MONDAY AND A SIGH OF RELIEF

Breakfast with good ol' Keith (he's probably a decade or more younger than I am), then I got ready for Ellen's arrival. She got here about 8:45 and we drove off for my 9:30 neurologist appointment at 9:30 in Oxnard. Got there early enough so we took a little walk outside the complex first, then went in to wait for Dr. Taylor...

...and wait...and wait. At about 945, we were told the doc had an emergency in Santa Barbara (he's on the staff there, too) and could we come back at 11:00? Okay, so we took another walk, then sat outside in the sun for a time, then went back in. By the time, Dr. T. arrived, it was close to noon. However, all was forgiven when we heard the good news: the aneurysm didn't seem a cause for concern. He told us to get another test (I can't remember what kind, but Ellen knows) in six months to a year; in the meantime, continue to address the blood pressure with an extra dose of Ramipril. 

Breathing sighs of relief, Ellen and I went to The Lazy Dog for lunch--yummy yum--then drove to CVS to get the Ramipril. However, the pharmacy was closed for lunch, so El came back to my place to set up my pills for the week, then drove back to CVS to pick up the meds; finally, she dropped them off to me.

I put in a load of wash in the laundry room, then went downstairs to request the van for tomorrow, when I'll go to the Hill Street Cafe to meet Erica for lunch. 

Dinner with Kathie, Cheryl, and Mary--Keith sat elsewhere--and we had a good time. After, I retreived my wash from the laundry, folded and put it away, then settled in for the night. 

SUNDAY

Breakfast with Keith and after, I did indeed, take a nap. Katherine picked me up at 11:45 and off we went to Oxnard. She suggested we lunch at Tradewinds, which is near the Elite Theatre and that's where we went. It was pretty crowded and we had to wait a bit, but that was okay. I had Taquitos and an IPA, which were good.

We got to the theatre in plenty of time for the 2:00 pm start. The Elite is a small, somewhat makeshift theatre which, unfortunately, has lost its lease and is looking for a new site. I've been there before and, although it's not uncomfortable, it's hardly Broadway level: 

Well, it's sideways and for some reason, I can't right it, so it'll have to stay. 

The show was a little sappy, but fun to see and my pal, Suzy, was great--full of energy and bounce, as she is in real life.  We greeted her after and, as she does, she gave me a big hug while calling me "baby girl!" I get a kick out of that.

Katherine dropped me off in time for dinner after a fun day. She's considerably younger than I am, but I think we have a lot in common. She's bright, well-spoken, and has a sense of humor, all attributes that appeal to me. I went directly into the dining room and had dinner with Keith and Kathie. It was pretty good--New England clam chowder with grilled parmesan bread.  

When I got to my apartment, I looked at my calendar and realized I had told people I had an echogram today, but actually that's on the sixteenth. This morning, I see Dr. Robert Taylor (no, he's not in the movies), who's a neurosurgeon, and I'm nervous about it. Gawd, I'm sick of doctors. 

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This was in my email and brought back memories. It's a character named Arnelle, a hair dresser, and me, playing Clairee, the widow of the town mayor, in Steel Magnolias. Incredibly, this was with LETCO (Little Egg Theatre Company) sixteen years ago--hard to believe.

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SATURDAY

A quiet day, but not unpleasant. Kathie came down for breakfast with Keith and me, after which I was annoyed myself by taking a nap. Not sure why, but I just felt sleepy. By lunchtime, I was perkier and the chicken coq au vin was really good. After, I spent time on minor little chores, but mostly playing games on the laptop. 

Katherine called and we decided she' d pick me up at noon today; we'll go to lunch, then attend the show at the Elite Theatre in Oxnard. Can't wait to see Suzy on stage again.

At 2:30 or so, I went outside, taking a can of the non-alcoholic IPAs niece Carolyn had brought me, along with my book, War Made Invisible, by one of my favorite pro-peace activists, Norman Solomon. I sat in the lovely sunshine, read, and enjoyed it. 

It was 4:00 by the time I went home and shortly, time for dinner. Cheryl is back from Mexico and sat with Keith and me. She has a condo in Rosarita there and has it up for sale, so wanted to oversee a few things and talk to her relator; also has a rental property in Oregon. It was fun to talk to her. Kathie didn't show, nor did Mary.

Had a somewhat restless sleep, but it wasn't bad; got up at 5:15. I'm thinking I might take a short nap after breakfast--maybe yes, maybe no.

FRIDAY

T.O.P.S. catastrophe: I went up .08 at home and 0.9 at T.O.P.S. for totals of 137 and 138.3, respectively.  To that, I can only respond with 😬AAGH! However, I resolved to do better, starting with skipping the evening eating, except for popcorn. At the meeting, Sharon wore an interesting Japan shirt:

Home, I had a late breakfast of cottage cheese on bread, then did a few household chores. Joined Allan and Beverly for lunch, as I didn't see either Keith or Kathie. 

