Christmas Day was unusual this year. Ed's son had invited us for breakfast and then they would come over to see our RV. I was really looking forward to it - got up early and got my hair washed. We left about 9 - drove about 100 feet and Ed stopped abruptly, got out and started moaning. The rear passenger's side tire was flatter than a pancake. So, we got "ye ole guidebook" and commenced to try to change it. Things were soon complicated by the fact that the tailgate doesn't go down, thanks to my wreck.
Ed remembered that we have Roadcare Service. He went in to call the 800 number and had me call Steve to postpone our breakfast till another day. I thought it would be a long wait....who would come out on Christmas morning? Within 45 minutes the young man was there and found what we had - the tailgate won't go down. He discovered a screw in the tire so fixed that and we were good to go. I called Steve but they were taking the breakfast over to his mom's house.
Maybe that was just as well......when we went inside, Ed reclined in his chair and asked me to bring me an anti-nausea pill. He took that and slept. The rest of the day he napped and rested, so it was probably better that things worked out to postpone breakfast. This was the only reaction that he had from his chemo on Tuesday.
We went to Lorraine and Ray Barkett's (Ed's sis) at 5 pm. I'm starting to feel more comfortable as I get to know his family members and they get to know me. Ray has 3 brothers and they celebrate all the holidays together. Several people had colds and, even though they stayed away from us, we woke up the next morning and both of us felt bad. Nyquil is a wondeful invention.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
We've figured out that people retire so they have time to make all their medical appointments! Ed is having chemo right now. He sent me to his sister's house so I can get on the internet and pay some bills. He'll have chemo again next Wednesday, then a Cat scan to see if there's improvement.
The Yacht Haven RV Resort, where we are, has no internet access and the roads are awful. We're pretty far into the park with docks on both sides - it's nice to watch the boats but that doesn't replace the internet. On Jan. 1 we're moving to Paradise Island Resort, which is north of us but still near I95. Two of our dive buddies, Chris and are there for the winter and they run the place several days a week in exchange for their RV space. We're booked in there till Jan. 30th - will have to move several times because they don't have any one space open. The fellow on duty today worked quite a while to squeeze us in - we're hoping for some cancellations. Moving will be a pain but Ed says it'll give him a chance to practice parking the rig.
We'll plan to be with Ed's son on Christmas and at his sister's on Christmas Day. His brother will come down from Pt. St. Lucie for Christmas Day, too. Ed's loving the warm weather but it's too hot for me - since I'm "at that age" so am a hot-flasher!! Our cat, Pepper, loves it here! She's a Cornish rex so basks in the sun any time she can.
We just got approval to get the Ford Explorer fixed so will go rent a car and hope they fix it quickly. The insurance company has agreed to wait until we move to the west coast of Florida, where there are many more RV "fixers". Ed wants to get out of this city traffic in February, if possible.
Merry Christmas and please do keep in touch. We cherish our family and friends more each day.
The Yacht Haven RV Resort, where we are, has no internet access and the roads are awful. We're pretty far into the park with docks on both sides - it's nice to watch the boats but that doesn't replace the internet. On Jan. 1 we're moving to Paradise Island Resort, which is north of us but still near I95. Two of our dive buddies, Chris and are there for the winter and they run the place several days a week in exchange for their RV space. We're booked in there till Jan. 30th - will have to move several times because they don't have any one space open. The fellow on duty today worked quite a while to squeeze us in - we're hoping for some cancellations. Moving will be a pain but Ed says it'll give him a chance to practice parking the rig.
We'll plan to be with Ed's son on Christmas and at his sister's on Christmas Day. His brother will come down from Pt. St. Lucie for Christmas Day, too. Ed's loving the warm weather but it's too hot for me - since I'm "at that age" so am a hot-flasher!! Our cat, Pepper, loves it here! She's a Cornish rex so basks in the sun any time she can.
We just got approval to get the Ford Explorer fixed so will go rent a car and hope they fix it quickly. The insurance company has agreed to wait until we move to the west coast of Florida, where there are many more RV "fixers". Ed wants to get out of this city traffic in February, if possible.
