Category: Everything Fred

10 October 2024

It was a good news day on the health front. My friend Chris is doing much better and so is my friend Tom. Even I had a good day by walking a mile this morning, opening all the hurricane shutters, putting patio furniture back and cleaning the pool.

Holley and Jim tag teamed Tom at Hollywood Memorial and found him in high spirits. Jim had his own appointments and left Holley for a while. She’s been indefatigable in her devotion to Tom, Kurt, Chris and Judith.

I picked Judith up around 1 pm and we headed to Broward Health to see Chris. We stopped at Starbucks in the hospital and loaded up with coffees and pastries and we even shared some with Chris. Judith treated us. It was good to see him back to his old self.

I returned Judith home and headed to the house. I was beginning to drag and I suspect it’ll be another early night.

Chris called and we caught up with each other since we didn’t do movie night this week. Tucker was devastated but he got over it with a treat or two.

Wade in San Francisco also called and we caught up with each other. He’s been diligent to check up on me as has Ron in Miami.

Tomorrow, I’ll check on Chris and Judith and try to make it to Hollywood Memorial to see Tom. I haven’t seen him the last two days and I miss his repartee.

Hurricane-wise, we made out OK. I don’t think anyone lost power in Broward County. The big issue was tornados. I think over 117 were reported over the state, many quite damaging. We don’t usually get strong tornados here: mostly F0 or F1 but I suspect these were much stronger.

Just when you thought the coast was clear, a new low is coming off the coast of Africa, 94L. Here’s the spaghetti model from Cyclocane.com.

The straight line is line of best fit for all the models. I don’t like its direction.

I got a letter from the VA today that states I may be eligible for expanded benefits from the VA based on my exposure to toxic substances in the Coast Guard while aboard the CGC Reliance. Of course the forms to fill out are several pages and it calls for all kinds of proof.

We had an abundance of asbestos on the ship and I was constantly coming in contact with that. In addition, I often had to help chip paint and prime with red oxide which is hazardous if you inhale the fumes or get it on your skin (I’m a messy painter).

If I find time, I’ll fill out the forms. I know three shipmates I’m in contact with that will verify I was exposed and can get letters of confirmation. I’m not sure what “expanded” benefits they are talking about but it may be worth it to see.

Stay tuned!

9 October 2024

I slept until 8 am. I was and still am exhausted. After some coffee so I made sense, I called Holley and Jim and we agreed I would check on Judith and Chris and Jim and Holley would check on Tom and Kurt. Teamwork!

I got to Judith’s around noon. Chris was running low on a prescription he needed ($250,000 a month – fortunately, he gets it free) and I agreed to run it over to him at Broward Health. They are going to keep him for a few days and run some more tests.

Holley and Jim spent a lot of time with Tom at Hollywood Memorial. They moved him from ICU to a regular room. They will do an MRI either today or tomorrow. Apparently, the MRI folks are really backed up. They also checked to make sure Kurt is OK and doing well. If you are ever sick or in the hospital, Holley is someone you want on your side. Tom is in good hands.

After I left Chris, I came home, ate a bowl of Raisin Bran and took a nap. I think I was awake at 3:45. I had promised Judith a 6″ Italian BMT from Subway. I managed to get it before they closed at 6 pm. We wished everyone a safe day and I delivered it to Judith around 4:30. The wind was picking up and it started raining so I made sure she had everything she needed and headed home.

I closed the rest of the accordion shutters and I’m good for the night. The last time I checked they were expecting winds with 50 mph gusts. My only concern is the awning over the patio and it’s time to replace it anyway.

We should start getting some exciting wind and rain around 8 pm. I’ll probably be in bed by then. With the impact windows and the shutters, you don’t hear much unless it is real wild. We are under a tornado watch until 9 pm. In the path of Milton, they’ve already had several damaging tornados.

My main concern is if Judith and Kurt lose electricity. I’ve offered both my home. I have a spare queen bed and a couch that opens up into a queen so I have room. However, both turned me down. I understand. You would rather be among your things than in some other place.

Any way, stay tuned!

8 October 2024

It’s been a busy day which started at 3 am this morning. I got up to pee and decided to stay up and get my usual routine done while I waiting for Tom to show up at 5.

