MORE IS GOING ON THIS WEEK!

I should have waited a few more days and I would have had another subject to add to my previous "What's Goin' On" post!

For a couple of weeks, my wife Judy, had been complaining of a tightness, or pressure in her chest.  I told her she needed to go to the ER, or at least make an appointment with our family doctor.  But NOOOOOoooo!

Saying something like, "I rather die at home than go to the emergency room," she put it off.  It did go and come and seemed to get better, so we waited.  Not a good move!

On Monday, we were watching installers put up our new closet doors.  All the time Judy sat, or lay, on the couch in the sunroom, while the work was being done.  The workmen said they needed to come back the next day to finish up, since there was more finishing work than estimated.

I told them that my wife wasn't feeling well, so please call before coming the next day.  Sure enough, on Tuesday she had had it with the discomfort, and off to Tennova at Turkey Creek we went.  The ER there had treated her great a year ago when an ambulance took her there after she passed out at our family July 4th celebration!  Turns out, this new issue may have been related to that incident!

We walked in, mentioned that she was having chest pain, and they came and took her straight back, while I stayed to fill out the insurance paperwork.

When I got back to the treatment room, the doctor had already done blood work, an extra, and EKG, and had decided that, based on symptoms and family history, he was going to admit her.  The plan was to do a stress test, some more tests, and them possibly a cardiac catheterization (heart cath) with dye the next morning.

After consulting with the head of the cardiac department, it was decided to go straight for the cath on Wednesday morning.  

So, that morning before I arrived, Judy began to hurt badly and her blood pressure rose sharply.  The nurses administered nitroglycerin (2 or 3 tablets), all which caused her to crash!  They could not find a pulse, she was white as a sheet, and remembers being scared!  They lowered her head to an acute level and administered morphine, which eventually brought her pressure back up!

I didn't know all this until after the procedure, but at around 9:30 that morning they did the "dye test" and found the artery on the right front of her heart 80% blocked, and another on the left side 40% blocked.  They put in a "stent" on the right side, but decided not to do anything to the other side.

I've heard since it's because doctors have to discount multiple procedures!  I hope this isn't the case, but I've heard this from a nurse in our family. 

Anyway, she finally got to come home around 7PM the same day, and yesterday and today has been resting a lot.

So, long story short, as Sammie Harris (good friend I used to work with) used to say, the worked completed the doors while I was at the hospital, didn't steal at thing!

This is my room, but Judy's looks the same!

The work looks great!  Now all we have to do is stain the wooded doors and put on the trim work.  

We had almost gotten used to having no closet doors, and miss being able to see right in!  We had taken them off prior to having the house painted, and installing new carpet.  I was going to do the baseboards and closet trim after the door installation.

So, tonight, Judy is resting in the sunroom and I'm cooking supper and blogging!  I'm also having a little Buffalo Trace!  It's mandatory when I'm cooking!

We're having center-cut bone-in pork chops, with a baked sweet potato!  I'm salivating like Pavlov's dog just thinking about it!  Ladies, if you don't know what the dog thing is all about, then you have failed one of the ten things that is required before being considered a "10"!

I posted about this years ago:  

"This idea was spawned by the movie "Semi-Tough" starring Burt Reynolds back in ’77. In one scene, the main characters, Billy Clyde and Shake, discuss their rating system for women.

The ones we made up were based on the movie’s list, however I can only remember three of ours:
1. Never says no – not even in a coma.
2. Knows about Pavlov’s dog.
3. Knows all the lyrics to “Free Bird”." (Actually, Steve Edwards and I added this one!)

Keep us in your prayers.  She still has some issues that need to be resolved, so she is not completely well yet.  Thanks.

AN OLD DOG DOING NEW TRICKS!

Yeah, the cat's out of the bag...Judy and I are "working out"!  We hadn't intended on telling anyone until we had been in the routine for several weeks, but Judy let it slip at our last family gathering, so it's no longer a guarded secret.  You know how people tease you when you announce something and then a few weeks or months later you quit.  Well, that's the reason I didn't want it told just yet, but I'll go with the flow now.

We aren't "working out" in the sense we are trying to bulk up, we're working out to keep these old bones loose and maybe to tone up a little old people flab around our edges!  It's just been 3 or 4 weeks now, but we try and go at least 3 times a week, and already I feel better after going.  This past holiday week they were only open one day and Judy and I sure missed it.  Our bodies could tell we had laid off too...man, this past Tuesday, when we finally got back in the gym it was rough!

