Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Oh good that one worked.👍
We have had some nice rainfall here but not as much as up your way CynB. Hope Col is in less pain now.
One of my 4 front crowns snapped off about 4 weeks ago.
Today finally the new one was ready to go in my mouth.
I hated the root canal work but won’t be visiting again in a hurry. Around $2,000 thank you very much.💰💰
😬😬😬🙄🙄

Better try and sleep now. Nite all 😴😴😴😴😴😴

Thought for the TOPP -

Old age is not for sissies. (Bette Davis)

Add a bit more to that for Tami - 'and dealing with an elderly parent with dementia is also not for sissies! It is so hard to help them keep their dignity and independence whilst knowing that they are a danger to themselves and others.
Do what you can to wrest that licence from her, and try to get her car - my Dad was a law unto himself and still drove after his licence was revoked. We got the Doctor and the authorities to take his licence and I asked for a loan of his car until we could get another. He forgot where it was. Still feel bad for deceiving him but it had to be done.
Oh, and the incessant phone calls!! My Mum would ring each of her 3 children and some of her older grandchildren so many times every day, her bill showed over 1000 calls for 1 week. And if we'd let it go to message bank - phew, the language was colourful, especially from a woman who never swore in all her life up to that point! We got the phone made to accept calls but not to make them.

Colin is still very sore but learning to deal with it. We went back to the hospital yesterday morning for them to check the eye. They were happy with it. It looks ghastly but if they say it's okay, I'm okay. Next visit on Monday. Meanwhile, we get used to the new normal.

Too much excitement this evening. I had a 6 pm support group for the bariatric surgery (required), a 1 hour drive each way. I was halfway home after the meeting, and I noticed the truck's temperature gauge shoot up suddenly into the red. Fortunately, I was just about to pass a friend's farm, so I pulled into their driveway... just as smoke started issuing from under the hood. My friends came out to see what was happening, and took me inside to calm down while the truck cooled off. After half an hour, I went back out to pop the hood and check her out. The coolant was fine, but oil had sprayed all over the engine. She probably blew her head gasket. So my friends drove me home. The mechanics I use have a 24 hour towing service, so I called them to let them know what happened and where the truck is. They'll pick her up in the morning. Again fortunately, I have NO appointments for the next 6 days, so I probably don't even need a rental. I love that truck. She always takes care of me. This time, she made sure I was in the hands of friends. She has NEVER stranded me.

Hi, Everyone!

Oops, looks like I forgot to visit yesterday.

Cyn, your drive to the hospital sounds challenging! Of course, you didn't have any major delays. If you had left 10 minutes after you planned, you would probably have had 30 minutes of delays Very frustrating! But, at least you were where you needed to be and in time! Col's pain level sounds almost unbearable. It's a good thing he is stoic, and good that they had warned him prior to the surgery that he would need to deal with a lot of pain. It seems that when one eye is affected or injured, often the other eye acts as if it has also been affected or injured. I hope he will soon be experiencing less pain and that the healing process will proceed quickly and completely! I'm glad your daughter finally got home safely! What a trying few days it must have been for her, you and Col, and all family members! I'm glad Madeline was available to be company for you as you waited in the hospital!

Tami, I'm so sorry to hear about the struggles with your Mom's health and ability to drive. I'm so glad her doctor and his assistant are so understanding and helpful! Unfortunately, you'll probably have some unhappy discussions until she is ready to relinquish the car keys and her ability to drive. It is a process that defies logic and requires a lot of patience. With luck, once her license has been revoked, the process will improve. I don't know what you can do or say to improve the situation, but hopefully, she will get used to not driving and will 'look forward' to having a variety of 'drivers' to help her get where she needs to go. Saltie's suggestion for getting suggestions from a dementia counselor is a good one.

Hi, VViv! Sorry about the broken crown and root canal, not to mention the bill that went with it. I hope your dental worries are now all taken care of for a good long while.

Cyn, what a great TOPP - and SO true! Cyn, I had no idea a phone line could be made to accept calls but not make them. I wonder if that can be done in the U.S. What a great way to deal with that particular problem. (My MIL often called a cab/taxi to take her to the Emergency Room if she 'didn't feel right.' Then after a while, she just called an ambulance. Unfortunately, that was a lot more expensive than her calling us or a cab.

