My Life – Page 54 – The Dackel Princess

What I Did Last Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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This weekend was the time that I went down and saw my Mom, for what will be the last time in this world. She is very close to death now, and as various members of the family have come to see her and share the love. It’s all she wanted in the end. To see her great grandchildren, grandchildren and daughters one more time. To feel that the karma was all right with us. To grab one last memory before she goes.

She told my sister on Sunday that she is ready now. Her body is painfully full of cancer, and she can no longer move. She is ready to go to the next level.

I catch my breath. A sob is just suck in my throat. As much as I want her released from the pain, I just cannot imagine her not being a phone call away.

After all these years arguing with her, and making up and trying again, now she will die and there will be no tomorrows.

She is the last of her generation. The others have gone. My wish for her now is peace. Peace and to be free from the pain of this terrible thing called cancer.

Now we must wait. She must wait. I hope that God is merciful and brings her peacefully home.

Running

This morning I had planned a quiet day. It was also heart-worm/flea/tick day too for the dogs. I went to get their medications out and I had everything except the heart-worm pill for Fritz!

So, I called the Veterinarian, and headed to her office. I had just enough time, literally, to drive over and back so I got to my physical therapy appointment for my foot. After that, I went to get the mail, and by then it was after lunchtime and I was so hungry I went to McDonald’s and bought two Southwest Salads.

I came home, had lunch, cleaned it up and worked on making the Mixed Moon Glow Pickles with Hubby.

Once those were cooked, canned and processed, I sat down for a few minutes, before I had to pack my clothing and stuff for my trip today (Friday) to Connecticut to see my Mother and my sister.

Mom has officially entered Hospice Care and it is just a matter of time. They moved her to a private room now, and she was crying. I think it’s because she is scared.

How I wish that this passing could have been more peaceful for her. Somehow, it does not seem right that someone has to suffer with cancer and the fear of dying.

I’m actually sitting still right now, and yet I still feel like I am running. Maybe because I know this is the last time I will see my Mom alive. This is good bye.

Me, Mom & Mel a few years ago.

Back On The Wagon

Wednesday found me at my Weight Watcher’s class. During the spring and all the surgeries, I really let my sensible eating plans go by the wayside. I knew i had to do something drastic soon, as the weatherman reminded us this morning that in approximately six weeks we will have our first frost and I have just two pairs of pants that fit. Neither one of them has a zipper.

That alone should tell you that life (and my pants size) have spread out!

But just jumping on the program is not that easy. I found myself fighting with myself today about what to have for lunch. I had no time to go home between class and my hair stylist’s appointment. Should I get a plain salad, a Southwestern salad at McDonald’s or something else?

I finally opted to stop at the grocery store and get some seafood salad. That and a nice iced lite cappuccino, made a good lunch.

Then dinner tonight found me fighting with myself again. I wanted something like spaghetti, but opted for some more noble, like bay scallops, rice and a wonderful stir-fry with my garden vegetables.

But I wanted something more. Sugar. More starch! Sweet anything. And it was a battle.

I know the first week of being on plan is the toughest. Once I get my body back to accepting the low calorie, low fat diet, I know it won’t be so tough. But right now….

Well, it will be worth it in the end right? You know, when I can once again zip up my jeans without pliers!

What I Did This Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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Sunday was a crazy day. I did some more bean freezing, and I also have been looking at ideas for the 6 pounds of pickling cucumbers that I have standing by. I am thinking of making a pickle, cauliflower, carrot, and onion salad that I will, can for the winter.

I also settled in, watched a half a movie here or there, watered the garden and prepared our meals.

Typical, normal, stuff.

Our neighbors came by around four o’clock and we had beer and/or wine on the patio. We sat talking for an hour or so, and it was very nice.

I talked to my Mom for a while today and for the first time ever I felt almost shy with her. I wanted to tell her how I was feeling, but it would only be a burden to her now and it would be wrong. So I just talked about nothing much, and this seemed to make her happy. How do you talk to someone who is slowly leaving your life?

I got a little infection going on the incision line on my nose. Nothing big, but thankfully, I knew what to do. I got it drained and cleaned and it is looking great tonight. All in all, my nose is healing quite nicely!

And how was your weekend?

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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I found myself finally able to see my nose this morning, as my bandage fell almost off int he night. I am amazed at the beautiful wound.

Side One.

Side Two.

And Front.

Now, I must say I think it is looking so much better and flatter. Yes, we have a ways to go, but really, things are looking up!

