Snow!

We had our first real snowfall last night and this morning. I'm fortunate to live next door to Bob and Ruth, whose front yard offers plenty of photo opportunities.



This feathery plant in my own front yard was holding onto the snow.



Today is the first day I've really missed having a window in my office. I couldn't look out and see the snow today and that was sad, because I do love snow. It was nasty enough I didn't go out for lunch so it was a long day. When I left about 5:30 I had another couple of inches of snow on my car.

But, of all the scenes I saw this morning, one of the most beautiful was this...



Sharon and Greg arrived just as I was about to leave for work to shovel my sidewalk and driveway. Is that not the nicest thing?

Sharon came over at 5 and did it again. I'm not sure what I did to deserve such kindness, but I'm very grateful.

A Surprise from Deb

I got a lovely surprise today that I want to share with you. It even came with beautiful green tissue paper.

Last week I got a slip in the mailbox that I had a package. I didn't get a chance to get it until today at lunch. When I picked up the box it was light, and I thought, "oh... I bet it's a Christmas ornament."

I recognized the name on the return address as a blog reader - Deb from Topeka. We have met a couple of times at events and she's wonderful in person. She has done other fun, surprising things for me, so I knew the package would be delightful, but I was not at all expecting what I found.



Inside was this ornament Deb had made and a lovely, lovely note. She had been behind on blog reading due to computer issues and when she recently had a chance to catch up was surprised to read about the recent surgery. She said it occurred to her that not being able to put up my usual tree might result in some "holiday dreariness" for me so she was inspired to make me "a surprise that might hold some delight and share back some of the joy your tree has given to me these years."

Is that not the nicest thing?

She decked out the tree, added some stars and packages (two of my favorite things!), and painted the inside to mimic the glow of lights the tree gives off. She even added a fabric scrap underneath it that picks up the idea of wood floors.

I am so touched by Deb's thoughtfulness and her nice note. I took it into the restaurant today with lunch for Greg, and he loved it.

I love things people make. It's so special when someone gives of themselves that way. Deb put so much work into the detail on this. I'm so incredibly flattered by Deb's gift. It already has a place of honor on the tree. Thank you, Deb.

Tiger Woods Overload

I'm officially sick of hearing about Tiger Woods. Admittedly, I wasn't eager to hear about him a decade ago, but since his accident I've heard way more than I wanted. Let me clear up the story for you so we can all move on:

1. People don't have accidents and refuse to speak to the police unless they have something to hide. That may include, but is not limited to:
a. being impaired due to alcohol
b. being impaired due to drugs (legal or illegal)
c. being involved in a domestic dispute of some sort that will look very ugly for your image

2. People cheat on their spouses. This is not something unique to celebrities, but they simply have more opportunity for it. I'm about to incur the wrath of some, but many men are likely to cheat when presented with the opportunity to do it and not get caught, and self-respecting women don't give married men the opportunity. This would include but not be limited to:
a. trying to seduce them
b. saying anything other than "no" when they try to seduce you

This should not be construed to mean that I think all men cheat. I do not. And men do not have a corner on that market, either.

3. Tiger isn't very smart. If you're a celebrity, someone is going to brag about bedding you. He isn't alone in this fantasy that such things can remain private, he is just the latest in a long line of those caught with their pants down, as it were. Which, again, begs the question of why it's news. It's an old story - cross out last celebrity's name, write in "Tiger."

So, to recap - stupid move, impaired judgement on multiple levels, scorned wife wielding weapon. What more needs be said?

Christmas Homes Tour in Hutchinson Kansas

Today was the Houston Whiteside Christmas Homes Tour. And, we got a little snow to set the mood. Truthfully, it was more like sleet, but I'm choosing to call it snow because that is much more atmospheric sounding.

One of the houses had live music from a high school group.



My favorite house had a room decorated with old Santas. I chatted with the guy who owned them for awhile, thinking I should know him. Finally, we figured out where we knew each other from. He was not the home owner, but helped them decorate the "Santa Room."