Once Tom got here, I drove him to Hollywood Memorial and we got checked in around 6. He was taken back around 6:30 where they began to prep him for surgery. He was in surgery at 8 and by 9 the surgery had started. Hollywood Memorial sends you texts on the steps so I was able to keep track. They were finished by 10:30 and the surgeon, Dr. Buttrick came and talked me to and Jim.

Jim had joined me a few hours before and we had a great time solving all the world’s problems. Look for a notice in your mail this week. Dr. Buttrick declared the surgery a success and we then waited until he was up for visitors in recovery.

By then we had both been notified that Chris’ wife, Judith, had fallen early this morning. I left Jim and headed to Judith’s to check on her. I suspect she’ll be sore tomorrow but the paramedics didn’t find anything wrong with her.

Back at Hollywood Memorial, Jim had visited with Tom and found him groggy and a little disoriented from the anesthesia still and that was accompanied by nausea and headaches.

Around 3:15 Holley made it to the hospital and we sent her back to see Tom (only 1 person at a time in recovery). Later I got to see him and he was then assigned a room in ICU. We got to visit him one more time and we left for the night. Let’s just say we closed down the valet parking.

I intend for an early night tonight. It’s heartening to see Tom and Kurt have so many friends. We kept Kurt informed all during the day and he much appreciated what we were doing. Hopefully Tom will get some sleep tonight and maybe make it home tomorrow.

Stay tuned!

7 October 2024

Hold on to your hats! They could blow off your head this time tomorrow. As of the 5:30 pm news, Milton has reached 180 miles per hour. Fortunately, it’s predicted to be a category 3 by the time it makes landfall. Even writing that statement seems obscene – only a category 3.

The infusion went quickly today. They took me back early and I was out of there by 2:30 pm. Pat was my nurse again and we wished each other to stay safe as I left. The Tootsie Roll Minis were a hit.

Once I got home, I secured the Bahama shutters and the accordion shutters. We are not predicted to have more than tropical storm gusts (39+mph) however, what I am concerned about is any tornados that might be spawned from the hurricane. So far, it doesn’t look like the rainfall projections are too much for my street to handle – fingers crossed. I did move the patio furniture and some containers into a more protected space. Let’s hope the awning holds up to the winds.

The reason I secured the shutters is I won’t have time tomorrow. I’m taking Tom in for his surgery and I intend to be there until he wakes up and I know he’s OK. It’ll be an all day process. It’s a serious surgery and I want to be able to talk to the surgeon as soon as he finishes.

Tom will drive to my house and arrive at 5 am and I’ll drive him to Hollywood Memorial for a 5:30 am prep. The surgery should only take 1 1/2 hours. Tom knows how to plan things: his marriage to Kurt, the surgery and then a cruise on the 27th.

My friend Chris at Broward Health seems to be doing much better today. As I age, I find myself in hospitals – both for me and for friends – more and more. Up until my first surgery ever – the torn biceps – I’d never really spent a night in the hospital since November 1, 1948. Dad always reminded me he had to sell a calf to get my sprung.

You would think hospitals would all be alike. That’s not the case. Each has their own set of procedures and priorities. What works in one facility doesn’t necessarily work in another.

When I moved here in 1985, both Broward Health (back then it was Broward General) and Hollywood Memorial were pretty small. Today you can get lost in the hallways. It takes a while to learn where everything is.

Keep a close watch on the weather. This is a massive system and it’ll affect weather all over the southeastern U.S.

Stay tuned!

6 October 2024

It’s been an interesting day. Jim and Holley picked me up at 11 to head to lunch at Seasons 52 at the Galleria. Tom and Kurt met us there and we had a great lunch. Holley insisted on paying.

While we were working on the appetizers, Tom and Kurt had an announcement. After 46 years of being together, they got married on October 4th. We were thrilled and the complimentary glass of champagne was a nice touch.

After Holley and Jim dropped me home, Judith called and asked if I could drive her to Broward Health. Chris, her husband was admitted through the emergency room yesterday. I was more than happy to do it because Judith and Chris have been long time friends (around 40 years).

We stayed and visited a while and then I drove Judith home. I made it back just in time for the downpour to start.

The house kitty-cornered from me is for sale. That’s Michel’s old house. She told me today that when she bought it, it was $79k. They are asking $675k for it today. I wonder what mine would be worth? I paid $98k for mine in 1995. (Judith wrote the mortgage for me!)

