Another interesting day-heart is A-ok

I had my CT angiogram today which was an adventure to say the least. Nothing horrific, nothing dramatic, just involved. Medical update: Heart is A-ok.

Picture of one of the garden roses I like to smell when they're in bloom. That is all.

Anyway, if you've had a CT scan it's noisy but not as much as an MRI but if you have one done with contrast, that gets a bit involved and briefly uncomfortable. 

So with it being a scan of my heart they needed to get my resting heart rate at or below 70 to get a good picture of it. So I did a double dose of my beta blocker in the morning which slows the heart down, and then when I got there they hooked me up to a portable ekg and even as I was sitting there my heart 'hiccuped' a few times in real time. I had noticed feeling it do that a few times the night before which is unusual because it's been 'quiet' for the past few months. 

So because they had the IV in my elbow area I couldn't bend my arm so had me lay down, got the ekg leads on me then had to get both arms over my head and my left arm as straight as possible. Talk about trying to relax and yet in an uncomfortable position. As insurance they gave me an IV form of the beta blocker just before the scan and a nitroglycerine tab under my tongue. That was interesting and something new for me.  My only knowledge of that is for people having a heart attack. Oh when the nitro tab finally dissolved it was slightly sweet then it was kind of burning under my tongue. Odd sensation. The scan went fine, just 'hold your breath' then 'breath normally' in a mechanical computer voice was difficult to hear the first couple of times. Also hard to hold your breath with your arms over your head.

After all was said and done, I was only vaguely light headed and had to walk a bit slower but that was all. Had me go to an office space (according to the nurse they were borrowing it so I could change and the cardiologist on the floor could give me the results). Got changed out of the gown and then the doctor said everything looks good. No clots, no damage or signs of heart disease so I'm good to go.  That was all. Which is what I suspected all along and told him that all of this was because my potassium dropped so low it triggered the afib. He agreed that could very well be the cause then went to tell the nurse to get the iv shunt out and send me on my way. Only instructions were to stay hydrated to flush the contrast out my kidneys. No problem there.

That was it.  Hit the bathroom on the way out of the building then headed to our second favorite (least favorite??) In-n-Out because we were both starving. Least favorite because it's right next to the freeway, has little to no parking that is convenient and way too noisy outside. I have decided that in a pinch, it's a good burger but the fries still suck. They are always more dehydrated potato sticks than good fries. If I have to go back to that medical building we'll drive a bit further to somewhere else for food. Despite having burger and fries we were both still hungry...oddly enough for the same thing. We wanted rolled tacos. Stopped out one of our neighborhood taco places and got an order of 5 rolled tacos on the way home. 

So, water being consumed along with sea salt caramels from Costco and can relax the rest of the day because it is 90 something outside.  Oh also, with all the extra money we got in, I was able to pay all my bills this month without asking for help. YAY! May not be so lucky next month but am hoping with what little I have left over it will be enough. 

That's it, that's all she wrote and all that's fit to print for now. 

So it's been interesting-Rocky escaped

Infusion went fine on Monday, Tuesday was more shopping and food, Wednesday...well that's a different story.

Visit with GI doctor went well, I never got a chance to ask him about the connection of gut issues and the leg cramps. He asked how things were going regarding symptoms and I told him  honestly, I don't think it's working. Diarrhea is still there and actually got worse the last week or so. He was disappointed in that and he talked about maybe stepping up the frequency of the infusions but  has to time it after surgery or maybe before. He ordered another poop test kit to see how the calprotectin was doing and mentioned another drug but had to research whether insurance covered it or not. There is another one but he is very reluctant to use that one with my history of cancer.  He then said that if the number from the test was still high he'd order steroids again for short term relief. Asked if I had any other questions (and of course I always forget the ones I wanted to ask), thanked me for being a trooper about all this and ushered me out. He's a great doctor but most of the time I'm listening more than asking questions so information is mostly one way and that's all on me. Oh and he kept calling what I have colitis not Crohn's but in my official list of medical issues it's 'HCC Crohn's' which is Crohn's without complications. Oh well. Whatever, the two are different in the way they attack the gastric system so might ask him what the definining is for what I have.

