It was a windy, sunny fall day here today.

One of my neighbors stopped by this morning and asked if he could take some leaves off one of my maple trees that is bright red.  He does woodworking and makes wooden bowls and puts a colored leaf in epoxy in the bottom of the bowl.  He ran home and got two examples to show me.  I said he could have all the leaves he wants (I will have truckloads soon) and he said when he gets time he will make me a bowl.  He is a very nice man and his workmanship is top notch. When Dad is better we will go check out his woodshop.  He lives at the very end of 17th avenue, up the hill, to the dead end.  He also told me that he and his wife always comment on how nice my yard looks and that made me smile.  

We had the visiting nurse, Gina, here this morning.  It was good to talk to her about Dad's energy level.  Basically she said that with the heart out of rhythm, some days a person just feels crappy.  And of course, only Dad knows if that is how he feels.  She checked his BP and it was about the same as it has been.  115/60 or so.  Gina measured Dad's arm and it looks like the swelling has gone down a bunch, and it looks so much better.  Still a some puffiness around the elbow though.

Then after the folks had a very short nap, we headed off to see Dr. McClelland, Dad's primary care doc.  She pretty much said the same thing as what the nurse had said.  Dad also told the doctor that yesterday he maybe felt a little down so that was part of the sluggishness.  She adjusted a couple of medications to see if it helps with the frequent urination at night.  She said that his electrolytes and blood sugar were normal 2 weeks ago, she can repeat those but for now thinks that his peeing has to do with the medications and there is nothing to indicate any diabetes or other problems.   She said that if the blood pressure starts being consistently below 100, to call her and she will reduce one of the heart medicines, but for now she is happy with the low blood pressure as the meds are doing that to help his heart.

 

We all three got our flu shots while we were there.  We also took care of the prescriptions that we need to start getting from the VA, so I will start making calls about that again tomorrow.

After the doctor's appointment we took the shower chair back to the store and then took a drive out East into the Blue Hills to see the leaves and explore a little.  After a nice drive down a few country roads, we had supper at the Rice Lake Family Restaurant.  Dad did all that fine, and managed the steps at the house too, so he got lots of activity today.  

We also got a call to set up the sleep study for Dad, that will be in Eau Claire at the Marshfield Clinic there on October 17th.  We are looking forward to getting the information packet on that to learn more, so far we just know he has to show up there at 8pm on the 17th with his pillow and blanket.

Tomorrow we have both Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy here AND the tree guy is coming in the morning to plant 4 12 foot trees in my yard, one is straight off the back deck, a blue spruce, so Dad and Ev can bundle up and watch the whole operation from the deck.  It is supposed to be a nice day.  The 3 frazier firs will be down in my garden area and will give me some instant screen from the road while my baby trees grow up that I planted 3 years ago and are 3 ft high.   So, we have a big day tomorrow for sure.  

Tonight is the first night of Dancing with the Stars, and the folks have really been looking forward to it, me too of course. So, we are glued to the set tonight, I'll be watching the Packer game in the bedroom.

We are available for visiting if you are in the area, just let us know ahead of time to be sure we don't have any appointments.

Go Packers.