Cyn, I hope Col's eye will be less painful every day! Great news that the doctor was pleased with the way things looked on his day-after check-up. I hope it will look even better next Monday!

Heidi, I'm glad your truck got you as far as your friend's farm safely, and they could drive you home. Take care of yourself, and I hope her (the truck) repairs are not too difficult or costly.

We have a VERY early start tomorrow, so I'm off to bed. But first, here's a supply of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, , prayers, and positive and happy thoughts!

Hi all, just letting you know I’m still around, lurking and reading the posts. Alie is in America right now, and will be for a month. She’s staying with Don’s family over there. Next year she plans to go back, but with her new bf. They’ll travel around more. She’s seen more of the US than I have, and I lived there for 10 years.

Cyn and Tami, reading your posts I remembered something I read years and years ago... tough times never last, but tough people do. I would add to the end of that, until the day they fall in a heap and are completely FUBAR. I hope your tough times are not so tough that you end up like me....

Suzy, I have heard that said about tough people, and Colin and I are tough! We will endure. I just wish I could pass some of it on to you. I also wish I lived closer to you so I could help you get away from the FUBAR feeling.
Heidi, what luck about the truck and where it broke down. Serendipity!

Good news. I talked to the repair shop. It was her radiator that blew. I stopped her before any other damage occurred. Easy access and easy-ish fix. And the replacement only costs $186. I love that truck!!! She takes care of me. Most of the drive home from the hospital is up and down hilly, winding roads in the country with no cell phone servive. I could have easily been stranded miles from the nearest house, unable to summon help, and with only strangers nearby. Instead she got me to the one and ONLY safe place for me to break down after dark.

Cyn, reading of Col's pain after his eye surgery, my heart goes out to both of you, and my anger is over the top at doctors who KNOW it is going to cause that pain and do nothing for it! This war on ILLEGAL drugs is taking it's tole on people who need it. Research has showed that patients who are in severe pain take longer to heal. It makes me angry and sad. I do not know about there, but here doctor's hands are tied, they could loose their license if they do not follow the government guidelines for prescribing narcotic pain medications.

posting this before I turn the page and loose it. Hugs to each of you, with extras.

Suzy, I have not seen the FUBAR expression in ages. It reminds me so much of my hubby, he used it frequently. For the first Christmas we were dating, I had met him in late September, I made him a ceramic mug with FUBAR engraved into the green ware before it was fired. It was his favorite mug.

I had more to say, but it is time for bedtime meds now, so I will sign off after saying, Tami, I feel for you and the problem with Mom driving problem. perhaps making sure she had the funds to call a taxi or Uber to go where she needs to go will help. She could still have her independence and go about as she desires, without driving? Viv, sorry to hear about your broken crown, OUCH, at both the pain and expense of the repair.

More hugs, till later.

Hi, Everyone!

Suzy I hope Alie has a wonderful time while in the U.S. In the meantime, I guess things are pretty quiet for you. I'm glad you have Gizmo, and hope you know you're only a phone call away from your girls. Hopefully you have some good books and good friends to help you pass the time! Gosh, I haven't heard FUBAR for a long time. I hope you don't really feel that describes you. We certainly don't think so! Of course, we all have certain days that might qualify, but hopefully they are few and far between! Sending some {{{HUGS}}} and positive thoughts!

CynB, I would agree; I consider you and Col to be tough and able to do whatever you need to do to face whatever comes your way. I hope Col is feeling better and the pain is dissipating! Be sure to give him some gentle {{{HUGS}}} and share healing energy with him.

Heidi, that's great news that the damage was relatively minor and not hugely expensive to fix! That's one great truck to get you to the only safe place since it couldn't get you all the way home. It seems like your mechanic is also a keeper!

MizT, I agree with you and the need for adequate pain medication. I must admit that I'm a bit concerned, as hubby's ophthalmologist has mentioned several times that it's likely that he'll need a corneal transplant. I can't tell him about the pain. And the thing is, I know (as CynB and Col know, that the pain affects BOTH spouses. What a shame.