I loved this Gale Santa, sitting on the bed.



And this one that still works.



He plugged it in so I could get a little video of him moving.



There were others from his collection around the room.





In another house they were using their collections on trees - one was spoons and another was old hankies.








I love seeing these beautiful old homes, but I always want more Christmas decorations. Of course, that's always a given for me at any time. This was the best year as far as decorations. The Santa collection really made the day for me.

The Tree is Finished

I finished my tree today. Although it's not my typical kind of tree, it's pretty. I'm glad I did one. Years ago I got the idea in my head that not putting up a Christmas tree was something for "old" people.



Have you ever noticed how older people often say, "I'm not putting up a tree..." or "I won't be here at Christmas..." Well, I've only spent Christmas Day in my own house once in my adult life, but I still want to enjoy the season and a sparkly tree. Anyway, that got stuck in my head - no Christmas tree is an "old" thing.



I know lots of people don't put up trees, and the reasons are varied, but in my mind for anyone who's an adult - not a college student or in transistion of one sort or another - deciding to not put up a tree is an "old" thing. And I'm just too young to be "old" yet.




So, although I couldn't do my usual decorating this year, I'm very happy to have my little six foot tree up.



I've noticed in just the last 2-3 days that I'm feeling significantly better, which is great. I'm not pain free yet, and I still move slowly, but I am just feeling better in general.



Tomorrow is the Houston Whiteside Homes Tour and I had thought I might not go because I'm not climbing stairs yet, but now I'm thinking maybe I'll go and just do the lower floors of houses. It seems a shame to miss out completely. And I love to see the decorations and the older homes.



I had hoped to go to Wichita today to see the lights at Botanica. But, it didn't work out to do that after all. I took advantage of the afternoon to work on a lot of things around the house and to return some things. Then Greg, Sharon and I went to see Planet 51.

I definitely recommend it. It's a cute movie. I think maybe we were the only adults without children in tow, but it was fun, and had a lot of in jokes included.

Christmas at the Hutchinson Zoo in Hutchinson Kansas

We went to the Hutchinson zoo tonight for a Christmas event. They had some trees decorated by various groups, and the train took you for a ride through some lighted areas. We rode the train three times.

It was cold. In case you can't tell from my multiple layers and the blanket they provided. I felt like I was channeling Ralphie.

It's not the most elaborate display I've ever seen, but it's free and happening a few blocks from my house. It's hard to beat that. And I love the train. The train ride does cost $1.50, and it's worth every penny. Times three.

Here you can see the new building from the train.





The trees all had to be decorated with items that could withstand the weather. Some were pretty creative.







If you're local, don't despair - you've not missed your chance. You can go tomorrow night, or next Thursday, Friday or Saturday. It's from 6-8 and you will be able to ride the new train.

Unsettle Their Minds

Education is not to reform students or amuse them or to make them expert technicians. It is to unsettle their minds, widen their horizons, inflame their intellects, teach them to think straight, if possible.
--- Robert M. Hutchins

I ran across this quote and the concept of "unsettle their minds" really struck me. I love that idea - unsettle the mind. When you think about it, isn't that really the time we come up with the most creative ideas? When our brains are a little bit off their normal tracks?

I suppose the trick is to find ways we can "unsettle the mind" while still being able to function enough to think straight.

Tonight I was in a situation where we were brainstorming and I realized just how much I enjoy that. It's interesting to put your mind on a particular path and branch out from there. I like the free form nature of brainstorming. I think it's best when the mind is "unsettled."

I will be thinking more about this in coming days. The Unsettled Mind. Sounds like a book title.

The Day

I continue to make progress on the Christmas "chores" at hand. I want to put a few more decorations on the tree, and the ribbon for garland and then it will be done.

I've been working on my Christmas letter. (Yes, I'm one of those people who writes the dreaded/beloved Christmas letter. If you don't want to read it, just throw it away. I'll be none the wiser.) Because I'm not hosting a holiday party this year I'll not mail nearly as many items as usual. And I have no sense of urgency about getting the invites in the mail.

