Please sign my Guestbook.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Another Good Day

First, a note to new visitor Lynne and anyone else who hadn't read my earlier posts about Ray's surgery and the insulin.

He isn't diabetic. This is a relatively new concept in the promotion of healing and prevention of infection after a coronary bypass. The theory (and I finally found it on Google) is that high blood sugar may lead to infection and/or slow the healing process so the testing and insulin are prescribed temporarily.

I know, I thought the same thing until it was explained to me. I found one link to a hospital in Boston (Beth Israel Deaconess which is associated with Harvard) and another to a hospital in Toronto, Ontario that have had good results. There may be others. The discomfort is a small price to pay. (Easy for me to say of course, I'm not the one sticking a lancet in my finger 4 times a day and a needle in my stomach first thing in the a.m.). His leg is healing nicely even though it still looks awful and the other incision (the one from his neck almost to his navel) looks even better. They tell me the leg is more apt to cause grief.

He made it down my front step and out to the yard 3 times today while the physical therapist was here and also managed to get into our shower. He's in a little discomfort so may have overdone a little. We'll try for the actual shower tomorrow now that we know he won't need the bench which has been on order since last week. It's a little after 8 p.m.; I sent him to bed and will wake him later for his final test and the mandatory bedtime snack. I found yogurt on sale today and picked up ten little cartons, all with the fruit on the bottom. He hasn't seen it yet.

Dinner was a reprise of yesterday. It's easier with some things to cook 4 servings than it is to cook two. It saves energy too; mine as well as the other kind.

The best news of all is that our Elcie initiated the phone call last night. Those of you I've been in contact with by email will know how pleased I was. She was cheerful and updated me on everything that had been going on with her. It was so good to hear her voice. R & R sang a duet of one of their favorite songs (sort of karaoke thing - I could hear the cd in the background). Now I can't remember the name even though Rebecca sang it again for me tonight.

Tomorrow I'll probably keep my weekly coffee date with my friend Janet provided Ray has as good a day as today. I'll be five minutes from home (in a car) and it will give me a chance to see son Tim who just returned from a weekend at Disneyland. He said it was awesome. (Tim, for anyone who doesn't know, is almost 35 but still a kid at heart in some ways). Amusement parks have never been my thing but I'm glad he enjoyed it.

Tuesday is senior discount (5%) day at the local supermarket. I noticed a couple of things today when I ran in after milk, bread, and juice that I may pick up tomorrow. Janet qualifies too and she likes to go on Tuesday so it works out well. Those nickels on the dollar add up eventually.

My local friend, Wandering Dave, who set out on a long journey from here, up the west coast to Canada, across the prairie provinces, Ontario, part of the Maritime Provinces, Quebec, and back down the east coast, is now in Gettysburg (unless he's moved on today - looks like he might have made it to Manassas, VA). He's interested in the Civil War battle sites among many other things. It's been fun reading of his travels. He'll go down to northern Florida and then come back through the southernmost states back home. Janet and I are keeping a seat warm for him for coffee.

I'm keeping one eye on the Cleveland/Yankee game. Bottom of 9th, 1 out, 6-4 Cleveland. As an old Brooklyn Dodger fan, my distaste for the Yankees knows no bounds. There is no logical reason; the Dodgers left Brooklyn for Los Angeles in 1957 or 1958 but old resentments linger on. Sorry Yankee fans, I can't help myself.

Anyhow, I'd better close this out and check on my sleeping beauty.

Two outs.

Three outs.

There is joy in Cleveland tonight. Their last World Series was in 1948, the first World Series I remember. My uncle and I listened on the radio as they defeated the then Boston Braves. That year was probably the beginning of my love of baseball. I was 10.

Thanks, as always, for all the kind words and take care everyone.

35 comments:

Andrea said...

well it is thanks giving up here and that sounds like a wonderful thankful day!! I am so glad about the breakthrough with E. that is a real mind easer. HUGS!!

Bacchus said...

I'm so glad you heard from the girls and that Elcie called. It sounds like they are doing ok where they are? Any word on a visit?

Sounds like Ray is on the mend?

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Great news about Ray and about Elcie! :-)

Glad things are settling into a good routine for y'all.

I thought about you this morning as I was cooking a bit pot of white beans with salt meat. ;-)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Diane@Diane's Place said...

That would be *big* pot of beans. Duh!

The Future Was Yesterday said...

"As an old Brooklyn Dodger fan, my distaste for the Yankees knows no bounds. There is no logical reason; the Dodgers left Brooklyn for Los Angeles in 1957 or 1958 but old resentments linger on."
LOL! "Dodger fans never die. They just take up resident with the Heavenly Dodger" I heard one day....

I've always been a Detroit Tiger fan, so my dislike comes naturally. They used to beat up on my Tigers so relentlessly....

Diane J.: What is "salt meat?" I use ham when I'm cooking Navy (white) beans.

Anvilcloud said...

Reprise meals are the way to go. I want what I cook to be good for two meals.

Merle said...

Dear Ann ~~ I am so glad that Ray is doind so well, but don't let him overdo it. Great that Elcie initiated
the phone call and the other two are determined to sing for you. Any chance, providing Ray is well, of you having the girls for afternoon tea for Rebecca's birthday ?? Or
maybe meeting them somewhere ?? I'm
sure they would like to see where you and Ray live now. Take care dear friend, Glad you liked my neighbor's orchid. Love, Merle.