 

Now then... since it was very warm we had the AC on and Rocky was inside all day until around 7:30 last night when he started to get antsy about going out.  Got his new tag on the harness and all that, took him out as usual. Well... the little bugger found a divot under the back fence that likely was dug by other feral cats or wild animals. It was luckily the parking lot of  another complex that I can see from my window. Phoop...and he was under the fence and on the other side before I could move fast enough. DANGIT! Called Jon and said come downstairs need to go find Rocky. Explained what happened and off we went.

Drove around to the next street and parked first spot I could find that was close to the complex where he disappeared. Now... me being his owner for the past 8 years I know how he thinks for the most part. He was going to be in that parking lot and look for a way back out. We got out and walked down the cul de sac where there were some kids hanging out (the same court area that we hear them yelling and stuff) told them what happened, parents came out and we explained again what Rocky looked like and where he had gone. Me knowing full well this was just a precaution and he was still in the other parking lot, made for the street again and the next door complex.

Which happened to be owned by the same person because our complex is Sundance Terrace and this complex (also 55+) is Persimmon Terrace. It is also code gated.  DANGIT. Luckily a lady came out of her apartment beause she was bbqing on the patio and asked if she could help, explained again what happened where we lived etc, and she let us in to go patrol the parking lot adjoining ours.

Okay.... we're looking and a voice from an upstairs apartment..much like our situation and one that I can see from my window, asked if we were looking for a cat. Much explaining, her saying she saw him under a car with a cover, we're looking and I'm thinking, no he's not under there he's moved on... so me seeing possible openings and other escape areas feared the worst but instinct told me no. He would follow the fence line. So the upstairs lady kept saying 'I have some treats' and then exclaimed pointing at the side fence 'there he is!'. Sure enough Rocky walking gingerly along the fence, Jon walked over and scooped him up with no complaints from Rocky. 

I thanked the lady and then took Rocky from Jon and we thanked her again and made our way to the front gate. Rocky was struggling so I put him down but hooked up his leash. He immediately tried to eye the very solid and very straight wood fence like he was going to try and jump it. He wanted to go HOME. I had to pick him up again and cradle him like I do sometimes and he looked up at me, like he does and we finally got to the car. I am thankful that I desensitized him to the car and he doesn't freak out. He wanted to get up in the front seat area but had to push him back because Jon would not have him in the front. Safety issue as well. I didn't have enough time for Jon to grab the carrier for him, time was critical to get to where he was. Got home carried him to the stairs then put him down and of course, he wanted to run right up the stairs but I still had him by the leash. He didn't like that, but oh well.  After I got his harness off he went and hid under the bed. Go figure. 

He only scratched my little finger with his back claws on the first struggle so I could tell he was traumatized. He thought he could just slip under the fence and then mom would follow right? Yeah, no. He realized his mistake after the novelty wore off in about ten seconds. I am thankful that I made the time to get a new tag for him with the new number. My only concern for him was him encountering wild animals (skunk/possum) or another cat and getting injured. I told everyone we encountered that if he sees an open door he will bolt for it thinking it's his home. He's friendly but will be skittish in a situation like that he is not familiar with. 

So I'm not sure if he's going to want to bolt for the fence again or avoid it. No matter what, he's staying inside for a few days and then will be out on leash only. Need to get a new retractable leash for him anyway.

So that was our excitement yesterday. I got the medical refunds in the bank finally, was kind of worried about that because they were pending then they disappeared and took another extra day for them to show up in my account. I was just having a minor anxiety issue about that but all is good now. Had to go to Costco to resupply on toilet paper (yeah going through a lot), got some pastries, found a deal on zip lock bags while we were there and then had lunch at the food court. Feeling flush with money we opted for the turkey provolone sandwich and a soda instead of our usual dog and a slice cheap lunch. It was good, not good enough for a do again (in my mind) but it was good.

And there we have the last three days of our whirling, swirling retired life. Feline Furball is still a resident and part of our little nucleus family. Sleeping peacefully on my side of the bed currently.

 

 

And more unexpected money, sort of

 

The weather is now warming up to standard summer. 90 today and we were out at my infusion appointment luckily. In air conditioned, comfy cozy treatment center. When we got outside on the other hand... not so comfy cozy but we dealt with it.