Merry Christmas and please do keep in touch. We cherish our family and friends more each day.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Mary Wrecked
Yes, I haven't had a wreck since I was 22 years old! While loading those final things on Sunday morning, I was gently backing up the Ford Explorer. Out of nowhere, it lurched - slamming into the front of the RV - lots of damage to both RV and car but they are still usable. I sobbed, cried, blubbered, wailed, and wept the rest of the morning. Now we have all the details deal with for the insurance company.
We're in Ft. Lauderdale - things are hectic getting Ed into an oncologist and all the paperwork involved. His sister got her doctor friend to recommend someone and Ed just got an appointment for Tuesday morning. Please pray that the chemo already completed in Virginia has shrunk the tumors and more treatments will "kill" the lung cancer. Ed is feeling fine - no symptoms except for some fatigue.
I love the location of our campground - I 95 & State Road 84 BUT there's no internet access at all. Instead of the $800 a month, since we arrived in the middle of the month we have to pay $1,000.00 for 2 weeks!! We're going to see Paradise Island RV Resort the place that my dive buddies, Jim and Chris Guld, run in the winter and hope they might have a spot. If not, we'll have to shop around.
On the bright side:
We stopped in Jacksonville and visited my wonderful (step) grandchildren. Jon is almost 22, Samantha is 17, and Daniel is 13. They are delightful kids and it was great to see them. We stopped in Port St. Lucie and spent the night in the driveway across the street (no one lives there) from Ed's brother, George. We went out to eat with George and Kay and took showers at their house. Ah..... the beauty of RV life - we got to sleep in our own bed. Last evening, we met Ed's son, Steve, for dinner. We enjoyed seeing Lorraine (Ed's daughter-in-law) and his grandson, Sean, who is now 4 1/2 years old. He's such a beautiful child and behaved very nicely as he sat by Grandpa Ed.
Ed's sister, Lorraine Barkett, lives about 5 miles from our RV resort so we come here to get internet access. My time on email is sporadic but I still like keeping up with you, so keep those messages coming, OK?
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
With love,
Edmond, MaryMay,
and Pepper (our Cornish rex kitty, who is loving her big RV adventure!)
We're in Ft. Lauderdale - things are hectic getting Ed into an oncologist and all the paperwork involved. His sister got her doctor friend to recommend someone and Ed just got an appointment for Tuesday morning. Please pray that the chemo already completed in Virginia has shrunk the tumors and more treatments will "kill" the lung cancer. Ed is feeling fine - no symptoms except for some fatigue.
I love the location of our campground - I 95 & State Road 84 BUT there's no internet access at all. Instead of the $800 a month, since we arrived in the middle of the month we have to pay $1,000.00 for 2 weeks!! We're going to see Paradise Island RV Resort the place that my dive buddies, Jim and Chris Guld, run in the winter and hope they might have a spot. If not, we'll have to shop around.
On the bright side:
We stopped in Jacksonville and visited my wonderful (step) grandchildren. Jon is almost 22, Samantha is 17, and Daniel is 13. They are delightful kids and it was great to see them. We stopped in Port St. Lucie and spent the night in the driveway across the street (no one lives there) from Ed's brother, George. We went out to eat with George and Kay and took showers at their house. Ah..... the beauty of RV life - we got to sleep in our own bed. Last evening, we met Ed's son, Steve, for dinner. We enjoyed seeing Lorraine (Ed's daughter-in-law) and his grandson, Sean, who is now 4 1/2 years old. He's such a beautiful child and behaved very nicely as he sat by Grandpa Ed.
Ed's sister, Lorraine Barkett, lives about 5 miles from our RV resort so we come here to get internet access. My time on email is sporadic but I still like keeping up with you, so keep those messages coming, OK?
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
With love,
Edmond, MaryMay,
and Pepper (our Cornish rex kitty, who is loving her big RV adventure!)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Murphy's Law
MURPHY'S LAW STRIKES AGAIN:
Ed and I are frantically trying to get ready to leave for Florida on Sunday morning. Between trying to get our house and Mother’s set with light timers that work, canceling cable, putting phone “on vacation”, and other such things, we’re scrambling.
