tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2167105008710449302024-03-15T17:56:24.800-07:00My Journey ~ In Life, LMBC CHF, & LVADBC, CHF, LVAD, LMBC -
2011: Breast cancer,
2013: Congestive Heart Failure,
2016: Stage IV Liver Metastasized Breast Cancer,
2023: Left Ventricular Assist Device.
This is my journey and my journal... my way of dealing, coping, sharing. It is what it IS! Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.comBlogger530125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-54680039511427992052024-03-15T17:40:00.000-07:002024-03-15T17:55:52.463-07:00Getting Out More. YAY!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Today we had lunch with friends, Ed and JoAnn. Stories, laughter, planning fun stuff -- just what the doctor ordered. Let's do it again real soon!<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitEIwJYY1zN48Ep5rc-JRcB0YvzJAQT8cvc30ktC2yNsPYngCCNV-VcS3yQhlsToDZNdnpPieVTEZJz4Tfw6ksKUZbp8TSXSCiPRTarVS9XvBkuaEUU8EpwTIZNyuWYqoevy_pf7M37OqkaZbbT_u6PVEpcduV1xXKu8omCtH-CIrBGWyKpZzAVrCXrrS/s4032/IMG_2916.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjitEIwJYY1zN48Ep5rc-JRcB0YvzJAQT8cvc30ktC2yNsPYngCCNV-VcS3yQhlsToDZNdnpPieVTEZJz4Tfw6ksKUZbp8TSXSCiPRTarVS9XvBkuaEUU8EpwTIZNyuWYqoevy_pf7M37OqkaZbbT_u6PVEpcduV1xXKu8omCtH-CIrBGWyKpZzAVrCXrrS/s320/IMG_2916.JPEG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />This past Saturday we attended a beautiful Mass and </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOF9SHh0a28QXeFJVuIy8UcKsEJrgn77L-T5jq0yXaAvvqRFdmJvGI4rH36ygQ_miUZnsNrERf_SqhLqgUt8xc6Ei3tdc4wO_aoMXezBgG4Dx87-xFad9tZ3R-WgzHVoQQNnA1WciwIm560nWvpicUDULBWKlIvi1NMScBFO4Vhg-GOdEnle3zop0YR9P/s3088/IMG_9808.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOF9SHh0a28QXeFJVuIy8UcKsEJrgn77L-T5jq0yXaAvvqRFdmJvGI4rH36ygQ_miUZnsNrERf_SqhLqgUt8xc6Ei3tdc4wO_aoMXezBgG4Dx87-xFad9tZ3R-WgzHVoQQNnA1WciwIm560nWvpicUDULBWKlIvi1NMScBFO4Vhg-GOdEnle3zop0YR9P/s320/IMG_9808.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mass and Memorial for cousin Al Dallara<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">memorial gathering for my Dad's first cousin, Al Dallara. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Al was 91 years young and a wonderful man. The service was very befitting and the setting at St Anselm's Catholic Church in San Anselmo was so beautiful. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I had never been to this church before, and it is an architectural beauty. Might I add the catered lunch was delicious, especially the ravioli.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Warfarin blood thinner that I take requires continued dose adjustments, and yet again this week as my INR numbers are now too high. Food, especially dark green vegies, do play a role in my blood coagulation, which is what the INR meter reads. So I'm trying to keep things at a steady level. But it's challenging. Thankfully we check the INR reading frequently to make these necessary adjuastments. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My LVAD Coordinator, Lety Curiel, holds a monthly LVAD Support Group meeting and this week it was announced that a new silver dressing will come out within the month. The <a href="https://clinicaltrials.ucsf.edu/trial/NCT05163392" target="_blank">silver dressing has been going through testing</a> for some time and was found to prevent driveline infections significantly. And it only requires dressing changes every 7 days, rather than every 2 days for me right now. This is a welcome change and I'm excited for it to happen soon. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thankfully we are getting a break from the rain, and today was a beautiful sunny warm day. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLOcZsnYKVC_gki72kxnAmtuUHqtnnLukK_NjHQSJkBw0zk_ZjrSMjo7szMLrfxcLVMpzX_rMYOR6eUM14jORaQe0gX459NQIXdgMEqPsHJv2u4Gsjwot_Nu0zDUuZwpoel6eZXLx2HsMvsLJ5PzwpInIeaLMBOxe9w9LY_Nd1vH-Mc-H574I2oYor9x1/s4032/IMG_9829.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLOcZsnYKVC_gki72kxnAmtuUHqtnnLukK_NjHQSJkBw0zk_ZjrSMjo7szMLrfxcLVMpzX_rMYOR6eUM14jORaQe0gX459NQIXdgMEqPsHJv2u4Gsjwot_Nu0zDUuZwpoel6eZXLx2HsMvsLJ5PzwpInIeaLMBOxe9w9LY_Nd1vH-Mc-H574I2oYor9x1/s320/IMG_9829.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a little break while out in the garden -- feels great.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Recently, I moved the seed starts outside a bit earlier than usual, but moved the heat mats out with them for night time. I'm trying to avoid the long period of hardening off that is required for seedlings started indoors. Maybe I'll start more soon. For now I have started hollyhocks, zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, and sweet peas. About 75% have germinated. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I've also cleaned up all the old dry tomato vines from last year, finally, and also pulled up the old sunflower stalks. There is still more clean up to do, but I'm enjoying the bit I can do when I'm up to it. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">After our lunch today and got back out into the garden for a bit. I'm finding that the new LVAD shirt I'm using is pretty hot. It may just be that I haven't acclimated to the weather change, but I think this synthetic fabric is going to be too much for summer. Back to the drawing board. This has really been a challenge to find the right clothing. Wish me luck.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Spud and Chloe at the Farm animals are growing. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Chloe is almost finished, but check out the hen, piglet, Spud and barn cat. Not sure I'll do the fencing, hay bales, or the barn facade, but the baby chicks in a basket look pretty cute. We shall see. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeJk5lUru3YT3pyiJg5Hlz2FBNDAvzEQyF8YI8URboB4LAzUt0npGFVFZNIRhIUwZo9CFP0AtuCpgnSJftyvv7YplcauEutLhHrXY2JxYS6d_IF7kWO-3zdGE6hoaKDWRI7bdg-1Z5WmhqjtgNU4to5ToxPW3fUU95RpfuYuztR9B0KGzrOkEvpTAoB8a/s3827/IMG_9821.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2574" data-original-width="3827" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeJk5lUru3YT3pyiJg5Hlz2FBNDAvzEQyF8YI8URboB4LAzUt0npGFVFZNIRhIUwZo9CFP0AtuCpgnSJftyvv7YplcauEutLhHrXY2JxYS6d_IF7kWO-3zdGE6hoaKDWRI7bdg-1Z5WmhqjtgNU4to5ToxPW3fUU95RpfuYuztR9B0KGzrOkEvpTAoB8a/w400-h269/IMG_9821.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQYKXEQkBiyQIJoZuGv_YCln6yH8H6Ut1T0XtF_c0gKDIHxg2i36rgQUUI3in3IsebsywnQ_Nw2rD4Ic_K-T6bIia6ptly9YjLVqZSN-yoxOAVH1OjjVVWRuO6R_5kaQZUSOQSpaFvuf0qUoZr1XRU6WxOGUGGXWIfFZomcksMAon2ld0zkvUDc-WVzB7/s4032/IMG_9843.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQYKXEQkBiyQIJoZuGv_YCln6yH8H6Ut1T0XtF_c0gKDIHxg2i36rgQUUI3in3IsebsywnQ_Nw2rD4Ic_K-T6bIia6ptly9YjLVqZSN-yoxOAVH1OjjVVWRuO6R_5kaQZUSOQSpaFvuf0qUoZr1XRU6WxOGUGGXWIfFZomcksMAon2ld0zkvUDc-WVzB7/s320/IMG_9843.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe in progress<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There are two small sourdough loaves proofing in the fridge overnight for baking tomorrow morning. I'm trying to make a longer, narrow loaf, a batard, for easier slicing and enjoying. One loaf is 80% AP (all purpose), and 20% WW (whole wheat). The other has same flours with added toasted walnuts (Thank you Hugh and Judy for the scrumptious walnuts from your tree) and dried cranberry. We are looking forward to enjoying both. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhy8LGmJilFsRV4YblVJNjJwQwxLfC-cuAxmsjVH52Wyg4dJ4059vtoUleDhaJYMt1q75AzSy8OLCe78Ak8K_yZ840lob4bSC8rlq2yn6JhfDfogP1R9GrzAFRB3ks6E_nESS-u4zPFop688NLyxa5A3lcLnyonKLF6rwxVXA3ck5wp-ia4FhZEEyAoGm/s4032/IMG_9797.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhy8LGmJilFsRV4YblVJNjJwQwxLfC-cuAxmsjVH52Wyg4dJ4059vtoUleDhaJYMt1q75AzSy8OLCe78Ak8K_yZ840lob4bSC8rlq2yn6JhfDfogP1R9GrzAFRB3ks6E_nESS-u4zPFop688NLyxa5A3lcLnyonKLF6rwxVXA3ck5wp-ia4FhZEEyAoGm/s320/IMG_9797.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recent walk with my sweetie up our country road.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>See you next time...</i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!</span></span><span> </span></span></b></span></div></div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-21576371555595174532024-03-06T11:35:00.000-08:002024-03-06T11:36:31.709-08:00Longer Days & Thoughts of Spring<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">5 MONTHS!!! </span></h4><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Or 5.5 months today, March 6, 2024, if you count by weeks. I’ll celebrate with a glass of lemonade for lunch. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I’m thrilled to be regaining some energy and some of my old activities. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Some new steps recently:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My first venture into our GE Market (or any market) to shop on my own. Felt like old times.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Labs at the lab - I’ve graduated home care. Far fewer sticks since they do this all day long, but I've learned Providence is closing all their labs 3/15/24. They have sold. Hopefully a new lab will reopen in this convenient location. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Showering is becoming easier and more routine; although I freaked out recently when I realized I had forgotten the large extra tagaderm bandage over the driveline. I jumped out of the shower mid way all covered in soap. Thankfully all was well and a Mark came to my rescue, as usual, so I could rinse and finish. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ventured out with my sister to dinner and the chili bowl at the Community Center. And then dinner out again last night to the Fig Cafe! <br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m outside more feeding chickens and the kitty, and collecting eggs, some of the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">time; and working in the garden trying to clean up everything that was ignored and abandoned this past Fall. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ve been referred to a cardiac rehab program where they will put me through exercises to increase my strength and stamina while being closely supervised and monitored. Unfortunately they can’t see me until late April for the 2 hour initial consult. So I’ll continue my home exercises until then. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We've talked about continuing to garden together, but agreed not to add any new areas and to plant less this year. I have already started some flower seeds indoors. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXFv-_oSBhKyY1CnD2bCnoSMHUDBcHNG4fUpMP-sPihxmZ5-0l20XYVAUJ5CoqHDTV4XWeSQ8kO9T9FvPFPMvqmSV4zWe-LsaMPhMd4DSdhbTLNlvvQRAR9OZct4alTvJ3vjfBa3vTqChpa5Zn6KhwWVbLSPZos-0H7UA9zPfpy9yKuShMoZGNatbxYzr/s1280/IMG_6084.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXFv-_oSBhKyY1CnD2bCnoSMHUDBcHNG4fUpMP-sPihxmZ5-0l20XYVAUJ5CoqHDTV4XWeSQ8kO9T9FvPFPMvqmSV4zWe-LsaMPhMd4DSdhbTLNlvvQRAR9OZct4alTvJ3vjfBa3vTqChpa5Zn6KhwWVbLSPZos-0H7UA9zPfpy9yKuShMoZGNatbxYzr/s320/IMG_6084.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chili bowl event</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I know all the above sounds minor. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But it is more about the newness and anxiety carrying Betty around. Do I use the shirt and camouflage it under a blouse, or carry it in the crossbody bag? Do I hastle to carry the backup bag of all replacement pieces everywhere, as is recommended by LVAD team, or leave it in car when I’m close by; and risk theft or emergency with little time to retrieve it? I've decided it must be with me always, unless of course at home in the garden.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Everything takes a bit more thought, effort and planning. Getting dressed, especially showering, planning to go out. I have a new respect and appreciation for my mother in law, Kitty (Eleanor), who was paralyzed from the waist down at age 16 from polio. She adapted amazingly well, birthed a son, raised him on her own, and was the most independent and positive woman. Never a complaint. But yet it took some time for her to get ready to go out. I really get it now. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">These are the quandaries I go through. But I’m navigating it all and finding my way. One day at a time - right!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span>It's been challenging to keep my INR stable at the goal set for me of 2-2.5. A level for a normal person is 1-1.8 INR. </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: start;">The international normalised ratio (INR) blood test tells you how long it takes for your blood to clot. We have a meter at home we use to test my INR weekly, and it's tested in the lab every two weeks as well. The </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: start;">INR test is used to monitor treatment with a medicine called warfarin, which I take. I do a finger prick, draw up blood into a tiny straw-like tube that is then used to drop the blood into a reservoir of this meter. The meter times how long it takes to dehydrate my blood to determine my INR. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">I take W<a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines/medicinal-product/aht,20189/warfarin" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #1e4759; cursor: pointer; touch-action: manipulation;">arfarin</a> to treat and prevent blood clots. Warfarin (Coumedin) is also prescribed for some people to:</p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: start;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">prevent stroke if you have <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/deep-vein-thrombosis" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #1e4759; cursor: pointer; touch-action: manipulation;">atrial fibrillation</a> or other risk factors for <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/stroke" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #1e4759; cursor: pointer; touch-action: manipulation;">stroke</a></li><li style="text-align: justify;">prevent or treat blood clots (for example, <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/deep-vein-thrombosis" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #1e4759; cursor: pointer; touch-action: manipulation;">deep vein thrombosis</a> and <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/pulmonary-embolism" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #1e4759; cursor: pointer; touch-action: manipulation;">pulmonary embolism</a>)</li><li style="text-align: justify;">prevent blood clots if you have an artificial heart valve</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Because of my LVAD and the risk of bleeding or clots, there are some serious life-threatening side effects I need to avoid. So this must be monitored carefully. I’ve already noticed I bleed much easier than before. For example, I awoke with an itchy eye the other morning, so I rubbed it. A few hours later I noticed one whole half of my eye was a deep red blood color from a broken vessel. Thankfully it cleared up within several days.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">My doctor uses my INR results to monitor and change my warfarin dose. I need to take enough warfarin to reduce my risk of blood clots. But not so much that I am at risk of serious bleeding. This determines my "target" INR range</p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">When my INR is too low, I’m asked to take a higher daily dose of warfarin and check again in a few days. If low enough, I need a Lovenox injection in my belly, which I needed this week. It’s not fun as the medication stings going in, but it’s tolerable. I’ll go in to the lab today for my bi-weekly labs and the INR will be tested then. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yesterday afternoon I had a checkup with my Oncologist, Dr. Anderson. It was June 2023 when I last saw him. The September appointment couldn't happen since I was hospitalized. Then it fell to the back burner, so to speak. But all went well and I'm still NED. I'll follow up with an appointment and CT scan in June. The scan must be done without contrast from now on, due to my LVAD. Mark and I also had an interesting conversation with Dr. Anderson about my LVAD and the future. That story I'll save for a later post. There are also a few other appointments I need to catch up on soon. All in good time.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Have I told you I’m addicted to knitting. You may have figured that out on your own. I knit every evening while we watch TV, and usually for a bit every morning over my cup of tea and news show. When I finish one project, I go through a bit of anxiety about what will be my next project. I can’t go a moment without a project on the needles. I’m not a fast knitter, but I always like to have something going. The heart socks are almost complete. They would have been but they are about 1.5” too long in the foot. So rather than rip back all those stitches, I’ll do some surgery; cutting just behind the solid colored toe, then ripping back the 1.5” at the tip of the foot, and then attaching the two pieces with what is called a Kitchener stitch.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6tt4ZVYzpeUztRNKz3_iUhN2jPypzngOQj3Td4J4rZ0A6EIUFBZD3Cn6ZQZOF8ybUKChHOWYUXD95nAsFGRJ99cMyqdOc5WKRmoqG3-kAkH0Ed4Cv-Gi69PDFGSwnI0YI3-OLYy0UKTRkZJeLv37cpL6kZvbu4REtmX-o1UH5e9k6PDFx0Qo4twq4xza/s3676/IMG_9683.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3676" data-original-width="2405" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6tt4ZVYzpeUztRNKz3_iUhN2jPypzngOQj3Td4J4rZ0A6EIUFBZD3Cn6ZQZOF8ybUKChHOWYUXD95nAsFGRJ99cMyqdOc5WKRmoqG3-kAkH0Ed4Cv-Gi69PDFGSwnI0YI3-OLYy0UKTRkZJeLv37cpL6kZvbu4REtmX-o1UH5e9k6PDFx0Qo4twq4xza/w131-h200/IMG_9683.jpeg" width="131" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’ll save me ripping back of the toe stitches. </span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once I neared the end of the socks I knit two zoo animals, a lion and elephant.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnKKld0CYNN9IiSg6-W__Jcd3Y5UHbrMDTMsLRqAJXMWYaqUESqf2GZRMrFl9V_7XLup-ZXXSFS0STnA-xW5z4sThZ7RA5Qg8LVeMara-3AF5ppdqAXQkNGx9FkbkQVPndo_nHUl9ADC6c8ByG7lo-O5tUgIzyEBCKF2I0ioC8UuRefnLquKXO_zW-QjL/s2876/IMG_9416.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2514" data-original-width="2876" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnKKld0CYNN9IiSg6-W__Jcd3Y5UHbrMDTMsLRqAJXMWYaqUESqf2GZRMrFl9V_7XLup-ZXXSFS0STnA-xW5z4sThZ7RA5Qg8LVeMara-3AF5ppdqAXQkNGx9FkbkQVPndo_nHUl9ADC6c8ByG7lo-O5tUgIzyEBCKF2I0ioC8UuRefnLquKXO_zW-QjL/s320/IMG_9416.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhIo5vQFcXuLe_mNvwn_-KuRIWK8sdmy4pkiPLDgyxv0nQR4UfZbnKDOiADhWSmvyymQyPqKJagjN_3Ma8XJ9eR2HHBhlqcbuRqwRkzwMI6s7ro4TmBMYGv_qkJ9fKyQnc2Hl9TbFfzqBcymcxkUdDS_4n5QRILi-LitKCXRu4I41kZj_eKxDjM-dmm6r/s2887/IMG_9421.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1928" data-original-width="2887" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhIo5vQFcXuLe_mNvwn_-KuRIWK8sdmy4pkiPLDgyxv0nQR4UfZbnKDOiADhWSmvyymQyPqKJagjN_3Ma8XJ9eR2HHBhlqcbuRqwRkzwMI6s7ro4TmBMYGv_qkJ9fKyQnc2Hl9TbFfzqBcymcxkUdDS_4n5QRILi-LitKCXRu4I41kZj_eKxDjM-dmm6r/s320/IMG_9421.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then I dug into my knitting books and ventured into <i>Spud and Chloe at the Farm </i>pattern book by Susan B Anderson. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL0bUIxGK2m6iAB_FDvqfKytE4rMFrUYQAQs6403BbgwTsgcXeJ300FeimfWSNDWTXsSaeKrSLUqgOFErwc_ScXTS8OmItQIID1SzT7K0GG2fiAqjGq53v9wZYpGcVHtPDXRczvZMBfVlqD8t4SJ29RtDho7-Ghs57r8YRgsgjYDjwECpaaVT3x8FbM1P/s3148/IMG_9776.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3148" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL0bUIxGK2m6iAB_FDvqfKytE4rMFrUYQAQs6403BbgwTsgcXeJ300FeimfWSNDWTXsSaeKrSLUqgOFErwc_ScXTS8OmItQIID1SzT7K0GG2fiAqjGq53v9wZYpGcVHtPDXRczvZMBfVlqD8t4SJ29RtDho7-Ghs57r8YRgsgjYDjwECpaaVT3x8FbM1P/s320/IMG_9776.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spud and the barn cat. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXGimk1VR8IfQuFWZtiTrM2exqjEF53CjarenpVxk0W2-oCjI4suzkwF0nyvfthFe8a9gQtMM3MvXNOIHBb6znbJqoRlENMWC2ZyDw-iOYaBvrGwHQPESuBMfwAL3k9UIxUgENAEu93H-3E8B_OcWtHgZ1QppoM9OHzk6o-eFD_Mxt-dXdmO40Q3uB-rw/s4032/IMG_9775.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXGimk1VR8IfQuFWZtiTrM2exqjEF53CjarenpVxk0W2-oCjI4suzkwF0nyvfthFe8a9gQtMM3MvXNOIHBb6znbJqoRlENMWC2ZyDw-iOYaBvrGwHQPESuBMfwAL3k9UIxUgENAEu93H-3E8B_OcWtHgZ1QppoM9OHzk6o-eFD_Mxt-dXdmO40Q3uB-rw/s320/IMG_9775.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Spud and the barn cat are now complete and I just started one of the piglets. This will keep my mind and fingers occupied for awhile. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Knitting, baking, sourdough, and the garden keep me grounded and busy. And I like it that way. Some time was necessary spent trying to do some cleanup in the garden from all the neglect from the Fall. The poor tomatoes are still strung up on vines and I’ve started removing all the clips. It’ll take some time, but we'll get there. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcqW20CmG9xLCnqlCTREjsSyqp50Lj2oC-o0x5lP0y_8byci0eHAsBuMHjcbPpwI2C4NWaYl2bmTS-nsiEj8fbqypJyt-VgDldyVlVvHupw-iCAP2d3z-apkzaRa4Cye3O7XPB9Wqqc4_9uXzbkkEZmtEmBUpcioxQZYeP5WjRVT-CWBtg4hkqhR_Zsju/s4032/IMG_9758.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcqW20CmG9xLCnqlCTREjsSyqp50Lj2oC-o0x5lP0y_8byci0eHAsBuMHjcbPpwI2C4NWaYl2bmTS-nsiEj8fbqypJyt-VgDldyVlVvHupw-iCAP2d3z-apkzaRa4Cye3O7XPB9Wqqc4_9uXzbkkEZmtEmBUpcioxQZYeP5WjRVT-CWBtg4hkqhR_Zsju/w400-h300/IMG_9758.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our poor veg garden needs cleanup from last year. <br />One day at a time. </td></tr></tbody></table></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ve enjoyed using the tomatoes that work so wonderfully picked and frozen whole in Ziploc bags when I was in the hospital. They turned into some delicious tomato soup, marinara, and some other yummy treats. And there is more to enjoy. And hopefully we'll get out for more camping as our poor trailer has sat too idle since covid and now with my health set back. <br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuT1QwKRusivlUkoFaPeyA5wkXQywMaaUE7WSaTnrdPnagQb3Vr8lFWd8vdla6uiutASvvL5LMES1Emi-xCRMCADsTRLzXlvD_h71gXv2kNjgnXN1aeiU2Wvno5BmZN-NceWVJfvhVgZw1HK3ONyhdHgtJoP95Nz5EdAcGYn1tUdh-zr5nVT6UTF3thjK/s4032/IMG_9717.