Hang in there, Cyn and Col! Our thoughts are with both of you.

Thinking of you, Tami, and your Mom, and hoping each day gets a little better!

It's time to say Good Night. Here are the good wishes, positive thoughts, healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and for Everyone!

Tami - a hard problem. I 'borrowed' my mum's car with the excuse mine was off-road for a month, By then she had forgotten she had one, but occasionally when she did remember, I told her it was being serviced. Hated lying to her but it was less hurtful in the long run. When she remembered my father, I told her he had gone fishing and would be back the next day. It can be hard but there are still so many good times ahead.
Hope Col is feeling better - good on him for the transplant. The way they do gall bladder ops now is very easy - in some cases only day surgery,
Haven't read much of what has been going on, will get to it later, I have been in hospital for a week with pneumonia and still feeling ordinary, Cheers to all,

Oh no, Midge. Pneumonia is terrifying. I still haven't fully recovered from my case last December.

My fingers are crossed that what Col is going through will be worth it.

Midge, so sorry to hear you had pneumonia. I hope you are feeling much better and are on the road to recovery.

Those are some good suggestions for Tami, Midge. We certainly don't want to lie to our parents, but sometimes it makes it easier for them to accept the changes they are facing.

Heidi, has any doctor told you how long it takes to feel 'back to normal' after pneumonia? At least, it seems that your doctor isn't concerned that it will be a problem for your upcoming surgery!

CynB, I hope things are improving for Col and you!

Thinking of everyone and sending lots of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, , prayers, and positive thoughts!

I still remember my walking pneumonia, I think they call it atypical pneumonia here, but I was in the states so it was walking pneumonia. I was at Dana’s school as one of the coordinators of the reading program. One of the mothers commented that I looked unwell. I said it feels like someone is stabbing me in the back. She was a nurse and told me to go to the doctor because I had pneumonia. I was sceptical and finished out the day of volunteering. She was right and I spent as much time as I could with two young children sleeping for a few days after that.

The pneumonia aftereffects are the biggest concern the bariatric surgeon has. He's quite concerned that I'm still not getting suffucient oxygen. He has threatened to put my on oxygen. I probably will be on it for the 3 days I'll be in the hospital.

My run-in with pneumonia was about 15 years ago, and my biggest drama was in getting medical attention. At the time I was working on a cattle station about 90 km from the nearest town. I was fine on Thursday morning when the rest of the workers left for town, leaving me on my own until Tuesday. Friday I went out to finish off some new flood fencing, including chopping down a couple of trees about 20 cm (8 inch) across to use for rails. I was starting to feel run down, and by Friday night I thought I was getting the flu. By midday Saturday I knew it wasn't just the flu, didn't know what it was, but knew I needed medical attention. And I wasn't fit to drive by then. I knew my brother was probably unfit to drive (being on his first break in town for a month). The friends I could have called on all had young children (toddlers) and I felt I couldn't risk passing on whatever I had to them. So that left the ambulance. Not a good call for Saturday night, even worse because they would be unfamiliar with the road. So left it until Sunday morning to call.

The ambulance arrived, with just the driver. She made it clear that she thought I was just some silly old biddy who wouldn't be left alone on a place like that, that there was nothing much wrong with me, and I was wasting her time. For a while I thought she was going to leave me there, but she eventually agreed to take me to the local hospital. She told hospital staff she thought there was nothing much wrong with me, and I probably should be asked to pay for the 'nuisance' ambulance call.

The upshot was that I was diagnosed with double pneumonia and spent ten days in hospital. The most difficult part was that I had no energy. I could have told the ambulance driver that I would normally be out in the paddocks fixing fences, checking waters, lugging 20 litre (4 gallon) cans of fuel to fill and run pumps, getting bogged cattle out of waterholes, not stumbling about the house and asking for her vehicle to be moved 30 metres closer to the garden gate. But I simply didn't have the energy to say it.

Wow saltie, did you give into the temptation to call them when you got home and tell them off for their callousness and ignorance?

WOW! Suzy, Heidi, and Saltie, you've all had pneumonia of one kind or another. To have 3 people out of about 15 or 20 regular posters who have had pneumonia is amazing. Actually, I think I remember MizT saying that she has had pneumonia. I hope there isn't anyone else who has had it. No wonder pneumonia vaccines have now been developed!

