Hits and Misses (July 23-29, 2017)

Being confined to the couch put a damper on my blogging routine this week (more on that to follow). So here's a look back at the week that was......even though it is a day late!

HITS

• This week in the Geriatric Ward has featured some really good food! Mom and I have continued to pull out some family favorites while trying out a couple of new recipes as well. On Friday evening, the Geriatrics and I enjoyed our first trip to Firebirds in Collierville. It was a great steakhouse for a reasonable price. I couldn't believe that I hadn't found this gem much sooner.
• It sounds strange, but the funeral service for Sandy Currin was so sweet and touching. It was good to see friends and former students as we remembered the life well-lived by our dear friend. When my time on Earth is done, I hope that I will have made just a portion of the impact on others that Sandy had clearly made on everyone she came in contact with. Our loss is Heaven's gain!
• It's taken almost a year, so I was incredibly happy to finally receive insurance paperwork to complete in order to get the last of my medical bills associated with last summer's automobile accident paid. This has been a headache for all concerned. I just hope it's really taken care of this time.
• The only good thing about sustaining an injury is that it gave me an excuse to spend a few long days in my pajamas. 
• On Saturday, I was greeted by a blog post in the "on this day" feature of my Facebook feed. In that post, I introduced a new idea that I had decided to make a regular feature of Livin' Life that I was calling "Hits and Misses." Even though there have been weeks that I have not published a review of the week, this feature has definitely become the most regular and a favorite of many of my readers. Now that I'm writing the 174th installment of the series (that's hard to believe!), I'm thrilled that I have this tool to look back at what was important enough to find its way into my weekly highlights.

MISSES

• Ankle injuries suck! I managed to sprain or twist my left ankle last Sunday, but I'm not completely certain how it happened. Here's the only thing I can figure out. After Sunday lunch, Mom and I headed to the grocery to do the week's shopping. While reaching into the refrigerated section, my back spasmed and I thought I was going to fall. While I was so focused on my back, I didn't notice anything else wrong. I didn't hear a pop or feel any pain in my foot. Later that evening, I noticed how tight the ankle was and that it was beginning to swell. On Monday morning, I could barely walk and quickly began to use a cane. By the middle of the week, my ankle was getting better and I began to cruise around without the cane....and that must have been my mistake. At some point on Friday or Saturday, I seem to have re-injured my ankle! So I have a grapefruit protruding from my ankle that is inflamed and very tender. I will see a podiatrist on Friday morning to make sure everything is okay, but until then I'm spending my days on the couch with my foot on lots of pillows as I ice it and try to keep the swelling down.
• Mosquitoes are crafty little creatures. They are huge in Arkansas this summer and they tend to want to feast on my left foot. Have you ever tried to kill a mosquito on a swollen foot? It's not easy.....and it can be painful as well. Oh well, that just means I wear socks a little more often hoping to keep the little blood-suckers away from me!

Hits and Misses (July 16-22)

Here's a look at the week that was....

HITS

• I don't enjoy hitting the stores as much as I used to, but when I do manage to go shopping, I love to find a good sale! I need some new things before heading back to Texas, so I made a trip to Dillard's this week. Walked in the door and found that a large portion of their slacks were 65% off. Very happy!
• Wednesdays with Mom has become one of my favorite times of the week. Whether we make a quick run to Memphis for lunch, spend some time cooking together, or just sit around the Geriatric Ward laughing, these days in the middle of the week are treasures. 
• I love to read. It's that simple. I've needed some extra distraction this week, so I buried my nose in several novels and found myself whisked away to other places. It is a great form of escape and one that brings me a lot of pleasure.
• In the midst of a rough week, it was comforting to have family time throughout the week to share thoughts and encourage one another. Whether we talk by text message, phone call, or in person, I am blessed to have a family who listens, understands, and stands together.

 

MISSES

• My back has been problematic for several weeks now. It's not a constant ache, but rather something that rears its head when I bend just right or take an awkward step. This week, I felt the need to stretch shortly after getting out of bed. As soon as I did, I realized that I had thrown my back out. I was very happy to know that I already had an appointment with my chiropractor the next morning. We've been working on my back for a while now, but I'm definitely ready for things to get back to normal.
• It seems that road construction follows me wherever I go. Highway 64, the main thoroughfare to and from Crawfordsville, is being expanded and has completely disrupted our travel in the Geriatric Ward. I've gotten to know many of the back roads this summer in an effort to avoid the mess and keep my car from getting damaged. It's added a little extra time to most drives, but I have to admit that I am sort of liking the routes. It's something different to look at!
• Summer finally arrived in Memphis this week.....IT HAS BEEN HOT!!!! Excessive heat warnings hit the area on Wednesday and remained in effect the rest of the week. The air was thick and sticky. Breathing was rough. I spent as much time indoors as humanly possible.
• Summer evenings without electricity are boring and uncomfortable.
• On Sunday morning, I received the sad news that Sandy Currin, the beloved administrative assistant in Union University's Department of Music, had lost her battle with cancer and passed away that morning at 8:30am. Sandy was such a joy to work with and a marvelous friend. She was always supportive of me and provided encouragement and words of wisdom about life, maturing parents, health, and my continuing job search. In many ways, she was a Mom while I was away from home in Jackson. More importantly, she was the kindest woman I have ever met whose life was a constant witness for Christ. I consider myself very blessed that our paths crossed. I mourn for her husband Hal, her children, and her beloved grandchildren, but I celebrate with her that her suffering is over and she is now worshipping at the feet of her Savior whom she dearly loved.

