Owner: Cathy's Rants and Ramblin's URL:http://www.arthritisrants.blogspot.com Join Date: Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:49:51 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: Mine is a personal blog with alot of health care focus. I have arthritis and have had a TKR. I blog about my home, life, kids and grandkids. There is also alot going on at my blog. I have a Friday Fives where I link 5 different blogs each week. Currently Site statistics:Click here
A Thanksgiving of Yesterday 1970-01-01 00:59:59 It must have been 1957 when Mother was having a really BIG Thanksgiving
dinner. In my childhood, I can remember usually going to grandmother's for Thanksgiving. But this year it would be at our house. My Dad had 9 brothers and sisters plus all of their kids that would be there. My folks had 4 children. Based on the size of the rest of this families brood, we were a small family. My Mom's brother and his family, and also a coworker of his was coming along. This was the guest that had my Mom all in a tailspin. She had been beside herself for a week, over this man coming for Thanksgiving dinner.I can't recall anymore exactly what he was, but I know he was a really big shot at the local TV station. I was only about 5 or 6, so I remember only bits of this day.. But, I surely remember the most important event. I was the main attraction at it.We lived in this really big old farm house out in the country. Back then you did not have air conditioners in your house. As for upstairs bedrooms we Read more:Yesterday
Dr. Anonymous and Grand Rounds 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Just a reminder for you to be sure and check out Dr. A.s blog on Tuesday. He is this weeks host for GrandRounds
. Grand Rounds
is a gathering of posts, from the best of the medical blogosphere. With his personality and charm, it is sure to be one of the best rounds ever.
Tanner's Progression 1970-01-01 00:59:59 He is still in the hospital but he is progressing more each day. He has now been out of the incubator, for 2 complete days. His temperature did start dropping a little yesterday, but they placed a heated blanket under him. He responded to that and avoided being put back into the incubator. He is up to 4pounds and 6 ounces now. He is also drinking every feeding during the day from a bottle. He is now taking 1.5oz. at each feeding. They still use his feeding tube during the night to save his energy.As soon as they know he can maintain his body temp, and that he can eat every feeding then he will get home. Next year he will join us for Thanksgiving, and be pounding away on top of his high chair tray, "demanding" mashed potatoes and turkey gravy. Read more:Tanner
, Progression
Going To Texas 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I will be having my BIG esophagus surgery at BIG hospital in Texas
, on January 25th. 2007...Doc. sent us to talk to a landlord that he knows, who rents furnished apartments by the month, to patients of the hospital. He has one that will be empty on December 1st. Its actually empty now but since the rent was paid by former tenants until the 1st of December, its technically still occupied. We went ahead and rented that apartment, beginning Dec. 1st through the end of March. Its not much but it is completely furnished. I mean it even has dishes, pots, pans, etc...He even said not to bring our own linens, as he buys new beds in bags and all new towels and wash cloths for all new tenants. It is only blocks from the hospital and will be perfect for what we need. It will sit empty from Dec. 1st. until we get there mid-end January, but the monthly price was to good to risk losing it, and ending up in a hotel for 2 months. We would go broke paying for a motel/hotel for weeks on end.Since our P Read more:Going
OMG.... Do Not EVER Try This! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 When you are still awake at almost 4:30 in the morning, all sorts of things enter your mind. What seems to enter my mind, when I can't sleep, is.....#1, trying to think of ways to make my legs stop hurting. Aspirins and pain pills are out. You already know that, if you have ever read here. I try ice and then I try heat. I actually do better with heat than what I do with ice. Years ago I use to go to the tanning beds, not particularly for a tan, but because I swear the heat underneath and on top at the same time, did good things for my arthritis. Maybe it was mind over matter, but then that would mean I have something (brain wise) against ice, I don't.The other thing that enters my mind when I am up this late is FOOD! I am hungry and I want what I cannot have. I want chocolate...I haven't had any good chocolate since 2002 when my esophagus issues came to light. Well, now and then I slip but I have been pretty good about it. Its not the acid (does chocolate have acid?) it is the caffe