These days I'm still moving rather slowly, so it's taking me awhile to do everything. I wrap a present or two, put a few decorations on, and then I'm ready to rest. At this rate it will be a wonder if I'm done before Christmas.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy, busy day so I must get some rest. Unfortunately, one of my favorite Star Trek The Next Generation shows is play - the Traveller, for those of you who are fans. I have a toy of the Traveller on my desk at work. I used to keep one of Picard and the Traveller on my desk. Picard to remind me of what leadership should look like and the Traveller to remind me things aren't always what they seem.

Regardless of my love of Trek, I must sleep.

A Season for Everything

Life, indeed, has a season for everything.

Sometimes we slip into a season we didn't anticipate or desire. You take stock of yourself one day and realize that you're deeply embedded in a life you weren't expecting. Then comes the moment when you have to decide if you want that life or if it's time to change.

Sometimes we tumble head first into a season of life we seek. We jump off the bridge, dive into the cold water, and hope we can hold our breath long enough. Just long enough. We want to get to the moment when we're comfortable enough that we can tread water, just for awhile, to fully grasp who we are now.

Every life has some seasons of discontent, and hopefully some seasons of pure joy. We all just hope there are more of the latter than the former.

The other day I heard a phrase: "I always grieved for who she might have been." Isn't that a sentiment we can all apply to people in our lives? Sometimes to ourselves? Who she might have been. Who we might have been. Who I might have been. We are all just trying to become the people we are meant to be. We just don't necessarily know who that is.

Robert Frost, that master of seasons, wrote of the road less travelled, although he never used that phrase. He was sorry he couldn't take both the roads because having to choose meant leaving one road untouched. The seasons we choose are like that - choosing one means leaving others behind.

But, of course, we don't always get to choose the seasons of life. Some are thrust upon us while our protestations fall on deaf ears. Some seasons push us to the limit and beyond. Some seasons are all too brief, and some seem to stretch on endlessly.

Regardless of how we get there, by choice or default, I can only believe there's something to be gained from each season. Each season, however we get to it, is part of making us who we are meant to be.

Cyber Monday is not a Bargain Day

Back in the long, long ago days - you know, like five years ago - when lots of people didn't have high speed net access at home, the Monday after Thanksgiving was a big online sale day. Why? Well, because those sneaky employees were using the company access (and perhaps time) to do some Christmas shopping.

I am certainly not opposed to online shopping. I do it often, although I much prefer to do it at home instead of at the office. I've done some Christmas shopping online already this year. But if retailers want to entice me to shop on "cyber Monday" they're going to have to step up their game. A lot.

If it's just a decent sale price then it's nothing to get excited about. Free shipping is great, but, frankly, I pretty much expect that. All the time. And if you won't give it to me on the average Thursday, one of your competitors will. Guess who I will buy from?

One of the great things about the internet is that it has taken competition for the shopper's dollar to a new level. Unfortunately, online retailers have not risen to the occasion as far as I can tell. But, then, I'm a person with my own high speed internet connection, which I was putting to use on Thursday, when the deals were better than they are now.

Do retailers just think we won't notice? We do. Really.

If you really want to compete for my money you've got to do better. Honest. Here I sit with a high speed connection and I'm blogging on it instead of buying on it.

Quote of the Day

"It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."
--- Albert Einstein

Of course, I think most of us would argue that Einstein was very smart, but there is some wisdom in this statement.

I've always been a great "starter" but not always a good "finisher." In the last few years I've made an effort to address that, and I have to say I've been pretty successful in making changes.

Part of the process has been to realize that some things simply take a long time to accomplish. I've been working on this novel off and on for eight years now, although I haven't had any brain power or energy for it in 2009. But, it has been a real learning experience for me. Some things do just take an extended period of time.

Black Friday

I did quite a bit of Christmas shopping today. I wasn't sure I'd feel up to shopping this year, but I found some good stuff in the ads yesterday and got everything I was after this morning.