Anywho

I had to get gas so we head out around noon because Jon also needed to pick up a prescription. Well when we got to the pharmacy, four people deep in line and at least one person at the window was less than insightful and did not look like they were going to finish sooner rather than later. The lady in orange ahead of us seemed to be having a conversation with herself as she pulled out two empty pill bottles from one of her bags.... I told Jon, we'll come back after the appointment and he agreed. Getting gas was much smoother and we got to the appointment ten minutes ahead of schedule yippee!

In the waiting room I did a row of knitting on some socks then decided to pull out my phone for some odd reason to check on the world. I saw a notification that I had a refund from Sharp. Say what? Oh right! The assistance I had been approved for would refund any payments I had made. Zippideedoodaah for me! The one I saw was for 64.56 and thought well boy howdy that covers gas today. I showed Jon but somehow had scrolled up and when I looked at it, it said it was 85. I continued to scroll and realized it was 4 payments of $85 and the $64.56. That was pretty much all the payments  I made on the hospital bill plus one other. 

Some karma wheel turned somewhere for me for sure. That's over $400 back in my account in the next few days.  It's such a relief really, despite having the other extra money (which I was planning on letting Jon use some since it's his money). Now it really is extra money but will still be careful to spend thriftily as possible. Jon, poor guy and his not so nimble fingers and thinking... went to buy a full run of a particular comic on ebay and instead of hitting 'pay over time' he hit 'pay now'. So he blew $200 right off instead of the $12 a month he was planning, no way of stopping the transaction since it's ebay from what he could tell. Oh well. Feel badly for him and as I said, will try and make it up for him.  

I found a 'refurbished/renewed' Apple pencil for my ipad on Amazon that looks identical to the one I have and says it's compatible with my pad for only $70. that has yet to go through my account so am holding that amount out in my mental accounting. Am I going to get some yarn with this money? Maaaayyybeeee. Am I going to spend some of it on a nice meal out for us? It's possibull, it's possibull. New clothes and shoes? Yes!

I found a skein of yarn at the same maker that I'm doing the shawl from. It's called Opal and of course that's my birthstone so I put it in my cart. Still thinking about it though since it's a washable merino wool (really really soft) and mulberry silk (silky type fiber processed from the mulberry tree). I thought at first I could make socks but it's so soft and not really sturdy it wouldn't really do well for socks. Maybe fingerless glove/mitten, it's $30 plus shipping so I'm still thinking about it. I have already bagged up a lot of yarn that I am never going to use and will be taking them down to goodwill since I can't find a charity group to contact.

Next on the list is garden supplies. Most definitely need fertilizer and soil, have been trying to figure out how to make a more raised bed for the in ground areas. Without costing an arm and a leg. Going to be a toss up between garden supplies and yarn. 

So many choices, so far some money. More news after I see GI doctor Keller on Wednesday. 

 

So, semi big news

 Something that I didn't want to talk about before it happened just so I didn't jinx it.

About three weeks ago Jon got an official letter from the state controllers office about 'unclaimed funds' that was in his name. I've tried looking into that years ago and for me it was like $20 so never bothered. For Jon though it was something having to do with work funds owed him or something so it's quite a chunk of change for $715. It's state funds and I don't know if it is considered income for tax purposes but will find out about that later.

That is quite a chunk of money that we weren't expecting and now it's actually arrived in the form of a check he is doing a mobile deposit on.  The official notice said that if it had not been received in 30 days to contact them. He got the confirmation letter on the 10th of this month so I was not expecting it until next week. Yipppeee! He started listing off things like clothing that I need and yarn that I could get because he's splitting it with me. This is all his money, I had nothing to do with how he got it and he's splitting it with me mostly 50/50. I love that about him. 

I do need some clothes and shoes and stuff but I also want to save out some as a teeny tiny nest egg. Jon likes to spend all his money all at once because he's afraid of it disappearing. I know if I spend it it will disappear and then I won't have it when I need it (ahem, 401k money). So it is a holiday weekend and due to only getting a partial deposit of the check we will be good and wait until the entire amount is in his account before making purchases. I admonished him to try not to spend it all and save some out for using later on. 

