Staying the Course -- March 10, 2021

[Superbob]

Howdy, all. Hope all goes well along the courses you are staying. Pretty quiet 'round here. Lots of people still scrambling to make appointments to get their vaccinations to (we hope) subdue the pandemic. About 10% of South Carolinians are now "fully vaccinated," and DW and I are fortunate to be among that contingent. Finally, all the hours I spend on the computer seem not so frivolous. I got our appointments by applying just about everywhere day and night. It's been harder than it should be, but maybe we will have learned a few lessons for the next time we have this kind of national emergency.

As for needed changes of pace -- mental health breaks, if you will -- mine continue to come primarily from dawgwalking out in the great outdoors. We have had a nice preview of Spring this week -- temperatures rising into the 60s and even 70s and bright blue skies. On one of our walks I had a flashback to my childhood days in Tennessee. A bluebird flitted in a tree as we passed by and then flew so close by as to make me think it might land on my shoulder. That, of course, evoked one of the favorite lines I used to recite from the Uncle Remus stories that were popular back then, in the '50s:

Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's 'actch'ill'
Everything is "satisfactch'll

And indeed things are pretty satisfactual. However, I do worry how much longer Ellie my loyal walking dog will be able to keep us moving out the door. Best I can figure from the age estimates given us when we adopted her, she is close to 13 years old now, a long run for a retriever. Dear golden Sadie, my initial walking companion during my seniorhood, made it to almost 15, so I am hoping for at least two more good years for Ellie. She is slowing down quite a bit. At her annual wellness exam today, complete with tests and shots, her vet didn't detect any outward signs of disease (we'll get all the test results tomorrow). But she did advise that we cut back on her calorie-laden "wet" food and go more with the dry in order to pare a few pounds, the better to stretch our walking days. Good reminder for me to curb the goodies, too. (UPDATE: All of Ellie's bloodwork came out with perfect numbers! We'll celebrate with another walk right now. Better start before she barks me off this infernal machine.)

So it goes along my course -- how about yours?

Cheers,
Superbob

 

[Superman]

Excellent update as always. The weather has turned up north as well. Hit the 60’s today, which is shorts and t-shirts weather and kids out on bikes. Got to say hi to some neighbors out walking our two dogs today. We tend to pseudo hibernate up in these parts and might go weeks with just seeing neighbors back out of their driveways to go about there days, but never actually talking.

Turns out I have a camera buddy next door. We had chatted a little in the fall, but he went out and got a really nice set up over the winter after our conversation.

Other than that, it’s just a busy time of year with both jobs in full swing and trying to get ready for spring break. Kids busy in school too with everyone back full time.

Took a couple days off from workouts and ran today. Heart rate went back to normal workout levels, so that was good. Had an okay 3 mile run followed by a 10 minute cool down walk in Zion National Park. Would have gone outside (and should have), but work was busy and my wife wasn’t feeling well. Seems short lived. She’s doing better this evening.

 

[epstns]

We're sharing some of your good weather here in The Upper Rust Belt, too. The last week finally saw the last of the snow melting, now the lawns are just mud. I hope it gets a chance to dry out before the spring rains hit.

Progress on the Covid vaccine front, too. My wife was able to snag an appointment at the county facility nearby that was dispensing the J&J (once and done) vaccine. Her appointment was this past Monday. I was able to book an appointment at a major hospital a few suburbs over, where they had the Pfizer vaccine. My first dose was yesterday, final dose on April 1. This (hers and mine) was a major turn-around from just a week or so ago, as the vaccine distribution here in the Chicago area has become a political "tool" to penalize some of us, so that the supporters of a couple of politicians can get ahead of the rest of the metro area. I won't go into the details, as that is probably too political and might be seen as inflammatory speech if I spoke my mind. (Those of you who know me know that I diligently stay out of political flame wars, so if I describe this as one of those, you can imagine how furious I am about it.) If you really want the details, PM me. It is, to me, quite discriminatory, but who am I to know all that?

We are now beginning to plan some visits out East to see our daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons. Right now, we are thinking of driving out in May or June, then maybe flying out again in July or August. We will drive one more trip to bring the last of our daughter's things from the house out to her. After that, maybe we will fly out, spend time with the kids, then drive elsewhere up the east coast. (They are in western Massachusetts.) We are also just beginning to believe that we may be able to actually do some other travel this year, but we are going to start out gradually. One never knows if the virus status quo is stable. . .

