Tetany - The Position

The Position

This morning I awoke in what I have come to call, ‘The Position’. I was on my left side, my neck and head ‘curled’ back towards my heels, my hands curled shut, my arms curled tight against my chest; a semi Tetany if you will. It occurs when your blood calcium level falls too low. Once you have experienced Tetany, your body ‘learns’ this muscular reaction, and it can and does happen when your blood calcium level comes down ‘rapidly’ (and that is a matter of your body’s choosing!), and your actual calcium levels do not have to be ‘low’, just lowered!
It has not happened often the past couple of years, due to whatever is producing parathyroid hormone in my body, but it happens...

Of course, if my calcium levels are really low, this can happen when I am wide awake! Fun stuff!

Stash Building!

A person I just recently met, stopped by today and dropped off white plastic BAGS & BAGS of yarn! All kinds of yarn, Red Heart, Caron, Bulky, and Specialty! "An early Christmas Present,” she said.

I have not even really gone though it all yet!

I just could not believe it! Here I have been NOT crocheting, as I was literally out of yarn! It is very difficult to make anything when you only have one or two skeins of yarn available at a time! Well I have enough yarn to keep my hook going for months now, if not longer.

In fact, I have so much yarn now (thank goodness), I am going to have to invest in a couple of storage bins! Oh joy...

Off My Hook - Poncho

Finally finished my first poncho. It's two matching rectangles, assembled and edging put at neck. Worked with 2 strands (black & off white) of Caron's 'one pounders' and an N hook.

Sjogren’s Flare

Two weeks ago, doc lowered Plaquenil dose from 200mg in AM + 100mg at bedtime (because of side effects) to just 200mg in AM.

The first week I did just fine. On about the 9th day after the dose change, it hit, hard, and fast. So here I am, very sick again!

-constant headache
-so dry at night, tongue sticks to my mouth (Had to start using a mask at night again, no humidifier. Going through a LOT of Numoisyn Lozenges!)
-joint pain – only the movable joints (wrists/ankles the worst)
-fatigue – not enough energy to do anything
-swelling of my feet (top & bottom) at toe joints
-muscle aches/sensitive skin
-sudden, VERY high Blood Glucose on same foods/insulin (and all THAT entails)
-Feeling of being very ill
-increased anxiety
-fingers white and cold at slightest provocation
-do not think I’m thinking straight

Today spoke w/doc on phone. She upped prednisone again, (took an extra dose of it as soon as I spoke to her) Increased the Plaquenil back to 300mg, but at 150mg twice a day. (It will mean cutting pills in FOURS, but they are not tiny.).

Hopefully, I’ll start feeling better again, SOON, and without the Plaquenil side effects that were causing probs. Ff the Plaquenil side effects start again, I’ll know what to look for, and contact doc immediately, also now have a med for the ‘side effects’. Titration, titration, titration!

It is also time for me to make an appointment with my Ophthalmologist, to make sure the Plaquenil (worst side effect!), is not affecting my eyes. But first there was ‘the flood’ in my apartment, then the reconstruction, the fight with AIMCO to get reimbursed, and now I am sick.

Maybe I will get that appointment made tomorrow. In fact, am behind on several doc appointments. Sigh...

But right now, tonight, am going to get ready for bed, turn the sound down on the TV, (nothing good on tonight) listen to Ham Radio (SWL) from the other room, and just sit and crochet for awhile.

AIMCO Reimbursement - Round 3

THE INDUSTRIAL PLASTIC THAT KEPT ME SEPARATED FROM MY KITCHEN, DINING ROOM, CLOSET FROM 11.13.2007 THROUGH 10.31. 2007. (15 days)

Apparently, yesterday, Monday, in the middle of the afternoon while I was busy with something else, I received an email from Mariner's Coves Management.

Then at 9:30 this morning, I received a phone call, "had I gotten the email?" Well, I had seen it there in my inbox, but had not really read it. So, I read the email.

It would seem that the AIMCO people had 'talked it over' and agreed to 'cut me a check for $500; Please let them know as soon as possible...”

I gave the offer serious thought, a 'bird in the hand' and all that. BUT this is about HALF of what I spent out of pocket and what the damaged furniture will cost to replace. (Not to mention any consideration for what I went through.) AND, the money is not only already gone from my pocket, but it seems AIMCO is not willing to stand up and do the right thing, which would be to reimburse me immediately, especially as I have supplied all documentation and receipts.

Not to mention that after ALL I have been through, (without even a SLAM, BANG, THANK YOU MAAM from AIMCO or Mariner’s Coves management!) I may now be suffering with the “I am mad as hell and I am not gonna take it anymore" syndrome!

But I really did think it through, what it would take for me to file a claim against AIMCO in Small Claims Court, the time, energy, the costs.

I emailed them back that I would take no less than 991.00, which are my actual costs. Other than that, I would be filing in California Small Claims Court in December. Though they were HURRY, HURRY yesterday, I have not yet had a reply. And I don’t really expect one...

If I do not hear from them by the end of this week, I will (again), track down still one more (higher up) AIMCO executive, and email copies of all.

Otherwise, it looks like, at age 61, I am going to experience the California Small Claims Court-San Diego, for the first time in my life. (I am sooo very glad I documented, got receipts, took many pictures, had lots of ‘witnesses’, etc) But, even if I don't 'win' anything, at least I will have the satisfaction of knowing that AIMCO management, will actually have to experience some 'real life' for themselves!

BTW, what would I have done differently if I had it to do over again? I would not have spent one penny of what little I have. I would have called Red Cross and seen if The Girls and I qualified for Emergency Housing! (Mariner’s Coves offered a hotel ROOM – no kitchenette for my insulin/diabetes! No up front expense funds for $9.00 round trip disabled transit to/from any hotel as I needed it, no food chits, no boarding for the Sisters – nadda, just a paid for hotel room. Boy would I have been in a MESS if I had gone THAT route!)

Stop smoking then kill yourself, or someone else?

Chantix - I have been 'told' about this drug for about the past year, by two of my own docs, and by folks all over the net on various forums and boards who find out I am a smoker (and unlike so many others, I do not lie or hide my smoking).

When I first heard about Chantix, I did my net research. Right off the bat, with my first reading of the drug's literature, I knew it probably was not for me because it mentioned sleep and/or dreaming changes as one of the side effects.

I have bi-polar disorder, narrowed more specifically, Seasonal Affective Disorder (Severe). In fact, I took Lithium for many years, until solid research was done on ‘Light Therapy’. I tried it and found that light/dark therapy worked just as well for me as a means of mood control as medications had. I was then slowly weaned off Lithium.

The correlation: Sleep (how many hours per night), and the types of dreams I have are my earliest ‘clues’ to mood changes, and therefore treatment needs with either light or dark.

It has taken me a LOT of years to be able to self-manage SAD; I do not need a drug that would mess with that, perhaps throwing me into a depression or hypomania (during which, I would probably start smoking again anyway!).

So, I find the newest FDA info on Chantix interesting. “The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has informed healthcare professionals about reports of suicidal thoughts as well as some aggressive and erratic behavior in patients who have taken varenicline (Chantix, Pfizer), a smoking-cessation product.”

I cannot help but wonder if they are looking in the ‘wrong’ direction regarding this new drug and mood and/or behavior changes. I have personally known two males who committed suicide within two years of smoking cessation, years before Chantix was developed. Both were on long term anti-depressants, and seemed ‘stable’.

Perhaps these new Chantix findings is as simple as Nicotine somehow ‘helps’ those with depression (including anger and aggression), and suicidal tendencies? Perhaps these people are ‘self-medicating’ with Nicotine, and the ‘lack’ of it allows ‘mood disorders’ to emerge full force...

Remember, you heard it HERE first!

Door Stops

Out at my trash bin today, I found two matching square plastic boxes. They were pinkish, with a smooth 'fake' marble finish.

I could find no way to 'open' them. So I decided they were 'decorative' in nature. They make great door stops. As luck would have it, I have needed two door stops for years!

Thanksgiving 2007

A nice quiet, peaceful day. I didn't seek anyone out, and no one called me or came to my door.

I prepared my, by now, typical Diabetic Thanksgiving Meal. I baked some chicken, made boxed cornbread dressing, opened a can of chicken gravy, and a can of green beans. I 'browned' some dinner rolls. Sliced my Pumpkin Pie and topped it with gobs of non-fat whipped topping.

I ate too much. Crocheted, watched TV and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Even the burning and aching in my leg seemed to be at a 'lesser' level.

I did (briefly) toy with the idea of calling my Son in Indiana or my Daughter here. But then I re-thought that; hey, they know where I am and what my phone number is...

Poke & Peek

Had a 6 month follow up Cystoscopy today. Actually between Dr. Salem changing the appointment once, and me having to change it once, it has been almost 8 months since the last one.

The great news was that it was NEGATIVE!

Even though I've had to go for 'biopsies' each of the last two years, each time I get a 'NEGATIVE' is like being granted still another reprieve...

This was the first time I have seen Dr. Salem in her 'new digs', that is, since she left UCSD to go into private practice. So I was just a touch nervous, new place, new personnel, etc.

But it went smoothly; I was made comfortable with both the people and the place.

