Category: The DayBook

Photo – Panasonic ZS15. Lots of zoom, from the balcony. I love my views. When we moved in it was suggested that we were nuts to spend so much money for the view. We were advised that after a few months, we wouldn’t notice the view. Well, I notice it everyday. Several times a day. And, a night.

Don’t think I been going on a trip this summer. Have to get Mr C well from the current unpleasantness. Then he has to get a hernia fixed. He is so afraid that the hernia will “turn bad” that I don’t want to leave him. If it did go bad, we would get him to the emergency department. There would be emergency surgery. And, he would be sent home. In no condition to take care of himself.

Which brings me to “what on earth are we going to do when there is only one of us?” As long as we are two and as long as we have brain power and money – we will be OK. But, the last month has driven home how difficult it will be for one of us to deal with the realities of old age. Over the next 10 or 12 months we are going to come up with an exit plan for each of us. Plus, a third plan for us – assuming we decide we need to relocate to an old folks asylum, while we are still the two of us.

So, if I do have any trips this summer it will be to inspect old lady asylums. I think the Carlton Exit Plan will be located here in northern Virginia. But, the Peggy Exit Plan might be in Honolulu. Or Seattle. Or Portland. Or …

I went windowshopping smart phones today. The Samsung Galaxy S4 is totally gorgeous. It is big. And, it is plastic. I could rationalize big. After all, my eye sight isn’t what it once was… so, bigger might be better. Can not rationalize plastic however. And, the Android OS has that lovely feature of switching calls to wifi when there is no cell signal.

The iPhone 5 is totally Apple. But, new “improved” iPhone is just around the corner.

A cheaper solution would be the totally Google Nexus 4. Downside here is no LTE.

While at the T-Mobile store I noticed that one of the iPhone’s had SpeedTest loaded. It was about 3 times faster than my Verizon Snail Internet Service.

I am not moving from T-Mobile. They have been my cheap cell carrier of choice for years. I am sure not sending more business Verizon’s way.

 

 

On my walk home for the volunteer job this afternoon, I was not pleased to spy an iris. I have never taken a picture of an iris that I like. This one is no exception. If truth be known – I am none to fond of iris period.

Lunch: Big strawberries, mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar salad, a croissant, some broiled fish. Dinner will be chicken sandwiches.

Well, boys and girls… this is my last daily Carlton Report: The infectious disease doctor says “the blood is going in the right direction”. Now, remember, he might be a vampire – but he is happy. He says Mr C is to remain on daily IV antibiotics for another 4 weeks. He also told him to cancel the skin cancer surgery he has scheduled for his head in two week. And to not even think about getting his hernia repaired until he is completely totally 100% healed, sealed and disinfected from his recent surgical adventures.

Remember when I introduced the vampire infectious disease doctor? I mentioned that he used duct tape on his office rug. Well, I was wrong, he uses some sort of transparent adhesive tape.  But, he’s your go to guy if some nasty cooties are killing your sorry ass. Decor don’t matter much then.

Thanks for all your concern about Carlton. He is out of danger. Doing as well as can be expected. Etc. Etc. Current job is to get him a little exercise everyday. We walked 1.5 miles today. And to get him off oxycodone. Even without The Daily Carlton Report – the blog abides.

When you live in a high-rise, a dandelion is just a pretty yellow flower. Everything is relative.

Carlton Report: The status is quo. Visiting infectious disease doctor tomorrow.

Thinking about a new cell phone. An iPhone – it would work with everything I already have – except for the new connector. A Samsung – bigger not necessary better – most likely more “advanced”. Best thing about Samsung, on my carrier, phones calls switch to wifi if no cell signal. Sort of a built in Skype. Maybe if I wait a while, the iPhone will get that feature. Since the Smithsonian wants my current phone, I guess I can wait a while longer and continue using my iPod as my “smart phone”.

This morning, Carlton’s plastic surgeon revealed her work and removed the JP drains. That was her post processing. The above image was my post processing.

Remember, Paul Simon said “… everything looks worse in black and white…”

The Carlton Report: For the first time in over 3 weeks, Mr C had a shower. He still has the PICC line. And a tiny little dressing where the JP drains came out. But, he is almost returned to “normal”. Next, he needs to check in with the vampire infectious disease doctor.

Carlton Report: Good day today. Nothing bad happened. And, he got his catheter taken out. One pipe down. Three to go. Once again looking towards the end of the tunnel… Tomorrow we go have the surgeon look at things.

Photo – Panasonic L1 and cheap Oly lens.

Starting to think about an improved cell phone solution. Mr C has being complaining about my phone. Any excuse to “up grade”. iPhone or Samsung?

Carlton Report:
So far, so good – but the day isn’t over yet. We got his chest drains working again. The rest of the piping appears to be operational. He has been eating. And watching TV, reading, napping etc. He walked back from hospital this morning. He made it to AA across the street last night and at hospital after his infusion session this morning.

And, it has been 8 days since I had a caregiver melt down resulting in the caregiver yelling at the patient. Most unprofessional.

Carlton update: Until about an hour ago everything was going along. Painfully. But, along. I was having a little nap. Carlton opens up the door and shows me blood all over his tummy. Nobody told me that JP drains had to be “stripped” or “milked”. Live and learn.

Apparently this is not an emergency. Just a little “issue”. OOPS. He is leaking again. Back into frantic mode.

The surgeon – who answers her cell – said if I can not get it working again to just bandage him up.

Not dealing too well.

 

The Carlton Report: He is doing very well, thank you. We went to hospital this afternoon by bus. I went with him, to be sure he would be OK. He did so well – that I left him off at Outpatient Infusion and walked back home. He took the bus back home after his treatment. And, stopped off to supervise the construction site in the next block.

He still has 3 tubes coming out and one tube going in. If anything goes wrong – I guess I’ll call a plumber.

 

Carlton’s surgery started noonish. A little after 1PM the surgeon called me and said he was all sewed up. We left hospital at about 6PM. It took him a long time to recover enough to make it home and he is seriously not able to do anything. He doesn’t seem to be able to get himself in and out of bed. My only “medical” care-taking task is to attend to his JP drains. (2 of them)

He had to allow me to drive his car home. But, instead of me getting mad and him getting frustrated – we made a game out of it. I told him that it was a voice operated car. And, all he had to do was give directions. Lights On. Drive around that pothole. Shift into 3rd NOW. Speedup. Shift into 4th NOW. Slow down. Park here. It was game. But, not one that I want to play too often.

In the spirit of fairness – I have been showing these iPod pictures of Mr. C in hospital. Here is one of me – taken just after I took the above photo.

Carlton Status Report: Waiting… waiting for the big surgery tomorrow to close up the huge hole in his chest. He is definitely feeling better – too bad he has to start feeling a lot worse tomorrow. But, maybe he’ll be started on the right path.

Surgery is at noon. I don’t see us getting home until late afternoon. If at all. They might keep him – since they had so much trouble with him last time. But, I’ll try to put up a report for all of his friends.

Have I mentioned lately that I hate my ISP. Well, I do.