Category: Life

I’ve been feeling so bad for Hubby since this whole knee thing started. Oh poor Hubby, he can’t ski for the rest of the year. Oh poor Hubby, he needs an operation. Oh poor Hubby, he is in constant pain…
But today I found I was feeling a lot sorrier for myself!
I’ve been having to run up and down the stairs to get the newspaper, to bring down the garbage, to clean out the Jeep, to go and get the dogs, bring wood in to burn in the fireplace and by golly, if we have snow today I’ll be the one stuck shoveling off the driveway! Not to mention the fact that for the next few months I’ll be doing the trash run to the recycling center.
I know, I know, you are all thinking that I am a terrible wife. Complaining about these “little” things when poor dear Hubby is in constant pain!
And perhaps I am, but….
In the last few days he has been bossing me around! (sob, sob!!) You know, “Honey do this, Honey do that”! I’m not in the military, (which is probably a good thing). I’ve learned that I don’t take orders well.
It’s not that I really mind doing all this stuff, (well maybe I do!) I just like the fact that we’ve always shared household duties since he retired.
Before he retired, I did it all. He just wasn’t home enough to get involved. I didn’t mind then, so what’s the big deal now?
I have decided it’s sheer laziness! Yes, that’s it. I’m getting lazy in my old age. So what will I do to get me through the coming months?
Hmmmm. I’ll have to think about that.
Maybe the promise of another cruise in the future?
Hmmmm!

What gets you moving up and out of bed in less than three seconds?

I woke suddenly this morning to the sound of Shubi next to me starting to throw up! I threw back the bed covers and grabbed the dog and literally leapt out of bed and ran, holding my hand under her mouth, into the bathroom. I made it to the sink just in time for her to “get sick”.

Such as it was, my day started.

Yesterday, Hubby went outside with the dogs to toss the ball for them. A few minutes later, the door opened and he stumbled back in. His knee had completely given out on him. He was pragmatic and told me that at least if it had to totally go, it went on the day in-between doctor’s appointments. It’ is so hard for me to see him unable to put any weight on that left knee. The pain etched on his face, makes you twinge.
I got his cane and his crutches so he can get around the house until Monday. I suggested a nice tall brandy for the pain, and then I built a cozy fire in the hearth, and he settled in his recliner.
Greta immediately jumped up and was full of love and kisses for her Daddy. She is quite sensitive to people and their feelings.
We were supposed to go get wood at my cousin’s house on Sunday, but we had to cancel that. Needless to say, my Lumberjack is down for the count.
I sure hope he can get into surgery quickly.

I’m taking Hubby to the Orthopedic surgeon today to have his knees examined. We already know that his right knee is in serious need of a replacement, but the one he has already had done is more painful than the other! This is not good. I told him I was going with him to make sure he doesn’t try to act like a tough guy and down-play the pain. Probably the fact that he can’t walk very well will be a big tip-off to the doctor, but I want to make sure that Hubby is well taken care of!
Since our appointment is at a bad time as far as getting lunch, I have packed a picnic. A sandwich for Hubby, with chips and a pickle and a big chef salad for me. We’re leaving the fur babies home so we don’t have to fight them off while we eat!
I’ll post an update either tonight or tomorrow on what they find. I have to get my skiing partner back in shape!

I had my dental visit yesterday. I needed to have a filling put in a very sensitive tooth. There wasn’t a cavity, but the tooth has a problem and we are hoping the filling will help it along.
Now, here is the strange part. As the dentist is working on my tooth, he asked me, “Have you ever had a head injury?”

Continue reading “Strange Dental Visit”

We went skiing yesterday at Waterville Valley. My goodness, it was such a beautiful day. Bright sunshine, perfect conditions and low numbers of skiers. When I got up I was a little reluctant to go as it was a mere 8 degrees here and I thought I would freeze to death, and as we drove there and got to the Valley the temperature sign read 1!!! So I thought, man am I going to freeze! Hubby and I bundled up, face masks, extra sweaters, glove liners, etc. and off we went. As we headed to the mountain top on the high speed quad I felt really over dressed and that was odd. As we neared the peak I looked at the statistics board and I saw why I felt hot and sweaty. There was a temperature inversion and at the top of the mountain it was 22 degrees!
We skied on perfect surfaces and I felt like Suzy Chapstick as I glided down the mountain. We did two runs on moderately tough slopes and then decided to head over to a very difficult trail called Gema. It had been groomed and was fabulous and I zipped down. On the lift ride back up we decided to do it again. I zipped down to the trail head and then started my decent. Turn, turn, turn, slip fall, slide, slide, slide and then finally stop.
Hubby was long gone and I thought I was alone. My ankle was twisted in the wrong direction, but once I moved it back to the correct direction it felt okay. Maybe no one saw me and I can escape embarrassment. Just as I started to push myself up, a voice behind me says, “Are you okay?”
There stands a tall, young, handsome ski patrol. He’d witnessed my entire fall. As a friend of mine loves to say, “Nerts!”
“Yes, I’m fine just my ego taking some lumps this morning” I smiled weakly as I brushed off the snow.
Then I knew. He was going to wait for me to ski off so he could watch me the rest of the way.
My ankle was a little sore and yet I knew I had to ski like Suzy Chapstick down to the lift. So I bit the inside of my cheek and off I went, trying to look carefree.
I got down to the lift and Hubby looked at me as asked, “Where have you been?”
“Oh just getting to know the Ski Patrol.”

This morning I feel every one of my 47 years. Everything aches and I can feel a small bruise on my hip. No, skiing isn’t for the faint at heart!

