December 31, 2010-Happy New Year!

It's 48 degrees here at 2 pm!! I went out to Aubuchon Hardware and Walmart at 11 am and was back home by 12:15 pm. What a beautiful day! I took Wanda from upstairs with me so she could get some groceries. Her nephew can't take her right now because he just had some minor back surgery and is still in some pain. I'm just happy that I can do something for her since she and her nephew were always there for me when I couldn't.
I want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy new year.

My Visitors On December 28th 2010

My oldest Granddaughter, Heather, called me from Utica. She was at her brother, Matt's house and they both wanted to come down and visit. Heather had just gotten to NY the day before I guess. She had someone drive her up. So they came right down and we had a nice visit for about an hour. Then she was off to Herkimer to see her Step-Aunts, Amanda and Kayla. Then she was going to head down to DC. She sure was trying to do things fast! But at least she got to see everyone. She had gone to her dad's first.
She had her three dogs with her but they didn't come in. Yikes! I didn't know that the guy who had driven her up was out in the truck watching her dogs, till they were leaving. He had let the dogs out and they were running loose in the parking lot. Hope they didn't leave any dog poop out there. Matt went on back to Utica. he lives there with his girlfriend and goes to college up there.
Heather was much thinner than I expected her to be and at first I thought she was tall but she had on these boots with very tall spiked heels.
It was nice to finally meet the last two from that family. I hadn't seen any of them since 1997 and they were quite young at that time.
Heather says she is renting a romm from Vanessa in VA now. Wonder how that will go with her three Pit Bull type dogs and Vanessa's Wylie?? I think Heather will be watching over Vanessa's dog while she's gone the month of January. She's going to Italy on some sort of School trip. And Sarah took off today for Washington State. That's what Heather says. She's going there for training first before going to Nebraska. These kids sure are all over the place. I think it's fantastic!!
My sister, Debby and her daughter, Danielle came to visit later around six. They were here till nine. had a nice visit. Danielle had just got done getting a massage from my other sister, Jane. Danielle has back problems so thought that might help.
I was tired by the time everyone left and I unloaded my camera on the computer. It was 11:00 before I got to bed, which is late for me. But I had an enjoyable day! And I felt good. Except before I went to bed I had to Flange my whole bag system. Flange and all on my belly because it had started to come through. The flange lost it's stickiness. That pissed me off because I had to do all that. It takes me a while. That's why I didn't get to bed till 11:00.
I called Lennox Pharmacy to get a refill on my bags and flanges. I'm really supposed to wait for 30 days before they can refill them but in my case since I'm new at it and having problems yet, Medicare will allow it to be refilled sooner. Thank heavens! I sure don't want to run out of these things. Or have to pay for them myself. They are very, very, expensive to buy.
It's a gloomy morning but it's getting a bit warmer each day. But now the dampness is in the air. Not going to snow at all for a few days they say and it might even be up in the higher 40's by New Year's day!! I'm glad because then I can go out to the store.
I'll be back later if I have any more news. have a nice day everyone.

December 27, 2010-My Rudy Died

Rudy got his foot caught in his mirror as he was getting off of it. I checked it and it had a crack in between his claws, sort of like we'd get in between our fingers. But it hurt him enough where he couldn't climb up the side of the cage too well. Gig kept picking on him though and making him move all the time.

Here Gigi is looking at Rudy after I laid him on a paper towel. She's trying to move him at one time.

It's a sad day for me. My pet Budgie, Rudy, died this morning. I uncovered him at 8:30 and he was lying on the floor in the back corner and looked as if he had fallen off the perch, which I'm sure he did. He had hurt his foot yesterday and the female just wouldn't leave him alone and he had to keep moving. They were okay last night and seemed to be nice and quiet. I did hear a noise around 7:30 am but thought it was the squirrels on the window. I was in the bathroom at the time. Rudy was still warm when I discovered him. So I think it had just happened shortly before that. He might have hit his head or something in the fall because he always liked to be on the highest perch. I wish now I had put him in the small cage away from Gigi so she wouldn't have kept bugging him. But it was meant to be I guess. he was just about nine years old and I've had them since they were babies. I don't expect Gigi to live that much longer either. At least I won't have to feel guilty about putting them to sleep when I start to get bad from this cancer. My Cockatiel will be the hardest because he's constantly with me. I will miss Rudy. He was such a nice bird. Gigi has always had a mean streak and I thought she would have died before Rudy. They are both real healthy but Gigi has been egg bound a few times and I thought she was going to die but she always came out of it. Rest in peace Rudy.

Christmas Day Photos-2010

Just four of us out of ten were there this year.

My brother, Jim, is always so tired on Christmas day because he always does Christmas Eve at his in-laws. He could fall to sleep just sitting there I think..LOL
My sister, Jane and her husband, Savey do the Christmas Eve thing also but they don't look too bad..

My sister, Jeanne, with her two kids, Jessica and Ricky. Looks like Jeanne is getting a bit squished..Ha! Ha!

Madison had just woke up and was a bit cranky. Her nose was running a bit also. Not sure if she has a cold or she's teething. I think it's the latter. Jessica was holding her for a while then her daddy, Mike was.

Here's Jeanne with her Granddaughters, Abigail and Madison. Abigail is playing with a doll house that Jeanne remodeled. She built everything inside for the girls to play with while they are at her house.

Abigail was showing everyone her new digital camera.

Random photos

Jim and Patty's son, Matthew, was home for the holidays. He's been in the Air Force for ten years so far. He's stationed in Wyoming but lives in Colorado. Drives to work every day.

Jessica with the girls.

Here's the photos I took at Jeanne's on Christmas day. There were only four of us Sibs there. Jessica and Mike came with the girls so that was nice. I've never seen the kids. They are growing so fast! Matthew was home for the holidays so it was great to see him as well. We had a fun time and great food of course! Jeanne made a vegetarian Lasagna and a sausage bread that was yummy.
I went over to Jeanne's house at 3:00 and was home by 6:00. Then I got in my Jammies and relaxed on the computer till almost 11:00, working on these photos.
Can't believe it will be a new year in a week. The time goes by so fast but I am thankful I lived to see another Christmas and New Year. Oops. Better not say new year yet. Still got six days to go..Ha! Ha!
Hope everyone had a very nice Christmas!

