Around the World

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Saint Rita Square featured travel collections of places some of us have been.

Jeanne Heinen had the biggest collection from many countries.

Jackie Haessley had posters, photos, dolls and a running Power Point.

Barbara Todd's collection was from Africa and Turkey.

Anne Hahn had treasures from Mexico.

I had various items, plus my travel logs and Power Point on my Chrome Book.

Medical Follow-up With Dr. Kristopoulos

 Thursday, March 17, 2022

My appointment with Dr. Kristopoulos was at 8:30 a.m.  My weight was 164 lbs., less than before; blood pressure, 135/75, a whole lot better than 200/88.  Dr. K mentioned getting stents in the two remaining arteries.  I have no chest pains and I'm feeling much better; therefore, we decided to not have stents at this time, but see how I'm doing in three months.  He'll see me in June.

It was March Madness/St. Patrick's Day at SRS.  Mostly everyone was wearing green and no masks; masks are optional starting this week.  Activities were set up, but I didn't see much participation, mostly small group chatting.  There were complimentary sandwiches, cookies, chex mix, popcorn and green beer.  I had a small sandwich, a couple bags of chex mix and a little green beer.

We played dominoes in the dining room, because other areas were occupied.

March Red Hat At Swaye Tea

 Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Terry suggested Swaye Tea on Greenfield Avenue in West Allis. I reserved a table for seven, but we had to squeeze closer when Rita and Char came.  We had one long table; no other diners were in this very small restaurant.  Jars of various teas lined one wall and we each chose different teas that came brewed in a press.  Because shipments of some products did not arrive, not all items on the menu were available.  Terry thought we would all have the tea service, but I declined, as did most of the others; I did not care for all the pastries.  Only one person operated the shop as cook and waitress.  Each person's plate came separately and took a long time to prepare.  By the time the tea service came those who were served first were ready to leave.  I ordered a salad with roasted beets, pecans and raisins on a bed of greens with balsamic dressing.  It was very good.  Terry, Julia, Janice and Jane shared the tea service: a tiered platter of pastries and fruit with another tray of egg salad sandwiches.  I think each person paid about $18, which I thought was very expensive.  Each person did not get a whole sandwich, but small quarters.  There were more pastries than substance.  Terry was still hungry.  I'm glad I chose the salad instead of the tea service.

I stopped at Walmart in West Milwaukee for a soap pump, then at Fresh Thyme for produce.

In the evening we had haiku and limericks. 

Cat Food Mix-Up/Brad, Janice and Colin Dinner

Sunday, March 13, 2022

On the way to mass I put a container of clover-shaped cookies on the counter of the Trattoria just as Gilbert met me wearing a leprechaun costume.  I offered him a cookie and he gratefully took two, telling me his Birthday was on St. Patrick's day.  

We celebrated the feast of Saint Joseph's Day (coming on March 19), with a triple-tiered display in the vestibule, referred to as tavolata, laden with sculpted bread, fresh fruits, vegetables and sweets.  During a time of famine, Italians prayed to Saint Joseph for rain and promised that if he answered their prayers, they would dedicate a feast day in his name every year to feed the hungry.  When the rains came, crops were planted, and the people were able to rise up and thrive again.  From their crops, they prepared a grand feast and with their neighbors in need, they feasted together.  After mass everyone received a little gift bag with two buns.

The cookies were a hit and one lady came up to the group asking who made those delicious cookies.  As we were sitting, Charles came through with a large Chewy carton; I thought he was delivering my order, but nothing was at me door.  Later, my door bell rang with Deb presenting me with two cans of cat food that she said were misdelivered to Charles.  I told her that was probably my order, but my order would not have come in such a large carton.  I met Charles, who straightened the problem that his wife had ordered dog and cat food which was delivered to him, but he doesn't have a cat or a dog.  I took the carton that Deb dropped off and returned it to her.  She was sharing the cans with other cat owners.

I did some cleaning before Janice, Brad and Colin came with dinner.  At 4:00 p.m. they came laden with a carton of food plus an electric pressure cooker.  While we visited, I got at email that my Chewy shipment was delivered.  Brad and Colin went down to get it, but nothing was in the mail room.  I thought maybe it had been delivered between the doors, but it wasn't there either.  Janice prepared dinner mostly in her pressure cooker and we sat down to a delicious meal of a mash potato and kale dish, beans, Irish soda bread and a green goddess salad, finishing off with a no-flour chocolate cake with mint frosting. Janice found some Celtic music to accompany our dinner.

 I gave Janice and Colin each a scrubby dish cloth as we finished our visit.  The Chewy shipment was not outside the building either.

