should be raving mad

about how I feel

It has been a very busy month . . . appointments, (often two in one day, not to mention the need to sleep sometime in that day), broken toe, (me, same toe twice in one week), and to top it off . . . Dad falling 3 times in one week . . . twice in consecutive nights, (my poor brother was probably lying awake the third night waiting for the phone to ring again at midnight!).  Of course the falls prompted more appointments and x-rays, and finally an answer to WHY he's had these periods of sudden unsteadiness.  An enlarged heart was noted and compared to previous chest x-rays by his Primary Doctor, (yes the same one that made the house calls after Dads last appalling hospital visit).  So, more medications, and more appointments.

I tried to find new local Doctors to go with the new insurance.  Dentist- great, found one!  Eye Doctor- terrific, found one!  Primary Physician- I am going to rip my hair out.  The insurance list of approved, accepting, and qualified Doctors is VERY OUT OF DATE!  They may still be "A A and Q" in state of Michigan, but they are no longer at the local listed address.  Arrrgghh!

Now I have to make the run home to winterize my house.  I went through the calendar through November, and this coming week is pretty much it.  Fortunately the date also passed muster with Mom and Dad, Brother, and Work.  After all the chaos I'm still working through, I hope I can take off early Monday morning.  12 hour drive.  I will need to be back Saturday night.  Did I mention I was up for 24 hours yesterday?  Oh yeah, and no internet, it's off at my house.

doesn't suit

If I hear Hoof beats . . . Thank you Nikon Sniper

Oddly enough, many times my correct diagnosis . . . despite the adage, often has been a Zebra!

For them that don't know the Medical adage:

Just because you hear hoof beats think horse, not Zebra.

or

It's more likely a cold then dengue fever.

I am my own best case in point:

How many other people can't tolerate and actually gain weight eating plants.  I am the antithesis of a Vegetarian, and not because I want to.  No fruits, No veggies, No nuts, No seeds, and most herbs/spices are out.  I somewhat tolerate grains . . . except corn and oats.  My skin is clear, I've lost 45 lbs, (so far, am still losing), my blood work is pristine, and yes I am regular, (ALL since I figured this out a year ago)!

I eat rabbit food . . . I gain weight

I eat cheeseburgers . . . I lose weight

And yes, I do know Nurse's are not suppose to do "Medical" diagnosing, but the doctors and dentists did not figure it out in 48 years. After 31 years of bleeding gums, loose teeth, bruising, and anemia . . . I figured out I had scurvy . . . I was not absorbing enough Vit. C from my diet. (Odd, since my childhood was spent in S. Cal. with lemon, lime, and tangerine trees in our back yard - a very quick snack any time of day!)  Approx. 18 years ago I started High dose time-release Vit. C. When I cut out all plants last year, I did not need to increase the dose. Guess I wasn't absorbing any!

Best guess, probably a familial enzyme issue that has affected at least 5 in Dad's family in very different ways.

1. I was getting more then enough exercise
2. my diet was healthy, just apparently NOT for me 
3. I brushed, I flossed, and (contrary to what THEY thought) I did NOT have gum disease

My Doctor offered to send me to a Specialist to test out the "root of it."  Enough already!  . . . I'm happy, he's happy, it's stupid and bizarre, but we're happy.  Doc says I'm definitely not in any of his medical books.
We faced the facts, I am a Zebra in soooo many ways, we just shake our heads now.

like a dahlia,

Grandma E.

I have been told my Grandmother quilted.  Though she stopped with the advent of WWII, we have dozens of quilts of all styles and sizes.  I, one way or another, inherited most of them.

The most recent, (I received from my other Sister-in-law), had belonged to my older brother.  She even commented that it was on his twin bed when they started dating.  Lately it had been stored in a box in a basement for the last few years.

It was in a sorry state, mildew, dust, and some of the colors . . . the fabric had started to break down.  Nothing to lose, I washed it, carefully.  I think I just heard someone scream.  You could now see the amazing colors! I then took it to a local quilt shop in N.E. to have the surviving bits made into something the family could each have a part of.  A memory of Grandma and my Brother.

the original 5 pillows created from the "good" sections, on another of Grandmother's quilts

The Quilter then attempted to make something of the rest of the quilt, which took considerable reinforcement.

2 more pillows and a new quilt

As you can see, the original was a VERY colorful quilt.  I know they told me what they thought the pattern was, but I don't remember now.  I thought she did well with what was only a twin size quilt.

eyes full of tears

I am bent over and racked with pain.

My days are filled with grief.

A raging fever burns within me,

and my health is broken.

I am exhausted and completely crushed.

My groans come from an anguished heart.

sad and lonely

I wish it were funny . . .

"You make me giddy."

so much for dignified . . .

One thing I learned at my Brother's Installation . . . there are certain people I can't sit next to at a serious function.  Never thought my SIL's Mother would be one of those people.  Snarks and giggles, that was us.  Yikes!

Two, did anyone consider a few verses along, when they picked the Gospel reading, (Luke 4:16-21)?                 In summation:

’ 24And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. ’ .  .  . 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Now mind you, as with myself, my Brother and his Wife have returned "home."

Hmmmmmm.

have to be dignified, you know!

Variety . . . in red and white

Well, now he is official! 

I must say, though, he sure did an awful lot of work before he was official!

for your delight--

Aye Capt'n

With his family away this weekend, Brother and I went to a Benefit Event . . . aye, and Pirates was the theme!  He went all out with a rental, I on the other hand, pulled together a Deckhand outfit. 

Detroit Fire Guild

We enjoyed the Magical manipulations, Acrobatic dancing, and Pyrotechnical demonstrations, by members of the Detroit Fire Guild.

Then, for the end, we saw the most amazing fireworks display!  Better then many 4th of July displays, either of us had seen!  WOW!

squeeze me flat!

Looking forward/back . . . at the big/little picture

My Brother asked if I am happy to get my "room" back . . .

It's not really my room. not mine to decorate, furnish, no room for the few things I brought and technically . . . not legal.

I didn't worry about Mom and Dad when I was working, cuz' I knew he was there.

 I miss having him to commiserate with. (I see no co-workers and have had no chance to find friends.)
 

So yes . . . (I have a space, away from) . . . and no.

 

changed in the night?

Prior to water vs boxes

Hooray, they are all here!

Their furniture and boxed possessions arrived with off and on torrential rain.  Since the abode is temporary, they put most of their boxes in the basement.  Unfortunately the sump pump was not working, and they discovered water sloshing over their shoes at the bottom of the stairs . . . just hours after the movers left.

To make matters more interesting, WE needed to move in with them . . . we lost electric Fri. eve. and got it back Sun. 2am.

Timing, everything is timing.