The gym belongs to Roane State Community College, here in Roane County, Tennessee, and we love to go.  It's only $40 for a semester, each, and they have just about anything I would want, and some I don't even touch.  Those things are for serious "work outs" and I just know they would hurt an old dude like me!  I'll wait and see if I ever get up enough muscle and courage to hit the larger weights and the more strenuous machines.

The Fitness Center is set up in a "circuit procedure", which they call an Aerobic Super Circuit, that involves warming up on a treadmill for about 5 minutes or more, and then starting the machine circuit.  I understand from Judy that the circuit is much like "Curves", except there are longer sessions on each piece of equipment, and there are many more to use.

After warming up, we hit a machine, and listen for the recorded instruction to "stop, and change stations" announcement.  There's about 35 seconds use of each machine, and from each you move on to a bicycle and peddle it for 35 seconds, and then back to a different machine that works a different muscle group, and then move on alternating down through the length of the gym.

You don't have to stay with the announced changes...you can stay as long as you like, but you do have to try and not block someone from moving through their routine.  We just go to a bike and wait until the user clears the machine we want.

We'll never have perfect bodies again...not that we ever did...but just maybe we can get beyond some of the old age creeping into our joints, and tone up enough we won't break if we fall, and then we might be able to get up by ourselves.

We end up each session, which takes about 45 minutes, by cooling off on a treadmill or bicycle.

So, if you live near a community college, check into the availability of their gym.  They usually don't care if you are a student or not, or how old you are.  Take advantage of it folks...it can only help you.

BTW...I enrolled in a class this semester too...old people can get a great break on class prices, and that made me very happy.  I sit in there and ask questions with the best of them, and they don't seem to mind that I'm a Silverback!

I'm taking Apple's Final Cut Pro, and hope to be able to edit first class videos for our local TV station (Channel 15) and of performances on the Princess Theatre stage.  I've been to class twice thus far, 6-9 Tuesdays, and was surprised that I learned something each time. 

The class is being taught by Matt Waters, the manager of Channel 15 in Downtown Harriman.  He is teaching an old dog new tricks!

WENT TO THE "COTTON PATCH" TODAY TO HEAR THE GOSPEL

Judy and I took my little momma to see "Cotton Patch Gospel" today at Roane State.  There was some mighty good singing going on there, and we got to know Jesus Davidson and his gang, and saw him in a whole new light!

Cotton Patch Gospel is a musical by Tom Key and Russell Treyz with music and lyrics written by Harry Chapin just before his death in 1981. Based on the book The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John by Clarence Jordan, the story retells the life of Jesus as if in modern day, rural Georgia.

I know the photo isn't the best, but it ain't easy doing existing light when you're trying not to get caught!

The play is often done as a one-man act, but Roane State Community College presented it with four actors  (Amanda Bacon, Brian Bacon, Jessica Humphrey, and Amanda Peavyhouse) and an ensemble of bluegrass players sitting to the right rear of the stage.  Each actor took turns as Jesus "Davidson" and various other characters from the Gospel of Matthew and John.  Jesus was was born in the town of Gainesville, Georgia, and was laid in an apple crate. He was baptized in the Chattahoochee River, he preached to a crowd of thousands on Stone Mountain, and he met his end in Atlanta.  Or so the modern story goes!

 

It was quite entertaining and my mom really enjoyed it.  I have to admit, after Judd kissed Jesus and Jesus stumbled off the stage pretending to be pushed along, tears came to my eyes.  Before I could recover in the darkness of the audience, off stage sounds of scourging and nails being hammered began.  Judy caught me as I wiped my eyes with my red bandana, and smiled.

Afterwards, we discussed the play and its modern take, over a great meal at the local Cracker Barrel!  

We got a surprise after the meal, Tracy and Katie Bug dropped in with their extended family and we got to hug and kiss in front of people trying to eat!  I didn't particularly care...it was the first time I've seen Katie in a couple of weeks.  She's a pretty as ever and indicated she may come by this coming week to go on a "'venture" with me.  There's this old Confederate cemetery that I'm dying to visit and photograph.  So, I'm hoping she comes along.

I'm looking forward to next week...got something new planned for Judy and me to do.  More on that later.

