Birthdays, cabinets, fences and walking in circles

Wow, where to start. Two weeks ago I celebrated my 50th birthday. It was on a Saturday so the whole day was free to do whatever I wanted. Strangely enough, I told Sara that I wanted to try mowing the lawn on my own. It's truly a bizaar thing to want to do on your 50th birthday. For some strange reason, I thought if I could do that I would prove that I was better and not an old lady. At that point, I had only done little bits, but, the week before had made a big difference in my stamina, pain, etc. I DID IT! Managed to mow the entire yard while Sara caulked the fence.

The other thing I really wanted to do was go to the antique mall. That was exciting, we found a new cabinet for the bathroom, a spool to make another lamp for the living room, AND best of all and most unexpected, a hoosier cabinet for the kitchen. It is the sweetest thing, white with cool red bakelite pulls. We brought the cabinet for the bathroom home with us and I managed to help carry it to the basement. The finish is good, but, we want to polyurethane it before putting it in the bathroom.



After dinner out and birthday cake, I was pretty tired from all this. Still have that bedtime at 10:30! On Sunday, had lunch with Sara and Cheryl.





As far as the fibroids, I'm still taking Advil for some pain, but, the time between is more and more and sometimes I only take it in the morning. I found that avoiding the bedtime Advil has played into stopping the night sweats. HMMMMM, could the two really be related. Still have some discharge, but, nothing serious. Just wondering....how long will that last?

The past two weeks, I had to spend some time in Madison for various meetings. That included my first independent road trip. That went OK. Last week I had to stay overnight. On Tuesday night we had grilled steaks for dinner. If my anemia isn't getting better, it didn't hurt to have that 1" medium rare (well more rare than medium) steak. Couldn't eat the whole thing, but, it was good. Avoided the alcohol that was flowing pretty freely at the dinner (no one was driving). The beds at the ol' Baymont sure aren't like mine, not getting good sleep made a big difference in how I felt relative to everything. Wednesday afternoon, doing the rounds of the Rotunda at the Capitol was pretty tiring. Walking on the marble floor for 4 hours wasn't the best. I was taking some breathers, still tough walking that much. It was good to get home that night.

Last weekend Sara and I finished staining the fence! Yeah! At least I helped with the last part. There was the full harvest moon last week and it just glowed in the dark. Now we get to move on to other projects. Yeah! It's good to be feeling better.



Since then, it's been work. Yesterday, went to a breakfast meeting with Sara and then up to the yarn shop in Appleton. My first visit since my UFE. I celebrated by buying some sock yarn that I really don't need and a sweater book. Did yard work in the afternoon and cleaned. Knit in the evening, it was great---haven't done that other than Knit Night in awhile.

I figured out the other day that had I had a hysterectomy, I would just be thinking about starting back to work. I wouldn't be talking about bringing home cabinets, painting fences, and cutting the grass. Sitting around for 2 1/2 weeks was tough enough. Guess I'm just not ready to not do anything.



Coming up----we're planning a party!

Hmmmm....

Remember how I said that we talked about periods, etc. when I was at the doctor last week. We decided that it would be sometime this week. Well, not bad, considering how messed up I was. I started on Sunday. It's been nothing tremendous or like it used to be. Thank you hormone Gods! But, I have to say I'm having more cramps than I've had for years. Plus (and this is gross), there have been a few pieces of what I figure are dying fibroids (yeah). I woke up today and decided, based on the pain and not exactly knowing what to expect, stayed home. Things have been OK, so I think I can relax (along with my bottle of Advil).

Sara had sent me this link for a hour long utube video of a UFE. It's really good, especially if you have no clue about the procedure (perhaps some medical personel out there should watch this!).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7egoWdYxK-k

Lazy Saturday

It's a lazy Saturday afternoon. Sara is out shopping. She had a lot of places she was going, so I choose not to go along.

First, the report from my doctor's appointment on Wednesday. At this point, she said everything looked good. She did a pelvic exam (owie!), guess I'm still a little tender down there. We scheduled an ultrasound for 6 months down to see how things were going. She's having some of the discharge tested, no calls so far. She didn't think there was a problem, said that since I wasn't running a fever, she didn't expect any infection. I asked how long the discharge will last. Basically, it varies and depends on the person and size of the fibroids. She asked about periods. We talked and she said that if I didn't have any thing in two months, I should followup on that. Otherwise, I pretty much got a clean bill of health.