What I didn't get was much sleep. I will be rectifying that situation shortly. I desperately wanted to come home and nap, but knew that was a very bad idea because then I'd be up half the night. So, I'm trying to stay vertical until a reasonable early time to go to bed.

I also got some goodies for myself today. As always, I end up shopping for myself more than I should.

My big purchase of the day was a new phone. It's a droid - the Samsung Instinct. It's the fastest phone on the market at the moment and so far I like it. I say that even though I don't really know how to use some of the basic functions on it yet. Learning how to answer it is a must before I go to bed tonight. It's embarrassing to have to call people back and tell them I couldn't figure out how to answer the phone when they called. It does, however, provide a tremendous amount of amusement for folks.

One of my stops this morning was the local target where there was no parking in the entire lot, and hundreds of people waiting in line. I think it's the largest crowd I've been in for a black Friday sale. There's some fun involved in the whole experience, although I certainly wouldn't want to make a habit of shopping this way.

I think tomorrow I'll stay home most of the day. Without hundreds of other people around.

Thanksgiving Day

I decided a few days ago that I was going to spend today remaining in a grateful frame of mind. I'm happy to report I was succesful in doing that.

It was disappointing that I couldn't go to Joplin as planned, but I decided to make the most of the day here. Amy invited me to join her group for dinner, and I really appreciated the offer, but just wasn't sure if I would feel good enough to be decent company. So, I bought a take out order of turkey at Roy's on Wednesday and today I whipped up some sides to have a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner. Well, minus the things I don't like anyway.



Okay, and here's the big confession... I love that jelled cranberry sauce right out of the can. I know, it's not very sophisticated, but I like it. I've made cranberry sauce a few times, and I like different relishes people make, but I also like the stuff out of the can, with the rings imbedded in it. I don't know why, but I do.

I also baked a pumpkin pie for dessert. It was quite tasty, although not as great as it would have been with my own pie crust. But I just didn't feel like doing the pushing and pulling necessary to roll out a crust so I cheated and bought one.

Late this afternoon I went outside to see the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station pass through. It was really cool to see both of them at one time. The ISS will be visible again tomorrow night about 6, but it was really neat to see both of them tonight.

Tonight I started decorating the Christmas tree. Greg put up one of my small, 6 foot trees for me the other night. I wasn't going to decorate a tree at all, because I'm certainly not up to my usual tree and decorating extravaganza. But, I decided I wanted a tree of some sort. So, he set up this tree and brought up just three of my boxes of ornaments. So, I'm just going to use whatever is in them, as opposed to dragging out the other boxes too. Of course, every box has some precious things in it.

One of these boxes held this Santa, that I bought in Amsterdam while on a trip with Matthew.



Matthew and his family have been on my mind all day. I'm still not used to the idea that he's not out in the world. It just doesn't seem right to me.

But, today I decided to be thankful for the moments we had together, the great times we shared, the travel experiences we could have only had with each other, instead of lamenting that we won't have more. Matthew is one of the few people I have ever known who understood my desire to cram as much living into every day as possible. We were in sync on that, which is probably one reason we made so many wonderful memories together. I'm so grateful I have those memories and the trinkets like this Santa that bring them flooding back.

I hope you've had a wonderful day filled with gratitude.

Teachers' Night Out

Friday night was the fifth annual Teachers' Night Out at the Cosmosphere and it was the first big event I had planned since I've worked there.

We had about 500 teachers, more than double what we've had in previous years from what I understand. It was great to see teachers from all over the state.

This was the first time I went back to work after surgery. I just didn't want to miss the event. It went well overall. I think everyone had a good time.

When people were leaving at the end of the evening they seemed to just keep coming and I wondered where everyone had been in the building. It was great to see such a big group.

One thing I love about working at the Cosmosphere is that everyone pitches in to get everything done. It's a very collaborative work environment, which is great. Something like this requires "all hands on deck" to pull off.

We had a backup plan in case I couldn't be there but fortunately I was feeling good enough to work the registration area. I'm so glad I didn't miss it.