I am GLAD she has gone into private practice and has moved to Scripps Mercy Hospital! One less doc for me to deal with at UCSD Medical Center! (I'm now down to two; both of them Endo's.)

Plaquinil Dose Change

Saw Dr. Nguyen today. She dropped Plaquinil from 300 mg day, back to 200 mg day, due to some unpleasant 'side effects' that have developed in the last 6 weeks. Just hope there isn't an increase in pain and fatigue.

AIMCO Reimbursement - Round 2

WORK BEHIND THE PLASTIC ONCE DRYING EQUIPMENT WAS REMOVED

Suprisingly quick, late yesterday, I received this via email from AIMCO firt line management:

"Aimco has agreed to only reimburse the food expense and loss during the apartment flood repairs."

On to Round 2! I obviouly need to take this one level higher at AIMCO. Some research is in order now...

AIMCO Reimbursement

HOW THE INDUSTRIAL PLASTIC WAS AFFIXED TO FLOOR

Yesterday I emailed to AIMCO (they own/manage Mariners Coves) in Irvine, CA.

I sent a detailed expense report, a detailed log of the events caused by the leak of the water pipe in the apartment wall, some sample pics (I have 94 - dated & timed), a list of damaged furniture, a list of witnesses, a brief statement, and an invoice (noting that electricity billing was not yet included).

So far ALL I've been reimbursed on 11.1.2007, is $186 TOWARDS the meals I had to have delivered.

I bet THIS is going to be as messy as my apartment was! I am not just going to 'absorb' the financial cost THIS TIME (this was my third leak in this apartment!).

Not to mention that I actually have dreams about this mess, and when wide awake, sit around listening to the walls for the sound of water leaking!

I will be awaiting a response. Bet it won't be anytime soon...

Apartment Repairs Done!

The FINAL repair was completed today; the stove hood was changed out. The old one had rusted in areas from the moisture.

That does NOT mean the final 'unpacking' and putting stuff back where it belongs is done. Not by a long shot! I still have to 'look' for something, find it in an odd place and return it to where it 'lives'. This is still happening several times a day!

This entire catastrophe has taken a total of THIRTY-SIX days! And I am sad to say, though the water pipes in the wall have been repaired, I don't think it's the end of it...

Another Water Leak!

THE SECOND LEAK-THE WATER SEEPING INTO HALL CARPET FROM BATHROOM

I could NOT believe it!

Just one day after all the water damage repairs to my apartment were completed, when I got up this morning, the first thing I saw was a small puddle of water on the bathroom floor, seeping into the carpeting in the hall!

Since the ‘office’ would not be open for several minutes, and I didn’t want to go through the answering service, AND I knew that some of the maintenance people were already out and about on the property (they start work a couple of hours before the office opens), I threw on a jacket and went looking for one.

It did not take long. I hailed Saul, who was going by in one of the ‘carts’. He almost could not believe his ears, “Another leak? In the bathroom?” He went to get Carlos, and they were almost back to my apartment by the time I got to my front door.

Sure enough, Carlos checked out the walls in the bathroom, and THIS was a NEW leak, in the wall between my bathroom and linen closet!

It only took an hour or so for the leak to be ‘found & fixed’, wet carpet removed, the NEW molding removed, and for MORE drying equipment to be installed.

I was almost in hysterics...

Off My Hook - Petghans

I've finished my first two Petghans!

I worked these with two strands of 4ply (ww) acrylic in half double crochet stitch and a N hook. Then I edged them with 2 rows of single strand with single crochet. They are about 18" x 24".

One for each of the Sisters, of course. And they love them! Guess I will be making many more of these for my friends and their pets!

It is amazing how much I had forgotten about Crochet; these are good 'first projects'.

Internet Smokes

Today I received my order from http://www.internetsmokes.com/.

I order several cartons (a month's worth) at a time. I've been doing this for years now. I no longer smoke my Carlton 120's, just can't afford them, and as far as I know Internet Smokes only sell Native Made ciggies.

But I have found several ultra-light 120's 'brands' that I like at Internet Smokes.

I admit, at first it is a 'hassle', you have to FAX or mail them proof of age, and if you want to use eChecks, set up an account with them. Otherwise you have to send them a Money Order (Thanks to the gov for NOT ALLOWING me to use my 'Plastic' as I WANT on the net to buy ciggies! But that is a whole other Blog Article...), then the order/receive process takes much longer.

But once you get yourself set up and order on a regular basis, you will find it is well worth the initial effort, financially and otherwise.

Anyway, All brands sold at Internet Smokes are 'Stamped by the Taxing Authority of the Seneca Nation of Indians'.

The people are terrific. The service is A+, there is even a phone number to call if you have a problem, which in all these years, has never happened!

Raccoons!

Last night I was in bed listening to the radio, just starting to doze off when I heard what I thought were strange, furtive type noises on the patio. The Sisters were both right there in bed with me, sleeping soundly, so I was not concerned. Besides, I was 'locked' in and my outside area is well lit.

Then I heard the CRASH of a potted plant hitting the patio floor, and since this has been happening all too frequently of late, I got up and went to the Living Room, without turning on any lights, to see what I could see.

What I saw, kept me up quietly watching from the dark behind almost fully closed blinds. It kept me enchanted and entertained for about two hours in the middle of the night!

There was a 'troupe' or 'family' of 5 Raccoons (It looked like two parents and 3 half growns) using my patio for a playground! They were big, healthy looking, with clean smooth coats. And beautiful black bandit masks! I knew we had plenty of 'city' skunks and possums; I had not a clue about the Raccoons!

The Raccoons chased each other around the potted plants on the patio floor, sometimes taking a 'shortcut' across the top of a plant, almost tipping over the heavy plants in the process. Then they would switch partners, play hide and seek around the larger pots. I have 'stick toys & adornments' in almost all my potted plants (plants like to 'look pretty' too!). Many of these decorative items are mobile in some way or another. The Raccoons would sit up on their hind legs and sniff, try to eat, bat these adornments, then watch or run away for a little ways in what seemed to be a 'mock fright' when they got them to spinning or moving. Then they would tackle another.

It was a magical event! I am so glad I got out of bed and watched the show! On the other hand, one could lose a lot of sleep this way...

Smoking & Obesity

What if EVERYONE who stopped smoking gained 20 pounds?

What would that do the the 'fat' statistics of America? The World?

You can NOT have it all, you know!

Nifty old unmatched bowls and saucers

Today when taking out the trash I found a small stack of one-of-a-kind bowls and saucers. Well they were just what I was needing! I was even thinking of going to one of the thrift stores to browse for exactly these items!

I use these things for burning candles, incense, under potted plants, candy dishes, whatever. The thing is, they are glass and are breakable, which is exactly why I don't have any right now!

Flood, Fire, Are Locusts Next?

It has been 12 days since the water pipe broke in the kitchen wall. After days of fans, blowers, heaters going, today the reconstruction work finally started. They might even finish up tomorrow. It will be nice to have my kitchen back.

Then there's the wildfires. Other than air quality and many offices, services and businesses being closed (and the threat of the electric grid going down at any minute), I am not personally affected (unlike the kitchen situation).

At this point, I AM waiting for that 'other shoe' to drop, wonder if it is gonna be locusts???

Now THIS is what I call second hand smoke!

Something like 11 fires going in San Diego County. The first two seemingly caused by power lines broke and blown down by the current Santa Ana Winds. (What? They are not blaming an errant smoker?)

Herded by the winds, flames are marching across the county towards the Pacific Ocean.

Across the county, city after city, community after community are being put under mandatory evacuations; 26,000 from this town, 48,000 from that town. Really amazing stuff.

And over us all, even those not in the line of 'fire' is the particle and ash filled smoke. In some places, the ash is falling like snow.

People are trying to stay inside, or going to clean-air malls. Others are wearing masks, holding wet cloths over their faces, and with no choice, breathing in the chemical laden gunk.

(This time, unlike during the wild fires of 4 years ago, the air in my immediate area, the local air quality is bad, but not terrible.)

One day of this (or the air pollution near any wildfire) is probably equivalent to a lifetime of smoking ciggies.

Wonder if the C.A.V.E. (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) People are having panic attacks and hysteria.

Or perhaps they are giving that little ‘fake cough’ and waving hands in front of delicate noses?

And what about all those people that claim to be allergic to smoke? (Which by my guestimate, is half of San Diego County) Why aren’t people dropping like flies, from their claimed ‘allergy’ to smoke, and being rushed to hospitals in ambulances?

Camping Out in the Living Room

EATING 'STATION' I SET UP BEHIND LOVESEAT

First thing this morning, they work on the apartment was started. The first thing they did was move my refrigerator into the living room, and install plastic sheeting blocking off the Dining Room and Kitchen.

And the reason I am able to remain in my own apartment is because the apartment immediately behind me is empty! Fortuitous, as they can do most of the work from there, needing little access through my own apartment.

I spent most of the day outside on the sidewalk with my coffee, and astray atop a little white plastic patio table, as they tore down all the dry wall, cabinets, etc. I also had my crochet and my eBooks on my PDA. The Sisters hid in the bedroom, seemingly terrified.