December 24, 2010-Granddaughter' Sick-Nina's

I talked to Nina last night and Jessi is throwing up and sick and Salena has a sore throat. So I guess they might not be coming over to my house on Christmas day. Tonight they have to go to their father's and tomorrow to Nina's half sister, Crissy's house for dinner. They will never get better with all that running around. I feel so bad for them because no one wants to be sick on Christmas. Nina hasn't gotten it yet but she probably will. She just got over being sick. Being around so many people is not good. That whole family will be sick by next week. I don't want to get sick so Nina knows not to come around me. I can wait. If they are all better we will just have a party for New Year's instead! Every day is like Christmas to me now. As long as I'm feeling this good!
Just have to wait and see what happens. I will be talking to Jeanne later today. Hope she's feeling better also or I won't be going over there either. It's just not worth it to me to be around anyone that is sick. I want to stay as healthy as I can. My body is still healing inside from the surgery.
It's a gloomy looking day with a few flurries in the air but the weather is supposed to be calm for the next couple days. That's good for anyone that is traveling.
I was standing on my feet too long last night. I baked some more cookies and made a Pumpkin Roll and cooked more Spinach balls. My back was starting to ache and my feet and legs hurt. I got done around 9:30 and went to bed shortly after. Was up at 6:30 this morning and I feel good!
Jane and Savey are having their usual party for a few friends today and then they go to Savey's cousin's house for Christmas Eve. I had them pick me up an Antipasti Bread and one of them will drop it off today. I wanted to have one on hand in case I get company. They are so good! Jane always gets a few for her parties. Someone in Frankfort makes them.
I'm going to try and relax more today. I've been doing too much lately and I'm starting to feel it. I'll watch some Christmas movies on TV this afternoon.
I'll be back later. Have a nice Christmas Eve everyone!!

Update:
My cousin Gloria stopped over this afternoon. She brought me two boxes of those yummy Turtles! I had gone to Walmart looking for more but they were all out of them and I had put that on my Facebook. What a nice surprise from Gloria and her mom, Mary, and her two sons, Chris and Tom.
Savey, Jane's hubby, stopped by with the Antipasti loaf. It was still warm so Gloria and I tried some. It was yummy! Jane also sent over a few things, like a cheese ball and some fudge. Her clients give her so much stuff that she doesn't use it so she gives it away. I'll try anything..LOL
I sent Savey home with some of my Spinach Balls and Snowball cookies.
Jeanne called this morning and she's feeling a lot better so is still having her open house tomorrow. I told her I'd be over around three. Jane and Savey are going about that time also. Jim and Patty and Matthew will be stopping by and maybe our youngest brother, Mike.
Jeanne was thrilled that I made a Pumpkin Roll. They all love that. And they love my Spinach Balls. I made another batch up today and will bake the balls just before I go over to Jeanne's.
I'll be taking some pics of course!
Merry Christmas everyone!!!

December 22, 2010-Wrapped Gifts-Jeanne Is Sick

I finally got all the gifts wrapped today and a few more cards made to mail out. There is always someone I forget at the last minute. But now I'm done for sure!
It was a good day. I'm a bit tired tonight though and going to bed early. Tomorrow I'm going to do some more baking. I haven't made the Pumpkin Rolls yet. Can't really make them till after 5 pm when the birds are to bed though.
My sister, Jeanne, isn't feeling well. Sounds like she has a cold but she always says it's her sinuses. But if one has a sore throat and the chills it's more than sinuses. I hope she gets better quick and isn't feeling lousy for Christmas or she won't be able to visit her Granddaughters. And she had planned on having an open house on Christmas Day but if she doesn't feel well then she better not.
Steve called from Jeanne's around 4:30. He had to go to Herkimer for something so stopped at her house, not knowing she was sick. He is leaving for Boston in the morning. (7 am) He's getting a ride with some friends. Then he will take a train or bus up to NH where his daughter, Alysha, lives and spend Christmas with them. Then ride back with the same people on Tuesday. At least he will have somewhere to spend Christmas.
Take care everyone. I'm going to bed now.

December 21, 2010-Grandkid's Visit

I met two more of my older grandchildren today. Sarah and Elijah. I have met them when they were young but haven't seen them since 1997. Vanessa and Sarah's boyfriend, Leo were here also. We had a great visit. They got here quite a bit later than I thought but better late than never! They got here shortly before 5 pm. I had prepared a few snacks for them. Spinach balls, Cheese and crackers, shrimp with Cocktail sauce and chips and dips and different kinds of cookies. They all drank coffee except for Sarah, so that was easy enough. I had juices here and hot chocolate but Sarah just drank juice.. It was so great to visit with them!
They left shortly before 8 pm and were heading to Utica to their brother's house. Matthias. They are driving to Washington, DC tomorrow, then on to VA to their Grandparent's for Christmas.
Sarah and Leo will be stationed in Nebraska after their vacation is over. At least they can always be together for now.
Vanessa had her dog, Wylie with her and since the birds were already covered for the night I let her bring him in. He's such a nice dog.
Now I have to meet the other two. Heather and Matthias. Elijah wants to come back and said he will bring his brothers and father with him next time. Don't really care if the father comes but if he wants to that's okay with me. The past is the past.
I felt great all day even though I was up at 2 am to see if I could see the Lunar Eclipse but it was so cloudy I couldn't see a thing.
Only four more days till Christmas. Nina said she'd stop over on Christmas day before she goes to her sister's for dinner. I hope she brings Jordan with her. I haven't seen him since he's had his growth spurt and is thinner. I want to get a group picture of us all.
I still have to wrap all their gifts. Guess I better get at that.
That's all for now.

