Author: Dackel Princess

The Definition of Insanity!

The definition of insanity is having four dogs! I decided this today at 5 AM, when two of them woke me, to go outside and commune in the -2 degree (F) frosty, snow and icy darkness.

Now Greta was smart and she hurried out and came back in, because we all know that when you are low, slow, and reliable, the snow and ice get to you quickly! If it had just been her, I’d have crawled back into bed and gotten another hour or two of sleep. But no. Lili, super thick coated, and full of two year old energy, decided that 5 AM was a great time to explore the field behind our house.

She ran and she jumped and she had a splendid time, while I whistled for her to come in. After 20 long minutes, during which time, the other two dachshunds went out and did their thing and hurried in, Lili finally turned and came in.  By then, I was cold and wide awake!

So I slipped into my jeans and warm shirt, put on my bulky socks, and pulled out my heating pad. I snuggled up with two dachshunds in my chair, and turned on the TV to watch the end of a movie I have seen a million times, and start my day!

But as I sit here I cannot help but wonder how I got here. Me, and four dogs? Truly, it is insanity to have 4 dogs that all wake you up before the sun is even in the sky. And why, why do I have them? Well, perhaps because, insane or not, these guys give me so much love, that in the end, I feel blessed!

Work, Work, Work!

The weekend was very busy for me. I’m still working at thinning my stuff. Clothes, odds and ends, and getting it ready for our charity shop. I have 5 large bags filled to the brim, and more to go.

I cooked three fabulous meals. Roast leg of lamb, sirloin steak and then lamb stew. All were good and filled us up on these bitterly cold days.

My darling Quinn is now 10 months old! Can you believe that? He is such a grown up, handsome guy and I am amazed by him. It seems like just yesterday that I held him for the first time and fell in love!

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Savannah had her first big girl hair cut. Nothing too dramatic, but enough so the snarl monster is leaving her alone. She looks just adorable!

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Have a great Monday everyone!

Getting Back In The Game

I have decided to go back to being a strict Weight Watcher. Since I have 6 weeks until my surgery, there is nothing that says I cannot go to class and count points and hopefully get a few pounds off.

I’m not happy being overweight and this is the time to start a new game plan. I’m going to suggest to Hubby that we go shopping today, and get the things I need to make the program a success.

In the past I have used the New Year to start WW and always resolve to lose all the weight in one go. This time, I simply want to learn how to eat, so that I can drop the weight, and then keep it off.

I don’t mind being 58. It’s a good age. But I really dislike the fact that my metabolism has slowed to a snails pace, and that even one or two cookies, magically turn into 2-3 pounds!

So this is the plan. I admit, it will be nice to go to class and see everyone again. I’ve certainly missed them all. I think it will be good for me.

It’ll be a good start for 2017

Cervical Spine Diagnosis

I heard from my surgeon in Boston that surgery on my cervical spine will take place February 16th. They have decided to remove all the hardware that has been inserted, and then also remove the bone graft (as it has not grown) and then redo the fusion between C6-C7 and also fuse C5-C6 with my own bone. Apparently the C5-C6 fusion has needed to be done since the start of this problem (November of 2015).

One might think I would be a mass of nerves about this surgery, but actually I am quite calm. You see, I knew I had pain, and I was concerned that I was overreacting. To have confirmation that I actually have major problems, makes me feel vindicated.

No, the surgery will not be easy, but quite frankly, after everything I have been through, I’m ready. I now have 6 weeks to get the house in order, do some meal cooking and freezing, and buy Hubby a new book to read. He will need it for when he is in the waiting room. This surgery will last three and a half to five hours. I sure hope that they also have TV in there too. Maybe it’s time to teach him how to use my cell phone.

So my friends, life goes on, and I am hopeful that this surgery will be the last and provide the pain relief I have been searching for.

The Friday Five

Another week has gone by and that means it’s time for The Friday Five! It’s been a busy week, with Hubby and I going to Boston for my appointment, and then working hard to whip this place into shape 15 minutes at a time. My goal right now is to have everything set up to make my recovery easy for me and for Hubby.

