Dad keeps us on our toes

Saturday, 11.1.2014
Dad had his gall bladder removed yesterday morning. The surgery went fine, now we hope for a good recovery.  He was in quite a bit of pain until about 7pm when they finally got the right drug combination.  He at some jello and broth before I left for home, and seemed to be feeling okay.  There is a question about some masses seen in a kidney on CAT Scan, so a urologist is stopping to see Dad today. Hopefully that is nothing too serious.


Friday, 10.31.2014
Yesterday Dad had a procedure performed by a Gastroeneterologist, called an ERCP: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.  This involved a scope down his throat to inspect his bile duct, stomach, and gall bladder.  As a result, he is scheduled for a gallbladder removal surgery this morning.   If all goes well he may be discharged over the weekend.  Fingers crossed!

***

Dad got sick on Monday about 530pm.  Just as we were about to watch his favorite, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, he had severe Chest/abdominal pain and nausea. 

We called 911.  After a ride to the Rice Lake ER, and tests & examinations, it was decided he should be admitted to the hospital.   But, Lakeview Hospital in Rice Lake was full. 

Another ambulance ride and Dad was admitted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI.

It does not appear to be heart related at this time but some test results are not completed.   There is concern over high liver enzyme test results that may indicate a gall bladder problem.

He feels better and ate a big lunch on Tuesday.  

Laila had to fly home on Tuesday about noon, but I'm glad she was able to come for the weekend and really glad she was there when Dad had his episode.  Looks like at least one more day here in Eau Claire.  

They want to run a test using dye to further check the gall bladder, that is scheduled for Thursday morning at 8am.  So until then he is on a liquid diet.  Broth, coffee, juice and yellow jello.   What a deal! For a guy who loves to eat, a liquid diet is punishment.

After all he has been through in the past 6 weeks, he needs rest, he's exhausted of course.  Not that hospitals are very famous for being a restful place to hang out, but he is getting good care here.  And he has a nice view from his room on the 5th floor.

He wasn't very happy about missing 'Dancing With the Stars' Monday nite!

Just when we thought we could relax after Ev's burial and Memorial Service, we find ourselves in the hospital; Dad keeps us guessing. 

And so it goes.

Wanda Johansen
from my Note II

Flowers of October

Here we are, only 2 months until my birthday (hint, hint) and 

I found flowers blooming in the backyard.

Red rose about to bloom.

Purple Aster

Purple mums

White Aster

It's a year much different from last, that is definite.

The Afterglow

Saturday, 10.25.2014, was a beautiful day with bright sunshine and crisp fall temperature.

Our time together at the cemetery, as we said goodbye to Ev, was very heartwarming.

All of Dad's children & grandchildren were there, only 2 of the great grandchildren were missing and only 1 of the great great grandchildren could not be there.

The park bench headstone turned out to be a lovely addition to the West Denmark Cemetery

 and a fitting memorial to Ev.

Today we are resting and recharging.

I'll write more later, but I am feeling good today.

It's not always fun to be a grown up

As we edge closer to Saturday, and I spend time with Dad, it is hard to see him sad and to hear him say out loud "I just don't like it without Ev" made my heart hurt.   He is coping but of course he is hurting.

There are moments of laughter remembering a fun time and then the sorrow of facing that their times together are over.

I hope that Saturday is a festive celebration of Ev's life but I know it will be laced with heartache.

Sometimes being a grown up sucks.

Wanda Johansen
from my Note II

Sunday with Dad

Dad is here for two weeks, staying in Rice Lake at my house.  Today we got going early and headed to Luck to attend church at West Denmark.  Dad has many friends in this area and it was nice to see some at church.  After church we stopped at Gus and Lois's to see their new house and to visit a bit.  It was good to see so much family.  Ivan, Angie's youngest, was very interested in Dad's 4 wheeler.

It was such a nice fall day that Dad and I thought we should take the scenic route back to Rice Lake.

We headed East on The Rustic Road, The Chippewa Trail and then followed a county road to Bone Lake.  It was good timing for a break when we got to Wilkin's Resort, so Dad and I had one beer and then continued our drive.  It was a very nice day.

Life is Good.

Alone

What is it to be being alone?  Good?  Bad?

I've never thought about it much as I have lived alone most of my adult life.

With the exception of roommates when I was in my 20s, and a live in boyfriend later on, 

I've been solo.

I've not every thought it to be either good or bad, but not everyone sees it this way.

For example:

A couple of years ago, as I was introduced to a couple who are friends of a friend, 

the man remarked that is was 'too bad' that I was single.  I was stunned at his comment.

Recently, a male friend made a comment that he just could not imagine not having his wife with him to see a beautiful sunset, and that it just would not be the as pretty.

Again, I was a little surprised at his words.

Recently I read that single Americans make up more than half of the adult population for the first time since the government began compiling such statistics in 1976.  (Being single and living alone, are not necessarily the same, I suspect many of these singles have children in their home.)

For me, being alone is fine, lovely in fact, and I am rarely anything but delighted about my life.

But, I can see that it is all what you are used to.

If you've always had a spouse and have shared nearly every experience, being alone would suck.

Yet, most couple end up in that situation eventually.

But don't feel sorry for those of us who are single and living alone, most of us are doing just fine.

We don't share the remote, the toilet paper roll is never empty, we know when there is only an ounce of milk left in the carton, and if we drink the last beer, we know that too.

My sunsets are beautiful, sure, sometimes I share them here.

But even when I see them, standing alone on a sand road, I still think I am seeing something breathtaking and stunning.

Crex Meadows 2013

Life is Good.

The end of captivity

As I have written about before, I had surgery to fuse my left ankle on 8.20.2014.  The surgery was 'textbook' according to the doctor and I have been an obedient patient.

Today, I was able to put on a shoe and effectively end my 8 weeks of captivity.

Although I am not walking full speed yet, and I'll likely put the air cast on if I am headed out of the house, I am walking without the old ankle pain that I had endured for years.

I'm calling it mission accomplished!

It's cute but...

I had visitors from the Northwest this weekend and this little gadget was a gift.  

My mom's sister, Jeanne, and her husband Nel and son Jeff came to town for a family gathering of my maternal grandmother's family.   

Aunt Jeanne delights in reminding me that Russell Wilson and The Seahawks won the Superbowl last year and beat my team.   

So, she brought this cute little dude to me to remind me once again.   

All in fun?  Sure.  

Or maybe I'll use this little guy like a voodoo doll.  

Heh heh heh.

Autumn, won'tcha please stick around a while

I sure hope Fall wants to stick around for awhile.  

I haven't been physically able to get out and take any photos and the leaves are so pretty this year.  

This morning I saw a small flock of Eastern Bluebirds in my front yard and took a snapshot from my recliner, through the dirty, wet window.

Eastern bluebird, Rice Lake, WI

The other day, I was lucky enough to see two eagles high in a pine tree not far from home.

I didn't have my good camera, but the cell phone camera did an okay job.

American Bald Eagles, Rice Lake, WI

My next doctor visit is tomorrow, if I am allowed to start walking in the boot, 

I'll be out getting some fall photos to share!

When I was in Luck last Friday, I took a photo of Park Avenue.
It is lined with maples and was near it's peak color.
I used an iPad app called Waterlogue to transform in into this picture.
(The actual photograph was posted in an earlier entry.)

Park Avenue
Luck, WI