December 19, 2010-Sunny-Went Out Again-Party Here

Took this pic yesterday morning. See my pet Cockatiel, Ricky, on my desk?? Ha!

It was so nice on Saturday that I went to Walmart and Agway. Had to get more critter food anyway. But it was real nice and most of the snow had melted off my car so it was no problem pushing it off and I shoveled a little around it. I even enjoyed the huge crowds in Walmart!! Ha! If it hadn't been for my damn left foot hurting I'd have walked around more. I'm feeling so good the other way and now have to have that foot bother me. I forget that the surgery didn't take my Post Polio problems away..Ha! Sure wish it had. But I feel great! I have lots of energy and hardly sit at all till I think of it and feel that I better.
Last night was the annual Christmas party here at the building. I haven't attended it in two years because I wasn't feeling that well but I feel so good that I thought I'd go out and mingle with the old folks and take their pictures. I never am in any of the pictures because I'm the only one with a camera. Then they always want me to give them pictures but they never realize that it takes a lot of ink. So I will just print some out on plain paper for them to see.
The couple next door to this building, who live in the real nice house on the hill are the ones who catered our party. The food was delicious. Tamara did a wonderful job. She even brought China dishes and her own Silver!! And I don't think any got broke either. That's a miracle, especially when all the ladies had to carry them out to the hallway to get their food. Ha!
I was tired after standing around too long with the camera. I wasn't using the walker because there was no room to walk with it anyway. I did sit at a table for a while.
We have two new couples that just moved in and a new guy. There are still two empty apartments here.
I'm feeling better and better each day. I won't know if my wafer has leaked till I take it off tomorrow. I don't feel as much stinging so hopefully it has stuck better this time. I sure don't want any open sores around that Stoma or I'll have to keep the flange or wafer off for a night. I wonder how I'd deal with that?? The "Poop" would have to go somewhere!! It's too bad they didn't have tiny little flanges that just fit over the Stoma area and clip on to a long bag to drain into something just for night time if you need air to get on your skin. Because that is the only thing that will heal the irritated skin. I'll know more tomorrow when I change it. It's supposed to last for at least five days in between changes but I can only go three right now because of the irritation. I'm too afraid to let it go any longer. I don't want an infection to set in. Then I'd be on Antibiotics again. But I will think on the positive side and hope it's better!
It's nice and sunny today so far but not as warm as yesterday. Yesterday it got up to almost 30 but today it's only up to about 25. But still pretty.
My two Granddaughters, Sarah and Vanessa, are up in Montreal right now and are supposed to be down this way from the 20th till the 23rd. They are supposed to stop and see me. I hope they do. I've met Vanessa but not Sarah. Sarah is in the Air Force and is a US Linguist in Korean. Those girls are real smart kids, thank heavens. If they had ever stayed with their mom they would not have gotten the good education. Thank God for the Grandparents who funded all their private schools and college for them.
I have sent out most all my Christmas cards. Just had to print out a few more today and that will be all done. Now I've got to start making a few things. My Spinach Balls and the Pumpkin Rolls. They can be frozen.
That's all for now. Have a great day everyone.

December 16, 2010-It's Snowing!

It snowed yesterday and last night and it's still snowing lightly this morning. It looks so pretty! I saw a couple of the foxes last night again. The snow was too deep for them to get at their treats so I put some along the side of the building below my bedroom window and they came down there and got them. I called them and they came out of the woods last night so I think they are getting used to me again. Not sure if it's the pups or the parents though. Can't tell in the dark.
I changed my flange and bag yesterday. It's still irritated a bit around the Stoma. I put some of the special powder on the red area. The wafer or flange is sticking better but I still have a slight opening where it gets on my skin. I will just have to keep experimenting till I get it right. I can feel a slight burning when the crap gets on my skin. I don't like that because then I know it's irritating it more.
But I'm still feeling good and having more energy every day. I baked some Snowball Cookies last night. They are good keepers till Christmas. If I don't eat them all. Ha! Ha! I might eat a few but that's it! I haven't sampled them yet to see how they taste. I put walnuts in half of them and pecans in the other half.
I love how the snow is falling today. Nice big flakes and coming down slow. A perfect winter day! It's about 19 degrees at this time. 9:00 am.
Got to make some cards today and get them out in the mail tomorrow.
Have a nice day everyone.
I'm hoping the book I ordered comes today so I can see if it printed okay. It's the one I made for the lady upstairs for taking care of my birds while I was in the hospital. If it looks good then I will order another one just like it because right now they are 50% off! Then I will give that to the Grandchildren.

December 13, 2010-Went Out Early

I went to Walmart at 9 am this morning because it was still about 33 degrees. I had to pick up more stuff that I forgot the other day. Now I am done. I did not forget my list this time..ha! I was back home by ten and good thing because it started to spit snow and started getting colder. Down to 11 degrees tonight. It got very windy also. Brrr!
Got my prescriptions for my bags and flanges delivered this evening by Lennox Pharmacy. That was fast! I wasn't expecting them till Wednesday. There are ten of each so I have to make them last a month. I'm only allowed ten a month I think from Medicare. But I do have extras on hand and the Convatec company is sending me some free samples this week also. So far the flange I put on yesterday is holding up okay and not leaking. I'm not looking forward to taking that off when the time comes though. It is stuck so tight I'm afraid I might tear my skin. But I'll wet it down with warm water and maybe it will come off easier. I'm not going to use any adhesive remover because it stings my skin and irritates it more.
I feel good today also! I vacuumed the apartment and took my trash down to the garbage room.
The foxes didn't come down last night because their treats were still out there this morning. Hope none of them got killed by hunters when I was gone. But I'm not going to worry about it. It's best that I don't feed them any more. Now if only I could stop feeding the squirrels. They are the worst because they will chew the windows if they don't get fed.
I've been sleeping pretty good at night lately. Seems so good.
Now I've got to get the gifts wrapped soon. I have to be in the mood. I'm also waiting for ink to be delivered for my printer so I can finish making a few cards and gift tags. I just ordered the ink last night and then today I get an e-mail saying the ink is 15 % off. I couldn't believe it! Pissed me off. Because it's so expensive. And of course they won't tell you. Once the order is in it's too late.
My oldest daughter, Ginny, called me last night. Guess she's on the run with her three boys. She was calling from a payphone but wouldn't tell me where she was. When she hung up she said she'd see me soon so I'm presuming she's headed for NY. That will be a fiasco. She will want to stay somewhere with those three boys. Her father has empty apartments next door to him but he won't let her stay in them if she can't afford to and he won't help her. She's running from the government. She has never put her boys in school and won't follow and laws. Guess someone must have came to the house and inquired about the boys not being in school so off she ran. She lives in MN and it's been real cold there the past few days and lots of snow. She said she and the boys are okay and warm so she must be staying at a shelter or with friends. She's always been different. My other daughter, Nina, doesn't want anything to do with her and they haven't talked in over 20 years. It's a very long story that I won't get into. If she does come to NY it will be nice to see her boys and her before I die anyway. But I'm not in any position to help her.
So that's all for now. Going to watch a movie and relax with a cup of Chamomile tea. Take care everyone.