Oh ya, the weight. According to their scale, 13 pounds. Now tell me, do you normall go down 2 clothing sizes when you loose 13 pounds. Something is amiss here.

So, Wednesday night, when we were knitting, Sara told me that we had to stay home on Thurday night (there was someplace I was thinking about going). She said she had bought two new chairs for our living room. One for me (an early birthday present) that is huge! It's been dubbed the healing chair. I can curl up, lay in it, sit however I want. It has an equally huge ottoman. She bought herself a lazyboy (girl) recliner. She had decided while I was sick that our furniture, other than our sofa and the chair Jeffy sleeps in were in bad shape. Neither of the old chairs is with us any longer and our living room is comfy, comfy.

I've felt pretty good the past few days. When the Advil starts wearing off every 6 hours, I have some aching, but, otherwise, my energy is coming back. This morning I washed my bedding, helped Sara mow the grass and did a few other things outside. Using the lawnmower was much better this week. The only thing I have to remember is not to use my stomach and lower body as much as usualy. I'm thinking next week I may be able to do half the lawn.

After all that, I did take a nap but only a short one. We'll see how tired I am tonight.

Oh ya, yesterday I went down to Madison for a meeting. I didn't have to drive, that's still coming late in the month. I was tired when I got home at 3;30, but, what else is new. Gave me a chance to nap in my big new chairWonder how long it will take for that all to stop. In the meantime, what's wrong with a nap?

I still have to decide how long I'm going to work next week each day. I think I'm just going to see how it goes. I know once I hit 2pm or 3pm, right now, I start winding down, and everyone notices. We'll just have to see.

It is amazing when you start waking up in the morning an feeling pretty normal...and that is what is starting to happen. That's surely not a bad thing. Hope everything else keeps going well too.

Happy rest of the weekend! I'm going outside to help Sara with the some last details on the fence.

Work, the weekend and Labor Day

Well, I made it through 4 days of work last week (well, 4 hours each day). I worked 10am to 2pm, just so I didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn. This week, since school has started, the smart move is to start by 7:45, or not good parking for me, unless I want to walk and walk, and that would not be the smart thing at this point.

I did OK last week. On Tuesday, I was welcomed by a banner signed by all my coworkers. It was made by Carmen, my friend Evelyn's daughter and my god-daughter (yup, another good Virgo). Carmen started her last year of grade school this year, amazing how fast they grow up! The banner is great, I'll include a picture as soon as I get to those details. Anyhow, there was the banner and kringle. A mini celebration. It was nice to be back in civilization. But, I have to say, by 2pm everyday, I was ready to leave. I would come home and do a few things, but, mostly I napped. Evenings last week were a little busy with Labor Council on Tuesday and knitting on Wednesday, but, I made it to both. I wanted to try, so while she was resting, I did a short strip of grass, about a quarter of the length of the yard. Read, not very much. The lawn mower, which I usually handle with no problem felt so heavy and the vibration was pretty intense. Just that little bit, and I was out of breath. No stamina or strength. Anyhow, when that was done, we celebrated Friday by ordering a pizza. Nummy!

My appetite has been weird to say the least. One day I'm craving something and the next day that same thing makes me want to gag. It's really frustrating to Sara who is trying to get me to eat a healthy diet. Up until today, fruit really held no appeal to me. But, I had some melon this morning and it was good. More on the past two days later.

Friday was a little busier in the afternoon, since I had to get mega change at the bank for the Labor Day picnic. I had it in a locked box, but, that was pretty heavy for me to carry. Luckily, I was parked pretty close to the door of the bank.

On top of everything else last week, Sara's car continued to not start every few days. She had to have it taken in for repairs on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. As a result, I had to do some extra running around. Poor Sara can't catch the break she so much deserves. But, we've had 4 days in a row with no problem, I think we've got it resolved Houston.

So, during the week, I was pretty much having the same level of pain (2 Advil's every 4 hours for the most part). But, I did start being able to sleep through the night without having to take anything. I'd be more than ready in the morning, but, I was waking up at 2am in pain.

After dealing with Sara's car on Saturday, we commenced with our original plan to take me up to the mall in Appleton to find something to wear for today. I received an award and really didn't think I had anything that would fit me. I didn't want to look like a scarecrow. I had no idea what size I was down to. So, once we found an outfit and a fitting room, Sara brought in like four sizes. The skirt in size 18 fit well. I could actually put on the 16, but, it was a little tight. 16???? I wore an 18 already in high school. That's two sizes that I'm down. I'll find out tomorrow when I go to the doctor who many pounds.