Although I had taken out what I thought I would need, there was much stuff I did not think of grabbing; utensils, toaster, can opener, broom, vacuum, etc. So now I just have to live without this stuff for a few days...

Just before dinnertime, the big dryers, heaters, blowers were hooked up behind the plastic.

I find myself ‘camping out’ in my own living room. What a mess...

The Homeless Population

I went to Downtown San Diego today for an errand, by Horton Plaza actually. (Though I did not go to Horton Plaza, one of my fav places – no money, not even for a coffee!).

It has been several months since I have been there. I do not know if it was because it is a Saturday, or what.

But it seemed to me that there were so many more homeless, mostly male, than there used to be.

They range in age from late teens to elderly, usually unshaven, unkempt hair of various lengths, marginally to very dirty, and dressed in old clothes that are either too tight or too baggy.

Though it was early afternoon, there were people pushing carts, or with backpacks & bedrolls, all over the sidewalks, sitting, sleeping, sometimes gathered in 2 and 3’s.

Do they come in from colder climes for the mild San Diego winter weather? Or are all these folks ‘residents’ of San Diego?

Though I always give away a ciggie or two, and whatever change I have when asked, (being grateful that I am not on the street!) today I had nothing to give.

Homeless people, homeless animals; it is enough to break your heart, if you have one.

I do NOT understand why America cannot find an acceptable job, something the person is capable of doing, for each of them. And a place to live...

Another Water Leak

I have lost count of how many I have had in the years I have lived in this apartment. But I have learned to check often, and to not store anything that could be damaged by water on the floor or near the walls!

Late last night, I went into the kitchen, and one of The Sisters, Ethel, went with me. As I was nuking a cuppa de-caf, I noticed that Ethel seemed to be ‘stalking’ something in the far corner. When I checked, I found water down the entire length of the floor, from the cupboard, under the plastic shelves, down to and under the cat dishes.

I spent the next half hour looking for its source, and I could find nothing. So I put in a call for maintenance. He checked and initially could not find the source of the water either. Luckily, for all, he was persistant.

Eventually, he found, under the kitchen sink, that the wood was all ‘mushy’ and in the far back corner, by the wall, there was actually a hole THROUGH the wood of the cabinet, and water under.

He was able to fix the slow leak, but said the damage was extensive and that someone would be here Monday to evaluate what needed to be done.

Probably another fine mess at the Coves!

San Diego County IHSS Advisory Committee

Today I attended me second meeting. I asked the ‘secretary’ and they had received my ‘application’. No other comment was offered by anyone.

After this second meeting, I am not sure that this is the most advantageous use of my meager ‘volunteer’ time and energies. Would my participation in this ‘top heavy’, county run committee be of any actual help to anyone?

I have not committed myself yet, time remains to evaluate it further...

No Smoking! In Your Own Car!

No Smoking! In Your Own Car!

California has done it, (Perhaps the FIRST state to do so? I do not really know.) passed a law effective January 1, 2008, that it is ILLEGAL to smoke in your own car IF ANYONE in the car is under 18!!!

Now they say you can not be ‘stopped’, ‘pulled over’ for this violation, but if you are stopped for any ‘other’ reason and you are smoking with a minor in the car, you will be ticketed. But I am sure it will not be long before that changes!

This in the face of study after study that ‘second hand smoke’ does not pose a significant danger (do some Google research folks!)

But that, or even smoking is not the point – the point is government in our private lives. What ever happened to ‘Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness’? Or ‘Live & Let Live’? Or even, ‘Mind Your Own Business’?

When, ohhh when, are people going to revolt against the government telling us what we can do ON/IN OUR OWN PROPERTY?

You can bet your bippy that within ten years, big brother is gonna be telling you what you can eat at the fast food place, where & when you can travel in the US, that you HAVE to have immunizations and mammograms, and perhaps even be telling you what you can do in your own bedroom.

(Remember, this all started with the FIRST no smoking laws: No smoking in elevators, & movies. Then it moved on to ‘grocery stores’). Then came the ‘seat belt’ laws, the ‘helmet’ laws, and now it’s escalating beyond belief.

Wake up people! When did Americans turn into a bunch of sheep?

A new Second Hand Smoke Law?

Today I made a call to a utility company. My business required that I waited long periods while I could hear a keyboard clicking on the other end of the line.

I finally lit up a ciggie, inhaled gratefully. Almost immediately, the guy on the other end of the line, gave a little cough!

“Ohh No,” I said to him, “don’t tell me that my smoke here is bothering you there!”

He was silent for a second, and then he started chuckling. Then we were both laughing uncontrollably.

No doubt the C.A.V.E. people (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) will soon have such a law (no smoking while on the telephone), in front of legislators all over the world!

BTW, my utility problem did NOT get resolved...

Incident Follow Up

First thing today, I got on the phone, calling both the office and the police about last night’s incident. The office had no report of it, and they will not get the security guard’s report until Monday.

The police said I should have called 911, and if something similar happens again, I will. The police also said I should get one of those ‘security doors’, but I do not have the $ for that. They also asked if there was anyone that disliked me, or did I have any enemies! (HA, just most of the HAMS that hang around Art Bell, or HamFanz in one way or another! A roll of toilet paper would not be long enough to list the names!)

This afternoon, the maintenance man came and checked my front door, the door was kicked to hard, and there is actually a spot where the ‘shoe’ of the kicker left a small sole print, this is about ¾ inch each way! He also fixed the second lock on my patio door, got me wood dowels for my windows (though I did have the ‘thumb-screw locks’).

Now all I need is an aluminum baseball bat, a can of mace, and a pearl handled .22!

My 'baby' is getting old...

Today was Jon Robert’s 39th birthday; my youngest child, almost ‘over the hill’! I had sent him a card, but I called him this evening also.

No wonder I have not heard from him in ages; he has a beagle almost a year old named Lucy, and a ‘girl friend’...

Prednisone & Plaquinil

This afternoon I had an appointment with my Rheumatologist, in Hillcrest, thank goodness! On reviewing my last CRP (higher than the last one), and almost 50% less need for insulin, she increased the prednisone to 7.5 mg day. I know it’s a ‘problem’ medication with many long term ‘dire’ side effects; but I just feel so much better when taking it, less pain, less fatigue, lower insulin requirements, etc.

She may have solved the lowered blood sugar, and needing less insulin mystery! She said that sometimes, inflammation CAUSES the blood sugar to elevate; so treatment of the inflammation process can LOWER IT.

So I will be taking the 7.5 mg a day, at least till I see her again in 6 wks. She also increased the Plaquenil to 300 mg day, adding ½ a tab at bedtime. And I went over to Mercy Lab for another CRP.

While in Hillcrest, I ran some errands, even though I had a bad headache.

After that, I attended my 3rd weight loss seminar. This time for Pacific Bariatrics, (they are now doing the Lap Band). Maybe the third time is the charm. I was impressed with Dr. Zorn, who was the one that did the presentation. And two of my other docs have recommend him. So I have a whole folder of stuff to read and fill out for that!

It was well after 7P when I got home absolutely exhausted; the Sisters were upset at having been left alone for so long (I even forgot to leave the radio on for them), but I was in ‘survival’ mode...

San Diego Pet Assistance

This afternoon a person from Pet Assistance came over to ‘orient’ me, and give me a notebook full of info for my soon to start volunteer telephone position with Pet Assistance. Their calls will be forwarded to me one afternoon per week.

I now have a HUGE loose leaf notebook full of stuff to learn, in order to handle phone calls and make referrals, thereby helping someone and some animals. I’m wondering if I’ll ever learn all that stuff, am feeling overwhelmed. I will though; I want to help the animals, they can't help themselves!

Breathing

Tonight, I again had trouble breathing when I went to bed. Just as I fall asleep, I wake up not breathing, my heart beating fast, adrenaline flowing. This happened 3 times before I finally fell asleep. It happened a couple of nights in a row last week too. Wonder if it has anything to do with a much-lowered dose of prednisone? As of today, I am down to 2.5 mg day.

Thornton & Endos

Had an appointment with one of my Endos at UCSD Thornton this afternoon, I have not seen him for 7 months. He ordered some routine labs, including a PTH and Ca to follow up on the hyperparathyroidism (wonder if prednisone has impacted that?). We talked about diabetes and pump stuff. I related how the prednisone seemed to be making my BG’s go down. And I made another appointment for 6 months down the line.

I am sure glad I only need to go trekking to Thornton twice a year, it is a long, boring, and usually cold, trip (it sits up on that hill with nothing to protect it from the wind), and there is absolutely nothing else to do while you are there! I only have two docs at UCSD now, both Endo’s, both at Thornton, and this is the main reason why! I think they made a great error in judgment when they moved ALL their docs to Thornton from Hillcrest.

Hooks - Boye Baleen II

I just recieved two sets of Boye Baleen Hooks II hooks, sized G through P, that I ordered from http://http//www.joann.com. The two sets came in at just under $13.00.

I am so dissappointed in them! I knew they were all the same color, but the identification on them as to hook size, is so small, I can not see it!

Worse that that, these hooks are so 'draggy', they are absolutely impossible to work with! And I tried all the tricks, from running them through my hair, to dipping them in flour. Nothing helped!