Also, I've been down in the basement photographing my old fishing lures...quite interesting and colorful.  You'll probably see more of that later too.

FUN AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE

People that know Judy and me know that we have fun pretty much anywhere we are, and today it was at the doctor's office!

Judy was following up on the health issue that caused her to pass out July 4th weekend by going to a neurologist today.  We sat, arms touching, her reading her Kindle and me playing Spider on my iPad, in the waiting room, until her name was called.

We sat looking around the doctor's little patient room at the posters of the brain, the little skeleton hanging from a hook on a table in the corner, and at the plastic brain supported by half a crystal skull, and listening to the sounds out in the hall.

Some man said, pecking on the wall, "This one is well contoured, and this one is fat and ugly."

Judy looked at me and asked, "Can he see into this room?"

I laughed, which started us both laughing louder!  Must have been too loud...the man and whoever was with him walked away.

Having forgotten my camera...I know...unlike me...I was just about to snap a photo of the little skeleton when the nurse came back in.  We had a private joke laugh going just about the entire time she tried to take Judy's blood pressure lying, standing, and then again after two minutes.  I'm sure the nurse thought us crazy, but she tried, to give her credit, to join in from time-to-time.

She left and I again tried to refire my iPad, but before it would boot the doctor came in!  I snapped the case shut and smiled while Judy sniggered.

He was a good natured fellow and soon found out Judy's secret...she's a hand full!

I was intrigued by the little doctor's bag the doc was carrying.  You don't see that anymore...I mean the little black doctor's bag like the one's flung up onto the buckboard as the doctor wheeled off to save another gunshot victim down at the saloon!

I wanted a picture of that so bad, but only half as bad as I wanted to dig around inside.  I sat looking at it until he noticed me and acknowledged that he was quite unusual, but I could not touch his bag!

He asked Judy to follow his finger and she complied, rolling her eyes in all directions for him.  He then asked her to touch his finger, and Judy surprised him by asking, "With what?"

He chuckled and agreed that his command should have been qualified a little.  "With your finger, touch my finger, and then touch your nose."

Judy complied and touched his finger with her finger and then started toward his finger with her nose!

"No...touch your nose with your finger!  Now, start over and touch, with your finger, my finger first and then touch your nose...with your finger!"

By then he understood that Judy was what some people call, a lot of trouble!  We both tend to look for opportunities to be funny and to catch people off guard with our literal interpretations of a given situation.

Bottom line, the doctor agreed with the ER doctors at Mercy West, and our family doctor that the episode on July 3rd was caused by blood pressure.  We have both since stopped taking BP meds until we have taken our pressure.  Thus far neither of us need medication.  Our weight loss has been enough, so we will keep an eye on it.

Afterwards we celebrated with a feast at Red Lobster!

By the way, the doctor is quite the photographer too...check out his work HERE!

THE GOOD NEWS AND THE BAD NEWS!

The doctor told Judy she did not have a stroke!  She also agreed with the ER doctor that the episode was more than likely caused by low blood pressure brought on my her BP medication, the heat, and possibly because she was dehydrated.  

Her blood sugar is also perfect, with current meds, so that was not a cause either.

However, Dr. Tedder is sending her to a neurologists and back to her kidney doctor to see why one kidney is functioning below normal.  

Over all, that news is good and we'll eventually get to the bottom of it.

The bad news is that it cost me $1450 to get a new water line run the 150-200 feet from the meter up in the cul-de-sac.  I had that done back in 2000, but apparently the guy then used PVC to black pipe.  I think this job by "Downhill Plumbing" was done right using the latest in piping.  I even had a second run of pipe buried just for future use.

The pipe is guaranteed for 100 years, so I won't have to worry about that for a long time!

 

I suppose I'll sleep well tonight...haven't seen, smelled, or heard anything to worry about yet!

A RATHER UNTRADITIONAL JULY 4TH CELEBRATION

Well, our traditional 4th of July celebration began as usual, with the Knights and Dragons gathering at Neena and Ron's house.  Snacks were laid out, beers, and sissy girly drinks opened, and we assumed our usual opposite corners of the screened-porch to enjoy each other and, best of all, laugh!  In the back of our minds we all greatly anticipated the eating of the "low country boil"!

Not two libations into my Fourth, the sisters began calling my name.  At first I was irritated that they would interrupt me mid-conversation, but as I turned and looked in their direction I saw Judy's head bobbling and her sisters trying to attend to her!