Of the 6 siblings in my family, my oldest brother had pneumonia around age 9 or 10, I think, and my youngest sister had walking pneumonia a couple of times around kindergarten age. The two cases didn't overlap and weren't related. I guess we're fortunate none of the rest of us got it.

CynB, I hope Col is feeling better and has a restful weekend!

Happy Weekend to everyone!

Sending healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, and to each of you!

Suzy, no, by the time I healed enough to think about it, I had realized that I really would have come across as the silly old biddy she saw. I think I would have managed to say something more if she had decided to leave me behind, even if I had to grab her arm to get her to stop and listen. The other thing is, being a country area there would be fairly close contact between the hospital staff and the ambos, and she would have had a big Oops! moment when she learned the outcome. I was just glad the others didn't come home to find a big patch of grease on the floor.

Wow, Saltie, your experience would have been scary. Glad it turned out okay.
Julie, add me to the list. I, too, have had pneumonia but when I was a small child. I know it was very serious. In the early 50's, in an unusually cold winter - our houses in sub-tropical Queensland didn't have central heating or fireplaces and they were told to keep me warm at all times. They had a kerosine heater in my room and took turns to sit with me and guard that the heater didn't catch anything on fire. They had 2 other kids to look after as well. It must have been hard for them. And it left me with damaged lungs. Mum said they gave me a very new wonder drug - penicillin! It did save me.

Col is doing as well as can be expected. He says it feels like his eye is 'full of meat ants' gnawing away at it. I would smile at the expression if it wasn't so serious. It seems harder to deal with than the first op when it happened. His aversion to glare blinds him. Once he's had his shower, he brightens up for several hours during the day.
Back to the surgeon tomorrow. There's no infection, and each day the eye looks slightly better than the previous one.
To be honest I sometimes feel like screaming except that I know it's 1000% worse for him. Sorry, feeling frustrated with everything today.

I'm glad you have a place to come and blow off steam, CynB. It's necessary.

I slept all day.

Cyn, I’d be asking why he can’t have pain killers and kicking up a stink

Greetings to each of you!

Saltie, I'm glad the ambulance driver had the sense to give in and take you to the hospital back then. What an experience you had to deal with. And to be alone - that must have been quite scary!

CynB, I'm sorry to need to add you to the list of friends who have had pneumonia. I'm glad you benefitted from the invention of penicillin. As I think back, that would have been about the right timing for when my brother had pneumonia, so I'm guessing he also was given penicillin.

Cyn, I think I can imagine what it's like for Col and for you. He's probably not sleeping as much or as well as he'd like. He is in nearly constant pain. He's tired, and he's tired of feeling tired, and tired of dealing with the pain. He is probably also feeling a loss of independence through all of this. It's no wonder you feel like screaming, and I bet he does, too. I hope you continue to have patience for the patient!

Here's hoping Col's return visit to the surgeon tomorrow goes very well! Maybe Col will now be eligible for some pain medication?

Heidi, I suspect you really needed the sleep. Here's hoping you feel better after each time you get a long sleep like that!

We have another early morning tomorrow, so I'm off to bed. Please enjoy today's offering of healing energy, positive thoughts, , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and prayers!

Cyn, what Col is experiencing would be horrible. Much as the pain is terrible and I feel for Col, I wonder if it helps steer him away from damaging activities? That might be why the doctors don't want him to take painkillers. You might be able to find that out from the surgeon tomorrow.

For those who have not experienced meat ants, they don't sting but have some serious chompers that don't like to let go. They cause enough local pain on arms and legs, I can't imagine having them attacking my eyes. Cyn, I hope Col's pain settles down very quickly so you are both able to enjoy life again.

I remember when I had my wisdom teeth out. All 4, under a general because they had to dislocate my jaw to do it - reduced opening after my car accident. They sent me home saying take half a codral forte for pain. I called my mum in tears, she was an EN at the time. She huffed, we send our patients home on 2 codral forte, take 2 and forget what that stupid doc said, ours say 2. That’s extra strength codeine with acetaminophen for topsiders.