Do not buy THESE hooks!

Still One more IP!

I interviewed and hired still another ‘Independent Provider’ today. Since she is already working for someone here in the complex, perhaps it will work out for everyone concerned, and she will stay! I am so tired of ‘training’ a new person to have them quit within a month or two...

Volunteering

This afternoon I went to a meeting of the San Diego County In Home Supportive Services Advisory Board. It meets once a month, and it meets fairly close to where I live.

This Advisory Panel seems to be well functioning, with involved members.

Turns out that they have a ‘vacant’ seat. I think I am going to put in an application; though I do not really know exactly what that entails, what the process, or criteria are to getting ‘appointed’ to a seat. Guess I will find out!

It is a way of helping others that I am capable of doing. And I am sooo glad that I am feeling well enough to start doing stuff like this. I have been a 'doer', a taker care of, most of my life. It has been terrible to not be able to 'help' others in some way...

Ethel’s THIRD Spay: Feline Ovarian Remnant Syndrome

I knew it was coming, yet it still ‘snuck’ up on me. Friday night, Ethel was very restless, she could not sleep, and therefore I did not get much sleep either. Though I was slightly suspicious, she was not really ‘crying’, so I wondered if she might have a tummy ache or something. Eventually, she did settle down on my pillow for what was left of the night (Lucy commands the foot of the bed.)

Saturday morning, the minute I opened my eyes, Ethel was at the patio door crying to go out. Since she much prefers the great outdoors to the catbox, I let them out much earlier in the day than I usually do.

I am telling you, Ethel had not cleared the patio rail before she started ‘yowling’. And it was not more than 10 minutes later that the abandoned and recently NUETERED ‘cat with no name’ was ready, willing and apparently able!

(As an aside, let me warn everyone AGAINST the low fee Spay and Neuter Clinics! Find the money to go to a private vet and you probably will not have to go through this! But I was broke, a babe in the woods, and really had no knowledge of all this...)

I spent all weekend listening to the ‘love cat couple’ screaming sweet nothings back and forth through the patio screen. Poor perturbed Lucy just kind of watched from a distance trying to figure it all out. I am so glad that I have been taking Prednisone for 3 weeks now, otherwise I don’t know how I would have gotten through this physically!

Last March, when Ethel went into estrus, it only lasted 4 days. A third spay was postponed because they needed her to be in full estrus to find the offending ovarian tissue in her belly. So here it was, she started estrus on a Friday night! I was frantic, wondering if I could get her to the vet before it ended; I did not want to go though another 6 months watching and waiting!

I set my alarm, got up early this morning, turned the coffee on, and was sitting beside the phone watching the minutes until I could call the vet’s office.

Then there were LOTS more fun complications! The vet who was going to do her third spay was not available till September 20th! Add to that all the financial arrangements that had been made 6 months ago were now moot, and I had to ‘reconnect’ there also.

Almost in tears, and with only half a cup of coffee swallowed (and with Ethel and the ‘cat with no name professing their ador LOUDLY through the patio door, I called the agency that was ‘financing’ Ethel’s third spay. Things got done immediately! She found another vet who was willing to do the surgery, TODAY but I had to have her there before noon!

I knew that Ethel had not eaten, and I had not seen her drink, so I picked up the food and water, through her in a carrier (boy was she ticked!), and started looking for transportation for her. The one ‘cat’ volunteer I know had just put his car in the shop an hour earlier. Yellow Cab would not take an animal (even caged), without a person (and not having a folding wheelchair I could not go). Then someone gave me the phone number for a ‘pet ambulance’, which I think is a great idea, but the cost was $200 one way!

Desperate to get her there and get this problem finally, completely over, before her estrus passed, I went out on the sidewalk, hair still uncombed, phone in hand, looking for neighbors. There was none to be seen, it was mid-morning. Next, I headed for the Cove’s office. I was hoping to get one of the maintenance workers to take her for cash.

Finally, I lucked out! One of the employees had an adult daughter, who also lived here, and she not only had a car, but was willing and available to take Ethel in now, and pick her up for me tomorrow – it only cost me $40 cash! (Exactly why one should always keep a small amount of ‘mad money’ available at all times. Not that $40 is a ‘small amount’ to me; it would buy a lot of bread, milk, and cat food!)

I called the vet’s office to make sure that she had arrived (she had), filled out the ‘paperwork’ over the phone, and they got Ethel’s records faxed from the out-of-town vet’s office. I arranged for them to keep her tonight, to make sure she was OK, as I do not have a car or person to do anything tonight if she had a problem. I completed all this with a sigh of relief.

It seemed I had no sooner poured another cup of coffee when the vet phoned. The procedure was complete, he had found ovarian tissue on the right side of her belly, and she was doing fine (other than trying to chew up everyone, she does get a little ‘testy’ when given anesthetics.)

I had an exhausting and worried weekend but maybe, just maybe, Ethel will not need to be spayed again! Ethel will be home tomorrow, sore, maybe still ticked off, with a belly full of dissolving stitches, but hopefully with her libido turned off for good! (Me? Hey, I am going to bed as soon as I post this!)

BTW, if you have had a cat that has had to be spayed more than once, raise your hand!

AutoImmune Hell

or heaven?

After just four days of 15 mg per day of Prednisone, am feeling like I may live. The muscle and joint pain is much better, and I definitely have more energy.

But the past four days have NOT been easy; not only was I so ill, but this time the Prednisone (or something) really whacked out my blood glucose, and I've been fighting highs on top of everything else. I'll really have to watch my BG's carefully the next couple of days. After I start getting/using more energy, those numbers will drop fast and dramatically. Soon I will have to set my Insulin Pump on the 50% pattern I've programmed in...

But I'm also taking Plaquenil 200mg twice a day. It's supposed to take weeks to start working, but I thought it was helping a little after just a couple of days (and that was before I started the Prednisone). Perhaps just the Placebo effect...

Some of my friends are concerned that I'm going to be taking Prednisone for weeks this time. But you know what? It was not a difficult choice: take the chance of gaining weight or be totally non-functioning from pain and 'flu' like symptoms. No choice really....

Cardiac Check Up

Today I went for my once every 3 years echocardiogram and ecg and visit with the cardiologist. Absolutely great news; there is NO evidence of any damage to my heart from Hereditary Hemochromatosis.

This was a couple of hours long appointment, and then the wheelchair transit there and back. It was exhausting, and I KNOW I'll pay for all that exertion tomorrow; I already am.

I get so tired of docs & tests...

Sjogren’s Flare & Complications

A routine, follow-up appointment. But it turns out that the recent swelling in my right (my only ‘good’ foot left!) may be auto-immune related. It is unrelieved with either elevation, rest (I am in a wheel chair for heavens sake!), or a mild diuretic. I have actually had this before, but not nearly this bad or for this long.

And the fatigue, muscle and joint pain, has gradually been returning. I sure do not feel as well as I did; it is all returning, in fact I spent half of yesterday in bed (but last week my Hemoglobin was up to 15.8, which does not help!). I left her office with a prescription for Plaquenil, and Prednisone, and orders for more lab work that will be done next Tuesday.

The lab work is still more ‘specialized’ stuff, and it is interesting really. She ordered a C-Reactive Protein (which has remained elevated for months), some other routine ‘rheumy’ stuff AND two tests that have something to do with my foot swelling from MORE complications of Sjogren’s Syndrome: Cryofibrinogen and Cryoglobulin (I have never heard of these!). I have to be fasting, and have to be in the lab, (Scripps Mercy) for them to draw the blood for these tests, which is why it has to wait until next Tuesday. (I will ‘piggyback’ the lab visit with still another doc appointment I have that day.)

I started the Plaquenil, but it can take 6 weeks to ‘cut’ in. The Prednisone I cannot start until I have the blood drawn Tuesday. I plan to take 3 tablets with me (as well as something to eat), and take them as soon as the blood has been drawn!

Prednisone – This time, I am starting at 15mg a day for a week, then down by half a tablet per week, until I am off it. I am not looking forward to the ‘jitters’ it gives me, but AM looking forward to feeling better.

My deep dark fear is that all this stuff is from malignancy not autoimmune, though I have had autoimmune problems all my life. (My yearly CT scans are due shortly.) Still, you cannot reason with fear...

New Glasses, New Do!

I certainly get my haircut more often than I get new glasses. But I always get a haircut when I do get new glasses!

So yesterday, even though I am suffering fatigue again, I went to Ocean Beach to pick up my new glasses, and on the way home, got a haircut. Why does that always make me feel better?

I have needed a haircut for the past couple of months, I was way past 'shaggy'! I've been watching the 'junk mail' for a coupon for my local shop, but I never did find one. I had to pay full price!!!! (sob)

I did not try to stop by and see, or leave a message for, my Grandson, it was just too hot, and I was out of gas (metaphorically speaking), by then. And I immediately felt guilty...

This morning, I fired up my trusty little web cam and took some pics of myself. Actully the results aren't too bad; it's intrinsic 'fuzziness' hide my age well! The picture above is probably the best – shows off my new glasses and haircut!

