Another Year Older

 Well, I am twenty-one days into October. My birthday is next week, on the 28th. I'll be 69 years old but feel a lot older this month. I've been in pain the whole month, all over, particularly in my hands. As a result, today I am using voice recognition on my computer to type. 

The program has come a long way since they first came out with a Windows speech recognition program. I've used that off and on for several years on my computers, but it wasn't really perfect as far as grammar and structure. The new models, which are probably based on AI, have improved significantly . 

I saw the endocrinologist today. Jesus. We agreed I should take a weight-loss shot, but not Ozempic. He gave me a name. But I don't remember what it was. His reasoning was that the pill he was going to give me would raise my blood pressure and therefore was a risk. Whereas the weight loss shot is better for my heart. Well, I can't argue with that. So we opted for the shot. The only problem is we have to find out if the insurance will pay for it..

No matter what happens, it is what it is. I will do whatever I have to do. I'm not keen on the shot because I know that losing weight is going to be disastrous at my age. As far as my looks are concerned, I get a lot of compliments about how I don't look my age. I guess in six months that will change, but if I feel better with less weight, then maybe I won't care.

Mike seems to be doing OK. He's researching the brain disease. I could not do that. I was so traumatized by the diagnosis that I kind of went into shock and could not bear to think about it. He has kind of just stepped in there and tried to discover what he can do to help himself. There's not much, and we both know that. He can't fly, and he may not be able to have surgery. Because any of those things can cause a stroke. 

Stroke is the biggest problem with Moya Moya. The lack of blood flow to the brain causes other problems. Some we've experienced as he grew up, and we didn't even know what was causing it. But other issues exist. And I know it must be frightening for him, because I'm terrified. However, it shows great courage that he can actually go out there and research the disease. If you are a person who prays., pray for Mike. And pray for his mom.

Adventures on the Ledge

My life on this ledge is crazy right now. Dark and stormy is an apt description. 

Mike had a kidney stone and then a stroke at the end of July. He was in hospital for a week, and I took care of him for two weeks at my house. While he was there, I hired a cleaner and helped her clean out his apartment. It took two days, and I could hardly walk after it was done. I had the carpet cleaned and got him back home in the third week. I spent the first night at the hospital and every day there. 

Then, my sister called and said they wanted to amputate her foot and she had to go to the hospital immediately. They did surgery the next day to clean out the foot and remove a bone that was coming out. Then, a week later, she had a second surgery to clean out the foot again, and try to save it. They sent her home the next day. I was there every day. She can't get around unassisted and has to go daily to the infusion center at Gateway for an infusion of antibiotics. Since she can't drive, Mike and I take her. 

So, I'm about as exhausted as it gets. At the moment, I can't get more than about six hours of sleep. I don't know when or what I'm eating. The RA is beginning not to like the way I'm treating my body. I have pain in my hips and legs and have trouble getting up and down and walking. I haven't done the laundry at my house for over a week. Also, I haven't vacuumed, swept, or mopped the floors in oh, maybe a month. I have kept the dishes washed, the cat box cleaned out (they're not happy with me), and the cats fed.  

For a couple of days, I had trouble driving because I was short on sleep. Never drive with only three hrs sleep. Not good. I've had a couple of close calls. And I couldn't remember where I was going for a moment.

And David is now ill with something. Stomach problems for the last two days, and he may have a fever. 

Life is an adventure! I love it! There's always something exciting to see, something new to learn. I don't always like either; but there's nothing like it anywhere else.

If you have a group of folks you can rely on, count your blessings. Give them all a hug. Tell them how much you appreciate them. I'm sitting here alone on the ledge. There are no neighbors here. But you know what? God knows where I am, so I'm good. I prayed for him to be my strength this morning on my way over to my sister's house. I was so tired, and my hands hurt. When I got there, my phone gave me today's scripture: Isaiah 40:31. I reckon that'll do. 

New Update on What's Happening In My World

I've had two people in the hospital. My son Mike was in for a week after a stroke. Then, a few days after he came home, my sister went into the hospital with a severely infected foot. They've saved it, but we don't know for how long. She's a bad diabetic and had a hole in her foot where a bone was working its way out. They took out the bone and the one next to it, and according to the doctor, will work its way out as well. Tomorrow they will go back in to check the foot and see how well its healing and if they have the infection under control. 

This week, Mike and I put his apartment back in order after I had it cleaned while he was in the hospital. He is going home to his place tomorrow. The doctors said he has to be monitored yearly for problems in his brain with blood flow and veins. 

I'm exhausted, y'all, tireder than I've ever been. And I'm better than I was a week ago. I thought one day I was just going to pass out because I had dizzy spells for a couple of days. My driving was horrible,and twice I had a couple of near misses. I couldn't stop because there was no help. No friends, no family. I've never lived in a place where there was no one to call for help and comfort. 

There are a couple of other issues that we're concerned about that I won't share. We've decided how to handle these, but it's still depressing. We've reached the end of our strength and tolerance. 

One thing I've learned during all of this, you find out who you can turn to in troubles. I've been praying about an issue for months now, and this weekend, the answer brazenly presented itself. It isn't what I wanted, but helped me make the decision. 

Don't become reliant on people or institutions. They'll never be there when you need them. I don't care what rewards you're promised. Only God never fails. He always answers. His schedule is never too full.