Implant Day

I had the long-awaited trial period of the spinal cord stimulator today.  It’s a day I don’t want to repeat.  The doctor had to do THREE procedures where only one usually suffices.  Despite many shots of anesthesia, it was still very painful.  When it was all over he said I have scar tissue built up where I had  disc repair surgery in the 1980s.  He said it makes my problem in that area more understandable now.

So, the probes were finally in place and hooked up to the control box.  They  tried for a long time to get the probes right over my tail bone, but couldn’t.  When they turned on the juice to the control box, the current felt like my old problem with paresthesia.  If fact, that’s exactly what it is—paresthesia.  I’m going to try it for a week, making contact with the company’s rep every day.  It’s going to have to do a much better job for me to have a permanent implant.

Not at all what I was hoping for.  I’m very disappointed. Maybe it’ll get better with time.

Post Utah

We’re unpacked and back in the saddle again after a 5-day trip to Utah to see all the family there and check out some real estate. 

Seeing the family was delightful.  They had a big barbeque at Jen’s house after Church on Sunday because that was the only day they could all get together.  It was fun for everyone except a few picky eaters who didn’t eat much.  The rest of us chowed down on some very good victuals, visiting as we feasted.   The Alvord home was sporting its new landscaping which included a water feature—a rushing stream over rocks.  Haley asked if she could take out some of the rocks and replace them later!  She’s an original for sure.

We also got to visit with the Shelley’s and the Burdick’s in their sweet homes—“sweet” because love abounded and these grandparents feasted on it.

The tour of homes with a very nice realtor was less successful.  It’s almost going to be impossible to find something that will fill our needs.  One house,  on two acres, had a really great shop and extra land for plenty gardens and orchards, but the house was not thrilling and they were leaving a lot of furniture, including a huge wrap-around couch and huge flat screened TV in the basement.  They said the couch was so big, they had to take it apart to get it down into the basement.  The house was a bit used by humans and dogs and cats.  Ugh.

Sooooooo, we came home ready to stay in Washington a bit longer and make at least two flights down the Utah a year to see the family.  We’ll fulfill our contrast with our real estate agent and stipulate that the buyer had to meet our asking price or no deal.  Everyone can be bought so they say, and we can probably if they meet our price.

My surgery was  cancelled yet again.  The next appointment for it will be the 30th of this month.  I’m more than ready for this thing to happen!

Charlie Brown Alert

My dad was admitted to the ER this morning with a bladder infection.  I saw him this afternoon in the ICU where he will spend the night.  He may stay there longer simply because the hospital is full up!

Wilma called me this afternoon when Newel was out “Churchifyin’” so I hopped in the pickup and went over to the hospital myself.  Newel joined me later.  Dad was ruddy-faced and running a fever.  Occasionally he would get the chills and need more covers.  He was very tired, but was still awake when I got there.  Wilma and I spoke with him, but tried not to tire him anymore with conversation.  We are all very concerned because an infection like this is very treatable, but the doctor keeps reminding us that he’s 91.

While I was there his PB was getting closer to normal and he was coaxed into eating some soup and cottage cheese (his choice). Just before his meal arrived he told Wilma and I to get home because it was getting dark and we didn’t want us driving in the dark.  He had a smile on his face as we kissed him goodnight.  We said we’d be back tomorrow morning.

When Dad does go, I want it to be quick and pain-free, but I am not ready to let him go yet (as if I have anything to do with it!) These last 11 years have been so loving, making up for all the fear I had of him while I was growing up.

Staying hip

I’m hip—a new flat screen TV and HD upgrade are being installed as we speak.  It’s my 47th anniversary gift from Newel.  What a sweetie.

We’re going to Utah on the 17th and will return on the 22nd. Then---on the 23rd I get my spinal cord stimulator partially implanted to test drive it for one week.  Then all of it will be implanted if it works for me.  Pray Pray Pray

Good News

47 years ago today I married my sweetheart in the Manti Temple.  It was the best move I have ever made.  47 years, 4 children, and 14 grandchildren—a life full of blessings.

Another day, another blog….

Jennifer and I have had a really fun two-day visit and she’s about to take to the skies.  I guess I’ll see here in two weeks when we go to Utah.  I may post pone my implant procedure since the doctor’s office screwed up my appointment so bad.