Quote of the Day

He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146

My friend, Dean, posted this quote about the abyss on Facebook the other day and it was just what I needed to read at the time. Isn't it interesting how often life provides you with just what you need?

Tonight I decided to search out the context of it and, again, see something I need to read - the bit about monsters. It seems I've been occasionally fighting monsters for awhile now, and it's obvious I've been taking the wrong approach. I need to just let them be and give them no more energy.

I walked away from some monsters earlier this year, but they circle around in other people's lives that are intertwined with mine, cropping up occasionally wanting to engage in my world again. No more fighting against that. I will take the direct approach, and remove the people from my life who are still involved with the monsters. It is the proverbial two birds with one stone situation, and requires no more fighting with monsters for me.

For the first time in months I feel like I'm on the right path. Tonight when I was writing in my gratitude journal I had a bit of a breakthrough that was long overdue. Again, life providing when one is open.

I'm at a turning point where I have to make a new life, a new way, a new path. I've been here before, but it has always been more obvious. This is more subtle but no less necessary.

Journal Writing

I have been writing in journals almost since I could write. For many years part of what I wrote was what I dub the "chronicle of daily life," which I largely do online now.

But I still write by longhand in journals. The writing done by hand is different. We now know that different parts of the brain are engaged when we type than when we write with pen to paper. I always knew this, as I'm sure any devoted diarist did, but science has caught up with us.

Since I've been writing in the blog, I have written more sporadically by hand in journals. Periodically I've thought this was an error, and would rectify the situation by going to my paper journals more often.

But, as we approach the end of this year, which has been a very difficult one for me on multiple levels, I realize just how critical it is that I spend more time with pen and paper. I have started with my gratitude journal.

Science has proven that keeping a gratitude journal is one sure-fire way to increase your happiness level. I need more happiness. I'm not clinically depressed, I am "appropriately sad" given the circumstances I've found myself in this year. There's a big difference in those two things.

It would be very easy to have my doctor medicate me so I don't feel sad. But, I know from experience, grief will have its due. Period. There is no short cut. And there's no point in delaying that. So, I'm grieving the losses of this year - from body parts, to an innocence about one's good health, to the death of a dear friend, to losing the holiday celebrations I had planned. Part of that processing has to be done with pen and paper.

At the same time, I am spending time with my gratitude journal each day. I have so much to be thankful for this year. Amidst the losses, I was blessed to get the news thousands of people are praying for every day - "benign." I was lucky enough to have friends who rallied around me at various steps in the processes. I had great care. I have a new job I really, really love, working for people I respect a great deal. I am also fortunate enough to be able to understand why some have drifted out of my life this year. I'm thankful to be feeling strong enough to release those people.

It has been difficult to be close to me this year - it has been a frightening journey at times and you can't keep from putting yourself in my shoes at such a time. I understand some people just don't want to go there. I understand - it's scary, it's difficult, it's painful. But I cannot carry any of those relationships into the new year. I'm overdue to bid farewell to them.

So I'm going through a process to let go. I spend some time thinking about the positives of each relationship I need to part with. I appreciate the relationships for what they were, and then accept that they are no longer beneficial for the two of us, for whatever reason. Then I say, "thank you for the time we shared. I wish you well on life's journey and I release the bonds we've built. Thank you for being part of my world for a time. May happiness, laughter and goodness be yours all the days of your life. Thank you and goodbye."

I have decided that on this Thanksgiving I am going to spend the day in a constantly thankful frame of mind. I think that will do wonders for my own good mental health. Yes, this year has had many losses, but it has also offered much to be thankful for. I'm going to focus on that and spend some time with journals, making those blessings even more tangible with words formed on paper.

Christmas Parade in Hutchinson Kansas

The Big Giant Head has made his inaugural appearance in the Hutchinson Kansas Christmas Parade. Greg and Sharon have been working hard on this for a couple of weeks. He looked magnificent!

Of course, I couldn't resist other scenes from today's parade.



































Merry Christmas!