Off my hook - 7 x 9 Rectangle Throw

Finally Completed! 7 x 9 inch rectangles, 5 across, 6 down. Made with scraps of 4 ply (ww), all in half double crochet, and an H hook. Joined/edged with a chocolate brown in sc.

Almost Off My Hook - 7 x 9 Rectangle Throw

Or almost anyway! Today I finished the 25th 7 x 9 rectangle (including borders!). It's for my love seat sized couch, so it will be 5 rectangles wide by 5 long. Now all I have to do is put it together and weave in a few 'tails'. Probably another week or two of work (some days I don't crochet, and some I just do a little).

I'm definitely looking forward to finishing this! I don't know why I picked such a big project to re-start crocheting! Thinking back, I guess it was because most of my yarns are 'donated' and I don't have a lot of any one color or weight, that limited what I could do. I still don't have any threads, nor cotton yarns...

My next project? A whole bunch of 4x4 swatches with different stitches, ww & sport, and different sized hooks (I now have a good basic set, but no 'big' sizes; no M, P, S...

Then after that, a kind woman donated 3 skeins of bulky chenille (black), and I'm going to try a scarf for a friend.

Am really, really enjoying it. And what a stress reliever!

Update on The Cat with No Name

I think the antibiotic did the trick! He has finally healed. He is coming twice a day to eat now (dry food & water are there all the time), drinks well, only cries now when it dinnertime (1/2 can of canned food), and he is drinking enough water.

As the amount of testosterone he has decreases, he has become less ‘jumpy’ also. He now will actually stay on the patio as I put out his food. So, he is very gradually letting me get closer and closer to him. Perhaps someday he will let me pet him!

He tries to come in, wants to come in! And sometimes he does, if I know I’ll be sitting right there to watch him. Otherwise, I have to be very careful to keep the screen closed, as he still ‘sprays’! It is my hope that the ‘older’ he gets, and the further away from being neutered, that he will stop this, at least inside! Not to mention, that he has fleas...

I watched him yesterday as he lay in the grass in the shade of a big tree, interacting with the Sisters, and he seemed to be enjoying life.

It has only taken: 10 months, 2 Organizations (SNAP & Feral Cat Coalition), 4 volunteers (not counting those at the spay/neuter clinic), three different traps, a 'donated round of antibiotics' and me feeding and talking to him to make his little life better.

The only thing I would add, if I could, would be some kind of retribution for the people that don't spay/neuter their animals when they are young, then abandon them, when 'nature' takes over!

It makes me happy! I have been at trying to ‘help’ this abandoned cat for 10 full months now; at times it’s been very vexing, stressful, and frustrating. But think we’re there now...

Power Wheel Chairs 101

Many disabled people, those that can work, or have family, own several wheel chairs! As each chair does different things; ie an 'inside' chair, an outside chair, a heavy duty 4 wheel scooter (for local shopping), a chair that will fit inside (to drive) a 'disabled' vehicle, a manual 'emergency chair' that will fold and go in a car, and so on. I actually know some of these 'multiple' chair people. Wish I were one of them!

Yet no matter how I've tried, I've always been unable to have more than ONE, the one I am in! Mainly because with only one chair, they are way past any kind of repair when I get a new one (ie like a car, it can be more expensive to repair than get a new one). In fact usually they are by then 'non-working' and I am stuck in bed!

I am in that position now. My one chair (3 years old), not meeting ALL my current needs. Mainly, I can not reach stove, counter tops, and the like from this chair. Since I could pull myself to a standing position, even take a few steps when I got it, this chair was not configured to do ALL that I need. And THIS chair, though a good one, IS three years old now, and on it's 'downhill' cycle.

I have no qualms about getting used chairs; in fact, I keep looking on Craig's List, etc. Just have never found one, or they want way too much for it, and/or it has no batteries (in which case, you don't even know if it works but they want cash for it!), etc. Then in addition, you have full cost of repair, no warranty, etc. But I do keep looking!

I would venture to guess that within 5 years, - power chairs prices are coming down so much, and so fast - that they will be like many 'major' electronics ie, you will be able to buy just by 'assigning' a monthly payment from your checking account.

But, this is now. IF I had a credit card (they don’t give people with monthly incomes of $867 month, credit cards!), I would have BOTH these chairs here next week!

1) Power Chair
http://www.spinlife.com/shopping/cartnew.cfm?added=true&CFID=6400969&CFTOKEN=31237382

2) Manual ‘Emergency’ Fold and Go Chair:
http://www.spinlife.com/Invacare-Tracer-IV-Heavy-Duty-Wheelchair/spec.cfm?productID=108

And life would be not only easier, but less stressful, and more fun!

There is no such thing as being dis-abled, there is only not having the 'right' equipment!

Power Chair Fun & Games 2

I cannot believe it! I got stuck in my wheelchair again! And so soon after my last wheelchair ‘adventure’. This time it was my own fault, and it was really funny! I was laughing at myself all the way through it.

The gardeners were here yesterday, including raking, the area beside my building where I have my radio antenna wire laying on the ground. So I went outside to check it. I do this almost daily, but from the sidewalk.

Today, I could see that the gardeners had messed it up, they had draped it in a tangle over a bush and it was very visible.

Since I had one of my reachers with me, I went up on the grassy area, no easy task, and something I try not to do, as the area is full of lumpy surface tree roots that mostly I can not see. But I’ve done it before, when I have had to, and saw no problem with doing it again.

Except that this time I could not quite reach the antenna wire with my reacher. I was just inches away! I went forward just a a bit. Nope, the wire was STILL just out of my reach. I inched forward just a little more! Success was mine, I could grab the wire with my reacher. I worked it back down to the ground, behind the bush, where the apartment management would not easily see it.

But now I was fully between the bushes, which quickly scratched up my legs and got entangled in the spokes of my tires. When I got the thick branches unentangled from my spokes, and tried to back out, the tires of my chair just spun.

Without realizing it, by inching forward, I had gone into the sand. My tires do not do ice, mud, wet grass, or soft sand! (Now this sand is usually hard packed, I have even done this once before, but the gardeners had ‘raked’ it heavily, so that NOW, it was soft and dry.)

I tried every way I could to get unstuck and back on the grass. I tried slow and fast, and going in all different directions. I rocked it; I tried turning around. It was a no go. I was stuck, and was just getting ‘stucker’ by the minute.

Worse yet, my efforts had, by now put me absolutely up against the building! The metal feet of my wheel chair were actually jammed up against the outer wall of my own apartment.

It was then that I reached for my cell phone to call management or even 911 if I had to sit there long enough, only to realize that IT WAS NOT THERE! Nor was my cordless phone that I often carry in a side pocket of the chair.

I looked around, as best I could through the bushes, and there was no one it sight. It was then I realized I could be sitting there staring at the wall of my building a long time before someone came by. And I started laughing, I could not help it. It was so stupid it was funny!

Luckily, it was middle afternoon, and people would start coming home and parking eventually. I planned to holler, loud and clear, at the first person that appeared. I just hoped I would be heard, sitting there facing the building and between the bushes. It was then that I first got a little scared. Still, it was funny, here was this fat old woman sitting up against the wall, stuck in her wheelchair, giggling. Whomever I could get to help me would probably call the men in the white jackets!

Sure enough, just a few minutes later, a car pulled in and parked on the other side of the lot. I heard it, and started calling for help. She heard me, though she told me later that she could not see me! She, an unknown neighbor who lived in the next building, came over to investigate, and asked if I needed help.

"Ohhhh yesss," I said.

I sent her to get someone to help her, and a few minutes later, she came back with still another unknown neighbor, a young man.

I instructed them how to switch the wheelchair to manual operation. The woman helped me stand up against the building (I did not put my weight on my bad ankle), she ‘balanced me’ as I held on to a window frame. At which point the man was able to pull my chair back just inches (probably less than 6!), to get the big middle wheels on the grass. They then helped me to the chair, and watched carefully as I made my way back to the sidewalk.

I went back inside my apartment, grateful to be there, more than a little embarrassed, and upset with still another wheelchair adventure ‘under my belt’.

The thing is, I want to ‘do for myself!’ I do not want to wait for someone else to do things for me! I HATE asking people for things (I really do). However, a lesson has been learned. I will not go outside again without a phone! And the next time I get a cell phone, I will make sure I get TWO phones on the same line, so one can just live on the wheelchair. I tend to put it in my waist pack, then forget to take it out and put it back on the wheelchair, and I never wear the waist pack around the apartment.

And next time, the wire antenna will just have to stay tangled and in plain sight till I can find someone who will fix it for me. Sigh...

Half-Birthday!

Today is my Half-Birthday. To celebrate I went shopping with a little bit of money I'd held back just for this event.

For those of you who don't know, a Half-Birthday is the equivalent of being born on 'Festivas'! A Half-Birthday is for those poor folk (like moi!) who were born within the month AFTER Christmas!

Being born at such a time, when everyone is broke and hung-over, from THE major christian holiday of the year, is tantamount to NOT having a birthday! There are no parties, big gifts, a day at the circus for us! Nope, we are lucky to get a piece a cake with a candle in it and a verbal 'Happy Birthday', and that in a half-hearted manner.

