Category Archives: medical issues

We are back, at least for the moment!

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In our earlier post, we stated we’d try to get a post in a week. Maybe more. According to how our day goes! Between radiation treatments, Barry’s doctors appointments and our energy levels; we are lucky to get anything posted. Have patience. I have taken pictures and written posts while sitting around the hospital. A lot of interesting things go on in local hospitals! Just wait……

Daily Prompt: Google and Rescue Operation

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What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for  it? The last thing I recall searching for online, is “How to repair holes in the wall of the heart.”

My husband, Barry, is very sick at this time. He is about to have to undergo another surgical procedure to repair his heart. The damage was caused by the last surgery! I wanted to learn as much about the condition and procedure as I could. Doctors never tell you eveything.

At that time he was discovered to have endocarditis, an abcess, as well as the mechanical heart valve in place, was dehisting. After the surgery, we were told it was a mercy surgery to save his life.

Not only was the valve coming loose, it was making a mess of his heart inside. They had to do a graft to be able to replace the valve doing the damage. After the surgery, it was discovered that the valve was already leaking where the graft was not holding.

I have been unable and too tired to blog, but I hope to getnat least one post in a week for a while. On top of my sweeties issues,; I have been getting myself to radiation therapy daily, to complete my breast cancer treatment. I’m over half way complete! Cannot wait to have ir behind me!

For now, it is one day at a time. One doctor at a time. Barry and I are surviving, we will be ok. I find myself turning Google for tons of information these days. As a nurse, I understand a lot, but so much has changed since I last did hands on patient care. To be honest, it feels like a thing of the past. Nurse’s do almost nothing when it comes to hands on care these says.

Through God’s will, Barry will have the strength to pull through this. Send a little prayer out for us, even if you do not believe in it! Prayer is a powerful thing!

Our September

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●get Barry home and comfy
●finish chemo
●setup radiation
●organize and get all medications (mine, Barry’s ans mom’s), make sure they take them
●coordinate with visiting nurses for home IV antiobiotics
●Coordinate my appointments, with Barry’s and momma’s
●arrange assistance with appointments
●get hospital bed for Barry
●Take Barry’s vital signs three times daily
●Keep dressing on pic line intact
●Take care of dog and cat
●make sure Barry tries to eat
●AM Care for hubby
●PM Care for Barry
●Dressing assistance when needed
●make sure he gets enough rest
●haircut regularly
●pay bills
●cook breaskfast, lunch snd supper
● do laundry when mom can help

I just wanted to see a list. Might I add that the calendar had no free days available by the first Saturday in September. Our new Jeep is getting quite a workout. It actually runs better since the repairs were made after I filled our new diesel with unleaded. What a Bonehead move to make.Have a great day everyone!

Our August

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  • My dad was on Hospice Care and not doing well. He had a nasty cold and with me on chemotherapy, I could not go see him. My immune system was too low.
  • The Eighth of August was the start of my nightmare month. While attempting to hook the computer to the television, Barry past out cold, hit his head on the front door and appeared to have a seizure.  I could not get 911 fast enough. He was admitted from the ER with an arrhythmia.
  • Two mornings later, I received a call from Barry letting me know they had moved him to ICU during the night and were now planning to transfer him to another hospital.  No hospital employee ever contacted me.
  • Once at the other hospital, he was admitted to their Cardiac Care Unit for close observation.
  • Within  2 days. he was having a pacemaker put in.
  • At my chemo treatment, it was discovered that I had a blood clot in axillary vein under my right arm. When I went in for my injection after chemo, the doctor felt I needed to go to the ER for evaluation. I was short of breath and had chest pain. At least I got to go to the ER at the hospital Barry was in. I was closer to him, although I couldn’t see him before or immediately after the pacemaker surgery. Our Pastor was the perfect substitute. He is such a gracious man.
  •  As it turned out, I had pneumonia, thank goodness the blood clot had not moved to my lungs.They wanted to admit me, but I wanted to be with Barry.
  • A fever, 103, kept me home for a few days
  • He was in bad shape and needed immediate heart surgery
  • I could not get there fast enough. I spent the night before with him.
  • I found out my dad passed away three hours before Barry’s surgery.
  • Our Pastor and an Associate stayed with me during his surgery.  They brought coffee and donuts.
  • I was driven home, after we saw Barry was stable, by my pastor that night. My fever had popped it’s ugly head up again.
  • Our Pastor and an Associate stayed with me during his surgery.  They brought coffee and donuts. It stayed with me for the next week.
  • Someone from the church, Jason W.  and our nephew, Derrek checked on Barry for me while I was out of commission. I was actually chewing on the front door wanting to get to the hospital.
  • Once my fever got out the door, I spent the next 4 days at the hospital and ended up being able to take my sweetheart home with me. 20 days after being admitted. I found out the surgery they did was a mercy surgery. Barry was close to death and almost died during the surgery.
  • I spent the weekend attending the funeral for my dad.
  • On the way home from the hospital, We stopped for gas. We have a diesel Jeep. The station we stopped at was making renovations and still had a diesel sticker on a now unleaded pump. Needless to say, I filled the Jeep with unleaded gas. We were stranded for 4 hours until a wrecker arrived. We arrived home at 11pm.