Funny, Funny, Funny

I read a lot. On rare occasions, something makes me laugh out loud. This week I was reading an excerpt of "What Would Susie Say," by Susie Essman. It's in "More" magazine and titled, "Who are you calling uncool? Moi?" The gist is that she is a cool chic involved with "Curb Your Enthusiasm," but the teenagers in her life see her as the village idiot.

 

The whole piece is funny, but the last couple of sentences made me cackle. "These kids and their whole lame generation think they are so hip, with their bike helmets and their safe sex. In my day safe sex was when you did it without handcuffs."

 

I definitely want to read the rest of the stories, because that just cracked me up.

Posted via email from Patsy's posterous

Wicked in Wichita Behind the Scenes and How I Learned I was Blonde

Greg, Sharon and I went to see Wicked in Wichita the last weekend it was playing and it was a blast. It's in Kansas City now and the thought has been offered to go see it again.

A few days before we went, I was at a Wichita CVB event where one of the actors spoke a bit about the show. We were in an area of Century II where we could see what was being used as the backstage area for the show. I took a little video to share.



The red and purple cases are makeup and hair. The black ones hold costumes - generally one per actor.



He said all the wigs are made by hand, with real human hair. It takes about 40 hours to make just one. He described it as much like making a latch hook rug.

All the shoes, masks and costumes are made specifically for the actor. They trace their feet so the shoes fit perfectly. Everything is hand beaded. He is the backup for the wizard and said the material for the vest was $200 a yard. But, he said of the costume designer, "She won the Tony. They give her the budget. She spends it."



There are 32 people in the cast. He said 75 people travel with the show, and that comes up to 110 when they add locals, including 12 costume people locally. Six of the orchestra members travel with them and the rest are local.

It takes 14 semi trucks to move the equipment. Originally there were 17, but they now do some of the magic by hand instead of with machines and that cut down on the number needed.



I tried for the ticket lottery the day I was over there for the CVB event, but was not fortunate enough to win. But, we ended up going after that anyway. It was quite a spectacular production and funny. Very funny.

At one point the green witch and the blonde witch are thrown together as roommates and are describing each other to their families. The blonde witch has a long list of ways she explains her roomie, but when it's the green witch's turn she just says, "blonde."

The blonde witch is very perky and excited about lots of things. I had a moment or self-awareness while watching it, thinking, "wow, I've always been blonde... I just never dyed my hair."

Flowers and Ramblings

The Cosmosphere sent a bouquet of these beautiful, brightly colored daisies today. They're a perfect complement to the lovely bouquet the arts center sent a few days ago. I just got those last night when I got home from the hospital because they had delivered them to the neighbors a few days ago. Trish brought a live plant to the hospital, too, so I'm surrounded by some nice nature even though I'm in the house.

I've had some time to think in the last few days and some questions keep coming to me. It's easy to push them aside when one is wrapped up in the hub-bub of daily living. It's more difficult when that is set aside and there's little to focus on except the basics - living, breathing, dealing with pain, moving on.

I'm so very grateful to be on the other side of this. And thankful for the great care I received. I will be happy to get back to some semblance of "normal," although it will be quite some time.

I'm reconciling myself to spending Thanksgiving in Hutchinson instead of in Joplin with Greg's family and going to see Andy Williams in Branson as we had planned. Last year Mia, Greg, Miss Joy and I went and it was like watching a 1953 Christmas special played out in front of you - just perfect. But I simply can't travel there yet and I want them to go ahead and go. I'll just have to live vicariously this year.

Of course, I had already accepted I would not be able to do my usual Christmas decorating this year - that would be wrapping up now, but I just couldn't do it. And ordinarily I would have all my shopping done but this year I literally started the day after I got back from Christmas last year on this medical journey and haven't focused on anything else. And, ironically, now I'm not able to go shop. So, I think I'm going to have to take a pass on the traditional holiday season activities this year.

It will be very difficult to not be with my family in Kentucky, for only the second time in my life, and the first time in 25 years, but I simply won't be able to be in a car for that long by then. I've never missed a Christmas with BC, but it just can't be helped this year.

