I am sorry not to have updated DKos sooner but the last couple of weeks have been hectic. Ben ended up with bronchitis again and my sinus infection returned. MY GP put us on the same meds and we've been hacking and coughing for the past couple of weeks. Since Levaquin makes me nauseated, I feel like I've been single-handedly keeping the Big Pharma that manufactures Dramamine afloat. And the nausea put me into great place for my right hyperflexed ankle to send me sprawling. Doctor cleared us of the bronchitis and sinusitis, but it was annoying and kind of exhausting.
End of not-so-great news. Everything else is terrific.
Ben saw the cardiac surgeon, who was amazed at his progress. He was cleared to drive after only being out of the hospital a few weeks, much sooner than normal. It also means he can pick up our two Maine Coon mixes and Pookie the 25 pound panther. Last. Thursday, he saw the cardiologist, whom I actually LIKED because he answers questions, and they've got him scheduled for an echo cardiogram and with luck, a stress test plus a visit with another cardiologist ( same practice but 30 minutes closer) . It seems they think he may be ready for cardio rehab already. This is a HUGE step forward. My biggest job is to keep him from overdoing, which ain't easy. Ex-military types can imagine how much fun it is trying to convince a Navy Chief Petty Officer he can't do something. He still needs to take it easy.
So far, nobody from the hospital has given us any info on diabetes other than how to use the monitor and how to inject insulin. There was a nutrition class Ben attended but it wasn't informative--websites have been much more useful. I think our GP will be taking over that end because he's very knowledgeable.
One other small change: I am trying to make my diet match his as much as possible. No more sweet tea (my two indulgences are Simply Lemonade and Schweppe's Ginger Ale--because when I am nauseated, it's one of the few things that doesn't make things worse). I am cutting way down on cookie consumption, and eating stuff like Raisin Bran instead of croissants. Luckily many of the dishes we like are very Mediterranean recipes, whether Arabic, Turkish, Greek or Italian. And we actually LIKE vegetables. He's doing very well--except for the night he ate way too many Hershey's kisses!
And then just as we were leaving for the doctor's appt. on last Wed. a package arrived. We were running late, and didn't have time to open it so we put in the car. When we finally got home, the cats were very excited. We couldn't figure out why. They were trying to tear open the box!. When we got it open, there was a Pootie Pad--and Ben's Community Quilt (the Pad matches the quilt). It is a work of art. Sara, you outdid yourself, and the fabrics caught Ben's personality perfectly. He's a big guy, around 6 ft and 200 pounds (aiming to get down to 180) and he got teary-eyed at not only the sheer artistry but at the messages. They meant so much to him Some of the fabrics have wolves and horses, and Ben had a 1/4 wolf/Belgian Shepherd many years ago. There's also a Native American feel to it--and he's descended from both Sitting Bull and the general who captured him (we don't like to talk about the general). It's in shades of blue and earth tones with a large red heart in the center.
I don't know if Sara has a photo but it is gorgeous--and Ben has been enjoying it immensely. And the cats have taken turns with the new Poorie Pad (Pookie the miniature panther says it should be called a Pookie Pad).
MiL has decided we can vacuum on our own now that we're both better. Hey, it made her happy. My GP was right. She felt useful and it cost me nothing. We're back where we were: superficially friendly.
Tomorrow or Friday, The Packhorse will send a thank you note to you all, using my account (easier to work that way,and with luck we can tell you the results of the echo cardiogram). Next week I will likely learn how badly I screwed up my knee. I don't think it's anything worse than a sprain because it only hurts when I get up from a chair or sit down; walking doesn't hurt at all.
Through all of this, you Kossacks have been my salvation. You let me vent. You let me cry. You rejoiced with me at the good news and provided a great deal of useful information. I owe you all debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. All I can do is try to give to others what you have given me.