Dackel Princess

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…

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!
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.
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.
Next are my kitchen drawers. How many potato peelers do I need! Time to lighten my load!
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!

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!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year

Frohes Neues Jahr!

TBT: Me & Shubi

This picture was taken during a vacation in 1997. Twenty years ago. We were visiting New Hampshire (At the time we were living in Florida), and we drove up to Weirs Beach, in Laconia. Here I am holding my first wire-haired dackel, Shubi! It’s hard to believe it has been 20 years!

We stopped so Shubi could take a run down by the water. The beach was deserted, and it was a perfect time. Or it was until a man with a large dog came to the beach and his dog was off leash too! Poor little Shubi was so scared, she ran to the end of the jetty and jumped into the lake! His dog just stood there looking confused!

The man ran quickly and he jumped in and rescued Shubi, while Hubby went to see if we had a blanket in our car. I can still see this rather comical event in my mind. Shubi was fine, just wet and in the end we had a good laugh. The man’s dog was a nice one, although there was no convincing Shubi. I’m glad I have this picture to remind me of that funny day!

Hope

Here we are at the end of another year. I remember at the start of 2016 being so full of hope, and yet, it seems like in this big world of ours, so many things went very wrong.

Terrorism is running rampant, people are being so unkind to each other, and then there are the terrible losses the world has faced. Actors, Actresses, and Musicians, that wrote the music and lyrics of our life, have passed from this world.

And just before Christmas, two Seniors at my Alma Mater, Falmouth High School, were killed in an automobile accident. Two 17 year old boys, lost in a split second. Understanding the loss of a child, makes these deaths all the harder to bear.

There have been other things, personally that have made 2016 difficult for me. A botched surgery, a problem with medications, and living with pain, until I can see a specialist have really gotten to me.

However, before I become lost in the world of sadness, I remind myself of all of the good.

Our darling Quinn was born. Not only is he healthy and happy, but he is quite remarkable! He is walking, which means he is also falling, but the little guy picks himself right up and away he goes again. Quinn is tough! And he is all boy. This is something wonderful and new, as I never had a son. I really like having a grandson and marvel in his fabulous personality.

My granddaughter also amazes me. At 4 and a half years old, Savannah is all girl. She is sensitive, sweet, has her eye on fashions and dolls and cooking, but most of all, she adores her brother. And Lili! It’s the funniest thing. I expected she would like the smaller dachshunds more because they are close to her size. But no. She met our Lili, big (75 pounds) white and a bit of a klutz, and she loves her.

I also see how lucky I am to have good and loving family and friends, a roof over my head, warm clothes to wear and food in my belly!

I am hoping that 2017 will be the year of goodness, not just for my spine, but for the world around me. Although I know that life is like this. Both good things and bad things happen, people are born and people leave us, it is my hope that we will see more peace and happiness and love around us all.

I guess in the end I am lucky to have my faith in God. Through him I have hope and that will make 2017 a good year. Hope.

Christmas & Children 2016

I’ve always loved Christmas, but it is just the best now that we have grandchildren. Savannah is such a girly girl, and my love for Barbie Dolls is one I share with her. She was thrilled with her little Barbie house and dolls and she was even more thrilled with the Barbie clothing that I found for her dolls!

Savi and her dolls and doll house.

Quinn is our little man in motion. It’s hard to believe that he is only 9 months old and toddling all over the house! He is fearless, and when he falls, he gets right back up and walks on! Quinn’s likes are wheels. He loves to sit and spin them. Thus we got him a truck with little mini cars. All with wheels that move. But I must say, mostly he just wanted to walk.

Quinn is really quite the character!

He just loves to be on his feet walking everywhere!

Quinn's First Christmas 2016 from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

We all opened gifts and my favorites are always the yearly pictures of the children, that Mandy has done for every one. I also got the complete set of “Parenthood”! I am so excited about that. I’d seen a few episodes from the first season and loved it, but it’s all Pay Per View now. So, call me happy to have my own set that I can watch when I want, and keep and enjoy!