Category: My Life

Today I was my doctor’s star patient. I actually drove myself, which was a real surprise. Anyone who has been down and out for a while will tell you that their skills do not stay as sharp. So, I’ve made small trips around town to regain my skills. Today was the big trip, 75 miles each way!

I made it just fine, but I admit to feeling a wee bit tired on my way home.

I digress.

I was the star patient because the pressure in my left eye had gone down from 34 to 18! When they checked my vision, although it is not 20/20 in that eye, I could pass the Eye test to renew my license.

So I made it home, and I am making up a six-week chart, as I work to wean myself off all my pills and drops!

Back at the beginning of July, I was terrified that I would not get my vision back. Here I am. My vision is back, and I am one happy and fortunate girl!

I have a return visit to my Eye Surgeon today, in Salem, NH. I am pretty nervous about this as I still have no vision in my left eye and quite a bit of pain.

Yesterday I did nothing. I put on HBO-Max and binge-listened to “Friends.” It’s been my favorite show for years, and listening to it is incredibly soothing.

I slept in my recliner with Heidi last night, and her little snuggles felt good too.

Yesterday, I made my Uber reservation for today, but when I got up this morning, I saw that it had somehow gotten messed up. So, I cancelled that reservation first thing and made a new one.

I have packed a small case in case I need to stay overnight. I hope that they can do an eye washout, and my vision will be restored.

I wish I could report that my vision in the left eye had returned, sadly, it has not.

I woke this morning, opening my eyes, and for a fraction of a second, I thought the blindness was gone. When I removed my patch, I realized my brain was playing a trick on me. Still no vision.   I took a shower and started my day.

Yesterday I took a frozen pot roast, threw it in the crockpot along with some water and a pot roast mix. Janet peeled some carrots, onions, and celery, and we set them and forgot them. Eight hours later, dinner was ready!

Pot roast picture by Janet.

The aroma was fantastic, and the pot roast was the best I’d ever made!  Truthfully, it really was tasty!

Heidi continued to snuggle me and then snuggle Janet, spending equal time with both of us.

Miss Heidi, by Janet.

I think Janet is going home today, and I will miss her tremendously. All my life, Janet has been there, and she always has a calming effect on me..

I am sitting in my chair at home. Quite happily so. I always feel at peace when I am here with my little Heidi girl!

Photo by my cousin Janet.

I was operated on on Monday morning. It turned out to be a bit of a challenge as the old lens refused to come out. Because the doctor could reach the current lens, he stitched it in place, hoping that this would resolve the problem. If it does not, then I will need a much bigger surgery with a much more extended recovery period.

I was okay with that, but this morning, when they undressed the eye, they asked me how my vision was.

I hate to admit it, but I have no vision in my left eye at all. After the exam, it was determined that there had been a lot of bleeding, thus causing the blindness.

I am to rest, and unless things change, I am due to go back next week. I am a bit concerned, but I have faith.

Last Saturday night, after slaving over a hot crockpot for 8 hours I  served up a delicious meal. All was  going well when I noticed blurry vision in my left eye.

I refused to overreact,  believing it was the cooking that had caused this. I decided to sleep on it and allow my body to reboot.

Yeah, like that was going to fix anything!

On Sunday I went to the Emergency Room. All I knew was to see an Ophthalmologist first thing on Monday.

Which I did, only to discover my intraoccular lens had folded in half like a taco!

I will see the special surgeon today. My corrective surgery will be on Monday.

I asked how common this problem is in the world of cataract-land lenses. I was told it is a highly unique problem.

Ah, but of course it is, which is why I have it!

I decided to sit down today to catch you up on all the happenings in my life. As you already know, I got sick on the cruise. I had three days of good health on the ship before the Norovirus hit.

I have only a few pictures of me that came out well instead of green and sick!

Yes, I was in isolation for eight days due to the Norovirus. You have never had real fun until you have had that! About a third of my ship had it. I slept, sipped ginger ale, and slept some more. I came home having lost six pounds.

No sooner had I returned than I started experiencing flu-like symptoms. I waited but eventually went to see my doctor. With her guidance, I started my recovery. So, what should have been a relaxing vacation turned into a fight for health.

I am so thankful to Hannaford for home delivery of groceries. I needed food, so I ordered everything from the comfort of my recliner with Heidi in my lap.

It is -10 this morning, and I think this winter will be a bear. Meanwhile, I am making some hot tea and snuggling with Heidi.

Yes, it’s true. Today is my birthday, and I am officially sixty-six years old. How in the world did that happen?

I was born and raised on Cape Cod in the 1950s-1960s. Back then, I could ride my bike all over town and pick up things for my mother at the local convenience store.

I recall going to the beach, lying on the sand, and thinking that this part of my life was far away. Yet, here I am.

I was a little raggamuffin, often without shoes and in junkie clothes. I rode my bike, climbed trees, and walked along the shore.

I married twice, had my babies, and started my travels worldwide.

Mandy, Katie, and me.

I fell in love with wire-haired dackels and traveled to Germany to get Greta.

What a significant part of my life Greta was.

Anneliese, Arnie and Greta.

She gave me Arnie and Anneliese. I thought it could not get any better.

Then came Heidi and I thank the good Lord who knew I needed a best friend because she sure is!

Heidi

I’m so lucky to have my daughter and grandchildren, Savannah and Quinn.

Savannah

Quinn
Amanda and me.

I have also picked up two sons and a daughter. Stepchildren, but I think of them as my own.

At sixty-six, I think of them all with great love, and seriously, I wonder how I got here so darn fast.

Ah yes. The age of decrepitude!

So here’s to these years. May old age be kind, and may they be full of fun and laughs.

I have been thinking about life lately, perhaps because we have lost so many talented people who have entertained us.

It seems like just yesterday, I was climbing the jetties at Surf Drive Beach. Many people liked to lie in the sand and soak up the sun. However, as a child, I could never sit still.

We had picnics at the beach, eating somewhat sandy peanut butter and fluff sandwiches. It didn’t matter. Looking back, it was the best.

Imagine living in paradise and not even knowing this. So was my childhood growing up on Cape Cod.

All summer, I went around in bathing suits and bare feet.

Of course, back in the 1960s, I could ride my Schwinn bicycle all around town without worrying anyone.

Dairy Queen treats and trips to Elsie’s Restaurant, where she served the best German food!

Henry and Elsie Baumann

Life was simple and carefree, and today, as I am living out the final decades of my life, I appreciate that time even more.

The last few weeks have found me establishing a new normal for myself.

I have been slowly making this house my own, and during this process, I realized that it was the very first time in my life that I was living my own life.

Having gotten married at 17, I have been living the lives of my two husbands.

It’s not that this was bad. Our beautiful daughters came with my first husband, and with my second husband came the ability to travel the world.

However, I never decorated a house or selected my dishes or glassware.

Since last July, I have sold many pieces of furniture and selected the things I like.

The walls have been painted, the bathrooms refurbished, and a new reclining bed installed.

Finally, I am not sleeping in my recliner.

Also, my first foray out was to a local diner. “George’s”. It’s become my place. They know me, and when I go in, I feel looked after. That’s such a nice feeling.

So my life is going on.