I was trying to research a new tablet pencil for my ipad. A refurbished/renewed actual Apple version is still about $100 and I'm reluctant to trust anything on amazon that says it's 'compatible' with my 9th gen ipad. Previous pen was 1st gen I think but it may just be compatible with it and not specific and only version that will work. I just don't trust something like that under $50 and some of them were running anywhere from $8-$15. I hate buying something online and then if it doesn't work have to either try and resell it or send it back for something else. I could use some garden supplies, but yarn, I am trying to get rid of all the stuff I'm never going to get to. I have six or seven projects that are in progress and my cubby is full of yarn that honestly was an idea years ago but not anymore. So it's got to all go away so I can get my UFOs into the spaces. (UFO = UnFinished Object, WIP= Work In Progress). 

So that's our excitement other than not really going shopping today. I decided to opt out of Costco the day before a holiday so we just went to our favorite Greek Chicken place for lunch then picked up some ice cream and another pork roast at the store and headed home.  We decided to start up the AC before we left because it was going to be 86 outside before we got home and knew it would be at least 5 degrees warmer inside. All the difference in the world for thinking ahead.

Updates on various outcomes of the windfall and whatnot as well as doctor and infusion appointments next week.

TTFN! 

 

Got money and food

  Weather is still milder than to be expected this time of year. Should be ramping up soon but it's more like a delayed June Gloom because it clouds over at night and then is sunny and clear during the day. I'll take it. Not much in the way of pictures other than garden and knitting so might have unadorned post. 

As for the money, standard SS money was deposited on schedule as I figured when it would happen (last day of the month since the first is middle of the week). We did the first Costco run for paper goods, sodas and water, then decided to try a 'new' Mexican place. It's new that we haven't been to that location yet but it's the same family of restaurants that we loved up near HD when we were working there called Yesenia's. Absolutely delicious food and salsas. I got 5 rolled tacos with everything on them and Jon got a carnitas burrito with rice,beans and guac inside. Called a 'conga' burrito at the other location but the lady didn't know what that was. I failed to take pictures but will be doing that again next month or possibly sooner.

Well the burrito was huge! Length of my forearm from wrist to elbow for sure and Jon also got himself a beer to go with it. I just had a soda and the rolled tacos were buried under a mound of guac, lettuce, cheese and sour cream. Perfect! Jon almost couldn't finish the burrito which is a shock but he did finish it.  I snagged a small bit of pork from the dregs and was amazed at how much flavor it had. Might have to order a carnitas quesadilla next time.

Anyway, I had some second intuition that something was not right with Jon while he was eating. He and I were both starving and something about the way he was eating didn't mesh with what I'm used to. Well... about 2 am... whatever didn't agree with him woke him up. Poor guy, luckily we have a small trash can with a bag liner in the bedroom because he wouldn't have made it to the bathroom. Anyhow got that all finished and he got cleaned up while I got my slip ons and sweatpants on to run the trash bag to the dumpster. We didn't lay down again until around 4:30 and as a consequence of that, I slept in until around 10:30 but he got up sooner. Absolutely fine like nothing happened and blamed it on the beer and salsa combo. I was thinking it was the pork because that's what I was smelling but I would have gotten sick also because I had a small piece of it. Oh well, despite that experience we'll go back again when we have extra money.

So that was exciting and unexpected. I know the 4th is Saturday and we need to get the rest of our shopping done before then. We did a 'needful' stop at Food4Less today but because we got such a late start on the say we got that and a sandwich at Jersey Mike's and came home. Will do remainder of shopping tomorrow and maybe the Costco run as well. Will see what our energy is like because end of day yesterday I felt like a bus ran over me. Been having a tough toilet time lately and that could be part of it but also we just need to get out and walk around more.

Rocky got to be a successful hunter and caught himself a baby lizard on Sunday. A really small one because he had eaten it before I could get to him from six feet away. He's sniffing the door to check for signs of any other lingering reptiles I suspect. I was only worried about it giving him an upset stomach or worms or something but so far, he's good.

I've got another infusion on Monday then GI doctor on Wednesday then something toward the end of the month with another doctor or MRI or something. I keep thinking it really sucks having so much going on medically at this point and then realize there are 20 year olds or younger that have serious medical conditions that are far worse. Counting my blessings and lucky stars for what I have going on now. 

 

 

 

More detail about surgery (TMI)

This may be a bit TMI but it's more involved than the first time and reminded me of what the surgeon originally suggested was going to happen. 