 

[dornole]

Good to hear more of you are getting vaccinated! Hubs and I are newly eligible but it's vaccine roulette trying to get one. Hopefully pretty soon we can join the crew. I too am hopeful that maybe we can actually go out of state and see family this summer. At the very least the snow is melted, it's 40-55 degrees most days and that is definitely warm enough to spend a lot of time outside. That will for sure help.

 

[skeptic49]

Steve, glad you were able to get an appointment. I will have to return to NYC by AMTRAK for my second shot on April 1. I actually booked a weekend in Key Largo for May to attend a scuba class. Seems like things are moving in the right direction with the vaccines and the nice $$$ deposits from Uncle Sam that many will receive.

 

[pcannon]

skeptic49,

I was wondering about scuba diving since I got the mechanical mitral valve last march. When I had the valvuloplasty 12 years ago they said no for at least a year. I haven't asked my cardiologist yet since we are still trying to fix my right femoral artery from the heart lung bypass machine damage. Looks like I am going to need a bypass for the artery and am not looking forward to that. Anyway, I haven't been scuba diving in a few years and would like to be able to again.

Have fun.

 

[rich01]

We have had a couple of weeks of nice weather and I am about a month ahead of where I usually am with the garden, yard, spring cleanup, etc. I think I just might have time for a beach trip next month.

 

[epstns]

I guess I spoke too soon about the nice weather. Today we are back in the low 30's (F), with a blizzard and snow accumulations of 3 inches or more expected. At least there is still gas in the snow blower.

Glad I didn't wash the car.

 

[skeptic49]

skeptic49,

I was wondering about scuba diving since I got the mechanical mitral valve last march. When I had the valvuloplasty 12 years ago they said no for at least a year. I haven't asked my cardiologist yet since we are still trying to fix my right femoral artery from the heart lung bypass machine damage. Looks like I am going to need a bypass for the artery and am not looking forward to that. Anyway, I haven't been scuba diving in a few years and would like to be able to again.

Have fun.

Sorry about the problems with your femoral artery. I had a lot of work done, valve, ascending aorta conduit to hemiarch. Nevertheless, I returned to diving within a year of my twin surgeries ( i had a second OHS a week after my first due to tamponade.) I hope you are able to resolve your issues and return to enjoying underwater scuba fun.

Jim

 

[Unicusp]

skeptic49,

I was wondering about scuba diving since I got the mechanical mitral valve last march. When I had the valvuloplasty 12 years ago they said no for at least a year. I haven't asked my cardiologist yet since we are still trying to fix my right femoral artery from the heart lung bypass machine damage. Looks like I am going to need a bypass for the artery and am not looking forward to that. Anyway, I haven't been scuba diving in a few years and would like to be able to again.

Have fun.

Please expand upon the damage to your artery. What happened? Please describe. For me that part seems slowest to heal and like it was expanded by pressure during the procedure. Still swollen and like steel cables beneath the skin. Thanks.

 

[pcannon]

Please expand upon the damage to your artery. What happened? Please describe. For me that part seems slowest to heal and like it was expanded by pressure during the procedure. Still swollen and like steel cables beneath the skin. Thanks.

I'm not exactly sure what is wrong with the artery only that it is blocked and not enough blood if getting down my right leg. I noticed right away after my valve surgery that my leg started cramping shortly after I would start walking. I kept trying to push through it thinking it would get better and it didn't. The more I pushed the more it hurt. I'm also numb all down my inner thigh but that's nerve damage and not the artery. The vascular specialist tried to go in last month with a balloon and stent but despite going through both groins and my left arm was not able to reach the damaged area. I see the vascular doctor Monday the 22nd to discuss my next steps.

Peggy

 

[Unicusp]

I'm not exactly sure what is wrong with the artery only that it is blocked and not enough blood if getting down my right leg. I noticed right away after my valve surgery that my leg started cramping shortly after I would start walking. I kept trying to push through it thinking it would get better and it didn't. The more I pushed the more it hurt. I'm also numb all down my inner thigh but that's nerve damage and not the artery. The vascular specialist tried to go in last month with a balloon and stent but despite going through both groins and my left arm was not able to reach the damaged area. I see the vascular doctor Monday the 22nd to discuss my next steps.

Peggy

Sorry to hear. Very unfortunate issue to deal with after major surgery. Good luck on Monday.