Update on Tanner 1970-01-01 00:59:59 He is coming right along. I was concerned last week when he had lost all the way down to 3 lbs 13oz. But now he has started to gain. Everyday he is gaining an ounce. He is up to 4lbs. 3oz. as of last night. They weigh him at night.Also, he has started eating from a bottle. Mommy is pumping now and they add some nutrition to her milk for him. Yesterday, they only fed him from a bottle once and he took an ounce. This morning Amber fed him and he took the whole ounce for her also. They will feed him from the bottle twice today. He still has his feeding tube for his other feedings. He is no longer receiving any oxygen or an IV. He is out of the scary looking condo he was residing in. He is still in an enclosed incubator but not near as scary as the first one he was in. Soon he will be in an open isolette. He is starting to maintain his body heat. We went yesterday, after we arrived home. He does look a tiny bit bigger to us. Amber had him out of the incubator and we finally got to hold th Read more:Tanner
, Update
#1 OHIO STATE vs #2 MICHIGAN...(GO BUCKS).. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 FINAL SCORE;OHIO STATE 42MICHIGAN 39WOO HOO! How about them Buckeyes and Troy Smith? Heisman Trophy?The "Best Damn Band In The Land" The Ohio State University Marching Band:OHIO STATE FIGHT SONG.~~~Fight the team across the fieldShow them Ohio's hereSet the Earth reverberatingWith a mighty cheerRAH! RAH! RAH!Hit them hard and see how they fallNever let that team get the ballHail! Hail! The gang's all hereSo let's beat that Michigan now!(Oh, Ohio! Oh, Ohio! Wahoo! Wahoo for Ohio!)~~~HANG ON SLOOPY Beginning of fourth quarter!Now you know why I chose scarlet and gray for my template colors! Read more:BUCKS
Rant N Ramble 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Just some updates before we leave for Texas tomorrow. **First...The baby has continued to do well. I was a little concerned that he had lost weight, and hasn't seemed to have gained it back yet. He is down to 3lbs 14oz. right now, but they say that is OK and is nothing to worry about. Today, he has his brain scan to make sure all there is OK...I am sure it is, as this little guy is as feisty as they come. The Dr. laughs about his personality that is shining through. He is a little jaundiced and is on the UV lights. He doesn't like the blindfold they put over his eyes and he constantly reaches up and pushes if off..He also pulled his IV out of his little hand...He wants this shit off of him! I think he smiled at me yesterday! His breathing is really good! They are taking away the oxygen today. He was only getting 20% yesterday but they said he is really breathing 100% on his own, and that was just a little added punch for him. He is still on limited holdings so I haven't gotten to ho Read more:Ramble
Working Mom's 1970-01-01 00:59:59 This is a website for women. It is called "Working Mom's"....Although, I don't think you really have to be working, or a mom, to benefit from this site. If you need help getting organized, or, finding advise on topics ranging from Weddings to pre-school, this is a site for you..There is even a collaborative community to help you. You can get questions answered, find quality service professionals and share ideas with other member's.You can receive notifications about sale/wanted items...Some of the topics to help women are:1. Cooking lessons2. Cat Training ( I better sign up for that one)3. Car interior4. Moving help5. Furniture repair6. Party Decor7. Interior decorating8. Home remodeling9.How to find a good used car dealer (Is there such a thing?)When you get a chance, you may want to take a look at this site....I found it very informative, with links to other great sites as well.
DAMN BLOGGER! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I can't get into anyone's blog who hasn't yet switched to beta! I think they are playing games, trying to force people to switch. I wonder if people are still having problems getting in here, and leaving comments. I know they were, for awhile, not being able to view blogs that had already switched, mine included.Between blogger and dial up, I'm about to call it a day!
