July 2025 – The Dackel Princess

The Friday Five ~ July 25th

It’s been a tough week. But I tell myself I’ve made it through 66 years and I can, and will make it through this. So, without further ado, here is this week’s Friday Five.

I went for an Ophthalmologist appointment on Tuesday. It was an early appointment in Salem, NH, so I Ubered down on Monday, stayed at the Holiday Inn overnight, and Ubered home afterward.
Since my surgery three weeks ago, I have had virtually no vision in my left eye. I’m still on a lot of drops and meds, and my doctor tells me he is hopeful, but I’m afraid I am starting to lose hope of getting my vision to return.
In the meantime, Heidi is taking good care of me.

She follows me everywhere, and I wonder if there is a Dachshund School for teaching a dackel to be a guide dog? I can almost imagine little Heidi as a guide dog.
It’s incredible how losing the vision in one eye affects your balance and also your ability to navigate the distance between that eye and a wall. Driving is a definite No-No.
The next few months will tell if I regain any vision. I’m trying to think positively, but then I start thinking about the alternatives, and it scares the heck out of me. Oh well, life goes on…

Have a happy Weekend!

Happy Birthday, Melodie!!

No one is luckier than I am to have this wonderful woman in my life. I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday!

My beautiful sister! I love you so much!

Scary Times

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.

Friday Five ~ July 11th

This week has made me think of my place in this world. I am learning to appreciate things that I have always taken for granted. Here are my thoughts in my Friday Five.

I will never take vision for granted again. After nearly five days, I still have no vision in my left eye. I am hopeful that eventually the vision will be restored.
I am fortunate that I have a sound support system. Here in Meredith, I not only have friends who will help me, but I have hired a few people to do the heavy work.
Miss Heidi continues to be my little nurse. She follows me everywhere and has such a calming effect on me. I am so lucky to have this little bundle of love!
During my recovery, I have been watching a great show on Netflix. It’s called “Somebody Feed Phil!” It stars Phil Rosenthal, who wrote “Everybody Loves Raymond,” as he travels around eating and learning the history of the area he is in. It is a happy, feel-good show and always leaves a smile on my face. There are eight seasons so far, with more to come!
Lastly, I feel incredibly thankful for all that surrounds me. I feel so fortunate in so many ways.

And So It Goes

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 Have Faith

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.

And Just Like That…

Time goes flying by.

Today is the second anniversary of Jack’s passing. So many things have changed now, and after sharing life with Jack for so many years (35+), I am making my way.

I have completed all the paperwork and begun the remodeling of my home. The biggest was the driveway and master bath.

Slowly, I have made my way, and with the help of Melodie and Ron, I have created a cozy home for Heidi and me.

Ah yes. The two dogs. Poor Lili gave up. She was Jack’s girl, and nothing we did soothed her. She is with him now. Heidi? She has been my savior. I have never had a dog who gave so much love so freely. She calms me, she cuddles me, and we are one. How did I get so lucky?

I have learned to go on. I think of the good times with Jack. We did so many things together. However, I recently recalled something a dear friend said to me.

Before the wedding to Jack, Benn, the best man at our wedding, Jack’s Army buddy and Pan Am roommate, took me out for lunch. At that time, I was hanging out with all the pilots. They were all 20+ years older than I. They all treated me like their kid sister.

berlin

Anyway, Benn told me to think deeply about what I was about to do. He smiled. He said, “I know you are in love, but one day, we will all be gone, and you will be alone.” I was 29, and retirement seemed like a long way off.

Jack and the others filled my world for many years. I remember calling Benn each year on my birthday to announce my age. He would laugh and say, “Oh, it can’t be!”

But here I am, I will be 67 soon, and the guys are all gone. I wonder how the time went by so quickly.

So, rest easy, Jack and all my pilots. We sure had a great time, and I miss you all.

The Friday Five ~ July 4th

Here we are. Already the Fourth of July! Another year is flying by us! Last week was a busy one for me. Here’s what’s going on.

I saw my eye surgeon on Monday. After weeks of trying to get my records from Tufts, he had finally received them—fourteen pages of surgical notes. My inserted lens (following cataract surgery) is still shifting around. Some days, it is folded up like a taco, giving me double vision in the left eye; other days, it’s just sliding around, giving me somewhat distorted vision.
Surgery is set for Monday morning. It is a rather extensive surgery, but afterward, the new lens will provide me with stable vision.
The Puppy Nanny is standing by to take care of Heidi. The best part is that she moves right in, so Heidi’s world isn’t too upset when I am away.
I had ordered a wooden crate for Heidi. It’s a lovely piece, and it gives her a lot more room. I hadn’t counted on the assembly. I got out my trusty Black & Decker drill, and in no time, the new crate was put together.
As you can see, it’s pretty, and best of all, she loves it.
I finally broke down and got a Keurig coffee machine. Since it was just me having coffee, using a 14-cup coffee maker didn’t make sense. I love having the ability to create just what I want. The 14-cup coffee machine went to a good friend, along with the coffee mill and beans.

So that is all from here. I will try to write on the blog when I can. I don’t know how long the left eye will be down and out.

Happy 4th of July!!!