Dear Diary
November 11, 2020
The lack of social interaction this year has been really hard. But I have been thinking about how blessed I am with friends who have been close even though we have been separated by distance for a long time.
Nearly 20 years ago, I met two other single women at church. We became friends and lived in the same area for a few years before everyone moved. We have seen each other through weddings, and funerals, and having children and life's intense sorrow, disappointments, and joys. These women speak truth to me and give wise counsel when I need to hear it.
At the wedding of one of my friends, her Dad took us aside and said that we had something really special and to never let go of that friendship. He was right.
I am so grateful that we have kept in touch over the past 15 years of living in different states. I am thankful for the technology that allows us to chat as though we are family, always picking up right where we left off.
October 10, 2020
Quote of the Day:
“Mom, I am pushing your buttons today.”
—Spoken by the three-year old as she pretended to type on my computer keyboard.
October 9, 2020
This past week, the edema in my limbs has gotten much worse and my weight is continually increasing (I have gained 45 pounds in the past 18 months). I had extensive blood work back in June without any answers; but when I had my annual exam recently, the doctor referred me to a cardiologist because of the swelling in my legs. Last night, the discomfort from the swelling was the worst it had been yet, and I called to see if I could get in today. When the nurse heard what was happening, she asked the doctors to see who could work me in. One of them agreed to see me as soon as I could get there. I left before preparing lunch, but Ellie said, "Don't worry, Mom, I will make Ellie soup (her own recipe) and will take care of things while you are gone." I nearly cried because she is growing up so fast.
My EKG was mostly normal; however, it had one small abnormality and so the cardiologist ordered lab work and an echocardiogram. Amazingly, they worked me into the schedule yet again (I was told it usually takes a couple of weeks to get in for an echocardiogram) and I had just enough time between the doctor appointment and lab visit to grab a bite of lunch and relax a bit outside of the café before heading back to the hospital.
After completing the echocardiogram, the ultrasound tech asked if she could do also do a bubble study, which involves injecting a saline solution through IV. I hesitated because I hate needles and IVs tend to make me pass out. But I agreed to let her do the study so that the doctor would have as much information possible from the test. But the first nurse couldn’t get the IV in a vein, and so she called a second nurse in, who got the IV in the vein, but then the vein blew. I refused additional attempts.
So, I don’t have any answers yet. I really don’t expect anything to show up. But the symptoms I have can’t be ignored and the big, scary things have to be ruled out.
October 8, 2020
Babysitting day! It is such fun to take care of an infant again. She will soon be 3 months old. Funny thing—it turns out that I am distantly related to her dad so she really is part of the family. :-)
October 6, 2020
We went to the garden this afternoon to weed the kale and pick some peppers and sweet potatoes and lettuce. My Dad was painting the front porch railing, and he and Emma (age 3) were discussing favorite colors. She was absolutely delighted that her Gramps likes yellow, too! The reality is that Emma likes all colors, but yellow is her favorite. I asked her if there were any colors that she doesn’t like. She decisively said: “Brown! I don’t like brown.” She paused a few minutes and then said, “I don’t like dirty colors. I only like clean colors.”
October 5, 2020
I looked into the playroom where I knew that Ellie was playing. I couldn’t see her, but I could hear an audiobook coming from the playroom closet. I opened the doors to find Ellie sitting in there with dolls, pillows, blankets, and luggage, pretending to be on an airplane.
My sister-in-law graciously came and cleaned and brought lunch today. I had a couple of days under the weather last week and hadn’t been able to keep up with my normal routines. She took time out of her own busy week to help.
October 4, 2020
Made caramel apples. I used this recipe for the caramel, making only 1/2 recipe. With the extra caramel, I covered pecans to make turtle candy. I didn’t have popsicle sticks so I inserted the handles of spoons into the apple. The spoon made a nice handle for little hands to hold.