Local Doctor Killed In Accident. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I spoke to my son on the phone this evening. He directed me to this story. This Doctor
is an anesthesiologist in my home town. He was a wonderful Doctor. He was also the father of 8 children. He had just picked his daughter up from dance class. Please say a Prayer for his family!My son says that cable and some electricity is still off all over Lima. It was a terrible accident. I am using a pc that is in the lobby of our hotel, so I must not stay online long. Read more:Local
, Killed
Tanner Is Coming Home On Tuesday 1970-01-01 00:59:59 We are so happy that he is coming home. They will take his picture tomorrow for their website. I will post the link when he is on it. Yesterday, they did alot of testing. He will need to have his monitors at home for awhile, as he has a little apnea. Tomorrow, Amber and Greg will having training for this. Also, they will spend tomorrow night at the hospital, to make sure they know how to respond when his monitor goes off..He does not have reflux, so that is one good thing.He is now at 4lbs and 10 ounces! He gains everyday. He is starting to fill out nicely now. Still little, but not like when he was born, or when he lost down to 3 lbs 13 ounces. He smiles at me! I think he likes his grammy! I cant wait to get my hands on this baby. He is going to be very spoiled I think. Dave and our grand daughter is out shopping right now. He will come home and tell me we are now broke. This little girl can spend money. Its very hard to not get her all that she wants. I LOVE GRAND KIDS! Read more:Tanner
, Tuesday
, Coming Home
Some Serious Questions About Blogging 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Do you guys ever feel stress from your blog? I mean, it's supposed to be fun, right? Well, what if it's not fun anymore? What if you get caught up in always trying to do better and make it easier reading for visitors, and some where in all that, you lose perspective as to why you started blogging in the first place?The past few weeks I feel tremendous stress. I'm not saying it is caused from my blog, only that the blog isn't doing what it use to do. Instead of blogging, it now feels like performing. If something is bothering me or if something happens that I want to write about, even knowing it will mean nothing to anyone here, I now stop and reconsider it, usually opting not to blog of it, for fear my visitors won't like it. When did this happen? Am I so hungry for the sitemeter numbers, that true blogging no longer matters to me?Also, is the fact that some of my friends are throwing in the towel with blogging. This has depressed me. We make real friendships here and I don't und Read more:Blogging
Things I Have Done. 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I first saw this at Bonds and then at Mimi's and then at Lilo's. None tagged me for it, but I just decided to do it anyway. It seemed like a fun thing, and reminded me of my "54 things about me" post. This is a list of 150 things and I am to bold all the one's I have done..Here goes.You are supposed to bold all the things that you've done...01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink, and I was drunk! 02. Swam with wild dolphins03. Climbed a mountain04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive...Ha! Are you kidding me?05. Been inside the Great Pyramid06. Held a tarantula and then realised what it was and dropped it.07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone08. Said "I Love You" and meant it09. Hugged a tree, yes, it was one that my son planted in first grade. It looked like a stick. When I sold our house, many years later, I hugged it goodbye. 10. Built your own PC from parts11. Hit a home run.....12. Watched a lightning storm at sea13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise14. Seen the Nor
One Soldier's Christmas Wish 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I rarely read forwards in my email, and I also never put anything on my blog that came to me by way of email. This is my exception. This one made me stop and think. I hope it makes you also think about the men, women and kids who are fighting in Iraq this holiday season. The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,Transforming the yard to a winter delight.The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,Completed the magic that was Christmas
Eve.My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then thesure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.My soul gave a t
Tanner's Progress 1970-01-01 00:59:59 He is doing wonderful! He has been home for a week now. Last Friday he had blood work to check his caffeine level. He takes prescription caffeine every day for his apnea. Apparently, caffeine stimulates the part of the brain that tells us to breathe. Most pharmacies do not carry this. We have one in town that does, and he mixes it himself.He has not had one real event of apnea since coming home. That doesn't mean the alarm hasn't went off, It has. But, it is always from a lead coming loose and not apnea.Today, he had his check up with the Dr. He is at 5lbs. 11 ounces now. He has gained a whole pound, in the last week, since coming home. He is a good baby and other than not liking to have his diaper changed I have never heard him cry. Apparently he does, but I haven't heard it. He gets mad at bath time because he basically just wants to sleep and eat, that's all! I am going tonight to hold and feed him. I may never put him back down.WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED! Read more:Tanner
Dr. Dork Is Back! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Lo, the sun is shining, the birds are once again singing...and...It is good! Dr. Dork has come back to the blog world! I talked about him leaving the blog world here and many other places. I just can't find all the post right now that I mentioned him in. He and Dr. Crippen were fairly close, I emailed Dr. Crippen several times to find if he had any news of what could have happened to our Dr. Dork. He was as in the dark as the rest of us. Dr. Dork, made his mark in blog land and was one of my favorites. He got ill and then he was gone. Oh, I have imagined all sorts of horrible things happening to him. If you don't know Dr. Dork, go and meet him. Welcome him back! He is hilarious and so down to earth. Welcome back Dr. Dork!