December 12, 2010-Darn Bag Still Leaking

I can't believe this wafer that the bag clicks on to leaks yet. I put a new one on this morning and it leaked through. But I now know what the problem is. I have an open wound underneath the wafer where one of the stitches was and it hasn't healed yet so I put a band aid over it to protect it from the sticky wafer. But then the wafer won't stick to the band aid. So now I have to put the wafer on and let it stick to my open wound and when I go to pull it off it will be pulling that open again as well. It was a bad place for them to cut me, knowing that was where the wafer would have to be stuck to me.. As of now I have no leakage. The area around my Stoma is real red from changing the wafers so often. It sticks so hard that it almost pulls my skin off with it when I take it off. Yikes! Hopefully someday soon I will have all that under control.
I've had another good day. Had lots of energy! I guess my Anemia is getting better and back under control. Sure am glad of that! I changed my bedding this afternoon and am just finishing up four loads of laundry. I feel so much better when my laundry is all done.
It was a gloomy, wet day. Now it will be getting colder and turning to snow for the next week. Hope we don't get dumped on like they got out West.
I've been awake since 5:30 this morning so I will be going to bed soon.
Still have not spotted any of the foxes. They didn't touch the food I put out last night.
I'm going to do some baking this year. Going to make a couple Pumpkin Rolls and make a big batch of my Spinach balls. Just to have something in the house if company comes for Christmas time. I haven't bought shrimp in ages but did get some and some cheese and crackers also. I'm going to pig out on anything I want this year! If I drank I'd get myself a bottle of dry Red Wine but I don't drink and don't want to. I have to be careful of my liver now. I haven't drank since 1996 and I don't miss it. I would rather drink a cup of green tea!! Love my tea!
So it was another good day and now I'm going to go and relax a bit before going to bed. I'll be back soon, God willing.

December 10, 2010

Brrrr! It sure has been cold the last two mornings! Down in the single digits this morning. No more snow has fallen since the other night. The fox treats were all gone this morning so I'm hoping they were down to get them and some other animal isn't eating them. I will be happy when I can spot one of the foxes.
I am having a hard time finding any pharmacy around here that carries my Colostomy supplies. Still looking. It's a good thing I was given some by the doctor's office and the hospital.
I'm feeling real good. The nurse from Home Care called early this morning and said she would be here this evening between 5 and 6 pm. I don't really think I'm going to need them any more but I'll let them hang on for the next four weeks in case I need more gauze pads etc. They don't supply the other stuff.
I love watching the birds outside. There are a lot of them. Lots of BlueJays and Cardinals. They always look extra pretty in the winter. But I do feel sorry for them in this cold weather.
I'll be back later.
Had a nice visit with my cousin, Gloria yesterday. She came alone. I told her she could bring Mary (Her Mother) next time. I can only handle one or two visitors at a time right now.
Update: 3:30 PM
I got Lennox Pharmacy in Ilion to order my Stoma supplies and they will deliver them also for now. Later on I'll be able to pick them up myself. My sister, Jane was going out today so she came over and got my prescriptions and Medicare card to take to Lennox's. She didn't come in because she's been sneezing and thinks she might be coming down with a cold or maybe it's allergies. She's not sure so I met her at the door and just handed her the stuff.
I got a call from the Convatec Company. They are the ones who make all the colostomy supplies. They have a lot of nurses on hand to talk to you whenever you have a question and they also send you sample supplies so you can try different bags etc. to see what fits best. She was very nice and is sending me a lot of stuff. I think that's great! Now I'll have more stuff for quite a while. She is the one that sent me the travel bag right after I got out of the hospital, with all kinds of stuff in it, including a DVD to watch.
It's been another good day so far. Just have to see that Home Care nurse between 5 and 6 pm and then I'll be all set.
The girl who does some of the maintenance here at the building came in and put my water jug on for me. They weigh 27 lbs. and I don't dare try to lift those yet. She loves animals and we were talking about my turtle, Jasper. She is going to think about taking him when I can't handle things any more. I'd let her take him because she loves all kinds of critters like I do and she lives in the country. She doesn't have any kids. I'd feel good about Jasper going with her.
It clouded over this afternoon but did get up into the 20's and there are a few snowflakes falling right now. But it's supposed to be a dry day tomorrow with rain, sleet and snow coming in for Sunday into Monday. The warmest day will be tomorrow and Sunday I think. So if I need anything I'll go out those two days if the snow has melted off my car. I did forget to buy some Butternut squash and an onion.
Have a good evening.