Since I had a large lunch, I’m opting for fruit for dinner. I think it’ll be an early night tonight. I have an iron infusion tomorrow at 2 pm.

I missed my FaceTime with Jimmie this afternoon. Maybe we can make contact on Monday.

Batten down the hatches. It looks like we are going to be on the wrong side of a category 3 hurricane.

Stay tuned!

5 October 2024

I was awake by 6:30 this morning and contemplated going for a morning walk until I heard a roll of thunder. Then I heard the rain hitting the heliconia leaves by my bed room. It rained for quite a while this morning so I got busy with stripping the bed, changing linen and washing, drying and folding clothes.

I didn’t feel great but I didn’t have to clean the house since I had been working at it all week. Around 12:30 John showed up with a Wendy’s hamburger and a container of chili. He also brought me a mini bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes. These things are delicious!

As you can see, I opted for lemon. John got carrot cake. He gets these BOGO coupons for the Bundts.

The frosting is very special. The cake is perfectly moist.

I suspect they are sized for two people but I ate the entire thing in one sitting.

Back to the chili. Wendey’s has very good chili – probably due to the left over hamburger meat. They changed the brand of hot sauce, or at least the packaging, and first thing I managed to squirt hot sauce all over my tee shirt.

Later, I find I dripped it on the floor on my way to the sink. I also got it all over the table. John finally made me take my tee off and soak it in Shout. Then he sprayed my back belt that supports my back. I managed to get some hot sauce on that.

We later kept finding spots on the floor. I only used two packages of hot sauce and most of it did not end up in the chili.

John treated me to the meal and bundt cake.

Today has been kind of an ugh day, not only due to the rain. John’s visit made me feel better even though I did have a couple of dizzy spells while he was here. After a while, he walked over and handed me my walking cane and I could tell not to brook any nonsense with him.

Next, I want to try the carrot cake.

Stay tuned!

4 October 2024

There’s not much to write about today. I canceled the art openings with Barbara. I just wasn’t feeling up to it today. I seem to yo-yo between feeling OK and then not.

I did manage to clean the pool filter and rake leaves. Fortunately, it was cloudy and cool and not too humid. I always get soaked when I clean the filter and if I go out into the yard for any project I always spray myself with insect repellent. Dengue fever is making the rounds in Florida so you don’t want to get a mosquito bite.

Once finished I dump my wet shorts and tee shirt in the laundry basket and then take a shower to wash the insect repellent off. Rinse and repeat next Friday.

After that, I crawled back into bed, read a little and then napped for a while. After I got out of bed, I received a phone call from Wade and we caught up with each others’ lives, giggled a lot, and planed for Thanksgiving. We were one the phone for almost two hours. Wade has consistently called me to check up on me and get me in a good frame of mind and I appreciate it.

Next week can be summed up with rain, rain and more rain. That system in the Gulf looks like it is going to produce a lot of wet. I feel for those people in the Big Bend area of Florida that are still recovering from Helene.

Dinner tonight is a cold sweet tater and some watermelon.

Stay tuned!

3 October 2024

We had a great movie night last night. It was Houseboat with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant. Cary finds out his ex-wife has died and he’s left with three young children. He hires Sophia Loren as maid not realizing she’s the daughter of a famous Italian conductor. Grant learns about his children, Sophia learns about America and they all live happily ever after.

It’s really an excellent film. It was released in 1958 and I have to admit, I think I saw it in the theater back then. Grant was his charming self. Sophia, who still looks great today, looked gorgeous back then. She is something of an unconventional beauty.

Tucker had a great time. He got extra treats because of his previous vet visit. We finally cut him off after three sets. We don’t want him to go cold turkey when he gets home.

My neighbor directly across from me rang my doorbell today asking about the stuff on my front porch. She wanted to know if it is free to take. She wanted to resale it at market downtown. I told her I wanted it to go to Viet Nam Vets. However, if Viet Nam Vets doesn’t take it, I’ll offer it up to her. Apparently some people walking their dogs this morning took some stuff.

Tomorrow I am going to two art openings with Barbara. The first is Girls’ Club on 2nd street in Fort Lauderdale. It’s not really an opening but a closing reception and curator talk. It’s titled What Is Seen . It features mostly female artists.

