Time for an update..

So, what's new?

Not a heck of a lot. Life is pretty dull here at the senior living complex. Mostly it is me and my caregiver for most of the day, then it's just me napping, then just me reading, then just me watching t.v.  I do try for lunch out once a week with my pal, Ann, and this last week we did manage to meet.. or rather she picked me up and off we went. Always fun, relaxed, just nice and comfy. We talk about books, about our doctors, a bit of this, a dash of that and then we call it a day.

I told Ann about my visit to the gastro specialist and now I will tell you. Dr. was a woman, looked to be about 40. My daughter Karen was with me and we both liked this doctor. Doc said she doesn't like the kind of feeding tube they put in and she is going to have me have it removed and a different type put in. She smiled and said, " Ask to be sedated."

This procedure won't be done for a week or so. The surgeon is out of town for a week and then guess they need to schedule me. The gastro doc didn't like it that the visiting nurse said I could learn to change my own bandage by looking in the mirror. ( can't see the spot, you see.) She is going to see if she can get Medicare to send someone out here every day to change it and also to do the feeding tube which would save me some money on the caregiver who is doing both of those chores now. But, it's one of those, " good luck" things.. getting Medicare to pay for anything seems to be almost impossible. Daughter Karen has been trying for weeks to get me some help through Medicare. Finally a Medicare advocate told Karen for me just to go into hospice and then I would get the care I need without having to pay for everything.

Hospice? That means six months to live. My oncolgoist said I would qualify but I am not psycologically ready for hospice. I'm not in any pain, still want some of my privacy and don't want people in and out of here all day and night. I'd rather wait until I feel like it is the end approaching or that I need that level of care.

Speaking of cancer, been reading Suzanne Sommers new book, " Knockout" about doctors who are curing cancer. They are curing it with things like 200 pills a day ,coffee enemas, etc -- all things not covered by insurance. Over and over I keep reading that chemo doesn't work. Well, it worked for me 4 years - then stopped working the last years. Didn't work this last year and didn't work my last year in Palm Springs when I switched to radiation to get rid of the cancer. This time can't do radiation and the oncologist says there is no other option for me. Maybe 200 pills a day wouldn't be all bad.. Other hard part is these doctors all like you to be there for being seen every day or every week and they are in places like Nevada, New York, Texas. Who can afford that level of care with none of it covered by insurance? But the stories are inspiring, curing pancreatic cancer and liver cancer, breast, too....  Will keep on reading. I have trouble swallowing since I went through chemo last spring.. how would I ever swallow 200 pills , or more, a day?? Yee gads. And do you make the coffee enema like you make the coffee you drink.... ?

Notice they all say NO Sugar. I don't mean in the enema, I mean all the time. Cancer likes sugar. I remember asking my Palm Springs oncologist about that no sugar theory and she didn't buy it.They also want organic eating... special diets. How would I ever do that here with no kitchen?

Jumping to another subject, this one cars.

I drive a Honda CRV. Have since 1998. How many miles do I have on the car? Almost embarrassed to tell you. Only 46,000. Tells you that I don't drive back and forth to Seattle or anywhere long distance any more. Aside from my health issues which keep me close to home and out of the car there is the physical issue with the car. It has the most uncomfortable seats ever, ever, ever. Kills your back and your tush. I've got a pillow in there for my back to give me lumbar support and another to sit on just so I don't feel like I am sitting on a rock.  The other day USA Today reviewed the new Honda CRV and I got a good giggle out of their review. They said that the seat was hard, uncomfortable for " back and bun" no matter how it was adjusted. So that tells me that Honda still hasn't done anything about the seats. I once even contemplated pulling out the seat and buying a seat to put in the car. Probably should have.

Books...

What good books have you read lately? Mostly interested in bios and non fiction but a good fiction story -- not some scary mystery - would also be okay ,or a wonderful romance or even something off the wall like " Water For Elephants" was. That one was such a nice surprise.  Need ideas for books for gifts.

Thanksgiving:

Plans are being made for our family reunion in Ventura. My brother STan and his wife, Alta, are hosting this gala event at the Mandalay Beach Hotel Resort. Will be fun and so wonderful to see everyone. Haven't seen some of the family since my mom died. Will be the first time family has seen me with my constant companion , the darn oxygen... Oh well, maybe they will be more interested in seeing that  I gained 1/2 lb and now weigh 108 1/2 that the oxygen will barely registar.

I'll be back before Thanksgiving..

~Jan

Comments

[Anne Ginther]

I don't know Burl, but I like his message!! And I agree! As Thanksgiving approaches.. it's a good time to say, when I count my blessings, I count YOU! How blessed I am to know you, dear Talulah! :)

[Betty]

I see that my link did not take for the book "Love Tag". I will try again: http://www.petershianna.com/books.html

[Betty]

If you're looking for a good fiction romance book, you would enjoy "Love Tag" by author Peter Shianna. I haven't finished it yet but I can't seem to put it down. So far I would say Love Tag is a drama of pride, betrayal and infidelity that in the end celebrates love, courage and hope. Very unpredictable and engaging.

[BK]

A fun romance/mystery is Jennifer Weiner's "Best Friends Forever". Quick read. Ask Santa for a Kindle and Santa's helpers for $10 gifts so you can fill it with books of your choice. Most expensive right now are $9.99. Your son, Lee, has some of his books available there for less.
Love my Kindle. Maybe Santa will leave his credit card on your Kindle and furnish you with what books you'd like!! Sorry to hear your treatment is no longer working. The body often does its own healing..I pray that it will work for you! Prayers. BK

[Cara]

You are such a gifted writer! Love the humor you manager to insert into each bit of news.

A word about hospice, I know 2 people who went into hospice, got the coverage they needed, and then got released in month 7 and went back home feeling much better.

I seem to hear you singing "I ain't down yet" from The Unsinkable Molly Brown! :)

Good books for Emily and Brent - The Boy in Striped Pajamas. Very hard subject matter, but so well-done. Also - A Single Shard - EXCELLENT book about Korean celadon glaze pottery.

Hang in there, Jan.

[Burl Barer]

Six months? Yeah, right. I recall you being told six months about 38 years ago or so. They don't realize what a tough character you are.

Burl