Second Saturday

 I was a day off and thought it was Saturday on Friday so I guess I will have two Saturdays this week. 

Friday I made a pan of scalloped potatoes and did a load of laundry.

Far Guy and I finished up the final prep before painting of the Christmas Ornaments.  I have plenty of time to paint them this Fall on nasty days.  Once I get started it is like an assembly line... there are 111 of them. So it will take a day or three. 

I am feeling better, but still weak and my Rheumatoid Arthritis is kicking my butt again.  Plus I have fever blisters in my mouth and a fairly ugly one on my lip...no doubt from the temperature I had last weekend.  Did you know that if you are dreaming and bite your lip where the cold sore is that you will wake up?  What a rude awaking!

Blogger is being a pain in the butt...I cannot comment on blogger blogs but I can comment on Word Press Blogs...anyone have any idea what in the &^%$ is going on?  Update**  enough people complained and they finally fixed the problem.

What's cooking?  Far Guy made himself Salmon and French Fries, I had some rice soup and some scalloped potatoes.

Minnesota Weather:  Warm!  High 81F  or 27C  Low was 63F or 17C

Far Side

About Time

 Having another Arthritis flare, Prednisone was started so I will be productive again in no time.   I suppose it was about time. 

We had a quiet day Wednesday, we both worked on Christmas Ornaments. 

What's Cooking?  Chicken Alfredo...the chicken was supposed to be cooked in a crock pot...alas the crock pot bit the dust...I bought it back in 1995 so I suppose it was about time.  I can still chop up chicken and fry it in a pan! I do have another crockpot from about 1976 that still works just fine...avocado green:)

We had a fellow stop by to check out our garage door situation...our new vehicle is a tad wide for an 8 foot garage door...only 3 inches to spare on each side. So I am certain that we will be getting a new larger garage door! 

Minnesota weather: High 78F or 26C  Low was 59F or 15C

Far Side

Layers of color one day last week. The greenest part is a Potato Field

Hitting the Wall

 If you have an autoimmune disorder you understand about "the wall." 

NO not the game show "The Wall."

Saturday I got up early...washed and dried my hair and got ready for the day.  Far Guy wanted to go to the Car Show...I dropped him off so he could visit with friends and appreciate the old cars and not have to walk blocks and blocks.  I waited in the vehicle and read my book.  The car got warm and I had about a ten minute nap.  When I woke up I knew I had hit the wall.  Soon after that Far Guy called and I picked him up where I dropped him off earlier.  We talked about going to a Community Picnic in the evening. I was pretty sure that I was not going.

For me the wall comes down like a veil.  There is no stopping it.  Back at home I did a few things...folded a load of laundry and got things ready for supper...for after my nap sleep.  I headed for the couch and was asleep as my head hit the pillow.  I slept for four hours.  I did not move...I had many dreams...I woke up stiff and sore.

How can a person sleep for four hours after a good nights sleep the night before...nine hours with only one bathroom break.  How can you feel like your body has been drug through a knot hole?  How can you be looking forward to ten PM when you can go back to sleep? 

Anyways I made us supper and cleaned up the kitchen. Now I am whining to you.   Thanks for listening.

Sadie against the front door...it came with a caption..."Sadie is broken"

Minnesota weather: High 83F  or 28C  Low 57F or 14C

What's Cooking?  Pork Burgers with no bun, corn on the cob and yellow tomatoes.  Far Guy cooked up a dozen ears of corn on Thursday then they are cooled put into storage bags in the fridge and then rewarmed in the microwave...it works for us!

Far Side

Alrighty then

 The new vehicle was much easier on my back and legs as we traveled back and forth Up North to medical appointments. As with any new vehicle we have much to learn about the features.

Far Guy saw his Primary Care Doctor for a follow up after his hospitalization earlier this month.  He still has a nagging cough that is concerning so he will be on steroids for about a week.  Hopefully that will get rid of his cough.  Between the heat, humidity and wildfire smoke...good outside air is not here. 

I had test injections for a Medial Branch Block...my facet joints in my back are unhappy.   I did not have a good enough result to continue with another round of test injections.  You have to have 80% improvement and I only had about 60% improvement for the six hours that the test injections last for.  They have cancelled the tests in August ..so we are back to square one....or maybe it is square zero. 

Then I saw the Gastroenterologist to discuss my side duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (SD IPMN) on my pancreas.   It is considered precancerous.  Because of the size of the "cyst" (more than 5 cm) the Doctor recommends   1) MRI to watch what happens next  2) Referral to Mayo Clinic or the University of Minnesota  for surgery.   I have a MRI scheduled for the end of September and then we will evaluate the situation.  It is a nasty big surgery...many days in the hospital and a very long recovery.   I am not thrilled about that option. 

I had a video visit with my Rheumatologist...take prednisone he says ...he can do nothing for me. 

