Now Retired-and life's progress

2018 where have the years gone?
This is what I've been busy with since January 20-
-Entered hospital on Jan 20, spent 10 days in the hospital being treated for a bacterial infection.  During this time my husband's father passed away-I could not attend, so my Sister and her husband brought my mom over. It was a 2 hour drive, but they wanted to be there showing support for my husband-and a quick side trip to look at me in the hospital.

-Came home with Home health services-infusion 3 times a day.  I had to learn to do this or 13 weeks. I did it!  But I could not return to work (I loved my job!) until I was released from being home bound.(I was sleeping 18 hours a day.,plus the fact that I lost 70 pounds?) My doctor said most likely I would never be able to work like I had.  But I was  hoping that I would return to work.  Not to happen.  On March 14 I was terminated for excessive absences--I laughed out loud. I was in the hospital twice!  Yes, I had FMLA paperwork turned. in but  The "boss"continued to hold firm on the decision.  Yada Yal ew staff members seemed to have a connection to her. Yada Yada ya--something about days used up-how convenient for her. I knew she wanted to get rid of me, ( I was going to retire on Aug 10-hoping to bump up things at home -Like the refrigerator I really, really wanted. and a trip in fall to see the now Arizona family..)  The good news was that on March 19-I turned 65!!  SS will be there!

-On March 20th, I was back in ER and then transported to the hospital.  Same  bacterial infection found at the base of my spine--the doctors were very concerned  All kinds of tests-only at the one location.  But the real problem was in trying to culture it-4 days to grow and then it would change so the meds wouldn't work!!  Finally on day 9 it was treated with an antibiotic that was working! day 10 I went home, more home health-and this time a pump in a shoulder bag holder with the tubing coming  out administering the med 24/7--another 13 weeks. ( This trip I was septic--2 more days and I would be dead. But the drs were able to treat and save me.) After the 13 weeks it was believed that all infection was gone.

-On May 22 I went to my family dr-my prosthesis in the knee was hurting-so much so that I was unable to walk more than a few feet. He called the orthopedic dr and talked to him, DH and I waiting for something.  And SOMETHING it was! An appointment was made for as soon as possible-June 25.  my family dr told me that he believed I was a candidate for revision surgery.  We went home I thought my leg would be amputated above the knee..And surgery-always scary whether you will wake up.

-June 22 went to ortho dr-xrays-bottom portion of the replacement had turned within the bone!  Sitting at an angle!! So surgery was needed. Then ortho dr takes a fluid draw off the knee-infection in the knee-different from the previous illnesses. Yep a revision it is..

-So on July 31 checked into hospital to have my prosthesis removed.  A plastic antibiotic filled piece was inserted.  Only 5 days in the hospital this time.  Therapy needed to make sure I could get up the 5 steps into the house.  And a immobility brace form hip to ankle, no ending of the knee and not full bearing either. Home Health again. Infusion 3 times a day thru the PICC line. 6-8 weeks of this.-Sigh. The next surgery is October 9. Almost 8 years since the knee was replaced-sigh.

- I told the surgeon I wanted to be walking out only a cane by Thanksgiving-he believes that goal is reasonable!

- so here at home, I maneuver using a walker, no full weight on that leg and the undbending brace on-I am so happy we have air conditioning-
I haven't been in a store since January, can't drive, can hardly get in passengers side without some pain...trying to get around  the bump out things in the interior. DH has to help support me down and up the front steps if I have to go out.  I was able to borrow a transport chair for the car, a regular wheelchair -with DH's help I have gone to the community 4th of July parade and to see my sister and husband while they were camping. Oh and to various dr appointments or lab draws. I can not stand long so making dinner is hard..but I try.  Sometimes DH grills-so there is that.

-SO being home bound basically since January 20, but I have some yarn out to knit Christmas presents, a few cross stitch kits put together and since we cut the cable, going to a Roku there is much to keep me out of trouble!  Wow do I binge watch! And if I fall asleep, I can "rewind" to the last place I remember!  Still learning all the features, and trying to figure out how to get the networks-Fall shows are coming!!

-Until next time-Knit On!