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuT1QwKRusivlUkoFaPeyA5wkXQywMaaUE7WSaTnrdPnagQb3Vr8lFWd8vdla6uiutASvvL5LMES1Emi-xCRMCADsTRLzXlvD_h71gXv2kNjgnXN1aeiU2Wvno5BmZN-NceWVJfvhVgZw1HK3ONyhdHgtJoP95Nz5EdAcGYn1tUdh-zr5nVT6UTF3thjK/w150-h200/IMG_9717.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomato soup</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5q9trDA-4ZjW1S0wzkkxsP9Q2etB5hwPflUzLfLUCiRRZI3dNCIc0juZkYgjAtq7W6UyUEOcsHXaagFnszfSZFeqDfDjWEnYTcNonRw2QaQIpRN0HSHKh6vYNBeUhFSB7hCijAanCSou4ULfCq6zfkC-e_h-LnS5ffmIF3X4ONd5euwMKjtsWijg4Mvz/s2835/IMG_9720.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2126" data-original-width="2835" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5q9trDA-4ZjW1S0wzkkxsP9Q2etB5hwPflUzLfLUCiRRZI3dNCIc0juZkYgjAtq7W6UyUEOcsHXaagFnszfSZFeqDfDjWEnYTcNonRw2QaQIpRN0HSHKh6vYNBeUhFSB7hCijAanCSou4ULfCq6zfkC-e_h-LnS5ffmIF3X4ONd5euwMKjtsWijg4Mvz/w200-h150/IMG_9720.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sourdough<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjic5uoe1wkxKyhDqKosSLp3034yEJ4pO4sCAqhsVKPb28ujcPvXzLvGBiANEOw3CXlectg9ahRdZ0qTFgBTlJWGG-EntlXA_Mbe_Uba-vPJjKuGVdnw8z3HR_6aHRt6Vh_gV_X8CzqAc-u7v-akW8NN3v-vgK5Mmv82wMvYT5sVU6eVJM2ieK_ab-M84Ng/s4032/IMG_9738.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjic5uoe1wkxKyhDqKosSLp3034yEJ4pO4sCAqhsVKPb28ujcPvXzLvGBiANEOw3CXlectg9ahRdZ0qTFgBTlJWGG-EntlXA_Mbe_Uba-vPJjKuGVdnw8z3HR_6aHRt6Vh_gV_X8CzqAc-u7v-akW8NN3v-vgK5Mmv82wMvYT5sVU6eVJM2ieK_ab-M84Ng/s320/IMG_9738.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A walk around the property</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcIN1Gg8lsQ_BQ-dTbVsegZ6agplLYWzdM3T2Ass24K4vRaUdkYJzu2K2xlD5iQIPt_uqfMOWBbf6AWul_2ehcO7M_7GrxAPjhGdQHWNbaoyK-AJT5H3uJK-LSz_qiEudAg1Rlsb68C8AzEXln0_5pBxAJR1CntPAIdQ__loggYOp59WtnIDmGbmjB8w5/s3088/IMG_9771.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYcIN1Gg8lsQ_BQ-dTbVsegZ6agplLYWzdM3T2Ass24K4vRaUdkYJzu2K2xlD5iQIPt_uqfMOWBbf6AWul_2ehcO7M_7GrxAPjhGdQHWNbaoyK-AJT5H3uJK-LSz_qiEudAg1Rlsb68C8AzEXln0_5pBxAJR1CntPAIdQ__loggYOp59WtnIDmGbmjB8w5/s320/IMG_9771.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope you got out to vote yesterday! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZqmQ73D2z-I0jMeIVfF5HnMNZzZ7zWZoiHPRdaJM7rOYW4BR3Y01hZmkiS8MW1PC7dmFth8E-CJliPsOC6uczY0aTGO-HeM6WGQN9a2xQycC_a3RDi7bcu16JaqUJNp6Xy2Ailaso9I-d3jouhiY09SAMFoHPw2z3yovlijWidFTpxnrlPJUknHTxzJA/s4032/IMG_9774.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZqmQ73D2z-I0jMeIVfF5HnMNZzZ7zWZoiHPRdaJM7rOYW4BR3Y01hZmkiS8MW1PC7dmFth8E-CJliPsOC6uczY0aTGO-HeM6WGQN9a2xQycC_a3RDi7bcu16JaqUJNp6Xy2Ailaso9I-d3jouhiY09SAMFoHPw2z3yovlijWidFTpxnrlPJUknHTxzJA/s320/IMG_9774.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower seeds started and now on heat mats.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>See you next post...</i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!</span></span><span> </span></span></b></span></div></div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-15310333710947733432024-02-16T17:14:00.000-08:002024-02-16T17:50:45.174-08:00St. Valentine's Day, Etc.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-oWy9CBiZoS91Quy5pmpFIEkHG0Utd-9KyIFkmUdMjm6ontOMU6x0J9_6ryYOuLHlkVQz7NU2EWRp065c9tU254ldgAdaFh57k1wqyABY6Yc71YKANd7cEzKBZOYkGSQh5sd2lRGzCeiOkCiHjQwte5zuoAqtt_KdDidd_5wYHIzAZHqUzuql3T5Uv43/s4032/IMG_9626.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-oWy9CBiZoS91Quy5pmpFIEkHG0Utd-9KyIFkmUdMjm6ontOMU6x0J9_6ryYOuLHlkVQz7NU2EWRp065c9tU254ldgAdaFh57k1wqyABY6Yc71YKANd7cEzKBZOYkGSQh5sd2lRGzCeiOkCiHjQwte5zuoAqtt_KdDidd_5wYHIzAZHqUzuql3T5Uv43/s320/IMG_9626.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some time in the garden.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">St. Valentine's Day came and went this week. But not without me realizing the connection of hearts, love, and "the heart". I am so thankful for this extended time on our beautiful planet with my amazing family and friends. You know this is about my 7th life, if I'm not forgetting one. And I don't take it lightly that I am still here through it all. But that's a story for another day, or a book titled <i>Lucky the Horse</i>. Stay tuned, but don't get anxious as I haven't started writing yet, and who knows if I ever will. But it is composed in my head.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We had a lovely Valentine's Day - trading chocolates with each other. Me giving the heart box of See's Nuts & Chews (our favorite of that brand) and he giving the exquisite box of Tandem Chocolates, which are almost too pretty to eat. They resemble gemstones. I also received a red pair of Sketcher slip ons a bit early to be worn in honor of SF 49'ers on Super Bowl Sunday. That day, our LVAD group also met via zoom for our monthly support group meeting. And then I ventured out, which is very rare for me, but needs to start happening more so I can get comfortable with what it involves. I still haven't even been to a grocery store in over five months or more, and really rarely get out at all. Of course, our continuing rainy weather my play a part in that. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pBqcNGQPkR5HO_x0-glbAaOHgBhArggg5yFfBMdY3FJPSqQyH6lK0Er1SZrMe-TjdCtMoYIxi11rzazgYjqTBIW_cF3HNMXxuRyk1wWwkopff848W3hZTCDCP_po1WgxOsYE3m-biRA9M9mxu6KDXnRXdUbfTTTeuth5e60fG4ukiBpjZQGRDpyM711M/s4032/IMG_9585.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pBqcNGQPkR5HO_x0-glbAaOHgBhArggg5yFfBMdY3FJPSqQyH6lK0Er1SZrMe-TjdCtMoYIxi11rzazgYjqTBIW_cF3HNMXxuRyk1wWwkopff848W3hZTCDCP_po1WgxOsYE3m-biRA9M9mxu6KDXnRXdUbfTTTeuth5e60fG4ukiBpjZQGRDpyM711M/s320/IMG_9585.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My outing was to a lovely knit gathering hosted by dear friend Tillie at her club house. She had it all decked out and decorated with red and pink and hearts galore. And what a joy it was to see several familiar faces I hadn't seen in a very long time. There was tea and treats, and even live music. I contributed some of the heart Sables I had made for Valentine's Day. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvtvxRsWnuoaoPS2pKQmFXh51QfGASmmKqLWoatf_f_zvhOA7Z2djhhMXAr7DfW3vHRwYtlcA-Mh-3adLtuJvjGrz12vviVdZ8nA5W5v_jMFZgCVvhCI3UMegWzkewBNLmCCylSSzX-KVb6EKNnBJiv0HGb0C6adOQqon8fB9694G-dFMgL0hpXZR5c6h/s4032/IMG_9593.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvtvxRsWnuoaoPS2pKQmFXh51QfGASmmKqLWoatf_f_zvhOA7Z2djhhMXAr7DfW3vHRwYtlcA-Mh-3adLtuJvjGrz12vviVdZ8nA5W5v_jMFZgCVvhCI3UMegWzkewBNLmCCylSSzX-KVb6EKNnBJiv0HGb0C6adOQqon8fB9694G-dFMgL0hpXZR5c6h/s320/IMG_9593.jpeg" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And that evening, my sweetie made my favorite Shrimp Deborah </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">over linguine (which is a play off of Shrimp Diane that he has been making me for years). It was divine. I am no longer consuming alcohol, (LVAD requirements) and he has been on a break for over a month now too, so we skipped the bubbles. And that was just fine. I'm not missing it at all. But maybe that's because I've not socialized much. Because it does seem to be a way of life in these parts.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKcyhd1SgAWN209j5O4WjXkRKNt8-TacPE9eWT3APDIQb5XiAKr-_xGSSV4uXPVvLSgb-qyhx9kgJA3QjK50wH1q4G0EF1vyojf6ueHm1dQFWKtwxDsI9NEzt4RZRlydVzl_rO-vUXf_C9_rw4OZzxN3xOYO1ewsIhVdYzJGIax365xWFVx61gqD_a7AT/s2840/IMG_9570.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2209" data-original-width="2840" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKcyhd1SgAWN209j5O4WjXkRKNt8-TacPE9eWT3APDIQb5XiAKr-_xGSSV4uXPVvLSgb-qyhx9kgJA3QjK50wH1q4G0EF1vyojf6ueHm1dQFWKtwxDsI9NEzt4RZRlydVzl_rO-vUXf_C9_rw4OZzxN3xOYO1ewsIhVdYzJGIax365xWFVx61gqD_a7AT/s320/IMG_9570.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Earlier in the week we attended the Kenwood Fire Department Crab Feed. Another new adventure for me and time to see many beautiful faces we've been missing. I wore the new LVAD shirt, concealing Betty very well (Betty is what I call my LVAD). The crab was divine.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> But during the event, while enjoying the fresh dungeness crab straight off the boat at Bodega that morning, I hear a beeping that did not stop. After a time I asked those around me if they heard it. They did. It sounded very close, but the noise in the room was loud. So Mark helped me to do what any LVADer would do -- we checked my LVAD controller to make sure it wasn't me with an alarm of some sort. He had to lift two outer shirts to get to the controller in the pocket right over my belly. I'm sure people wondered what was going on. When we saw no lights, or anything alarming, I got up and walked a few chairs over to hear the beeping even louder. Later we learned it was an alarm or notification on someone's phone. It was not the ear-piercing tone that my LVAD is expected to give off, but nonetheless, anything like this always gets my attention these days. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY6uij0gsZzzTNDNOGUWMC5MXn1BMwfykXNsEVK6bc6FJ76m8PzNDQiQQ3L-MFPy3jApJYxjtgZxO2J6BaYRdq9MKMkLIgRc7L6x7RafqHVaBzN_zZ5GMPDWPqjCgeNstUjVjfqKQDqiLhKQc8dPLmfwhUnaFdnbBYozIa_0PCqJrf3SAVqdF5NO_-XUW/s1440/120D9B6C-E5AA-4403-BDCE-07F40A32D770.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY6uij0gsZzzTNDNOGUWMC5MXn1BMwfykXNsEVK6bc6FJ76m8PzNDQiQQ3L-MFPy3jApJYxjtgZxO2J6BaYRdq9MKMkLIgRc7L6x7RafqHVaBzN_zZ5GMPDWPqjCgeNstUjVjfqKQDqiLhKQc8dPLmfwhUnaFdnbBYozIa_0PCqJrf3SAVqdF5NO_-XUW/s320/120D9B6C-E5AA-4403-BDCE-07F40A32D770.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Relieved, we continued our dinner and explained to those around us how I am a bit hyper-vigilant after so many alarming sounds and beeps in the hospital. But I'm getting better. And Betty's backup was very nearby in the car parked just outside should I need to replace batteries or controller in an emergency. It is something I must take with me everywhere whenever I leave the house.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sourdough was on the bake list again this week. The 2-loaf Tartine Country recipe was split into three portions. Two of those became sourdough loaves; one with cranberries, toasted walnuts and orange zest, the other with roasted garlic rosemary and lemon zest. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dznqD9y6kTtoobzi8JwJW8ZVz_M7WFUsdJB3Au596sP7At5bXHc50JRV4nBjQtVWVjoUvinYo_xKNgRYj_Q8w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The third portion was saved for two </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEoep7BdmgFpZFVPWC_6lU-Vr4tu_JgHQaGXLzTd5yclDJEYrl56C1xdGyrjn-65nDEuRn55zCoO_1Z-EPONd6ESijE5SPcLoiskKGh0_8lIcBswNidE0XVQw-mVham-DFYmarzwQZVQK2dL7E5h-bUmw4CUMzuhLOTdIHh0fFG-1oiuei2Ua2q6IPtlX/s4032/IMG_9610.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEoep7BdmgFpZFVPWC_6lU-Vr4tu_JgHQaGXLzTd5yclDJEYrl56C1xdGyrjn-65nDEuRn55zCoO_1Z-EPONd6ESijE5SPcLoiskKGh0_8lIcBswNidE0XVQw-mVham-DFYmarzwQZVQK2dL7E5h-bUmw4CUMzuhLOTdIHh0fFG-1oiuei2Ua2q6IPtlX/s320/IMG_9610.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">pizzas that night, which turned out delicious with just whatever we </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> could find in the fridge and pantry. Love Sourdough!</span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Well, we were supposed to be headed out for another camp trip this weekend, to Casini Ranch for the annual crab feed and fun planned each year at this time by a group of wonderful camping and fire department friends. It was much anticipated as they have full hookups so the battery charging issue for me and my LVAD was not a problem, and we had done our test drive camping trip last month. But there is a pretty good storm expected with pretty much all day rain Saturday and most of Sunday -- several inches in total. So, as disappointing as it is, we have opted to stay home, out of harms way, and off the roads so as not to contribute to any mess out there. And I do not want to get sick. Bummed, but feel good we made the right decision.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The heart socks didn’t make it for Valentine’s Day</span><span style="font-family: arial;">, but they are almost done!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXEA2yZK6D1HrIFS3Z8FxZNguPxez_-EGwd1jBQBL0tsObdUI1wSnWpn-sU6TVUbmOQSSzo_wdRljEaKjvnC9VwDnE5OI2-JM73dVEIGwMsjgxw2qneRKZhthFSwASzi5pOuX_zoxAXZOV9UhJx2kA_H9wauUjC49v4DyskmET8pmnsLpSUCwx9uHkt6Y/s4032/IMG_9636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXEA2yZK6D1HrIFS3Z8FxZNguPxez_-EGwd1jBQBL0tsObdUI1wSnWpn-sU6TVUbmOQSSzo_wdRljEaKjvnC9VwDnE5OI2-JM73dVEIGwMsjgxw2qneRKZhthFSwASzi5pOuX_zoxAXZOV9UhJx2kA_H9wauUjC49v4DyskmET8pmnsLpSUCwx9uHkt6Y/s320/IMG_9636.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYtIRQq9pE16GEYauskptUyserG6DunHmorWFK034R8HiwMq5RjKwCfxsGo1TPCmiUy4uRsXzuBkOkeXME-OSTabHstILDVzciUEOnZL_VZgNufFh7Tk7mTwLBcL4P6VUzZvFiEDqTxtJpe79_rAJ3JT2HzV8UNkYvRqevE4uhg-7xn4xjrx0nNFUnGcz/s4032/IMG_9613.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYtIRQq9pE16GEYauskptUyserG6DunHmorWFK034R8HiwMq5RjKwCfxsGo1TPCmiUy4uRsXzuBkOkeXME-OSTabHstILDVzciUEOnZL_VZgNufFh7Tk7mTwLBcL4P6VUzZvFiEDqTxtJpe79_rAJ3JT2HzV8UNkYvRqevE4uhg-7xn4xjrx0nNFUnGcz/s320/IMG_9613.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I got out into the garden today. What joy. I've really not been excited to venture out most days, again with the dreary weather. And my days seem short now. The task of getting my meds and doing vitals every day, then followed often by a short nap and then lunch. The days seems nearly gone at that point and it is time for tea, some knitting, and a good TV program. At least days are getting longer. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj833oV17mtRYWwCaoBmmlGNDX0qzNHynpVHLx-mdx0Epsos26xFr31zz40RNyMfHXSdAv2fqn5a5Iejum3huF5buT6FhS0Sb21OfVT9rLLQEfWmP7DchsMKnmtsQggHYxE3QoiJ-9hV1c5L3kAKqPg7Jsh2-wL6ckgaHL2EyJkpIvQ-RBtOgdOJRXLDQR2/s4032/IMG_9620.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj833oV17mtRYWwCaoBmmlGNDX0qzNHynpVHLx-mdx0Epsos26xFr31zz40RNyMfHXSdAv2fqn5a5Iejum3huF5buT6FhS0Sb21OfVT9rLLQEfWmP7DchsMKnmtsQggHYxE3QoiJ-9hV1c5L3kAKqPg7Jsh2-wL6ckgaHL2EyJkpIvQ-RBtOgdOJRXLDQR2/s320/IMG_9620.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifc9dRVyd2nTGt-wgWtR9zCWL1eBVVAVObLpXLc6i1DFM_vdFsj-hwNE4N43CuUNwJ7ChaLpGQl9DXeu9z5Nqbo4NF8sX3O_Es49dA2nNglckmfgPq7gD7MlT7dmDvywFgoqPSTXmlip816lnkybGiBZzusU7Kbeym1HRCZOFcopH3f7X4fcQBqzPixSv/s4032/IMG_9633.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifc9dRVyd2nTGt-wgWtR9zCWL1eBVVAVObLpXLc6i1DFM_vdFsj-hwNE4N43CuUNwJ7ChaLpGQl9DXeu9z5Nqbo4NF8sX3O_Es49dA2nNglckmfgPq7gD7MlT7dmDvywFgoqPSTXmlip816lnkybGiBZzusU7Kbeym1HRCZOFcopH3f7X4fcQBqzPixSv/s320/IMG_9633.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But today ... I trimmed a few agapanthus, and walked around to peruse the overgrown and weed-filled yard. The grass is sure green and lush. The chickens seemed happy to see me. They just started laying again recently. I collected a nice basket full of beauties. Can't believe the dark orange color of the yolks. Yum! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I brought in a arm full of daffodils, which I hadn't even realized were blooming, and a few white camellias to float in a bowl. This made me happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>Until the next post...</i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!</span></span><span> </span></span></b></span></div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-29679559146216257112024-02-09T17:23:00.000-08:002024-02-09T17:23:59.573-08:00More New Milestones<div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">4 months, or 18 weeks. Time is moving on from that fateful moment when I was hanging on for dear life by a string. And I am so grateful!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><u>Some new milestones: </u> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I walked to our mailbox and back this week. . I made it!!! 😁</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And for those that don't know our property, the mailbox is not across the street, or in front of our house. It is down a long gravel, and this time of year very muddy, driveway. I forgot it was all uphill on the way back till we got started. So I huffed and puffed on the return, and took a few breaks, but I made it! And I found a Tai Chi set on Youtube that is the same as what I was taking in Sonoma a few years back, and completed almost the entire set. Mind you, I forgot most of it, especially when you turn back and have no reference since you no longer see the screen. It's much easier in a room full of people when you can place yourself right in the middle. So ... more baby steps and encouragement for me. Always moving ahead and progressing. That's all I can ask for.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Since I last posted on January 30th, I've done a bit more adventurous baking and have more planned going forward. 3 loaves of sourdough laden with jalapeno, garlic, and cheddar cheese were da bomb.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqKwxYB6qaQrCHGZwvw3PWIg-yeAYAwTsQKbuS7lRNAydmk1pO_or5svEAjBzsikCjhLb__Zq7fTZPsckAUhPmb2B0hxM8nTkusRcpcwTe533Ey8QHBBeabVltzNEKIlg73turRwgpee9nEFd8_5idaRBslJEc1e-CIvhJOvKTXJjGrzUXINvC6oJ1scM/s2935/IMG_9492.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2358" data-original-width="2935" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqKwxYB6qaQrCHGZwvw3PWIg-yeAYAwTsQKbuS7lRNAydmk1pO_or5svEAjBzsikCjhLb__Zq7fTZPsckAUhPmb2B0hxM8nTkusRcpcwTe533Ey8QHBBeabVltzNEKIlg73turRwgpee9nEFd8_5idaRBslJEc1e-CIvhJOvKTXJjGrzUXINvC6oJ1scM/s320/IMG_9492.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> I love making the Tartine Country Loaf basic recipe and adding goodies from time to time. Then I also tried my hand at a new recipe for an Italian Lemon Cake, which was more of a custard or cheese cake. Very delicious with just a hint of sweetness. I tell ya, Instagram is a huge tease for trying new recipes. Not all work out, but heck, why not try.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxccKJzLbj897dczEnyaIZ2g34s0hTutifdd7g7tvDOK17zVB9oLS_ld4evK2y4MZ3w1eieVZECr6YozRdYmGNJ42uNtN86KHt83xC58PoEfbKt2nxSA17yuBFmv2LnwWghRxL9wPNHKbuswH7DOEBA8VupqDEuTFAZewJIVXc2Ba-V5O7G6NvX3J6_dn3/s3442/IMG_9507.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2586" data-original-width="3442" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxccKJzLbj897dczEnyaIZ2g34s0hTutifdd7g7tvDOK17zVB9oLS_ld4evK2y4MZ3w1eieVZECr6YozRdYmGNJ42uNtN86KHt83xC58PoEfbKt2nxSA17yuBFmv2LnwWghRxL9wPNHKbuswH7DOEBA8VupqDEuTFAZewJIVXc2Ba-V5O7G6NvX3J6_dn3/s320/IMG_9507.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfEz8Bvg6B8ll3Bs6UhvRy9uNYUpbnBfWCIXEqn9jeL0trOKnUGhuvMXVL9AFfBB_9hOjF-ldh4b17HeS9FgflQJnzXFXi4qAj0KrUFphT-tDyU1CmHqltHX4ifCEq5ApbfxmjFq4ddRcGROujee5_8obzNOV5AIjXNY7gtyUfe70POOCEJECwXnGRosN/s4032/IMG_9531.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfEz8Bvg6B8ll3Bs6UhvRy9uNYUpbnBfWCIXEqn9jeL0trOKnUGhuvMXVL9AFfBB_9hOjF-ldh4b17HeS9FgflQJnzXFXi4qAj0KrUFphT-tDyU1CmHqltHX4ifCEq5ApbfxmjFq4ddRcGROujee5_8obzNOV5AIjXNY7gtyUfe70POOCEJECwXnGRosN/s320/IMG_9531.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Last week we visited UCSF again. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt30bas4Czf9VQF1RKyEHBTbvCGJr59Lpao6dcxx7I2AI_sduLWNkXs2WstNp2cJWpe7UX3nBXddszKrcI1OJD7DQ70CJq7Hozn3IAdE2oKhBOER0X7VKYXx6cwZXyFXjy9qvnsjF6QDwBylDuvzySUDkAJg9y-OHEqGBjEshPVPLGromMk0dii7zFZjr4/s4032/IMG_9476.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt30bas4Czf9VQF1RKyEHBTbvCGJr59Lpao6dcxx7I2AI_sduLWNkXs2WstNp2cJWpe7UX3nBXddszKrcI1OJD7DQ70CJq7Hozn3IAdE2oKhBOER0X7VKYXx6cwZXyFXjy9qvnsjF6QDwBylDuvzySUDkAJg9y-OHEqGBjEshPVPLGromMk0dii7zFZjr4/w240-h320/IMG_9476.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A standard right heart catheterization is scheduled 3 months after any LVAD surgery, so it was a standard procedure, but still made me a bit nervous. What if there were issues with the right side of my heart too? That was something I was trying not to think about. And all was good. Other than a long wait to be seen, due to another patient who needed extra special care. And that was fine by me. But once in, things went quickly and I received a good report on my right heart. Just one small modification to a medication dosage. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We were just glad to get there without issue on one of the big rain storm mornings that were expected. And it rained good as we left San Francisco. But we made it home safe and sound.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWKI8VSwrmLRfB5UzA7bXoXp9aQ_BZ8PwDjj7thAgb8iIu8u6D_Oor-rmvLhNy2Tfhnlbuo_dzCRYBKs4WHM53CJCc0ggb3GF1-NPJSfPOEQ_db6NZgKODaqT2WKEq80CMoqXiexSW5MpMEbx6kmEphsthHMRH9sGJuURiI_3DMvZ7GgGwi0YjmndLpJq/s4032/IMG_2816.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWKI8VSwrmLRfB5UzA7bXoXp9aQ_BZ8PwDjj7thAgb8iIu8u6D_Oor-rmvLhNy2Tfhnlbuo_dzCRYBKs4WHM53CJCc0ggb3GF1-NPJSfPOEQ_db6NZgKODaqT2WKEq80CMoqXiexSW5MpMEbx6kmEphsthHMRH9sGJuURiI_3DMvZ7GgGwi0YjmndLpJq/s320/IMG_2816.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZK9C6_UNB2Hs4rjxBoZB7hA6wuyYwTkJrFW29G4mYQF4V4OgpoK2ZNYXoFvb4_bpHDuLqkNqRZztTOLirrEw9gU7xALlf2r7Y15A3eQ5DwL24rk5VdcIBqOahUS3aHIhZxcZw6FjZNX8Rko-7KXM8ghllP8I4mKzMwu06r6Mb7JJaKFGZgFg4aQxieWgz/s3088/72841292653__D20E4680-838F-43DC-B9A5-A5EFAAEF2E55.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZK9C6_UNB2Hs4rjxBoZB7hA6wuyYwTkJrFW29G4mYQF4V4OgpoK2ZNYXoFvb4_bpHDuLqkNqRZztTOLirrEw9gU7xALlf2r7Y15A3eQ5DwL24rk5VdcIBqOahUS3aHIhZxcZw6FjZNX8Rko-7KXM8ghllP8I4mKzMwu06r6Mb7JJaKFGZgFg4aQxieWgz/s320/72841292653__D20E4680-838F-43DC-B9A5-A5EFAAEF2E55.jpeg" width="240" /></a> <br /></div><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And just yesterday I had my followup visit with Dr. Liviu Klein via Zoom in the comfort of my home. Dr. Klein is director of UCSF Advanced Heart Failure Comprehensive Care Center and director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program. He specializes in caring for patients with heart failure and
arrhythmias, including care before and after surgery for those receiving
heart transplants. He also has expertise in cardiac resynchronization
and mechanical therapies, such as ventricular assist devices for heart
failure.