Yesterday was son in law Andy's birthday!  Now that is something to celebrate! 

Far Side

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

Old

 Feeling a bit  a lot old this Spring.  Some good news is that all my biopsies at the dermatologist came back benign.  Nothing to worry about there! 

We had a quiet day...I had lots of RA pain so the couch and a hot rice bag were my best friends. The pain exhausts me so when I get comfortable I go to sleep.

Far Guy began a project.  He is taking all the old grout off from around the bathtub and redoing it...it is quite the project. 

Supper was Chicken Enchiladas and peaches...both from the freezer.

Minnesota weather:  High 46F or 8C  Low was 28F or -2C.

Far Side

Roses

 Andy gave Jen roses for Valentine's Day!

They are lovely and smell good too.

Monday appointments are done, I had a recheck with my Primary Care Dr and then in the afternoon I saw the Pain Management Doctor.  They want to try one more injection in my back before trying a implantable device.  

What ever lets just get this show on the road.  FYI it was a two month wait just to get to see the Pain Management Doctor.

I have one more appointment this week and Far Guy has two.  

We have wicked weather coming in soon.  I suspect our February thaw and nice weather with bearable temperatures is over. 

Far Side

Cards

 I finally finished the cards I use at Christmas for the Grands and Greats.  We gave up Christmas shopping a long time ago...all the kids like cash...no problems no returns!

I have plenty now for the next couple of years!   BE prepared!

It was a hard day on Saturday...we had a low pressure system that moved on in that made my RA go crazy.  I did what my Primary Care Doctor has suggested...have a THC Gummy and have a nap.  I felt much better after a nap...a little high but much better! 

Supper was Jen's scrambled eggs, Far Guy's fried potatoes and fruit.  

Minnesota weather: High 19F or -7C  Low was 17F or -8C eh!  Snowy and windy.

Far Side

Goodbye January

 I saw my Rheumatologist on Friday.  He said " I can do nothing for you, I think you have Chronic Pain Syndrome."  He is tapering me off of the daily prednisone dose and I should be seen at the Pain Clinic.  Alrighty then.   

Far Guy had his infusion appointment...while he was there I picked up groceries at Wally World and then stopped by Aldi to get fruit.  I had a very long nap in the afternoon. 

Not much progress on my various projects.

Today we say goodbye to January...perhaps February will be better! 

Far Guy will have his Thyroid Biopsy in February...nothing heard about his other appointments...stress test and echocardiogram.

Supper was leftovers...all good. 

Minnesota weather: High 4F or -16C  Low was -14F or -26C.  We have a Winter weather advisory until noon Sunday.

Far Side

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO NOON CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Mixed precipitation and areas of blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches and locally up to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota. * WHEN...From noon Saturday to noon CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions. Falling and blowing snow will lead to areas of quick and sudden reductions to visibility, making travel difficult, especially in rural areas that are prone to blowing snow.

Tiny House

 Far Guy and Jen have been working on a tiny model house.  It has hours and hours of work. 

It has lights and everything!  I love the little porch swing on the upper deck. 

I asked how they would dust it??? 

They have been working on it while I have been sorting photos.  The big sort has expanded...I ran into a bunch of photos of the Grands so those are being added to their photo albums.  One Grand album done and four to go.  Progress is slow.  When I get all five albums done I can resume the big sort!  Decades will be sorted into years in chronological order...COD you know. 

I had a PT appointment yesterday.  We have a weather system moving in and I can sure tell it.  I had to have a morning rest yesterday....usually I do not lay down in the morning...laying down with a hot rice bag eliminates my pain. 

Minnesota weather: High 12F or -11C  Low was 8F or -13C.  It cooled off before the stormy weather moves in on Thursday. 

Supper: BLT's.

Far Side

Books, Blue Sky and Back

 I read Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson.   It is about the Yellow Fever Epidemic in Philadelphia through the eyes of a teenager.  It is Historical Fiction.

It was an easy read.  I give it an 8 out of a 10. 

I made vegetable beef soup for supper.  It was really good.  

It was a nice day with blue skies and sunshine. 

Minnesota weather; High 36 F or 2C Low was 23F or -5C eh!

My MRI results are back and there is nothing wrong in my back that requires surgery.  I will continue with PT and I have an appointment with a pain management Doctor.  The PT says I should never stand still but shift my weight back and forth when standing. At the present time I am taking 10 mg of Prednisone every day as recommended by my Rheumatologist.  I failed the Methotrexate that he prescribed last month...it gave me tremors. What can I say I am complicated. 

Far Side

Nice!

 It was a pretty Fall day high in the mid 40's and sunny.  Nice weather!!

Far Guy did not have to wait around for his radiation treatment yesterday.  He barely sat down and they called his name.  I went with him to wait after the really long wait for his treatment the previous day.  35 minutes and we were in and out of the Cancer Center.   Yeah us!  Three treatments down and seventeen to go. 