My first thought was stroke..."oh please God...no"...and I rushed to her side.  Gary swooped in beside me and we tried helping her up, but it was obvious she couldn't stand...let alone walk. 

 

Gary and I then lifted her, with Gary (blue shirt nearest the camera) holding most of the weight, and we made it to the couch.  Gary hoisted her up over the back and dropped her on the couch.

The other sisters came running with cold wet cloths and an icepack from the freezer.  She would respond with "yeah" and shake her head, but nothing was flowing from her easily or clearly.  Finally after someone asked her where she was she said "Tokyo"!

This was the first time we all breathed easier, but we collectively decided to call 911.  She had gotten weak and had to be helped before, but this was really the first time she had gone completely out.  So, we called and the Roane County EMTs came in short order.

In the meantime we rubbed her with the cold cloth and icepack, and took her blood pressure. Her pressure was 53/40...although her pressure normally runs low, this was extremely low for her.

The EMTs came and they took her vitals and her blood sugar which was 93...fine.

Judy still didn't think she could stand, so they brought in the gurney and out the door they went with her.  I followed in our car, praying just about the whole time.  I lost them at a red light and so I made it to the hospital in Knoxville a few minutes after the ambulance.

Outside one of the EMTs said she was fine and inside being checked out.  The other EMT met me at registration and reassured me that she was fine.

I did the normal paperwork, using her Medicare card for the first time since we hit the magic age in May, and was then allowed in the back to see her.

Judy was fine...talking and making jokes about being a party pooper, and that we couldn't run with the big dogs anymore!  I was so relieved!

Her vital signs, the x-rays, the CT, and all the 6 vials of blood all checked out negative for anything.  The doctor said he could tell us what went wrong...just what wasn't wrong.  He released her and we made our way home.

We have both lost weight recently and our bodies haven't adjusted to it.  Therefore, the blood pressure medications we take are apparently pushing the pressure too low.  Like me, she will have to start monitoring her pressure and decide then whether or not she needs medication for the day.

The doctor said her pressure was probably low and the heat and laughter, which are both stressers he said, pushed it too low and she went out.  She had also had two teeth pulled last week and had been on pain meds.  All in all, it was just a combination of things, but she needs more tests.

By then it was nearly 10PM, so we stopped at Steak & Shake for a bite to eat.  It was the first we had since breakfast, besides a chip or two at the earlier gathering.

I just returned from meeting Ron in Kingston, about half way between our homes, and picking up our share of the "boil" from yesterday.  Judy is sleeping well, but when she wakes up I will heat up the food and we will celebrate the 4th quietly at home...thanking God that everything is okay again!

Come tomorrow...I will insist she go see our family doctor and try and make sure this doesn't happen again anytime soon.

Love you all...Mushy!

ENJOYING THE SNOW - A FAMILY TRADITION

The first photo I have of Corey (at right) enjoying the snow is from 1976.  Doesn't he look comfy in that fuzzy outfit!? He has always enjoyed the white stuff and so has the family.  Corey had his whole family out in it yesterday at his Papaw Harmon's, where the whole clan used to enjoy winter snows.

Even back in the early 70's, while Corey's mom and I were living at the Harmon's, and I was attending UT, I would come home from school (UT never closes) and hit the front yard slope!  My friend Bill and I would stay out late in the light of the porch light and run the hill until we were just too pooped to climb the hill one more time.  I would then go in and struggle to keep my eyes open long enough to study.

Those were good times, with a lawn chair bolted to a pair of water skis, we would slip into supersonic speeds, traveling well over a hundred yards at times.  Some snows back in those days would stay on the ground for days, giving us extra good times.  Today, you have to sled that morning or miss out!

However, this week's 4 or 5 inches has stuck to us like a Thanksgiving feast!  I've been out in it two days now and thinking about giving up today's nap and hitting the snowy trail again!

The snowmen photo is of Lily yesterday, enjoying her first real taste of outdoor fun in the snow, and of her dad back in 1978.  Lily pulled herself up the hill more than anyone thought, even though occasionally she would simply fall down and begin eating snow!  It was a refreshing pause, one that I too remember from days gone by.  

Back in my day (that's what old folks say) my parents would say, "Don't eat that snow...it's radioactive!"  It was probably true, but I would sneak and eat 3 or 4 snowballs every time it snowed.  Yesterday, all the advice offered to Lily was, "Don't eat yellow snow!"