This is also the first time I've ever gone a whole year without visiting Kentucky. But, there hasn't been a time this year I was able to do it when I had the time to do it.

I'm looking forward to many wonderful moments in the Christmas season - they will just be different than what I'm used to. Maybe I'll find some new traditions I love. I always remind myself when I'm decorating that, "you only get so many Christmases in a lifetime." I'm going to relish every second of this one. Every second. A few months ago I wasn't sure I would even be alive at this time of year. But I am. And I'm thankful. And I'm going to express that gratitude by embracing the season.

Home

I got home yesterday afternoon and all settled in. We decided I probably did need to rent a hospital bed for at least a short while instead of climbing the stairs so we dealt with that. I spent the first night there and other than waking up totally disoriented once it was fine. I'm needing very little pain medication, for which I'm thankful. I would make a very bad drug addict because I can't imagine why anyone wants to have that loopy feeling they leave you with. But, they're wonderful when you have pain and I certainly want them available when needed.

 

My plan today is to rest all day. Frankly, I feel like being up and around a bit but I am going to rest and do as little as possible. I think that will probably do more for my healing than anything else. My body and mind must need rest, so I'm going to try and give them some.

 

The last couple of days in the hospital I was working because I couldn't get rest from the various people "attending" to me. So, I worked. But I think a day of complete rest is in order now.

Posted via email from Patsy's posterous

home soon

I'm headed home soon. They're doing the last of the paperwork. Feeling pretty good considering everything!

Posted via email from Patsy's posterous

Working

I've been working on Cosmosphere things from the hospital today. I'm glad I had the opportunity to check in on my work email or we would have missed a television interview opportunity. Technology is amazing. It's somewhat incredible I could communicate with the folks I needed to about that and schedule it, all from the computer and cell phone, while people are going in and out taking my blood pressure and asking me to rate my pain. Do not worry - I did not communicate with the outside world while the lortab was kicking in.

Posted via email from Patsy's posterous

I Don't Like It

An ongoing joke among friends is that I wrinkle my nose and shake my head and say, "I don't like it," about a large number of food items. This occasionally extends to things other than food, and it has become a joke when others imitate me. I've been doing this for years, but for some reason in the last few months it has become funny to others. It's kind of funny to see others do it and I'm guessing it's humorous when I do it too. The difference, of course, is that I'm not trying to be funny. I just don't like whatever it is.

 

I like lots of different things. I'll eat almost any kind of fruit or vegetable. I'll eat most kinds of bread. I am pretty picky about meat products and I don't want to eat anything I don't know was prepared cleanly. I don't make an issue of it. I just pick things out or put them aside, or leave them. I don't complain. I generally carry a breakfast/protein bar in my purse so if I'm at a lunch or something where there's nothing I want to eat I can just eat that afterwards. I will do without but I won't eat something I just don't like.

 

In the hospital I've been on a liquid diet but yesterday they started bringing me soup and pudding and such. This morning they bring my breakfast tray and it's:

malt o meal  - I don't like it

lime jello - I don't like it

milk - I don't like it

coffee - I don't like it

grape juice - Yay! it was good!

 

I'm guessing Sharon, Mia, Greg and Mark would have enjoyed it. Pity only I got to experience the humor of the moment. And, for the record, I did not wrinkle my nose and say, "I don't like it," outloud.

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UnBound

I'm doing well. As of tonight I am untethered from any tubes, machines, IVs, etc. That happened somewhat by accident when my last IV essentially removed itself and they couldn't get one back in because they had used all my veins so many times.

 

Unfortunately, this took away my epidural for pain relief. So, now I'm on Lortab by mouth for pain and so far so good. It is making me a little loopy and what can only be described as inappropriately happy.

 

But, hey, one should accept happiness in whatever form it arrives so I'm not going to discrinimate against white caplets, and just enjoy it. However, so as not to embarrass myself any more than necessary, I'm going to keep this blog brief.

