Joys of being on Facebook

One of the joys of being a 'senior' on Facebook is viewing the lives of our younger generation: babies, toddlers, teens, young adults.....all experiencing the blessings of youth. I am Facebook-connected with immediate family, distant relatives, dear friends and former co-workers, former students and even some of their parents and grandparents. I love hearing from all of them. Recently I experienced my daughter and son-in-law's trip on a Grecian flotilla. Via their photos and videos, I almost felt that I was rocking the waves with them. Their pictures of the food caused me to nearly drool imagining the taste. My other daughter was dealing with one of her twins having major ear reconstruction surgery. Via her photos from the pre-op room, I knew it was time for prayer. All is well and he is recovering nicely at home. One granddaughter is in Colorado exploring God's beauty via vista visits throughout the mountains. The photos she posts are breathtaking. My other granddaughter is experiencing new parenthood via her newly purchased puppy. The responsibilities of raising a pup are very similar to adding a baby to the household minus the luxury of diapers. I get to enjoy videos that she posts of puppy pranks. So many of my cousins (second and third removed) are now posting pictures of their new babies and children. I know through those that our family tree is indeed growing throughout this wonderful country. We are all so blessed that our ancestors were so brave and wise to cross the ocean for live in the new world. It makes me want to study our family history to learn more of where I came from. Many of my former students are posting pictures and videos of their families. It is so hard for me to imagine them as adult parents (and some even grandparents). I love every one of these posts. I am so proud when I read of my former students' accomplishments: graduations, colleges, post-grad degrees, marriages, families, jobs, job promotions, new homes, new cars, etc. Facebook has reconnected me with my high school and college friends. We all look like different people, but our memories keep us young in our minds. I love hearing from my former colleagues. I could write more about the joys of Facebook, but I shall stop here. I'll just say that the many hours I spend on Facebook are not wasted. Reading all of my FB friend's posts bring tremendous joy to my heart.

My Day with Doctors

Since the majority of my specialists are located at St. David's North Hospital, I try to schedule my appointments on the same day, if possible. Today I had appointments with my Ophthalmologist, my Bone Density doctor, and my new Neurologist. I got to the hospital 30 minutes before my first appointment. = Waiting. After rechecking my eye pressure, peripheral vision, and something else (not sure what), I learn that my vision is the best it's been since I was in elementary school (approximately 60 trips around the sun.) I've been nearsighted all of my adult life. Now I am not. Now I need reading glasses only. It is really difficult for me to live without glasses on my face. They have become more than a habit with me. They are an extension of my body. Furthermore, I may have to start wearing eye make-up again. I haven't worn eye make-up except for Halloween since 2009 when I got the Big M & Ms. (M.R.S.A. and Meningitis) Why eye make-up? Because, somehow I felt that eyeglass frames were all I needed for looks (perhaps intelligent looks). Also, make-up took a back seat to getting well during these past 4 years. Now vanity is encroaching and I think I'll get out the eye make-up once again. Second stop today was in the Menopausal/Bone Density unit. Obviously, I only need the second part, but the Hospital Gods feel a need to combine the two. Each time I walk into that area I feel that everyone in the waiting room is looking at me and thinking, "That old lady is lost." Meanwhile I do what I always told my girls to do, 'Walk like you know where you are going and hold your head up like you belong here.' Following that advice, I was never kicked out of anywhere I wasn't invited. Don't know about how it has worked for my daughters. My original bone density doctor determined that I am in the early stages of Osteoporosis. She wanted me to take the Proliva shots. (Maybe then I can fulfill a dream of going on the stage and hear, "Break a leg.") Being the Type A, Gold (True Colors), conscientious person that I am, I wanted to 'run this idea by' my nephrologist. I don't want to do anything that may cause more kidney problems than I already have. My kidney doctor researched both Provera and Proliva and determined that the former could cause problems with the cardiovascular system (which is of utmost importance for dialysis patients.) Proliva is not good for renal patients with less that 30% function (I belong to this group.) The bone density doctor doesn't necessarily agree. So she is backing away and referring me to a second bone density doctor who has patients who are also on dialysis. So I'll meet the new doctor in a couple of weeks and let her do battle with the kidney doctors. (Wouldn't it be wonderful if I got a transplant before then? Then the doctors wouldn't have to fight and there can be peace in the medical world.....at least this little part of the medical world.) Time to eat....got a side salad, some 'healthy'? chips and some green tea. Sat in the cafeteria for over an hour eating, people watching, and catching up on Facebook. (I had both my iPhone and iPad with me. People watching in a hospital is almost as entertaining as people watching at Wal-Mart. Butt cracks in both places.....low pants at Wal-Mart and hospital gowns at the hospital! As I was walking from the hospital cafeteria to the third doctor's office I was passed by 2 EMS people and 2 nurses rolling a patient on a gurney through the hall. I don't know where they were coming from nor going to. The ER was in another wing of the building and this area was not near any patient rooms. The patient was an older man, in a hospital gown, with both eyes and mouth closed, white as the sheet under him and as still as could be although the gurney was bumping right along. I really think he had 'passed on' and the people were trying to get him to the morgue. If they had covered his body with a sheet, everyone would know he was dead. This way we just surmise that he is. Hmmm! A little alarming to say the least. The last doctor was a neurologist. This area is all new to me. The doctor looked so much like one of my former music teachers, Jeff Ivey, that I really had trouble concentrating. Once he started talking and checking my reflexes, it became apparent that he wasn't going to discuss Les Miz (Jeff's favorite) nor Pittsburg Steelers or Penguins sports with me. He was so cute and young, I would have done anything he (the doctor) asked. When he told me to remove my shoes and walk down the hall on my tiptoes, spin around and walk back flat footed, I obliged. I guess we were both fortunate that he didn't ask me to disrobe further. He had a great 'bedside' (although there was no bed in the room unless you count an examination table) manner. As we finished the consultation, his final words were, "I want to see you in six months with a new kidney." I told him I would work on it, but I'd be back in six months regardless. (Gotta love a date with a doctor. I forgot to look to see if he had a ring on his left hand. I'll put that on my list.) Five hours after I arrived, I was ready to go home. So I did.

The One and Only Great Satellite

A mother never outgrows the need to know that her children are healthy, safe and sound, no matter their age nor the distance between them. In the old days before, cell phones, texting, internet, etc., we had to depend on our belief that they could take care of themselves and our faith in God to protect them. Now that Susan and Chris are alone on a sailboat moving around the Grecian Islands, (with no satellite service), I'm reverting back to The One and Only Great Satellite, God to let them feel my love, pride, and happiness that they are fulfilling a dream. In turn, I'll try to feel His Comfort and not worry until I hear from them.