Finally getting to the heart of things

Well the VA Hospital called me and I will be in the hospital for the EGD next Wed the 24th. They said I will need to have zero anything including water before they see me. That sucks, no coffee. If your over 50 and you have had your colonoscopy, this is the same thing except from the mouth end. LOL

EGD is because I have trouble swallowing solid food short of grinding it to pulp and even that can cause a problem. They xrayed a week or more ago and found nothing now they will use a camera to look at my esophagus to determine what is restricting it.

Down With a Cold

I know I know its been a few days.   Nothing much is new, I still do the blood test but once a month now not every week.  I still have something plugging my esophagus, they ran xray's but found nothing.   Next should be the camera down the throat.  Trying to decide to go see my doctor or the local witch doctor to get some kind of cold assistance.

Winter is playing its games

We get rain snow mix, we get sunshine, than freezing temps, and right back to rain, now sunshine again.  Good grief.  Its going to be a long winter.
Been working out every other day on my wii machines wii fit program.  It feels great to be able to do anything.  After one week I have lost two lbs.  Which is a wonder since I have been stuck on the same  weight for a good month now.

The Latest News

Our RV is all ready for winter and none too soon.  We are expecting snow some time in the next three days.
Drs have put me on once a month blood tests now instead of once a week.
I set up the wii machine yesterday so I can start exercising indoors. 
My youngest daughter is with child, her first and she is having some complications.  I pray all goes well for her.
We have to take our RV in the first of the summer to Grand Junction, Colorado to have our calipers replaced on a recall.  We plan to do some touring of Colorado as long as were already in the state.  I hope to catch a lot of the historical native American sites.
Well that should about bring me up to date.

Gettin Ready for Winter

Wrapped up our RV yesterday, I just have to get out today and touch up a few places with tape and also put the heat tape on the water line and I will be ready for winter.

Been a Busy Week

We went to a funeral on Monday, over the mountains to the North East to do my blood INR (blood thinner), than over the other mountains to the North West today to see my VA counselor.  And to add to the driving 200 to 300 miles round trip, we had to drive in heavy rains.

Drs Report

Dr says I have low potassium and high heart beats.  I have to cut my coffee by 1/2 and start eating more fruits like bananas, oranges, and pineapples.  I am also happy I am finally holding my weight to the first 50 lbs loss point.  So hope to lose another 50 in the next year or two.

Health Report

Ok my blood thinner is not level yet, have to go back in ten days for another draw.  Saw doctor yesterday for breathing problems.  She drew more blood to try and figure out what is wrong.

Been walking 1/2 to 1 mile a day.  Doctor told me to skip today though.  Anyway I have lost 50 lbs since April.  Still need to loose another 40 to 50 to be in my weight class.  But I am sure happy to finally get that first 50 off me.

No News

Well no call from my doctor Friday to bring me up to date on my blood work done Thursday.  So guess I wait until Monday to find out how well I am doing.  In the mean time I continue to walk and loose weight and get healthier by the days.
We went picture taking after my Thursday Dr appt.  Unfortunately we  blew out the side wall of a tire in the process.  I will try to post some of those pictures when I get time.
Here are some samples;

Latest Hip Report

Saw the Orthopedic Dr yesterday and he said my hip is healing well, to baby it for another month and he will contact me next year to see him again.
Have to see my personal Dr tomorrow for another blood draw and to find out what my status for the year.

Stop to Smell the Flowers

Since my retirement from the Army in 1990, I have had a saying that I saw on the desk or wall of a counselor's office that I have taken to heart. That saying is;

"While walking down life's path, stop to smell the flowers."

During my walk this morning I thought of this and hence forth I am going to do just that and thank the big man upstairs for all that he has given me to see, hear, and of course smell.   I am no longer going to take for granted all that I have before me.

May God bless you all and answer your prayers as he has answered mine!

Staying Put for the Year

Well the decision has been made that we will set up for the winter.  Since the CT Scan in Dec might turn out to show the swelling is not going down, I would need a biopsy and maybe immediate surgery.  My biggest hope is that its not cancer.