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I learned today that a man who was our doctor from 2000-2009 has lost his medical license. Over the years he had several brushes with the medical ethics committee in our State for writing undocumented prescriptions. Something I did not know about. Now he was arrested for writing false prescriptions to himself for Oxycodone.

I feel so sad for this young doctor. First of all, he is brilliant. He went to the finest schools, and became a Board Certified General Practitioner. I suspect that one of his sports injuries got him on this slippery slope, that we all know as addiction.

Yes, like so many in our world, much had been given to him. But addiction knows no social class or educational background.

I am sad for him, for his wife and his young children. Their lives will be forever shattered by this.

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I made a new recipe. I will post it on Thursday this week. It is for Shrimp and tomatoes and pasta! Oh my goodness! It was fabulous!

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I’ll be having surprises to tell you about soon! Stay tuned!!!

Yay! I Have A Nose!!!

Today we drove to Boston and I got my stitches out! I’ve been so excited, and I could hardly wait!

What I found was that he had put in a bunch of little stitches, and it took a while (and a little bit of owchie) to get the stitches out, but I am thrilled with how the nose is looking and feeling!

I once again have a profile, and once the redness and swelling goes down, I think I will have a fabulous nose! What is it that the Brits say? It’s Brilliant!!!

It’s so nice to finally have a profile again! I know it still needs work, but WOW! It looks so good already!

The next surgery is August 19th. He will be working on the upper part of the nose.

What I Did This Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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My friends Candy and DeVere are here visiting from Florida, so today I will post a few pictures from our travels around New Hampshire.

We visited Boise Rock.

There is the story, above and the actual rock below.

A memorial plaque to the Old Man of the Mountains.

The Notches along the Kancamagus Highway.

And some of the best Salt Water Taffy ever!

We also had a little stow away!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Thursday Thirteen

Here are thirteen things happening right now.

I had the first reconstruction of my nose done on Monday.
It’s looking good, but he isn’t kidding about taking things easy.
I say this because I was doing things around the house today, and my nose began to bleed.
Doing things too early…bad!
I lay down in my recliner and pressed the area that was bleeding for 10 minutes.
It stopped, but when I tried to move again, the bleeding started.
I think it is a bit more swollen tonight.
I guess it is to be expected.

Thank goodness for ice packs and pain medication.
I am so hopeful, really I am!
I remind myself over and over…patience!
Mom will be moved to Hospice Care soon.
Then I begin the process of saying good-bye and allowing myself to grieve.

Mom, in the center with (from left to right) Me, Melodie, and cousin’s Larry and Janet. This was just in April, before Mom was diagnosed.

After

Monday was the big day. I’ve been stressing about it for a while, but in the end, I really didn’t need to. Dr. P. was wonderful. He explained everything he was doing and we also talked about life, planes and dogs. It put me at ease.

During the operation one of the nurses exclaimed “Oh Dr. P.,this looks so beautiful!” He laughed and said, “Ah, you like my work!”

Frankly folks, I like his work! I have taken pictures and compared them, and my nose has gone from a big lumpy, bumpy, mess to a profile line. Nice and straight!

See, here we are before and after.

Isn’t this amazing?

I do feel tired tonight and a little bit in pain, but emotionally, I am feeling worlds better! You see, I will have a nose! A real life, normal nose!

Hubby is warming up some spaghetti sauce that I made last fall, and although I don’t feel like spaghetti he’s cooking me some cheese ravioti with sauce. Good!

It’s nice after you have gone through surgery like this to feel so positive, and to lie your doctor even more than you did before.

Life is once again, good!

What I Did This Past Weekend

Our host is Gattina. Come join us and tell us what YOU did this past weekend! After all, you never know when you will need an alibi!

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This past weekend I worked like crazy to prepare the house for the next week or so. Today, Monday July 8, 2013, I am having the first of my reconstructive surgery. I am excited and scared all at the same time.

The good part is that I think I have healed pretty well in the last 8 weeks and I think the surgeon has more to work with.

May

July

Anyway, all weekend there was laundry to be done, a guest room to be cleaned and gardens to be watered. Busy, busy, busy!

One of my best friends from Florida is coming on Saturday. We haven’t seen each other in several years. I have not met her husband. So, I am excited, so is Hubby.

So, we leave here by 10 AM, and head to Boston. As usual I have hired a doggy sitter to take care of the beasts! I am always happy to now they will be well cared for.