We picked up our grocery order from Walmart and prescriptions at the corner of happy and healthy where for once they actually had the right prescriptions.  Will wonders ever cease?

Not so nice...I had to seen at the Express Clinic.  Since I have RA other things happen from time to time.  Pleurisy,  I had it one time years ago, I am on meds for the next five days and hope it is all gone by then.  Pleurisy is pain from inflammation when your lung rubs up against your chest wall. Uffda...it is no fun but hopefully will be all better soon.  Luckily I only have the pain on my right side. Old people get the darndest stuff.

Really nice that this dog still loves us.

Far Side

One down

 One more to go.  I got my High Dose Flu shot on Friday morning.  On Monday I will get the Covid booster and then both are crossed off my list for another year!  

My Rheumatologist wants me to try a different medication for my RA and I cannot have any vaccinations while on the medication...so I will get my vaccinations and then wait two weeks and try the new med.  I am so not impressed with my Rheumatologist...he said "Oh your blood work is showing so much inflammation"...yes...go figure...I could have told him that.  He has no explanation why my Ferritin level is still high....nor does he care.  He also said "You have tried so many RA meds and failed them all"  no news to me...as if that statement helps at all.  

I will just keep on keeping on and hope that sooner or later the Clinic in Grand Forks will recruit a Rheumatologist.   My Primary Care Dr says they are trying their best in recruitment. 

I hope that both vaccinations will be smooth going with no major couch time. I could have gotten them both at once...but did not want to press my luck. 

Supper was roast pork, mashed potatoes, gravy and baked carrots.  Comfort food.

Minnesota weather: It was frosty!

Far Side

Okay then

 Yes I have another skin cancer (malignant melanoma), but just the one spot on my shoulder and the margins were clear with the hunk that the dermatologist took out.  My mole is just a mole and the pearl removed from my chin is nothing to worry about.  Good thing that I see my dermatologist every three or four months so that the little spots don't become huge surgeries like last September when she removed a spot from my cheek.  That was no fun.  Yes the biologic Rheumatoid Arthritis meds can cause your already haywire immune system to go wonky....and skin cancer is the result.   FYI I take no biologic meds for RA anymore.  I take Tylenol (six a day) and THC gummies which are legal in Minnesota.   The joint damage won't be stopped but at my age does it really matter...the biologics did not stop my pain...they just gave me skin cancer as stated in the adverse reactions.  

In other happenings.  I am making progress in Spring Cleaning.  I have 15 out of 17 kitchen drawers done and a few of the other cupboards.  I should finish up next week ...maybe.   I have been listing and selling a few things on facebook marketplace.  In the evenings I am working on a notebook of family history. I have added what I can to Find A Grave and discovered an error...that I need to work through...if people kept better records there would be less errors...it will take a fair amount of unraveling to figure it all out. 

Far Guy and I share cooking duties this week was; Naan Bread Pizza, Steak and Salmon, fend for yourself and Pork Chops and Rice. 

Far Side

Recliner

 I am enjoying the recliner, although the massage function is sometimes annoying.  The heat is toasty warm:)

I am sometimes able to relax and crochet.

Baby booties and a hat. 

We had snow in the air many times yesterday.  Our high was 40 F or 5 C eh!

It seems my horrid SI joint pain is returning with a vengeance.   Is it the weather or has the injection ran it's course? 

Far Side

Helpful and not helpful

 Far Guys visit with the dietician was helpful...he needs to eat more protein many times a day.  She suggested that he eat 5 or 6 times a day. 

My Rheumatologist had no suggestions or solutions for me...as I suspected.  He said he hoped I could see the Neurosurgeon before May 30.  Well me too!  Since we have good insurance he wants to see me again in three months. 

The new recliner that we ordered a few weeks ago was delivered...it has heat and massage and is very comfortable. 

Far Guy went to the garage today and uncovered his old car Tilly.  He must be thinking of Summer. 

I did some laundry and odds and ends and crocheted some baby booties.  I think I need to crochet more before my hands give out with the RA.  I plan to make a number of blankets, one is in progress but I got distracted by the baby booties. 

Far Side

What a week

 It was a busy week.  

Monday: Injection into my SI joint left side...the usual sting like a bee...hold real still.  About 48 hours after the injection I noticed some relief.  Not  a lot ...but some.   The Dr. there thinks I have multiple problems...SI joint, L4 and L5, RA and PTLDs (Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome).  Go figure.  I am on the wait list to see the Neurosurgeon...right now my appointment is on May 30.  Who knows when or if I can have surgery.  Supper was BLTs and peaches.

Tuesday: A day off to catch up with the many things on my desk and a number of things on my mind.  I sewed on buttons, put away some odds and ends properly.  Supper was Pork Chops and Wild Rice.