Corey is a competitive sports nut and always goes until he drops.  His spinning "disk" sledding feats were a dizzying affair yesterday, one that would have had me puking!  He's loved the disk since '78.  It's a shame your kids can't grow up with you and enjoy all the old times with you.  He would have been impressed with his old man, almost as much as I am of him today!

Judy and I have always taken off work when it would snow...not because we couldn't get there, but because we wanted to "play in the snow"!  People our age are still amazed, for some reason, at how much we love the snow. 

We used to get out at night and walk in the woods while it was snowing.  It's a great adventure and great fun, and you'd be amazed at how well you can see at night in the snow.  All the light available is amplified by the snow with a glow all around you.  It's also wonderful how the sound of snow coming down through the dried leaves makes you feel.  It's so comforting and relaxing!  I miss that...have to try it again soon, but the snows lately have been coming down in the wee hours of morning.  Next time one begins late in the evening...we'll be out there!

Monday, Judy and I were out down by the creek behind the house.  The creek empties into the lake and at that junction Geese nest.  We tried to get close for photos, and we did get close enough for my 300mm lens to get a few good shots before they scattered.

Judy did her first snow angel, which I still don't believe it was her first, and she was so proud of it!

So, come on, let it snow...we've still got a few good times left in us!

OUT ON THE TOWN

Judy and I celebrated our 30th anniversary at Knoxville's Chesapeake's last evening. It was our first time there, and as usual, you can't go wrong at one of the Copper Cellar's Family of Restaurants!

Chesapeake's is located off Henley Street in the Central Business district of Knoxville, Tennessee in a beautifully restored historic building. The décor is dark wood and what you would expect to find in a classic seafood restaurant along any coast in America. Our booth was bathed in the light of a live aquarium, which added to the romantic atmosphere we experienced.

All their seafood is flown in fresh daily and prepared to perfection by the restaurant's chefs. Judy chose the Grouper and I, naturally, requested the fried sampler platter of scallops, oysters, fish, and shrimp. Judy tried the "wedge salad" and it was wonderful, even to me! I ordered a cup of gumbo, and now wish I had just ordered a bowl of gumbo and the wedge salad! The gumbo was full of okra and shrimp and had a spicy taste that went well with the fresh bread and butter!

Our waitress documented the occasion with this photo and figured out it was a special evening for us. She brought a slice of double chocolate cheesecake, at no charge, for us to enjoy. While the cheesecake was delicious, I'm finding that I will not be able to keep fried and sweet things on my list of regular foods. Since my stomach "wrap", I have to be very cautious about what I eat. So cautious, in fact, that I've now lost nearly 30 pounds!

Now, for you folks with regular stomachs, you can't go wrong choosing Chesapeake's for a great evening of fresh seafood!

Judy and I talked about how the time has flown by - where have the past 30 years gone?! However, we both agreed that if given the opportunity and choice we would do it all over again. It has been a very enjoyable 30 years - full of good times, friends, and family. There's little we would do over.

Thanks for sharing our anniversary with us.

THIRTY YEARS - SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY

June 12th is our anniversary!

Seems like yesterday that we got together again at our 15th year class reunion, where David Arp told me he'd whip my butt if I didn't ask Judy to dance (click to re-read the story). Well, little did he know that I needed no prompting, but I have to admit it was hard to pass up a good fight with David. We had such a history in fighting after school (click to re-read our fight-club history)!

Anyway, I did ask her to dance and, seventeen years after falling for her Betty Davis eyes out behind the Carol Ann drive-in, I was sitting in her living room watching the sun come up. I was with the love of my life. She had been special to me for a long time, and we were finally together the way I'd always dreamed.

Thirty years is a long time, but our life has been so blessed that the time has zipped by like months instead of years. I think we may have had one or two heated discussions, but I can't say we've ever really fought. We knew we were blessed with finding another chance at love and we were determined not to mess it up. We also decided long ago that if we ever reached a point we couldn't stay married, we would still live in our home together! Strange, but we ain't leaving!

I can't image ever wanting to call it quits, and never can Judy. We are so thankful for these thirty years and we ask God to give us at least thirty more!

I love you Judy and always will.

Thanks for the memories and happiness!

Pictures from the past 30 years:

This is our wedding photo - 1980!