Update: 6:30 PM
The Home Care nurse came just before 6:00. I told her that I was doing so well that I didn't think I needed them to come here any more and she agreed. So I dismissed them. They are needed by worse people. And I'm not home bound any more now that I can drive. And because I am healing so fast and feeling so good. I'm glad that I won't have anyone invading my space.
Now I can relax and have a cup of tea! Watch some TV and keep a watch out for a fox.
:)

December 8, 2010-Got My Staples Out Today

My sister, Jane was here at 9:20 this morning and I was just walking out of my apartment to wait for her. It ended up being a nice day with a little sun but very cold. Got to the doctor's office a little after 10:00 and they took me right in. Sharon, the stoma nurse and Dr. Delpino's main nurse, took the staples out of my belly in four areas. I didn't feel a thing! I was expecting a little sharp pain or something but I didn't. Piece of cake!! Ha! Ha! I told her about the flange leaking around my Stoma and she got me a new one that has a concave area on it. Works so much better! She gave me the prescriptions for all my Ostomy supplies. I will order them from this company and they will be delivered at my door by mail every month. So that part was easy. I don't have to go back till January 5th at 1 pm. She said I looked good and that everything was healing nicely. I even had the irritation under the flange already healing from all the leakage this week. I have been using the Irrigation flush, which is Sodium Chloride. I took the bottle from the hospital. That is the stuff I asked the nurses to bring me when I got the stitches all crap the first time the bag leaked when I was in the hospital. It works real well. I've been dabbing the irritated spots every day and it heals real fast. She was amazed that I could do all that myself . Hell yes I can!!! Ha! Ha!
I told her about the itching and rash also. She agrees I might have been allergic to the Benedryl. All my rashes have gone now, thank God!! Just dry spots now. They will be gone in another day or two.
I was out of there at 11:10 so Jane took me to the Walmart up there and I picked up a few things. When we got into Utica she wanted to stop at Peter's Cornicopia. I'd never been in there before. It smelled so good. People were in there having lunch. We didn't stop for that though. Jane had to pick up a few items. I found my Natural Almond Butter and my Bob's Red Mill baking Soda so I got those. Then Jane brought me home. She had to get her vehicle back so her hubby could use it to deliver payroll checks. His car wouldn't start this morning.
I was feeling good so about an hour later I decided I was going to go out and clean the snow off my car and see if it would start. It did! Bless that old car. It always starts for me no matter how long it has sat. Last winter when I broke my wrist it hadn't been started in over two months and it started right up also.
I went to Walmart to get the rest of the stuff I had on my list. Had to get wrapping paper and lots of misc. things. Got all that and then went to the bank to get some cash and then to Agway to get my critter food. When I got home I loaded everything into my red cart and wheeled it all in. Had to make two trips. I even lifted the 20 # bags of critter food but did it very carefully with just my arms so as not to pull on my stomach muscles.
I was pretty proud of myself that I did all that today. And I sure am glad I did because it started to snow heavy just at dark tonight. By 6:30 there is quite a few inches on the ground already. Sure am glad we had a nice day today.
Just before dark I looked out the window and there was a male cardinal laying in the snow and not moving. He must have hit the window. I was so worried about him. I watched and watched and eventually he started to move and then hop around a bit and it was quite dark when he finally flew to the bushes with the rest of his family. I was so happy. I hate to see any little critter hurting.
So all in all I can say I had a very good day and I still am feeling real good. I ate my soup for lunch and dinner and then made myself a cup of tea and had a few chocolates. Yum, yum. Who could ask for anything more??!! Ha!
Take care everyone.
My cousin Gloria is supposed to come over tomorrow but not sure now with all the snow. But if she can't make it there is always another day.

December 6, 2010-Still Itchy

The itchy rash seems to be subsiding but around my waist it's itchy and a bit on my chest. The arm isn't as itchy but still a mess.
I'm having a bit of a problem with my bag too. My Stoma doesn't stick out as much as others and it's kind of flat to my belly and I'm having a hard time keeping the paste to stick. The skin around it got leaked on and it's all red. I changed the bag yesterday but today I noticed it still isn't right. I will have to get that settled when I go to have my staples out on Wednesday. The stitches dissolve on their own. I have about 12 staples here and there on my belly that have to be removed. Two of them are under the wafer that sticks to my belly and it doesn't get any air and that is all red also. Just hope to God I don't get an infection and have more problems.
I'm feeling a bit weak this morning. I'm taking the iron and hoping that helps. I'm eating protein as much as I can also. Mostly just chicken breasts cut up into soup and Salmon. I made another pot of soup yesterday so that will last a few days. I love soup. Could eat that every day.
On my right side it's itchy underneath the skin it seems. And the rib cage is sore. I think maybe it got a bit bruised during surgery. Or maybe it's my liver acting up. Not sure. I'll be noticing every little thing now as I watch for the liver to start breaking down.. Sure hope I get a couple good months at least.
I saw one set of fox prints outside last night but I didn't spot him. I'm wondering if the mommy and daddy fox are still around. The daddy always sat there like a dog waiting for me. I miss him.
Well, I better get to the birds. Ricky is talking in the living room and waiting for me. I'll be back later. Have a nice day everyone.

1:00 PM
I had to change my bag again! I'm not supposed to have to change it for every five days at least so this is not good. It was seeping through again. I had to lie down on my bed when I attached the new one so the stoma was sticking up higher. I put Stoma paste around the low spots also. I'm all out of Adhesive removal strips. I called the Home care office. Waiting for them to call me back. I won't be able to remove another wafer until I have more of that stuff because the sticky stuff is all around that Stoma and has to be removed before another one can be put on. I suppose this will always be a problem for me now. Darn it.
I feel a lot better than I did this morning. I just ate some of my homemade soup. It has lots of spinach in and chicken and a few carrots. The last one I finished off had way too many carrots. I also added Butternut Squash to this one. I need healthy stuff to offset the few pieces of Chocolates I'm eating now..Ha! Ha! I only eat them when I have other food in me so as not to bother the liver so much.
It's still snowing lightly here. It's pretty cool today. Only 24 degrees. And will be that way all week I guess.
Be back later. Just wanted to update you all.