More Problems

We were planning to pull out the first of Oct but that may have to be delayed.   I now have swollen lymph nodes around my esophagus.  So  I have to get another ct scan in Dec.  Doctor told me I should wait until than to head south but if we wait there may not be any RV park openings in AZ.  And I really don't want to deal with the cold again this year.  Anyway if they are still swollen come Dec I will probably have to get a biopsy to see if its cancer or not.  Damn I hate having all these problems.

My Hopes are Dashed

We had planned on heading South to Az. the first of Oct.  But due to problems with my heart and blood we may have to stay longer than planned.  I will know more after Mondays visit to my doctor.  I can only hope it will improve and we will get out of here by the first of Nov.

Going South for the Winter

Well its a definite, if I can get a release from my doctors we are going south for the winter.  We were going to southern Az but changed our other mind due to all the problems they are having with drug cartels and the illegal mexicans.  So now its going to be northern Az somewhere. 

New Pains

Well dang it all, I am now have pains in my lower back on both sides.  It could be a muscle strain or sciatic nerve acting up again and lastly a dang kidney infection.  If it doesn't get better by tomorrow I will go in to the Dr. and see what the problem may be.  Is there any breaks for us old folks?

Well I'm Back Again

Been some crazy days over the past couple of weeks, that has to be the reason I have not been in here to update.
Well I'm still on the home front, trying to plan for going south for the winter.  I'm having a problem convincing my doctor that I can get the tests somewhere else and send a copy to her rather than stay here for the winter and freeze and try to travel over the mtns to have her do blood tests.  I will see her again on the 9th and will do my best to argue the subject.
Also over the past couple of weeks I have had my staples removed and been released from my therapist since he says I am walking well and not having any problems.
I do have to go back to my ortho doctor on the 24th to get xrays and make sure my hip is healing properly.

I'm Home Again

Well spent the past week in the hospital with embolisms/blood clots of the lungs.  Now I am on a new med that all but makes me a free bleeder.  Also cannot have any vitamin C, E, or K which all but wipes out most veggies for me.  The list sucks, cannot eat many of my favorite veggies.  Have to get monthly blood tests.  Good grief wonder what is next to mess up my life.

Doing Well?

  Therapists and Nurses say I am doing way better than they thought they would see.
  I woke up in the middle of the night last night with body pains that scared the holy bejeezus out of me.  I finally told the wife this morning to get dressed and get ready to take me to the hospital but at the last minute I have chose to let that pass due to no more pains.  I admit I was scared for the first time in a long time.

Back on the Home Front Again

Well the surgery went well and I now have a new hip.  I am back home at the rv and will have Physical and Occupational Therapy contacting me today to make a date for getting me on my feet which is a laugh since I am walking around the house unassisted.  I am healing fast.  I will be going back on the 24th to have the staples removed. 

Two Days and a Wakeup

   Well the word is 630 Monday morning for surgery.  We live too far away for Fran to run me up Monday so I am going to the hospital tomorrow to spend the night so I can "get er done".  I will be off the net until probably Friday.  They tell me I will be ten days before they remove the staples.  Also it will take 90 days they figure before I am back to my old ornery self again.
   I wish my wife could be there with me but with the two cats and two dogs at home to take care of, I will just have to wait until Thursday when she comes there to take me home.
   I will be off the net until  probably Friday.  But I will return.  LOL famous last words.

Well it now in the works

I talk to my hip surgery nurse and anethesiologist yesterday as well as three different blood tests, an EKG, and a urine test.  I get the surgery done on Monday 9 Aug.  No time is set until this Friday.   They said I will be down for about three months and that the day after the surgery I will be getting therapy but only the day after.  The rest is up to me I guess to work my leg back into normal.  Oh what fun it is.

I also found the name to those flowers. 

Can Anyone Identify These Flowers?

My How Fast The Days Pass

Good grief I thought I had been in here yesterday and the day before and yet I come in and find its been a few days.  Of course not much has happened since I was here last so not much to talk about.  I pulled weeds around the motor home yesterday seeing as how the land lord doesn't do anything.  Of course that's the price we pay to get the cheapest RV park in the state. 