Hits and Misses (July 9-15, 2017)

Here's a look back at the week that was.....

HITS

• Both Mom and I received good reports from our respective doctors this week.  Mom's left eye continues to heal nicely from her recent cataract surgery.  My right arm continues to improve through chiropractic adjustment and my calcium score ordered by the cardiologist came back with very low numbers, suggesting that I am a low risk for a cardiac event within the next 7-10 years.
• We've also had a lot of good cooking in the Geriatric Ward this week. Much of the success has come with our recent acquisition of a meat thermometer. It's amazing what you can do when you have good tools that provide you with good information. Mom and I are looking forward to experimenting with it some more this week.
• The weekly Geriatric Restaurant Adventures continued this week to rave reviews by the patients. While Dad was at a meeting on Thursday night, Mom and I ventured to Bosco's in Mid-town. The biggest hit of the week was Saturday's dinner at Ciao Bella. We all loved the Italian food we sampled and the blueberry bread pudding was to die for! I anticipate we will return to Ciao Bella before I have to go back to Texas in a few weeks.
• All week long, Facebook has reminded me of happy times serving the children of Abundant Grace Ministries. Many summers were devoted to planning and conducting music camps for the kids. During these fun times, children were given a taste of performing on stage while receiving Biblical instruction. I have seen lots of pictures this week from several of the camps and have really enjoyed looking back at the kids that were involved, thinking about where they are now in their walk with Christ, and being really thankful that I was able to be a small part of their development. 

 

MISSES

• Since summer vacation is winding down, I'm finding myself trying to do some planning for the Fall. It's like balancing a house of cards at times. The things I'm scheduling are important to me and I enjoy them.....but one error in calendar planning can make the whole thing come tumbling down. I'm just hoping that it all works out easily.
• There's nothing worse to me than feeling unproductive. Lots of things can cause the lack of production -- poor motivation, lack of communication -- and it happens to all of us. I tend to get things done, but this week I've not gotten as much done as I would have liked. Here's hoping that the coming week improves.

 

Hits & Misses (July 2-8, 2017)

I took an extended break from almost all of my blogging to reflect and consider a few things. Now I'm looking forward to writing again. So here's a look back at the week that was.....

HITS

• This week seems to be all about good dining experiences. On Sunday, I introduced my parents to the yummy sandwiches at Firehouse Subs. Mom had avoided trying the chain because she assumed "Firehouse" was synonymous with "hot and spicy." Fortunately, both of them were very pleased with their sub....and they even sent me back later in the week for a repeat performance! The night before, I enjoyed a Geriatric adventure at Benihana's. It was a good chance to sit together and talk in a different environment -- and an easy way to get the patients out of the ward. We repeated the process the following Saturday evening and enjoyed eating at Houston's. I could get used to this very quickly!
• The 4th of July was a relaxed family day in Crawfordsville. It was nice to not have extra bodies to entertain and just be able to spend time with the family. I personally needed it since the next day would be the day of the first of the cataract surgeries.
• Mom's cataract surgery went very smoothly and we got good reports all around. There is still another follow-up appointment, but this one is basically done. Mom has not had a lot of pain -- except for the afternoon of the surgery when she refused to take the Tylenol for pain -- and is feeling better with each passing day. I am certainly thankful for a smooth surgery and healing.
• After a long summer with lots of challenges, it is nice to be inspired once again. I'm actually interested in doing things and have confidence that my body and mind are up for the task. 