So sometime in my late twenties, I saw, read, heard SOMEWHERE about half-birthdays! From then on, I've celebrated my half-birthday on July 28. And let me tell ya, there have been some damn fine parties and celebrations! Needless to say, as I've gotten older (and clean & sober), the celebrations have toned down considerably! Even though it's now a party of one, I still celebrate my half-birthday.

Of course, I never expect or accept half-birthday presents. BUT, I always buy myself one! And ya know what? It is always something I want! This year it was a set of crochet hooks and a piece of Lemon Meringue Pie!

Crochet Project

I now have 10 totally completed 7” x 9” rectangles, edged with 2 rows of single crochet, and ends all tucked in.

Then I have 4 ready for edging & finishing, and about half of each of 2 skeins waiting for me to make rectangles.

I have no idea how large I am going to make it! I do need a spread for my extra long hospital bed, (but I would rather do that in thread or at least sport weight yarn) and a ‘throw’ for my love seat size sofa. For sure, I cannot ‘give it away’ as it IS basically a ‘practice piece’ AND the first crochet project I’ve done for almost two decades!

I’m amazed out how much I have forgotten, sometimes on these simple rectangles (I am making them in basic sc, hdc, dc and variations of same), I still find I’ve dropped or gained stitches, changed to the wrong stitch mid-row, or screwed up some other way, and have to rip it. When I screw up, I find that crocheting is NOT stress reducing, nor a pleasure! However, it is most of the time.

However, my speed and tension are good, they came right back to me.

I especially like to crochet while watching a movie, or at night while listening to Short Wave Radio. And I enjoy it...

Abandoned Cat Not Doing Well-Update

This week I emailed the folks that neutered him. Told them his condition was deteriorating. I think he needs to be caught AGAIN (and of course, who does the catching – moi!), and taken to the shelter. He needs vet care! They told me they would bring a trap by tomorrow.

Grandson Sighting

Today, as I do every few months when in my daughter’s part of Ocean Beach, I stopped by her apartment. I do this to see if she is still living there, and to put my card on her door so that she will know that I am still alive.

I did the same today. Checked the mailbox and her name was there. So I proceeded on to her front door. I was just reaching out to insert my card in the white security screen door, when it flew open and there was my Grandson Mike. I had no idea he was living there, or had even stayed in California after he arrived about a year ago.

“Granny!” he said, all smiles. He did not even say hello, just started telling me about his 19 year old life; he is back in school, and is working nights stocking shelves at a big retail store. (For which I am very grateful!)

He is even taller, and more filled out than when I last saw him; definitely moving out of his teens and into manhood.

Now that I know he is in town, I think I’ll invite him to dinner...

Saturday Has Become my ‘Out’ Day

Mainly because the local bus has a ‘ramp’ instead of the ‘lift’ on Holidays and weekends, Monday through Friday, they only have the ‘lift’. The ramp is much easier, faster, and far less harrowing than the ‘lift’.

So on Saturdays I can bop on and off the bus with no anxiety or worries. (Though at times, even the ramps break and will not deploy.) I have been on the bus when the lift would not deploy. I have seen other people stuck out on that lift, and I have heard harrowing stories of the lift breaking with someone ON it! I do not want to be one of those ‘stories’!

Today I went to the Vons shopping center, picked up a few things, did some window shopping, chatted with strangers, entered a $250 Von’s shopping spree contest, and more or less thoroughly enjoyed myself. I came home just a couple of hours later happy & relaxed. It is amazing how getting out of the apartment one afternoon a week just to play, feeds the soul.

I would do this more often if they had the ‘ramp’ busses on this route ALL the time! I could maybe even get to the Library once in awhile. But the company that contract the route, says that during the week they need to use the ramp loading buses on ‘busier routes’, which intrigues me, as route 35 IS a busy route!

Abandoned Cat Not Doing Well

Just a couple of days after he was returned, I noticed an open place on his scrotum. It looks like a ‘slit’ about an inch long. Now since I cannot get close to him, I am seeing this from 3 – 4 feet away.

I emailed the people who did the surgery on him, and was told they did not put stitches in male neuters, that they just let the blood coagulate, and that if he was licking it, it could take awhile to heal.

I was advised to ‘watch’ him, should he stop eating, become lethargic, etc, to contact them again and perhaps we could put antibiotic in his food.

Why does stuff like this always happen to me? I bet they neuter hundreds of feral cats a year, and this does not happen! Or does it, and no one knows about it? (If only they had put in dissolving stitches!)

But I get to watch him, and worry about him! Poor stray half-wild cat and I have no way to help him, no trap, no money to take him to vet. So frustrating...

Abandoned Cat is Back from Neutering

The volunteer from the Feral Cat Coalition retuned him early this evening. He seemed none the worse for wear, though he was missing a part of his anatomy that with his short gray fur, used to be quite large and prominent!

The volunteer opened the ‘trap’ for him right outside my front door, thereby returning him to his ‘territory’. He took off like a shot, across the parking area towards Famosa Slough. I probably will not see him for 2 – 3 days, or until he gets hungry enough...

‘Found Cat’ Neutered Today

I was never able to find anyone that claimed the cat that found me way last March, despite two massive attempts to do so. The Cove’s Management even helped with this campaign to find his rightful owner, all to no avail.

Sometime in April, I finally put dry food and water on the patio for him as he was crying incessantly and he was loud! Guess what, his crying went down dramatically.

All these weeks, he has been arriving on my patio every morning and evening for fresh food, though he never seems far away. Sometimes he stretches out on the cement and naps. He has come inside the apartment several times, when I have accidentally left the patio screen door open. (This would be fine except I am sure he has fleas, and he SPRAYS!) But as soon as he hears/sees me moving about, he exits quickly.

I have tried, tried, and tried to get close enough to stroke him, but he will not let anyone near him, including me. I actually wanted to get close enough to take that way too tight collar off, (which they will do today, when they neutered him) but it did not happen. Strangely enough, he gets along with The Sisters just fine; they posture once in awhile, but that is all it is.

The next step was to take the responsibility for seeing that he was neutered. We do not need any more unwanted kittens! Our local ‘feral’ cat population at the Famosa Slough is down dramatically from what it was a few years ago, and I did not want him contributing to the problem. I had planned to be able to ‘handle’ him by now, and take him in.

But as it worked out, The Feral Cat Coalition, (in the form of one of their wonderful volunteers, this one named ‘Mike’) loaned me a trap, coached me on how to trap him, came and got him, took him to the spay/neuter clinic, and bought him back and let him loose a day later.

It has been a week now, and he, the cat (no name) is recovering. This also has not been without worry or incident.

This poor, abandoned cat has been through enough. Why do people do this to animals? It is beyond me. I have never had an abandoned/stray cat take this long to 'warm up’; though I feel they are emotionally damaged by being abandoned.

And no, it's not my wheelchair he is skittish of, he won't let anyone near him. He does come to the patio door now to 'cry' for food, or to be talked too. I guess that is a ‘forward’ step.

Though an ‘outside’ cat, I think he’s decided that he lives here. His former owner must have been a fat old woman that smokes! One fine day he wandered by and found my apartment, smelled that smoke, and has not strayed far since.

Actually, I am not new to this, in the past 20 years; I have had two other stray males (cats, ha!) move in with me. They were easy compared to this guy, mainly because I could pet them, handle them, put advantage on, put them in a carrier, etc. Not this guy, and it makes it very difficult for me (physically, and emotionally) to help him.

For the time being, I have three cats! When I go get the mail, or empty the trash, The Sisters follow me, and he does too! I feel like the friggen pied piper; a fat old woman in a wheelchair followed by three cats, two with collars and bells! The neighbors think it is a riot.

I truly hope that California passes that law that pets have to be spayed or neutered unless the owner is a registered breeder.

Muscle Biopsy

Early yesterday morning (for me anyway), I had the Muscle Biopsy at Scripps Mercy Out Patient Surgery. (I also had the ‘repeat’ blood work my rheumy wanted.)

It was a major stress, as are all of these types of events, for me. Fasting, getting up early, wondering if the scheduled transportation is going to show up when they are scheduled, getting out of the apartment without letting the cats out, spending too much money on coffee, food while I’m waiting to come home, being in a non-smoking environment for hours, coming home alone, etc. All of this just wears me out, emotionally.

The procedure itself was a piece of cake, thanks to that wonderful drug, Versid. I came home with a huge pressure bandage on my upper right thigh, some mild pain in that leg, a page of ‘instructions’, and extreme relief that it was ‘over’.

I did ask the doc if I could see the ‘tissue’ that they had removed from me. (I always like to know these things, do not know why, though I have actually written a couple of poems on this theme.) He showed me a little plastic jar with what looked exactly like a tiny chuck of red, raw steak floating around in a clear liquid.

Today I am feeling ‘wiped out’ in every sense of the phrase. I am sore, my leg hurts (indeed, wound was oozing so much I had to change the dressing and call the doc), my mind is unfocused, I feel generally rotten, I am eating way to much, and not much is very important except getting through the day.

I will not get any results from this test for three weeks. It will probably take me that long to get over the stress, and the partial ‘flare’ the stress caused, of going through all of this, and it could all be for naught. Sigh...