So, without further ado…

  1. I am actually looking forward to the surgery. Although I know that it will hurt at first, I am so hopeful that the recovery will lead to no more pain!
  2. I’m able to do light housework for about 15-20 minutes at a time, and so I am cleaning out closets and drawers and we have been filling up the back of the Highlander with neatly folded, washed, and bagged clothes and shoes and jackets for our local Christian Charity shop.
  3. I also plan to go through my books and donate all my read books that I do not need to save,  to our local library for their book sale.
  4. Next are my kitchen drawers. How many potato peelers do I need! Time to lighten my load!
  5. I would also love to get a slip cover for my love-seat. I’m afraid the material is wearing out and looking very ratty.

So, that wraps it up for my first Friday of 2017! Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

TBT: Check Point Charlie

The summer of 1989, Hubby and I lived in West Berlin, Germany. This was before the Wall came down, and it was really my first experience overseas, and my introduction to the Cold War. Little did I know that in a few short months, the Wall would come down and all our lives would change. For the better!

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So, here I am with Hubby standing at Check Point Charlie while it was still fully operational. What an interesting time in our lives that was!

There Is Hope

My appointment yesterday with Dr. G. went very well. He is a kind man, who I believe is very brilliant. He did my exam, took a full medical history and then went through my MRI’s and x-rays, frame by frame, showing Hubby and I where the problems were.
I knew that the disc from C5-C6 was bulging, but the other doctor told me it was not pressing on anything. Dr. G. showed me that in fact, that disc is pressing against the spinal cord and is causing much of my pain.
He also looked at the C6-C7 area, where the other doctor had operated twice, and said it will all need to be redone and I will need a major repair done, as that screw is pressing on nerve endings in my spine.
He wanted me to get a CAT Scan before I left and today he will call and give me the results. But he expects to operate very soon, probably in February.
He was very agreeable and arranged for me to have the CAT Scan right after I saw him. I was given the scan on one of their newest machines a 128 bit CAT Scan machine and the test took just 6 minutes.
Anyway, the weather yesterday was terrible. Heavy rain, dense fog, and also heavy traffic. Poor Hubby was exhausted when we got home at 7:45 PM!
So, that is the news from New Hampshire. Although I need more surgery, I also feel postive about things. Dr. G. is the top Neurosurgeon in Boston. I believe he can help me get well once again.

Off To The Big City

So today I am off to see the Neurosurgeon/Spinal Specialist down at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.  I admit to being a little nervous, but I am also filled with hope that this doctor, at one of the finest hospitals in the country, will be able to figure out what is happening and help to relieve my pain.

On Tuesday I got all my records, discs with my MRI’s and x-rays and put them in a brief case, along with the GPS, cell phone, and charging cords. Hubby is driving me and once again, we are presented with inclement weather. Oh well, nothing can be done about that, but to soldier on!

Our house/dog sitter is coming to be with the pooches, and I told her to pack a bag and stay the night if it looks dicey.

But I have hope, and this is so important.

Just Another New Year

I rung in the New Year on December 31/January 1st watching a marathon showing of “Homeland”. It was a good reminder of how we got to Season 6, which starts on January 15th on Showtime. You can watch it streaming on several different pay per view places, like Hulu, or Amazon Prime. Worth the time. If you already subscribe to Showtime, you can watch on Amazon Prime for free.

At ten o’clock on New Years, I climbed into bed with the dackels and that, my friends, is how I rang in the New Year! Asleep on a three dog night!

Our Sunday was quiet. It was the last day of “Homeland” episodes (season 5), and we enjoyed watching these, as most of the episodes were shot in our much loved Berlin, Germany. Hubby lived there for 11 years and I was lucky enough to live there for 5 months. And of course, my best friend, Uschi, is a Berliner, and when I visit with her, we go all over the place. In any case, it was great to visit Berlin, through the TV show.

Yesterday I also took down all the Christmas decorations. That wasn’t too bad, as we had put up very little, but it had to be done. Until next year, fairy lights….

I also sat down at the computer and put all my healthcare files on a thumb drive. I have my x-rays, and MRI’s on a disc, and a few other things in a file.

Tomorrow I go to Boston to see the spine specialist. Basically, I made it the three weeks, and managed to use meditation, ice and heat to manage the pain. I know tomorrow will not bring instant relief, but at least we will begin to unravel this mess! One step at a time!

Since today is technically a holiday, I think Hubby and I will watch a few episodes of “Parenthood” and get everything ready for the trip tomorrow. After all, Boston is 2+ hours from here.

I sure hope 2017 is a good year!