Time for a note....

[Guest]

Wow...thank you ALL so much for your thoughts/prayers/kind words. They all mean all so much to me.

It _appears_ that the memorial service (like Gram, Gramps was cremated) will be next Saturday.....

Alrighty...I know I have a couple specific things to address...so, if I miss something...PLEASE let me know....and I'll look back and reply again....


Ann,
I thought of that, too ... how, I was just talking about them in the nursing home thread ... especially Gramps. Friday afternoon (actually evening, by the time we had the room cleared out) a few of us (namely me, Mom, Dad, my Aunt Chris and Uncle Carl) went to talk to a few of the residents that knew Gram and Gramps (either as Elgin residents, or along their ministry, or through younger years, or just at Pinecrest). In doing so, that reminded me just how much people at nursing homes need the "outside world". A couple people have suggested that I not do the service on Christmas Day ... but, I'm torn..... We'll see how I feel.....

[Sidenote: One of the ladies that is now living at Pinecrest grew up with Gram in the Polo IL area. In 2001, during Gram and Gramps' 60th wedding anniversary, she drove her brown 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (what else would she be driving?). A few days later, Gram told me I should write to her and give her my address/ph# in case she wanted to sell the car. I didn't think much of it until about a year ago, when I received a letter and a call from her...asking me to buy her car. Well, Dad and I went to look at it...and I hesitated. In the meantime, her son decided he wanted. When we talked to her Friday evening, she pulled me aside and said, "I sure wish you had bought my Monte Carlo." That, was priceless.....]


MB,
You asked about my liver functions ... they are elevated, which is why the specialist wishes to focus on the liver for a bit, too.


Sue,
Neither the specialist nor my PCP think I have a major case of acid reflux. Both of them feel it is very minor, considering I don't have any burning sensations in my throat or chest areas.... So, I'm not too concerned about that at the moment. If it gets worse, yes. But, right now...they have me taking Prevacid. So, we'll see .


Ross,
Your wife is a maiden Weimer? Wow....is she a Ohio native? Gramps' family is from the Alexandria VA area....


Natanni,
Gastroscopy? I'm not sure.... I don't think so, though.... What all is involved with that?


Life has to settle down and be peaceful for a while...doesn't it?

*peers around expectantly*

He he he

 

[Blanche]

Dear Cort:
The loss of a loved one is always a time for sorrow and reflection. So very sorry to hear of your dear grandfather's passing. Our loved ones, though gone from us still remain in our thoughts and feelings. I hope you will be able to resolve your health problems and that you will be feeling much better very soon.
Kindest regards,
Blanche

 

[Harrybaby666]

Cort...I know your loss...and I know how you feel.....

Cort...I know your loss...and I know how you feel.....

I have been away for a few days and I have been handling some other issues, and I didn't see your thread until this moment...I lost my grandfather back in 1981 and it was a VERY big loss for me, and I know it must be a huge loss for you as well...Please know that you and your family are all in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Take Care, Harrybaby

 

[Guest]

Harry,

Thank you and no worries.... I know you've been busy. I did see your thread, but just didn't take the time to post in it ... my apologies. Yes, it is a huge loss ... but, for whatever reason, I know it'll be OK.....

I was lucky enough to have known all 4 of my grandparents, though my grandmother on my Dad's side died in 1976, just before I turned 3. My grandfather on Dad's side died 9 years later in 1985. So, lucky for me, the grandparents that I lived closest to were the ones that lived the longest....


And, Blanche, thank you, too, for your words/thoughts/prayers.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Cort,

Apologies for this late note. I do not have much time to check in @ VR.com.

You will be in our thoughts and prayers. So sorry to hear about your loss. It's this time of year I usually reflect back on my passed relatives. All of my Grandparents have been gone for a number of years.

Hope you get to feeling better soon. If it's any comfort, half of my daughters class has the stomach bug. 'Tis the season' Hopefully it's nothing more than that in your case.

Keep us posted. Take care. And........I hope to see you in Feb!

 

[Marguerite53]

Hi Cort. I'm so sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. The depth of your loss is a testament to the wonderful strength you have gotten from your family. That is so lovely to have and hold in an age where life is so busy and relationships can be fragile and short-lived. I hope the fact that this is all happening toward the holidays will allow you more times to toast to the good times and not dwell on the loss so much.

And then there are your tummy problems! Bummer!! I can't believe that something that would send you to the emergency room is just minor reflux??

Is there any possiblity that you threw a rib out of place, or strained a muscle you didn't realize you had or something odd like that? If your lower back is way out it can affect your stomach in weird ways.

Good luck and keep us posted. This can't have been fun. I'm off to pick up my gallon of yuck juice for tuesday's colonoscopy. Blehh. Stomach stuff is no fun! Hang in there!

Marguerite

 

[Natanni]

Hi again Cort--

A gastroscopy (what Sue was talking about ) allows the doc to visual the lining of the stomach and the shape. A lighted flexible scope is dropped down the esophogus (after the pt is sufficiantly sleeping ) and the doc takes a peek. A spend alot of time helping in gastros, and it is an invasive procedure. If you have ever had a TEE, it would seem very similar. Your gastroenterologist would have probably done one already if he thought your lining was comprised though.

Good luck during this hard time, and I hope you feel better soon!!

 

[bvdr]

Cort, I am so sorry about your grandfather. I am a grandmother myself and still miss my grandparents. They were important people in my life and I loved them very much. I know you are really grieving. I'm sure not feeling well hasn't helped either. You are in Tom's and my hearts and prayers. God bless.