Power Chair Fun & Games

I was down on Rosecrans and Midway, and there right in the middle of the sidewalk was this HUGE, jagged 3-inch ‘drop’ in the sidewalk. There was no way around it either.

So I stopped, surveyed the situation, how far back to a corner, etc. Then I went for it. After all, my chair is supposed to ‘do’ up to 3-inch obstacles.

Of course, I was immediately stuck. The chair would not go either forward or backward over the edge. To top it off, the curb was dangerously close.

A kind graying, middle-aged man came along. With just a little instruction, he was able to turn the wheelchair to ‘manual’ operation. Then, since I did not want him to hurt himself (my chair, without me in it weighs almost 300 pounds!), I insisted he get someone else to help. Soon another man came along, and between the two of them, they were able to get me out of the ‘dump’.

How embarrassing! This has NEVER happened to me before. And why can’t the city of San Diego, CA, keep its major sidewalks in repair?

Lunch Date

Rosemary, a friend of many years came over for a late lunch today. As usual, she arrived with a bag of Fast Food, burgers and fries. We blissfully munched out while ‘catching up’ with what was going on with each other.

She is one of the few friends I have left. Most people, no matter how close you’ve been, just don’t tolerate continued illness, sooner or later, one way or another, they bow out.

Then there is the poverty factor. I cannot meet someone at Denny’s for brunch, or pay for a ticket to some event. Nor can I accept an invitation to a birthday, wedding, shower, as I do not have the $9 for disabled transit (it all goes for medical needs), let alone purchase a gift. People need you to carry your fair share of the relationship; they do not want to feel used, or depended upon. I can understand that.

My ‘friends’ are few and far between. Rosemary is one of the few, she has hung in there with me for years, bless her.

Classy Old Lady

While I was waiting for the Disabled transit to take me home from the neuro appointment a couple of days ago, I met a neat old woman.

She was sitting on one of the benches smoking a cigarette. She was appropriately dressed, medium length gray hair in place, a touch of make up.

I wheeled up to her, lit my own cigarette, and offered my now standard line, “Pretty soon we’re going to have to cross the Mexican Border to smoke a cigarette.”

She chuckled, and then went into her own soliloquy of smoking vs non-smoking experiences. I listened as she reiterated my own fav litanies; if smoking were so deadly, how would all these people still be alive or even born, as we ALL smoked up until the 1960’s, why are people so paranoid about second hand smoke when our air and water are so polluted, etc.

Then she came up with the quintessential line: “I’m 72, obviously I am not going to die young. They can take their paranoia, and go jump in a lake. I am old enough to do what I want.”

Wisdom, experience, and pith from the mouth of an elder!

Handbag!

Today, out by the dumpster there were two large bags of women’s clothes. Looked like some pretty nice stuff, all small and medium sized. But right on top of one of the bags was a small, absolutely like new, tiny little, organizer handbag! Perfect for my diabetic supplies!

Crochet!

After at least a decade off, I have started Crocheting again! I remembered how soothing it is, and what a great stress reliever it is for me, which is exactly why I was thinking of picking up the hobby once again. Plus, I don’t usually smoke while actually crocheting.

I mentioned all of this to a friend, and she graciously ‘gifted’ me with a few skeins of 4-ply acrylic yarn! (I still had my hooks tucked away in my sewing box.)

About 10 or 12 years ago, I just stopped crocheting. I cannot really remember why; maybe I was just tired of it, or too busy, whatever. At any rate, after 2 – 3 years of NOT crocheting, I gave away four boxes of yarn to someone that wanted it. I could not see letting it languish in my closet, just going to waste.

So here I was, thinking of Crocheting again, and no yarn. Worse yet was finding out that the usual retailers (Target, K-Mart, etc), no longer carried or sold it! You are almost forced to patronize the expensive (and they are few and far between) craft stores, or purchase online (and pay the shipping costs).

Then my friend gave me a few skeins! And here I am, making and throwing away dozens of ‘test’ pieces, made with different size hooks, and in different stitches, to ‘get the hang’ of it again, and to find my ‘gauge’.

I have found a pattern for afghans, lap blankets, baby afghans, all made of rectangles (7 x 9 inches). This is right up my alley! It is easy to carry around, can be any colors, and can be as simple or as intricate as you want. The finished product has the look of a ‘quilt’. I want to make me one, and make others for friends. I am now working on my ‘first’ 7 x 9, and loving it.

Does anyone have any yarn they do not want?

Cat Maintenance Day

On the 17th of each month, I grab a cat, making sure to note which one I have, so as not to do one twice and miss the other one.

I put the feline on a table; and first I give it a good (but gentle!) brushing. Then I clean out the ears with a large cotton ball dipped in Wesson Oil (prevents ear mites). I apply Advantage. Lastly, I give a treat!

When I first started this Cat Maintenance, just before I started taking The Sisters Outside, they were not happy kitties, even though I ‘sweet talked’ to them the entire time. Usually the one I did not have in custody, would slink off, and try to hide.

I have learned several things:
1) Make sure I am ready and have ALL equipment at hand
2) Do this BEFORE I let them out
3) No matter what, hold onto the nape of the neck of the Cat being maintained
4) Keep Talking
5) Work Fast
6) Have the ‘treat’ sitting within visual distance

Now, though we only do this once a month, they are getting more accepting of the whole process, and I am getting better, faster at getting the job done. (If I just had a third hand, I could trim their nails also!) Cat Maintenance Day IS getting easier and smoother.

Sjogren’s Syndrome Flare

I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome in 2001 by way of a salivary gland biopsy. Since then I have suffered the common and usual DRY; dry eyes, dry mouth, dry throat & nose, dry skin, dry lungs! All of which was treated symptomatically, including Lacriserts a year ago, and now Numoisyn Lozenges for saliva production (and they work better than anything else I have tried).

And of course, the fatigue and arthralgia. I do not know if Hereditary Hemochromatosis or Sjogren’s, or perhaps both (maybe that is why they are so bad) causes them.

So in past years, other than having the Lacriserts put in my eyes when needed, sucking on the Numoisyn, resting extra when needed, pacing my activities (the 50% rule!), and using a LOT of skin lotion, seeing the Rheumy once a year or so, I have pretty much ignored the diagnosis.

After all, I had bladder cancer, obesity, diabetes (and insulin pump!), hyperparathyroidism (interesting in that supposedly I have none!), hypothyroidism (because it has been removed), the 'new' RSD in my left leg, and poverty to deal with. You can see how Sjogren’s has slipped my mind.

At some time, I knew, that Sjogren’s could be a full blown systemic auto-immune disorder, but dismissed it, as the majority of folks only have the ‘DRY’ symptoms. I should not have done that!

On March 22, 2007, my Hematologist did a blood test for a bleeding disorder, as I very definitely have excess bleeding at times (as did my biological mother). A month later, I found that the test was extremely high, a result that happens with Sjogren’s (If you actually had that specific bleeding disorder, it would be very low, in fact, Sjogren’s can ‘mask’ it.). Therefore, I made an appointment with my Rheumatologist.

The Rheumatologist ordered a bunch of blood tests, and other stuff. Earlier this month I had a follow up appointment to get the results:

IGG - 11 (norm <6)
IGM = 8 (norm <6)
Complement C3 169 (norm 79 - 152)
C-Reactive Protein 1.2 (norm <.8)
Vit. D3 – LOW

No wonder I was feeling so poorly, but there was worse to come! I was given a prescription for Prednisone, told to increase my Vitamin D dose, and to come back for some repeat labs in three weeks. If the Prednisone helps, I will then be tried on Plaquenil.

It took me 4 days to get the prescription called in, ready, and to have a neighbor pick it up for me. So that by the time I started taking it last Monday morning, I had again spent most of the weekend in bed, wondering why I did not just die...

Today was my sixth day (of 15), of Prednisone, and it has helped. I am not back to my ‘normal’ but getting there. I have had the usual side effects: very jittery (which is much better today at only 10 mg.), a great increase in anxiety, some excess hunger the first few days (but now that seems to be gone also). What did surprise me; I had been warned that my blood sugars would go up and other than some post-meal spikes the first day or two that has not happened. My fasting blood sugars have gone DOWN. I will be interested to see what my Endo and Rheumy have to say about that...
The moral of this story? If you have an autoimmune disorder, do not ignore it! Had I visited my Rheumy regularly the past few years, I might not be so ill right again, now. And have to put my life on hold AGAIN...

Milk Crate

Today when I took out the trash, I found a perfectly good 'milk crate'! It was in better shape than the one I already have.

I dumped the trash out of it, and took it to my apartment, placing it on the porch. It was a perfect fit against the one I have. I plunked a very in need of care, 'Mother-in-Law' plant on top of it.

I didn't check any other dumpsters; I didn't feel well, and I had two black cats, The Sisters, with bell's a jingling, trotting along behind me all the way!

There was also an apple, and one stemmed wine glass which I left for some other 'diver'.

Paperback Novels

Today I found a whole shopping bag of 'newish' paperbacks, and in good condition! (Bet it has been 5 years since I bought a book, since I could afford to buy a book. Damn Republicans!)

I went through the bag, taking three that interested me. Left the rest for other dumpster diver readers!