Pat said...

Hi Nurse Ann! I've always wanted to see Disney Land since John Gielgud raved about it. Interesting about BP and diabetes. There has been a confusion of Grannies here and someone thought you were Granny P:)

Anonymous said...

YAY Elcie called! That's great! And I'm glad to hear Ray is still improving so nicely. Those physical therapists can do wonderful things.

The Cluck Wagon said...

Glad to hear things are going well with Ray and with the girls. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

I'm really glad that Ray sounds like he's continuing to heal well. I'm also pleased that Elcie called to talk with you :). That must have been a nice surprise.

Jo said...

Wonderful news all around dear! Puts a smile on my face.

Ava said...

I am so glad to hear that Ray is doing so much better. I hope that you were able to keep your coffee date, because I'm sure it does good to get out.

Love ya!

Mary said...

Ann,

I have never heard of giving a non-diabetic insulin. This must be a fairly new treatment. Thanks for explaining it.

My husband had bypass surgery in 2001. Yes, the leg is apt to give more trouble than the scar. Be sure to see that Ray uses the stocking he was given when he left the hospital - at least I hope they gave him a stocking. It will ensure that no blood clots form. If they didn't provide a stocking, it would be best to get one. They are the same stockings that diabetics use.

Take care and please keep us up to date on how Ray is doing. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

Mary

barbhap said...

Wonderful news!!!!

Cecil said...

Hey Ann..good to hear that Ray is doing so well... Hope you get your coffee date... caramel macchiato...yum! Have a good week...Cecil

Mary said...

Ann,

I have tagged you for the 8 Things That Make Me, Me game. If you wish to participate, the instructions can be found here:
http://maryswritingnook.blogspot.com

If not, that is okay too.

Have a great day.

Mary

Heidi said...

I am glad Ray doesn't have Diabetes. We test the sugar of all of our surgical patients the day after surgery and the next day too, no matter what age they are. It's a fairly new policy because like you wrote, high blood sugar can hinder recovery.
I am soo happy you heard from the girls!

Heidi said...

I am glad that Ray doesn't have diabetes. At the hospital where I work we have recently started testing all of our sugical patients blood sugars for a couple of days post-op.
Soo happy you heard from the girls!

Heidi said...

OOPS, I thought I lost the first commment so I retyped it!

Peter said...

Hi Ann, very pleased to read that Ray is doing better and that Elcie called you, while that was almost inevitable after all the love you provided it sure must have hurt while you waited.

Unknown said...

May the improvements keep improving!

Turtle Guy said...

A very appropriate title. The healing process takes time, and much progress is made by doing "a little a lot", rather than "a lot, a little".

Yay for Ray!

Michael said...

I am glad that Ray is doing so well you know I dont know much about diabetes neither but Im glad he aint got it.
Sorry about my naivity in the last post, I might of known it would mean something like that and I am sorry about the swearwords in my current post, I dunno if u seen Trainspotting but thats the source.
I am just starting the dating thing, I didnt get any replied on my first day, I have sent loads of the same messages last night, but it feels a bit like cheating when you do that.
Someone said its better to be single and want a relationship than be in one and want out - I liked that!
But I dont wanna grow old alone, I want someone to care about and share my life with especially now my son is getting to the age he will soon not wanting to see his dad every weekend

Gina said...

Fine, rub it in that the Yankees lost! ;)

I'm glad that things are smoothing out for you both.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to hear Ray is moving about.

Hope you enjoyed your coffee date.

CappyPrincess said...

Yeah for the healing process - for Ray and for the girls. Little steps.

Hope you are managing to take care of yourself during this time.

I cook for multiple meals as well. When I get on a roll I can live out of the freezer for a couple of weeks without cooking or shopping (other than the usual perishibles - milk, eggs, etc)

CappyPrincess said...

Yeah for the healing process - for Ray and for the girls. Little steps.

Hope you are managing to take care of yourself during this time.

I cook for multiple meals as well. When I get on a roll I can live out of the freezer for a couple of weeks without cooking or shopping (other than the usual perishibles - milk, eggs, etc)

Tammy said...

I just wanted to say Hey Miz Granny and so sorry it's been a while since my last visit!

Wishing Ray a speedy recovery!

Have a wonderful day!

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Hi Ann,
Sorry I haven't been around for awhile, although I have been peeking at your writing through google reader here and there, so am aware on what has been happening in your world.
I am so glad Ray is recovering well, and that you heard from Elcie. It is wonderful to see positive news.
Hope you are looking after yourself, along with Ray ... you'll be no good for him if you let yourself fall in a heap !!
Take care, big hugs, Meow

Carmen San Diego said...

I'll keep Ray and your family in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

Margaret said...

Hi Ann glad to see that things seem to be moving in the right direction for you.
Cheers and hugs from Margaret

oldwhitelady said...

I was cheered to hear that Ray is getting up and around. Good for him. It sounds like you really keep busy.

Susie said...

Hi Ann,
What good news that Ray is progressing so well! I know you're probably busy from morning till night, but I'm sure it's just great to see him on the mend.
Thanks for the birthday wishes!!
xo

Peggy said...

yes, you saw a goat on my cusor. LOL Glad things are looking up around your household. Have a great weekend