Anyhow, that was pretty hard work trying on clothes (once again, no stamina). I was pretty wiped when we got home, between shopping and the mornings fun with cars. I napped when we got home, but, had promised Sara I'd help her clean. We ate some supper, and then I needed another nap. What would happen is first I'd get cold, then I'd get tired---exhausted. I'd have on sweats, a fleece top and socks, and cover up. I didn't have a fever or anything (I'm trying to take my temp. at least twice a day). About 9pm, I had enough energy to at least clean the kitchen (luckily, Sara always vacuums, I'm not even tempted to try right now). Oh, the other weird thing on Saturday was really thristy. I could have drank the lake. When we went to Starbucks, I opted for a lemonade instead of mocha. Anyhow who knows me is that I love my daily mocha. The thought of it made my throat dry. The employee who took care of me, was surprised I wasn't getting my regular. She said, the lemonade is concentrate and not sweetened. I said great! A few of them had to watch me take that first drink. It was great! Anyhow, the mocha problem didn't last, but, I've almost emptied a half gallon of lemon-limeade since Saturday.

Sunday, Sara's family was coming to visit. We went to church. It wasn't as bad as last week when it seemed like 2 hours long, especially with squirmy kids in front of me. But, I was still tired when we got home. Once again the freezing/exhausted problem. I slept for 3 hours. They had arrived by the time I got up (such a hostess I am). I was good the rest of the afternoon, but, by the evening, I was pretty exhausted again. I was getting worried.

Monday was Labor Day. Usually, we're setting up for the picnic on Sunday night (not this year) and at the park by 8:30 in the morning. No way this year, I knew that wouldn't happen. Sara was out of here by 9 and got out of here a little after 10, the food serving started at 11, so neither of us was that late, they just had to set up without us. I was going to work selling raffle tickets (sitting down). I would be able to leave whenever I wanted. Sara did my usual job collecting money for the food. I felt pretty good when I got there and helped with the tickets, actually until after 3pm! Sara said everyone was worrying about me being there yet. When I got home, I knew I would have to go back to collect all the money, so I figured I would rest for about an hour or so. I really hadn't eaten anything, brats, hot dogs and corn really didn't appeal to me. I ate some cold pizza (ya, I know like that is any better, but, it tasted good). Oddly, there was none of the chills or exhaustion from the weekend. I laid down, and the other strange thing was, I realized I had no pain--anywhere! When I went back to the park, Sara and I pretty much collected our stuff and I took the money. We chatted with a few folks, but were home by 5:30. I counted the money and did a few other things, but, decided to take her easy since today was going to be a busy day.

I got up at 5:30am. Normal time. Took care of Churchill's testing and then took a shower. I felt pretty good (I was worried I'd) be tired. I was at work by 7:45. Sara picked me up on her way in and gave me a ride to the end of campus. A pretty long walk. I had to get ready for the awards. I was a little worried about walking on stage (luckily we sit up there and don't have to climb steps during the ceremony). I talked to the Chancellor before the program and told him that I was moving pretty slow, but, I was OK. A lot of speechifying before the awards, which went pretty fast. The classified staff were in a group in the audience and let their presence be known for all 4 of us getting awards. None of that stuffy academia for us!

So after pictures and hugs, I decided that with "spotters" I was going to walk back to the library. Sara argued with me, but, I didn't want her to loose her parking space. After Jean and Karen promised to take care of me and I promised to call as soon as I got back, she let me go. As promised they stayed with me. Karen was amazed at how tired I was. I kept telling folks to just go around us, at one point the Chancellor came up from behind with a few other administrators. I said, just go around I'm moving slow, he just said, you're not moving slow, you're strolling. That made me feel better. Anyhow, I was at work 6 hours today. I was as tired when I left and I went and picked up my prescription for iron tablets and some vitamins. Still feeling Ok.

Oh ya, Sara sent me an article she found about studies that are being done on women who have their ovaries removed prior to menopause. There are links being found between that and dementia. Isn't that interesting. But, heck, we'll just take those pesky things out to as long as we're at it.....grrrrr!

Tonight I'm tired, but, that's pretty normal after a day like today. Somehow, I feel like the weekend was turning a corner. We'll see how things go tomorrow with the doctor. Hopefully good. I'll try to give you a timely report and also get some more done on the post on the procedure itself and the weeks after.

For now, that's it today.