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Room 5208

They moved me from ICU to a regular room at 5208 this afternoon. Trish dropped by this morning and brought a cool plant and the "Julie& Julia" book. I've started the book already. I'm glad I haven't seen the movie yet because I like to read the book first. Later today Roger stopped by for a visit, then Greg was in for awhile. The surgeon wasn't in today but my personal physician says probably 2-3 days more.

 

I'm loopy from the drugs, so forgive the typos or occasional bit of not making the best sense.

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No news is good news

It has been relayed to me that Miss Joy wanted to know why there was nothing more on the blog yesterday about me. The story is this:
I'm doing fine at Promise Regional Medical Center here in Hutchinson Kan.
I'm still in ICU as a precaution because the surgery was more extensive than expected and I appreciate my surgeon taking care. I'm astarting to see a trend that good surgeons are very careful surgeons
I will most likely go to a room on the telemetry floor tomorrow where they can monitor my heart for a fib
if a room there is not available I will probably remain in ICU although that's just my guess
I know who won oprah's karoke contest
my surgeon no longer seems to think I'm just a drug addict wanting painkillers but that I was actually in pain after being cut open - of course I'm being sarcastic but we seem to have found a better way to communicate which is certainly helped by me not having a tube down my nose and throat (who says communication degrees are useless)
I've been up to walk three times today and would have gone more if someone were available to go with me but they were very busy and I will go more before bed
the last time they let me go walk by myself
my nurse says I'm the best post op patient she has ever seen in her 30 plus years of nursing about getting up and walking (and I like to be best but I would so like it to be about something else)
I only have my phone to communicate with, which is why updates from me are sparse. Greg will have to find his own excuse.
My thumb typing speed has improved
Greg is bringing my laptop tonight but I have IVs in both hands and don't know how much I will be able to type anyway
I hope to be able to get a Facebook Fix
my nursing care since Bob (please wait for the angels to sing his praises because he was extraordinary) has ranged from good to excellent and I'm very thankful
if I could offer just one piece of advice to nurses it would be to slow down and take it easy
if I could offer one piece of advice to administrators it would be to create a circumstance where nurses can slow down and take it easy
I'm mentally and emotionally making adjustments about the holidays because I know I won't be able to travel at all by Thanksgiving and certainly not to Kentucky by Christmas (expect my tree to begin its ascent during the long July 4th holiday of 2010)
I feel really good, considering, but it will be awhile before I am normal again
My surgeon tells me this surgery was certainly as major as what I had in !anuary. I was not prepared for that. This was supposed to be simple.
I'm going to find out the name of the doctor who came up last night to see an elderly woman and declared, "That lady is a miracle." I like doctors who believe in miracles.

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thanks

thanks everyone for your good wishes on the blog and Facebook. I only have my phone and can't respond to each of you but I'm reading everything. Each prayer, positive thought and healing vibe is most appreciated. Greg has gone to sleep and I txted sharon that I was ok and to get some rest.thank you all for your concern.
Patsy
www.patsyterrell.com
sent from mobile device

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patsy here

this is patsy... Writing on the phone from icu. I'm feeling bettr. I've been up to waolk and am sitting up. Dramatically better than yesterday. Greg wemt to sleep. I don't have mmy glasses so forgive typos. Plus I'm very drugged. Thank goodness...
greg will update u on any big news.
Patsy
www.patsyterrell.com
sent from mobile device

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Thursday Morning

Patsy slept fairly well during the night. Trish stopped by and said hello this morning.

Doctor Holcomb just left; he has ordered that Patsy (still in ICU) get up and walk four times today in order to avoid blood clots and pneumonia. She sat up in bed at about 6AM and it was somewhat painful, so she's not looking forward to walking, but acknowledges the necessity.

She is currently in A-fib but they are giving her diltiazem to slow her heart to a normal level. She's normally on a daily dose of sotalol to prevent A-fib but it was suspended for the surgery. I had asked that her normal dose of sotalol be kept up as an IV solution but was told it is not available that way.