Retreat and Thanksgiving

  I had a very pleasant two day vacation at Grande Ronde cow Camp. A couple of friends joined me on Monday and another friend came up on Tuesday. The food was delicious and plentiful and the company exceptional. I felt rested and ready to go.

  This is the bed in the loft I slept in and the mini quilt next to the bed in the loft. 

  This is a mini cat back sewing machine in the loft. I had never heard of it before. Will have to find one.

  Bruce had a couple of bad days wherein his body does not respond to therapy. He is exhausted from no sleep at night and that effects his body's response to therapy.

We had the last sleep test on Thursday ninth. I got another night off. They equipped him with a ASV machine instead of a cpap. The machine reacts to the patients ability to breathe or not breathe and adjusts the flow of air. 

   When the Dr writes a prescription for the machine and SAIF approves we will have the machine at home. Apparently it is quieter than the cpap machine so that will be a blessing for me. 

   Dr. Ebel is able to make results for Bruce. After swimming Dr. Ebel worked his magic on Bruce's feet. Bruce said his feet felt warm and Dr. Ebel said he was working on the circulation in Bruce's lower body and feet, so that is a plus. The therapists are working on his calf muscles. At home we push Bruces toe back and he pushes them forward, trying to strengthen his muscles. 

  We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home. Andrew worked. I made a pecan chocolate chip pie and a my first ever pumpkin roll. (At my age, no less) I purchased a marionberry pie and cheese ball from Kauffmans. Delicious as usual.

  Some of the children will be home at Christmas so that will be nice. My grandchildren bring me joy! 

  I took a sewing class at the Quilt Store and made a snap purse, using a mental tape measure, very fun class.

 The vacuum cleaner needs a new part and my sewing machine stopped working in the at end of the class. I was able to get the machine cleaned and it runs smoothly. We will send for a part for the vacuum on Monday.

  We played musical beds at our house. I traded a queen size bed for a double and moved the double to the basement and a single bed upstairs in my sewing room. Now I have my room in my sewing room and can reach my design wall. Change is good. I have ordered new egg shell shades for the bedroom so will be able to open and close them for more light during the day and privacy at night. I am organizing my sewing projects and the room is looking good.

Leaps and Bounds

Bruce is improving by leaps and bounds, one week he shuffle walked for four feet the next he is up to ten feet using a walker with assistance! His left leg is really responding. 

 He works very hard and is exhausted after therapy. 

  Bruce and Duncan went to the two year check up in Walla Walla. I was sick, flu stuff. Dr. Marsh is concerned about Bruce's kidneys. Apparently spinal cord patients end up with kidney failure as using a urinal doesn't completely empty the bladder and that puts pressure on the bladder so he suggests Bruce use a catheter three or more times a day. Insurance will continue the payments for therapy as long as Bruce continues to improve.

   This week Bruce will meet with Dr. McCarthy and get info on self catheters. This should help decrease the number of times Bruce uses the urinal. 

  Another side note, we spent one of the settlements we received! Yeah! We bought cemetery plots and caskets! So that is all arranged. Bruce got the cheapest metal casket, who cares what it looks like it is going in the ground and I got the next level up in green. It costs $500 for them to dig a hole with a machine. We have six sons we figure we will save money and have the boys dig the hole for us... Just kidding. And they charge extra, $250, if you are buried on a Saturday. Just some snide political comments. 

 I have been sick for two weeks with achy shoulders, sore throat, runny nose, stuffed up dose and a cough. I'm worn out. I have arranged to go away to my friends cabin for two days in two weeks, she has a long arm quilting machine we will play with. Hope the weather is good. She will pamper me and cook for me and I will see and veg and sit with my feet up and most important I will sleep and sleep. 

  Newt finished a grow box for Bruce. It will be ready for spring next year.

The YW from second Ward raked and bagged our leaves for us. Thank You!