Thoughts after Surgery

I had another surgery today. There's a long story (of course) behind it. Saved for another time. I'm still on recovery meds and have the typical random thoughts. I decided to sum up my story in a song parody. My veins are particularly tiny and active 'rollers.' That's what the medical pros call them. Hence, my following parody of TINY BUBBLES: TINY ROLLERS By Bonita Grumme With apologies to Don Ho (original artist) Martin Denny and Leon Pober (writers), Wayne Newton and Rex Allen (additional artists). Written 4/13/15 after surgery (still on meds) Tiny rollers (veins) In the hands, Can’t be stuck, Even with bands. (tourniquets) Tiny rollers. Called more nurses With a feeling that they couldn’t help. So they call for aid. So here’s to Dr. Orth, (Anesthesiologist) And here’s to the ankle vein And mostly here’s to dear daughter, Joann. (kept my mind busy with funny stories) So here’s to the Propofol, They gave to me today. And here’s to thanks That will not fade away. Tiny rollers Did their ‘thing.’ Dr. Boone My Earthly ‘King.’ Tiny rollers Helped find the clot Dr. ‘broke’ it. I thank a lot. So here’s to the surgery team Nurses Gary, Kathy and Nancy And here’s to Dr. Boone Who sewed me up ‘fancy.’ So here’s to my Facebook Friends Who sent up prayers above And mostly here’s To my Dear Lord of Love.

The British Invasion of 1964

50 years ago The Beatles came to America and stirred up the lives of many. Mine was one. I started teaching in 1963 in a self-contained classroom of 36 third graders. I was in 'Hog Heaven.' Back then we were allowed to TEACH!!! I opened each day with what I called Morning Exercises. We said The Pledge, sang the National Anthem, read some Scripture and spent a few moments doing some calsthenics to music. I played Beatles songs and the kids and I would do toe touches, jumping jacks, marching in place, etc. My first parent complaint ever was about my choice of exercise music. How dare I play that Satanic stuff by those long-haired heathens? My principal came down to join us one morning. The music was "I Want to Hold Your Hand." At the end of Morning Exercises in Miss Townsend's Class, he smiled, patted me on the back and said, "Keep up the good work, Miss Townsend." The next day we exercised to "She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!"

Through the Lips

Through the lips and over the gums, look out tummy, here it comes! That was the prominent thought running in my brain today. Back in August when the family was celebrating my birthday, one of my gifts was a ticket to an 'Austin Eats Tour'. Because this involves walking and eating outside, we decided to do this in the autumn. (NOTE: After living with older folks these past four years, I've learned that 'fall' is not a good word. In fact, it's included in the list of bad four letter words. Thus, I call this season 'autumn.') So here is how the tour proceeded:

I'm hoping that you can see the van that we traveled in to the various eateries. There were 14 in our group, including the driver/guide. We met at a large park in downtown Austin where a Farmers Market is held. Scott, our guide, brought us some pastries to start the day. They were from a bakery owned by Sandra Bullock and her sister. Her sister is the pastry chef. I'm hoping you'll see them in the next picture. They were very tasty (sweet).

From there, we walked across the park to one of the booths where the owner made specialties from some form of a bean shipped to him from South America. The samples we tasted reminded me of obese M&M peanuts. He told us the history of chocolate. Very Interesting, if true. The samples were made of four types of chocolate. He also told us how the different type of chocolate are made. (So this makes the tour educational, too.)

Next, we went to the previously pictured van. (Not going to post the picture every time we get into the van.) We drove to someplace near downtown to a food truck which specializes in Italian sandwiches called Puccias. "Lucky" of "Lucky's Puccias" makes the bread as you approach the trailer. Therefore, it is very warm, fresh and delicious. He makes a variety of sandwiches. We had the Lucky Special, made of a variety of things (meats, veggies, bread and sauces). It is one of Chris and Susan's favorite places to eat. I can see why. NOTE: Lucky and his puccia truck is going to be featured on TLC next Friday, Nov. 1st. on the show called Secret Princes.

After the puccias, we returned to the van to head to what was to be my favorite stop, LaBarbecue. (Must be my Memphis influence) This is one of the most popular 'eateries' in all of Texas. We were told one of the top three barbecue places in the state. Several months ago a barbecue place here (Franklin's Barbecue) was featured on national TV. Apparently there was a rift between 'Mr. Franklin' and his pit chef. The pit chef left (or was fired) and started his own barbecue business. Hence, LaBarbecue was 'born'. At this point I must say that having lived in Memphis over four decades, I think I am qualified to 'rate' barbecue. I've eaten so called barbecue in Kansas City, Memphis, and Austin. IMHO nothing compares to The Rendezvous dry ribs and Corky's wet ribs in Memphis. Texans barbecue brisket at the drop of a 10 gallon hat and rave that it is the best ever. Now there is a lot, and I mean A LOT, of good things about Texas, but give me pulled pork or dry rubbed ribs any day. With all that being said, I have to admit that the brisket, sausage, and ribs that we had today at LaBarbecue were the best I've ever had in the Lone Star State. When we got there, there was a line of customers longer than any I've seen at any eatery ever. Here are a couple of pictures. I wish we had taken a picture of the line.