December 4, 2010-Got My Chocolates!

The nurse came this morning and checked me over. Said everything was looking good and healing okay. She looked at the stitches on my butt and said they looked real good. The oozing is normal and should go away soon.
I told her I was doing some research on the metastasized cancer in my liver and that I knew most people only lived a few months after surgery. She said I shouldn't be looking at that stuff but I told her I wanted to know everything there was to know and that I wasn't afraid to die. She said I'm one tough lady..Ha! Ha! Yes I am! Why shouldn't I know everything and the truth about all this. If I only have a few months then I want to know. At least I can be prepared to die. Most people aren't because they die suddenly or just don't believe they are dying. I had thought maybe I'd have another year but now I know I won't so I'm accepting that fact. I know all the symptoms to look for when it starts. I hope I can get Hospice because they can give you more Morphine than the hospitals will. The more Morphine the faster I can die and in less pain. My sister didn't want her Morphine so she suffered at the end. I will take all I can get when that time comes.
I had a good day today though! My daughter and Granddaughter came over later in the afternoon. Nina picked my up a few things and I had asked her to buy me some chocolates so she brought me a nice box of Russell Stovers. Yummy. I ate a few pieces. Tasted so good! I haven't had any candy since way before my surgery. I know it's bad for my liver but I don't care at this stage. I won't overdo it.
Jessi has lost two of her baby teeth. I'm adding the pic of us. Nina loves her new home and so do the kids. Her cats and dog love it too. Salena is bringing her rabbit to Nina's soon too. Nina brought a big cage and it will live in the cellar where it's nice and warm. It's been at Salena's father's house outdoors in a small cage all alone. So now it will be much happier.
Nina said that Jordan has gotten real tall and thinner all of a sudden. Can't wait to see him. Kids grow up so fast.
I'm going to bed early tonight because I never did lie down all day so I'm tired. I think maybe my itching will subside soon. At least I hope so. It's still bad on my right arm and under my boobs on my belly area.
It was a good day!
Thank you God for another day here on earth.

December 3, 2010-Home And The Rash!

Ricky is sure glad I'm back home. He really missed me. As soon as I got in the door he was crying to get out and then got on my shoulder and was saying his name over and over and purring at me and kissing me. I missed him too.

This is the rash that has spread all over my right arm. It's on my left a bit also but not bad. You can see the welts or hives on my chest too. Now the itch has started on my belly and under my breasts. I have stopped the Benadryl and hoping it might be the cause and will go away soon. It sure drives me nuts! I'm keeping a baking soda paste on it. Helps the itching.

A male nurse came to see me on Tuesday to get all the information they will need for my home care while I'm recuperating. He measured all my incisions and was going to measure the ones on my butt but I told him I didn't feel comfortable with a man doing it so the female nurse will do that today when she comes. She will come every Friday for six weeks to take my vitals and make sure everything is healing okay.
I'm doing well enough that I don't need any other help in my home. I just can't lift anything heavy and I can't drive. My family will get my groceries for me as needed.
Before I left the hospital I had this awful itching on my left lower front leg along an old scar. I thought maybe it was from the Flo Max things on my legs but now I don't think so. I have broken out in a terrible rash on my right arm and some on the left and on my chest and now starting under my breasts. It's driving me crazy! I called my surgeon's office on Wed. to make an appointment to get my staples out and talked to one of his nurses. She told me to take Benadryl every four hours. But the rash is getting worse. I think maybe I might be allergic to that stuff. I was taking it at night in the hospital to help me sleep. So as of today I'm not going to take it any more and see what happens. I have been doing some research online and seems that a lot of people break out in rashes and hives after surgery. And most never get an answer for it. I guess it goes away with time. I sure hope so!
I'm doing real good with my colostomy bag. I have no trouble changing it and cleaning it. I feel so much better already without all that pain and pressure in my butt from the tumor. When the stitches heal up fully I should be okay.
With the cancer all through my liver I know I don't have long but I will at least be a lot more comfortable for now.
I'm catching up on my sleep and feel much more rested these days. Each day I feel a bit better. Much better than I thought I'd be after the surgery. I thought I'd be in a lot of pain but I'm not. I will never take any of those Loritabs that they gave me. If I need anything I'll just take a Tylenol but I don't even want to take that. I am getting back to my normal routine and taking the vitamins and minerals that I know I need to heal fast. I can eat anything I want now too without worrying that it would bother the tumor amd make it bleed. Now I can go back to eating my nuts!! And berries! If I only have up to a year to live then I'm eating anything that makes me feel good and that includes sweets. But I am going to do some research to see if I can prolong the liver from getting worse fast. If I can then I won't be eating the sweets.
The doctor said I might be able to live up to three years if I took the Chemo. But I won't be doing that. I don't want to be sick and putting that poison in my body. I'd rather have the one year and feel good.
After seeing what my sister went through I'd never want that stuff.
So I guess I can say that I'm doing real good right now. I just get tired and have to lie down sometimes but then I'm right back up doing things. When the pressure starts to build on my butt stitches then I will lie down. Like right now I'm starting to get uncomfortable here at the computer so I have to go. The nurse should be coming soon I hope. She hasn't called me yet though. I'll be back soon.
Thanks everyone for all the prayers and well wishes while I was going through this and still am. It helps tremendously!! But I'm in good spirits!!
Just got a call from a different nurse. She said the other one got tied up today and that she would be out tomorrow to see me instead. At least I can relax now without worrying about someone coming to paw all over me.