MISSES

• I've had my fill of doctor's offices for the summer. I've been the patient and I've been the caregiver. While seeing the doctor has been annoying, it's necessary. Waiting rooms, on the other hand, are a special level of Dante's Inferno! I think the strangest people -- along with the rudest people -- find their way to the cramped, poorly designed spaces just to make an already awkward situation worse. While waiting for Mom's cataract procedure to be completed, I learned more about the intimate lives of two sisters who never learned the value of using an "inside voice." Yikes!
• Eye drops are a special kind of inconvenience for geriatric patients. As we prepared for Mom's surgery, everyone told us that the procedure wasn't too bad; the worst part of the event would be trying to manage all of the eye drops! I thought they were joking.....only to find out that it was true! The meds burn and you have to do them four times a day. I'm glad Dad took the lead on handling the eye drops and that Mom was really patient.
• Some people can just be pushy. They are a real turn off and quite annoying.
• With hand injuries and some rough bouts of allergies, this has been the summer of steroids. I hate them! They are bitter. They make me nauseous. They pack on the pounds in ways that are not flattering and increase my appetite. I'm going to have to go on a diet because of the medication or buy a new wardrobe. (The second option is not entirely a joke either!) Ugh....just ugh!

Hits and Misses (May 22-28)

Here's a look at the week that was.....

HITS

• It was a joy to get to celebrate another birthday with Mom on Monday. Since I learned that I had been telling everyone she was older than she actually was (oops!), let me set the record straight.  Mom turned 78 years old on Monday. There wasn't a big celebration planned since she was still feeling less than perky, but I wanted to make sure that she had some sort of celebration. I knew she needed a cake, but I needed to find something yummy that didn't include chocolate -- her favorite treat, but a nightmare for her heart palpitations at the moment. I visited Nothing Bundt Cake and sampled the strawberries and cream mini-bundt.....and I knew I had found the cake! It was moist and simply scrumptious! Mom and I both enjoyed our small treats so much that we ordered ANOTHER cake for our upcoming family Memorial Day gathering. On a whim, Dad decided to treat the Geriatric Ward plus my older brother and his wife to dinner that evening. It was a great ending to a day devoted to honoring Mom.
• On Tuesday morning, I accompanied Dad to the kidney specialist after the latest blood labs came back with less than favorable results.  The doctor we saw was Dr. Deogaygay -- I loved getting to say her name a few times! She was a delightfully charming doctor who immediately put our minds at ease. Why is this a hit? Basically, she said that she could find nothing in her examination that would suggest the cause of the lab results. Her suggestion was to hydrate vigorously for the next week before returning to the doctor for a new round of blood work. I was thrilled to have a doctor who actually listened to her patient and took into account the fact that things can simply be strange sometimes when dealing with older patients. She didn't sound the alarm of panic; instead, she wanted to make sure that we were doing a thorough investigation before doing something more drastic.
• By the end of the week, I had developed a case of cabin fever and needed to get out of the house for a bit. I decided to give geocaching a try....and it was actually rather fun! I've been aware of geocaching for quite some time, but never took the step to give it a try. What is it? The easiest way to explain it is as an updated version of hide and seek. People hide "treasures" at various locations and mark the coordinates on a map. Seekers go to the marked site and try to find the treasure. My first adventure took me to a local bank on Sunday afternoon. I followed the coordinates to a light in the middle of the yard. I started looking around the concrete base and kept checking the location on my phone. I thought I was at the right spot, but I didn't see anything! That's when I put my hands on the cover at the base of the light to discover that it was loose.....so I tried to move it up the pole and that was when I saw the little treasure! Like most geocaching treasures, it was a small 35 mm film canister that held a small trinket and a written log of the people and dates that the item was found. It was quite cool.....and I plan to experiment with the adventure a bit more while I'm in the safety of my home town in the coming weeks.

MISSES

• Somehow, I decided it would be a good idea to return to the gym this week. After all, I had some good results when I worked with Spencer a few years ago and felt better than I had in quite some time. I set up the appointment and made my way to the gym. When the session started, I thought I was going to die! I had forgotten what it felt like to move. Since I'm having problems with my hands right now (although that seems to be improving with each passing day!), I couldn't do any weight training. That meant 45 minutes of cardio. I HATE THE TREADMILL! As my time in the gym continued, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't need to sit down as frequently as I had expected and I was actually pretty happy with the experience....until the very end. As I was getting off the treadmill to end the final circuit of the day, I guess I twisted just right and wrenched my back. I thought a massage and hot shower would take care of the problem, but my back decided to rebel a bit more than I had hoped since I put it through the torture of the gym. So I haven't been back in to do any of my "off day" cardio....instead, I've been nursing a bad back on the couch. That just means that I'll get to start all over again when I climb back on the treadmill this week.
• As part of the process of allowing my hands to rest and heal, I have not been practicing or doing much of anything that requires repetitive movement of my hands. There are only so many hours one can fill with reading novels and watching television before boredom hits with a vengeance....and it's only May! I may be running for the hills before August returns.
• It wouldn't be summer in eastern Arkansas without at least one round of powerful storms rolling through the region. On Saturday night, heavy rain and strong winds pounded the Geriatric Ward. Trees all over town were damaged, but we escaped. Just across the bridge in Memphis, thousands are without power at the moment; the current projection says it will take at least a week to restore service to the entire region. I'm really thankful that we didn't get hit that hard.....and hope that this is the only storm I have to weather this summer!