Our group licked that platter clean!!!!! Next, we just walked across the street to the Dock and Roll Diner. It's not really a diner. It's another food truck with tables and chairs outside. Now what would you think we would have there? No, not sushi. We had ....... are you ready for this?........Lobster Rolls. OMGosh, they were soooooo good. After eating all that barbecue, I didn't think I could eat anythings else until I saw the lobster rolls.

Now one would think that the tour should end right then and there. How could you top surf and turf? How could our stomachs hold any more? Not to be......there's more, so back to the van we go. We drove to Congress Street. If you've been to Austin, you know the place. If you haven't, just let me say that it's kinda like going back in time to the 60's. There are two of the oldest motels ever. One advertised 'No Vacancy' and that it is celebrating it's 75th anniversary. I noticed that one of the stores was named "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds". I didn't ask what it specialized in. It was sorta hard to tell by looking. At first I thought it might be a head shop. SHAME ON ME!!! But I digress. The next eatery was called Burro Cheese Kitchen. The truck specializes in food with cheese and a taste of France. We ate something called 'Croquet Madame', I think. I think this would be a wonderful breakfast treat. The 'bread' was similar to two waffles with smoked ham, mozzarella, a fried egg, and sauce placed between them. Soooo goooood!

I think that the next time I go there, I may try the Waylon and Willie or the GQ or maybe both. And on we go to our last stop, Sugar Mama's. You may have heard of Sugar Mama's if you watched The Cupcake Wars on cable. They won the contest with their Marilyn Monroe Cupcake. It's a vanilla cake with vanilla icing and crystal sprinkles on top. They had 15 varieties of cupcakes from which we could choose. I chose a Strawberry Love, similar to a strawberry shortcake. (I have to admit that I haven't eaten it yet. I got mine 'to go.') I also bought one of their specialty bars to salute Tennessee and Texas. It's made with Texas pecans and Tennessee Bourbon. (I thought I would wait until bed time to try that one.)

I forgot to mention that all of these places except the last one were BYOB places. Our guide had large cooler in the van filled with drinks of our choice ranging from water and sodas to 'exotic' beers and ales. After cupcakes we rode the van back to the city park/farmers market, tipped the guide and waddled to the car. Now don't you wish you had gone with us? I'm closing with the thought on Sugar Mama's mailbox:

Labor Day Historically Has Not Been a Day of Rest For Me.

It occurred to me that I should strike Labor Day Weekend off my future calendars. Labor Day Weekend, 1995: I was hospitalized with pseudomembranous colitis. I don't remember how many days I was at Germantown Methodist Hospital, but I do remember that I missed six full weeks of school because of it. Labor Day Weekend, 2008: I flew to Denver, CO to attend a second cousin's beautiful outdoor wedding in Ft. Collins, CO. All was fun until I prepared to fly home. My direct flight was cancelled and I had to hustle to find an alternative. Eventually, I was placed on a flight to Detroit (not the most pleasant place to be at midnight) and connected with a flight to Memphis (an even scarier place to be at 2:30 A.M.) Labor Day Weekend, 2012: I flew to Nashville, TN. to eventually join the Crenshaw Family Reunion at Kentucky Lake. While there, I received a phone call that a matching kidney was being flown from Philadelphia to Austin and I needed to be at the hospital in six hours for transplant surgery. Since I'm a Republican, Air Force One was not available to me and I had to decline the offer. BTW, I think that my request for AFO would have been declined even if I had voted for Obama. ;-) Labor Day Weekend, 2013: If you read the immediately previous post, you know the problems I've had today. If you haven't read it, suffice it to know that both Susan and I are slated for surgeries tomorrow.

So this is what Murphy's Law is like?