In his research, Klein studies the epidemiology of heart failure in women, including those at risk for sudden cardiac death. I can't think of a better doctor to be overseeing my treatment. Although the meeting was scheduled with Dr. Klein, he was in the background listening in for most of it, while D</span><span style="font-size: medium;">r. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacqueline DesJardin, ran the meeting. Dr. DesJardin was at my bedside several times while I was at UCSF for those three weeks. but it was nice to see her smile without a mask for this appointment. Little did I know she was a collegiate and professional soccer player at one point. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">RN Lettie Curiel, who I talk to almost daily, was also there as well. We basically reviewed all medications and how I am doing. They seemed very pleased with my progress. I can now have lab draws done every two weeks at the lab, rather than weekly. (I have graduated out of home health care). And will continue weekly home INR tests for now. They may also be dropping or changing a few medications as well but need to check in with my local cardiologist, Dr. Dhar, first. All in all, I'm very happy with things right now.</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I ordered a</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> shirt from the LVAD Gear store and it arrived a few days ago. It's OK, and I'll keep it to wear on occasion, but still not perfect. I feel like a bit of a football player in it. The idea is to have it on my body, rather than over a shoulder, which puts pressure on the neck. But this is still heavy and I find myself leaning forward to compensate for the weight in the front. Here are the two views, second with an over blouse. On the left, you can see the cords extending to separate pockets for a battery on each side of my body. The center front pocket holds the controller, but it falls right on my belly, so accentuates the "bulge" there. But it'll do, I suppose.</span></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQzxNOc0-sJnC_qL-udGxtJqXrisrx3TlvZV3lMn3qBwQX0zOUpuE5vVuR-Q02qDMWdpJYoki0HkGgrjFKczyrx3KOmRHuGu4LI4-IGyn_ayXTqOiwy0uEi1BvuKA7IdhluEUUxsOsqcd_LT0lvFS2mZTo4PBWuSVyHeRkT-DOMQK0lnUg5xrLSsO8A-N/s4032/IMG_9512.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQzxNOc0-sJnC_qL-udGxtJqXrisrx3TlvZV3lMn3qBwQX0zOUpuE5vVuR-Q02qDMWdpJYoki0HkGgrjFKczyrx3KOmRHuGu4LI4-IGyn_ayXTqOiwy0uEi1BvuKA7IdhluEUUxsOsqcd_LT0lvFS2mZTo4PBWuSVyHeRkT-DOMQK0lnUg5xrLSsO8A-N/w300-h400/IMG_9512.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LVAD Gear Shirt<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMW5VWnsL1i9Ox5XuBohGHbh4RONkunCfOJCTkSAnojt39OPYCXBbbm4bz2iFlXY1CHUvtMUccp1HJ-bzly1Bn1t45udzynNzS2f9vU7ahUN_XXWYxRln4hpQwfzZEDiE_08LhV4cCY5w5c3T7ZciaQ6C9uV9IdNVQhyn_e7bO76mWpY3WRnK27esUn4J/s4032/IMG_9513.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMW5VWnsL1i9Ox5XuBohGHbh4RONkunCfOJCTkSAnojt39OPYCXBbbm4bz2iFlXY1CHUvtMUccp1HJ-bzly1Bn1t45udzynNzS2f9vU7ahUN_XXWYxRln4hpQwfzZEDiE_08LhV4cCY5w5c3T7ZciaQ6C9uV9IdNVQhyn_e7bO76mWpY3WRnK27esUn4J/w300-h400/IMG_9513.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LVAD worn under sweater in LVAD shirt<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><div></div><p></p><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTXi8BMxq0sXYZQwGyB_aT1UL29EZwkWe-WcJOL6j39EckUgb_myqtQT-jwfUU_t8YpgeHDq9F6zrjrpUD9S9kt8O9rui_eZdASFn0FhXLbTu47mBustZauem_lbmX4VC4uldUZOpLmp4gZnyJtOX_nDTOMOpI1HDXdVKIlfQpXu77KJ6cWyrNt8C1JpV/s4032/IMG_9519.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We've had some much-needed and very good rainfall this month of February so far. Over 5" just recently. And another good storm is predicted for President's Day weekend. Bring it on.</span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTXi8BMxq0sXYZQwGyB_aT1UL29EZwkWe-WcJOL6j39EckUgb_myqtQT-jwfUU_t8YpgeHDq9F6zrjrpUD9S9kt8O9rui_eZdASFn0FhXLbTu47mBustZauem_lbmX4VC4uldUZOpLmp4gZnyJtOX_nDTOMOpI1HDXdVKIlfQpXu77KJ6cWyrNt8C1JpV/s4032/IMG_9519.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTXi8BMxq0sXYZQwGyB_aT1UL29EZwkWe-WcJOL6j39EckUgb_myqtQT-jwfUU_t8YpgeHDq9F6zrjrpUD9S9kt8O9rui_eZdASFn0FhXLbTu47mBustZauem_lbmX4VC4uldUZOpLmp4gZnyJtOX_nDTOMOpI1HDXdVKIlfQpXu77KJ6cWyrNt8C1JpV/s320/IMG_9519.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Happy Early Valentine's Day!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Until next post...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!</span></span><span> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></span></div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-71003077765437240522024-01-30T16:52:00.000-08:002024-01-30T16:52:55.325-08:00Camping Test ✅<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s 17 weeks. That’s since Betty became my sidekick. The days and weeks keep coming and going and I keep getting stronger. This is all so good and welcome. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In my last post, I mentioned that we would be camping soon, that I was a bit anxious about doing so with the new me, and that it would be a good test for future excursions. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Well, I’m happy to say it was a huge success.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">One of the big challenges was me, and Betty (my LVAD). I have eight large batteries that I live with and there is a pretty good size charger that is required to keep all these batteries charged. The charger unit is about 8 inches wide and 14 inches long, 12 inches tall. It’s heavy and cumbersome. But it’s what’s necessary to keep me and my heart going. We need electricity for this charger, obviously. So, dear hubby was tasked with finding something that would keep me charged for 4 days or more.Out trailer has solar, but not the type we needed, and Doran Beach Campground Regional Park has dry campsites, with no electricity. We love to go there. But we needed a solution for this type of camping.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Mark did quite a bit of research, as he is very well known for doing when he’s tasked with purchasing something, and he came up with an Anker battery unit. I don’t know the model, but could get it for anyone who asks. It's about the size of a car battery or a little bigger, and is actually about the same size as the charging unit for my LVAD batteries. The Anker is great because it can hold a charge for several days, and if we need to we can recharge it on our truck or with solar panels. It also has connections to plug-in phones and just about anything you could imagine. So quite the handy gadget to have on board, and not too large. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Once the Anker battery arrived in the mail, Mark went about testing it to see how long it would hold a charge, how it worked with my batteries. It seemed to do a great job. So off we went on a little camping excursion; which was to include my sister, Christine, and some dear camping friends, who had to cancel at the last minute. We missed them but had a great time and will catch up with them camping again soon. And then my cousins Bob and Terry came in for the last couple of days to fill up one of our vacant campsites. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM_MsVZ_Ed8BdBwTnZZQDyLAYVa_rON6SBEtT7dGfoSPTlXryfa0EjLynkoOb3knDNkN41cFNkDwrLdJs2m9bqTVOmd0o6-3de1j-JMRCQCCPO_0n9UlHY85NiAMZcbZ3pDBycIN8zyaL1iQ04DH38gHGJcZiC0uAGdycjAL_MHaZ7ifxY4Y8LoyH_LjP/s3073/IMG_2714.heic" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2097" data-original-width="3073" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM_MsVZ_Ed8BdBwTnZZQDyLAYVa_rON6SBEtT7dGfoSPTlXryfa0EjLynkoOb3knDNkN41cFNkDwrLdJs2m9bqTVOmd0o6-3de1j-JMRCQCCPO_0n9UlHY85NiAMZcbZ3pDBycIN8zyaL1iQ04DH38gHGJcZiC0uAGdycjAL_MHaZ7ifxY4Y8LoyH_LjP/s320/IMG_2714.heic" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">January camping on the Sonoma coast is known to be cool and windy and even rainy; but we had some pretty decent weather. There was one day of rain, which was fine. We had one nice sunny day so we sat outside and red, and chatted and napped. And we even got out and walked on the beach for a short distance one day. I’m not quite up for the 3 mile hike down to the rocks and back like I used to, but maybe eventually I can get there. That one short stroll out to the water was nice for the first try. We had some lovely dinners, we researched and studied how to play Mexican train, since it had been a long time and we had forgotten most of the rules, and we made it out for chowder and fish and chips one afternoon too. We are now well schooled in Mexican Train. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavCRPxq3Wx010y_geYgWXbC5d3N9DD9ZrKnfYD1SVIVPxartVPd6uYd9yeHsu_wt5taU1Sfrv4e69bh0yzWcoxyuTQRjFyFvQ_gMQ-iP6XkOmcph7SRs2MH76LHbi6p9nFWtKeyocRyIYMNucGeg_TjIUPZVRn1lk47lwFtVfMitKx5GBR3sY0_b8t41Q/s4032/IMG_5865.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavCRPxq3Wx010y_geYgWXbC5d3N9DD9ZrKnfYD1SVIVPxartVPd6uYd9yeHsu_wt5taU1Sfrv4e69bh0yzWcoxyuTQRjFyFvQ_gMQ-iP6XkOmcph7SRs2MH76LHbi6p9nFWtKeyocRyIYMNucGeg_TjIUPZVRn1lk47lwFtVfMitKx5GBR3sY0_b8t41Q/s320/IMG_5865.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s always so nice to get away like that and sit around the campfire visiting with friends and sharing lovely meals. I’m looking forward to doing it again as we have a few more reservations coming up this spring. Things are looking good and I’m happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our weather at home in Glen Ellen has been off and on rainy and dreary, with a few days of sunshine here and there, pretty glorious sunshine, almost 70°, I might add. But it's typical weather for this time of year, just not </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">70°! </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But we take what we get and make the best of it. The dreary days keep me inside and not very mobile, but on a couple of those sunny days I actually got out and cut back some old perennials, pulled a few weeds, and fed the chickens. It was nice just to sit out in the sunshine one day and soak it all in while watching the birds feeding on the persimmons left on the tree. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We’ve also had a little construction project going on where we moved a metal clad French door from one room over to our living room, where the older double pane French doors have been failing for many years. And we had a nice big beautiful window put in where the French door used to be, as well as a new window in to our laundry room that was the only single pane window remaining in the house. Things are looking great and the project is almost complete. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5ta7XqdpzarBwni9f1249RHCydimfLlXg88tOwZJGDdkAx8nyhtfSIIwYThKC2FZfEzka7IZAM6A-6VLOK9ThnO7YH6NCon_LSCdQURRVUh5DAONNJlJLwdh1mPpC-OX-lNZBcjbT29pb8UuFEwcfoyueXkhPfz7i5cCr-fiu2bmVNrbJ4m5L1YuX6Y_/s4032/IMG_2781.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5ta7XqdpzarBwni9f1249RHCydimfLlXg88tOwZJGDdkAx8nyhtfSIIwYThKC2FZfEzka7IZAM6A-6VLOK9ThnO7YH6NCon_LSCdQURRVUh5DAONNJlJLwdh1mPpC-OX-lNZBcjbT29pb8UuFEwcfoyueXkhPfz7i5cCr-fiu2bmVNrbJ4m5L1YuX6Y_/w400-h300/IMG_2781.HEIC" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Oh and I finished the knit lion and made an elephant too. Now I'm on to some valentine socks. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixls_0mf7xjM4Z8BEw2XOJycPeg_5VioBOwoN-dH_Wav9FQfRupS1fRDebUs0DFGPNNbiZ65NT4UA91xhx1i3P5bKEj3pRtJHJocib134kx5HydQ_zg3Jztelfy2m5uAb9vcKM9vJYL5B-2WzQAD3akrH3vakAkmfqmlzoDx7ZFq0U4ZcKjY3xKFG3gZsA/s4032/72826714128__8235BD86-A550-42C8-97E8-EE15BF30B4BB.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixls_0mf7xjM4Z8BEw2XOJycPeg_5VioBOwoN-dH_Wav9FQfRupS1fRDebUs0DFGPNNbiZ65NT4UA91xhx1i3P5bKEj3pRtJHJocib134kx5HydQ_zg3Jztelfy2m5uAb9vcKM9vJYL5B-2WzQAD3akrH3vakAkmfqmlzoDx7ZFq0U4ZcKjY3xKFG3gZsA/s320/72826714128__8235BD86-A550-42C8-97E8-EE15BF30B4BB.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">AND, (<i>drumroll</i>) — I took my first solo shower. 😁</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Meaning I don’t have someone watching by over me and assisting. I think I may be able to do it standing next time. Baby steps. 🤞</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So we’ve had a couple of good weeks, and I’ve done a little more baking, even a loaf of sourdough bread. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I’ve got a procedure coming up in UCSF this week. It’s a right heart catheterization, which has me a little anxious, as I think it would anyone. But they say it’s a standard procedure that they do on all LVAD Patient’s about three months after implant. So I’m ready to get that taken care of and behind me. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Spring is just around the corner, or so I hope. Days are getting longer and it feels very good. Wish you all the best wherever you are and whatever you are doing.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPSesfZT4lIX2ditiLiwjFIu5JR3mnDCW-WXRTv-uvfjqFfvVgtr3-KW9QKcNivpASaWZmVQT64QhIVcTY_iDvuZVkF8cPBnRHlcqivhXtZqpslAqO1GuvKvBhB0DvhnOi4AR5uj9XvBaq_5vsOKX0_B_4-1odDSpsoMh59oKFQSNIO1QCPwqGDRh2vww/s4032/IMG_9426.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPSesfZT4lIX2ditiLiwjFIu5JR3mnDCW-WXRTv-uvfjqFfvVgtr3-KW9QKcNivpASaWZmVQT64QhIVcTY_iDvuZVkF8cPBnRHlcqivhXtZqpslAqO1GuvKvBhB0DvhnOi4AR5uj9XvBaq_5vsOKX0_B_4-1odDSpsoMh59oKFQSNIO1QCPwqGDRh2vww/s320/IMG_9426.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!</span></span><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></span></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-45787410766331724712024-01-21T16:49:00.000-08:002024-01-21T16:49:31.033-08:00Plugging Along; Fun Stuff & A Day in the Life<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It’s mid-January and not much has changed. I do continue to progress slowly, but I think I’m being impatient. The hard part is the rainy weather, my </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">changed mobility and lifestyle, and just wanting to sit and knit, or do whatever, most of the time. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But have I </span><span style="font-family: arial;">mentioned</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> how much better my sleep is. When I returned home from the hospital, I could barely get two hours of sleep at night before my mind would start churning. It got to the point where I could sleep till maybe midnight and then I would start waking up every few minutes or half hour, feeling like I had slept for hours. But when I checked my watch, I would be so disappointed. Eventually, I would sleep till about 3 AM after a few wakes before that. Finally I started a sleeping pill which gave me some very strange dreams. So we cut that in half for about another month. It helped me to sleep well till 5 or 6 am, usually with a 3am break. It felt so wonderful. I slowly weaned off of that medication and now I sleep through about 7+ hours every night, often take a 1 hr nap around 11 AM, and sometimes just a little cat nap at 4 PM. I guess I’m doing OK in the sleep department<span style="color: #1f1f1f;">.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="color: #1f1f1f;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="color: #1f1f1f;">I've enjoyed more time in the kitchen too. And tat feels so good... scones, sourdough focaccia, and getting sourdough starter primed for a bake soon. I also pulled a bag of whole tomatoes from the freezer to make marinara for an upcoming camp trip. I can't believe I asked my husband to do this but he did - while I was so dire in the hospital, and our garden was busting out the tomatoes like never before, I encouraged him </span></span></span><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> to freeze them whole for fear of losing them all together. I had read that when frozen whole as a temporary measure until you are prepared to process them, once thawed, the skins will peel off easily similar to when they are blanched. It worked! I only used a 3# bag, so there are about 40-50 lbs more waiting for our use. Not to mention all the marinara we made before I got sick. And I've done a few dinners as well. I think I am relieving my caregiver of some of the responsibility and stress. I sure hope so because he still does a boat load of stuff to support the new me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcUL-Wpoa0CSdW1RC8S3e6UkyZpHgsPbuMZcM05luUQVCjJQaTf3eHnEdcVK6LQjLlhXWemR8SGyfGnA9FKQfWN6t3cDCVI7h1ppV7ROzeXX0wMWBfBw5jaDe2nKHKFG4d89FUyXDiYSTPiSaCcb5olec2b6vXoTPkATjmMYtYrR_1yeNQwGY0yOEX5GW/s4032/72625339598__B05E69F5-4BF7-40D3-A088-32DECD737650.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcUL-Wpoa0CSdW1RC8S3e6UkyZpHgsPbuMZcM05luUQVCjJQaTf3eHnEdcVK6LQjLlhXWemR8SGyfGnA9FKQfWN6t3cDCVI7h1ppV7ROzeXX0wMWBfBw5jaDe2nKHKFG4d89FUyXDiYSTPiSaCcb5olec2b6vXoTPkATjmMYtYrR_1yeNQwGY0yOEX5GW/w240-h320/72625339598__B05E69F5-4BF7-40D3-A088-32DECD737650.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlgTFvlCO5vSHr8Gh45jc4DbK9wCPLFe9FziMEs4VtduYqxvqouHRwXgD9l5ygL-5N7P0MVoHi8Fsmfl_i-Pmy1tFU-ATimxe17QRozZSjUmnApBhAe7KCvdB_zaTBdDskOtuLDntHzWN8DSEzhcTxw8Hqm7ZBNVK-mDYuiik19aoCf9L8qlFhX9stkzp/s4032/IMG_9320.heic" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlgTFvlCO5vSHr8Gh45jc4DbK9wCPLFe9FziMEs4VtduYqxvqouHRwXgD9l5ygL-5N7P0MVoHi8Fsmfl_i-Pmy1tFU-ATimxe17QRozZSjUmnApBhAe7KCvdB_zaTBdDskOtuLDntHzWN8DSEzhcTxw8Hqm7ZBNVK-mDYuiik19aoCf9L8qlFhX9stkzp/w320-h240/IMG_9320.heic" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Last week my sis took me to Santa Rosa for a ramen lunch and some window shopping. I sure don't last long standing around, but it was fun to peruse a cute gift shop and flower shop in Montgomery Village. Then we stopped for tea and a pastry. Such a perfect day. Thank you, Christine. 💖<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGBCihk4_77vdTqgyhvkbE6tt_Jt9I0ee4jDcyeiCmMeyc9tzegH3IVnyg_MlMkXRJkxVwHeLBgfBYLDR2eiTk41scn3Wjgb-tkErRcx0Vd5tDfmVRFlRKj9woIqtjQtwz8diaa93O_t-Z6y0-0s4jburXtWZltJSCVJqgpQijhLpQsri5FkjcYll1mFc/s4032/72661526817__F0FC37D8-4F5E-4DD7-87DE-B68944928A09.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGBCihk4_77vdTqgyhvkbE6tt_Jt9I0ee4jDcyeiCmMeyc9tzegH3IVnyg_MlMkXRJkxVwHeLBgfBYLDR2eiTk41scn3Wjgb-tkErRcx0Vd5tDfmVRFlRKj9woIqtjQtwz8diaa93O_t-Z6y0-0s4jburXtWZltJSCVJqgpQijhLpQsri5FkjcYll1mFc/s320/72661526817__F0FC37D8-4F5E-4DD7-87DE-B68944928A09.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div></span><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">And of course I always find time to knit. But I recently read Lessons in Chemistry and loved it. Great read if you are looking for something new. But all this rain and these dreary days are kind of depressing, and I've not been very active because of it. I do my PT exercises and a few other easy routines I have recorded, but I sit too much!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">My last two knit projects were a cute hat and I'm working on some zoo animals, the first is a lion. And an elephant is planned next.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjtIlV7zOYZuakgrPDpWhzA9RADNCyYw2iselQj7gI69_OwX124zpZNVPoDi9WrzCKksqaKB6RY9yGwiQrZRThVsywkN984GvryLMOy7fuflVmoOuDSpurXWWWiIOWmyqGfpby_v2H5OW3EVcX36z5BQOPCGlxrrpBeY4Y1RSe-5c3ZnH5CbeXFgYOXkp/s4032/IMG_9337.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjtIlV7zOYZuakgrPDpWhzA9RADNCyYw2iselQj7gI69_OwX124zpZNVPoDi9WrzCKksqaKB6RY9yGwiQrZRThVsywkN984GvryLMOy7fuflVmoOuDSpurXWWWiIOWmyqGfpby_v2H5OW3EVcX36z5BQOPCGlxrrpBeY4Y1RSe-5c3ZnH5CbeXFgYOXkp/s320/IMG_9337.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He needs to be stuffed and his mane shaped.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcmWzhZ12meM9jJEVdCYe5tmN59wZ9ncRyrrn_ZYiA0sD00-SHpUjCvYyf3FOTdAuqaNQV-uY6RlfkhyL4DZK4xBjpCrYz1Z93FjwtXuONYA3GWn6w-K18tjuUT1TaThyMGEVzROLkdHYkJpL1v6pJv6i6lGGsOiUZV5SygR-5g6j2YGLZRPHyscG2pDJ/s2941/IMG_9319.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2898" data-original-width="2941" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcmWzhZ12meM9jJEVdCYe5tmN59wZ9ncRyrrn_ZYiA0sD00-SHpUjCvYyf3FOTdAuqaNQV-uY6RlfkhyL4DZK4xBjpCrYz1Z93FjwtXuONYA3GWn6w-K18tjuUT1TaThyMGEVzROLkdHYkJpL1v6pJv6i6lGGsOiUZV5SygR-5g6j2YGLZRPHyscG2pDJ/w200-h197/IMG_9319.heic" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">So you might wonder, What's it like to live with an LVAD?</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Here is a snippet. <br /></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">By now most of you realize I am tethered 24/7 (no leaving it behind) to my LVAD batteries and control panel, 3 separate pieces that are connected together by an electrical cable, which are then connected to me via another electrical cable. It goes into me near the left of my navel. (I got to choose which side.) Once inside, the cable weaves up through my chest to connect to the small pump that is now attached to my heart. The cable entry is always covered by a sterile dressing, changed every 1-3 days, and held safely by two anchors stuck to me just next to where it enters my belly.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFiw6nB0nHaabXnJdvPM_MP5uNuslGmotTUiaaVpe3YI6ciUgH_fErCrE98PUEf2aB96mx1rZG6_THhyU8FXd7F89H9qFajh4pjI6Hn6xCCK42ImB8ErE4DVNOH0jzwZSCOWIxaGYrqqH_PnY3TnVJ3Yb0sbgqYDZBWNvPylZ2C5oiBjv5ZnWi0Y9BbRh/s4032/IMG_7706.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFiw6nB0nHaabXnJdvPM_MP5uNuslGmotTUiaaVpe3YI6ciUgH_fErCrE98PUEf2aB96mx1rZG6_THhyU8FXd7F89H9qFajh4pjI6Hn6xCCK42ImB8ErE4DVNOH0jzwZSCOWIxaGYrqqH_PnY3TnVJ3Yb0sbgqYDZBWNvPylZ2C5oiBjv5ZnWi0Y9BbRh/w195-h260/IMG_7706.HEIC" width="195" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My belly - This is at dressing change time otherwise always covered with sterile dressing.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">The two batteries and controller are kept together in my over-the-shoulder-sling-carryall and weigh over 5 lbs. That doesn't sound heavy, I know. But when you can't leave it somewhere and take a break, it is. The batteries are about the size of a VHS cassette tape, but much heavier. I've tried to wear all this under clothes so it is less noticeable and more comfortable, but have not found anything that looks decent or is comfortable. By decent, I mean I look like a football player and batteries sit under the arms and rub uncomfortable. I'm still looking. For now, my Osprey 6 L bag is working well as long as there is a safe place to set it when I'm sitting, so as to give my shoulder/neck a break. I must always be sure that it never falls or pulls on the anchors that hold the cable in place.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyFgLCx1aHMXR_IztbI8NMCIa5vs4jfSiBY4svs3W954S7Ml5oMHWF1i67yUYOX3y1EmiCmvg6VXzda6QPqmVZWGIJquN9JDdij5tp2FPJ8Kp9KhDHKNXZd8mXa7Lj-vm3muYlqCWOaoGSpt1PB197gCaJzYzj0EU-wlbi_iGr1ZdGZxe8Tm-4T0AYxGw/s3751/72539467983__A1A6E061-2DB5-4DA4-B819-8DB4387C3AF9.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2984" data-original-width="3751" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyFgLCx1aHMXR_IztbI8NMCIa5vs4jfSiBY4svs3W954S7Ml5oMHWF1i67yUYOX3y1EmiCmvg6VXzda6QPqmVZWGIJquN9JDdij5tp2FPJ8Kp9KhDHKNXZd8mXa7Lj-vm3muYlqCWOaoGSpt1PB197gCaJzYzj0EU-wlbi_iGr1ZdGZxe8Tm-4T0AYxGw/s320/72539467983__A1A6E061-2DB5-4DA4-B819-8DB4387C3AF9.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LVAD- two battries & controller<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkOTPRATZyFxj9AghuXwBX7W8rMx8M3PIWXMrQKqDS7XQwewFcUvvLmX5URHR75Eu9I62btih19cEeOYM9YQws_XWyxCD0MKCDZIzPXNmPBXGMkO9uqplyQLPDtk5S1DZeXce_1H3e5hKk9LH9kB2gcEIYVMp7tJUGafyERAB-d9hGG3-fRW6xwyuXBzo/s4032/72539447515__40332925-6A8A-462B-A66E-EA17E9DB68B4.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkOTPRATZyFxj9AghuXwBX7W8rMx8M3PIWXMrQKqDS7XQwewFcUvvLmX5URHR75Eu9I62btih19cEeOYM9YQws_XWyxCD0MKCDZIzPXNmPBXGMkO9uqplyQLPDtk5S1DZeXce_1H3e5hKk9LH9kB2gcEIYVMp7tJUGafyERAB-d9hGG3-fRW6xwyuXBzo/s320/72539447515__40332925-6A8A-462B-A66E-EA17E9DB68B4.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For perspective.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Every morning, we take my vitals... all the numbers from the controller pictured above, after testing it to be sure it's working properly, as well as BP, temp, weight. There is a dressing change every 1-3 days. And I change batteries every morning and night. We have 8 in total so there are always two full charged as backup. There is also 2 charged batteries and a backup controller in my Go Bag, which I take whenever I leave the house and carry with me if I'm any distance from it, like shopping, walking, especially if walking on the beach or when I'm finally up to a hike, etc. It must be nearby and ready for any emergency in case my main equipment fails or runs out of batteries.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then every Monday a home health nurse arrives early in the morning to draw blood for my weekly labs. One of the tests run is the INR.<br /></span><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">(</span><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"><i>The international normalised ratio (INR) blood test </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: rgba(80, 151, 255, 0.18); color: #040c28; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">tells you how long it takes for your blood to clot</span></i><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><i>. It is used to test clotting times in people taking warfarin (a medicine used to treat and prevent blood clots). Your doctor will use your INR result to work out what dose of warfarin you should take.</i></span></span><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then on Thursdays, we do a home INR. From this we see how to adjust my Warfarin (Coumadin). Once in awhile I need a Lovenox injection into my belly to adjust the speed at which my blood clots, which is very important for the LVAD; and also to prevent bleeds, stroke, or clotting. It's a very fine balance and can also be effected by eating green leafy things.</span><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> So we use a a couple little tools (below) to stick my finger and then draw out a tiny bit of blood. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"> </span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlNPT-u0bUd43jo8gBt5PFVfaU7S6_-Gj9ofnoEWUMV1a0LXBgfEt6bQDqhQbIBTKe_c3zOtjRrBDQ749cFjXZQlolcCchQMwHlOUVsoJYbhYa1xmmh7ZR75zqL0mZHog6f7SPhqEt8FYO0b2C-VQcSuHWJwYHtmWqDVHmWgyHh9odxFZK1NmNuDUFGTp/s2564/IMG_9305%202.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2453" data-original-width="2564" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlNPT-u0bUd43jo8gBt5PFVfaU7S6_-Gj9ofnoEWUMV1a0LXBgfEt6bQDqhQbIBTKe_c3zOtjRrBDQ749cFjXZQlolcCchQMwHlOUVsoJYbhYa1xmmh7ZR75zqL0mZHog6f7SPhqEt8FYO0b2C-VQcSuHWJwYHtmWqDVHmWgyHh9odxFZK1NmNuDUFGTp/w320-h306/IMG_9305%202.heic" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tool to stick finger tip.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO7r_9YoBQAtjHJnAZxE6VQ58f6Qw1eHQjr4D_xCcadNxfHYkJlput-YTQvFATq2xNK48-KuPZYLOFE971Jhs9-jLtDivMxUK9K8J9MmOgqFA4gTOc4VI9tfUXVok3fRnDIVHkskBp9EnzHaHW6gjw9MubhADHVWz75qWMXdmU2kP1rk8Ndb7rMId24BX/s1139/IMG_9389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1139" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO7r_9YoBQAtjHJnAZxE6VQ58f6Qw1eHQjr4D_xCcadNxfHYkJlput-YTQvFATq2xNK48-KuPZYLOFE971Jhs9-jLtDivMxUK9K8J9MmOgqFA4gTOc4VI9tfUXVok3fRnDIVHkskBp9EnzHaHW6gjw9MubhADHVWz75qWMXdmU2kP1rk8Ndb7rMId24BX/w320-h269/IMG_9389.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing blood into vial<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> <br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> <br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 130%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(31, 31, 31); color: #1f1f1f; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">The blood is then deposited into a spot on this meter to get an INR reading.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc4bu_WlEJplZvETo5KiqOtPi0vWV2CIJht_5pNsmkoRvi71mcbvzC2B60A4wdEereK6OhjIbXOZZ2Mj0Lh5_Uyt_qUwKACItDW82xpYz9l8dd-_RL53-ymB2XtTK61dhDjNSzJYDfKwdm0gpQ7PhPrzURABw09CCG75BBoY7feNG1w-EOiKpIyBwEd9u/s4032/IMG_9307.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc4bu_WlEJplZvETo5KiqOtPi0vWV2CIJht_5pNsmkoRvi71mcbvzC2B60A4wdEereK6OhjIbXOZZ2Mj0Lh5_Uyt_qUwKACItDW82xpYz9l8dd-_RL53-ymB2XtTK61dhDjNSzJYDfKwdm0gpQ7PhPrzURABw09CCG75BBoY7feNG1w-EOiKpIyBwEd9u/s320/IMG_9307.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meter used to test the INR. My safe level is 2.5-3.0, so I'm a little low here.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i> <br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Aren't medical advances just amazing!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We have a camping trip coming up. Our first with the new me, and I'm a bit anxious to test the waters. Stay tuned...