dannyblog

Wednesday

 

Claudia arrived safely, more or less on time. She has great praise for her airplane.  She got back here just in time for the rainy season. Absolutely a down poor the past 3 days.  We are going over her pictures, #1,100 in all.  Most in the early days, especially Venice.

Here is a pictured of her roommate Diane.

 

Thursday

Our credit card was pirated the past week.  Some one purchased $11,000, another $2,000. They were caught long before I noticed, good card company. But it means reprogramming all of our routine monthly payments. Claudia lost a table she had purchased because it looked phony to the card people. She is really getting ready to be home. They are in Rome now, until they come home on Tuesday.

I spent the night alone in bed, awake with severe abdominal pain. It was like a minimal bowel obstruction, like the one that had me hospitalized 2 years ago.  I probably would have had Claudia take me to the e.r., but by daylight when I could have called  Rick and Julie to come get me, the pain had improved enough to just wait it out.

Sunday

Claudia and Diane were planning to go to the theater after dinner tonight, and have to be up early tomorrow. It keeps on amazing her.

 

I over watered this and it died. 
Claudia called today. She continues to be amazed in a good way.  Eating and drinking a little bit too much. I am so glad she got to do this trip of a life time.

Friday

Claudia called last night. Well, at least my night. She was just getting out of bed.  She has left Venice, and is now in Tuscany.  She loves every minute of it.

Far from the madding crowd.

Claudia called yesterday. She is having a ball. Every thing there is just as beautiful as it looks in pictures and on t.v.  She was having dinner in Saint Marc's square.

We at home must carry on, somehow.  I joined a health club yesterday and started on the treadmill and the exercise bike.

Saturday

As I take a break from picking up animal poops, Claudia is winging her way into the dark, night sky, trusting United to get her safely into Italy in time for brunch tomorrow. By luck, Claudia and I got to the airport terminal just as her traveling friend was getting off of the airport bus. So, Claudia called to let me know that the International terminal was not crowded at all, no line for security, and they were relaxing in the executive lounge getting free drinks. Claudia's companion, Diane, is a very frequent flier for business, so gets all of the perks possible.  They will be gone for about 3 weeks. I already topped off my bowl of ice cream since I am alone. Well, almost alone.

Poor Nikki is terified of fireworks. I have no idea why, but there was a huge show visible from our deck. And loud, very very loud. Poor Nikki pooped 4 times on the deck and in the bedroom. Just terrified.  Just like the saying goes, scared etc.

I am scheduled to go back to Kaiser in 3 weeks to get some new leads put in, and hope they will improve my pain relief.  Then Lithotrypsy has to be done times 2. They only do one stone at a time.

 

Claudia is home from Eureka. She is frantic getting ready for her trip to Italy on Saturday.  Larry and Maddie are coming for dinner tonight.

I saw the stimulator doctor today.  She does not know why the stimulator is no longer working. She thinks that it might be "neuroplasty". The brain cells figure out how to get around the blocking stimulator.  The plan is to try some more wires in a temporary insert. If that helps, then she will do more permanent wires.  I am also using up the battery too quickly, so if it starts to work again, then I will need a battery change soon. The soonest appointment she can give me is 3 weeks from today. It sounds like it is worth a try. 

 

This is a picture of Julie and Claudia in a waterfall on Maui. Rick took the  picture.

 

Well, another week begins. The r.v. remains un-fixed at the repair shop. So,,, we will not be driving the r.v. up to Eureka this week as planned. Instead, I stay here with the animals, Claudia goes up to visit her Mom.  They have no idea what is wrong with the levelers, the things that make the coach flat when parked. I hope we are getting charged by the day as they make calls to manufacturers, and get a great run around for their efforts.

Back is no better.  Bladder is no better.  What a waste of effort, and pain.

Pictures from her family re-union.

 

Cousin Paula.

 

The whole gang.

 
Two brothers and two cousins.

New week

The catheter came out on Monday. Claudia did the dirty work. No problems passing urine, so I just have to worry about my back pain now.  It is better but I need to get the tech out here again to adjust the controls.  I am walking again, Claudia's diet is working even better than advertised.