The other is sponsored ArtServe on Sunrise. It’s actually four opening exhibitions in that one place: Anthropologist’s Delight: Works Representing Identity, Family and Culture, 40 Years Over 40, Let’s Have A Picnic, and Perspectives by Claudia Castillo.

I haven’t been to an art opening in years. My cousin Jo in San Antonio started taking me to openings in the city and I liked it. The champagne and cheese didn’t hurt. When I moved to Florida, Fort Lauderdale just didn’t have the arts it does today so I traveled to Miami for openings. It’s a lot of fun and you get to try to figure out thought processes of the artists. I’ll let you know what I think tomorrow!

Stay tuned!

2 October 2024

The iron infusion went well. I had Pat as my nurse again and she acted like she was glad to see me. They require the first iron infusion to last 30 minutes and then I have to sit 30 minutes to see if I have a reaction. It was smooth sailing. Future infusions will probably take 30 minutes plus the time in the waiting room and prepping me for the infusion. Pat put the IV in without any trouble and without any pain. What a pro!

I kept thinking how I was going to keep the insulation from coming through the hole in the closet. I finally wedged the foam back into position and then taped the hell out of it. Hopefully it will hold until I give up the ghost.

I got that done pretty easily. What took time was emptying the closet and vacuuming the insulation that fell onto everything. I’ll be finding pieces of insulation for the next 10 years.

I put out the camping gear for Viet Vets pickup tomorrow. Prior to that I texted some neighbors to see if they wanted any of the stuff. Ivan and Gigi came over and took a good bit of camping gear. They want to do a tour of the west pretty soon. Hopefully some of the other neighbors will want some of the stuff that’s left.

My friend in the Big Bend area just texted me she has electricity and her generator has been repaired. The generator died a couple of days ago and she lost everything in the refrigerator and freezer. The power people in the area were from Iowa. It’s nice to know that something works right when power people from all over the U.S. come to the aid of areas hit by disasters.

Tonight is movie night and I get to see Chris and Tucker again.

Stay tuned!

1 October 2024

After yesterday’s post, Danielle, Dr. Velez’ assistant, called and informed me Dr. Velez wanted to do iron infusions. This wasn’t news because I knew it was a possibility. What I didn’t anticipate is he wants 8 infusions of iron. Low levels of iron are indicated by fatigue, tiredness and the desire to constantly sleep or nap. I fit those descriptions to a “T.”

I’m scheduled for 4 pm today at the Cancer Center and then every Monday at 2 pm thereafter until I total eight. The eighth one will have to be rescheduled since that is a day I’ll be in Helen, Georgia for a little R&R with Jimmie and Stephen.

I’ve never had an iron infusion before and Danielle asked if I’ve had any reactions before. When I told her I have no idea, she moved on to another topic. I do know the people I saw getting iron infusions before didn’t look too happy but that could have been the effects of chemo or radiation.

I can only assume my low iron levels have something to do with the long term effects of chemo. As a kid, I had low iron levels and I was given a pill that left a bad taste in my mouth. My low iron levels as a kid was used as an explanation for my nose bleeds back then. I also remember having to eat grapes for iron. I have no idea what reaction I will have today at 4 pm.

The four Advil helped last night. I slept nine hours and didn’t get up once to pee. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Advil PM, simply the regular Advil. I’m still pretty exhausted and I haven’t come up with a solution to the hole in the ceiling and the falling insulation. I can’t clean the closet out until I get that done.

Several years ago when I was going to the opera in San Francisco, I stayed at a B&B convenient to Muni called the Parker House. The B&B had a small tree with very attractive blooms visible from the breakfast room. Apparently every guest in the B&B asked the name of the plant and the owners got so tired of answering, they took a photo and explained the name of the tree and some general info on it and hung the framed picture in the breakfast room. Yes, even I asked about it.

On a morning walk, I noticed a flower similar to the one I saw in San Francisco. My neighbor was in her yard and I asked about it and she gave me several cuttings. Only one survived but it bloomed this week.

The species in San Francisco eventually grew tall enough to reach the second story. Over the years, something must have happened because the tree is no longer there. The species in my yard gets bushy and grows about chest height. The leaves are velvety to the touch. The bright purple color of the flower immediately draws your attention.

It was a nice touch the flower bloomed this morning since I needed a little cheering up. I guess that’s why I majored in biology with a concentration in botany.

Stay tuned!