Is that enough to deal with or do you want more? This isn’t all. My poor pup was home taking care of mom and the house.

We would like to thank everyone that helped make it through this bad, bad month! We love you all!

Through the Grace of our Heavenly Father, we are both alive and kicking. Maybe a little grayer and a I know a lot tired. We are here! Thank you, Dear Lord!

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Daily Prompt: On the Road

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If you could pause real life and spend some time living with a family If anywhere in the world, where would you go?

New Mexico Beach, Florida

Not only does it sound like the perfect vacation spot for people my age, but it is close to home and we can drive. I like places close enough to drive. They plan activities through the year; so you never miss a holiday or season. They constantly remind you. It sounds like a little slice of heaven.

We would love to stay with a couple similiar to us. They would have to let our puppy visitbwith us. That understands our limitations and are willing to slow life down for a bit. I just want to sit on the beach and listen to crashing waves. Of course, a bathroom closeby would need to be handy. We want time alone to be us. Hopefully, there is a church closeby to enjoy services while we are visiting,

Barry and I have been unable to vacation for quite some time. He is busy planning our Christmas get away. I can’t wait. We might stay forever. Getting out and away from home sounds like amn impossibility at the moment, but we can make it happen. Take one day at a time and we will get there. Christmas at the beach. Do I pack a tree?

Good People still Exist

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I recently witnessed a beautiful selfless act. I was talking to a future grandmother, with an unwed daughter not yet out of school.

A gentleman walked up and asked ” May I intrude for a moment?” 

We said “of course”.

He leaned over and whispered something into my friends ear, then hugged her neck before placing something in her hand.

Once he was gone, my friend handed me an envelope and told me to “look inside”.  I was holding an envelope with a large sum of money inside.

He had stated to her to “use this to help your babies”.

There are still “good people” out there.

Closing The Place Down

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I have always heard this phrase used when you are the last person the leave a restaurant or bar, until today. It now fits another experience I survived.

As an American, I am ashamed of certain businesses locally and in the Metro Atlanta Area. The American Disability Act ( or whatever ADA stands for ) provides for bathroom facilities to allow a person with a disability freedom to keep their freedom, independence and individuality.

As a person with a disability, I have encountered numerous mechnical issues, people using the facilities that do not need them (while a handicapped person waits); waiting is not the issue, just to clear that issue up. Other facilities have been down-right nasty, while several have been dangerous. My big pet peeve is a door that doesn’t lock. I like privacy on a public toilet, if I have to use one. I will never understand a oerson’s urge to wipe nastiness on a wall or not cleaning up a spot on the floor if you miss.

Today was the day of all days! I was in a handicap toilet, I reached for the bar to get up. As I pulled on the rail, it came off the wall causing me to fall to the nasty floor (in a doctor’s office of all places). Next came the wall seperating my stall from the one next to it; leading to the domino effect with me stuck between the wall and the toilet. Would we like to discuss loose screws?

As the title states, I closed the place down.

I’m going on a blogation

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For those faithful followers, please don’t give up on me. My life needs my full attention for the time being. Barry is recovering well,  physically and mentally,  but his recovery is my number one priority at the moment. I will do my best to keep at least one post a week going. Have a great fall. Hope to be writing faithfully again soon!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers! God bless you all! Please email me anytime at

tworightsattemptingtomakealeft@gmail.com.

I love email.

Thanks! Jill B.

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