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">For now I'll close with a photo of the flock of turkeys that visited our property last week. This is only some of them. We counted well over 50!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIteuQJ9-ev5T8uNf2d9eUEKzXGlmr7_MfTDyHze6R1IPVhOVy_6VVf0bCKNwU3zoF25Qhrj3KkONTSYxXl9nn-YlsVe1xNiM96vjrykOA8ZvNCgksO0CtpeWVMIhkXahPqGvXrfRBDFBb1fiMbiXyTKZt3FC1raCUdye9HRSUxNyvnQ7TGU9z2mzP6bG/s4032/IMG_9332.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIteuQJ9-ev5T8uNf2d9eUEKzXGlmr7_MfTDyHze6R1IPVhOVy_6VVf0bCKNwU3zoF25Qhrj3KkONTSYxXl9nn-YlsVe1xNiM96vjrykOA8ZvNCgksO0CtpeWVMIhkXahPqGvXrfRBDFBb1fiMbiXyTKZt3FC1raCUdye9HRSUxNyvnQ7TGU9z2mzP6bG/s320/IMG_9332.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span><span>Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!</span></span><span> <br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-90811960107002972542024-01-03T16:04:00.000-08:002024-01-03T16:04:00.176-08:00Hip Hip Hooray for 2024 <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">13 weeks on 1/3. I think that has a nice ring to it. 13 Weeks post </span><a href="LVAD" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">LVAD</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> surgery. And each week feels a bit better from the last. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Today I had a substitute caregiver and shower assistant — Sarah. She gave Mark a huge break by helping me to shower and do it safely ( it is quite an ordeal to keep me and my LVAD safe and dry), take my daily vitals and send them off to our team, and do my sterile dressing change, which is another involved task that is performed every 1-3 days based on need. She’s always a pleasure to be here and spend time with. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTHHHDdaYmylc6RV-7OptFQXyEqUqTSw3lUUv-sp84s4mhrnmbswROkUAoTaSY6TvNCJYXVU99KNcv7kTgepio6RI7bL6z1cJoyc2fBn-g5UTQzcrDeZ5GBXX9HM-Ox6IF7x6eKVW3fUbDa5IiQUq2Ucy_zl5_1zsNNYi39xT_z5KRA6SFjq0wrdyAp0-/s4032/IMG_9291.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTHHHDdaYmylc6RV-7OptFQXyEqUqTSw3lUUv-sp84s4mhrnmbswROkUAoTaSY6TvNCJYXVU99KNcv7kTgepio6RI7bL6z1cJoyc2fBn-g5UTQzcrDeZ5GBXX9HM-Ox6IF7x6eKVW3fUbDa5IiQUq2Ucy_zl5_1zsNNYi39xT_z5KRA6SFjq0wrdyAp0-/s320/IMG_9291.jpeg" width="240" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since my last update we’ve had some visitors and outings, which are all still a rarity around here, but very welcome. If you are wondering, the voice issues are gone so I can talk almost like normal, and I’m very mobile, just not up for long walks or any hikes yet. But I did just walk out </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to feed the chickens </span><span style="font-family: arial;">on this sunny afternoon, and to check our rain gauge - 1.5” in this last storm over a couple of days. We welcome it! So for those postponing a phone call or visit, call, or let us know and we will make a plan. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On December 30, Alura, Stephan, Nico and Madeleine came for a visit. We hadn’t seen the whole family since August, due to our cruise, school, my hospitalization and recovery. So it was a wonderful time to have all four of them here. And Sarah and Gaige popped by to join in on the fun. My have the grandkids grown. Nico and Gaige are both 12, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Mads</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> is 9. And Nico is taller than me!!!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS75ihmT3rC6vdqHmoAY4qSrzcu7ji4MpRA-ehs9pSAU5qVGFfUo4OKW7l77nTI4QVwBkO6-Osk7meCH0k2-9yCDvgkX1XdZp7tGvBvvu9Y6wAyhOcx3ucns-v77ciC84TLjfvP-vnvWwYM6d2l9AX56D7MF8xNqgy0UrP-phgVnWD7D5Bn0jrVR4Vqw__/s4032/IMG_9263.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS75ihmT3rC6vdqHmoAY4qSrzcu7ji4MpRA-ehs9pSAU5qVGFfUo4OKW7l77nTI4QVwBkO6-Osk7meCH0k2-9yCDvgkX1XdZp7tGvBvvu9Y6wAyhOcx3ucns-v77ciC84TLjfvP-vnvWwYM6d2l9AX56D7MF8xNqgy0UrP-phgVnWD7D5Bn0jrVR4Vqw__/s320/IMG_9263.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5I78EkFEPq94ElOIUwgEVQWyeKkX-Le3we4JDf0b1SNPoSZKltBpuT2t6VUAay1BtdyQGPYqjBo6czfOQZn47Tf8eajA8PzKh0VlocAcPzivGxlysKrzCBsbCTf_u8YKLbFhqo0qLTNJsLkJkJmw99mvcbjpuclxM28b0mHgkyyrZ1O4QxfmqihPc7Wk/s4032/IMG_9271.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5I78EkFEPq94ElOIUwgEVQWyeKkX-Le3we4JDf0b1SNPoSZKltBpuT2t6VUAay1BtdyQGPYqjBo6czfOQZn47Tf8eajA8PzKh0VlocAcPzivGxlysKrzCBsbCTf_u8YKLbFhqo0qLTNJsLkJkJmw99mvcbjpuclxM28b0mHgkyyrZ1O4QxfmqihPc7Wk/s320/IMG_9271.jpeg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And Sarah and I had a lovely visit with Ada, Lucas & LilyBean. It was so nice to catch up and show them how well I’m doing. They are quite the world travelers so I am always thrilled when we can spend a bit of time together. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_-RMnakGlZg0SkT3GJq5NQpwNjfd86Huk7JkgG_LGCmnqFf2k7G60Utc8ZCoEHtYQJYARajDZuaATxh9gooZw9NVeda60HxLomUv9MUc-XP_9vgMPFEForA7UWfKEhgB4Psw5KD-enc1zDRBM5OxzIjIfifuaAQVq5hRhDTl_QzHGhBs_mrnHDCUIZVH/s4032/IMG_5828.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_-RMnakGlZg0SkT3GJq5NQpwNjfd86Huk7JkgG_LGCmnqFf2k7G60Utc8ZCoEHtYQJYARajDZuaATxh9gooZw9NVeda60HxLomUv9MUc-XP_9vgMPFEForA7UWfKEhgB4Psw5KD-enc1zDRBM5OxzIjIfifuaAQVq5hRhDTl_QzHGhBs_mrnHDCUIZVH/s320/IMG_5828.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We rarely do anything for New Year’s Eve, and rather choose to sit home and watch the ball drop on the TV and all the shenanigans there. But this year we had company in for a beautiful prime rib dinner that was gifted to Mark on Christmas by Sarah and Jeremy. So it only seemed befitting that they should come and share it with us on New Years Eve. Then a bit later that evening we drove down to our neighbors house and had a nice visit with them over a delicious homemade apple pie with ice cream and cookies; and champagne for those that could imbibe and some bubbly water with pomegranate juice for me. It was a perfect end to the year. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvei7isiMsnJNEIicCEpiWcOUTWSQJIkuP2oNEQwAyIherJ7PEuUnVpbb-D5Dk3Rg3RY-Lm7lk6-kAn6U5TnIlmjgo2mzS4GkdxyDDhoEmpziuG9uMDocMptHi81207YEH6bM1AF4YhfcSx6_DrHw36p09BSMcJNHBuYlRUF3GyGyS4TKjUs-0qh3T9GWb/s320/IMG_9279.jpeg" width="240" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The outside holiday decorations have been put away, and we’ve talked about doing the same inside, but haven’t gotten there yet. It’s always a bit different to view the house with all of the colorful red and green trinkets boxed away. I really don’t do seasonal decorating for any other time of the year, but Christmas is special. And it’s very noticeable afterwards. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here’s hoping you’ve all gotten off to a great start in the new year. It feels like we have. My energy level seems to increase every day and week. And things are looking so much brighter than they were a couple of months ago. Here’s to happy times for everyone everywhere, if it was only that easy. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;"><b>HAPPY NEW YEAR </b></span></i></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!<br /></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS75ihmT3rC6vdqHmoAY4qSrzcu7ji4MpRA-ehs9pSAU5qVGFfUo4OKW7l77nTI4QVwBkO6-Osk7meCH0k2-9yCDvgkX1XdZp7tGvBvvu9Y6wAyhOcx3ucns-v77ciC84TLjfvP-vnvWwYM6d2l9AX56D7MF8xNqgy0UrP-phgVnWD7D5Bn0jrVR4Vqw__/s4032/IMG_9263.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5I78EkFEPq94ElOIUwgEVQWyeKkX-Le3we4JDf0b1SNPoSZKltBpuT2t6VUAay1BtdyQGPYqjBo6czfOQZn47Tf8eajA8PzKh0VlocAcPzivGxlysKrzCBsbCTf_u8YKLbFhqo0qLTNJsLkJkJmw99mvcbjpuclxM28b0mHgkyyrZ1O4QxfmqihPc7Wk/s4032/IMG_9271.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-85577407770859663652023-12-29T16:02:00.000-08:002024-01-03T15:20:53.338-08:00HAPPY NEW YEAR<div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><u>12 Weeks Post Surgery</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I’ve reached a new milestone. And I’m happy and very grateful to be here. Thank you all for the love and support. This is not easy and is so different than what people realize until they see me in person. But don’t we all carry something that is challenging and makes us work harder and often wonder how we got here. One step after the other, one day after another. It’s what we do!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Holidays</u></b></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We had a lovely Christmas. Our grandson had his winter concert. He goes to Woodland Star, which relocated this past Fall to Dunbar campus, his grandpa, mom’s and aunts Alma Mayer. It was so fun to be back in the multi purpose room. Gaige is 12 and he was thoroughly surprised that we made it out for our first public outing. He got the car door for me and kept offering to help me into the gym. And the concert was wonderful. Then two days later my sister took me to a beautiful choir and bell choir performance and St Andrews church. Everyone was dressed so festive and the church is beautiful. Our eldest daughter was married there over 20 years ago. It felt great to get out and test drive what that was like and what it took to make it happen. I’m getting braver. </span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The next day, my sister Nancy, and her son Joshua, came to visit. She lives in Chico and Josh lives in Seattle. I hadn’t seen Nancy since being in the hospital and Josh for about five years, due to pandemic and such. We had a lovely visit. He is such a wonderful young man. </span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br style="font-family: -webkit-standard;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: -webkit-standard; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz6v8faZOfRK3oYxhQ3TjjypRyyOWIEkzyIQufxCJodJy9Hn_qHHJQXMcS39R277XMC_E89RRJ_5-4EyH5zgqcAkMEc5S70008i5wzSsvu9yKaNwgMrZedYYN8kbQm86YCeP5aga_NigMxi4SujdN5KVpP1e6n5nFlImnnGeYcTMyR5zIugLCHud93gn8/s4032/IMG_2190.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz6v8faZOfRK3oYxhQ3TjjypRyyOWIEkzyIQufxCJodJy9Hn_qHHJQXMcS39R277XMC_E89RRJ_5-4EyH5zgqcAkMEc5S70008i5wzSsvu9yKaNwgMrZedYYN8kbQm86YCeP5aga_NigMxi4SujdN5KVpP1e6n5nFlImnnGeYcTMyR5zIugLCHud93gn8/s320/IMG_2190.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">On Christmas Eve we welcomed daughters and their families for the day. Mark worked so hard to clean and prepare the house and cook a delicious ham and green beans, which Sarah complimented with Mac and cheese and a salad. My Christmas cookies made for an easy dessert. </span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We enjoyed each other during the afternoon, puzzling and playing chess, and then shared some gifts after dinner. It was a perfect day</span></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu9FX16RD3zQTUEIW9Lv672PgGAmph33mOAysAdCKRpsjqpKD9yTs70FuRa1bkEPLrZvOIKG7OODgog-PtX7sB8EVq11e1vgTvBuR2OyC6u61QG6CIlevGzMQTc9tE1b_i7Mctd4FBNBOGyA2yW4JEABMJfXVryD3mv-w8VLCI4Ob3xr9ZaXYTT2M6PTX/s4032/IMG_2160.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu9FX16RD3zQTUEIW9Lv672PgGAmph33mOAysAdCKRpsjqpKD9yTs70FuRa1bkEPLrZvOIKG7OODgog-PtX7sB8EVq11e1vgTvBuR2OyC6u61QG6CIlevGzMQTc9tE1b_i7Mctd4FBNBOGyA2yW4JEABMJfXVryD3mv-w8VLCI4Ob3xr9ZaXYTT2M6PTX/s320/IMG_2160.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUljVf2LfRMmNjq2UE8LX8zZC9vxMg6xtkGW1GZh8khIyNuboRSB6zb7lscE_rfZuO-8cqtUbFBUFV3GfOaYdXEJyXNW3vFoU32rFFDoSZo9LZu3JYGp5QmMWg_RqAjI25gkIM7zVX_bBl74cKZimu1uUdx_qZKtafvU4-mz6JtLOZqmQ52DZuMpxsqxp6/s4032/IMG_9194.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUljVf2LfRMmNjq2UE8LX8zZC9vxMg6xtkGW1GZh8khIyNuboRSB6zb7lscE_rfZuO-8cqtUbFBUFV3GfOaYdXEJyXNW3vFoU32rFFDoSZo9LZu3JYGp5QmMWg_RqAjI25gkIM7zVX_bBl74cKZimu1uUdx_qZKtafvU4-mz6JtLOZqmQ52DZuMpxsqxp6/s320/IMG_9194.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj1wwYUjEGlg0CpYzUb9xi9jP5fWJnDztRsISfxN2Fps8j4I4bZVvQ0n-V13BUa4O3G7s_F9PkRID6SOQQGD29EgUbHpSsBuLq5cLceI2Sxi8OOa3ATnYYyGnNpwhlBBeig_-MiLVKfT7Y5VCZiwEtu_vMZvfMxHDZ9wgJuLGsk843B6Edw3to45wf40K/s4032/IMG_9195.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsj1wwYUjEGlg0CpYzUb9xi9jP5fWJnDztRsISfxN2Fps8j4I4bZVvQ0n-V13BUa4O3G7s_F9PkRID6SOQQGD29EgUbHpSsBuLq5cLceI2Sxi8OOa3ATnYYyGnNpwhlBBeig_-MiLVKfT7Y5VCZiwEtu_vMZvfMxHDZ9wgJuLGsk843B6Edw3to45wf40K/s320/IMG_9195.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnY0iWOjows0t7pVLhwlCGlQE_q6ODx1kBHQ33hGcoPZ4BOtk1sVCDRxENjJu3NEIevSV7iVunfOg6lD3BDQ8QPyU3RNkZh7ea72T9QlONkuDq3L2rueC7aSS0PaTlu0IW4d-pwZfSHOEBL75r4qKSmj9oMceA8ZghsMd1CAqOKJkiC6NPW8tqHb_b0Pva/s4032/IMG_9197.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnY0iWOjows0t7pVLhwlCGlQE_q6ODx1kBHQ33hGcoPZ4BOtk1sVCDRxENjJu3NEIevSV7iVunfOg6lD3BDQ8QPyU3RNkZh7ea72T9QlONkuDq3L2rueC7aSS0PaTlu0IW4d-pwZfSHOEBL75r4qKSmj9oMceA8ZghsMd1CAqOKJkiC6NPW8tqHb_b0Pva/s320/IMG_9197.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Zs2CKpE192aKUizwhahmvKZpClfaZwx3SUXJKbPvKbgcz0GgEqeQh0PNffiPNrn-DaE_FhoBsnWP582EYBt53j37552LJRo6WRtxdn9UvM1I0Jb46CxnGjmECIQplpkDRRjSzbPCcdpKQKwTinDCBOlrHqd8-OFv8pdUIJW6Zo5KonuGFgSIl1wpDWL/s4032/IMG_9199.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10Zs2CKpE192aKUizwhahmvKZpClfaZwx3SUXJKbPvKbgcz0GgEqeQh0PNffiPNrn-DaE_FhoBsnWP582EYBt53j37552LJRo6WRtxdn9UvM1I0Jb46CxnGjmECIQplpkDRRjSzbPCcdpKQKwTinDCBOlrHqd8-OFv8pdUIJW6Zo5KonuGFgSIl1wpDWL/s320/IMG_9199.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I’ll close with a little insight into my new life… </span></div><div><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Betty Gets A Shower</u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>There is no secret that just about everything I do with Betty requires some extra steps from my normal life from before. And showering is probably</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> the biggest one. </span><div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">By the way, Betty is the name I have a given my LVAD.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But today Sarah came by specifically to help me, or observe that I was showering safely. The shower stall in our guest bathroom has been modified slightly to accommodate me and Betty - a grab bar, shower bench, and a removable shower head wand. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But before we can even turn the water on, there are several things that need to happen. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">1) Placing a special large clear and sticky plastic bandage (tagaderm) over the entire dressing and driveline entry point to make it waterproof. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">2) Moving the three LVAD (Betty) parts into a special waterproof bag, and strapping this over my shoulder and around my waist. Betty is attached to me with a driveline that goes in my belly and up to my heart, and is attached to me on the outside with two very adhesive anchors. These anchors are to prevent any damage to me or the LVAD should it be dropped or pulled on. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This special bandage covering and showering bag help to keep Betty safe from any water and damage, as she cannot be submerged. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So it takes work and planning and is not something I take lightly. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red;"><b>HAPPY NEW YEAR </b></span></i></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!<br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJird0_MFldwo9q2j79LEgmEjbnswgUkjJhOueScdZGM72fMYJ2GmxEcXC8I9MsVofz6u8nSGAxhbnST8eYdAkAP_K519lftU3_8sk96qX9oB8am884v9dC0B04V-_51Fzk17xDRBEVKaL2Pf5VbkfpmCva8czw4QWsgCbNl-Df9jV6vvDCn_wpsuj-DJ/s2052/IMG_2163.jpeg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="2052" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJird0_MFldwo9q2j79LEgmEjbnswgUkjJhOueScdZGM72fMYJ2GmxEcXC8I9MsVofz6u8nSGAxhbnST8eYdAkAP_K519lftU3_8sk96qX9oB8am884v9dC0B04V-_51Fzk17xDRBEVKaL2Pf5VbkfpmCva8czw4QWsgCbNl-Df9jV6vvDCn_wpsuj-DJ/s320/IMG_2163.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-48831695861706523092023-12-13T17:59:00.000-08:002023-12-29T15:29:44.277-08:00Christmas is Coming & Good Progress Since LVAD Implant Surgery<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">December 13th marks two months home since my LVAD implant surgery. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The Christmas tree is up and decorated. Snow globes from nearly every year of our marriage are out on display on the mantle. The knitted gnomes have come to the living room to join us for the holidays. And a few other decorations are out. Some decorations were left back this year, but the house is festive and I’m happy. And we have big blowup gnomes in the yard, plus our large lighted wreath is back on the gate as of today. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQE27LpmXnVrOVswPhO47_xxQH7MyiLDXMZZaR5pa45dlRMSYK83f4Qi8d6zDUiB-2vf50cTznE1c5E1PosQzFtssMyxxe5e6s0DD0QSIVtEn1RtIVi2HGdLOjOLW-VqdMyaFhR-KiBJcspp7beyH_V4sSq6fp_NSlyLG40SVVg6CVFJaFyIGtwqXwKCY/s4032/72384852469__B148FB74-DE99-4D29-BB7A-3F201D4E968C.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQE27LpmXnVrOVswPhO47_xxQH7MyiLDXMZZaR5pa45dlRMSYK83f4Qi8d6zDUiB-2vf50cTznE1c5E1PosQzFtssMyxxe5e6s0DD0QSIVtEn1RtIVi2HGdLOjOLW-VqdMyaFhR-KiBJcspp7beyH_V4sSq6fp_NSlyLG40SVVg6CVFJaFyIGtwqXwKCY/s320/72384852469__B148FB74-DE99-4D29-BB7A-3F201D4E968C.HEIC" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cQWsvrIsQj1_hrLRe7Oe7mDk7J5u1hbo3QOUTz_YFwTUFd1PtBa798Doo2Nx1J9QPSIB2RogIX9mfvXzbejcyQ3M7DswZhPn7VIHUOMM6MgppXxvEpNKCXTQodZR7TEd9ACNa5IeLM7lBBDG3vx4PFPuVeC0-6pMMfZjJfcQaSRK0xyapUcMdy0DjKBN/s4032/IMG_9071.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cQWsvrIsQj1_hrLRe7Oe7mDk7J5u1hbo3QOUTz_YFwTUFd1PtBa798Doo2Nx1J9QPSIB2RogIX9mfvXzbejcyQ3M7DswZhPn7VIHUOMM6MgppXxvEpNKCXTQodZR7TEd9ACNa5IeLM7lBBDG3vx4PFPuVeC0-6pMMfZjJfcQaSRK0xyapUcMdy0DjKBN/s320/IMG_9071.heic" width="240" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2YSS-K0I5DNMnlGV_Lsd50zAu-Md0bfwP9k_mldsf0rvhFxshWRXYJs4wfd2h056g4BF7TvMcU_ThU_jbvHsqYE7n67XwoURMvNNVcxDBFuzu9La142OSMWw4hwD8zHlqzAMDpUKtKR3BLSJcPd38_QB09MudBAabAGHgUkd1RPHyZsEXcwmwL72NSQc/s2872/IMG_9072.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMjrr8PhtX4iiV9YuffZJQqysQWy8Zjz5WatTEWHvdZECrEgqKQ7P5tfWajqq_SKZdi_kuCA6ELtonUuAhWQdh80FsPzttJ89DcouCFAk7pW-_Bdn1OZbw5fDNLtpPLifUxQvpKleX_19I6rNQh7F0jIpqeYnPYqqbTvCioWCu0267QG7EchFEJxjUS86/s4032/IMG_9066.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMjrr8PhtX4iiV9YuffZJQqysQWy8Zjz5WatTEWHvdZECrEgqKQ7P5tfWajqq_SKZdi_kuCA6ELtonUuAhWQdh80FsPzttJ89DcouCFAk7pW-_Bdn1OZbw5fDNLtpPLifUxQvpKleX_19I6rNQh7F0jIpqeYnPYqqbTvCioWCu0267QG7EchFEJxjUS86/w400-h300/IMG_9066.jpeg" width="400" /> </a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53ggxD7bcKimKLIaJ71WGw-cUlvIvSZPPPNFnhaPeJ4KMR4lMoFd7tCzCw06bxKvQhH6RPCeOdfxraevX327TqvaxqwaaJWgUo4gxj1rktQrjCIPWleeKpuwWlBkt4JwfCV42qn8ciNH_PXQ94R79kQ5TwwPdgaN6QdeFYJBl2rsmGFP4iHoZaLxUT_Hs/s3238/IMG_8970.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3238" data-original-width="2606" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53ggxD7bcKimKLIaJ71WGw-cUlvIvSZPPPNFnhaPeJ4KMR4lMoFd7tCzCw06bxKvQhH6RPCeOdfxraevX327TqvaxqwaaJWgUo4gxj1rktQrjCIPWleeKpuwWlBkt4JwfCV42qn8ciNH_PXQ94R79kQ5TwwPdgaN6QdeFYJBl2rsmGFP4iHoZaLxUT_Hs/s320/IMG_8970.jpeg" width="258" /></a></div><div> </div><div> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I
saw my local cardiologist in Santa Rosa last week and drove in
to that appointment for the first time, with Mark as my passenger. After
not driving for over 2 months, it felt fine. I have since driven one
other time to my sis' house so she could drive me into SF for my checkup.. WOOHOO!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Whenever
I leave the house, I bring along my LVAD go bag, which is basically a
duplicate of all the exterior components of my Heartmate III LVAD - two
large batteries, and a controller, all connected by a cable. This is
required wherever I go in case of any alarm or malfunction of my
original equipment or batteries, which would only last 15 minutes without the Go Bag
Backup. It is packed in what looks like an overnight bag. Both are heavy for me. And often awkward to manage. But considering I am still here to deal with it, it is all doable. But I have my days, I tell you. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTueAko71WIu1Oz9cgyTtQAFrzOa8SEABRD_K9z1GGMcxA2lJYdT_IVu3xPKmzV_pYp9ZAwrojRUPpYgPF84GU1etHXYxJosUOAnURMOGouqE3DFUGtbArnXnhvewITzrvTg0MDgUQ2f12-N2XArSyKBY44g3jxWSakETd9oEnxcPkYY3hWGO44VAaSahP/s4032/72375840809__474C5F35-7B6F-4CF6-A7B4-DF37721047A6.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTueAko71WIu1Oz9cgyTtQAFrzOa8SEABRD_K9z1GGMcxA2lJYdT_IVu3xPKmzV_pYp9ZAwrojRUPpYgPF84GU1etHXYxJosUOAnURMOGouqE3DFUGtbArnXnhvewITzrvTg0MDgUQ2f12-N2XArSyKBY44g3jxWSakETd9oEnxcPkYY3hWGO44VAaSahP/s320/72375840809__474C5F35-7B6F-4CF6-A7B4-DF37721047A6.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrlOLwozZwBtY1ZsNhgBq1OnXpbinIrnY9g-7aEA3MwiE7Umme7XIs8G_S35bq5MI0zmDG7Bv0MnPPVvWk4FC3NMcxtoR28P9V4q6Jr2OT_yf-8K80RveHr0vSe4hajlEpvFIOSYVzfdVIPZ_pEjEHOZp_CuotWlTa-jUZccG-K44vM1-5XgqwHfHFHSz/s4032/72375842782__CE8A76EC-E383-436A-9F7C-FAD18E71A711.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrlOLwozZwBtY1ZsNhgBq1OnXpbinIrnY9g-7aEA3MwiE7Umme7XIs8G_S35bq5MI0zmDG7Bv0MnPPVvWk4FC3NMcxtoR28P9V4q6Jr2OT_yf-8K80RveHr0vSe4hajlEpvFIOSYVzfdVIPZ_pEjEHOZp_CuotWlTa-jUZccG-K44vM1-5XgqwHfHFHSz/s320/72375842782__CE8A76EC-E383-436A-9F7C-FAD18E71A711.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><i>The LVAD controller and two batteries, all connected together, and then connected to me at all times by a driveline inserted into my belly. The driveline then continues inside me to my heart and is attached to my left ventricle. We have 4 extra batteries on charger at all times.</i> <br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I don't think I've shared the equipment on the Blog yet. When I mention "awkward" above, think about a heavy purse that is attached to you ALWAYS. It goes with you to the toilet, bed, shower, on your lap in the car, always there either over your shoulder, around your waist, or sitting on your lap when you feel comfortable with it there and won't be moving for awhile. This helps to take some of the pressure off your shoulder or neck. Even though all these things together weigh only a little over 5 lbs, it is not easy to take everywhere, with barely 2' between the equipment and where it is attached to me. But it is doable. We've been searching all over for the right bag or fanny pack. The one that came with the LVAD is not my preferred. I'll probably end up with a few different options eventually.</span><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I
finally took my first shower. Don’t worry, I have a bidet at home and
have been taking sponge baths. I have probably already mentioned that an
LVAD and water do not mix. I cannot swim or submerge into water, which
also means no showering without taking extra special precautions. I
finally received the “ok” to shower and got the details as to how that
happens. I use a very large Tagaderm bandage to cover the dressing where
my driveline enters my body by several inches. It’s probably about 6 x
8“ and covers the dressing very well so that no water would get to that
area. Then there is a separate shower bag where all of my equipment goes
into, and it has an extra flap over the top that clips down and makes it
fairly waterproof. The other part that made me very uneasy was just
using the shower with the LVAD around my waist or over my shoulder or
attached to me as it must be 24 seven. I cannot fall, or there could be
major implications, so I need to be very careful. Mark installed a
handheld shower head, and we got a shower stool from my sister; and just
took it one step at a time. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sarah was very careful to help me figure out how to make it happen. And I took another one today. Progress! </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So
I have to get up the nerve to do that a little more frequently so it
becomes second nature. It’s amazing what we take for granted on a daily
basis. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Last Thursday Christine drove me to my UCSF appointment to check on the incision over my ICD. Thankfully they removed the 12 metal staples and replaced them with steri-strips. We made a fun outing out of it, lunch out and hitting a few spots looking for that ever elusize LVAD bag. While at my appointment, my surgeon, Dr Jason Smith, mentioned he too had heard there is a new Heartmate LVAD in the works, which will be smaller, have a longer battery life on the controller, and will have one auxiliary battery which will be more like the size of 2 iphones sandwiched together, rather than the 2 large ones I have, and shown here. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Although it may take until 2025 to be ready for patients. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But this is still such exciting news. It had been rumored in an LVAD Facebook group, but when I asked at my last appointment, UCSF was not aware of it. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVzrd88V3E_tnzmpnlhnZjlz9yYKRHnYdbqWDasb022mG_HjPKCHfitbsIACNvPN4zOZvFfkVM_pCzS2Xx_Drwg3CfUY6f2JhGoqYzYixL05lF6D4DB7XvZddykw3dcGFiIFO0xbDGvppc7EsQXzS43Eq2VAKgI51t4edCS9nsoDCIfUioj4mGdRD3Loy/s918/IMG_9039.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="719" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVzrd88V3E_tnzmpnlhnZjlz9yYKRHnYdbqWDasb022mG_HjPKCHfitbsIACNvPN4zOZvFfkVM_pCzS2Xx_Drwg3CfUY6f2JhGoqYzYixL05lF6D4DB7XvZddykw3dcGFiIFO0xbDGvppc7EsQXzS43Eq2VAKgI51t4edCS9nsoDCIfUioj4mGdRD3Loy/s320/IMG_9039.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>UCSF - I guess something funny happened.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And we stopped at Dillon Land on Grove Street near her home before finishing off our day. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">We had fun seeing all the lighted displays and little ones running around and having a blast.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDGozC9AQkkx1LSnwBHWqepPzG7SCr9bbOUrwr61Q5IxfviwBMhpJCDVzT9uZdrfSvjRprmzLkakuDAHsW4bWif1ZVHqqLxqLLbrR1N4q-vqbgts3Mu-IIHdcjoaQW_xU-oEfCyf3AUHAEMSUZcldltB9QiJMFzQ7EFrjd3dppdUxJjVCWyb0DM6crFcw/s3003/IMG_5554.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3003" data-original-width="2808" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDGozC9AQkkx1LSnwBHWqepPzG7SCr9bbOUrwr61Q5IxfviwBMhpJCDVzT9uZdrfSvjRprmzLkakuDAHsW4bWif1ZVHqqLxqLLbrR1N4q-vqbgts3Mu-IIHdcjoaQW_xU-oEfCyf3AUHAEMSUZcldltB9QiJMFzQ7EFrjd3dppdUxJjVCWyb0DM6crFcw/w299-h320/IMG_5554.heic" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dillon Land<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It was a cold walk though, since my jacket doesn't zip around the LVAD, and jacket is too long to wear LVAD over it. So I may be doing some clothing alteration as well. <br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Well, I've made a few simple meals, done a bit of laundry, and baked some scones and cookies. So I'ts happening -- I'm adjusting. I have pretty good energy, considering. Mind you I wont be climbing any hills or doing long walks. Heck, standing in the kitchen to bake cookies wears me out. But I'm a long way from where I was on October 13th.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lastly, I thought you might like to see the visitor that walked through the property last week. One very healthy bobcat. It was a beauty and headed towards a flock of wild turkeys. I wonder if it found dinner. </span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjixPTZIql75ubozG6uj0HejZPixgeUxMHqtrKmi-iYIxSG9YEMhkoqqCVJTvZxhJK6m5H9UuYX-dLDqsHSsf48Ozxfi3l41iEirr0Am5FBSLxITbV4RwUPxs6Db1VZ_b2DMkkPFZ9JUX006SIRP1GomjWmvVUCjhY9OhViFEqOEjDq3SGhUX4I8Y8hIh/s4032/IMG_2439.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjixPTZIql75ubozG6uj0HejZPixgeUxMHqtrKmi-iYIxSG9YEMhkoqqCVJTvZxhJK6m5H9UuYX-dLDqsHSsf48Ozxfi3l41iEirr0Am5FBSLxITbV4RwUPxs6Db1VZ_b2DMkkPFZ9JUX006SIRP1GomjWmvVUCjhY9OhViFEqOEjDq3SGhUX4I8Y8hIh/s320/IMG_2439.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, that's what I've been up to. I hope you are all well and enjoying family and this holiday season. Looks like we have some much needed rain coming and we welcome it. Take good care and check in when you can. I don't get out much yet, but I am mobile and just need to plan a little ahead to make it happen.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Always look for the bright side. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2YSS-K0I5DNMnlGV_Lsd50zAu-Md0bfwP9k_mldsf0rvhFxshWRXYJs4wfd2h056g4BF7TvMcU_ThU_jbvHsqYE7n67XwoURMvNNVcxDBFuzu9La142OSMWw4hwD8zHlqzAMDpUKtKR3BLSJcPd38_QB09MudBAabAGHgUkd1RPHyZsEXcwmwL72NSQc/s2872/IMG_9072.