name in the ID space and tucked her ticket for the banquet into the inside pocket. As for as I know, she will be changing shirts in the car on the fly while trying to give me driving directions, and won't have time to do this sort of thing herself. So, in her absence, I am helicopter parenting.

Interestingly, I understand that I am not invited tomorrow. The meal will be very nice and it's one ticket per person. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself while waiting.

[Elizabeth]

Good afternoon everyone! I have not been at payroll long, as I went to the eye doctor this morning. New prescriptions for both regular and computer glasses. No surprise there. I did get one surprise, though. The doctor was referring to my prescription as extremely strong, and implying that full correction may not even be possible in the future, so I figured I should ask about Lasik, even though the thought of it gives me the willies. My eyes are TOO BAD for Lasik too. There is another more invasive procedure, but her recommendation on looking at my family history is to simply wait until I need cataract surgery, which was my plan to begin with. Glasses are SO expensive, but not having them is even more expensive as I would walk into walls and not be able to find my car, much less drive it. While waiting for my eyes to un-dilate, I had my oil changed. I was not about to drive an hour to work before I could see properly! While waiting for that to get done, I started and nearly completed a crocheted Barbie umbrella - the last piece in the project I have been working since November. I should get the project done in time for next doll of the week.

Tonight's plan, after DD13 is returned to the x:

• Email catchup (desperately needed)
• Activate new radio
• Update Quicken
• Figure out how to remove the oil change message in the car
• Pack crocheted cat
• Start some reservations for our summer trip
• Get remaining costume items (if time)
• Finish fridge cleanup (just a matter of putting stuff in the freezer that I had forgotten)