Murphy’s Law in playing right in here. For example, to cancel cable for Mother, Ed went in to Comcast's office (Trip 1) but they had to see my Power of Attorney. He went back in with the Power of Attorney (Trip 2). They said he doesn't look like a Mary and that Mary has to come in. Mary went in with the %^#&!! Power of Attorney papers (Trip 3). They have to have the cable box, remote, and cord (Trip 4). Then they have to have Phil’s address to send the refund check (5th trip - by phone). Each item on our check-off list seems to have complications like this. Keeps life interesting, doesn't it?
Ed and I are frantically trying to get ready to leave for Florida on Sunday morning. Between trying to get our house and Mother’s set with light timers that work, canceling cable, putting phone “on vacation”, and other such things, we’re scrambling.
Murphy’s Law in playing right in here. For example, to cancel cable for Mother, Ed went in to Comcast's office (Trip 1) but they had to see my Power of Attorney. He went back in with the Power of Attorney (Trip 2). They said he doesn't look like a Mary and that Mary has to come in. Mary went in with the %^#&!! Power of Attorney papers (Trip 3). They have to have the cable box, remote, and cord (Trip 4). Then they have to have Phil’s address to send the refund check (5th trip - by phone). Each item on our check-off list seems to have complications like this. Keeps life interesting, doesn't it?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Ed Might Catch More ZZZzz's!
Yeah, he should sleep better because I won't be snoring erratically; he'll just have the consistant white noise from my machine. Today was the day - I got my CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. I have severe sleep apnea when I am on my back and my oxygen level drops a lot.
My second night at the sleep center I slept with a CPAP machine to be sure it's the best choice for me. To make it slightly more complicated, after I was halfway asleep, the technician came in and said that every time I started to doze, my mouth dropped open. So, he put a chin strap that goes up over my head to hold my trap shut.
I had no idea what I was getting in for. Assembling the machine, filling the built in humidifier with distilled water nightly, and washing parts of the machine daily, etc,etc. seem overwhelming at this point. It took the American HomePatient Medical Supply Company (the Sleep Center sent me to a national company so I can do my follow-ups in Florida) 2 hours to teach me what to do and another half hour to sign, sign, sign, and sign more papers for insurance.
Here's the tricky part - I heard people at the Sleep Center talk about "downloading" and had no idea what that meant. Ah, ha, someone stayed up late at night to design this system! There is a little card that you put into the machine periodically and you have to go to American HomePatient for them to download it into their system. There is no fudging on this - it will tell them every minute, day, and setting that I used the machine. If you don't go for your downloads and/or don't use the machine faithfully, the coverage will end. What pressure!! I hope I can figure all this out! Nighty, night!
Two weeks later:
This is how I look at night but Ed doesn't see me in the dark and he's sleeping well. I have gotten used to it and am sleeping better. This is so embarrassing but you need a laugh for the today so here goes nothing......
My second night at the sleep center I slept with a CPAP machine to be sure it's the best choice for me. To make it slightly more complicated, after I was halfway asleep, the technician came in and said that every time I started to doze, my mouth dropped open. So, he put a chin strap that goes up over my head to hold my trap shut.
I had no idea what I was getting in for. Assembling the machine, filling the built in humidifier with distilled water nightly, and washing parts of the machine daily, etc,etc. seem overwhelming at this point. It took the American HomePatient Medical Supply Company (the Sleep Center sent me to a national company so I can do my follow-ups in Florida) 2 hours to teach me what to do and another half hour to sign, sign, sign, and sign more papers for insurance.
Here's the tricky part - I heard people at the Sleep Center talk about "downloading" and had no idea what that meant. Ah, ha, someone stayed up late at night to design this system! There is a little card that you put into the machine periodically and you have to go to American HomePatient for them to download it into their system. There is no fudging on this - it will tell them every minute, day, and setting that I used the machine. If you don't go for your downloads and/or don't use the machine faithfully, the coverage will end. What pressure!! I hope I can figure all this out! Nighty, night!