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2788" data-original-width="2872" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2YSS-K0I5DNMnlGV_Lsd50zAu-Md0bfwP9k_mldsf0rvhFxshWRXYJs4wfd2h056g4BF7TvMcU_ThU_jbvHsqYE7n67XwoURMvNNVcxDBFuzu9La142OSMWw4hwD8zHlqzAMDpUKtKR3BLSJcPd38_QB09MudBAabAGHgUkd1RPHyZsEXcwmwL72NSQc/w320-h310/IMG_9072.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">& </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Happy Holidays </span></i><br /></div><div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Hugs, Debbie ... Living my best life!<br /></span></div><div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-80923125959065111512023-11-29T12:55:00.000-08:002023-12-10T13:26:34.299-08:002 Months Out from LVAD Surgery<div>It’s hard to believe that it’s been a full two months come tomorrow, November 29th, since LVAD surgery, and my life (our lives) changed pretty drastically. Although without the LVAD, it would’ve changed even more drastically. I realize this every day when I am down. And my family does too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I/We have much to be thankful for. </i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div>Thanksgiving was quiet, and very different. But it was fine considering how Mark and I were still “treading water” to get a handle on our new lives. But we had a nice visit from Sarah and family to deliver us a meal from Whole Foods, which was quite delicious and plenty to enjoy. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlSpndyqSTYOOYhT6fxvA2kNOg6gNHmXe3JF-clZEBwCEJ7LWctkym6JZIQ5vCKAw0jZJieTvJ36EIgApRPemyvy-f6EUI23pSjSAm6r9AOOBZ2f4Bs9QKOI8W5uRkpdEtXw_nT5f9Bo6fCckVHdqecgFxLYbBcxY22JzTQXtwHIptoc6To6hP8Q0Y_9i/s4032/IMG_8946.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlSpndyqSTYOOYhT6fxvA2kNOg6gNHmXe3JF-clZEBwCEJ7LWctkym6JZIQ5vCKAw0jZJieTvJ36EIgApRPemyvy-f6EUI23pSjSAm6r9AOOBZ2f4Bs9QKOI8W5uRkpdEtXw_nT5f9Bo6fCckVHdqecgFxLYbBcxY22JzTQXtwHIptoc6To6hP8Q0Y_9i/s320/IMG_8946.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a lovely visit with friends on Friday. And then Alura came over on Saturday and Sarah was here too. They helped me put half of the dahlia beds to bed for the winter, which was a huge relief. Actually, they took care of it all once I gave them some direction. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPYW11P7mYycVoV6exzkHA_qNvtJ0oml1MvutYasHjVLPDNhvYGGunpvC-ddzBWXmFtNzY81spwVlpt7gJKBS_C5lUceFxyrlmiEQaBS0y0KhyphenhyphenOVGoFHC8EFzr9AhUczcMSg7ShJTj1cmLU3R4uEbhMaJNKsctvqk9NasljHYroO4wLNVQnyJ1RVbK7OT/s4032/IMG_8948.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPYW11P7mYycVoV6exzkHA_qNvtJ0oml1MvutYasHjVLPDNhvYGGunpvC-ddzBWXmFtNzY81spwVlpt7gJKBS_C5lUceFxyrlmiEQaBS0y0KhyphenhyphenOVGoFHC8EFzr9AhUczcMSg7ShJTj1cmLU3R4uEbhMaJNKsctvqk9NasljHYroO4wLNVQnyJ1RVbK7OT/w320-h240/IMG_8948.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Recently I’ve graduated from a few things ~ I’m finally able to sleep in bed rather than in the recliner, and Home Health has assessed that I no longer need Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy. The nurse will continue to come to the house for labs once a week. I have some exercises I do daily to help strengthen my legs, lungs and heart. And I need to get out and walk in the yard daily. I’m very slow and don’t go far, but each day is a little better. AND, the problems with my voice and throat are much improved. It’s not back to normal, but better. </div><div> </div><div>I will also have the opportunity for Cardiac PT at a gym, where my exercise is supervised by someone who knows what they are doing, I presume. I guess I'll learn more about that when the time comes. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Today I saw my PCP to follow up on my thyroid, which was out of whack last we checked. The nurses and aids were so intrigued with the sound from my heart and pump, that they brought in 2 others to listen. People are always surprised. I’m the attention getter.😃</div><div><br /></div><div>The holidays are upon us and we’re a bit slow to get our Ho, Ho, Ho on. No family gathering this year with my siblings, etc. But we will gather our daughters and their families on Christmas Eve. We’re just not ready for more yet. I’m hoping to get out and see the Sonoma plaza lights soon, even if it is only from the car. And if I do get out and walk around, it'll be a good test to see how far I can walk. Mark did swap out the Fall flags around the property to Christmas/Holiday themed. And we talked about doing a bit more soon. </div><div> </div><div>Here's hoping you have love and family around you this holiday. And remember, as I tell myself, things could be much worse, and I am improving daily, even if by tiny increments. <br /></div><div><br /></div>Hugs, Debbie... aka the warrior AND survivor <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">WE WILL WIN! </span></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-31612050968210564082023-11-22T22:15:00.000-08:002023-11-29T13:06:55.952-08:007 Weeks, New Surgery, Alarms & Pies, oh my. <div>November 22nd marked the seven week anniversary of my new heart via LVAD surgery. And I think I can finally say that every day is progress to more independence and strength. The down days where I am wondering if I ever will improve or get back to being as active as I was, are looking more hopeful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last Thursday I had my 6 week follow up and first visit back to UCSF. Mark, Sarah and I met with both the head of the cardiac LVAD department and my surgeon, as well as Silvie, one of the the NPs in charge of me and all LVAD patients. They are on a 24/7 hotline available to us and we talk or text nearly every day. Especially right after taking vitals to see which meds need to be changed, as there are almost daily changes at this stage of the game. They were all very pleased with my progress and gave lots of encouragement. </div><div> </div><div>Two of the many things we covered was a more comfortable vest to wear when going out and about. The current bag I wear is a cross-body sling over one shoulder and around my neck, it is heavy, even though it is only 5+ pounds, and has me hunched over allot. Silvie sent a different one out for me to try, which arrived a few days later. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7C8rMMXlFC47mcg2lcl_tUc-nmP1szThsISQbv3-qO0LbIX5Fa9dR5ZD90mCrrpF1fpCv6V50JN73FxvV-jgOXHclERNDUTACTSpkWkQfbwnXxAEmOwLsmR-vbrTJK1VPo-zx4TD0cQqp8EigSb5o5K5BvrW2KZDlBlNZ9LZshLJmHtmyuaDq25uD9kZ/s3275/IMG_2384.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3275" data-original-width="3022" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7C8rMMXlFC47mcg2lcl_tUc-nmP1szThsISQbv3-qO0LbIX5Fa9dR5ZD90mCrrpF1fpCv6V50JN73FxvV-jgOXHclERNDUTACTSpkWkQfbwnXxAEmOwLsmR-vbrTJK1VPo-zx4TD0cQqp8EigSb5o5K5BvrW2KZDlBlNZ9LZshLJmHtmyuaDq25uD9kZ/s320/IMG_2384.jpeg" width="295" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the suggested vests. I may use part of it.</div><div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEuSvZA3WRiHtUqFda6NRv0jt92IfleTZe9FgwaIuQYB3Y9w-sCfTIJp66tBbxvpz6UHhf6rmu3C6CrNefUN5P2JKAxBxLSXfcEnWkyAq-9LxsO1pCdYCHsLZ2u_TtayAOU8ChjOuFQxs-O8SwqWNraGitvJadwz449Zba0bKwJeRfTJtTpjg0lSUu80F/s4032/IMG_8952.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEuSvZA3WRiHtUqFda6NRv0jt92IfleTZe9FgwaIuQYB3Y9w-sCfTIJp66tBbxvpz6UHhf6rmu3C6CrNefUN5P2JKAxBxLSXfcEnWkyAq-9LxsO1pCdYCHsLZ2u_TtayAOU8ChjOuFQxs-O8SwqWNraGitvJadwz449Zba0bKwJeRfTJtTpjg0lSUu80F/w218-h290/IMG_8952.jpeg" width="218" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>All the stuff that stays with me 24/7, basically it is attached through my belly - the controller sits in the front of my waist and is attached to my heart and is connected to the pump through a drive line that goes into my belly, the two batteries to keep everything running are what you see on either side of me.<br /></i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI-DvVF8Rq7ZlStOZjD179wKjT_gSibdLFguSP66eXQoeLBTKd52Nx7dW2oYGX_MNSgaMt-ajMoyJC31s5srsNtsb0U6AqyZ4Aj2qOvfT7VWaK3OxaXRqBKwlWA2K_z-V7cfKmj3gSAkZ7vpg_FQU8JjO-hj_N55dGAlCWvBZmwUZWj4P4AyOWnISxRCw/s4032/IMG_8955.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI-DvVF8Rq7ZlStOZjD179wKjT_gSibdLFguSP66eXQoeLBTKd52Nx7dW2oYGX_MNSgaMt-ajMoyJC31s5srsNtsb0U6AqyZ4Aj2qOvfT7VWaK3OxaXRqBKwlWA2K_z-V7cfKmj3gSAkZ7vpg_FQU8JjO-hj_N55dGAlCWvBZmwUZWj4P4AyOWnISxRCw/s320/IMG_8955.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This is that same vest with an over sweater. My perfect solution would be to find something that will fit under my clothing so you don’t see these cords, I don’t look like a football player, or whatever you see here. Obviously, this one is not going to work. I about wet my pants when I looked in the mirror. Both girls were with me, and they did the same. LOL</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The other important topic was the small open area of the incision over the ICD. During my LVD surgery, surgeons had opened up the incision that was from 9/18/23 ICD generator replacement because they were concerned there may be some infection. Which there was not. But a small area a bit larger than 1/4” was still open these 6 weeks later, so it needed attention. This meant another surgery on November 21st. And we had to be in SF by 6:30 am. What an early start! But surgery went well and I now have a gruesome 3” incision with 12 metal stables. It almost resembles braces. </div><div> </div><div>But then, on the way home we heard an alarm we thought was from the LVAD. So we pulled over but could not determine what the alarm was for and it had stopped. Then at 11am, and every 4 hours for the next 24 hours, an alarm sounded from my ICD that sounded like one of those European ambulance/police tones, (hi-lo) only muffled since it came from inside of me! After a few phone calls, I was able to see my local Santa Rosa Cardiologist the next morning since he manages the ICD. They said all looked fine and turned off the alarm. So who knows what it was. There was suspicion that it was from surgery. Apparently they use a magnet over an ICD in surgery to prevent the medical team from getting shocked should one occur. Then it resets after. That was an interesting experiece, <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>After all that, thankfully I found time to make a couple of pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving for us and to share. And we had visits from my sister and niece. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, it was a good week. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>🦃 HAPPY THANKSIVING 🦃</b></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I/We have much to be thankful for. </b></div></span></div><div><br /></div>Hugs, Debbie... aka the warrior AND survivor <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. </div><div>WE WILL WIN! </div></div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-24088790150337996382023-11-16T08:10:00.000-08:002023-11-16T08:26:32.316-08:005 Week AnniversaryFive week anniversary since LVAD implantation. <div><br /></div><div>2 steps forward, 1 step back. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKuTfw5SFJ8MuUYjMy1cEqLap8Fpu-Z-jhd_BvG6NlWVFKT88-XTGpKsBQr5lqJBnGeTsFhvpb8ZDWA-DVg61jGk32egwg49POc1DdQJSukFIp380s7lNuHsl3aCyuqAyAFkfpytHt5p2SuTxmYMi25iaua4cMLRanIT1_4YLOm99vUFi94mN-TDXOFQp/s4032/IMG_8892.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKuTfw5SFJ8MuUYjMy1cEqLap8Fpu-Z-jhd_BvG6NlWVFKT88-XTGpKsBQr5lqJBnGeTsFhvpb8ZDWA-DVg61jGk32egwg49POc1DdQJSukFIp380s7lNuHsl3aCyuqAyAFkfpytHt5p2SuTxmYMi25iaua4cMLRanIT1_4YLOm99vUFi94mN-TDXOFQp/s320/IMG_8892.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast of champions, oatmeal, loads of pills, and a belly injection to get my blood coagulation back on track. I am on blood thinners and there is a fine balance to keep it right for the LVAD to prevent clotting. Some green leafy foods can throw it off. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This week has been challenging. It’s hard doing anything. The mind is there- I get up and out of my chair very easily now., move around the house without a walker (not outside though). But I am so labored and winded when I get to where I’m going. Kinda takes all the wind out of my sails. </div><div><br /></div><div>I did water the orchids that had been neglected for a couple of months, and planted an amaryllis that arrived yesterday. And my Christmas cactus is starting to bloom. That felt good, but still so inconsequential. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another positive improvement is at the follow up visit with the ENT yesterday was a good one. She says my vocal cords are looking healthy and everything in my throat. I do have some mucus in there and that’s causing me to want to cough. So she gave me antihistamine spray for my nose. Basically, she said that every time I cough my vocal cords slam together and get irritated so that I want to continue to cough even when I shouldn’t or don’t need to. So I’m to refrain from coughing at all costs, and I am not to whisper, because that also weakens your vocal cords. Usually when there is mucous, I feel the need to cough or whisper unless I’m continually sipping water or sucking on a cough drop. Eating a snack or meal helps a lot too because it pushes everything down and clears out the channels, so to speak. </div><div><br /></div><div>We got home and things seemed very calm for a while and then at bedtime it seemed like I had a constant urge to cough and went through about 8 to 10 cough drops. Finally, I got to sleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I am sleeping so much better. My watch says I got eight hours of sleep Tuesday night. I don’t know how accurate it is since I really don’t have a pulse with an LVAD, and not much else works on my watch anymore, but I’ll take it and be pleased with that number.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday is a big day - our first follow up visit at UCSF since I left there nearly five weeks ago. We have two one-hour appointments (my surgeon, Dr. Smith, and then the head doctor of the MCS team, Dr. Aras). Plus an echo. Sarah, Mark and I are anxious to see what they have to say. </div><div><br /></div><div>So you might wonder why I say this week has been challenging. I am happy to be here, and alive, and have my beautiful family here supporting me. But I’m usually a fairly active person out in the garden, baking, doing things around the house. All those things are very challenging now. It’s just not possible right now. I can take a walk out there, and maybe I should do that right now to get in a few steps and a little fresh air. And I know it will come back sooner or later, or at least I sure hope it will. So I’m trying to be my usual positive self </div><div><br /></div><div>I look forward to hearing from anyone that would like to reach out via text or email or even a phone call. I sometimes can’t talk for long, but I will let you know if that’s the case. Meanwhile, stay tuned for further updates and holiday shenanigans. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hugs, Debbie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizz-_koXk3NNRbI7X272fRJDPt7F_ESZcpNIjfVoB1s5cNEZFyKdOHlKl3WoTlHv4wP3rHnZobHiSMMm2ckkBqAVCFY6GwoceQH_ktse677UVDBJNh7nUyV4ZnEDxDxGnIw0UYr30Zb6V4lyzWT7fLyJ-CVBSZITynKqozqSwC1FF0HqUm5fumOhcwMqJZ/s2492/IMG_8859.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2492" data-original-width="1348" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizz-_koXk3NNRbI7X272fRJDPt7F_ESZcpNIjfVoB1s5cNEZFyKdOHlKl3WoTlHv4wP3rHnZobHiSMMm2ckkBqAVCFY6GwoceQH_ktse677UVDBJNh7nUyV4ZnEDxDxGnIw0UYr30Zb6V4lyzWT7fLyJ-CVBSZITynKqozqSwC1FF0HqUm5fumOhcwMqJZ/s320/IMG_8859.jpeg" width="173" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haven’t found the right under garments yet to wear the LVAD. This vest they provided , in addition to the purse like shoulder bag, is just not making it for me. Doesn’t feel good and I think it looks ridiculous.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. </div><div style="text-align: center;">WE WILL WIN! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-81353137997451979062023-11-07T12:02:00.000-08:002023-11-07T12:02:35.061-08:00LVAD - ALL THE GORY DETAILS<div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">LVAD - ALL THE GORY DETAILS, should you read on…</span></b></div><div>(Spoiler alert: <i>not really gory at all</i>) 😃 </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p>I write this on Halloween October 31, 2023. (Updated 11/5/23)</p><p>WHAT A MONTH! Or couple of months. </p><div><br /></div><div>This did not come on overnight. Most of you know I was diagnosed with CHF in 2013. While at that time it was very scary, through excellent care of cardiologist from Santa Risa Memorial and Stanford; and a few months of dialing in meds and getting an ICD, things went somewhat smoothly till now. (Well there was another cancer diagnosis in 2016, but that's another story you can find here in the archives). </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rJtgDgFMDl-ImO8E5OSXOBQPHQnuUjBnthKtX1CUmnT3EcFB2Uz2MVYF8zTdZxzTOxiH9-DGul2FLm8qOyM1m6Xx7qdaOlJdLMajH54p8S5EPrOPTStbmxZtKRB7eYt-ljxnsciuxDO7tY1BDTdXkx5iUMVNHmO9GX2_2kjPKCvqUWBnYtCbEiwQQ147/s4032/IMG_1915.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rJtgDgFMDl-ImO8E5OSXOBQPHQnuUjBnthKtX1CUmnT3EcFB2Uz2MVYF8zTdZxzTOxiH9-DGul2FLm8qOyM1m6Xx7qdaOlJdLMajH54p8S5EPrOPTStbmxZtKRB7eYt-ljxnsciuxDO7tY1BDTdXkx5iUMVNHmO9GX2_2kjPKCvqUWBnYtCbEiwQQ147/s320/IMG_1915.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Before it all got crazy.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I mean I wasn’t about to climb Kilimanjaro or anything. But on fairly even terrain, or even a slight incline, I could keep up. We enjoyed life, family, friends, camping, gardening, you name it.</div><div><br /></div><div>After all, we both turned 70 this year AND celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary! 🎉 And we decided to take our first cruise ever and see what that was all about. 10 days aboard the Ruby Princess, SF to Alaska including the inland passage with some port stops and fun excursions. We even talked seasoned-cruising friends into joining us, although it didn’t take much. </div><div><br /></div><div>So when I seemed a little less energetic come August before the cruise, it didn’t alarm me, or docs. I really didn’t notice anything. I was getting all my follow up visits and had my appointments for the ICD generator replacement, which was expected and normal at 10 years. </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #04ff00;">Then 2.5 days before returning to SF on the Ruby, IT HIT — THE.DREADED.COVID.</b></span> 😱</div><div><br /></div><div>Family and friends had sheltered me those 3.5 years to keep me safe with all my vulnerabilities. We stayed home, allowed no one in, had things delivered, got all our vaccines, only saw family when it was very safe, ate thanksgiving outside. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess you can’t escape it forever, I couldn’t. But thankfully we know so much more now. So we quarantined in our sweet cabin with balcony on the ship. I had a mild fever for a couple days and was very winded. I was so thrilled to get home. I tested positive for 12 days. Mark stayed well even though he did not isolate from me, since we had been in close quarters at the onset.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I got an infected tooth so went on antibiotics until I was safe to be seen at dentist. An old root canal failed and needed to be redone. Once antibiotics resolved the pain I opted to give it time. </div><div><br /></div><div>One thing lead to another and September disappeared. By about the 15th, I felt so crappy. I kept waiting for it to pass. By Friday 9/22, which just happened to be eldest daughters 50th birthday, I told Mark I couldn’t do it on my own anymore. He texted my amazing cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Dhar, who immediately replied he was at SRMemorial ED, to come there and he would meet me. That next morning we told our daughters where we were and they joined us. By Saturday evening, I was riding backwards in a brand new Mercedes Ambulance en route to UCSF Cardiac Care. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6COwOl1hvvKPWrJBMcv0wAx1U6JLRee1yxOMb2ykf8bVfc2gudXVTr2ZiBA3uqhyphenhyphencbthuZ5q6FmUe1DreUn3JhArKrjuqvvuXGn8yAnaTB4V5znIAxAv98Xif9LPNZ_om1_IFhJbIEZ6dJqi4SUFNWyeN2dnJj75Sd0KbRUmbYxXz85963R2Axa1lJpHP/s4032/IMG_8582.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6COwOl1hvvKPWrJBMcv0wAx1U6JLRee1yxOMb2ykf8bVfc2gudXVTr2ZiBA3uqhyphenhyphencbthuZ5q6FmUe1DreUn3JhArKrjuqvvuXGn8yAnaTB4V5znIAxAv98Xif9LPNZ_om1_IFhJbIEZ6dJqi4SUFNWyeN2dnJj75Sd0KbRUmbYxXz85963R2Axa1lJpHP/s320/IMG_8582.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My amazing daughters with me almost daily. Alura sitting in rounds for me with docs, asking questions, calling early every morning to my nurse for an update. Sarah bringing me Fudge on my first day, with a visit from Gaige, lots of teas and anything I asked for. Both supporting their Dad during this uncertain and scary times.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br /></div><div>So much happened at UCSF that it would take a book to detail, so I won’t bore you. I was moved to Cardiac ICU and they spent the next few days trying to stabilize me and find a way to do the least invasive things to get me going again. First a stent for an unknown narrowing artery, then a balloon pump to keep me going, which meant I had to lie flat and couldn’t leave bed. Then there was the time my ICD shocked me 6-7 times all within a few moments apart, while Mark and Alura watched on and a slew of doctors came to my aid. Oh and I can’t leave out the procedure they did on 4 different occasions to get my heart back into rhythm. They push a drug into the central line that basically stops your heart. Kind of a CONTROL-ALT-DELETE that some of us remember. Not fun, feels very weird, made me gasping for air, but someone was always there to hold my hand. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was poked and prodded everywhere, and had tubes and lines and IVs like I’ve never seen before. Every trip to the bathroom was quite the ordeal to untangle it all. I now have incision evidence all over me from groin to neck. I suppose most will heal up in time and not even be noticed. But I am most thankful that this surgery was done without opening up my entire chest, which is pretty common these days, but not guaranteed until they get in there. The surgeons are able to go between or under or over the rib cage. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did I say <b>HOW UTTERLY AMAZING <u>EVERYONE</u> AT UCSF IS</b>? Doctors, nurses, all staff. I could go on and on about everyone there. I got to know doctors, who almost all ask you to use their first name, Sam, Jackie, Austin, Angel, sylvie, and so many more. I would ask about them and learn one was sleep training his 7 month old, the other has 13 year old twins, where they were originally from. It so started to feel like family after 3 weeks. </div><div><br /></div><div>And the food wasn’t bad either. Except I had no appetite from fluid retention, especially in my belly. And I saw a hint of the blue angels during fleet week. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bea6C9zXKkjn-laOss1Pf8-l6oWMFB9-3st_yairMs4d33n8mp0GnivYM58YsMSk-fhQHk6qIv57MZvWjkx3Q9ZK_zRBtdBvh1kQ_rJzknl4mihmaumlP5GDAuu6rUntK_jB_07oW4QPxLo8PusGnPSayBna-0Z4KfXhUdoF9B99OE5uXM1KU2SnHPho/s4032/IMG_7317.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Bea6C9zXKkjn-laOss1Pf8-l6oWMFB9-3st_yairMs4d33n8mp0GnivYM58YsMSk-fhQHk6qIv57MZvWjkx3Q9ZK_zRBtdBvh1kQ_rJzknl4mihmaumlP5GDAuu6rUntK_jB_07oW4QPxLo8PusGnPSayBna-0Z4KfXhUdoF9B99OE5uXM1KU2SnHPho/s320/IMG_7317.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>UCSF Hospital food was actualy pretty good.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>After hopes of all hopes I could go home with my heart intact, on about October 1st I had two choices - </div><div><br /></div><div>1) Have the LVAD ( Left Ventricular Assist Device) surgery. (Click here <a href="https://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/ventricular-assist-device">https://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/ventricular-assist-device</a> for details). </div><div><br /></div><div>2) Decide if lived a full life and maybe this was my time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I tell you, I thought long and hard of the pros and cons of both. It was not as if they said this is your choice, and I jumped at it. They knew I was pondering both options. And all the while they were assessing me, and had been for some time, to be sure I was a candidate. We had family powows and everyone said they would be good with my decision. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am not a candidate for a transplant. Not saying I wanted one, but usually the LVAD is a bridge to transplant. Having a cancer history, and because transplant requires immuno-suppressing drugs, it’s almost guaranteed cancer would return. </div><div><br /></div><div>10/4/23 is a new date for my calendar. Surgery went well and I slowly progressed, as arduous as it was. We all trained on how to care for me and my new friend. And I was discharged on Friday, 13th of October 2023, my Dads birthday. In on Alura’s bday, out on Dads! And I mentioned in an earlier post that 13 is a very lucky number in Italy. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-LJ8Q7a1ApCAzs2cfVuXP9vg4dMfnKAyh-Ubcmxk7LRYxPw8FUkXAuhDiMIwKpm3__vHC-_FEZvrg_s_M93kOmrYD0RxCN6pgPBF-ZDgTG-aYY27wGGtoYzky5xAUIq2l2QxFOblQxNjQZ0kbjJuX2Z7QclEO4rLpLd8T_6zphIFxHjfyirZK0Be4XY0/s4032/IMG_7381.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-LJ8Q7a1ApCAzs2cfVuXP9vg4dMfnKAyh-Ubcmxk7LRYxPw8FUkXAuhDiMIwKpm3__vHC-_FEZvrg_s_M93kOmrYD0RxCN6pgPBF-ZDgTG-aYY27wGGtoYzky5xAUIq2l2QxFOblQxNjQZ0kbjJuX2Z7QclEO4rLpLd8T_6zphIFxHjfyirZK0Be4XY0/s320/IMG_7381.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fudge went on an excursion to GG Park while I was in surgery.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLO6pNghmbqa_mYYUHY2MFpVPwrJd0ISCBi0MO-TqF4UyzmDkQ3o0NyIY4Y8F67HqKKunpWeWMWYCnWZwMcSNHu_CoORLf-fXhfFcO9nI7cZTZHY-i-OYT0bYRjtqVrUff9p2koIWtwAUznsDUz6MLqEQF8ZEB-SCWfX2hOYsarkqzGdTqYu7TEOnRcn3/s3884/IMG_8614.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3884" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLO6pNghmbqa_mYYUHY2MFpVPwrJd0ISCBi0MO-TqF4UyzmDkQ3o0NyIY4Y8F67HqKKunpWeWMWYCnWZwMcSNHu_CoORLf-fXhfFcO9nI7cZTZHY-i-OYT0bYRjtqVrUff9p2koIWtwAUznsDUz6MLqEQF8ZEB-SCWfX2hOYsarkqzGdTqYu7TEOnRcn3/s320/IMG_8614.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Surgeon & some of my team sending me off.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeQWYwVcC0ixvuE4oYqM3zlaASPQ5FEqObMBqBc0p4_WI-xmNuhRmlH1j6eC6xMk6gObYkza7CSDiAw_k2CTJ9LZDFYkq_1fEW3NmCJPCYTOzlP585lWl5jJS81jCYekjlhMFxgMtf9Jtu9OjvdZKU_3PqwICQBa9Y4SCTHdP9boxzlmYHSkbpga3qCWC/s4032/IMG_8617.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeQWYwVcC0ixvuE4oYqM3zlaASPQ5FEqObMBqBc0p4_WI-xmNuhRmlH1j6eC6xMk6gObYkza7CSDiAw_k2CTJ9LZDFYkq_1fEW3NmCJPCYTOzlP585lWl5jJS81jCYekjlhMFxgMtf9Jtu9OjvdZKU_3PqwICQBa9Y4SCTHdP9boxzlmYHSkbpga3qCWC/s320/IMG_8617.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And then we ran into them in the elevator so we piled in together. A joyous moment</i>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I’ve been home now 24 days, (as of 11/5/23 when I’m reviewing and editing this). Initially when I got home it wasn’t my heart that was the challenge. It was a problem with my speech and throat, most likely from intubation, which is slowly improving. And insomnia. Which has been horrible. But I think I finally got 4 hrs + the last 2 nights, and that feels good. </div><div><br /></div><div>And there is the mobility and learning my new life. I use a walker and don’t get far without being winded. Legs are getting stronger so that helps. We have home care coming weekly for some labs and PT and that is just getting set up. But carrying around this heavy bag with the controller and batteries that are attached to my heart, is quite the challenge. And the regular dressing changes over the driveline that goes into me. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX2h7zxQTZAx1rmxakB7n-vPPo1xDh_TNdxgCsW9sfqVVoCazvLWj8pfc1VZrCxGnqYXf2JadX_G4zRAMwlUSVBkFsN2bklgI7PM3RpaoInjMzVG_-F6wHMJGXZIp71HsgRXDNylPHlp47uyRxlNnZVN4PYWI1Vqdezog7IG4usELVePFM2lqF6S86Kcr/s4032/IMG_5236.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiX2h7zxQTZAx1rmxakB7n-vPPo1xDh_TNdxgCsW9sfqVVoCazvLWj8pfc1VZrCxGnqYXf2JadX_G4zRAMwlUSVBkFsN2bklgI7PM3RpaoInjMzVG_-F6wHMJGXZIp71HsgRXDNylPHlp47uyRxlNnZVN4PYWI1Vqdezog7IG4usELVePFM2lqF6S86Kcr/s320/IMG_5236.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy2YDg2xn81BPUzKjxgIsGrsbQ2t9EkXK7eNQvLFdPKVUOmSkPZuabiC730EN5XYxkueKtfWmEfpdwYUWXeFp1bEsfSOcDoO0dRPryJ31PXzGQLc2FJqBp3DzDiZrHAYhs1IkE9LMobgli273H8_ab7V4SSu9a8CB8JjIWmgoG9aFq-BI0hMpcXkW8fpP/s2448/IMG_8632.