OK, so here's the deal: If medical procedures make you queazy, stop reading here. Since today is a holiday (Labor Day), Atria (formerly The Village) can only provide transportation for me TO dialysis. Plan A = call a cab to get back home and Atria will pay fare. Arrived at clinic and requested that I not have a 'trainee' connect me to the machine. (I have a fistula which is difficult for most techs and nurses to find the vein portal.) Last week a newly hired former trainee was assigned to me. Monday and Wednesday 'sticks' were difficult for her, but she managed. Friday, she maneuvered the needle around in my arm and couldn't succeed. She called a new nurse (also unfamiliar with my 'uniqueness') to help. She couldn't find the vein either. So a nurse who knew my arm, came to the rescue, but after the damage had been done. My arm is terribly bruised and sore. Thus, my request for someone who knows my arm to hook me to the machine. One problem......the nurse could not find a pulse in my arm! This means that there is either a clot somewhere in my system or more probably damage to my fistula. Therefore, I could not get dialysis today. Scene Two: I need emergency angiogram and surgery. Problem: I ate breakfast and the surgery cannot be performed today. Scene Three: Surgery scheduled for tomorrow. Problem: Atria drivers are booked for tomorrow and cannot provide transportation. I called Susan to ask her to take me. "Sorry, Mom, I'm having surgery myself tomorrow morning." (Explanation later...just remember her in your prayers.) I called Joann. She is booked solid with conferences tomorrow. (willing to change if necessary, but many people would be inconvenienced if she did) So I put her on hold. Chris will be with Susan. Wes and Haley will be working. Hayden and Tyler have school. Scene Four: I convinced the assistant social director to drive me to the surgical building tomorrow at 7:15 am for my 9:00 am arrival appointment for my 10:00 am surgery. I told her I would just take my iPad and play Candy Crush for 90 minutes. Scene Five: I realized that with all of this happening, I will have gone 5 days without dialysis, if I have to wait until my regular time Wednesday. (If you know anything about dialysis, you know that 5 days without dialysis is a death wish!) So I called the treatment clinic and asked if they could 'squeeze me in' for a treatment after my surgery. They agreed. The surgical team is going to provide my transportation to the dialysis clinic since Atria can't. Scene Six: After my dialysis, I am to call Atria. If they cannot pick me up and bring me home, Haley will be off work and can come provide my transportation. I know this is a long rant and I'm truly sorry for bending your ear/drying your eyes/boring your brain. When it rains, it pours. I just thank God that I'm still alive to have these problems, but I surely would like a break from all this mess. I want to truly enjoy my golden years instead of thinking of them as my twilight years. In the meantime, please pray for my Susan and her 'procedure' and for me and my 'procedure'.

It's Been A Year, Now What?

One year ago this weekend, I was at The Crenshaw Family Reunion. I'm not really blood kin to them, but I gave birth to two who are. So, kindly, I am invited to their family functions. We gathered at Kentucky Lake and had a wonderful time reminiscing and meeting all the youngsters who have joined the family by birth or marriage. While there, I received a phone call that a kidney was on the way to Austin from Philadelphia. I had just a few hours to get to the Austin hospital to receive it. Alas, it was not to be. Kidneys only stay viable for 13 hours and I couldn't get to Austin in time. I cried. Strangely not from disappointment, but from finally having proof that I was indeed on the transplant list. What a joy in what was also a disappointing moment. Since that weekend, I have 'chained' myself to Travis County. I didn't want to miss the next kidney. My kidney surgeon advised me to lose a few pounds around my mid-section to help the surgery go better. So I have been working out in the pool a minimum of two hours a week. I usually get in 3 or 4 hours a week, plus I walk at a brisk pace the 'long' way to most activities here. I cut down my eating and generally stick to my renal diet. I have been losing weight slowly but surely. I try to stay away from 'germ-ridden' areas and people. It's hard to do living with a lot of old folks. But I think I know the sanitized folks around these parts. I feel that I am doing all the right things and am ready for the next call. Where is it? It's been a year since the first and last call. Now what? I'm tired of being chained to Travis County. I miss seeing my family in all parts of the country. I miss my dear friends of 40 years in Memphis. I miss the wanderlust of my life. I never missed a summer of traveling before I got sick. Whine, whine, whine. Yes, I know, I should be happy to be alive after battling the M&Ms (M.R.S.A. and Meningitis). I know I should be happy to live in the same county with my children and grandchildren (Katie is a part-time resident when she's not in college.) I know that I should be happy that I live in such a lovely place with so many friends and opportunities. I am, but I'm frustrated, impatient and tired of waiting for The Call. And, then.......I remember "Be careful what you ask for, you may just get it." What if I do get another call and I can't get to the hospital in time? What if I do travel out of Travis County and The Call happens again? What if I do get a transplant but my body rejects it? I'm running out of time.....I've been around the sun 72 times. Dialysis patients average 5-7 years longer once they start the treatment. (I have heard of a few living up to 20 years on dialysis.) I've been on dialysis 4 years. The treatments and meds are not cheap. Medicare and Supplemental Insurance only pays so much. A teacher's retirement + SSI is not a lot of money compared to other professionals. Rumor has it that Obamacare may stop dialysis for patients over 75. Then what? Adios Amigos!! If this sounds like a Pity Party. So be it. I'm just writing down my thoughts on my One Year 'The Call' Anniversary. Now for a little 'upper'. I am leaving Travis County in nine days!!! I'm going with a group of friends to Dallas to the George W. Bush Library. We are going to spend the day there and have lunch in the conference room there. On the way back we will stop in Waco for dinner. (I'm requesting Cracker Barrel.) So help me, if I miss out on another kidney during that trip, I'm just going to take up a room in the hospital!

Just Thinking About Life

The older we grow, the more we understand God's Plan. We may not know what it is when we are living through it, but as we look back to the past, we understand more and more why things happened as they did and why we are where we are. And if we don't understand, at least we have learned to put our faith in God and trust that we are where we are supposed to be doing what we are supposed to be doing. Does any of what I just typed make any sense?