My Week At The Hospital-Part Two-Nov. 26-29th

Part Two-Nov. 26 through 29th
Fri. 26th
The stitches in my butt were hurting the morning of the 26th. I hadn't slept at all except for one hour. I was so tired. I got up at 7:00 to wash up. Felt a bit dizzy so got back in bed.
The doctor came in at 7:30. He's always early. He said I could have the IV taken out. I was happy about that! Now I wouldn't have to drag that damn pole with me when I went to the bathroom or walked. The blood was still draining a lot. He even said I might have to where the drain home. Yuck. I can wash my butt but just dab it. Can't rub. And no sitz baths either when I get home. Just showers. He wants me to keep that area as dry as possible. But it always seems to be oozing a bit. They put a salve on it every morning. I also helped change the colostomy bag today. That will be no problem when I get home.
I am very anemic again. It's down to 8 and it's supposed to be 12 so I had to start taking iron.
I had instant scrambled eggs and wheat toast every morning for breakfast, along with a glass of orange juice.
At lunch that day, the 26th, I had a piece of fish and spinach that wasn't cooked all the way. I like it that way but it's harder to digest. They really didn't want me having any of that kind of stuff. But I ate it all. The girl from the kitchen had gone over everything that I liked that morning so at least now I should be getting more decent food. And having my green tea! She even brought me extra Lorna Doone cookies to keep in my drawer.
I had a bowl of soup and a tuna sandwich for dinner. That tasted good.
I had to have a Loritab that night. Had too much pain in my butt and was very uncomfortable. My blood pressure was finally starting to come up where it should be. It was too low at times.
I still have not gone in my bag after eating all that solid food.
Sat. 27th
Had another Loritab at 4:30 am. Hard time sleeping yet
The butt stitches were bleeding a bit. Had lots of pressure in lower belly. Almost felt like I want to go the old way. That's a phantom thing they say. Between the nerves and your brain. Had a pain run through my Bladder area. Worried about that a bit but it didn't happen again. My uterus felt like it used to when I was having my period. Weird.
I hadn't gone in the bag yet so Dr. Delpino ordered them to give me some Milk Of Magnesia. The iron pill every morning probably wasn't helping either.
They had to keep changing the dressing on that blood tube. It always leaked when I stood up. After a while I tried to roll up some of the tube and tape it so it would fall when I stood. That worked pretty good. Had to always pin the round drain thing to my gown too.
I had to breathe through the Spirometer every hour also. I always did good with that and finally they left me alone and let me do it on my own instead of watching me a couple times a day. I never did it every hour.
I actually liked my lunch Saturday. The chicken breast was real tender. Carrots and instant mashed potatoes.
I'd walk the hall a few times a day to keep my legs moving but had to wear those damn Flo Max things on my legs at night. I quit wearing them Sunday. Told the young girl that always made me wear them that I didn't need them any more. I was always moving my legs in bed anyway. And those damn hoses got in the way. I could sleep on part of my side anyway. One side then the other.
Had Tuna sandwich and soup for dinner. They gave me a Benidryl every night to help me sleep but it never worked. Did not want any Loritab Sat night. Didn't want to take them if I could handle the pain. They are addictive.
Sunday, the 28th
I still hadn't gone to the bathroom in my bag. One of the nurses brought me some warm prune juice with butter in it to see if that would help. In fact when they brought me my iron tab that morning I didn't take it.
Sunday was a routine day. I had a nice fruit salad that day for lunch. Lots of cottage cheese with pear and peach slices and mandarin oranges in it. They had also brought some sliced pork with gravy and carrots but I didn't eat that. The salad was enough.
Had some pain that night where the tube was inserted on my right side for the blood to drain. And with four days of food inside me yet I was wondering when I'd ever get rid of it.
I took a Loritab that night. I needed it.
By 8:30 Sunday night the bag started filling up. I finally started to feel better. I emptied it and it filled up again by morning. Never took any more Loritabs. Just a Benidryl at night to help me sleep, even though it didn't.
This one younger nurse's assistant had so much perfume on that I smelled her every time she came in to check by the hour through the night. It was awful! They should not be allowed to wear that stuff. It makes me gag.

Monday, the 29th Going home today!! Yaaayyy!!

Dr. Delpino came in at 7:30 and said I was good to go. He said that since the blood draining had subsided that they would be taking that drain out before I left. Yippeee! I did not want to have that thing on my side when I was home.
They took my last vitals and gave me my last shot of Heperin in my belly that morning.
Beth, the nurse with all my Stoma supplies came in that morning and watched me change my bag. She said I did a great job. She loaded me up with a big bag of stuff that I'd need and was going to have a travel kit sent to my home. She was very nice. All the people there were real nice really. I really had no complaints except for the perfume.
At 11:30 the other doctor that was in the operating room ( Bob) came in and took the tube out of my belly. That thing grossed me out! It was so long and when he pulled it out I felt that same pain along the bladder or groin area that I had felt a few days before. I bet when I tried to lay on my side I had moved it and caused that pain. The pain went right away after they removed it though. Left quite a hole there but they just put gauze over it. It really looks like it needed a stitch but glad I didn't have to have one. He also checked my butt stitches.
I had to wait for some paperwork to get done and sign and then I was ready to leave at 12:30. Rick was there to get me and carry my things down to the truck. I got wheeled down in a wheelchair. Would have been too far for me to walk anyway, even with my crutches.
I was so glad to be going home. I missed my birds.
I got home about 1:30. My pet Cockatiel, Ricky, couldn't wait to get out of his cage and get on my shoulder and he was hugging me and kissing me and purring at me and saying his name over and over..Ha! He was so happy!
My brother Jim came by while Rick was still there to give him his half of the cost of my private room. Jim wanted to make sure he paid some of it too. I am so grateful for that. I would never have liked sharing a room with someone. Bad enough I could hear the lady next door moaning and all that. And she was on the toilet so much. A nurse told me that her appendix had burst and that she was going to the bathroom a lot. How do you go to the bathroom in a double room when they have to measure everything that comes out?? I really enjoyed my private room. Thanks Jeanne, Rick and Jim!!! Love you all so much!!
Jim and Rick left at 2:00 pm so I could rest and they had to get back to work anyway.
I had kept notes each day. That's how I remember so much.
So that was my stay in the hospital. I am so glad I survived that operation. I feel much better already not having that pressure and pain from the tumor. The bag is easy to handle!! Maybe now I can live a much more normal life for the time I have left.