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="2448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy2YDg2xn81BPUzKjxgIsGrsbQ2t9EkXK7eNQvLFdPKVUOmSkPZuabiC730EN5XYxkueKtfWmEfpdwYUWXeFp1bEsfSOcDoO0dRPryJ31PXzGQLc2FJqBp3DzDiZrHAYhs1IkE9LMobgli273H8_ab7V4SSu9a8CB8JjIWmgoG9aFq-BI0hMpcXkW8fpP/s320/IMG_8632.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div></div><div><i>Silvie escorting us to the car on discharge day. Beautiful GG Bridge as we drove out of SF towards home.</i><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMJD2cBu2euvMWPzfjHbH4JNsWC9NB1VgOpxyv-t_pxjChB0UhrN1ZRqSjMOqYEl_eCh07tOrOD7WidqBFwJx233feKUat_l7yYZI_pu-Geli1Ve1fry94SK-2lXP8PeIVOCSuW6sgA1kZgCsDPDzPcpjOiGPNIQVERCsu4gKGInSlsgP6AdzKaJYehUR/s4032/IMG_8646.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMJD2cBu2euvMWPzfjHbH4JNsWC9NB1VgOpxyv-t_pxjChB0UhrN1ZRqSjMOqYEl_eCh07tOrOD7WidqBFwJx233feKUat_l7yYZI_pu-Geli1Ve1fry94SK-2lXP8PeIVOCSuW6sgA1kZgCsDPDzPcpjOiGPNIQVERCsu4gKGInSlsgP6AdzKaJYehUR/w240-h320/IMG_8646.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Finally home.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div> </div><div> <br /></div><div>I need 24/7 attendees for the first 30 days and my husband is a saint. I really can’t do anything yet, but get to the bathroom, and from chair to chair. But I have ventured outside a bit to sit in the sun using my roadster walker for outside, which was loaned by a friend. Mark is preparing delicious meals 3 times a day, managing all the meds that still change daily based on my vitals each day. And he does all the vitals and navigate the calls to everyone involved. And much more. Thank goodness my sis, Christine, was called in early to be the gatekeeper of sorts, keeping those that needed to know, with what we wanted to share, and just so much more to allow Mark and the girls to concentrate on me, our home, and the commute back and forth to SF. And our daughters have been here daily to help spell Mark a bit, run all our errands, do some dressing changes, etc. Needless to say, their lives have been turned upside down. </div><div> </div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWwekmTDhjEuvlM6ewKCb9DtCffYiMMMQailSGnmS9nO34jED0W-uWDA8Fu5QMcVo8PQfo2YvPZe2dg7wFFrP9EyH6xY9Yk-_sSWYpqDs9QskvqGkhuUH11o7mnA8YwEWSB3t2pWanT8at2pabsRsafyY5Txcai-NbaOWMGYmjshOO2whKOF2VVcTVUqI/s4032/IMG_8673.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWwekmTDhjEuvlM6ewKCb9DtCffYiMMMQailSGnmS9nO34jED0W-uWDA8Fu5QMcVo8PQfo2YvPZe2dg7wFFrP9EyH6xY9Yk-_sSWYpqDs9QskvqGkhuUH11o7mnA8YwEWSB3t2pWanT8at2pabsRsafyY5Txcai-NbaOWMGYmjshOO2whKOF2VVcTVUqI/s320/IMG_8673.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw3RhXBsvDtGgBDFbH12ZZmi8lXBTHIX7pk08jItc1Rm82iDbcFTY9wFUJrg76vBBS5p-vkkNinYo9ao6OCOHDeapZ634Hj0iFBGmaKGPKMdYpt3IqY6rgdc_P-tKkfzKprmDe9wXEVPGsbbmpzX8hyVYwSe1zywJQkTZqxN1ePALcJyspoDNsjPqn_rG/s4032/IMG_8671.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsw3RhXBsvDtGgBDFbH12ZZmi8lXBTHIX7pk08jItc1Rm82iDbcFTY9wFUJrg76vBBS5p-vkkNinYo9ao6OCOHDeapZ634Hj0iFBGmaKGPKMdYpt3IqY6rgdc_P-tKkfzKprmDe9wXEVPGsbbmpzX8hyVYwSe1zywJQkTZqxN1ePALcJyspoDNsjPqn_rG/s320/IMG_8671.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I take dibs on this cart as my new craft cart, that is when it is through with being a medical supply cart.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfTcH6Lx8EcYBN8Pnh258MuOuvkx08Vv6Z3ky1McPKYia2W76DD5snZlIucIik163lKGuBKOhbdLrzxZ9uEN1rKzS4bYUY3OdKTt-OYbie8QLUrOl_CaTC9-Wc-UOsh9SpIT31tbS9mvTor5aUnGOF1EpOh9EwHTCuYeBTlzKblOdQ8ZUMMxmpWeMeWnL/s4032/IMG_8723.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfTcH6Lx8EcYBN8Pnh258MuOuvkx08Vv6Z3ky1McPKYia2W76DD5snZlIucIik163lKGuBKOhbdLrzxZ9uEN1rKzS4bYUY3OdKTt-OYbie8QLUrOl_CaTC9-Wc-UOsh9SpIT31tbS9mvTor5aUnGOF1EpOh9EwHTCuYeBTlzKblOdQ8ZUMMxmpWeMeWnL/s320/IMG_8723.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Amazing sis Christine, who took on so much for us all with Sarah and I on one of our first days home</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>Positive attitude, showered with love and prayers and well wishes, one foot in front of the other, day by day. That’s all each of us can do. I feel so fortunate, thankful, grateful. And I’m here to tell the story! 🥰</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Finally home and out to the garden a week or so later.</i><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRtmcTNYVK4efRo-9BfNPxyV3njUp14_hzQaEheU81ot7EvwwMTEKb3iEwECUm3Enm7iPA-3Si-abrYgPeYLa3_hB9yqx_1Iu9P2hsrITS9CuvcwAyzh77Xz9vsx4Of_TAsXKikIOIzSbg0r6Y460sd50im0hIIr8YlYrviq-Xh08m-xNIAbpOpD6GXs-/s4032/IMG_7448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRtmcTNYVK4efRo-9BfNPxyV3njUp14_hzQaEheU81ot7EvwwMTEKb3iEwECUm3Enm7iPA-3Si-abrYgPeYLa3_hB9yqx_1Iu9P2hsrITS9CuvcwAyzh77Xz9vsx4Of_TAsXKikIOIzSbg0r6Y460sd50im0hIIr8YlYrviq-Xh08m-xNIAbpOpD6GXs-/s320/IMG_7448.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6CFNcWxOfKzpauDPpnd5Ule-GoFjfdzXib02Fib1bIZ-6LEcfP8nbQHEH6vpn2Kz_dy9D3Z_SfhutRUGcstP_wkrTLCXKx5ARcyyqtiKjBsvu3LWmEzT-L97pHm8di3ggF20evixJI_dfgHITAndh7wWsRRZNb3QEpISKX_RhT1gh8039rIor3d6DBFl/s4032/IMG_7520.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6CFNcWxOfKzpauDPpnd5Ule-GoFjfdzXib02Fib1bIZ-6LEcfP8nbQHEH6vpn2Kz_dy9D3Z_SfhutRUGcstP_wkrTLCXKx5ARcyyqtiKjBsvu3LWmEzT-L97pHm8di3ggF20evixJI_dfgHITAndh7wWsRRZNb3QEpISKX_RhT1gh8039rIor3d6DBFl/s320/IMG_7520.JPEG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOQKfSFmwvWuCjoJP-iGpIXZC2Yz0DQOTZDhDHVKNGJNP94WCVYp02HLBp1gMMJAKSeEEWtD4vUd08MGSeutJupYZ1kupq0iFOCdXUCaQFfMQOEzbP-KKPqjihwogzEKomMW6gYMQJvD0s4SR3zkoaOdgoHcJP8yKWQNCmhsobiYZdZVyvUg0YLB_UWYQ/s4032/IMG_2209.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOQKfSFmwvWuCjoJP-iGpIXZC2Yz0DQOTZDhDHVKNGJNP94WCVYp02HLBp1gMMJAKSeEEWtD4vUd08MGSeutJupYZ1kupq0iFOCdXUCaQFfMQOEzbP-KKPqjihwogzEKomMW6gYMQJvD0s4SR3zkoaOdgoHcJP8yKWQNCmhsobiYZdZVyvUg0YLB_UWYQ/s320/IMG_2209.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEVN2teibinF4FPElzhO2VH5lDzQA_y3glK4rTi2SdmWl72ZGv9GUy6j39qxaq_o6LXV0_1Z1YHCUpS6QdNKhZmxKyVvRbfyW1R-ll_Hddn2qpQE_YHqaw9S1gFQ_LEqbP2IQ0-DEpD6kWiOQR1ZrwpKCBq9nqrq33cgG0eVTd3vVd4OFUrzikc8yRuIa/s4032/IMG_7531.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEVN2teibinF4FPElzhO2VH5lDzQA_y3glK4rTi2SdmWl72ZGv9GUy6j39qxaq_o6LXV0_1Z1YHCUpS6QdNKhZmxKyVvRbfyW1R-ll_Hddn2qpQE_YHqaw9S1gFQ_LEqbP2IQ0-DEpD6kWiOQR1ZrwpKCBq9nqrq33cgG0eVTd3vVd4OFUrzikc8yRuIa/s320/IMG_7531.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div> Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior AND survivor
. AND now with a LVAD.</div><div> </div><div>I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!</div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-74709960201584428952023-10-27T14:19:00.004-07:002023-10-27T14:19:44.120-07:002 Weeks Home from UCSF ICU and CCU<b><i>This is my 2 week anniversary of coming home after 3 weeks in UCSF ICU & CCU.</i></b><br /><div><br /></div><div>LVAD surgery was 3.5 weeks ago and I’ve been making slow but good progress since returning home. But It’s a huge lifestyle change. Inch by inch, step by step. I’m getting there. </div><div><br /></div><div>My ultimate goal is to get back into the kitchen & out in the garden, amongst other things. Right now I’m struggling with insomnia and a throat issue that prevents me from talking much. This too shall pass, hopefully. 🤞 </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you to everyone for all the cards, love, and support! ❤️🫶🙏🏼<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFM4GJ_MgPKslLfhHQSdld75UnJokeiBzxJl60zT4uKah0Y7eeuM6S88hkrV7tFFAF14nJ1GfKHbEKTFJLKYcCt2KYFneegxujdEiuU_iuEboDqGwy_xJ9SpjzT03ZgJHcw66yAkRpbF9s5Oar3KlGirNMiT-tdXFd3RLjfGL7iqABudJRsLuD1UQx27q/s3882/IMG_8788.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2794" data-original-width="3882" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFM4GJ_MgPKslLfhHQSdld75UnJokeiBzxJl60zT4uKah0Y7eeuM6S88hkrV7tFFAF14nJ1GfKHbEKTFJLKYcCt2KYFneegxujdEiuU_iuEboDqGwy_xJ9SpjzT03ZgJHcw66yAkRpbF9s5Oar3KlGirNMiT-tdXFd3RLjfGL7iqABudJRsLuD1UQx27q/s320/IMG_8788.heic" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDAQoxtqRna13DbUxWOBfT74Ut_DinkE5gvysjRPwAGMDtn11JeZuUMxJEUcLNTKZi5wC-FP90ZBvZxiTrsBosluAHrbt-nTUL8Dq2MC6IlOWelQjIvlDPd4Z_Ty7Kd2sIgTv-UvC7YwwItEKvzWBG5kvjL6K4OVIX1sg2fkvwXxpsOkXMGSqd_t0y8hA/s4032/IMG_2197.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDAQoxtqRna13DbUxWOBfT74Ut_DinkE5gvysjRPwAGMDtn11JeZuUMxJEUcLNTKZi5wC-FP90ZBvZxiTrsBosluAHrbt-nTUL8Dq2MC6IlOWelQjIvlDPd4Z_Ty7Kd2sIgTv-UvC7YwwItEKvzWBG5kvjL6K4OVIX1sg2fkvwXxpsOkXMGSqd_t0y8hA/s320/IMG_2197.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqbPAsFE7txF3uRFiBwsES_Bx8teDefPuIjvSqGIn_CVSt4ZWvS8dbtCV9CBqv_n_BaO2Jfs0ynxkaNfhLtdENytzOq-ca-w3_5dAgRCuYzaDF2_2__Osh78tygtz2o5_2dkJH7rn53DDjxqFT119Z_jFcmfARsuhk9oynHH5kYFRxPigZp4S3YtB1_fv/s3739/IMG_8794.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="3739" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqbPAsFE7txF3uRFiBwsES_Bx8teDefPuIjvSqGIn_CVSt4ZWvS8dbtCV9CBqv_n_BaO2Jfs0ynxkaNfhLtdENytzOq-ca-w3_5dAgRCuYzaDF2_2__Osh78tygtz2o5_2dkJH7rn53DDjxqFT119Z_jFcmfARsuhk9oynHH5kYFRxPigZp4S3YtB1_fv/s320/IMG_8794.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior AND survivor
I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!</div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-5916814185960402642023-10-20T06:12:00.002-07:002023-10-20T15:41:35.737-07:00MANY, many thanks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 38px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><b>10/20/23:</b></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 38px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Thank you all for the tremendous outpouring of love, prayers, and support for me and my family during a very difficult and frightening time. It means the world to us all. You know who you are. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I have not posted online and I’m sure some may wonder where I’ve been. </span><span class="s3">😉</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Family has been very guarded as their focus was on my survival, and their own care, as my heart failure took a nose dive in August/September. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">21 days in UCSF hospital ( 1 at Memorial Santa Rosa). I am now home on the other side with my new friend, LVAD -Left Ventricular Assist Device implanted 10/4. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Life is drastically different, but it’s LIFE, so I’m blessed and grateful. Thankfully I was pretty strong right before this so everyone says I am progressing very well. Each day is a tad better, but many steps back too. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">So that’s it for now. Either I or Christine will update later. But days are still very full of learning the new routine, watching my family learn nursing skills they never expected constant monitoring and adjusting meds, new tests, etc… and a house full of equipment,, not to mention the calls and visits from home support and my new MCS team. (Mechanical Circulatory Support). They are following me 24/7 for 30 days and constantly. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">BUT ON E OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO MENTION, other than the enduring love and support from hubby, daughters, and sis Christine, to name the top 4, is </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">1) My local cardiologist, Dr Sanjay Dhar, who for the second time knew exactly where to get me to quickly. I mean when your husband m</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">essages him at close of business Friday late afternoon to say how poorly you’re doing, and he he responds he’s at Memorial emergency right now to come on down and he’ll be there. He’s treated me these last 10 years for CHF. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">2) UCSF hospital, all it’s doctors, specialists, technicians nurses and assorted staff. !!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">What a truly amazing place full of angels everywhere. How they work and collaborate, etc, is mind boggling. I’ll never get over all that happened there and how it transpired. </span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I could right a book! </span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Someday maybe I’ll elaborate. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">So again, thanks everyone. Keep the good vibes, thoughts, prayers, coming. This ain’t over by any</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span> <span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">means.</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span> <span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Please don’t expect full responses here.</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span> <span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">This and all SM can take up all your time and mine is already fully consumed with really “important stuff “. </span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">For now, I’m slowly recovering. Days are still wonky, meaning they start “ok” and then everything changes. Night sleep is still very evasive. I’m getting better at walker, without a shadow following me around now. Hope to kick the walker to the curb soon. PT & OT starts next week. </span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 29px; text-align: left;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 23px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Take good care. Get your screenings! If something doesn’t feel right speak up. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XVDKDjZfgdHb68hUQqmxdTTGcuwoixP-bRKuhBpASFNd93jSkjgy1mtMJyfzogSQChbEKJPYc-r7dU1LBatk81nKXVy-GagYgNmmWqZYST3WwiP_ZPNaHSYrqgaYPFLEbMG0Jtb6NPC-lmEQBi0p83Ostk5X0Jy6DbH_papGIS6nVEMzCSt5pzEeEpAs/s4032/IMG_1915.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XVDKDjZfgdHb68hUQqmxdTTGcuwoixP-bRKuhBpASFNd93jSkjgy1mtMJyfzogSQChbEKJPYc-r7dU1LBatk81nKXVy-GagYgNmmWqZYST3WwiP_ZPNaHSYrqgaYPFLEbMG0Jtb6NPC-lmEQBi0p83Ostk5X0Jy6DbH_papGIS6nVEMzCSt5pzEeEpAs/s320/IMG_1915.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before surgery when they were trying everything in their bag of tricks to improve my heart. </td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mzamTsACoN9BKki5nTWkCVoS5kgogMHIoXBd4MaA8PjL4XBdUFb_mCBKbn-WYDsH19eKV_cL5IX_bHJx0-DknLA3lq0SPvZBFYtgAseQMG2tB3hJfVKJcYfIUt5Yi7ZmsgUOnIIWWucph2IQGUx0ahSynLALrojiZlGms5wm4NZm67NadQx9RzwagMQ2/s4032/IMG_5236.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mzamTsACoN9BKki5nTWkCVoS5kgogMHIoXBd4MaA8PjL4XBdUFb_mCBKbn-WYDsH19eKV_cL5IX_bHJx0-DknLA3lq0SPvZBFYtgAseQMG2tB3hJfVKJcYfIUt5Yi7ZmsgUOnIIWWucph2IQGUx0ahSynLALrojiZlGms5wm4NZm67NadQx9RzwagMQ2/s320/IMG_5236.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving UCSF and saying goodbye to Sylvie (one of my MCS team) on Friday the 13th (10/2023)</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWbFqPppPRl7kLv8CNhmo3Z4K7CMlcYr0WCStzrN_yStyA-bSXmzlCOxCpyUf1_528hAJtaAmZ3_pO8qLN5Ldj0Yh_fqmG1LQ3fTrw8GITmDQ62fzun77hdvx1erICA07Lhhsr85NsLQn6iatCvFNN8PL-JCuJQvinMlfFv6a5hh71ZaY-W2JZNf7jOB9/s4032/IMG_7448.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWbFqPppPRl7kLv8CNhmo3Z4K7CMlcYr0WCStzrN_yStyA-bSXmzlCOxCpyUf1_528hAJtaAmZ3_pO8qLN5Ldj0Yh_fqmG1LQ3fTrw8GITmDQ62fzun77hdvx1erICA07Lhhsr85NsLQn6iatCvFNN8PL-JCuJQvinMlfFv6a5hh71ZaY-W2JZNf7jOB9/s320/IMG_7448.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First few days home</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br style="text-align: left;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwaY-UF3o-noo_fyB_OaHXtiCc5WIEITIbhd13-qYhkGSgN69wRYpOMJj4MdYWkyvi36Iv3IRK-QsxzW112zJYgphU1Lrj0LqvRj21iujPmiqn8Y4cCbCjaZyM-skH7eTT1J-HaDTOOMZsvpKkVa-V-yLT4tNkzC9wIV3KGcdbsxS2J3JttTa3TiC7gRc/s4032/71943880842__E906B582-0711-4A55-B6F4-4CFC37920163.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwaY-UF3o-noo_fyB_OaHXtiCc5WIEITIbhd13-qYhkGSgN69wRYpOMJj4MdYWkyvi36Iv3IRK-QsxzW112zJYgphU1Lrj0LqvRj21iujPmiqn8Y4cCbCjaZyM-skH7eTT1J-HaDTOOMZsvpKkVa-V-yLT4tNkzC9wIV3KGcdbsxS2J3JttTa3TiC7gRc/s320/71943880842__E906B582-0711-4A55-B6F4-4CFC37920163.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div>The new new me dressed to head out for chest X-ray. </div><div>I need to research some clothing options as I do not like the way everything is visible here.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ4B32-qyMr99C7IWKRH9kDmSrPaNOfx4cAv33tI6e-2W3mD7r8xj1xGsE0q9yOYDcdcgSmPr39IseYYk1q2xXY2JWLT8q-cR2m4iEZk9d7q-_XdzLA3zFeiLX1zdvQDHCibdgjaXO6YEw7bO9Qh3hwLFgN_MmvkSL1KzrskZ5unLN3HkLDM6IGbPv4y8/s4032/71910731977__D1A52A77-9C09-4019-80BA-8CDB06D1F09F.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ4B32-qyMr99C7IWKRH9kDmSrPaNOfx4cAv33tI6e-2W3mD7r8xj1xGsE0q9yOYDcdcgSmPr39IseYYk1q2xXY2JWLT8q-cR2m4iEZk9d7q-_XdzLA3zFeiLX1zdvQDHCibdgjaXO6YEw7bO9Qh3hwLFgN_MmvkSL1KzrskZ5unLN3HkLDM6IGbPv4y8/s320/71910731977__D1A52A77-9C09-4019-80BA-8CDB06D1F09F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My main squeeze and caregiver</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br style="text-align: left;" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmWvnh8kN-eGaL1ON6PBBDscV9tcAp4SGeEwBms6vemENZIgTauNvMVQceyb5VIdf-_PQjg1TfUCeVkxqW2O1vBMnyVJ2sUwzX2dQypr5vc7UUjB8CT-Tj5qltRCLodb5zx797TrV1b5BkLHL3sAglGPc-GchvzdcTGLbFyEa89ySo_MMzBDvdSBlvPU4/s4032/IMG_8699.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmWvnh8kN-eGaL1ON6PBBDscV9tcAp4SGeEwBms6vemENZIgTauNvMVQceyb5VIdf-_PQjg1TfUCeVkxqW2O1vBMnyVJ2sUwzX2dQypr5vc7UUjB8CT-Tj5qltRCLodb5zx797TrV1b5BkLHL3sAglGPc-GchvzdcTGLbFyEa89ySo_MMzBDvdSBlvPU4/s320/IMG_8699.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two doctor outings in first few days. 1St one was so hard and exhausting. 2nd went much better</td></tr></tbody></table><br style="text-align: left;" /><div style="text-align: left;">Fare tradici! = make 13 (in Italian)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVtMOR9hwowFWajT3sqeoNsF8h7Yd08uM66k6RSNWCadyB4MvbWRDwdauLda_HHI74begfrr3PLR29UarwUszpr9NvPHtf57CAAM0oYtVVrNURBLzpsT55CSuoPlPibVsU6MFcSLDJhgfw6FNIfi_blX-JX4PGdcWooFxx_BnRHcPZydabrIz9m-9De_g/s1290/IMG_8707.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1290" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVtMOR9hwowFWajT3sqeoNsF8h7Yd08uM66k6RSNWCadyB4MvbWRDwdauLda_HHI74begfrr3PLR29UarwUszpr9NvPHtf57CAAM0oYtVVrNURBLzpsT55CSuoPlPibVsU6MFcSLDJhgfw6FNIfi_blX-JX4PGdcWooFxx_BnRHcPZydabrIz9m-9De_g/w200-h142/IMG_8707.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;">Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior AND survivor I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL lWIN!</span></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-24235065418296105062023-06-01T17:42:00.005-07:002023-06-01T17:45:34.602-07:00Summer is Approaching; and ALL IS WELL!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Can it really be the end of May?!? Here we go... into Summer very soon. And the mowing and weed eating and property clean up and fire prevention prep has begun in earnest. It is late this year due to all of our late rains. And now we've had a week of 60 degree weather, which is perfect for safe mowing, but very uncharacteristic for Glen Ellen, CA, Zone 9B at the end of May. But we'll take what Mother Nature gives us and make the best of it.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmJvZwOu9euCoSLsZsxEvsqok-stcSVUEMFU6_7xHSK3UMsDbCYe8bdhUGF4-dAaVN5ENtAm-aiirvZO0GbiLRo9Dc28yTMlTyEh5bchpjTuZC3pFu5YNQinEY3lwgC96Qpqju2NI4KxYWwx--WZekvx_lsLJoY47Rb3lQdfQIPsDEG125pn9Ik7Gfw/s4032/IMG_4390D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmJvZwOu9euCoSLsZsxEvsqok-stcSVUEMFU6_7xHSK3UMsDbCYe8bdhUGF4-dAaVN5ENtAm-aiirvZO0GbiLRo9Dc28yTMlTyEh5bchpjTuZC3pFu5YNQinEY3lwgC96Qpqju2NI4KxYWwx--WZekvx_lsLJoY47Rb3lQdfQIPsDEG125pn9Ik7Gfw/s320/IMG_4390D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An overcast day in the garden<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I've had my recent checkups with my Oncologist and Cardiologist. My ICD battery is getting low so I have another Cardiology followup in June to see where we are on that. Will need to schedule that surgery for a replacement soon after that, as I have about 3 months left and loads of things happening this summer that I don't want to miss or postpone. They say it won't just stop all of a sudden, and it may last months longer. So I am trying not to get too anxious about this. Breathe...... </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Oncology checkup this week went very well. My CT Scan results were not back yet, but my oncologist could view the films on his computer and said all looks good, especially my liver, which has been the area for concern since 2016. The Mammogram report came back later that afternoon and all is well there; and the labs and tumor marker reports a few days ago are all good too. This is a relief since I stopped the chemo pill months ago and there is always scanxiety about this time. So far so good. One day at a time... one foot in front of the other. Still NED (No evidence of disease) and proud of it. <3<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the farm front, Mark nearly finished 4+ days of sitting and riding on JD (John Deere), our tractor. All the mowing looks amazing. <br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vFOa0_pjE6-fVLD-Ad_idFHxOV6X1K30siU_tO4OkMg-ozQz1zf1-Ku48zX1ckVBQVHrdZ12l1HKEJi_E_EcFS9RXtWAJaFac23Pxs6JXD6OgdiBCtnKxQPh6hCbsbMqR2-a7CVPku_QlAwGa1rw9KNae4JbxR6Lx1eRPKHcHybxOFnaEGqosCrTyQ/s4032/IMG_0525.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vFOa0_pjE6-fVLD-Ad_idFHxOV6X1K30siU_tO4OkMg-ozQz1zf1-Ku48zX1ckVBQVHrdZ12l1HKEJi_E_EcFS9RXtWAJaFac23Pxs6JXD6OgdiBCtnKxQPh6hCbsbMqR2-a7CVPku_QlAwGa1rw9KNae4JbxR6Lx1eRPKHcHybxOFnaEGqosCrTyQ/s320/IMG_0525.JPEG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mK1xHd4k9rBs-RCb8bDuPifGr0zaphGvYEbH1n98NsK7eZPVGrOgpzzAiBmtNrNlnzKziaevA96vzif8FPT0LJs1gWnCIwpjxN-DrirTkQKkhjrCkynKj--RHvW6PLDoJuHUUQkAzF3DyEoL3jzmux8hGIjCt4Tva_TwALIqcUE0VnQbcNHwGXJS9Q/s4032/IMG_4833D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0mK1xHd4k9rBs-RCb8bDuPifGr0zaphGvYEbH1n98NsK7eZPVGrOgpzzAiBmtNrNlnzKziaevA96vzif8FPT0LJs1gWnCIwpjxN-DrirTkQKkhjrCkynKj--RHvW6PLDoJuHUUQkAzF3DyEoL3jzmux8hGIjCt4Tva_TwALIqcUE0VnQbcNHwGXJS9Q/s320/IMG_4833D.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting all the tall grass cut before fire season.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then he gathered some large rocks from the upper pasture to mark Tessa's
grave; right where she loved to rest during her last days, and watch
over the property. The iris and naked ladies that I planted a few years
ago are doing nicely, even though they don't get any supplemental
water. And he moved one of the LGD signs from the farm to sit over her
spot. Sarah suggests we line out the "working" and change it to read
"resting". Great idea!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWqE4UoPUxIdJyGXKQqXSeDhkJSx01EUJfR29AxZwKlan1aQELEi3EC02daP4EKfx3s8we5fZCmda_2dxcIbgsCaIpSUk7kSq_ARnYfO9Vej7_JUYzTytiMfu1yMnVuNnQMCfZSubSba6I4wRW0i0vZVmFoueaCSQQRxIHS7MhtEeHkcVBAALb__HmQ/s3000/IMG_4840.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWqE4UoPUxIdJyGXKQqXSeDhkJSx01EUJfR29AxZwKlan1aQELEi3EC02daP4EKfx3s8we5fZCmda_2dxcIbgsCaIpSUk7kSq_ARnYfO9Vej7_JUYzTytiMfu1yMnVuNnQMCfZSubSba6I4wRW0i0vZVmFoueaCSQQRxIHS7MhtEeHkcVBAALb__HmQ/w240-h320/IMG_4840.JPEG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tessa's memorial/grave all tidy and given some love.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> </p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The vegetable and dahlia/flower garden plots are all doing very nicely. We added a couple of new hugelkultur beds and a lovely arch from an old cattle panel that was used as a shade structure for the alpaca boys. I planted dahlias into 6 more of the old livestock hay bunks, which will soon be moved along the fence just above where the strawberries are placed. Reuse/Recycle -- everything has a purpose. I did dig into the bins to check on some slow-to-perform dahlias, and almost all the slow ones have sprouts about to emerge. That is always reassuring to find. But remember, DO NOT WATER your tubers until they produce about 4-6" of green growth above ground. If you water too early, they are prone to rot, and I did find some squishy sections that I removed. It's hard when you have a green luscious dahlia in a pot that requires some water, alongside one that is slower and shouldn't be watered yet. But I think all is good.</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlALcMgHeD_9gk6m6bKWyugT7QvXFbMWzPlIN0h2IlQQTCX6Vq8lMytHr3PNRLx11erFj1nBWvEmNE0DlF4E2NAdCPLE0dpwZx4ZI1AFALBHjpdXZLapXJJw-bf4V1QxQlGhX2-eHgKRQc7MGWlgrLCok1w8MBYIx8_nP2VpyuqbENa7IIYn5ss4xpLw/s4032/IMG_4646.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlALcMgHeD_9gk6m6bKWyugT7QvXFbMWzPlIN0h2IlQQTCX6Vq8lMytHr3PNRLx11erFj1nBWvEmNE0DlF4E2NAdCPLE0dpwZx4ZI1AFALBHjpdXZLapXJJw-bf4V1QxQlGhX2-eHgKRQc7MGWlgrLCok1w8MBYIx8_nP2VpyuqbENa7IIYn5ss4xpLw/w320-h240/IMG_4646.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Roses in full bloom<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One afternoon this past Memorial Day Weekend, after a break from the field mowing, we installed the string supports and clips back in place for staking all of the tomatoes. So now that all the drip was laid and timers brought out a couple of weeks ago, it is wait and see... fertilize, prune, weed, and enjoy. Then wait some more for the fruits of our labor. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud_j-7aIRFQKLGj0Cp6HxCYh6StyATVv1Kv2qhZZ-gmDs_AnOH3h8FRkTBKwVfGtMwWuVSPZTZlNyaC2bc0HuiUU8jNyaGJOJ3mu0vRxe4enojwKcjVyCaKzMuulCxqaOpmWiB5QU2HvOevD-ntdb5NN1mG_HtdcXaVZWmpyGV3z2voX9K0wW9Fzntg/s2945/IMG_4849.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="2790" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud_j-7aIRFQKLGj0Cp6HxCYh6StyATVv1Kv2qhZZ-gmDs_AnOH3h8FRkTBKwVfGtMwWuVSPZTZlNyaC2bc0HuiUU8jNyaGJOJ3mu0vRxe4enojwKcjVyCaKzMuulCxqaOpmWiB5QU2HvOevD-ntdb5NN1mG_HtdcXaVZWmpyGV3z2voX9K0wW9Fzntg/s320/IMG_4849.HEIC" width="303" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tomato supports are up for the indeterminates<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTx1nt9KUoqofOUpBaZxh5IiBx_tjlrvUOiuE0JtTEVPLCa5c5pPeFBZ1QTlbDIeOlcLaGnKYnZeDA40EeXRyFtCcvGHHTRfKnUMy4Hd9YDW3nj-ICR7OVvtt2YYRKE4rYoa5M6t82OxZ4pYtoXttpfpFHC0IECgZ80bt67TbmH-AI_MO3-TVnhPSXw/s4032/IMG_4822.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTx1nt9KUoqofOUpBaZxh5IiBx_tjlrvUOiuE0JtTEVPLCa5c5pPeFBZ1QTlbDIeOlcLaGnKYnZeDA40EeXRyFtCcvGHHTRfKnUMy4Hd9YDW3nj-ICR7OVvtt2YYRKE4rYoa5M6t82OxZ4pYtoXttpfpFHC0IECgZ80bt67TbmH-AI_MO3-TVnhPSXw/s320/IMG_4822.HEIC" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Relaxing after a day working on the farm<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> A week ago we returned from camping 4 nights at one of our favorite spots, Doran Regional Park. Two nights with friends and the rest with my sweet sis. Weather was good, cool, but very little wind. We had a Bald Eagle sighting right in the bay near us, lovely walks on the beach, and loads of fragrant yellow lupines in bloom alongside bright pink iceplant -- all were much welcome. There is more upcoming excursions and fun planned that will be interspersed throughout the Summer. It feels so good to be out and about a bit more these days safely.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxg6uoX1GGMewtAsOtDS8DeuTuY83zQNxXhCXgE4x3g0MpMw0X4SatrQyHtT6RuKoY5uEgyV3EbhH8WViFST1yriChYWzFlRoXhF0zO_qcNY0_QsUtuk3QFRsiiUk__0AlckqOhUy8DJgXLsZuNVOjosUCxOmuDyyJX0YcwwKYVz9g6Es9oJaXgz_nA/s4032/IMG_4727D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxg6uoX1GGMewtAsOtDS8DeuTuY83zQNxXhCXgE4x3g0MpMw0X4SatrQyHtT6RuKoY5uEgyV3EbhH8WViFST1yriChYWzFlRoXhF0zO_qcNY0_QsUtuk3QFRsiiUk__0AlckqOhUy8DJgXLsZuNVOjosUCxOmuDyyJX0YcwwKYVz9g6Es9oJaXgz_nA/s320/IMG_4727D.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPckN2f09-xqlY2pAIZ1ZMGWWxrQCD4Qfz8_cF4YINABMV4j3l-xOuZVvSQQ1aoarch2lykxC0AUqpGibUgKvQ9MkIHKC97mMIRlMEY51h4vb1UrBi-GD0IFEWFVy7AdztvbYNlidX2ORWsR4U5oMFWS5TT0rDX5CknR924nySPFrGG9ePrkyGggmaoA/s4032/IMG_4805.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPckN2f09-xqlY2pAIZ1ZMGWWxrQCD4Qfz8_cF4YINABMV4j3l-xOuZVvSQQ1aoarch2lykxC0AUqpGibUgKvQ9MkIHKC97mMIRlMEY51h4vb1UrBi-GD0IFEWFVy7AdztvbYNlidX2ORWsR4U5oMFWS5TT0rDX5CknR924nySPFrGG9ePrkyGggmaoA/s320/IMG_4805.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPipDwMwKXPTZQhmo2U1P-wCoa39LWkW1enNKUi0B_d_2Gc4OvGlH9vUErJh86xRPECQaBHjoRzDastBKAdeWvzvx9PM9idL0T2qhPxznt2TOy5KQuwCMeJgPtj_UPDQgOOrWhnnMCJWKDsDGWPEezacW3nHge7-XYBexp-YOMO-Tmm6f2XQ23l8llkA/s4032/IMG_4802.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lJfpBV-sAewNlbWMjop062cWDeaAf4bg7ACBXKMpaUjuQJoo7VYi0sGWxsGWNPH-Mqe36M5mQM7jouAprQAUYLRvJ43RTN-Si13Yo8OvDsSw4krjgi8zUj_0tKgi1jMcTMP-zgs0lmhA25aMaa5wGY731b0E2E3rvXC17qMTOaSnvd7f5mu-vXpZ3w/s320/IMG_4752D.