 

[Maureen]

Cort...I have only just read your post and wanted to offer my sympathies on your grandfather's passing. I am sure you have many happy memories of him and that they will sustain you in the days and months ahead. Unfortunately, I never knew any of my grandparents ( they had all died before I was born ) and it wasn't until I had my own child and saw the relationship with her grandparents grow that I fully realised how important grandparents are in the scheme of things.

Take care.....

 

[tobagotwo]

Sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. I know what you mean about the phone.

The abdominal pain is also a shame. I hope it comes to a conclusion soon.

You're in my thoughts, Cort.

Best wishes,

 

[Guest]

I sure missed my weekly call to Gramps today.... I've thought about starting a new "call tradition" on Sundays, but wasn't much up to implementing it today. Actually, didn't do a heck of a lot at all today .

Thank you all for the additional and continued thoughts/prayers/kind words ... appreciated more than you all will ever know.

Talked to my Aunt Chris today ... she found the paper I did on Gramps in 1992 for one of my college classes ... and she found the compilation of his sermons I presented him with a few years ago. They were both in the papers and books that he had kept with him at Pinecrest. I was so relieved because I couldn't find either of 'em here at the house....and Mom had suggested we put them on the "memory table" at the service next Saturday.

Family from California seems to be starting to arrive Thursday evening.... I think some of 'em are planning to stay through Monday...we'll see. Either way, it'll be good to see them ... just wish it were under different circumstances....


Gina,
No apologies necessary ... I completely understand. There are times when I think that I need to stop checking my message boards...and forget about 'em for a while. But, well, I can't quite do that...he he he. Hope your daughter is OK.....


Marguerite,
Ironically, I haven't really "dwelt" on Gramps' death. I'm not sure if that is good news or bad news. About the only time that I "ligered" on the thoughts were Friday afternoon/evening while we were at Pinecrest....and then last night when I was at home alone (parents went to a symphony concert that Mom gave Dad tickets for for his birthday on Thursday) and I had opted not to go with my sis and bro-in-law to another friends' home for pool, etc., because I wasn't up for the "couples" scene....he he heh . So....we'll see how this week plays out, I guess....

I'm not sure it is a rib or a muscle ... I would think that the Xrays they did at the ER on Dec 1 would've shown either of those....

Good luck with your colonscopy ... both my parents went through that a couple weeks ago..... Hope ya'll have more than one bathroom in your home .


Natanni,
Thanks for the description ... in that case, no I haven't had that done. Now that I think about it, I know my PCP mentioned that test ... but said he wanted that to be a "last resort" type of thing, given my history.....


Betty,
You're right ... not feeling well hasn't helped a bit. In a way, I think Gramps' death set me back ... at least for Friday. Since I've been eating solid foods again...I've felt better. I'm still not going to work tomorrow ... figured I'd at least call the surgeon and get the bloodwork scheduled first. Plus, with no nurse on duty at work ... a little "gunshy" about going back..... And, yes...you're right about the grieving .


Maureen,
Thanks...and I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to know your grandparents ... it truly is a blessing and a wonderful type of relationship .


Bob,
Heh ... the "phone thing" is almost too eery.... It's like a certain, special "connection" of it's own....

 

[epstns]

Cort,
I was away over a long weekend, at our "retreat" in Terre Haute, IN, so I didn't see your thread until now.

I can only offer you my most sincere condolences on your grandfather's passing, but as we both know, he is in a better place now. He is, I'm sure, back at the side of his partner forever -- your grandmother.

On the other note -- if you want the reality of what gall bladder problems feel like, call me. I can fill you in "from the user prospective" as I've still got mine, even with the stones and all that junk.

Oh, heck, if you just want to talk, call me anyway. . .

 

[Guest]

He he he...I just might call you, Steve .

Right now, the frustrating thing about whatever is causing the abdominal pain is that it comes and goes.... One minute, I feel just fine...the next, I'm out like a light. Heck, I was fine this morning....then, right about lunch time, felt a bit nautious...and then womp...the pain hit. Luckily, it wasn't very severe, but I found myself back on a semi-liquid diet again. So much for going back to work tomorrow . Aye.

And, thank you for the condolences. Yep...he is in a much better place. He wasn't suffering, per se, but he was headed in that direction. And, I can just see him sitting with Gram once again.....

 

[catwoman]

Cort:

My condolences on your grandfather's passing.

Re your current medical problem: My younger niece & her brother both had congenital duct problems with their gall bladders. Ryan's gall bladder was removed when he was about 11, the day after school was out. Kristi's was removed at age 22 or 23. Pre-op, Ryan had the most problems, yo-yoing with nausea & weight loss, missing a lot of school. Doctors had a devil of a time diagnosing Ryan's problem, but once they did they decided that gallbladder had to come out ASAP, to avoid it bursting. He had laparascopy, then left 2 days later for a family camping trip to Colorado. Was bummed out because he couldn't go swimming, but he did bounce back pretty quickly.

 

[Guest]

Marsha,

I appreciate your condolences ... thank you.

Neither my PCP or the specialist have sounded all that considered about the gallbladder bursting. I admit I've wondered about that myself a time or 2, but never have asked either doctor. I probably will when I meet with my PCP this Friday morning.

My PCP has agreed to wait until Friday to determine when I should go back to work, in part because of family coming in tomorrow for Gramps' memorial service. I have yet to hear back from any of my managers ... which is starting to unnerve me just a tad. I have, however, started the short-term care/disability paperwork...and my PCP and I will complete it at my appointment Friday morning.

I just hope I feel better this weekend for the family in town and for the memorial service....