That’s why I said ask your doctor about pain relief Cyn.

Hello, Everyone!

We've had a long day - away from home from about 8:30 a.m. until almost 7 p.m. We were among about 10 members of our wood turning club making wooden bowls for Empty Bowls. I think Empty Bowls may have been started by ceramics teachers at a junior (2-year) college. All of the ceramic students throw or build bowls,(or other ceramic objects) which are sold for $10 and up. They also sell a cup of soup and a piece of bread for $10. Proceeds go to local food pantries.Members of our club make and donate wooden bowls and other wooden objects, such as pens, bottle stoppers, etc. and feel them via a silent auction. Last year, our club sold nearly $2,000 dollars worth of objects. The sale is in early December.

So, hubby and I each took a shower after we got home, because we were covered in sawdust. And, of course, our clothes and jackets needed to be washed. I'm exhausted, but need to stay up until the laundry is finished. We have ANOTHER early morning due to doctor appointment for hubby and an ultrasound of his legs. We hope to be home by dinner time.

I'm off to take the last of the laundry from the dryer, then fold and put it away. Sending healing energy, prayers, positive thoughts, , and {{{{{HUGS}}}}} for All!

Update on Colin after his visit to the surgeon. The Doctors are very happy with the healing progress of his Corneal Graft. It's doing everything it should. So that's good. He just has to get used to glare. Pain is easing slightly, except when I administer the eye drops, but he does have some prescribed tablets with codeine if he needs them.
I saw a drawing of the pattern of the stitches around his new cornea. Like feather stitches all around. Done with 2 strands of suture, one going around in one direction and the other going in the opposite direction. That's why he's in pain!

My beloved truck is ready to be picked up!!! I am thrilled.

That's good news, CynB. What do they say about his chance of regaining vision in that eye?

Heidi, once the graft has taken and is healed and stitches are out, they will place a new lens in the eye, similar to cataract surgery except that it must go in a different position and they must anchor it differently. Once that is done he should have all that is necessary to regain his sight. To what degree no one knows - but any amount of sight is better than none. And some depth perception and peripheral vision would also be good - but after 8 months he had mastered ways to deal with that. (Back to square one on that skill again now!)

CynB, thank you so much for the update on Colin! What wonderful news that the corneal graft is doing everything it should be and the doctors are pleased! That's amazing that it's sutured going in 2 opposite directions. They obviously don't want it going anywhere other then where they attached it. I can't imagine what it must feel like to have so many stitches in his eye! Does Colin have a pair of 'wrap-around' sunglasses? That might help reduce the amount of glare getting into his eye. I'm glad the pain is reducing, even if only a little bit, and that he now has some tablets he can take when it gets to be unbearable.

Hooray for Heidi's truck (and her mechanics)! I'm glad she'll be back at home with you!

CynB, I hope everything continues to go well and Colin will eventually get a new lens in his eye. Continuing to think and send many positive thoughts his way!

Thinking of everyone who reads and/or posts, and sending healing energy, , positive thoughts, prayers, and {{{{{HUGS}}}}}!

When I picked up my truck, they told me that another of their customers had their radiator blow the same day. Only that guy didn't stop his car as soon as the temperature gauge hit red. He kept driving looking for a safe place to pull over. The radiator fluid blew into his transmission and destroyed it, too. It cost him a fortune. I'm proud of myself for watching that gauge. And proud of Thunder for doing it in a safe place.

Hi all. It has been busy few days while I was gone. Luckily I am not one that has had pneumonia, but I remember my older brother had walking pneumonia in his teens. Glad everyone is doing better.

Heidi: glad you truck took you to the right spot before breaking down. I sometimes feel that machines have feelings and if you treat them well, they will take car of you. Thunder seems to be one of the ones with feelings.

Thank you for the advice and support with my mom. Knowing I can come here to talk and seek support means a lot.

My father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder last week. They don't know if it has spread. He was admitted to the hospital yesterday and they are operating tomorrow (wednesday). Not putting this on TOS. My FIL is a private person and would not want it posted. This is much more private. Will be back in a few days.

'Life is what happens when you are busy making plans.'

John Lennon

This should leave the TOPP for someone else.