Monthly Archives: November 2012

Did you know Waffle House has it’s own trash service?

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OK, I posted a couple of Barry’s wacky moments. It is only fair I add a few of mine. Along with my left-sided vision being effected, my distance vision likes to play tricks on me.

A friend and I  were riding down a local 2-lane highway, about 6 cars ahead of us was a garbage truck. It clearly had a big sign across the back, in bright yellow and black. At that distance, I would have sworn it said ‘Waffle House’. I made this statement, “Oh look, Waffle House has their own garbage company. That’s a new one.” The friend I was with laughed so hard, I thought she would wet herself. As we drew closer, the truck was clearly marked “CAUTION” in nice big, bright letters. Boy did I feel nutty….

I guess at any age your eyes can play tricks on you, brain tumor or not….

INR frustrations

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Since the heart valve surgery, Barry has had to keep track blood clotting factor. Along with that comes dietary restrictions and a lot of trips to a local lab. Since the stroke, he has really had to keep a close watch over it. We are following the diet to a ‘T’ and his see-saws every week. He now has the machine to do home testing, but the test strips do not work half the time and he ends up at the lab anyhow. He hates sticking himself, but it would be so convenient if it worked well.

I know the machine is new and bugs need to be worked out. It is just so frustrating for him, when he doesn’t need to get frustrated. I try to be supportive when I’d love to smash the silly machine against the wall. I do my best to keep my on/off switch in the off position…..

Exercise with the ‘Rowdy Roosters’

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I slept late, this morning and just started the day off slow! So, I had to reschedule an 11am appointment till 2pm.

I got mom to her exercise class late. She refuses to go unless I take her. Then I managed to go upstairs and do 2 miles on the recumbent bike. Apparently while the wives are in exercise class downstairs, all the senior husbands use the gym upstairs to exercise a bit themselves and watch the class through the windows. They are so cute, making comments about how the class is going. They also talk A LOT. Everyone has heard the saying about a room full of women being like a group of “clucking hens”! Well, I hate to tell you guys, but it can apply to you also. When it applies to men, do we use the term “Rowdy Roosters”?

It was so noisy in the gym I had to leave. Since the surgery, my head doesn’t handle a lot of chatter. I’ll have to hit the gym when the senior exercise is not in session. A peaceful workout for me, is essential. I’ll have to take my headphones next time, just in case…..

I did finally make my appointment. It feels great to have a slow start to the day workout

Shopping Trip and realistic photos……

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Ok……I need to explain a few things…..I, Jill, can no longer see well to the left. looking forward, I’m fine, I have to physically turn to see to the left. Barry’s stroke affected his left side, so he has minimal trouble with his vision on the left.

Soooooooooo….let me tell you about a few crazy shopping trips……..I, Jill was browsing a rack at Ross when I felt like a woman near me was getting a little pushy and getting very close. With my balance issues, I enjoy my personal space. When I turned to the left, thinking I’ll just go to the other side and let her have it, I realized the pushy lady was a photo on the end-cap. Boy, did I feel silly!

Barry will not usually tell me about this kind of thing, but he had a similar experience at Walgreen’s. When changing aisles, he passed a  life-size cardboard Taylor Swift and said “Excuse me, ma’am!” and stepped out-of-the-way. As he was passing the figure, he realized it  wasn’t real. He looked around to see if any one had witnessed his faux paux, then went on his way.

Life with Mom…..

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My mother lives with us. For emergencies, we bought a wireless doorbell for her room. She can ring the bell for help at night. This morning, I was doing my morning care routine, when the doorbell started ringing over and over. OK, I’m thinking she is hurt or sick and needs help NOW! We collided at the laundry room door. She thought we were ringing the bell and needed her.

While doing her “morning thing”, she sat her notebook on top of the bell. I was wide awake now, with everyone else. We had a big breakfast and got our Saturday going…..

One of those moments………

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While in an appointment with Barry yesterday, a comment was made that tickled Dr. T.

Since the stroke, Barry’s INR (blood clotting factor) has been unstable. This has meant several trips to the local hospital lab. I tease Barry that one of the lab-techs is sweet on him. It relaxes him a little, since hospitals can make him tense.

While in with Dr. T., I asked Barry, “Did your girlfriend draw your blood today?” Dr. T. almost fell out of her chair giggling. She said you two are”cute” and left the room quickly. It was one of those moments….

Are you looking for me? Another ” New Barry” moment:

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He is telling me what to type, I’m not picking on him. Several of his “New Barry” moments are too private to share, but hilarious.

While leaving Kroger, he noticed a lady in an SUV with the window half open. As he walked to the car, he realized she was taking pictures. He got in his car, rolled the window down and rode past her. He shouted to her “Hello, I hope you aren’t looking for me because I was never here.” As she was laughing, he drove away.

The stroke loosened my sweety up and took his filter away.

Weighting on my foot………..

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Barry and I were leaving for the Brain Tumor Support Group at Emory this morning, when I decided to tell him I was wearing a weight on my left foot. He quickly responded, “Where did you leave it?” He thought I had said ” We need to wait on my foot!” Is this selective hearing or are his ears going bad? He thought we actually needed  to wait on my foot? Is he nuts or being silly? Silly, of course. This is just a good example of the “new Barry”.