Ellen got here, as scheduled, at 2:15 and we went off to Primary Medical to consult with P.A. Natalie, one of my favorites. She went over my info and it seems pretty straight-forward, including the echogram I'll have done on Monday.  

Back home, El and I went over a few things, then we went up to the third floor to await Elika and my manicure. She came at 4:00, I said goodbye to El, and got my nails down in a pretty pale pink. Just for fun, I added flowers on a finger on each hand.

Dinner with Keith and Kathie and it was pretty good: spinach wrap with all kinds of veggies inside, including avocado and tomato. I slept well, so hope the new medication is working.

THURSDAY

 --Breakfast with Keith, check; 

--lunch with Keith, Kathie, and Dyan (that's how she spells it), check;

--dinner with Keith and Kathie, check. 

--I did a load of wash, check. 

--In addition: Alain, the P.T., came at 11:00 and put me through my (exercise) paces. That was his last visit; I'll now start going to the Las Roblas facility near the Ventura government center.  

--Plus: After lunch, I went out to sit in the sunshine at the clubhouse. Chatted with Rick and later with Catherine and her cute little doggy. It had slipped my mind that a visiting nurse was coming, so she didn't find me home, but no prob; she came outside and checked my vitals. Incredibly, my BP was 120 over something. Considering it's been sky-high, I just don't understand it. Nurse's name was Jane Wang; don't know if she's any relation to the cardiologist, Dr. Wang, but unlikely, as I think that name is as common in China as Smith is here. 

--Also: Maintenance guy Joe came and got the heat lamp in the bathroom ceiling to turn off. He has to order a new something or other, which should be in on Monday. 

--Not only that, but TA-DAH: I took a shower, then slept well, I'm pleased to record. However, I have T.O.P.S. today and I'm sure I won't be pleased to record the numbers about that.   

My living room and patio/porch.

WEDNESDAY

Took a short nap after breakfast with Keith. I then decided to take fitness seriously and went downstairs to join the "Strength and Balance with Jackie" class.. This emphasizes stretching and is pretty intense; it meets three times a week and I want to attend regularly. 

After the session, I went back to get ready for lunch. Back down, I saw Mary, we waved and chatted for a bit and she sat with me. Keith came shortly and we had a good lunch together. Now what this is going to do to my relationship with Kathie, I don't know. Kathie believes Mary "doesn't like us," meaning Kathie and me, but that doesn't seem to be so. It will be further complicated when Cheryl comes back from Mexico, I'm afraid. She and Mary seem to be close friends, but if so, where does that leave Kathie? Oh, the hell with it--I'm new enough that I don't want to take sides, so am just hoping to stay out of it. 

The shower mat I ordered came, but damn, I didn't realize the flooring had to be smooth--my shower has a kind of rough finish, plus I have no-stick strips on it. Okay, I can send it back and when Ellen got here, she re-packaged it and will return it via Kohl's.

El first took me to the  dermatologist's office and Dr. Sui zapped my face lesions several times. This is the second time she did, as the last time seemed not to work. I have another appointment in June and let's hope they'll be gone. When we got back, El stayed for a bit and give me some advice about the shower fittings. She'll look for new bath rugs, too.    

Had dinner with Keith and Kathie, then Diane, my next-door neighbor, joined us, and we had some good conversation. Kathie left, then K., D., and I talked religion; we're all pretty much on the same page, K. a recovering Pentecostal, I a ditto RC, and D. a vaguely lapsed protestant. 

Back upstairs at close to 7:00 and damn, today, I have Jay, the P.T., coming at 11:00, and an R.N., nurse Wang, here between 1:00 and 1:30, then Natalie, at Primary Medical tomorrow afternoon.  I'm  also scheduled for and echogram later--When am I ever going to escape from the world of medicine!?! 

For that matter, when am  ever going to get a good night's sleep? The heat lamp in the bathroom was on all night, plus I'm on the new sleep aid regime and that kept me up. I'll try to nap after breakfast. 

TUESDAY

After breakfast with Keith, I got ready for Ellen, who came at 9:30 to take me to the neurologist. After a number of memory/mental test, I was declared in good shape, at least mentally, I guess. From there, we went to Von's to pick up a few essentials, then to Two Trees for lunch. We got home just in time to greet the P.T., Jay, who put me through the usual paces. 

Initially, there was only one more P.T. visit scheduled, but Ellen asked if it could be extended. It seems it might be able to, but I would have to travel to the location, rather than have them come here. I'm not crazy about that idea, but we'll see what Natalie, of Primary Medical, has to say when we see her on Friday.

Ellen stayed long enough to set up my pills for the week, then we said goodbye. I then  took my walker and a magazine and went to sit outside next to the clubhouse in the sunshine. Stayed a half hour or so, then went back to prepare for dinner...     

...where I was joined by Keith and Kathie. Had an enjoyable time and the food was good. Back upstairs, I switched some pictures and frames, including Mike and Paula's engagement portrait, which I've always loved and still do, although the romance--and the marriage--are over.  

Today, yet another doctor appointment, this time the dermatologist, but I guess I'll live through it.