Twill be an interesting week

 Today I'm back at work and have a lot to get done today.  My favorite boss is in Napa, CA for a conference for two days.  My male boss is still here.  And he has plenty for me to do.  Sigh. But, I'm throwing a wrench in his plans for this week for me.  Whether he realizes it or not.  I am taking Tuesday and Wednesday off this week, and may even be taking Thursday, if needed.  Why?  Hubby goes in the hospital tomorrow to have his aneurysm surgery - the doctor is putting coils inside of the aneurysm to help the blood flow.  I think I've mentioned this before, the doctor told him he wouldn't operate until they reached 4 centimeters or was it for millimeters.... I don't remember now.  But regardless, when he had the cat scans done in December or the first part of January, it had grown large enough (from like a 1) to however big it is now.  It is big enough that the doctor insisted on doing the surgery right away.  So what does that mean?  How big is it?  I don't know how big it is, but he told him not to do anything strenuous as he could cause it to burst open.  Makes one wonder.

Anyway - we have to be at the hospital - clear on the 'street side' of the city and southeast of us - by 6AM for him to register.  We know he will have at least a one night stay at the hospital.  That's what he had before when they did two other aneurysms.  We've already discussed he does not want me in that neighborhood late at night so plans to send me home mid-afternoon.  Will see how it goes.  Surgery, I think, is scheduled at 8AM.  I'm taking tomorrow off to take him to the hospital and stay with him - then he should get discharged on Wednesday and I will go to pick him up.  I know it is serious surgery and I don't mean to imply it isn't, but there is obviously nothing I can do while he is in the hospital except pray, which I will do.  My daughter has said that she will come down some time tomorrow to sit with me, but she doesn't need to.  I did this before by myself, and I can again.  I told her I'm a 'big girl' and can deal with it.  

A friend of mine has had a couple heart ablations at this hospital and she has already told me to take my own snacks as the only food there is the vending machines for visitors.  I'll figure out some things tonight to take and have them ready to grab.  One thing for sure; I can't take my girl scout cookies since I start on Virta tomorrow.  I made up for it by eating a lot of girl scout cookies this weekend.  I need to give what I have left away, for I know I'll be so tempted to sneak one or two as if it wouldn't offset my new food plan.  

Hubby was bemoaning the fact that I will be 'home alone' while he is in the hospital.  He is so terrified that something will happen to me.  So I took that opportunity to mention that I'd like to get another dog.  (no, not one as big as Sheba, but not a tiny one either)  Oh my goodness!  You'd think that I'd said I wanted a cat!  LOL  (wouldn't he really have a fit if he knew I have entertained that thought for down the road!)  When he asked me why, I told him that I'd like a dog so that those times that I am alone, I would have someone to alert me if someone broke in or if something wasn't right.  He didn't say anymore about it, nor will I.  He was the one who insisted on getting Sheba, and I loved her dearly and miss her a lot.  She is with a friend who takes good care of her and I see photos on occasion.  I'd love a dog like our Marley; she was a black Labrador.  Oh well.... it isn't on the immediate agenda so no sense in pushing it.  Hubby had to grumble I'd have to walk it, pick up after it, etc.... who does he think did all that when we had the other dogs?  It wasn't him except on a rare occasion.

I Thessalonians 5:28 (NIV):  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I get it.  Sometimes it is hard to give thanks when things are not going the way you want them to.  As I have thought about the painful situation my youngest is going through, I can also see God's hand.  True, it isn't the circumstances we would have preferred, but it is still a good circumstance, in a way.  True, the babies are with their mother, but the new mother-in-law is responsible for anything that happens to them.  And the father-in-law is a pastor - I think perhaps a worship leader - at a church in that town. That doesn't make them perfect by any means, but it does mean the children will be in church each Sunday and will be learning about Jesus.  That is a good thing, yes?  Instead of screaming 'foul' - I am praying that my youngest will seek instead opportunities to have visitation.  After all, the MIL has foster custody.... not the mother.  Even though they live in the same house.  I'm hoping we will be allowed visitation as well at times.  I would rather go at it from that angle so that the great-grands can get to know us, versus being left out completely because we don't agree with what the case worker has arranged.  It's that middle child of the three that the youngest didn't want.... and the case worker wants all three children together.  If he had agreed to keep all three, even the one that is not a relative to us, he may still have the children.  Just some random thoughts going through my mind.  Sometimes we need to give thanks for what the circumstances turn out to be.

I hear hubby moving around and getting ready to head over to the gym this morning for his morning workout.  He groans about having to go at 7AM, but at least it gets him moving first thing in the morning.  Same for when I go that early - which has only been one or two times.  I would rather go mid-morning, but with working, it doesn't prevent that from happening, so my workouts are generally 4:30 or 5PM.  Tonight it is at 5PM.  I left my workout scheduled on Wednesday at 5PM as well because I expect to be back home by then.  I may let her know I could go in the morning for I don't plan to go see hubby until around 11AM or so - unless he gets discharged before that.  Hanging around a hospital room just isn't my thing.  I need to remember tomorrow to take my water bottle so that I have that.  