A Story Assignment 1970-01-01 00:59:59 STICKY! THIS POST WILL STAY ON TOP. PLEASE LOOK BELOW FOR NEW POSTS.UPDATE on 12/02/06I realize I have not done a very good job of explaining the guidelines for our stories. To all new visitors and folks who have signed up, I am sorry I have overlooked this important aspect.Below are the guidelines of our story:1. Your story can be on any topic that you like.2. There is no word count. It can be a few paragraphs or many paragraphs. It can also have various parts. It is up to you.3. We will all post our own stories on our own blogs on Friday Dec. 15th. On Thursday the 14th. I will email all of you, with the list of links, for everyone who will be writing a story. You will just copy my list and paste it onto the end of your story. That way, everyone who visits your site, and reads your story, will have easy access to all the other stories. 4. All stories must end with the chosen sentence. "I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them." I hope these guidelines have helped those who Read more:Assignment
Mary Emma's Poll 1970-01-01 00:59:59 My friend, Mary Emma, from the blog "Alzheimer's Notes" has this post on her blog.I've posted a poll inquiring about your roll as a caregiver…at the present time or on a previous occasion. Are, or were, you a professional, family member, friend of the caregiver or patient, or served in another capacity?Polls help me determine what readers might like to learn on this blog and give me more insight into your needs. I hope Alzheimer's Notes can be a place where you can find information, resources, comfort, and encouragement. If you have ever been, or are now, an Alzheimer's patient caregiver, please visit Mary Emma's blog and vote in her poll.
Send One Of These To A Soldier! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I was visiting at my friend Wil's blog, his beautiful beautiful Paradise Driver blog. He had posted the following message which he got from Bobby's (A police officer) blog at Negative, Ghostrider. I sent one of these and I hope you will too. These cards were all drawn and made by school children. There are many to choose from. Please, Do your part. Every week, there are men and women serving overseas who get no mail from home. It's time for you, my reader, to take a minute and a half out of your day and do your duty so that none of these extraordinary men and women go without a little love this holiday season. I am personally asking you to visit Let's Say Thanks, select an image and a message or create your own and submit it. Cards will be printed by the Xerox company and sent to our troops overseas. Leave a comment letting me know that you sent one. or six. or eighteen. Bloggers, if you can, I'd appreciate you putting this(or a post similar) on your blog sometime
My Appreciation 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I want to tell every one of you how much I appreciate your support during my recent conflicts. You have now met the "Real" Cathy. I have handled things the past few months in typical form for me. Meaning, I deal very well in emergencies and trama situations, but afterwards, when all seems well, I fall apart. You have now witnessed it. So many things have happened recently and I managed them all, and now, I can't deal with it. The medical scare certainly took its toll on me. Then there was the running off and marying my ex-husband, a good thing but still stressful, followed immediately by Amber's pregnancy problems and the birth of our 2 months early little baby. Followed yet by the Texas trip and making all the arrangements for that surgery. I am proud to say, I did not let anyone down. I held it all together throughout. Now, I just want them all to go away and leave me alone.Why I react this way I do not know, but it has always been the case. A perfect example was this: It has been
Here's Tanner 1970-01-01 00:59:59 You can see Tanner
here.In picture number one, I think someone made him mad, and he is going to give them a karate chop! "Yeah, well I'am 4 pounds and 1 ounces, BRING IT ON, MAN!" Picture number 2, he is waving goodbye to the hospital! He is telling them "Thank you for all you have done for me, but, I go home now"! He is very happy to have all the tubes and IVs gone!They must take these pictures really up close, because this tiny baby is not near as big as he looks in them. His outfit is a preemie one and it is still way to big. His statistics are under his picture.
Dr. K. Is A Riot! 1970-01-01 00:59:59 She just had me doubled over laughing at her recent posts. if you are a single female, and want to meet a millionaire, she has the guidelines posted on how to do that...You just need to join "The Millionaire's Club! Read her post here for the women's rules. Then read here for the list of men's rules. HA!!!