I stepped on the scale this morning! Eeeeeek! Let’s just say it was a very Merry Christmas!
I knew yesterday when I slipped (pulled on using cooking oil) my skiing pants. I zipped them up and could feel the threads all pulling against me. At one point I had to unzip so I could tuck in my shirt and I swear I heard the zipper heave a huge sigh of relief!
I guess I did overdue with my eating. (understatement) It’s just that I love all those foods that seem only to appear during the holidays. Eggnog, (it’s not just for breakfast anymore) chocolates, cookies, and desserts at every meal, snack and tea time.
I’m frustrated. This weight gain means one thing. War! I’ve got to pull out the heavy artillery. Chicken, turkey, fish, and lots of salads, and the big guns. Yes EXERCISE! I just hate that!
It’s not so much that I actually hate to move around, but what I really hate is the sweat! That cold trickle of wetness that covers your whole body, I just hate that, but at this point, there is nothing left for me to do.
Celery anyone?

It’s New Years Eve and I’m thinking of the year that has passed and the year ahead. It’s funny how quickly 2005 went. For a while last summer I felt like the year was going to go on and on, but with the blink of an eye, here we are, the last day of the year.
Many wonderful things happened this year. At the top of the list is the deepening love and friendship that I am enjoying with my daughter. It is just so much fun to be part of her “grown up” world!
My husband is a wonder too. I’m not sure how he puts up with me, but somehow he does and we have a blast together! Life is good and we are blessed.
It’s wonderful to watch my grandnephews and grandniece grow. This year I feel really close to my family, especially my sister and cousin, Janet. Thank you Verizon for the ability to keep in touch for free with these two and my daughter as well.
I am thankful also for the many wonderful friends I have both close to home and around the world. They make my days special in their own ways. Thank you!
On a very personal and selfish level, the return of my health has been quite a gift. My eye is healed and well, my medications are finally balanced and I am feeling happy and healthy. A great way to end 2005 and begin 2006!
I’ve met so many wonderful Bloggers this year, and I really enjoy reading their words as well as writing my own to share. Sometimes serious, sometimes funny, but every day as we learn more and more about each other, we can see the humor in life, and the wonder, despite the pain that it sometimes brings.

I lost my beloved Aunt this year, and the sadness I feel is still very raw. She was such a big and good part of my life and I will miss her as long as I live.

All My Life
By the Beatles

There are places I’ll remember
All my life though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I’ve loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more

I saw Dr. C. yesterday, my Retinologist. He was pleased with my eye and pronounced it fit and empty of all the bad post-operative debris. I knew it was, and I expected this good report, but it was still nice to hear him say the words.
In an ironic twist, yesterday was the third anniversary of my retinal detachment. I remember it so well.
I was chatting on the computer with my friend Uschi in Germany when all of a sudden a curtain dropped on the vision in my left eye! I didn’t quite know what to do. Uschi told me to call my eye doctor, and I did. While I waited for a return call, Uschi and I chatted about what it could be. I suspected a detachment, but kept talking myself out of it. It was nothing, just some strange minor glitch.
They called me back and said I was to come to the hospital immediately. The hospital is 55 miles away. Hubby was in Southern New Hampshire that day on business, my neighbors were gone and after talking to Hubby on the cell phone we decided it was best for me to drive, so I got in my Jeep and headed to the hospital. I did rather well with the drive, until I got to the highway. Then merging onto the road, I felt off balance because I had no vision in the left eye.
My eye doctor examined the eye and brought me by the hand to Dr. C.’s office. We were introduced, he examined my eye and pronounced he needed to operate immediately. He scurried off, leaving me there with my mouth hanging open.
When he returned he told me that he had his A surgical team on standby and he would operate in about an hour, or as soon as he could get me prepped.
I remember asking him what would happen if I didn’t have the surgery? “Simple”, he said, “You’ll stay blind in that eye.”
Okay, so that was probably the easiest decision I have made in the last 20 years.
I was brought down to the pre-operative area, changed out of my clothes, given a cursory physical and got the IV put in.
A nurse came in and told me that they really hated to operate on someone without having their next of kin there, or at least have them know.
I hadn’t been able to reach Hubby since I got to the hospital, so I called my sister, Mel and told her what was going on. I was being so brave right up until I heard her voice, but then I just lost it! She promised to keep trying Hubby’s cell phone to alert him to the fact that they were operating immediately, and we said good-bye.
As they wheeled me into the operating room I remember looking up and asking Dr. C. “When can I go skiing again?” He sort of laughed and then I felt so relaxed that I couldn’t have cared if I never skied again!
I remember the voices during the surgery. I remember Dr. C. telling me to be still and to let them know if I felt anything. I remember the kindness of the Anesthesiologist who held my hand as he kept me on the edge of consciousness. I had no idea that the surgery had lasted three hours.
Hubby arrived during the surgery, and he spoke to Dr. C. after it was over. I saw him when I got to the recovery room, but they wanted to keep me overnight, so he went home and I went to the only free bed they had in the hospital, in “The Pediatric Ward“!

In the hospital after surgery.
I went home the next day,

but the recovery was long and uncomfortable with 4 additional surgeries to clear debris from the eye. But I have my vision and so it has been worth all that I have gone through. Being able to see, is truly a great gift.

Yesterday I went and had some blood work done at the local hospital. It was to monitor medication I have to take all the time, but which lately has been causing me a few problems. About 1:30 my phone rang and it was my doctor.
“Hi, Maribeth. Are you okay?”
Basically, my blood levels were too high and he had called out of his concern. I was so pleased. How many people have doctors that actually do that? I have an appointment to see him tomorrow anyway. I figured we would just go over the results then. However, as soon as he saw the results, he called.
So I feel pretty lucky to have this guy for my doctor. I know that he really does care about me as a person. That’s a nice feeling.
And for inquiring minds, I wasn’t feeling too good. The side effects from that drug have been making me feel pretty darn sick lately. So a decrease in the medication is a most welcome thing.