 

Hits and Misses (May 15-21)

Here's a look back at the week that was.....

HITS

• Mom got a good report from the doctor early this week. It seems that the medication change was exactly what was needed to settle things down. She's still weaker than we would like and some additional issues have arisen, but we really think we're on the right track. At least it's a good report!
• Perhaps the best part of the beginning of my summer vacation has been all of the home cooking! In typical fashion, Mom has pulled out most of my favorite recipes this week and I'm enjoying the comfort foods of home. I sometimes forget just how much I have missed them.
• Much of the stress of my week had become evident to my friends near and far. That was when I received encouragement from multiple sources via email and phone. It's nice to know that I am cared for when I hit a low point. The words were simple and unobtrusive....but their messages were clear. They got me over a rather rough patch.

MISSES

• This week's misses all center around medical issues and doctor's visits. After Mom got her positive report, it was time for me to face my fears and meet with an orthopedic surgeon on Wednesday. As the last semester began to wind down, I began to experience numbness in the fingers of my right hand. It was not total numbness, but every pianist knows that this is a huge warning that something is wrong. Since the symptoms came on suddenly and during an extremely stressful season as Mom was racing to the emergency room on an almost daily basis, I convinced myself that the issue was a combination of physical and emotional problems. (Truthfully, I still haven't ruled this out.) My visit with the orthopedic surgeon confirmed my diagnosis of the early stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. I hope to share more about this entire experience in a post later this week, but I'll give the general overview for now. I am in the closing days of a steroid regiment that has made me quite ill for the past few days, but seems to be making a positive effect on my hands. Next week, I will visit a local chiropractor who specializes in the disorder and will continue to give my hands a break for the next few weeks. The doctor and I will re-evaluate the condition of my hands in mid-June to make a decision about the next step if necessary.
• While I was dealing with my personal crisis, Mom and Dad received a call from their family doctor that he needed to see them in his office to discuss findings of Pop's recent lab work. That's never a call that gives you good feelings. There were some problematic results to the tests that are inconclusive at this time. Dad will be following up with several doctors in the coming weeks to figure out what's going on. Just when one Geriatric gets back on her feet......it's a never ending process, it seems.
• Then on Friday, I got the horrifying news from Plainview that my 5-year-old friend, Hannah, would be undergoing emergency surgery on Saturday morning to remove a brain tumor. We began praying for her intensely and kept our prayer communities informed throughout the day. Hannah came through the surgery itself and is currently recovering in PICU in Lubbock. Now her parents and family face the stress of waiting for pathology reports, caring for a sick little girl, and preparing for the potentially long road ahead. Without a doubt, your prayers are coveted and desperately needed for this precious child. Yet we continue to trust her health and healing to the miracle-working Healer we serve.

Hits and Misses (May 8-14)

Here's a look back at the week that was....  

HITS

• Now that I'm back in Arkansas, I've enjoyed some rest. Since arriving home, I think I've made 2 major trips off of the couch. It's not laziness as much as it is realizing that my mind, body, and spirit desperately needed some down time. So I took it....and will continue to do so a little while longer.
• With the extended rest, I've been doing quite a bit of television watching...and I've gotten Mom involved in a few of my viewing habits. I've been catching up on Chicago Justice and returned to my obsession with White Collar. The new find of the summer has been NBC's hit This is Us. How did I miss out on this incredible show? I'm laughing through tears in almost every episode. It's therapeutic! So I didn't feel like a complete couch potato, I made sure that I included some culture in my television watching. The Met's 2017 production of Romeo et Juliette was amazing -- well sung and beautifully staged. 
• It was good to celebrate Mother's Day with Mom again this year. Was it perfect? No. But getting to spend another day honoring her was good. I'll just continue to enjoy the days with her this summer and not focus on a single day.

MISSES

• Crawfordsville is in the middle of nowhere. That means we have spotty cell phone coverage. My AT&T is normally pretty stable, but Mom's heart monitor uses Sprint as its service provider. I've spent lots of time sitting on the front porch attempting to access another bar of coverage in order to transmit data from the monitor to the home office. It's been annoying.....with lots of beeping in the wee small hours of the morning when the rest of the world is fast asleep.
• There has been no practicing happening this week. Some of this has been due to my need to rest. Much of it has been attributed to issues beyond my control that I couldn't ignore.  It's frustrating when I want to play but can't....or shouldn't. Here's hoping that things turn around soon so I can get back to making music for my own sanity.
• Nothing is worse than realizing that you mind is far too full and you can't shut down. I've spent a few sleepless nights this week thinking about the future as well as the present -- the good and the bad -- and trying to make some decisions. Some issues bring fear. Others breed dread. Thankfully, most bring determination and direction.