Two weeks later:
This is how I look at night but Ed doesn't see me in the dark and he's sleeping well. I have gotten used to it and am sleeping better. This is so embarrassing but you need a laugh for the today so here goes nothing......
Sunday, December 7, 2008
She's in Texas - with Dedicated Effort
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Maribeth's Help with Moving Mom
You may also find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Monday, December 1, 2008
Mom Adjusting in Texas - Slowly
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sleep Center Report
Someone asked me what happened at the Sleep Center. I reported to the doctor a week after my "sleepover". He had a one page printout that showed everything imaginable, including when I fell asleep, when I slept on my side or back, and what depth sleep I was in. I seemed to breath OK on my sides but on my back I have severe apnea. I only got about an hour of REM sleep. We had to fill out various questionnaires before and after. It seemed to me it took about an hour to fall asleep - it only took me 7 minutes!
I forgot to ask the most important question, which was why I'm doing this to begin with: "Did I snore?" I'll be sure to ask this time.
This Wednesday I go back for another PJ party and will sleep with a CPAP machine. I know what to expect this time but bet I won't get my two cute technicians. In general discussions with various friends, it's surprising how many of them use a CPAP and how much it helps them. More later!
I forgot to ask the most important question, which was why I'm doing this to begin with: "Did I snore?" I'll be sure to ask this time.
This Wednesday I go back for another PJ party and will sleep with a CPAP machine. I know what to expect this time but bet I won't get my two cute technicians. In general discussions with various friends, it's surprising how many of them use a CPAP and how much it helps them. More later!
Thanksgiving Day 2008
Ed and I ate lunch at Harrisonburg Health and Rehab Center with Mother. They had turkey, dressing, and the other typical Thanksgiving foods. Ed was pleasantly surprised at how tasty the food was.
Mother had fallen out of bed on Tuesday evening and must have fallen right on her face. She has a big bruise on her forehead and two black eyes, caused by her glasses hitting her nose. She told the nurse she had to get up to feed the cows. When Ed asked her what happened she told him she fell out of a tree. Now when she goes to bed for the night, they put her bed all the way down and put rubber mats on both sides of the bed.
We went for Thanksgiving Supper with our friends, Beth and Robert Foester. They had Beth's mom and dad, aunt, and cousin, along with their lovely girls, Claire and Emma.....enough people for some interesting discussions. Robert made most of the meal and it was delish! Then we had to try each dessert - there were 6 kinds and I foolishly took a second helping of the 2 cakes and the chocolate pie. That's when I crossed the line to feel beyond full. Oh, well, Thanksgiving comes but once a year!
Mother had fallen out of bed on Tuesday evening and must have fallen right on her face. She has a big bruise on her forehead and two black eyes, caused by her glasses hitting her nose. She told the nurse she had to get up to feed the cows. When Ed asked her what happened she told him she fell out of a tree. Now when she goes to bed for the night, they put her bed all the way down and put rubber mats on both sides of the bed.
We went for Thanksgiving Supper with our friends, Beth and Robert Foester. They had Beth's mom and dad, aunt, and cousin, along with their lovely girls, Claire and Emma.....enough people for some interesting discussions. Robert made most of the meal and it was delish! Then we had to try each dessert - there were 6 kinds and I foolishly took a second helping of the 2 cakes and the chocolate pie. That's when I crossed the line to feel beyond full. Oh, well, Thanksgiving comes but once a year!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving Greetings
Happy Thanksgiving!
We are especially thankful for our friends and family.
May God bless you all!
With love,
Ed and MaryMay
We are especially thankful for our friends and family.
May God bless you all!
With love,
Ed and MaryMay
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Preparing to Move Mother to Texas
You can now find this post on Frances May's blog.....