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPipDwMwKXPTZQhmo2U1P-wCoa39LWkW1enNKUi0B_d_2Gc4OvGlH9vUErJh86xRPECQaBHjoRzDastBKAdeWvzvx9PM9idL0T2qhPxznt2TOy5KQuwCMeJgPtj_UPDQgOOrWhnnMCJWKDsDGWPEezacW3nHge7-XYBexp-YOMO-Tmm6f2XQ23l8llkA/s4032/IMG_4802.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPipDwMwKXPTZQhmo2U1P-wCoa39LWkW1enNKUi0B_d_2Gc4OvGlH9vUErJh86xRPECQaBHjoRzDastBKAdeWvzvx9PM9idL0T2qhPxznt2TOy5KQuwCMeJgPtj_UPDQgOOrWhnnMCJWKDsDGWPEezacW3nHge7-XYBexp-YOMO-Tmm6f2XQ23l8llkA/s320/IMG_4802.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Hugs, Debbie... aka the cancer warrior AND survivor </span></i></span></p><div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="background-color: #e06666; color: yellow; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="_3m6-"><span style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: white;">B E L I E V E</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p> </p>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-32910654877571229632023-03-06T16:29:00.000-08:002023-03-06T16:29:09.560-08:00Camping 2023: We’re Back at It! Camping 2023: we’re back at it! <div><br /></div><div>January 2023 - </div><div> </div><div>Our first trip out in our Nash 24M trailer was to one of our favorite spots, Doran Beach Regional Park and Campground. It was our annual camp trip with friends, the Merritt's and Augustine’s, which we’ve missed these last two years, for the same reason the world has missed out on so much over these last two years. And my sister joined us as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>We’d had a lot of rain up to this week and original forecasts were that we would have several days of rain over this trip too. But we lucked out and only had a bit of rain late one evening and overnight. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sunsets were beautiful and we even had perfectly still air out at Bodega Head one afternoon. That is typically unheard of as your car does usually feels like it will be ripped off when you open it. </div><div> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI7yQsnSGtzSZ_B07HyucitrDGyJzGcr5g9VkzvOkerAaCNPOzakrHavBrdrzISAMvM4iYEUtPT45DhABZkqi05HxsS-XVKblRGL7w2NWKW8Z-jNQnBEOQIKnKoxE6mbQqvDr5qaTxrSCqJadvYn0skIcqZWc_2YdjfmSLwe50052RJ2m0RjdaLMRUw/s4032/423A6C9B-16D9-4B23-A3BE-3708031E7332.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI7yQsnSGtzSZ_B07HyucitrDGyJzGcr5g9VkzvOkerAaCNPOzakrHavBrdrzISAMvM4iYEUtPT45DhABZkqi05HxsS-XVKblRGL7w2NWKW8Z-jNQnBEOQIKnKoxE6mbQqvDr5qaTxrSCqJadvYn0skIcqZWc_2YdjfmSLwe50052RJ2m0RjdaLMRUw/s320/423A6C9B-16D9-4B23-A3BE-3708031E7332.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodega Head<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Two lunches at our favorite spot, Fishetarian, were delicious As always. And the walks on the beach were the best. They always reveal something different every time we are there. Our first day had us finding many whole sand dollars, and several that looked to still be alive. Then there were the huge piles of knotted I were lol that must have washed up in the recent storms. But as is usual at this beach, there is almost always some wind. And this trip, my sister Christine, JoAnn, and I made the walk over to the pond with the bird walk. It was a good 3 miles and a perfect bit of exercise to break up one of our days. </div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmH1T1EfE01VbJWVo1XRbEWgLS9ZQCrhniuC1bqC0VCA8in8WD7Ocg5kEts2mu-o7Q3pOMX1lZtTlVOraxzdBwPVujFP4JFBU6hxuvKIZEbdOuxsjzni37CvfvyUTgP59s9y3_IXV9nCEUmp3lb6XORgTWGxf9oakCC9AOfHL9qiKLMLJE4Zk6Nsqhg/s4032/2A62D9F8-375F-4D10-84F4-397FE63FFF23.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmH1T1EfE01VbJWVo1XRbEWgLS9ZQCrhniuC1bqC0VCA8in8WD7Ocg5kEts2mu-o7Q3pOMX1lZtTlVOraxzdBwPVujFP4JFBU6hxuvKIZEbdOuxsjzni37CvfvyUTgP59s9y3_IXV9nCEUmp3lb6XORgTWGxf9oakCC9AOfHL9qiKLMLJE4Zk6Nsqhg/s320/2A62D9F8-375F-4D10-84F4-397FE63FFF23.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi-8Obr7fxjFEapMwsEGsuRD8CFtENVbNyKU_XIKLVaKoMbLsUhxKIWwGzoF0ksT8cLVzHqOT4pLqziDa0zQkGfwfACVBMMCb_eXQYx8S6iC6_Q6f-VWHCCGR5dA3dcFQGAvwCXjcJ5i80ckMPgghDVY4dkg1tcjekr_JFCfMojdngbYMczO-NrDd2A/s4032/132C1228-F709-4373-8E4A-1B9A497C8E40.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi-8Obr7fxjFEapMwsEGsuRD8CFtENVbNyKU_XIKLVaKoMbLsUhxKIWwGzoF0ksT8cLVzHqOT4pLqziDa0zQkGfwfACVBMMCb_eXQYx8S6iC6_Q6f-VWHCCGR5dA3dcFQGAvwCXjcJ5i80ckMPgghDVY4dkg1tcjekr_JFCfMojdngbYMczO-NrDd2A/s320/132C1228-F709-4373-8E4A-1B9A497C8E40.jpeg" width="240" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6L4Go-1Tdyf2GmsoLsQT-O9a1sNxuZHsMPN7jXAxNDEqVq0Q0nsI7jm42-V9_ttWM8cgw63JLNis4LqOrajX5ZTVsbNIYrRWoldooP29XWfh6_siGlPUndyCckDs0XDe3VSEgafriVSBb6EKIENat3LVgYVVNpqaQr4zohdffq-T-kfImX1Z1TvMsQ/s4032/E224AFCA-DAFD-4206-8B1C-C7CCF46EC494.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6L4Go-1Tdyf2GmsoLsQT-O9a1sNxuZHsMPN7jXAxNDEqVq0Q0nsI7jm42-V9_ttWM8cgw63JLNis4LqOrajX5ZTVsbNIYrRWoldooP29XWfh6_siGlPUndyCckDs0XDe3VSEgafriVSBb6EKIENat3LVgYVVNpqaQr4zohdffq-T-kfImX1Z1TvMsQ/s320/E224AFCA-DAFD-4206-8B1C-C7CCF46EC494.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6et2h0vVFI-Tz9q0XIE_k1I8UQWqTiJN455zcX3T91y0ihIiR1xhrIIn8By_3hWhLqxu45udFWnjwFWR42qyFZ_J7eMxAhOupyqZ1uuHYspgmeKZbhYHUo_6uwCiNBaGZkP8_SUctPxzCNJ4__pJHkxJ72M0l7LKvgla4uw2bAaHzbJKjCqwgKwGGw/s4032/82A87E01-C872-4240-B3DF-A095437FAEAF.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6et2h0vVFI-Tz9q0XIE_k1I8UQWqTiJN455zcX3T91y0ihIiR1xhrIIn8By_3hWhLqxu45udFWnjwFWR42qyFZ_J7eMxAhOupyqZ1uuHYspgmeKZbhYHUo_6uwCiNBaGZkP8_SUctPxzCNJ4__pJHkxJ72M0l7LKvgla4uw2bAaHzbJKjCqwgKwGGw/s320/82A87E01-C872-4240-B3DF-A095437FAEAF.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6et2h0vVFI-Tz9q0XIE_k1I8UQWqTiJN455zcX3T91y0ihIiR1xhrIIn8By_3hWhLqxu45udFWnjwFWR42qyFZ_J7eMxAhOupyqZ1uuHYspgmeKZbhYHUo_6uwCiNBaGZkP8_SUctPxzCNJ4__pJHkxJ72M0l7LKvgla4uw2bAaHzbJKjCqwgKwGGw/s4032/82A87E01-C872-4240-B3DF-A095437FAEAF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVlRMzUmKVznc3Gu3YMtw573JFc48VdE9l2QQP5vB1CScGG-ySbBIUJNiCcK5CkLr5Yh6_m76o020n0tF7wUsjRuj0TG379c_TTmD_RMPu0cOSI2y8b2y8G4lo93qqbZIp62eZ0dID1UUQTbqV1kYhTnJ1htXR-VQbnE3sw2jhexzUjRK2oWCcZlK0Q/s4032/983E5281-5D10-4A85-AF64-E1CD0DBB456F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /></div><div></div><div> <br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XadxwMD9tOnh23AROiDgJcVWQTb_F4qUwV_RoV7MBuzSUDN_oELn102Fl_AncLgClE4amm3i64v-Z4fuAVB66xXuQMZpdpy23GlWDJMlUvjY05a5GuUZsedC0PjmybKYZU2m0RhT25PJZwUyMseJs5BQBVHNEIjVICzksseD8SkUc47J8To6QED_mA/s4032/755249D3-5D93-43C5-A034-18A3123C4D75.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XadxwMD9tOnh23AROiDgJcVWQTb_F4qUwV_RoV7MBuzSUDN_oELn102Fl_AncLgClE4amm3i64v-Z4fuAVB66xXuQMZpdpy23GlWDJMlUvjY05a5GuUZsedC0PjmybKYZU2m0RhT25PJZwUyMseJs5BQBVHNEIjVICzksseD8SkUc47J8To6QED_mA/s320/755249D3-5D93-43C5-A034-18A3123C4D75.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO8JcVqFGIND_I7RasWIX8NZrLsyz41hGTdANW0mvlT6ordCnfxHLnEL6pZW51iJjaYXBdF2QiItAZ-2fNnUKD4Cj2G-PI284sXUvnU7Vb3OoHGvn6451__STLM-yqSuNOiWT0vif7h5kUVBAPYRGp0t4Mr68IgGcdYuc3XPILVqEwTXMee4dWoujUA/s1290/F4536343-6808-4C99-999A-708E8858F32F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1290" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO8JcVqFGIND_I7RasWIX8NZrLsyz41hGTdANW0mvlT6ordCnfxHLnEL6pZW51iJjaYXBdF2QiItAZ-2fNnUKD4Cj2G-PI284sXUvnU7Vb3OoHGvn6451__STLM-yqSuNOiWT0vif7h5kUVBAPYRGp0t4Mr68IgGcdYuc3XPILVqEwTXMee4dWoujUA/s320/F4536343-6808-4C99-999A-708E8858F32F.jpeg" width="320" /></a> <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One day was pretty windy and the surf was up so the surfers were fun to watch. Then there was a poor guy on one of the calmer days who was paddeling his kayak into shore after checking his crab pots, and lost it in the surf close to shore. It looked like he was able to retrieve everything and thankfully he was clad in a wetsuit. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMA2YtlDM-Y9Wc5l7zhqlfCgpl0zVtwRjSuuTxXdGkgAlIW2LbqHjCMj3yvkS7kQXbBWKNmLEMlFxb7TC9ePjfBmk9_q77WEX5Z93lnxHaybZIgameVPt6ofaFcaAXdw0JOAexDyDRQRFc_bkQV-zU5Iv8eYma_YEYof8d3sux5_cGUWvVVa-UdK5PcQ/s4032/A2389281-2EC5-4344-9ABC-A93127F8A9EE.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMA2YtlDM-Y9Wc5l7zhqlfCgpl0zVtwRjSuuTxXdGkgAlIW2LbqHjCMj3yvkS7kQXbBWKNmLEMlFxb7TC9ePjfBmk9_q77WEX5Z93lnxHaybZIgameVPt6ofaFcaAXdw0JOAexDyDRQRFc_bkQV-zU5Iv8eYma_YEYof8d3sux5_cGUWvVVa-UdK5PcQ/s320/A2389281-2EC5-4344-9ABC-A93127F8A9EE.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW4GldUYRryOoNZUuX7nyV920VGwWBMYvcNAZGEiN8G6vlm-r7tdMtGiuuJRaeKtKD_t3OzA3aBNqL1JiHvA0AipuFoNa1eT7MS5rfsZiblbgy13oJtFiKnQY_QFQ_hDDYEyCPdYMKd6B1_rZCZXM3Ckzkr7ypHYiqDQHVXAD4z6WV-0OsWHATNGrHQ/s2034/0697FE52-4EA3-40C1-B8CB-7C15D12EEC2C.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1526" data-original-width="2034" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKW4GldUYRryOoNZUuX7nyV920VGwWBMYvcNAZGEiN8G6vlm-r7tdMtGiuuJRaeKtKD_t3OzA3aBNqL1JiHvA0AipuFoNa1eT7MS5rfsZiblbgy13oJtFiKnQY_QFQ_hDDYEyCPdYMKd6B1_rZCZXM3Ckzkr7ypHYiqDQHVXAD4z6WV-0OsWHATNGrHQ/s320/0697FE52-4EA3-40C1-B8CB-7C15D12EEC2C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM8yb_djxL9QgPmz5D08IN8ivGbyXi2a99oKHYRIHzwA8UmCAtxHUtzfs0twZYKNZEbS1znB5Dw6Du00fHUeuqia3acZqNFMd4Mr5Fkz7bJ3z9juq6M29RNVIyrb24tEaS5FiNvpdvTJaA0ZKGVnnlP69geg0tKrzhOPdYql7ulMaswH_Wzu42803BQ/s4032/C2E9A5F3-71AB-4CC0-AB09-6E1E2A7CA3A5.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM8yb_djxL9QgPmz5D08IN8ivGbyXi2a99oKHYRIHzwA8UmCAtxHUtzfs0twZYKNZEbS1znB5Dw6Du00fHUeuqia3acZqNFMd4Mr5Fkz7bJ3z9juq6M29RNVIyrb24tEaS5FiNvpdvTJaA0ZKGVnnlP69geg0tKrzhOPdYql7ulMaswH_Wzu42803BQ/s320/C2E9A5F3-71AB-4CC0-AB09-6E1E2A7CA3A5.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Another great outing to one of our favorite spots. We’ll be back again soon. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW2vhmpoxOdmJWBp_9bs1Dt-YviB-AZt1pKsTsK0JBfUVfH1SqmqIyyZyxNiNd28IZLsTfxBRtt6nMGHCqt0XpAGIFwpcjEV758V7AKazc_kAnm_z3mYcZXD4smY5bCX9_9s35jg44NEqabMxdjCueg4OClAvh1o1dGzYHr0WJCr6sLxZdqc0AZtXlQ/s4032/91FBEB74-8B09-4B67-80D0-978DF02890F3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwW2vhmpoxOdmJWBp_9bs1Dt-YviB-AZt1pKsTsK0JBfUVfH1SqmqIyyZyxNiNd28IZLsTfxBRtt6nMGHCqt0XpAGIFwpcjEV758V7AKazc_kAnm_z3mYcZXD4smY5bCX9_9s35jg44NEqabMxdjCueg4OClAvh1o1dGzYHr0WJCr6sLxZdqc0AZtXlQ/s320/91FBEB74-8B09-4B67-80D0-978DF02890F3.jpeg" width="240" /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfSouX11bgTOromNM0hFq6gYNIvUxUHpvQfZLELfwdtpCjHFBlEOugv-wwn7dfa4n_gkXruxCby8_Q9nZpIqLxjIV3T8cmRN7tiZIqre6XBhi7cz23AweS27sY8--YJSU5A0A8Q7RGoq2DWRB8kxI6bdBT-kZ3xer5J9D05jhg2CUqLJpD_ZGB7ydSg/s3088/31AE6CEA-F089-41DE-ABB7-49C1C1BFDA30.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfSouX11bgTOromNM0hFq6gYNIvUxUHpvQfZLELfwdtpCjHFBlEOugv-wwn7dfa4n_gkXruxCby8_Q9nZpIqLxjIV3T8cmRN7tiZIqre6XBhi7cz23AweS27sY8--YJSU5A0A8Q7RGoq2DWRB8kxI6bdBT-kZ3xer5J9D05jhg2CUqLJpD_ZGB7ydSg/s320/31AE6CEA-F089-41DE-ABB7-49C1C1BFDA30.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLEC60vyAWp-09LAN9OhUvGB50ka_IYtIKtROVul_EpDlwaA6DhbpPo3ysF_zI12mnvEaDRmOeBh4pC-y8Zvh02a8wrR0Sb-5clEwIsHJuNiVKqVIWw0H1RpHh8iSyxJ5PYEY3LKup7wG4Metr1oqxFxpkeB0I6kZR5sPzJBINwjpUvSBAR0KHydGFQ/s4032/F361022C-B5E2-40EA-B765-2315D97A1942.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLEC60vyAWp-09LAN9OhUvGB50ka_IYtIKtROVul_EpDlwaA6DhbpPo3ysF_zI12mnvEaDRmOeBh4pC-y8Zvh02a8wrR0Sb-5clEwIsHJuNiVKqVIWw0H1RpHh8iSyxJ5PYEY3LKup7wG4Metr1oqxFxpkeB0I6kZR5sPzJBINwjpUvSBAR0KHydGFQ/s320/F361022C-B5E2-40EA-B765-2315D97A1942.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi765DWX98LfSXVNLsFM1Pn_meS3KsAXag7NZsX4p6zWELu-MNa1q4NYFv4R2cro66U_KE_0QTR-dQqkYM5l27j4yV8ZsfiLErgfaUqRtU_JYBEHuKeJT106kazYZNndUMdqdp_YtUv3NVJjmJVmRvtpxTqlVbcAhPNbypO_ArNMPjteVHzPtqKBFzzzQ/s4032/76142258-0501-4E82-9B9E-957A52D852C7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi765DWX98LfSXVNLsFM1Pn_meS3KsAXag7NZsX4p6zWELu-MNa1q4NYFv4R2cro66U_KE_0QTR-dQqkYM5l27j4yV8ZsfiLErgfaUqRtU_JYBEHuKeJT106kazYZNndUMdqdp_YtUv3NVJjmJVmRvtpxTqlVbcAhPNbypO_ArNMPjteVHzPtqKBFzzzQ/w400-h300/76142258-0501-4E82-9B9E-957A52D852C7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="background-color: #e06666; color: yellow; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="_3m6-"><span style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: white;">B E L I E V E</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0Doran Beach Rd, California 94923, USA38.3145148 -123.044322310.004280963821152 -158.2005723 66.62474863617885 -87.8880723tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-63690942987568394862023-01-31T16:35:00.022-08:002023-02-03T11:38:08.949-08:00I’ve made a big decision<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So sorry I have not posted since April 2021, but I'm here now. Like so many, life has taken twists and turns over the last few years. To start, me and my family are all well and back to normal routines as much as possible -- but still masking frequently and being as cautious as possible. We are fully vaccinated and boosted against that beast of Covid that has been looming over us all since March 2020.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But today is an EXCITING DAY!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I got my labs and CT scan results last week and today I followed up with my oncologist. These appointments and scans have been happening every 6 months now for quite some time. And again, this time, there is no evidence of cancer anywhere in me! Hallelujah!!!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, we have decided (me, my oncologist, with support from family) to stop the chemo pill Xeloda/Capecitabine. I have been on this oral chemo pill for nearly 6.5 years, and it has saved my life. But it is not something I can continue forever. And while I do have some hand/foot syndrome and intestinal side effects, they do seem to be manageable <i>most of the time</i>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don't make this decision lightly. I have mulled over this possibility for a year or more now. But since being NED (No Evidence of Disease) for a couple of years now, it feels right, and I am finally ready and comfortable with this decision. I was not ready a year ago. I was not ready 6 months ago. But for some strange reason, it feels right now. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My oncologist tells me there are no real study's to say when is the right time to stop chemo, once NED, as to what are the odds the cancer will return. If "my" cancer was to find a way around this drug, and to return while I was taking it, which often does happen; it would have already happened by now. And the fact that the Xeloda has worked so well for me, is a sign that I could return to it if/when needed, and hopefully I would have as good of results at that time. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So here I go, into the unknown...</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The normal labs and tumor marker labs, as well as CT scans and oncology visits, are now bumped up to more frequency of 4 months, rather than the 6 month of previous. This will continue for at least the next year to be sure there is no recurrence; or if there is, it is caught quickly so we can jump on it.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So now on to more normal stuff ~</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">We've had some amazing rain earlier this month. Much needed, and very welcome. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">We've gotten out to camp at the coast in our trailer with friends, and plan to do more of that soon. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">It's a milestone year for us with birthdays and anniversaries, and we plan to celebrate and enjoy every moment.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">The garden is already calling me, but I hope to keep it more controllable, while still adding a few more dahlia tubers to the mix.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm still knitting, sewing, baking (not quite as often), and enjoying family and friends and this piece of paradise we call Brookfarm/home.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">My heart still isn't where I want it to be, (EF in low 30's) but losing 35 lbs over last year has helped my mobility and energy level. Not to mention my self image. I plan to keep on that forever.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Me and most of my 6 siblings have been able to get together in person over the last year, and that feels so good. Hubby, daughters and families are very well, and grandkids are getting taller, smarter, and very clever. I love them all to infinity.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT0CpvKsUns30fGrir9IEVJ6_Lvg7VQ0fL3TZn8I-B_CnqRbNwjcXPfCroRsatMyUzkK6-9kB8mYTb2XHHzXiMQo6xzo_-PAFZbItEiyIKk2F81QQ7XzozVKEj6SqlD7EzPVXnNhwPBS4vOkcFha4psUVEiCkQRcVDLeK58DoxRWxIygEjjelnL6RHw/s4032/IMG_2410.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQT0CpvKsUns30fGrir9IEVJ6_Lvg7VQ0fL3TZn8I-B_CnqRbNwjcXPfCroRsatMyUzkK6-9kB8mYTb2XHHzXiMQo6xzo_-PAFZbItEiyIKk2F81QQ7XzozVKEj6SqlD7EzPVXnNhwPBS4vOkcFha4psUVEiCkQRcVDLeK58DoxRWxIygEjjelnL6RHw/w533-h400/IMG_2410.JPEG" width="533" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve Day Hike 2022 - daughters Alura and Sarah; grandkids Nico and Gaige (11 yrs), Madeleine (8 yrs), and Comet.<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclLHCN66Sco5uAySouxtjlqf6AsQTmHRy7O9aft_lt8nhKbwda72BxU2NkL-ROtQ7XIexbkqIwh1qIj9kPjWAEv0x9i-CX0a4nkacH2PzUXSP13k0zTcrw843S--fgFJlqjgigoPFTsH3_IKCNsyx1KYCvVifVoTe7VH_6w8kNAzgEsOrTlC3veMAUw/s4032/IMG_1503D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclLHCN66Sco5uAySouxtjlqf6AsQTmHRy7O9aft_lt8nhKbwda72BxU2NkL-ROtQ7XIexbkqIwh1qIj9kPjWAEv0x9i-CX0a4nkacH2PzUXSP13k0zTcrw843S--fgFJlqjgigoPFTsH3_IKCNsyx1KYCvVifVoTe7VH_6w8kNAzgEsOrTlC3veMAUw/w400-h300/IMG_1503D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiahuna Plantation, Kauai, November 2022<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Wishing you all a safe and joyful Spring with those you love and cherish.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Until next time.... </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div>
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</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div></div>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0Glen Ellen, CA 95442, USA38.3640795 -122.52414879.90495549843352 -157.68039869999998 66.823203501566482 -87.367898700000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-72350824598930713222021-04-05T14:25:00.024-07:002021-04-05T14:25:42.729-07:00Noteworthy Anniversaries of March<div class="separator"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saWnlZ8x4co/YGt6m4tYxmI/AAAAAAAAFMA/5bMyvF4htnIpCzhS6M-dGidvFKYqAspnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8493.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saWnlZ8x4co/YGt6m4tYxmI/AAAAAAAAFMA/5bMyvF4htnIpCzhS6M-dGidvFKYqAspnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8493.JPG" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nearly a month ago Mark circled the 52 on our calendar. A FULL YEAR!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But there are some other noteworthy anniversary that this year and especially the month of Mark bring to mind. Cancer diagnosis being the BIG ONE. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every Tuesday we've increased the number of weeks that we've been sheltering in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. And it gets noted on the wall calendar. We have hardly left the property -- much more so than most we know. We've had all groceries delivered, but maybe for once or twice. We've done a few curbside take-outs (maybe a dozen at most), and only when we were out for unavoidable oncology labs, CT scans, or heart device interrogations; all requiring in-person visits; or when friends or family delivered. We have not been inside a grocery store or restaurant in over a year. I still have not. We've really hunkered down. I am not trying to compare to others, but that 52 week mark is a big one for our household. And now that we are both fully vaccinated, we will slowly venture out into the unknown.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">During all of this, the more notable moments, to me, were when I was sitting in the infusion center mid-March for my bi-monthly oncology labs and realized I've been going there for 10 years. And that March 2021 marks 5 years since my MBC (to the liver) diagnosis - Metastasized Breast Cancer. And I'm still here; fighting and kicking, surviving and feeling darn good, but anxiously waiting on results from the last CT from a week ago. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So for now... for me... life is good; and I am doing well. We are finally seeing all three grandkids after the long year wait from Covid, and looking forward to being able to see some other fully-vaccinated friends real soon. We had a lovely two days with our daughters and precious families over Easter weekend. Much fun, work, food, and activities were had by all. </span></p><p></p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-xf7evwyCY/YGt7edWqhmI/AAAAAAAAFMM/3SnKhlxpIEIY3uWRKuI_6Zuxvrw_om1LACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8404.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-xf7evwyCY/YGt7edWqhmI/AAAAAAAAFMM/3SnKhlxpIEIY3uWRKuI_6Zuxvrw_om1LACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8404.JPG" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhAApkADATw/YGt6RjNty3I/AAAAAAAAFLs/OEVxirIszrEBfj9CIlflh1wrditNGchdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8450D.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhAApkADATw/YGt6RjNty3I/AAAAAAAAFLs/OEVxirIszrEBfj9CIlflh1wrditNGchdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8450D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGUMGIYj3vo/YGt6Ki4WcsI/AAAAAAAAFLo/ReRxdVPYUhkz7R5Uk9HHpFiod9NmzDHkACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8401D.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGUMGIYj3vo/YGt6Ki4WcsI/AAAAAAAAFLo/ReRxdVPYUhkz7R5Uk9HHpFiod9NmzDHkACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8401D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlAM7d4cAOI/YGt7wAFyzXI/AAAAAAAAFMY/ZOjUSdSfsdYOX7f5vYuUJGQCpegDCcWHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8422.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlAM7d4cAOI/YGt7wAFyzXI/AAAAAAAAFMY/ZOjUSdSfsdYOX7f5vYuUJGQCpegDCcWHwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8422.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVUghSPRXto/YGt7rl12wHI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/iv6F_fJ5Skkczo4Vj__htcxuYbYomZGLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_8416.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVUghSPRXto/YGt7rl12wHI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/iv6F_fJ5Skkczo4Vj__htcxuYbYomZGLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_8416.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But sadly I still have not seen most of my siblings. Hopefully, in time, and once vaccines are available for all adults, we can make it happen. We did have the pleasure to visit Christine and
Ken a few weeks back, and that was marvelous. Especially
since our family has a new cancer diagnosis with Ken and pancreatic
cancer, probably the most dire cancer of them all. (They are all bad, of
course). They/we are all holding out great hope for time for Ken, and
even a miracle. It's been 5 months or so and they have both had many
ups and downs, but are staying the course and fighting for the best
treatment possible for him. Send your positive vibes, love, prayers, anything you think might help. There is a CaringBridge site with a few more details available: <a href="https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kenjanson">https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kenjanson</a><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We are all changed from this past
year, and we have all hit noteworthy milestones during that time. But
hopefully we come out the other side, and appreciate what is good, and
kind, and loving; and make the best of the time remaining. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spring has sprung here in Glen Ellen. Bless us all. Here's hoping for a safe and joyful Spring with those we love and cherish.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor none medium; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div>
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</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></p>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-70137076060158449622020-09-25T10:53:00.000-07:002020-09-25T10:53:07.602-07:00Saying Goodbye is Hard To Do<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">We said goodbye to our sweet big white lioness late Tuesday night. Sweet Tessa (Contessa di Brookfarm) is now resting and guarding from above. It was a hard last day, but she finally passed in her sleep near midnight, lying under her favorite persimmon tree with Mark staying vigile to the end. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tessa was the best dog ever, and that is hard to say as we've had some amazing pets over the many years. She was not only an amazing livestock guardian dog (LGD) and loved by all who visited Brookfarm; but in later years after all the alpacas were placed in new homes, she became our family and cat guardian, and friend and playmate to the grandchildren, Tessa would roam the yard and march around the entire house about three times early each morning, as if to see if everything was in place before she rested either at the front door, in front of the garden, under the trailer, or near her persimmon tree, depending on the weather and sun orientation. Then there were the times she could be found laying at the highest point in a pasture, as if to keep an eye on everything from a high vantage point.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tessa, a Maremma Abbruzzese Sheepdog, (aka Maremma), came to us from a Boer goat farm in Boulder Creek near Santa Cruz. We knew that we needed an LGD for our alpacas, as who knew what predators might come in the dark of night. I researched and found this breed, the Maremma, an Italian breed going back 2,000 years that is still used to roam with the shepherds over the hills of Italy to protect their sheep. If you have never seen a Maremma pup, then you are missing out. They are the most adorable bundles of white fur, almost polar-bear'ish. And Tessa was every bit of that. She took her job very seriously, along with counterparts Maurio and Nicco Maremmas. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tessa was just 8 weeks old in December of 2006 when we picked her up, and was dwarfed by the alpacas that arrived the day after her. But we never lost an alpaca to a predator, and never even saw one on the property. Whether she fended anything off in the late of night, only she would know. But her presence gave Mark and I much reassurance. The most we ever knew was some coyotes a neighbor said they saw outside our property, and another who claimed a mountain lion was walking along the fence line one morning. Then there was the 3 raccoons who I found up in the oak tree at the tree line that she wouldn't stop barking at one time in the middle of the night when Mark was away. And those darn raccoons wouldn't budge, so I finally moved her into another area so I could sleep. And of course the night she wouldn't stop barking and we came out to find a white plastic bag stuck in a tree blowing in the wind. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the 2017 wildfires, Tessa had just had major surgery and we weren't sure if she was going to make it. I had picked her up from the vet hospital in Santa Rosa before they wanted to release her. Only because they had done everything they could and she still wasn't eating. After surgery, blood transfusions, medications, and monitoring for several days, it was time to bring her home to an atmosphere she would feel more comfortable in. Maremmas are best in a farm/livestock situation as they are independent thinkers and need a herd or flock to protect and thrive. They really aren't meant to be indoors. Even though her alpacas were gone, she had gotten accustomed to being our farm and garden guardian. Our thought was that once home she would begin to eat and gain strength. Little did we know that in the middle of the night that same day, we would be evacuated for over 9 days due to wildfire; and the vet hospital was evacuated as well. During the evacuation, she stayed mostly in the back of our CRV as we moved first to daughter's in Sonoma, then to brother's home in Petaluma, and finally to our other daughter's home in Davis. All the while she was getting in and out of the car for the first few days of convalescence, and then living in strange backyards wearing her cone. She improved and came home with us via the back roads as our area had not yet been fully opened up, but thankfully our home was safe from threat.