Going Under the Knife

Well the doctor called today and I will be test for the surgery on the 3rd of Aug and going under the knife on the 11th of Aug.  Oh what fun it is.

Back at the Old Stomping Grounds

We are back in East Carbon, Utah but I am suffering deeply with the pollens and dust here.  I am going to look for a different location.

Time to Travel Again

Well we have to leave come the morning.  Its been wonderful with the cooler air, almost no winds, and lots of mother nature to see.  Fishing was crappy.  Going home with no trout.  But I did get a lot of pics.

We Done Finally Got Away

Well after himhawing around and beating the bush for money we took off Sunday for the Lower Provo River area of the Uintah Mountains in Utah. We are now sitting in Trial Lake Campground further up the mountains where its cooler.  I have taken a few pics of flowers and a deer.

Plannin a Get Away

We are going to try and wander to the mountains for the next week and so some dry camping roasting marshmellows and the such.

Did Y'all Miss Me?

LOL  Well have not done a lot lately but I have gone to a funeral yesterday and paid a visit to Cabela's here in Utah.  Spent too much money there on a lot of nothing LOL.  Other than that we have been trying to make some plans for going camping next week and maybe right up to the time I will get laid up with the hip replacement.  I will know more in the near future.

Foot Sores

Well the results of seeing the dermotologist has blown me away.  They said I am allergic to the cheap tennis shoes I buy from Wally world.  Those 9 dollar mexican made shoes use a die and vinyl that many are allergic too.  You would think they would outlaw them or put a warning on them.

Well its now confirmed

Saw the ortho doctor yesterday and he said the only cure for my leg problems will be a new hip.  He has put me on the waiting list and said it could be Sept or Oct before I come up for surgery.  They will notify me a month in advance since they have to run test to see if my body can handle the surgery. 
Today I see the dermatologist to see what the many blotches on my body are.

The Day After and the Day Before

  Well it's the day after the 4th and all its excitement.  Keeping with the natural events that run along with that day we had hamburgers and home made potato salad for dinner last night. 
  Tomorrow I go to the VA Hospital in Salt Lake City for three appts in the next three days.  The main one is the ortho surgeon tomorrow to see what they want to do about my hip.  I can only hope they can find a cure that won't involve a lot of surgery.

Happy 4th of July

I hope one and all have a great


Be safe and have fun.

Weekend Plans

I had plans to pull out today and go to the mountain for the weekend.  But my dang leg gave out on me this morning and now my other leg  is having sympathy pains.  So guess that was a hint that I need to stick around home.  We shall see what today and tomorrow might have in store for me and if not better by tomorrow than I am staying home.
Got some new pics and will try to post them today.

Planning a trip

We plan to wander over to the Avintaquin Mountain range for the 2-4 July, holiday weekend.  I am not sure what the Ortho doctor will do or plan for my leg so we figured it will be a last hurrah until I see what they are going to do.  Just in case they plan something this month that might ruin my camping and traveling plans for this summer.

Sunday Walk

Got out and took pics of cactus flowers and some thistle.

Notice the butterfly and the bee approaching the flower

GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Its a new day in paradise and a time to start a new.   Its the first day of the rest of my life.  I shall try to live each and every day as if there is no tomorrow.

Sad Day

Today I will attend the viewing of my cousin Bill.  It hurts to think we have lost this fine man who never hurt anyone in his whole life.  I guess the big boss needed back home more than we needed him here. 
I am also going on my second day without one of my meds that I cannot seem to get my doctors to refill due to lack of communication on their end and I an not going to make a special trip to get them refilled I will just go off this med and not worry about it.  If they felt I needed it more they would communicate with me.

Fire in the Mountains

The local forest service in its infinite wisdom has set fire to the mountains both east and west of us to burn off all the dead stuff.  I find that to be a wise move especially after what happened at Yellowstone a few years back.  Seen tons of smoke from the western burn started four of five days ago, but have seen very little from this eastern burn started yesterday.

