Long Day

Friday was long but uneventful. Originally I was scheduled for noon. When the anesthesiologist called Thursday night it was changed to one.. When I arrived with with my entourage they had us wait until the room with the lift was available. After waiting a while Kari decided to use the bathroom figuring they would come for us. Sure enough they did. When we were in the room the transfer was interesting but I did get in the bed. Then the bed was rolled to a different room. Now Cindy had to figure out how the bed worked so she could get me undressed. Meanwhile Todd had to find out where to park my chair. We were laughing because they always say to leave valuable items at home. Yet my chair and special computer were just sitting in the hall. They are the two most valuable things I own including the van. Just after we settled in the nurse came in to tell us the previous surgery was taking longer and mine would be at 2:00. That was not too bad because the nurse had to ask all the usual questions and they needed to start an IV. After we told the nurse how difficult it is to find my veins and she took a look she agreed that it was not for her. The specialist was the most patient person to ever get blood or put in an IV. She was also the first person to use a local anesthetic. Finally, using a newborn needle, she was able to get just enough blood and start an IV. It took almost 20 minutes. Now the waiting began. Cindy went to get lunch with the thought that would start the surgery. Did not work. But we did have a great opportunity to catch up on Kari's current projects and the list of project's that Todd needed to do to finish the remodle of their house. Then another estimated time of 3:00. After another announcement that it would be 4:00 Kari went to get lunch and Todd to do some errands. Everyone was back when the anesthesiologist finally came. He wanted to be sure he knew how my vent worked. Finally they were ready at 5:15. We could complain but we were just happy not to be the person in that surgery. There was someone after me too. For me the time passed quickly. Actually was not that long for the others. I liked what the anesthetic was because I did not wake-up foggy brain. I even know what the surgeon told me. He had taken a big chunk so there were several layers of stitches. Biopsy would be available in two or three days. We had a good laugh at the poster outlining what a patient had to do before discharge. " walk with assistance, drink water, eat a cracker and pee" When the boys were told that, Miles said I had to drive and write a sentence. I could do both so we skipped dressing me completely and " borrowed " a hospital gown. When everything finally getting started we were home by 8:00. It had been more than 24 hours since I had anything to eat or drink.

One more thing

If it is not one thing it is another. A while back caregiver Cindy found a lump just left of my breast bone. That is the same breast that has had 2 chunks (medical term) taken out before.. Once was 20 plus years ago and the other 5 years. An ultrasound deemed it suspicious so off to the surgeon. Fortunately he did not push for anything more than taking another chunk so I did not have to argue. So Friday is the big day. Since I am on a vent and have no core strength several potential problems came to mind. I emailed my neurologist to see if we should be concerned about anything.. Todd called the social worker at the ALS Association and got advice. That led him to calling my pulmonlogist and the pre-op nurse. The pre-op nurse was very glad to talk with him and get a warning that a princess was coming. I need help getting from chair to bed and back. Cindy is not going to let anyone else help. The pulmonlogist planned to talk with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. He has way to much time invested to let them mess me up. With all the attention I think I should have a crown.. There is one more concern. We are assuming I will not be able to wear my neck brace because it might rest on the area where they take the chunk. I don't feel safe in the van or on walks without it. I think my caregivers are all worried about me having to stay home and what my mood will be. I just might surprise them and not be bitchy. Only time will tell.

Eveything is coming up roses

On this past warm sunny Sunday we went out for Quincy 's (almost) daily walk. He had been limping the previous two days so we took the short route. People recognize us when we go on common routes. However I did not expect the special treatment we got. A man was out mowing his lawn. As we approached he turned off his mower and went towards his back yard. He came back out with a pair of clippers and cut some roses for me! Such a simple act that was so special. It made my week.

Tale of the Yellow Tail 2

Proof!*












*See blog entry below for the full story.

Tale of the Yellow Tail

We pulled anchor in Magdelana Bay mid-morning heading for Cabo San Lucas. We were leaving later than planned and the bay is large so we decided to motor out. It also meant we would not have to deal with the fluctuating wind directions caused by the hills surrounding the bay.


I decided to try out my new fishing gear. Having gear designed to drag behind the boat made it easy. The gear had a 6 inch wheel holding the line. From that was a piece of heavy line to tie off on a cleat. The fishing line had a loop with a bungee cord attached that was also attached to the wheel. When a fish grabbed the hook the line went out and stretched the bungee. This let you know you had hooked something. Further north we had had hooked kelp so we knew what it would look like. I looked at my four large lures trying to remember what the store clerk had told me. Different colors attracted different fish. Finally picked one and attached it to the swivel. Tossed it over and now I was fishing.


Soon we passed the mouth of the bay and raised the sails and turned the engine off. Ahhh the sound of the wind. Much better than the engine. The wind was favorable to sail a broad reach, a comfortable point of sail. Just as we settled in I looked at the fishing line. I had a fish. I started rolling the line up and found it difficult so Dave helped. Still we could not get it in. Dave adjusted the sails to spil some wind to slow us down. Now we were able to pull the fish close up enough to see it. It was big! Dave got the gaff your to try to pick it but but could not get it. He decided to start the engine and roll in the sails to get us farther from shore. I just held on to my fish. Once we were farther from shore and the autopilot was set we returned our attention to the fish. This time Dave was able to use the hook on the gaffe to grab it in the gills. We worked it around to the swim step where Dave could put a rope loop around the tail. Now we knew we would not lose it. If we had any thoughts about releasing it that time was long past. The poor fish was already dead. We were able to bleed it some with a slash behind the gills.


Now it was picture time. It was heavy and big and obviously a yellow tail. That is a type of tuna so good eating. I think Dave was as excited as I was. Our bargain had always been that I could fish as much as I wanted but I also had to clean it. I had a cutting board that fit over the sink so could scrape things directly into the sink. This fish was way too big. So back to the cockpit. I ended up kneeling on the deck to work. Dave did help me cut off the head. Once I got the messy part finished I could work in the galley. First came a big clean up. Using salt water and a bucket we finally got it clean. However salt water can make the the deck slippery. Using the fresh water shower for a final rinse we were then set.


Now we could put the sails back up and be on our way. We checked our course and checked again our estimated arrival in Cabo. It is important to try to arrive in an unfamiliar port during daylight. Everything looked good so now it was lunch. Guess what we had. Seared in sesame oil it was fantastic.


Now I had to figure out what to do with the rest. Our freezer could keep things frozen but could not really freeze food. I cut some nice steaks and put in vaccuum sealed bag that then went in the bottom of the freezer hoping the vaccuum pack would help preserve it. The pressure cooker made quick work of cooking some for sandwiches later. That also went in a vaccuum bag. Thank goodness for the vaccuum sealer. Since I used my favorite cooking method for fish at lunch I had to think of something different for dinner. Dave loved capers so I baked it in a lemon wine sauce and stirred in capers at the end. That was okay comes out better on sole or other white fish. Back to the old favorite the next night.


Lesson number whatever. Don't fish unless going into an anchorage that night. Need to have people to share with.