Christmas Song Meme 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Tisha from Crazy Working Mom tagged me for the 5 christmas song meme. this is an easy tag. I love Christmas
music. Here are my 5.1. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus2. Blue Christmas3. Feliz Navidad4. I'll Be Home For Christmas5. White ChristmasNow, I get to tag 5 people... I don't think I know 5 people who haven't already been tagged. Let me try.1. Lilo2. PK3. The Billmaker4. Bee5. Dr. K. Read more:Christmas Song
Texas Music 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Jack is a cop in Texas
. He is the writer of an awesome blog called Texas Music
. His writing just blows me away. Cops are usually in a hurry when they write and most just say what needs to be said and thats about it. Not Jack! He takes the time to explain it all.He just wrote a post for his blog, titled "Neighbor". Neighbor was a guy who owned a a Texas bar named "The Gin Mill and Dance Hall". If you want to read a great story, go to Texas Music and read your fill, about "Neighbor" and his daughter "Calamity".
No Wonder I am Blocked 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I just checked and I have been blogging on this site for almost exactly 10 months and have written 641 posts. Thats alot for 10 months! 443 of them have been posted and another 198 still sit as a draft, and have never been on the blog. I have averaged more than 2 posts per day for every day of the last 10 months. I better start reading all those drafts and see what is there. Read more:Blocked
The Source Of Anxiety 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Do you guys feel stress when you are facing something unpleasant? Pretty silly question, isn't it? I'm sure we all feel stress at stressful times. But, do you ever find yourself argumentative, about all sorts of insignificant things, and then realize, that you are using anger as a cover up? It is so not fair to those you are arguing with.This uneasy feelings, of the last few weeks, seem to be only getting worse. It is nerves from the upcoming surgery. I'm certain of it. I have about a 1/4 inch fuse right now. Would not take much for it to blow. So, just what is making all this happen? I'm not sure I want to be gone from my kids and grand kids (especially with the new baby) for 2-3 months. But, mosly, In all honesty, it is the surgery itself that has me freaked out. It is the fact that during part of it, my surgeon has to work totally blind. Meaning he works by feel alone. It is the work that he will do behind my esophagus and there is no way for him to see while doing it. I have to Read more:Source
Wolfbaby's Soap Opera Challenge 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Do you want to be an actor, in a blogsosphere soap opera? How about being a part of writing a soap opera? Wolfbaby and I had talked about this, and now it is official. She has all the details posted on her blog. There will be affairs, fights, jealousy, etc.....You name it and this blogosphere soap opera will provide it.Wolfbaby will start off by writing and posting the first part on Dec. 22nd. then it will be passed to me, and about a week later, I will follow her with the second part, and so on and so forth. Do you want to write the 3rd or 4th part? Or maybe some where further down the line?You can sign up to be a part of the writing group as well as one of the actors, or if you just wnat to be in the story and not write, thats fine too. Head on over to wolfbaby's and check out the details. Please leave all comments at her blog as she will be the organizer of this event. Read more:Challenge
Lets Go Shopping 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Yesterday morning, Dave said to me....Let's get ready and go shopping." Now, I'm all for shopping, especially at Christmas time. I just HATE going shopping with him. He is a bargain hunter. Nothing wrong with that, we all like good bargains, but I have to say, my idea of shopping is not spending 4 hours at the "Odd Lots" store.My boys used to refuse to go any where with their dad, for fear of ending up in Odd Lots.Did you know that Uncle Roy makes potato chips?, He does! You can get a big bag of them for $.99 cents at Odd Lots. He bought 4 bags! I can't eat potato chips but he must have them daily.. Then, I swear this is the truth, he tells me he wants to buy me something! He thinks I should wear pseudo "Obsession" perfume. He thinks that I should wear it because you can get a HUGH bottle for $1.49 at Odd Lots.."Honey, I don't want that perfume."..."But, Cathy, it's only $1.49"......"No Dave!"....."Well, how about Amber and Misty (our daughter-in-laws) should we buy some for them Read more:Shopping
Medicare.....I am Sick Of Hearing About This 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I finally am going to have my say of something that has been nagging at me for months.I have many friends and readers in the medical profession. I have family members who are physicians, but I am sick of all the put down about "Medicare" recipients actually being supported by taxpayers...This is not directed at the medical profession on the whole, just the ones (few) that seem to really not give us a break at all. I worry that there are educated, intelligent folks out there, who have no understanding of how medicare actually works.I'm not talking here about medical reimbursement for providers. If what I hear is true then what providers get reimbursed is a crock, and only getting worse. But, I want to talk about this misconception, that medicare is handed out to freeloaders and we are being supported by others.I began my journey into the work force in 1968, when I was 16 years old. I went to work after school and on weekends. From that year, until I retired, due to disability in 2004, Read more:Hearing
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