And.... I'm out of things to write about.  I still didn't get new tennis shoes yesterday, but I did go to Michael's and JoAnn's - and both places had lots of empty shelves.  I did not buy any new yarn.  I don't need any until I use up more of what I have.   I know JoAnn's has filed bankruptcy again a few weeks ago so they may be on their way out.  I wonder about Michael's, for this isn't the first time shelves have been empty.  Disappointing, although I don't shop at either place very often.  I only bought a couple sewing supplies (thread, needles, etc.) at Michaels - nothing at JoAnn's - and then I just came home.  I kept telling myself that there is nothing I need.... and there isn't.  

Guess I'll close this off and jump in the shower.  Won't have time to get it done in the morning for we will be leaving here about 5AM to make sure we are there on time.  It won't take us long to get there, but finding our way to where we need to be may take a little longer.  I wish it was at the hospital nearby as it was last time, but it isn't.  Oh well.  I heard they have a great surgery department.  

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

This may be short

 as my computer just went into battery saving mode and I don't know why. I leave it plugged in all the time - and I just checked - and it is down to 19% battery, the plug is in, the light is on that it is charging - but it is definitely not.  Has my computer taken a dive?  Wil need to work on it today.

But - so that I can update you on what happened yesterday before my computer actually dies, I must type fast and get it out.  As you know, I have been dealing with some kind of bites on my inner thigh and it has been quite painful.  I finally went to the urgent care on Sunday morning.  The NP said it was numerous scorpion bites/stings and gave me an antibiotic.  I was sent home with no instructions other than take the medication and see my doctor in a week.  I received no paperwork as I left.

Yesterday I went on my portal to see what they had said - and the NP had written she had told me to do warm compresses, and several other things - NONE of which she said a word about.  She also had put I had come in with cellulitis from an insect bite.  Excuse me?  I was really angry when I read what all she had put in my chart that she did - and she lied.  She literally lied.  How many people never read their charts that are put in the portal - or who has access to one.  I wouldn't have known had I not read it.  She told me it was scorpion bites/stings - but never wrote that in the chart at all.

Anyway - fast forward - I started calling my dermatologist as the pain was still great and the area had grown another 1/2 inch.  I was able to get in the office yesterday morning.  Pictures of the area was taken, and he also drew a circle around it and told me not to wash it off, but use it as a measurement. If the area got larger to go to the ER immediately and let them tell me what they need to do.  I told him how painful it was (by this time I was nearly in tears because I have dealt with this pain for over a week constantly and I was drained physically.) and he ordered a 2nd antibiotic for me to take and told me to take advil with tylenol to alleviate the pain.  He said I could get lidocaine to put on it but I told him I wasn't touching it as by now it was too painful to touch.   

I don't wear short shorts anywhere in public - who wants to see these ugly legs - but I tell you what, I was wearing them in public to try and keep anything off that area!  I left the office and just as I pulled in the driveway the drugstore txt'd they had my prescription ready.  So I backed out and picked it up and got on it as well.  

Today I am feeling much better.  With the advil with tylenol taken yesterday, the majority of the pain went away.  I finally had relief.  What is really weird about this entire infection is that it almost feels like something is inside those bumps moving around.  I know that sounds crazy, but in those bumps (which there are about 10 of them), there is a sensation of something going on.  Maybe it is just the healing process.

Long story short with telling you all this, I am finally hoping I am going to get better, and I go for a follow-up next Monday at the dermatologist.  No need to see my medical doctor for a follow-up if he is taking care of this.  Interestingly, my dermatologist also told me to not go to an urgent care ever for something like this as they can't do anything but give you a prescription. And they never see you again. I always thought an urgent care could do almost what your primary care could do - but obviously, they can't.  The urgent care screwed up hubby a couple years ago when he went in for wheezing - they said nothing was wrong with him and when I finally took him to the ER, he was admitted for three days.

And... I haven't told hubby yet, but will soon.  My dermatologist office called yesterday afternoon.  The mole they cut off earlier this month has a 'suggestion' of basil cell carcinoma and he needs to dig out more tissue to analyze, which they can do in the office.  So we have it scheduled for December 3rd in his office and I will be there all morning.  I think I took the 7:30AM time.  I will confirm it all when I go in next Monday for this follow-up.  You know hubby is going to be panicking when I tell him about this surgery so will wait until later today or tomorrow to pass that news on.  He will have over a month to pray and stew over it.  Can you even imagine his panic that something may happen to me?