Angioplasy with Stent

 Wednesday, March 9, 2022

I was at the check-in desk at 12:10 p.m. for my 12:30 p.m. appointment, thanks to Claude driving me there.  At 12:56, I was hooked up to an IV.  A 3:08, I was seen by an anesthesiologist.  My blood pressure was way over 200.  I got many combinations of drugs to reduce it before my surgery.

The surgery room was filled with all kinds of apparatus.  I saw Dr. Kostopoulos behind a glass screen, and many other nurses and doctors were in the room.  I was shaved in the right groin where an incision would go and my right wrist was strapped down.  I felt nothing except a belly ache.  I have no idea how long this took before I was wheeled into my room on the 10th floor.

I had a heart monitor and an IV and felt nauseous.  I ordered a veggie stir-fry, but couldn't eat it.  There were a couple of saltines, but that didn't appeal to me.  I also had some ginger ale.  I had to vomit, which was very painful, mostly the result of all the medications that I was taking.  My blood pressure remained high and a medication was put in the intravenous tube.  With all those medications, it went down to an acceptable rate.  But I had nothing to eat.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

I had a great night's sleep, until a tech came to give me meds at 3:45 a.m.  I was able to get back to sleep and slept soundly.  I got up to wash and brush my teeth and ordered oatmeal, an orange and cranberry juice for breakfast that I ate at a small table.  I felt a little queasiness. Lucyna Kapel came to take blood and I can't remember having a more friendly person.  Again, my blood pressure was higher, but not as high as 200.  Dr. Kostopoulos came in to explain that I had one stent that was inserted from the groin; the artery had 90% blockage, but the new technique of an expanding balloon will work very well.  He also predicted that I may need stents in the other two arteries.  I will see him in one week.  Lucyna came in again because another sample was needed. Again, she was in good humor.  Dr. Kostopoulos' assistant came in and explained what was done and precautions to take.  She said my kidney function was good; that was good news.  A cardiac specialist came with information suggesting a rehab program at St. Luke's which I would have to attend two times weekly.  He also had information about diet and self-directed exercise.  There is a lot to read.  A nurse came with discharge instructions: some changes in medication and care for the incisions.  Claude would be able to pick me up at 11:30 a.m.  

Tyler provided Claude with a wheel chair to take me to my room.  I tried eating a little pasta salad.  We turned on the TV, but I thought going to bed was the better idea.  Claude pulled down the blinds and I curled up in bed.  Claude stayed for awhile.  I felt very refreshed when I woke up at 4:10 p.m.

Emergency Room

 Tuesday, March 8, 2022

As I was walking to my room Sunday, I took off my mask while walking.  The mask pulled out my left hearing aid, it fell on the carpet and I stepped on it.  I put the broken piece into my ear, and it still worked!  I saved $2500!

It worked for a couple of days.  This morning I was up early and looked something up on my computer.  I put my finger to my ear, for no apparent reason, and I felt something sharp.  My hearing aid!  I tried removing it with tweezers, but I was afraid that I would push it farther in.  I went to Aurora Emergency on 12th and State.  I'm glad this was not a critical emergency.  I was the only one there and had to wait a pretty long time until someone came to see my in the patient treatment room.  The first thing the nurse did was take my blood pressure - 200/88!  That is alarming; however, I did not take any of my medications this morning, including my blood pressure pills.  She took it again, but still high.  A doctor pulled out the hearing aid piece with some long tweezers and asked if I'd like my ear wax removed.  That was a good idea.  It took a while for two nurses to do that job, but there was a lot of wax.  I lay down for awhile and the nurse took my blood pressure again; it was even higher.  I got instructions to take my medication immediately when I got home.

I made some hot oatmeal and raisins with an orange for breakfast.  I'm searching recipes to turn my diet around.  Eating at SRS is not healthy, a lot of carbs and fat.

I was early enough for the strength exercise.

I joined a group in the Club Room for an global warming Zoom.

When I got to my room I made a huge pot of turkey chili, with a lot  of beans.  I shared some with Allan.   

I came out just about even in sheepshead, then to mass.

I received many good wishes and prayers for my procedure tomorrow.

COVID Test

• Monday, March 7, 2022

We did our balance exercise in the Club Room with video and no music.  It was steady, with no interruption, which made it quite strenuous.

It took me 25 minutes to get my COVID test at St. Luke's via State St./27th St.  Parking was convenient now that I know which parking structure to use.  The test was 2 minutes.

I found a frozen chicken thigh and corn for supper.

I was not looking forward to Janice's check-in call, expecting her to voice her objections to my stent procedure.  But it was just the opposite.  She just came back from Fort Myers and was so cheerful, without any mention of my upcoming hospital visit.