For every procedure I get an Authorization of Service form that explains who, what, where and why of the procedure and lets me know whether it's approved or not (so far all has been approved). I keep them all in a folder on my desktop for reference and this time had to look at it. Still have to pay for the hospital stay which I think is up to $250 now. I'll be bringing the approval for assistance letter when I check in at the hospital at registration. Which is good until November thankfully. 

I'm getting liposuction and skin grafts. 

Because there was so little skin and tissue left on the right side they are going to be taking bits and pieces here and there along with some fat to fill out the area. This is major stuff. Essentially, reconstructive surgery to my chest. Now what concerns me is the list of locations they may take pieces and fat.

'Repair of wound by transferring skin, 30.1 to 60.0 cm. Graft using patient's fat removed by liposuction and inserted into trunk, breasts, scalp, arms or legs/ 50.0 cc or less'. Now what that just means is those are areas that are covered by this particular procedure. I am not getting any fat inserted into my scalp, arms, or legs. But it does cover breasts so they had to just kind of be broad about it for legal reasons or whatever paperwork for insurance purposes. 

The plan that I remember is reducing the side baggage under my arms and using the skin and fat there to fill everything out. Also that is a reduction in my left side that I was hoping to get evened out since I've been so lopsided for 16 years. Which is also mentioned as a 'revision of the capsule around breast implant' (that would be for the left side).

So that's all happening at yet to be determined time on October 2nd. There should be a second surgeon but not sure because so far no appointment or name has been mentioned. The whole deal is just overwhelming right now, not to a bad point but it kind of just surprised me with the technicality laid out.

Need to get new button up shirts, pajamas, pants, a wedge bed pillow for sitting for a month or two, plan meals, all the things. It's not quite July but I know I'll forget something if I don't start planning now because each of those things would come out of one of our accounts for every month between now and surgery. So planning is pricing and picking out things.

Speaking of planning, on a lark and daydreaming I looked up the cost of Disneyland this year.... remembering last time we thought we could get by with $400 well..it's a lot more expensive now.  Knowing we are not geared up for all day walking around like that anymore, we're going to need a hotel room to take a break and sleep over so Jon can see California Adventure. This is strictly daydreaming but my methods are looking up costs as if it's actually going to happen. Bottom line, about $1200 for two days at the parks and one overnight in a hotel. 2 people, 2 parks, one night in a hotel. That is so outrageous now. I remember when a year pass for an adult was $99, about the time they were building CA. 

So anyway... that's the way it goes. Weather is warm, garden is growing, I have one or two peppers of some sort and a cucumber coming along.   

Sea serpent sock monster is surprised. 

Good news and all that entails

 Surgeon office finally got back to me and they got the okay from all the other doctors for setting up surgery date, yay!

Bad news....current date is October 2. I say 'current date' because sometimes things change and I was really hoping to have it all done and squared away before Amber started school.  Wanted this to be done sooner rather than later and if not for my GI issues it would have been done by now I suspect.

So appointment schedules for that is pre-pre-op to sign forms and 'pick out' new implant is August 21, then pre-op is September 17, surgery Oct 2 and .... oh joy, post op is on my birthday! Party in the exam room! heheheh. So at least by the holidays I'll be all healed up from surgery with a new 'rack' to adjust to.  

For today, it was only supposed to be about 80 but it's slightly overcast so feels a lot warmer and a bit oppressive so we started the AC around 11. Had to run to the store for bread and milk (bread was on sale dangit and couldn't take advantage of it). I had enough in the EBT card for the bread and enough in my bank for milk and that was it. We are officially down to a few dollars in the bank for the next week, we're out of soda but will survive. I was already only having one early in the day so it wasn't too much of a hardship for me. Jon's used to having two or three a day, trying to get him to cut back too.

We have food, hardly used the car so still have plenty of gas (no appointments until next month so far). I'm sleeping a bit better lately, GI issues are in retrograde though so trying to figure out what I've eaten to trigger that and of course the grocery store sends me 'we've got lots of deals and coupons!'.  Right, thanks. Always a sale when I don't have the money and that goes for just about everything really from food to yarn to other things. 

Anywho... that's all the news I can think of for now.    Ta!