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tessa & Maurio produced three beautiful litters of Maremma pups to go off and protect other livestock on other farms. They were such fun. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0U-H7xo5Kk/X24mufrgOSI/AAAAAAAAFD0/sFhSlTRDeng58u5UQJXwmI472bxjWP8qgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1420/IMG_5646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="1420" height="465" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0U-H7xo5Kk/X24mufrgOSI/AAAAAAAAFD0/sFhSlTRDeng58u5UQJXwmI472bxjWP8qgCLcBGAsYHQ/w465-h465/IMG_5646.JPG" width="465" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu1v60ay-uA/X24msTXfMII/AAAAAAAAFDs/AQ4LANaVPQAKwg-10AM7nNEjlyYg3DnBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1497/IMG_5636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1735" data-original-width="2006" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_xmbSdxc1o/X24m0H4tuyI/AAAAAAAAFD8/220LUDiMToEUE4d0t6H5XP1H3z2zBDvewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_f4b.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></span></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1759" data-original-width="1582" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKDHvG8tt90/X24mtKnWLyI/AAAAAAAAFDw/jZzJLjPEE-MIwyVhgx3Vojg8gC6-Sb0HACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5633.JPG" /><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymV1z5ZkDeQ/X24mr_KhGjI/AAAAAAAAFDo/a3gz-NuM0GIa6DKJpdeH-lUsjIrFZe5qgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1920/IMG_5635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></span></div></span></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu1v60ay-uA/X24msTXfMII/AAAAAAAAFDs/AQ4LANaVPQAKwg-10AM7nNEjlyYg3DnBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5636.JPG" /></div></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTeqgbZrzg4/X24s8AGBJTI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/s-gK3gS-_Ik7RLblggpjWh_2xojoJ3tCACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/PC190013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTeqgbZrzg4/X24s8AGBJTI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/s-gK3gS-_Ik7RLblggpjWh_2xojoJ3tCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/PC190013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xC3o49BfOHA/X24uI2VxToI/AAAAAAAAFGE/iRf5_Ag5pBsRW2p9IWRYjSGydRwSpE16wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_2845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xC3o49BfOHA/X24uI2VxToI/AAAAAAAAFGE/iRf5_Ag5pBsRW2p9IWRYjSGydRwSpE16wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_2845.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHOD3ePL4-U/X24szKMri0I/AAAAAAAAFFA/fIIE-NZcDAo5CTQbK1GQZryj9DVG6uaDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1971.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHOD3ePL4-U/X24szKMri0I/AAAAAAAAFFA/fIIE-NZcDAo5CTQbK1GQZryj9DVG6uaDQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1971.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8pj4isTmsw/X24tIEyrmaI/AAAAAAAAFFo/Hqgy4Bm1foQPprZ9y05sAWivuMfJcsOFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2006/fullsizeoutput_f4b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1735" data-original-width="2006" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8pj4isTmsw/X24tIEyrmaI/AAAAAAAAFFo/Hqgy4Bm1foQPprZ9y05sAWivuMfJcsOFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_f4b.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_HQF-ycoZ0/X24tD5lXW_I/AAAAAAAAFFg/qAeXNXmBpsgWOaUjrJlTk1NaIeSepsb4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_de0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_HQF-ycoZ0/X24tD5lXW_I/AAAAAAAAFFg/qAeXNXmBpsgWOaUjrJlTk1NaIeSepsb4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_de0.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tessa was 14 years young. She lived a long and wonderful life. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Godspeed sweet Tessa. </span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">We will miss your sweet face and gentleness; and all the great work you did for Brookfarm and your alpacas.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vR3IH_mhZVU/X24s9QD_z0I/AAAAAAAAFFU/i5a1fw7c9xkOw7dcM0qh-7Rm4nfa8PkfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1258.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vR3IH_mhZVU/X24s9QD_z0I/AAAAAAAAFFU/i5a1fw7c9xkOw7dcM0qh-7Rm4nfa8PkfACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_1258.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="_3m6-"><span style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: white;">B E L I E V E</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and just occasionally on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/BrookfarmSonoma" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div>
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</div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-86708544275337896852020-08-17T14:05:00.002-07:002020-08-17T14:05:46.240-07:00Are We There Yet ~ 4th Escape<div style="text-align: center;"><h1><span style="font-size: x-large;">4th Escape</span></h1></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tomorrow will be week 23 of the Shelter in Place for Covid-19, and last week was my 4th escape from the farm during that time, each time for a
doctors appointment! We are staying safe, staying home, working on the
property, tending a large garden and three-month-old chickens, baking and making sourdough, knitting, spinning, keeping busy and
healthy. And the last two morning experiencing amazing thunder storms, downpours, and wind.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It hasn't been too hard, the staying home part, with the help of delivered groceries
and connection with outside friends and family via phone, text, social
media and an occasional Zoom session. It's not the same, and we miss
everyone's smiling faces, especially our daughter in Davis and her
family and our precious grandchildren. But it is manageable,
considering the risks of any other path. This too shall pass, but I know
we are all weary of this change. Especially those with jobs (and those on furlough, or losing work all together), children
in school, challenges of distance learning, living in close quarters, etc. The list doesn't seem to end. This is a huge challenge for us all.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />But since we had this brief outing, it's always fun to see the
area on our drive. Not much has changed since our last trip through
Bennett Valley to Santa Rosa. After the brief routine port flushing,
since my labs are now every 3 months, we grabbed a take-out Super Burger
and found a shady spot under a tree at the Bennett Valley Golf Course
parking lot to enjoy this rare meal out. Simple, but a nice change. <br /><br />On the way home we drove into Glen Ellen for of bit sight seeing,
viewing all the new homes re-built and under construction nearly three years after the fire along Warm
Springs Road and O'Donnel Lane. It was quite exciting to see all the
improvements going in. Such a positive thing amidst all else happening
in our lives/country/world these days.
<br /><br />Wishing you all safety, health, and good coping skills. As one of the songs from a children's albun says from when our girls were much younger, "Are we there yet? No we're not. We have a long way to travel before were through..... Do we do we do."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="_3m6-"><span face="" style="font-family: "georgia", "times new roman", serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: white;">B E L I E V E</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and just occasionally on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/BrookfarmSonoma" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: currentcolor none medium; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div>
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Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-64566087550112243452020-07-25T17:10:00.000-07:002020-07-25T17:10:19.054-07:00Continued Good News - Still NED<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Continued Good News - Still NED</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I
zoomed with my oncologist the other day. A first for me. Not the
Zoom, but with someone other than friends or family. All went well and
he continues to share good news with me from my latest labs and CT
Scan. My immune system is doing well, and there continues to be no
changes or new "stuff" on my CT Scan. So 6 months later and I am still
NED. (No evidence of disease). Take that you evil C!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Other
than the garden, loads of beautiful and delicious veggies (making a
ratatouille right now), doing some quilting, sewing dresses for
granddaughters upcoming 6th birthday, knitting, writing 100 postcards to
Florida voters encouraging mail-in voting, communicating with family
and friends... AND STAYING HOME, all is well here on the homefront. Our
safety bubble is very small and we like it that way, for now at least. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This
photo is of my recently finished SIP quilt. Shelter in Place. Stay
home. Look at all the cute little houses for us all to be safe inside!
;-)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-Td0hw35ns/XxzDP0uHBuI/AAAAAAAAFBA/OxBGnz1j7ZEV3VWkbu7KM_TX6wBQ-F_EACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/115910787_10222721392533039_497805728413240889_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1600" height="387" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-Td0hw35ns/XxzDP0uHBuI/AAAAAAAAFBA/OxBGnz1j7ZEV3VWkbu7KM_TX6wBQ-F_EACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/115910787_10222721392533039_497805728413240889_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One of granddaughters birthday dresses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCyTALEtV7g/XxzGEk-b_HI/AAAAAAAAFBw/tMGuhSPNgLA45lJFr18wJwHE3iUMgVOJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4522.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rCyTALEtV7g/XxzGEk-b_HI/AAAAAAAAFBw/tMGuhSPNgLA45lJFr18wJwHE3iUMgVOJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4522.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;">And, things going on around the farm.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KUJZ97Vi0I/XxzGBxHGCUI/AAAAAAAAFBk/4acP_-SbB1Mci4BjQ2aMOaFaBUYTvpMAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4520.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5KUJZ97Vi0I/XxzGBxHGCUI/AAAAAAAAFBk/4acP_-SbB1Mci4BjQ2aMOaFaBUYTvpMAACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4520.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2ViEf1KvEY/XxzFqm6BkvI/AAAAAAAAFBU/9Lr9zRQgFeY1xpUkxlQDTi1Mzw0haQMgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4443.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2ViEf1KvEY/XxzFqm6BkvI/AAAAAAAAFBU/9Lr9zRQgFeY1xpUkxlQDTi1Mzw0haQMgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4443.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AD9yO18mloA/XxzF0I1KvGI/AAAAAAAAFBc/hPkLdicPb-EAi-y1NYTrtI1DRzCtI_f-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4513.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AD9yO18mloA/XxzF0I1KvGI/AAAAAAAAFBc/hPkLdicPb-EAi-y1NYTrtI1DRzCtI_f-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4513.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlvBxFqUyes/XxzFytFWD3I/AAAAAAAAFBY/v9z1IJQjh2kzYK-jSqm1bKjQucpG9nhxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_4489D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlvBxFqUyes/XxzFytFWD3I/AAAAAAAAFBY/v9z1IJQjh2kzYK-jSqm1bKjQucpG9nhxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4489D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I
wish you all health, safety and sanity during these uncertain times.
Stay home as much as possible; and if you must go out, PLEASE, for
goodness sakes, WEAR A MASK. If medical professionals can do it all day
long without adverse health effects, you can do it for a few minutes
when you need to be away from home and your safety bubble.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJGCq2edKjs/XxzDaTRaePI/AAAAAAAAFBE/SO8dhxGPVXo7ddKyDgn1QbUlSUglvHXLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RenderedImage.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJGCq2edKjs/XxzDaTRaePI/AAAAAAAAFBE/SO8dhxGPVXo7ddKyDgn1QbUlSUglvHXLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RenderedImage.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="_3m6-"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: white;">B E L I E V E</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and just occasionally on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/BrookfarmSonoma" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-78043927192525064512020-07-16T15:13:00.002-07:002020-07-16T15:13:47.121-07:003 Outings in 18 Weeks<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That's correct; I've been out of my house and property only three times in the last 18 weeks. And a CT Scan today warranted this third outing. Let's hope it brings as good news as the last one back in December.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgePQPErHwc/XxDMtJVI0-I/AAAAAAAAFAk/T4Nt5QjjwkY-UB8mVJIFx7MNicsDkrbBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RenderedImage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgePQPErHwc/XxDMtJVI0-I/AAAAAAAAFAk/T4Nt5QjjwkY-UB8mVJIFx7MNicsDkrbBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RenderedImage.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are Sheltering in Place (SIP) and fortunate to be able to do it so well. But am glad to be back in my safe home right now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm working around the property more, sewing and knitting more, baking more (specifically sourdough and pizza on a weekly basis), and napping too. The heat is hard on me in the middle of the day.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately we are together, Mark and I, and that makes it all the better.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Although our daughter is living in a studio at the end of our house, and grandson is there about 75% of time; it's not the same as before. We talk through a glass door, and text frequently. They don't enter our separate section of the house at all. We see them in the yard with distancing and masks. Unlike our other daughter and grandkids that we haven't seen in 4.5 months. I have a new appreciation for those who's kids & grandkids live out of state.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mark and I put in a big garden and are raising 15 baby chicks that are now 7-8 weeks old. All the hard work to rebuild the raised beds, amend the soil, and repair and roof the chicken run, have paid off. And we are enjoying yummy vegetables and anticipating eggs this Fall. It all makes sense now that we can't get out to camp in our trailer. But little did we know this pandemic would last this long.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A few friends and I have ventured into sourdough baking and communicate
regularly sharing successes and near-misses. I'm also working on 2
quilts and a dress for granddaughters birthday in a couple of weeks,
among a couple of knitting projects.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And now I am working with a group of women to mail postcards to Florida voters encouraging them to do mail-in ballots.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So you see, I am not letting any grass grow under these feet and am in this SIP for the long haul. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish you all health, safety and sanity during these uncertain times. Stay home as much as possible; and if you must go out, PLEASE, for goodness sakes, WEAR A MASK.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="_3m6-"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: white;">B E L I E V E</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px; outline: medium none; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and just occasionally on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/BrookfarmSonoma" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div>
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Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-75076938350374203722020-03-20T14:43:00.002-07:002020-03-20T14:43:37.810-07:00I Think I Got This -- I Sure Hope So<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As in, I Think I Got This Figured Out -- At Least I Sure Hope So.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A couple of days ago I started a Blog post with this...</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I've been absent here, I guess because I have been well, or busy, or happy. That’s not to say I only post when that isn’t the case. I can’t explain, and it really isn’t important. But now I feel compelled to write, mainly because it is cathartic and healing for me to do so. Thanks for listening, or not; whatever is best for you.</span></span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>And of course this is all related to Covid-19, the Coronavirus.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each night I go to bed and I am not so sure I am Ok. I am well, but a bit of anxiety surrounds me, as it may be for so many of us. Maybe a better description is nervous — I am most certainly nervous. <i>Aren’t we all</i>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am anxious and nervous wondering whether we are doing enough, whether my community is doing enough, whether I am doing enough. In my mind, we must all do all that we can; and really, unless we do <b>everything we can</b>, it will not be enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was recently told it is all about common sense. Common sense? Nothing about this is common sense. <u>Nothing about this is common</u>. This is all so foreign to us all, it is like a bad dream, the twilight zone, a nightmare of great magnitude. We are navigating uncharted times and very unusual ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean, when was the last time schools were closed for a month, in many counties, states and countries? When did we ever see City offices closed to the public; non-essential businesses shut down, all restaurants closed to inside service? Most businesses closed, most people working from home?</span></div>
<div style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When have we seen our hospitals and medical professionals implementing systems never seen before to protect public, in this country, around the world? 🌎 When was the last time the news reported medical equipment in short supply, testing slow to happen, and not available for weeks, then in limited quantities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When, in this current administration, have we seen our President holding daily press conferences and finally sounding like he cares about it all and is taking this seriously? And then the next day blaming a whole country, wrongly so, for this virus. Well, maybe this is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the one thing that happens frequently since January 2017. GRRRR</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing normal about any of this.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">AND I could go on, and on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Even social distancing doesn’t seem like enough at this point. Unless we all stay home... young, old, healthy, compromised, EVERYONE, we may lose more lives than we might otherwise. And even one death is too many. It is about protecting our fellow Americans and our families and ourselves. It is challenging, and feels so odd. But it is the only way to get through this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then this morning I awoke with a new sense of hope. Sarah was already out at the store shopping for our long list of groceries to supply us for a time. When she returned at 9am, Mark was serving up pancakes to the four of us. They wouldn't let me touch the grocery bags or contents and that waited until after breakfast. Then Mark wiped down some shelves in the refrigerator, wiped down all the groceries, I washed the produce with hot water (a first ever), and all was stored properly. Then Sarah, Gaige and I did a 20 minute beginning Yoga stretch set, which felt very good. So good in fact, that I then found a Youtube Taoist Tai Chi set to play on our TV, and it felt very good. So it is noon now and the day is off to a good start. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It helps to have Sarah and Gaige with us now, and since last October. Instead of watching my normal morning news, which is constantly evolving these days, I usually get distracted by the little munchkin, or breakfast, or something. Mark and I are in the middle of the Amazon Bosch series in the evenings when it is just us. Gaige and I have been watching a few animated videos this week, which is fun. I need to get back to my Outlander season 4, but there is time for that later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So the entire State of California is on a shelter in place as of last night. That is new, rather than just a handful of counties, but I believe to be the right move. We've actually gone no where for almost two weeks now, as once I did my labs at the oncology department about then, I felt it was better to stay away from everything. Ongoing chemo treatment and about 8 prescriptions, mostly for the heart failure, definitely put me in a more vulnerable group. But my immune system is not bad, nothing like when I was going through infusions with low blood counts. I am still NED (No Evidence of Disease), and hope to stay that way for as long as possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So it's one day at a time, like before. One foot in front of the other. Washing hands VERY often, sanitizing in between. Elbowing my grandson before bed, instead of hugs or kisses or any close contact. Telling him I love him continually. Facetiming the other grandchildren since I won't be able to see them for the forseeable future. And praying like mad that my NP daughter stays well as well as her family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the Coronavirus; and especially to my grandparents home of Northern Italy. They are strong and amazing people. May they weather this storm very soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Pray like you've never before; wish upon a star; do whatever it takes to keep us all safe and healthy through the Coronavirus Pandemic affecting our entire world, so that one day, we can all talk about this in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So to lighten the mood here, I've attached a couple of fun, light hearted videos for you.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nn7NZI_LN4" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Kitty Dominos</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lisa.m.boehm/videos/1613070628833927/" target="_blank">Advice from Pluto the Dog</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="_3m6-"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: white;">B E L I E V E</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and just occasionally on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/BrookfarmSonoma" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div>
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Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216710500871044930.post-44072539959224059082020-01-13T17:56:00.000-08:002020-01-14T15:58:37.845-08:00Me & RBG<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">RBG (Ruth Bader Ginzburg) is cancer free. Hip Hip Hooray! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And on the same day of her great news, I too got some great news, which i am thrilled to share....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I AM NED.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">NED:</span> <i>No evidence of disease.</i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So while I cannot say I am cancer free (did you know we all have cancer cells in us), Snd I’m not sure RBG can say that either, <b>I can say</b> that my latest CT Scan shows no progression and <u><b><i>no evidence of disease</i> - NED.</b></u> What the CT scan does show, is some little blips that are probably scar tissue from the dozen or more tumors that were in my liver in March 2016, and for a few years after. But without a biopsy, there is really no way to say one is cancer free. For now, though, this is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC NEWS. I came out of my oncology checkup yesterday with a big smile on my face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So after the recurrence </span><span style="font-size: large;">of Metastatic breast cancer to the same breast </span><span style="font-size: large;">on March 1, 2016, and the many new tumors in the liver, some quite large; (almost exactly 5 years after my first diagnosis); then about 9 months of debilitating chemotherapy infusions of a few different cocktails; then a switch to the tablet chemo pill of Capicetabine, aka Xeloda, now after almost 3.5 years; I am NED. I couldn't ask for a better result, and am so very thankful to everyone - family, friends, my medical team, just all of you, for your continued support during this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We talked about several things in my follow appointment. One was the fact I take 30mg of melatonin a night. He asked, “3 mg?” I repeated, “no, 30 mg”. His response was, “well whatever you are doing, it is working, so keep it up.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will continue with my same treatment regime. As my oncologist said, "Some would stop the Xeloda at this point, but I am not a fan of that." And I wholeheartedly agree.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My oncologist also said,</span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"This is remarkable", </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He definitely used the word <i>remarkable</i>. And I think that is very remarkable in and of itself. So I’ll be hanging onto those words for quite some time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’m feeling very thankful, blessed and darn right lucky. I read about breast cancer <i>sisters</i> dieing almost every day, and it’s hard not to feel a little guilty that I am still here, as silly as you will all think that is. But I know cancer is kind of like the luck of the draw. We really can’t pin a finger on why some people get it, and why some do not. We just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, taking it day by day, and living our best life with the hand we are dealt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I will close this post </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">with the fun San Francisco outing we had just yesterday with friends for dinner out and experiencing the amazing Hamilton at the Orpheum Theater; as well as</span> a few random photos looking back on the wonderful Christmas we had with family<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> DINNER AT FINO & HAMILTON IN SAN FRANCISCO</span></div>
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FAMILY FUN FOR THE HOLIDAYS</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="_3m6-"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: white;">B E L I E V E</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">• I AM STRONG • I AM HEALTHY • I AM LOVED • </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>THANKS for visiting! I look forward to your comment.</i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">You can also find me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Deb.Brookfarm" style="color: #00b2b4; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/BrookfarmAlpacas" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>, and just occasionally on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/knittnfarmgrldeb/" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/BrookfarmSonoma" style="color: #888888; display: inline; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Just click the corresponding name above to go there.</span></span></div>
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Debbie Emeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14907769374826717803noreply@blogger.com0