Welcome me back!

gone for so long, now to remember how to post, lol.  Need to be active here again!

Sunny days,

after a long cold winter are very welcomed at this home! While it is still very cold out-30's-Tim is working on learing up the yard! The house is also getting spring cleaning. Those projects for home organization-shelf building and re-arranging "stuff" seem endless. But after almost 5 years, we have finally fund the right place for items..until we change our minds again, lol. The 16 yr old cat, Spanky, who came home to live with us in early March has adapted well. He loves the window seat upstairs, and the old wool sweater which became a cover for the pad. The warmth of the wool and the sun helps his old bones. He has for the most part whipped the dogs into shape, lol. They just avoid him. He has also won Tim over..really, Tim who wasn't keen on a cat in the house..looks for him, lol. They are becomming "buds"..he is MY cat, lol. So off to make supper, stitch on the table topper so I can start the Easter one--a new passion to stitch these things .. but also to knit bunnies for the mantle and socks to keep my feets warm. So in the mean time. Knit on!

And tomorrow is Valentine's Day...

so today we are taking a road trip to Lansing. For Tim to go to a train show or something..me, I am planning on just visiting with my sister, Myrna!!
Her Chef-of-a-Husband is making us supper or dinner, if it involves cloth napkins, lol.
Yesterday found us being slugs, yes we did not accomplish much if anything. Tim did clean out a few boxes from the basement, in preparation of having a Train Room.
Me, I finished a pair of wool socks and made great progress on a ruffled scarf! Perhaps the scarf will be finished today!
Challenge 2011 with my Stitchy Sisters had been good for me..I am wrapping up some of those pesky UFO's...7 of them to date! I would hate to find out how many more actually exist, lol.
But I intend to keep plugging away at them!
So off to prepare for a fun day away, in the meantime...
Knit on!

New Year

A new year and an odd numbered one! Those are always luckier for me! Wonder what luck filled things are around the corner??
Plan on having some time for me and getting my things organized. The way I want not how somebody thinks I should. (Single is not always bad.)
I didn't want to go anywhere for 3 whole days, but alas, I have to run out to get some yarn, a few books I did not get for Christmas and a new saw blade for the dh.
So later today it will be ME time...
Happy new year, to all and even with my complaints and rumblings, I am still very, very blessed.
Knit on.

And today finds me home from work...

stomach ache-y, anxiety, depression? Call it what you would, I call it a "mental health day". After almost 3 months of husband's unemployment, I need a break, I need to be ALONE. at least for a period of time longer than a couple of hours!!!
I don't have any plans, no car to run away in(van STILL in the shop-dh needs to call, maybe???)
and I wouldn't want to go out in the weather. Tho it just seems to be "flurries" today. I shall knit, sleep, chuck wood into the fire, and maybe do a couple of light chores. I might even find something to make for a nice comfort supper, like a stew or something.
But mostly I am just going to not be what I usually am. I am going to be free, totally alone.
So in the meantime...
Knit on.

Snow and more snow

oh and the blowing that comes with it...not nice Mother Nature.

In CA, my son is not going to complain about the 65° weather, good thing.
Talks with him last night of over 70 minutes this started at midnight, but don't worry, I had a 2 hour nap first, lol.

We talked of Christmas presents, Charlie's progress-thank you God.
Scarlett's first steps, why could she not have waited until Grandma could get there???

Just trying to get thru the days, DH's underemployment does still not seem to affect him, me, I am going to get white hair and panic attacks(hope not-Xanax worked once but it was always a hazy day, lol.)

Christmas is NOT going to be as home produced as I had originally planned, tough.
I will mostly knit for me this winter season. I have that huge carry on bag to knit for a "some-day" trip out to CA. It was to have been in Feb and all my carefully saved $ went for bills after the job change. Not fair, but life. So again I have started to put away what I can. I miss my son and his family. At this age, I should be able to go 2 times a year, for long weekends, right? Not at present, sigh.

So for now I am content to be in a warm, (mostly) and dry house. Still not decorated for Christmas Holiday, but it will be soon.
in the mean time.....
Knit on.