A New Day in Paradise

Aw yes its a new day here and its going to be a new lifestyle.  I swore that as of today I am going to do anything and everything I can to loose 50 lbs in the next 6 months.  I know its possible because I did it a year and a half ago but than put it all back on again.  I am going to do anything and everything I can to prevent that from happening again.

The Biggest Loser Official Weight Management Program Kit For A Healthy Lifestyle

Happy Fathers Day

Its a new day and a Happy Fathers Day to all those out there whom have spread their genes and are now Fathers.

The World is a Sadder Place

With the passage of my cousin Bill, Thursday night, it has become a sadder world for me.  I am sure in a few days I will be feeling better for we all must pass sometime.  I try to celebrate death more than morn for one has gone to a far better place than the one we presently live in.  But at first it is hard until one can think about the good times one had as compared to the sad or bad times.

The Doctor Appt are Made

Well I have heard from Dermatology and Ortho and have three appts in July at the VA hospital, the scheduled all three for three days in a row, so we will more than likely take our rv to the hospital and stay there for all three days.  I will let all know whats going on once I see them.

Rains and Winds from Hell

We had the winds and rains from hell yesterday.  I swear we were going to blow away.  It got so bad I had to bring our plants into the house and put our satellite dish down and hang on as the rv rocked back and forth.

Seeking Information

Well the doctor sent me a letter saying I have Interval Progression Osteoarthritis and she is sending it to Ortho for a consult.  No wonder my hip has been killing me and I keep hearing popping noises from my hip.
So gonna look more into that and see what I will be facing with a hip replacement.
Also going to look into two things for the RV and on for my kitchen.  I want to see about a macerator and a tire air pressure monitor system.
And for the kitchen I am thinking of getting a seal a meal device.  I am sick of my freezer foods getting freezer burns.

Hot Time in the Summer Sun

It's a hot day today with a few scattered clouds.  So I went out and put the awning out some and I installed a new tire valve extension so I can check air pressures on my rv rear duel tires.  Not always a fun task but a necessary one.

Dogs Day

Took the dog to the groomers today and had her shaved for the summer heat.  Been trying to get a picture of her but I will be danged if she will stand still or come out from hiding.  I will never figure out why she is afraid of cameras unless she is just copying the wife whom hates to have her picture taken as well. 

Oops

  I think I must have forgot I had this page.  So I will give ya almost a week of updates.

  I went to the doctors last Wed and Thurs, and that is usually an all day thing due to the 200+ miles I have to drive round trip.  The results was they think I have psoriasis of the feet.  Also they took xrays on the belief I may need a new hip on the right side and I told them if that is so lets do it.  I can't stand the pain.  And I can't do anything to get rid of my weight due to lack of exercise. 

  I also made a trip into Salt Lake City twice to see my daughter whom is here from Alaska for a couple of weeks.   

  I guess other than that I have just been hanging around the rv takin pictures of the birds and catching up on my reading.  Can't afford to do much else right now.  I am waiting on phone calls from the doctors to tell me whats gonna happen.  I now know I have two appts next month one with a dermatologist to look at my feet.  The other to screw my brain back on and see if I can stay a human for another year.  LOL

Sunshine and Dirt Devils

Its a beautiful sunny day with the exception of the windy dirt devils.   We have had several wander thru and cause a bit of havoc and covering films of dirt.  I guess that's the breaks for having a inexpensive park to stay in we have to deal with the dust, dirt, pollen, and insects.  It can be a pain to say the least.

Our RV

I always try to take pics at each site we stay at so this will be where I will post those type pics.

 

East Carbon, Utah June 2010

Hot Sunday

Oh my we woke up to 74 in the house 68 outside.  Supposed to get up to 90 today.   Very little breeze today so far.  Did see a small sparrow this morning feeding on the bird seed we threw out.  Strange that the power lines here had a bunch of cowbirds on them and yet they did not drop down to eat like they were doing last week.  My neighbor has a bird house on a tree and it has baby blue birds in it so I took picture of them with her camera yesterday.  I might try to get my own pics today with my camera.

