http://www.blogger.com/html?blogID=4316350785635987648 Cave Dwellings: A Gut Check
Cave Dwellings

Buckhorn Creek, Lake O' The Pines, Jefferson, TX

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

A Gut Check

Well, this has been a long week.  Sometimes things happen that really give us pause to realize just how fleetingly we pass through this earthly presence. Our family had a bit of a reality check last Thursday. I got a call at 2:50AM from our son, telling me that my brother, Michael, was taken to the local hospital(  in Ottawa, IL) with an Aortic Aneurism which left a tear in the Aorta at the back of his heart.  They first did an EKG and found nothing, then a scan and found it.  He was immediately airlifted by helicopter to Peoria, IL for possible emergency surgery to save his life.

Long story short, they did further more intricate scans and decided  he didn’t  need surgery…yet.  He was put on blood pressure meds, 300 mg 3 times a day, and they kept him to observe him.  It seems you can live with just a tear in your Aorta, and you have to have it checked often. He was released from Peoria hospital on Sunday and is home now.  He will be seeing his cardio doc in Peoria in 2 weeks.  They will re-assess and keep observing him.  It is possible that at some time he WILL have surgery. Meanwhile, his blood pressure is to be kept on the low side. What they DON’T want to happen is for the aneurism to rupture suddenly…that would be bad…very bad.  Michael is a bit…a lot like my Dad.  He has no time to be sick and his patience is being tested. Luckily his wife, Helen, worked on our Sandwich Ambulance for a while, and our son and daughter-in-law (paramedic and nurse) will hover and see he behaves..somewhat. In the meantime, he cannot do any more bow hunting. He now has to use a crossbow. (My brother is an avid hunter..deer, turkey…With his beard, he looks like Uncle Si). 

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As I said, this was a reality gut check for all of us.  Yes, Heart Disease certainly does run in my family.  But, it could have been much worse. Michael is alive to see our family, and they can fix this if need be…Life is good and Carpe Diem!

MacGyver was called upon by Terrie to help repair their swimming pool filter this week. We use to have an above the ground pool, so he knows lots about those filters..

Our Pool 1977 deninnertube

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Terrie is pretty good at learning how to do things on her own.  She inherited Den’s love of anything problematic and tries to fix it. After watching her Dad work on the pool filter, she now knows what happened and can do what it takes to get it running again. Apparently after the filter sits in the basement all Winter, some things are stuck...I have NO idea what he did, but Den said it probably is fixed and won’t happen again this year. Obviously I am NOT NOT NOT like my husband…John Hatch, (FD5, retired) says “That MacGyver is handier than a pocket on a shirt.”

Dennis and I were busy in our yard putting down 37 bags of mulch…and boy do I feel it!  We have been trying to deal with our Al Qaeda squirrels here in our yard.  Every morning I get up to plants on our deck and in the front of our house being nearly dug out by those nasty rodents!! I stick them back in the dirt and pat it down…every morning..This is getting frustrating!!

On another medical note, I had a Nuclear Parathyroid Scan done at Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora, IL yesterday. I was there from 9:30AM until 1:30 AM.  They injected me with some kind of radioactive juice..waited 15 minutes ..and then CT scanned my neck for 20 minutes. Why is it when someone tells you not to  move for 20 minutes your nose itches??? Anyway, after that I waited another 2 1/2 hours and they did another 10 minute scan…With the radioactivity inside my body, I very possible could have “lit up a room” when I walked in…That would be a first for me!

OK, so this blog is a mish mosh of stuff. And I will add one more item to the stew…I got a real FIND at a garage sale the other day….

2014-05-23 17.29.06

We have here a Twin Star electric Ben Franklin fireplace/heater!

Price? you asked…a mere $3.00!!!! SCORE!!!!!!!

17 comments:

  1. So glad to hear your brother is recovering if somewhat reluctantly obeying the commands. A gut check is sometimes needed for us to realize how precious our time and love is. Need to share it quick. $3.00!!! That's more than a score.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words...Yes, life is very precious...I guess it takes age to realize this.

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  2. Glad to hear your brother is doing fine now. These things come upon us out the blue and make you appreciate your health even more.

    I especially like your header page of Long Key SP. We spent 11 years in the Keys from mid January to May 1st and bounced back and forth between Long Key SP, Bahia Honda SP and Curry Hammock SP. We loved the keys and seeing the picture reminds us of the good times we had there and all the new found friends we made down there. For years we would coordinate camping in the parks so we could be with 4-5 sets of camping friends. We loved the weather, sun ,Tiki Bars, grouper sandwiches and sunsets.

    We quit going to the Keys when it got too difficult to get reservations for any length of time.

    As they say down there, "Just another day in paradise".

    Larry Clark

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    1. Thanks Larry for the encouraging words...Yep, the Keys are IMPOSSIBLE to get reservations anymore..at least in the Winter months..already book up for next year!

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  3. Sounds like in the big picture, you brother was lucky to find this out. These events sure do make you think about the big picture!

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    1. Yes, thanks for the comment. Our family is rampant with heart issues!

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  4. I miss having a pool. Sure could use one this week. Glad that your bro made it through the scare.

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    1. Thanks, Judy...I miss the pool, but not all the work that went along with it...Enjoy FD5 and Bridget..They are great people!

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  5. I am so glad your brother is doing good. Yes, life does come at you fast at times!!! I can only imagine how scary this was for him and the rest of the family. Will say a prayer that all remains GOOD!!!
    Hope your thyroid scan comes back good as well. Keep us updated!!

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    1. Thank you for the prayers..He is having a time adjusting to NOT running around and hunting...But he will ..As for the thyroid, that pales by comparison to what Michael is going through..I can deal with it.

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  6. Boy, howdy, I know how it feels to have someone around who doesn't know when or how to slow down.

    Those phone calls in the middle of the night really wake you up with a start. It's a blessing he's alive and has so many people watching out for him. Here's to his continued recuperation.

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    1. Thanks, Susan. He is back in Peoria Hospital tonight with yet another aneurysm..and abdominal aortic aneurysm. They are keeping close watch on him...not sure about surgery yet.

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  7. Sure glad to hear your brother got that problem checked out and that he is o.k. Sounds like he's a pretty tough guy to be walking around with that kind of heart issue.

    I was thinking that after your Nuclear Parathyroid Scan you wouldn't even need that new fireplace you scored!! You'd heat up any room just by walking into it.

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    1. Thanks, Rick. If you read my comment above to Susan, you know he is back in Peoria Hospital with what they call a Triple A..abdominal aortic aneyrysm. ;-(

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  8. Score on the fireplace but OMG on the medical front. Sending good vibes your way :-)

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    1. Thanks, Ingrid...My bro is coming home...Going to monitor both aneurysms, but manageable...I feel blessed right now...

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  9. I am a bit late, but so pleased that your bro is doing better. I think I could use Den over here! And those dang squirrels, Maybe Den knows what to do about them

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