Proverbs 15:23 (NKJV):  A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

I'm sorry but that verse made me chuckle this morning as I said in the above paragraph I was going to wait to tell hubby about the upcoming surgery.  It will be good to wait until I know he can handle it. LOL  That's good season, right?

Huh.  I had unplugged the laptop from the wall and plugged into an outlet - and now it is showing 41%.  What has happened to that wall plug?  My light is plugged in the upper one; the computer cord was plugged into the lower one.  Things that make you go hmmmmm.  But then, I don't have to rush to get off here now, other than I don't have much to share at this point.  I've told you about my leg, about my office visit, about the upcoming surgery.... what is left?

I have 3-4 meetings I need to work on this morning as I let them go yesterday afternoon.  I actually took a nap of about 30 minutes around noon yesterday; I was that drained.  It helped, but I still didn't push myself to work.  Got to catch up today and get things done.  I know I'm falling behind from this past week.  Got to get refocused and get these things done.

And with that, I'm going to get off here this morning and take an advil to take away the pain that has awakened in my leg.  It's tingling as well, which I am going to 'assume' is the healing that should be going on with all the antibiotics I'm taking.  Healing - that is a good word.

Blessings!

Another night I spent reading....

 and it isn't a bad thing.  In fact, the book(s) is so interesting that hubby watched the game with the sound (no headset) and I was still able to focus upon the book.  I think I only have 2-3 chapters left to finish that series.  What is this book(s) that captured my interest?  A friend of mine, Jennifer Lynn Cary, has written a few books - romantic novels and novellas.  This one that I have been reading this week is a 3 novella series.  I've had them in my kindle fire for months, but haven't read them.  I downloaded them because they were on sale, and because I wanted to help my friend, although I wasn't thinking of reading them when I did.  You know my love of books; it doesn't matter if they are on my kindle fire or another book app or in hand.  I.love.books.  I wish I had more time to read.  And I go months without reading.  But, lately, I've been reading more and more, but usually 'Christian Living' books.  The name of the book novellas are 'The Weather Girls' and the names are Sunny May Day, Stormy April Day, and Windy June Day.  Lots of antics and very different personalities that go along with the names.   I'm at the end of the last book, focused on Windy.  Lots of romance too, some unexpected.  It's light-hearted and funny and sometimes even tear-jerker.  But I got caught up in it.  Can't wait to finish it tonight.  Then I'll write a review for my friend.  She has written several books now, but I haven't gotten them all, nor read them all.  But she is fulfilling her dream of being a writer.  

Today is Friday - and I will finally be able to finish up those travel arrangements for my boss.  He FINALLY activated his account - which I ended up creating for him yesterday - after 5PM last night.  Granted he was in an all day meeting, but daggone it, I can't get his travel set up until he completes his part.  Going to work on it first thing this morning and get it off my desk.  

Monday has quickly gotten in line to happen and I am on PTO for the day.  Hubby is going in for his second aneurysm surgery - this one behind his knee and the biggest one.  He is, of course, just as worried as he was before, but it looks like this one should just be outpatient and he will come home soon after.  I have timecards on Monday too, but asked everyone yesterday to approve their timecard after5P M today so that I can go in over the weekend and get them approved and not worry about it on Monday.  Actually, I won't worry about it on Monday but will email their boss over the weekend and tell them they have to approve.  Which they should do it anyway.  My boss approves all her people - including my timecard!  

I don't think we have anything planned for the weekend, other than church.  I'm feeling well enough that I hope we can go. Maybe I can find another good book to read - and then beat myself up because I 'wasted' a weekend not doing anything but read.  LOL  Vicious cycle.  I read for enjoyment and when I  don't do anything else but read, I feel like I've wasted time.  But then, I crochet for enjoyment too, so that means I waste a lot of time.  And then of course there is hubby watching movies (and sleeping)... I guess our lives are just boring and I live through books.  Not a bad thing at all.  He just isn't active so it prevents me from doing a lot of things.  He makes me feel so old at times.  Maybe I DO need to keep working so that I don't become a hermit.

At our dinner with friends the other night we discussed our upcoming vacation in August.  I know I've mentioned we rented an Airbnb in Star Valley.  Our firends have a trailer there and they go up every weekend, so when I gave them the address, they checked out the location.  I finally won one argument.  I will be driving my Escape to the cabin.  Seems there is a rutted dirt road leading up part of the way to the cabin.  We discussed it and I just asked them - could hubby's Impala make the trip, or do I need to drive my Escape.  They agreed that my Escape would be much better as it is higher off the ground.  So that means I get to drive (which upsets hubby) because I refuse to allow him to drive my car.  I have my reasons.  I wonder if I should bet with anyone he will suggest renting a car for the week 'so that you don't put miles on your car'.  Yeah.  uh huh.  We'll see.  At this point, I will be doing the driving - which is a good thing.  I think.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything that we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Have a blessed day!