Another Day

I must lead a boring life.  I am finding it hard to say anything short of the weather.  Seems most all the birds have flown the coop, have not seen any in days.  Have seen no wildlife lately where as a week or so ago we were seeing rabbits, birds, and deer almost daily.  Its nice and warm out now but doesn't matter, we have no where to go, nor the money to get there if we did have.


 

Nice Days In Paradise

   We had a beautiful day yesterday and looks like another nice day today.
   We put the awning out yesterday and a new bird feeder.  Unfortunately we have not seen a bird in three days.  And before that we had them around the rv all day and in the dozens.  
   Don't have much in the way of plans for today.  I am going to try a new chicken recipe.  I hope it turns out good.
   I'm watching the cactus plants around here, they should start blooming with flowers soon and they have some of the nicest looking flowers I have ever seen. 
   I went into town Wednesday and got my hair cut to the skin than came home and shaved off most of my beard so now I have a goatee and mustache.

   I think I would make a great biker with that look.  LOL   Pics with and without glasses.

Raining

Well its raining, two different weather sites say no rain.  Go figure.   Woke up to 54 degrees outside and 68 inside so it should be a nice day with or without the rain.  Have no plans yet for today.  We shall play it by ear.

A New Month

 Well its the first of June and looks like its going to be a bit nasty.  We are getting some weak rain with cloudy skys.  I have just finished posting the pics of the flowers we photographed while wandering the country side Sunday.  Spent most of the day yesterday trying to identify what the flowers were.  Not always an easy task. I have a couple of flowers I could not identify so they were not put in here until I can figure out what they are.

Memorial Day 2010

Please take a moment today to say a prayer for our veterans and a moment of silence for those who have fallen and gone on before us.

We went traveling yesterday and I got some pics of wildlife and flowers, will try to get them all in here today.     

Avatar (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) [Blu-ray]

Its Sunday Morning

Good morning world.  Looks like its going to be a nice day today.  So I'm planning on doing some picture taking today.  Might even do some local site seeing.

More Pics

Took some more pics of birds today as well as some Desert Bighorn Sheep.   These sheep come down off the mountains every April or May and go back up in August to September.

Saturday

Well we went grocery shopping yesterday instead of animal site seeing.   By the time we got back the winds were blowing from 25 to 45 mph.  No way to do much outside in those type winds.  This place turned into a dust bowl by 5 pm with lousy visibility.  We are expecting storms today and of course the dang winds as well.

Another Nice Day

Got up to 66 outside and 71 in the house.  Its going to be another semi nice day.  Unfortunately we have high winds again or should I say as usual.  Sure makes for a nice but chili day.   The winds tend to make it feel a bit colder than what it really is.  We have mtn goats that come down off the mt's every summer and I am going to go see if I can see any of them and get some pics today. 

Could it be?

We woke up to 68 degrees in the house and 57 outside.  And we did not run the furnace last night or this morning so it must be turning to spring or summer.  I just might get out today and do some pic taking and see what I can find in birds and wildlife I don't already have pictures of.

Another day another dollar

Well  its not the best of days but it is a new day here in paradise.  The winds are blowing as usual and the skies are cloudy.   I am so sick of the winds.  Maybe some day I will find a place with few winds and not too cold or hot.  Someday.   Had to bring my flag and awning in yesterday.  The winds were just too hard and I did not wish to damage either. 

A beautiful day, almost

  The is a shining today so I put the awning out and took my pepper plant out to get some sun. Fran transplanted her tomato and strawberry plants to bigger posts as well. It would be a perfect day if the wind would just stop.   
  I would sure like to take off for the woods and go camping but the cost is just not in our budget right now.   I may just drive to the other side of the valley from us and do some daytime fishing and picture taking.   First good days with sunshine and no wind I am heading that way.

Ugly Day

So much for spring.  Its snowing out and the skys are nasty looking so its going to be a bad day.

Update

I have updated all the info on here to allow the other half to post and also allow others to comment.

