Trying to Keep Grandma Current

My sweet grandgirls try to include me in their lives. Since they live so far away, it's not always easy. So today Madeline sent me the following picture and said, "Only Murders in the Building" was filming on my block today!"

Several explanations for some of you who just might be less "cool" than I thought I was. "Only Murders in the Building" is one of my favorite shows and stars Steve Martin (my favorite actor), Selena Gomez, and Martin Short.  Madeline lives in an apartment on Broadway in New York, and it's right across the side street from the building where "Only Murders" is set. 

So I glance at the picture on my phone and send back the following message:

"Oh my goodness! I wish I could have been there! Could you see much or anyone?"  Love, Mimi

And then, in the midst of that "group of bystanders" in the picture, I see...none other than...

My favorite actor.  In person. Up Close.

I've told Madeline she can feel free to make a meme or reel or TikTok showing how grandma-ish her Mimi is.

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Disclaimer or maybe Apology

I do NOT love the language in OMITB. In fact I loathe it. I regret that I have become jaded enough to tolerate it.

Life Update

I'm up in the wee hours drinking hot chocolate because I can't fall asleep. This is the 312th night I have gone to bed not knowing what is wrong with me. I just counted.

I finally got to see a pulmonologist this week, but he needed radiology results before he could make a diagnosis. I did have a lung function test which went very well and showed I did not have COPD or asthma. My heart also checked out pretty good for its age. I am no longer in Afib. I am still on supplemental oxygen all day and night, and my O2 level still drops into the 80's with any exertion. The doctor had me raise the output level a notch. I have portable oxygen now, so I am not homebound. 

The pulmonologist encouraged me to exercise, and he loved the plan Susan had suggested for me. I go to a large facility which has baskets (like Pottery Barn Outlet), and put my oxygen concentrator in the basket. I walked over 2000 steps Tuesday using that plan...and shopping! I haven't been shopping in person in months.

 The walker would serve the same purpose, but getting it in and out of the car is difficult for me. I have been unable to make it back to our church service because of that and the fact that my oxygen is noisy and doesn't last but 3 hours at best. Actually, it is less than that if turned up a notch as the doctor suggested. I am blessed to be back leading my class on Sundays.

I'm also again a "lady who lunches." Now I just have to watch the clock to be sure I don't outstay (and out gab) my oxygen!

Yesterday I overdid. First I mentored my student, which is a big undertaking for me with my carrier for our activities, our snacks, and my oxygen machine and purse! After that I drove to my oxygen company and picked up supplies. Then I went for a relatively healthy lunch alone at Cheddar's. I dropped off dry cleaning and a couple of returns to the UPS store. That was the most I had done in months. So...today I definitely reverted to underdoing!

I guess you can imagine how grateful I am for all the wonderful trips I've gotten to take. And...I haven't thrown in the towel on getting to take more! I would certainly encourage my younger friends (which is just about all of you who are reading this!) to GO if you can, while you can, where you can, as often as you can! This well worn luggage tag has traveled many a mile with me and was/is my motto! (Well, one of my mottos anyway!)

It is so worn it is hard to read. "The world is full of people who will go their Whole lives and not actually Live one day. She did not plan on being one of them."

I have lived a beautiful, blessed beyond measure life.

I see the pulmomologist again in six weeks.

You can read details of how this all began by going to the previous blog, "My Life/Interrupted."

Night, night. I'm gonna go try again!

My Life/Interrupted

According to my plans, today I should be cruising on this beauty, the Navigator of The Seas, from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas. Seven glorious days sailing the Mexican Riviera. But I'm not.

You see, my life has not been normal as of late. My wings have been clipped. My best laid plans have been interrupted. And I have been remiss in letting you, dear friends, know.

I had been short of breath at times for a few years, but on Monday, May 15, 2023, I had a real scare. I got so out of breath loading my car that I could not drive to mentor my beloved 6th grade boy. I was diagnosed that day with AFib, sent to a cardiologist,  and placed on medication. Four days later I was hospitalized for 12 days after additionally being diagnosed with pneumonia. The lengthy stay was due to my blood oxygen level (02) failing to stay above 90. You know...it's measured by that little thing the doctor clips on your finger (pulse oximeter) during a check-up.

I missed my boy's end of school activities and party. I missed 7 Sundays with my Sunday School class. The medication didn't control my AFib well enough for me to pursue life normally. I opted on October 24, 2023, to have a cardioversion, a shock to the heart under anesthesia to restore normal rhythm. It was successful with only one shock. I was out of AFib, but unfortunately I was still also out of breath. I just never regained the ability to walk any distance at all without very frightening huffing and puffing.

I limped along through November and December with some adjustments. My mentee would meet me in our room rather than my going to get him. I ordered all my groceries and even my Christmas gifts. I was extremely blessed to be able to hostess my Sunday School class for our Christmas party and then my family for opening Christmas gifts, with a lot of help from my girls! Both events were simply wonderful.

By January 2, 2024, I realized my 02 was dropping and staying below 90 again. (With my history I had bought a pulse oximeter.) I went to my primary care doctor but didn't feel bad while I was there, and my 02 measured 92 (of course it did!) Therefore, I came home and got worser and worser! I took 4 Covid tests, all negative, and I believe it was just a horrid cold. But my 02 levels demanded attention, and I was put on supplemental oxygen. It didn't even seem real that was happening to me!

Since that day I have been tethered to a 50 foot tube connected to an oxygen concentrator 24/7 inside my home. I have only ventured out three times to get my hair done (I know!) and a few times for doctor visits and another CT scan. Susan has taken me each time wrangling a large wheeled oxygen tank as well as a spare in case it runs out.

I finally had an appointment with a lung doctor on Monday, January 29th after the results of the latest scan raised some questions. He listened attentively to my story and took a progressive but conservative approach. We are waiting hopefully for all of the congestion in my airways from the cold to clear out before doing further lung testing. In the meantime the doctor  prescribed a lightweight portable oxygen concentrator which will give me some freedom to leave my home and put some normal back in my life...and Susan's!

This is the scripture I have clung to during this recent phase of my plight:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Whether here on this earth or in heaven above, my future is secure because Jesus died in my place. He paid the highest price so that, by believing in Him, I might live forever in heaven.