GERD and other crap

 Far Guy is being released from the hospital today and we will begin the trek back to our home in the woods. He needs to work at getting stronger…which means lots of walking!

I had a procedure called a EGD/EUS or a Esophagogastroduodenscopy with Endoscopic Ultrasound on June 17th.

I have GERD and some stomach ulcers and something on my pancreas...everything was biopsied and we are waiting on those test results.   They found the “something else”on my pancreas quite by accident on the MRI that I had for my back problem.  The Gastroenterologist's impression is that I should have MRI's every three months depending on the biopsy results.  He also said it is possible that my RA has gone nuts and attacked my pancreas. 

In the meantime my back problem has been diagnosed yet again ( facet joints and nerves are inflamed)..I am having test injections for a Medial Branch Block in late July and late August...thirty days apart for Medicare purposes. If it works then the real procedure may take place sometime in the Fall. 

  My Primary Care Doctors thinks I may have some other Autoimmune Disease....and he would not venture a guess as to which one.  I have an appointment with a Neurologist in September and I am on the wait list.

 Far Guy took really good care of me.  I am still recovering from the procedure. I was having lots of stomach/pancreas pain.  I could not sleep through that pain.  Everyday gets a bit better but I now have new pain (upper between the shoulder blades pain) that joins my lower back pain.

Biopsy results are taking a really long time. 

Finally got biopsy results this week it is a SD IPMN or side duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and I should come back in three months for an MRI or sooner if new symptoms develop.

Clouds in June.

Far Side

Hark! Back! Issue #12

June 30 Update: Far Guy was admitted to the hospital in Grand Forks ND on Tuesday afternoon, he has a lung infection…perhaps by the time you read this he will be much improved and out of the hospital. 

July 1 st 9 pm update Well he is improved but not ready to be discharged yet he is very tired, I spent most of the day with him. His breathing is better, he is still getting IV  antibiotics. 

April 30,2008

An Old Recipe Box

I have an old recipe box. I paid a whopping 84 cents for it at KaMeapART a long time ago. The price sticker is still on the inside cover.  It was manufactured by Ohio Art of Bryan Ohio.  Imagine that something that wasn't manufactured in China....it may be collectible.  It has seen better days...kinda like me.  This recipe box is tin, it is a funny goldy/yellow color and has daisies on the top and a pot of daisies on the front. I have lots of other recipe boxes some tin, some wood and some a heavy cardboard.  I just keep tucking recipes into this old one.

What is on the inside is what is important. A very disorganized bunch of recipes, the favorites are toward the front. When I am in a pinch for an idea nine times out of ten...this is where the recipe will come from. Over the years I have collected recipes from friends and noted on the recipe who it was from.  Some are on recipe cards and some are on scraps and bits of paper.  Some are handed down from one person to another...tried and true.

Arvilla's Pie Crust (Arvilla got this recipe from Emma Lyons who used to cook at Doc's.)

5 Cups flour

2 tsp salt

2 Cups lard

1 Cup cold water

Mix with your hands and a fork...makes 12 shells

On the scrap of paper there appears a quote "Savor Every Moment, Take Joy In Every Day" I recall that day over coffee when I asked Arvilla for her famous melt in your mouth pie crust recipe.  She said "You can do it kid"  well I saved the recipe for too long without trying it...because if I have a question there is no one to call.  It's funny how a little slip of paper can bring you to tears.  Arvilla died last Saturday:(

**********

Arvilla was a wonderful neighbor and friend, I still miss her friendship. 

Last week at the Fly In a relative shared with me that at the Father's Day Fireman's Picnic someone made the best apple pie with the flakiest crust...so flaky they must have used lard.  Made me smile and think of Arvilla.  Possibly it was her recipe. 

The scrap of paper remains in my recipe box. I wrote at Arvilla's a long time ago.

48 years

 My baby brother and his bride celebrate 48 years of wedded bliss today!  

I found this photo amongst my Mother's photos.

My baby brother is making a kissing motion that has his bride laughing:)  They must have been dancing!

Happy 48th Anniversary!  I hope they dance a little today!

Far Side

Hark! Back! Issue #11

 March 25, 2008

"Charlie"

Revenge is sweet but embarrassing for teenage girls.

In retaliation for the huge rejection by "Pearl" the cockatiel I purchased "Charlie" a male parakeet.

Charlie loved me, he was my rock and roll bird. He loved the oldies and would bee bop in time with the music and sing his heart out.  "Please Mister Postman" was his very favorite song, he liked the version by The Shirelles the best, although versions by The Carpenters, The Beatles or The Marvelettes were acceptable. 

Charlie had one small problem, he would spread his wings, rub himself on his perch or on the bell of his mirror...making the most delightful sounds and he would sing on and on...

The girls were teenagers and they found my wonderful Charlie an embarrassment.  They would announce their displeasure. "M O T H E R your bird is doing it again."  "Mother, I would appreciate it if you could control your bird."  "Do you know how embarrassing he is?"  "I am having friends over and he is SO disgusting."  "Is that all he ever does?" 

They would announce their displeasure with us quite loudly and quite often giving Charlie the female attention he so desired....which in turn would excite him even more. So I usually had to apologize to their friends and explain that I was the owner of an oversexed avian and it was all my fault.  

Playing "Please Mister Postman" would jerk him back to reality and he would become  a rock and roll star once more, it seemed that bee bopping to the music stopped all avian sexual activity:)

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Charlie was a hoot...I adored that little bird.   He lived a good long time with us and then was rehomed with a Vet Tech gal when Far Guy retired from the Military and we moved all our belongings into storage and bought a camper.

The teenagers a long time ago.

Far Side

A little pink

 The Showy Lady's Slippers are in full bloom.

They can be found in the roadside ditches for another week or so then they will be gone for another year. 

Such a perfect flower.   It is Minnesota's State Flower.

Far Guy has a cold.  He thought it started as allergies late Thursday..but it is a full blown "man cold"  I am keeping two eyes on him.   He has begun the medication prescribed by his Pulmonologist.  

Minnesota Weather:  It rained.  High 73F or 23C  Low was 67F or 19C.  We are supposed to warm up into the 80's F this week.  I like the 70's F  the best. 

What's Cooking Lately:  Spaghetti, Pizza, Eggs...nothing very exciting.

Far Side