Here in Little Chicago

As the lil lady calls this place because of the constant winds.  We are thinking about moving to someplace else to get away from the winds.  But the cost of moving the rv is a little cost prohibitive.   We shall see what June brings our way. 

Birds

I have published some of the pictures I took of the birds feeding in the yard around us.

Todays Story

Well got me some good pics yesterday and I have them ready to post.  Will try to get them up shortly.  

Shampooed our car floors and mats yesterday and redid the mats a second time today.   

I also helped a neighbor put up outdoor privacy curtain on his house kitchen window.

Hope to get some more pics of other wildlife and birds today.

Another Day in Paradise

  Yesterday I had to run to the VA hospital in Salt Lake City, and it made for a long day when one must drive over 300 miles round trip.

  Got some great bird pics after I got home, I will publish them as soon as I identify the birds.

  Today I plan on doing more bird watching and picture taking.

Best Laid Plans

Just don't always come to fruition.  Did not make our jaunt to the mountains yesterday.  So instead I set up my flag pole with my eagle flag and also put out my awning and tied it down.  So now I am ready to sit out in the sun and begin enjoying the weather.  Unfortunately we have a storm due tomorrow.  Also tomorrow I have to make the jaunt to Salt Lake City to see my counselor at the VA Hospital.  

Another Year

  Took sick yesterday and never made the wedding.  Oh well chit happens.  Today I am feeling a lot better as is the other half.

   Another year has come and gone and I am now celebrating my 30th birthday for the 20 or 30th time.  I stopped counting many years ago.  Funny sometimes I even have to as the lil lady how old I am when filling out papers.
  Today the lil lady cooked me a nice breakfast, we are planning a jaunt to the local mountains for a lunch picnic.  Oh what fun it will be. 

A Wedding Today

I have a wedding to attend to today.  So we will be going over the mountains today. Oh what fun it is.

Weather???

What is up with this weather?  One minute we are getting rain, than snow, maybe even sunshine, or just cloudy skys.  It seems as if it has no idea as to what season this is or what it wants to do.  You get hot to the point of opening all the windows, than it turns ice cold so you close them up tight than it may get hot again or rain or snow or both together. 

House work today

Well today I scrubbed the shower and emptied our black tanks.  Also fixed a broken hook on our desk top slide.  It rained, snowed, and hailed today.  Did not plan a dinner today so we had leftovers.  Plan a chicken dinner for tomorrow. 

Weird Weather

  I thought we were well enough into summer not to see snow in the valleys.  But it snowed this morning after it drizzeled a little rain.  Had a lot of winds yesterday.  Now the sun is shining with white clouds floating thru the sky,  although it is still cold out in the forties.   We want to take off and go fishing and I might the first break in the weather that promises a nice week or more.

I'm Back

Well I have been off the net so to speak for the past three days due to computer problems.  I finally just did a complete restore to the factory settings and now I am just doing a lot of downloading to get it all back to what it was before.

Doin' Some Visitin'

Have decided to take the lil lady to see her kids as a Mothers day present.  Not sure which kids we will see.  She has three, one in Heber, Utah one in Washington Terrace, Utah and one it Malad, Idaho.  Any way we go it will be a small adventure.  At least three hundred miles or more round trip.  And if we decide to site see we could make a good day of it.

Another Day

Another day, another dollar in the hole.  We took our lil baby Coco into the vet hospital today to get her fixed.  Will pick her up this afternoon.  I am still looking at heading out for doing some camping.  If and when this weather settles down. 

Afternoon blahs

Spent most the day trying to figure out how to add pictures and so far so good.  Its going to take time for me to get this organized how I like it but I will keep trying. 

Wedneday Morning

Supposed to get a storm today and my legs are telling me that a change is happening.  I have now figured out for sure that weather does affect my legs.  I always thought it was cuz of something I had done the day or two before.  But after not doing much and yesterday having no pain at all I am now sure its the weather that causes my problems. 

New Day, New Blog,

May 04 2010, created a new blog page and plan to turn it into my web page to cover our leisure life and travels.
There will be more to come as I get better organized.  L.