This was a really fortuitous find, as I need some 'down time'.

Sjogren's Syndrome

Saw my Rheumatologist yesterday, and got the results from the blood work done about a month ago (it was sent to a ‘special’ lab).

Most of the values were high: IGG, IGM, Compliment 3, and C-Reactive Protein. (Of interest Sjogren’s A & B, still have not converted, though salivary biopsy was positive on 8.16.01.)

Jeeze, no wonder I feel so rotten. Many, many people have Sjogren’s Syndrome and never go beyond the ‘dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue’ stage. Why am I always one of the ‘lucky ones’?

Up to now, I have only been treated for the 'symptoms' of Sjogren’s Syndrome: eye duct plugs, Ketoprophen cream for joint pain, and
Numoisyn lozenges for saliva production.

Now I guess I get to do cortisone for a month, and if that helps (repeat blood work in 3 weeks), on to Plaquenil. I only hope it helps, that the meds are not more problematic than the disease.

Though I have previously had two salivary stones, osteo in wrists and ankles, fatigue, and all the ‘dry’ stuff, guess I have fully joined the Sjogren’s club now...

Third Anniversary!

Three years ago today, (when the above pic was taken) The Sisters, Lucy & Ethel arrived in my life. Such sick little babies! They soaked up love just as they did money and medicine in those early weeks. (Or months I should say!).

Though they are sisters, and fuss and cry if they cannot find each other, they have grown into ‘cat’ hood in completely different ways.

Lucy is the Alpha cat, and not a day goes by that she does not try to ‘reign me in’ in some form or manner in order to secure her position of ‘boss’. And every once in a while, I cater to this, as I don’t want her to suffer from low self-esteem! She is also, larger, heavier, has shorter hair, the klutz, and does not seem to see well. (Can you get kitty glasses?)

Ethel is the lackadaisical clown. She is agile, fast, and a gymnast! Still, she usually gives way to her sister, or me, in most matters.

After three years, we have settled into our habits and routines, Lucy sleeps ON me (once I am sound asleep), Ethel sleeps at my head. Lucy is a ‘night’ cat; Ethel is a morning cat. They only eat DRY cat food with a little gourmet type wet food on the side, and ONLY fish flavored anything. Neither of them will touch people food, though both are always curious as to what I am eating. And their favorite treat is Kitty Kaviar.

I am so fortunate that these two loving ‘fur people’ came into my life!

Styrofoam Cups

Today while dumpster diving, I found two brand new tube packages of 8oz Styrofoam cups! They were imprinted with the logo of some mortgage company, but what do I care...

Now this is indeed fortuitous, as I need disposable stuff now more than ever. It is much easier to throw something away than wash it, not being able to stand on both feet at the moment. I don’t have ‘disposables’ that I can do without as they are just not part of my budget.

I also found two very ripe avocados. Since I do not like avocado, I left them there for the next diver! There was also a small bag of toddler clothing, and since I do not have a toddler...

The Sisters: New Collars

They have needed new collars for a couple of months. Ethel’s collar was severely frayed. Lucy’s collar was losing the ID tag. Both were faded and had lost their bells. Finally, Lucy’s ID came totally off, and I made the trip to the local pet store.

Keeping to tradition, I got a bright red for Lucy (the alpha cat), and a bright blue for Ethel. Safety collars of course! The collars included a ‘jingle’ type bell of the same color. (I need them to have the bells so I can keep track of them; I do not want to run over a kitty with the wheel chair!). I also purchased TWO SETS of ‘Buddy Tags’, one for now, and one for an extra set.

These ‘Buddy Tags’, made in the USA by ‘Buddy Cat’, they are the best pet ID’s I’ve ever found. I love them. They are simply a piece of paper you write your info on, and another, trifold piece of waterproof adhesive, see through, wrap around plastic material to put over it, which wraps around the entire width of the collar. You can see them at: http://www.buddycat.com/tags.php They stay on! There were only 3 packages left on the shelf, and I got two of them.

The total cost of these necessary ‘Sister’ items: $22 + tax!!! But barring a broken or lost collar they will probably last a year or two, I hope!

They have worn collars since they were tiny kittens, so I had no problems exchanging the old for the new. I had wondered if perhaps they would dislike the bells, as they have not had them for a long time, (they do come off easily). But no, they actually seemed to enjoy their new their new attire! If I had a digital camera, I would have taken pictures of them in their new collars to post here, and I am sure they would have ‘posed’ appropriately...

May Gray

We have been ‘socked’ in by a heavy Marine Layer for days! If we are lucky, we will get two or so hours of sun mid-day. Most days we are not lucky!

Not only that, but it remains cool, if not cold if the wind is blowing. People are walking around in the middle of the day in jackets and with their hands in their pockets.

The May Gray is typical (until the Pacific Ocean Warms up), but it has been particularly heavy this year. The cool weather is NOT typical for May! Seems like fall. In fact, it feels like we have had one long fall season, no winter rains, and now no spring.

I really dislike it because it does affect my mood. It does not take much of this for me to get depressed (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I am definitely having the early signs of depression. There is nothing I can do about it, as my BRITE LIGHT has three bulbs totally out that need replacing ($30 each + shipping!) http://www.apollohealth.com/index.html. I was planning on getting them this summer...

New 'clicker'!

Finally went to the 'new' Walgreens today (it has probably been open two years now!).

What spurred the trip was that I needed a new lancet device. I test my Blood Glucose 4 - 6 times a day, day after day, month after month. This seems to play havoc with lancing devices. I have yet to have one that's lasted much over a year.

They always 'break' at the screw off cap area, OR worse yet, the 'spring' mechanism slows down greatly, leaving the actual lancet in your skin! This is what happened to my 'last' one.

I actually have old, extra lancet devices on hand. But now I carry the oh so small, Freestyle CozMoniter Case in my waist bag. It requires a very small lancet device.

I checked Long's, and they only had the 'standard' size, so it was off to Walgreen's.

There I found a great Lancing Device! Just the right size, has 5 depth settings, easy to load and unload the lancet (by hand), and it was only $10! It was 'Walgreen's' brand.

This is the first time I have used a 'generic' Lancet Device (in all these years!). I have always purchased them from the companies that make the Glucose Meters. Since I am now using the Coz Freestyle Meter, I could have gotten one from them. But I hadn't particularly liked the one that came with my CozMoniter, it wasn't in & out fast enough, and the depth settings didn't seem to be any different, one from the other. I want a drop of blood and I want it NOW!

I bought it home and began using it immediately. It is great! The only drawback is that it is only for 'finger testing' not forearms, etc. That is fine for me, as I have never had much success with anything other than my fingers.

Now I am a happy 'clicker' I would recommend this little Walgreen's Lancet Device to all. (BTW, I think I am the only person that calls them 'clickers', after the sound they make!)

Ethel: Surgery Postponed

Got a call from the vets office today. They have decided (and I agree), to wait to do the spay till Ethel is is full estrus again. This could be 3 weeks from now, or next spring (seasonal). Now it's a waiting game...

Earthquake Swarm!

Wow, in the last 48 hours, the west coast, from Alaska to Baja has experienced a multitude of small quakes. I haven't seen a 'swarm' like this for a couple of years. Hope it's not a prelude to something larger. You can check it out at:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ Scary!

Symlin

My injectable Symlin arrived today from the pharmacy. The last time (last week) I saw my Endo (DM & Thyroid), Dr. Edelman suggested Symlin after reviewing my recent Blood Sugar Logs. He felt it might help reduce the after meal spikes I cannot seem to get rid of. (Just as the insulin pump, the Deltec Cozmo, has gotten rid of my ‘Dawn Phenomenon’.)

I have to admit I am more than a little hesitant, after my Byetta fiasco (both drugs were developed and are produced by the same company, Amylin Pharmaceuticals!). However, I agreed to try it. He ordered the prescription and all the ‘prior authorization’ paperwork was done. Now it is sitting here waiting for me to start using it!

I am not anxious to have Urticaria again. Which is silly, as I have only experienced (and what an experience it was – took me three months and many other drugs to get over it) it once in my life, from the Byetta. I’m also not looking forward to perhaps suffering that nausea again, apparently one of Symlin’s major initial side effects. (Oh, I remember the nausea caused by Byetta well!)

I am also concerned that it will cause ‘lows’, (I HATE LOWS!) though I will be starting out on the smallest dose. In fact, till I see how I react to it, I can hold all pre-meal insulin, almost eliminating the possibilities of a low.

OTOH, it would be so great to eliminate those post meal spikes, and the associated sleepiness! Not to mention getting that A1C down even more.

I did phone the ‘support’ line for Amylin Pharmaceuticals. And I read the info on their web site, and the package inserts that came with the med. There seems to be no chemical connection between the drugs. In fact Symlin mimics a substance (like insulin does) that your body already makes (unlike Byetta, which is, as I understand it, is a ‘foreign’ substance as far as the body is concerned.

I will get up the ‘gumption’ soon (as I de-stress a little more); pick a start date, make a plan, and start using Symlin. Probably as soon as next week. Perhaps Monday. (I can not help it; sometimes my anxiety disorder gets the best of me...)