My Week At The Hospital-Part One Nov. 22 Thru 25th

I am going to write this in sections because it's so much to catch up on. This is the first four days.

First of all, the day I went to the hospital started out late. I had been up all night on the toilet trying to get cleaned out of all the prep. It never did get clear. I was up at 5:30 but so tired that I laid back down. I had set my alarm for 6:30 but for some reason I never heard it and all I heard was knocking at my door. My brothers were already here! Oh no! I put a robe on half asleep and opened the door. They laughed. I had to hurry and get dressed. It was 7:15. Then my sister Jeanne showed up to follow us. Steve rode with her. Got up to the hospital by 8:30 though! Just in time. Then it was all paper work for a while. Jeanne paid the down payment for a private room! I was so happy and that was so nice of her. My brothers Rick and Jim paid the balance. Rick had come up at 7am Thursday morning to pay it. (Jim gave Rick half after I got home.) I Was up in my room by 9:30. The boys and Jeanne left to go have breakfast at Denny's then Jeanne came back and waited till it was time for the surgery. It was supposed to be at 11:30 but ended up being closer to 12:30. They took me down to the "Holding Room" just outside of the OR. Jeanne was allowed to come there also. Because she'd be waiting out there in the waiting area anyway till I was done.
I was more concerned that I hadn't gotten all clear from the prep but the doctor said they'd flush me out anyway. Thank God!
The Anesthesiologist came to talk to me about the stuff they'd be using. I expressed my concern for the Epidural and that I really didn't want it. And my spine in so crooked and with my weak legs and all. He accessed me and decided that I was right. I was not a good candidate for the Epidural. I was so happy that I wouldn't be having that needle stuck in my back. One less tube to worry about for a few days. Then before I knew it they had wheeled me in to the OR and got me on this narrow table that was split with a hole kind of cut out. That was all I remembered. I was out like a light. Next thing I remember someone calling my name and I was waking up in the recovery area. Jeanne had been informed and she had left. Poor Jeanne thought she'd get out of there before dark but it was close to 4:00. The operation took a bit longer than expected I guess.
Then I was up in my room. I didn't feel a lot of pain but I was on pain killers yet. My mouth was so dry where the tubes were inserted. My throat felt sore for about two days but it went away. I could only chew ice but could not swallow the water from it for the first night.
For the next two days they inserted Demerol into the IV tube as needed. That helped me sleep too. But of course you can't get much sleep with someone entering your room each hour and coming in for Vitals every two hours for the first two days. Then it was every 4 hours.
I had everything removed in the rectum area. The total rectum also. The cancerous tumor had spread through the walls the doctor said. He had to remove Lymph nodes also. A section of the large intestine was removed and the end brought out through my belly, which they call the "Stoma". The stitches on my butt bother me the most, as I knew they would. It feels like the inside cheeks of my ass are sewn together. They are!! Dr. Delpino also told me that my liver had over a hundred cancerous spots on it and that I might live a year or up to three if I took the Chemo. I told him NO! What's the difference between one year and three. I'd rather have one year without being sick all the time from Chemo than three being sick every time they had to give me that poison. So that is that!
They removed the Catheter on the 25th and I had no problem urinating a few hours later so I was happy about that.
The Stoma was passing liquid stuff the day after the operation. The doctor was amazed because he said that usually the intestines shut down for a couple days before they start working again. So I was happy about that also. The doctor had to check my stitches and I was saying what an awful spot to be checking and it was a little embarrassing but he reminded me that I was almost upside down on the operating table with my butt in the air. Ha! Ha!
They got me up the very next day to walk a bit with the walker. Have to get the blood moving. I also had to sleep with the Flo max things on my legs to keep the circulation moving.
The room was cold for a couple nights so they came in and adjusted the heat. Then it was too hot. I finally adjusted it myself and it was okay. They had the air conditioner on at the same time. It was set all wrong.
Walked down the hall on Thursday, pushing the IV pole. Had my first solid food on Thursday also. It was Thanksgiving. So I got instant potatoes, instant squash and lousy tasting processed turkey. And a piece of Pumpkin pie. I only ate the pumpkin part. Guess it was better than nothing.
I cleaned my colostomy bag myself that day too. I learned all about that stuff fast.
That evening for dinner they had brought me beef stew! I couldn't eat that stuff yet. Too heavy and besides I don't eat red meat. But no one had come up from the kitchen to ask what I'd like yet because it was a holiday and when you are on just liquids for a couple days they don't bother. All you get is broth and jello and apple juice. Oh yes. And Popsicles. I wouldn't eat the green jello or Popsicles. Told them to take it back. Yuck.
Anyway they exchanged the beef stew for a turkey sandwich. That didn't taste too bad but I don't like white bread. They kept bringing me coffee or black tea and I don't drink either. I was so happy the next day when Sophie, from the kitchen, came to ask what I like. And I finally got my green tea too! The other kids kept saying they didn't have any.
I was uncomfortable Thursday night. From eating all that food I guess. And dinner is between 6:30 and 7:00 in there. I am used to eating at 4:00 so I don't have food in my stomach when I go to sleep.
Mu butt was hurting that night also. And my bladder area was tender for some reason. They gave me my Heparin shot in the belly every 12 hours. That's to keep blood clots from forming. I had a lot of blood draining from my lower belly. It's just an empty hole down there.
I asked for a Demerol shot at 9 pm. Couldn't sleep at all. Got another one at 11 pm. The stitches were really hurting. I only got about an hour's sleep that night and that was between 4:45 am and 5:45 am. It's hard when someone comes in every two hours to check your vitals or take blood. They only drew blood a few times that week.
The damn IV was leaking on my right lower arm so they had to take that out and insert it into my left lower arm. At least it wasn't in my hand. I had told them from the start that they couldn't have it in any of my hands. It's too painful. Didn't bother me at all in the arm.

This is the end of Part One. I'll keep writing more as I feel up to it.