1. Please click here: http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
2. Or you can type it into your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, or whatever)
1. Please click here: http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
2. Or you can type it into your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, or whatever)
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A Day Makes a Difference
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Every Day is Different for Mother
You may now find this post on Frances May's blog at http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
Thursday, November 13, 2008
PJ Party for Mary
Thanks to my dear husband, Ed, I had a wonderful pajama party at the Sleep Center last night. He told his doctor that he's having trouble sleeping due to snoring and pointed at me.
In preparation for this fun event, I had to shower and the only thing I could put on was deodorant....not even creme rinse on my hair!! I realized how attached I am to my powders, gels, "mousses", perfumes, lotions and other magic potions. I soon came to realize why -- It was amazing how many electrodes they glued onto my face, my head, and lots of other places. On the bright side, I had two really CUTE male technicians - one was in training. It took them over an hour to get everything set.
They came in once during the night and asked me to sleep on my back for a while. They woke me up just like they said they would at the ungodly hour of 6:00 A.M.!! I asked for a later wake-up time but learned they use the 6 sleep rooms (with Murphy beds) for doctors to see patients during the day.
I have my follow-up visit next week and suspect a CPAP machine might be in my future. If I could sleep better, it might help my fibromyalgia pain and brain fog.
In preparation for this fun event, I had to shower and the only thing I could put on was deodorant....not even creme rinse on my hair!! I realized how attached I am to my powders, gels, "mousses", perfumes, lotions and other magic potions. I soon came to realize why -- It was amazing how many electrodes they glued onto my face, my head, and lots of other places. On the bright side, I had two really CUTE male technicians - one was in training. It took them over an hour to get everything set.
They came in once during the night and asked me to sleep on my back for a while. They woke me up just like they said they would at the ungodly hour of 6:00 A.M.!! I asked for a later wake-up time but learned they use the 6 sleep rooms (with Murphy beds) for doctors to see patients during the day.
I have my follow-up visit next week and suspect a CPAP machine might be in my future. If I could sleep better, it might help my fibromyalgia pain and brain fog.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Follow-up Visit with Mother's Surgeon
You can now find this post on Frances May's blog.....
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2. Or you can type it into your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, or whatever)
1. Please click here: http://howisfranmay.blogspot.com/
2. Or you can type it into your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, or whatever)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Some Progress in Therapy
You can now find this post on Frances May's blog.....
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Obama Visits Little Ole' Harrisonburg!
If you watched the national news tonight, you saw reporters in Harrisonburg, Virginia - our town! Barack Obama visited JMU (James Madison University - my alma marta). My nephew, Levi May, is a freshman and was planning to go hear Obama. I'm looking forward to hearing Levi's report!
No matter who you're for, when you live in a rural area like the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a visit like this is exciting. The last Democratic presidential candidate who stopped here was nearly 150 years ago when Stephen Douglas came to town. In 1968, Republican Richard Nixon stopped on his campaign trail.
No matter who you're for, when you live in a rural area like the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a visit like this is exciting. The last Democratic presidential candidate who stopped here was nearly 150 years ago when Stephen Douglas came to town. In 1968, Republican Richard Nixon stopped on his campaign trail.
A Help To Republicans?
Bob Roberts, a political science professor at James Madison University, says visits like Obama's can help boost turnout and mobilize supporters. In this case, Roberts said, it could also serve to demoralize Republicans.
But Meredith thinks Obama is doing the GOP a favor.
"He's coming to the most conservative area of the state - arguably one of the most conservative areas of the country," Meredith said Monday. "When he comes here, that's just going to energize Republicans and increase that turnout. I really think it's going to help us." Daily News Record
Friday, October 24, 2008
Free Wi-Fi Directory
I just read about this site in my Kim Komando E-zine and think it will be helpful as we head South in November. Hope it will be helpful for you, too!
The Wi-Fi-FreeSpot™ Directory is a listing of locations that offer Free Wi-Fi. USA State-by-State listings. http://www.wififreespot.com/
The Wi-Fi-FreeSpot™ Directory is a listing of locations that offer Free Wi-Fi. USA State-by-State listings. http://www.wififreespot.com/
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