Wednesday:  I did the grocery shopping after I had a Dexa Scan...from the report it looks like my bones are better than in 2017.  Who knew?  Supper was Moons Over My Hammy ( Over easy eggs on bread topped with sliced ham and cheese and then grilled to perfection).

Thursday: Stopped by the Clinic and had Lab work...all is well there.  Got the car gassed up and went through the car wash, and to the bank while Far Guy had his weekly infusion.  He is finally feeling a bit stronger and is coughing less...he is walking and keeping track of his steps. I spent some time on the phone with some idiots at our Internet/TV provider who changed their billing software which caused a glitch in how I pay their bill. Of course they want me to pay using their system and not bill pay...I told them forget that crap.  I do all the payments through bill pay at our bank. Dumb asses...they also asked me to rate their customer service...ya u betcha.  Supper was salad and Impossible Italian Sausage Pie.

Friday: Far Guy has an appointment with a dietician to see what other high protein things I can feed him to gain back some of the 20 pounds he lost in the last year...10 pounds were lost just in March alone.  I have a Rheumatology virtual appointment on Friday afternoon.  I have little to no confidence in him.  Right now I take Tylenol and THC Gummies for the pain.  Supper will be Apple Pancake.

Not sure what the weekend will bring...other than maybe all the snow will melt in the yard. 

We saw six Robins as we drove into our yard yesterday...I sat outside quite awhile in the evening hoping to hear or see a Robin...no luck...I heard a Crow and a Woodpecker.  I am certain she who sees robins first saw the robins before me again! 

Far Side

Spirit

 The Christmas Spirit is leaving the neighborhood, those that hired their decorations done have been de decorated.  Funny thing one side of the street was mostly decorated and the other side was not.  Interesting.

Jen decorated very nicely near the front door...very cheerful! 

Three medical appointments this week, leading up to five next week.  Usually we are organized and the right hand knows what the left hand is doing...we are both scheduled for appointments at the same time one day next week...good thing they are in the same town. 

I saw my Rheumatologist yesterday, he has run out of options for me...so he is referring me to the pain clinic.  Not sure what they will do.   My sudden rise in skin cancers is most likely the side effect of the RA meds that did not work for me.  My RA Factor has doubled and my Ferritin level is very high...not sure what will be done about that either. 

Sometimes no plan is a plan. 

Far Side

Ah poop

 Poop heads anyways.  

Yesterday I went into the Clinic to get my two Cimzia shots in my belly as I am supposed to have them every 28 days for my many forms of arthritis.  After reading my Doctors notes from the last injection the nurse called a Dr..he said call the prescribing Dr ( she has moved to the great city of Bismarck, ND...good luck to all who she touches there) then the nurse  attempted to call the Rheumatologist...who was busy with patients...SO...

The nurse felt that I had a significant reaction to the last injections and I should see the Doctor in Fargo.  Good thing I have an appointment with him next week. 

I was hoping to get these injections behind me as they made me really short of breath and tired for three days. I had meals prepared and laundry done up...so the three days would be easier.  

 Well so much for having my poop in a pile. 

...other people like Doctors who had 27 days to prepare and come up with a plan...do not have their poop in a pile. 

Buggers anyways. 

My Pain was worse yesterday...might be weather related as our high was -3F or -19C.  I had to run errands in town, in and out of the car multiple times.  We were in town for four hours. ( I had a list a mile long to accomplish) 

I took two Tylenol and a gummy and had a long nap after we got home so the Christmas Card count remains at 117. 

Far Side

I drew you all a pile of poop...only the last plop is a happy plop. 

One step at a time

 Today I have steroids injections into my back.  God willing and we hope the roads are good. The injections were ordered by the Spine Clinic Doctors. I hope that it helps with the pain.  Time will tell.  I can have 4-5 injections in a year if it works. When it no longer works I will be evaluated for surgery. 

Next week I have more arthritis injections two at a time in my belly.  This is the second time ( every 4 weeks) on a new med called Cimzia.  Last time I had no adverse reactions...and my psoriasis was a bit better as for my arthritis pain...no change...still a bugger.  Since I have multiple types of arthritis...Rheumatoid, Psoriatic and Lymes Arthritis...I am a challenge for the Doctors.  The Rheumatology PA that has been managing my care finally moved on and I go back to see my other Rheumatologist later this month. 

Riding in the car for any length of time is so very painful.  I am still doing PT exercises, whirlpool baths and we purchased a massage gun that has heat.  I take 6 Tylenol a day and a gummy on the days that I am able to stay at home.  Most days I have a long nap with a heated rice bag. The pain just wears me out.  I have no pain or very little when lying down...however I cannot lay around all day. 

One step at a time...

Far Side

Christmas Card count... a measly 4 cards yesterday total now 23.  It is a new project and has some kinks to work out...drying time is very important!  It is all a learning process.