Almost...

 September 1st is my birthday, as it is every year. This year I will turn 83 years of old. At the beginning of the year I was not ready for this. I assumed that 82 was my limit and I was ready for it. I was soon on Hospice care and felt comfortable with the idea of dying.

Then, something changed one afternoon. I had fallen asleep in my chair and when I awoke from my slumbers my right hand was 'paralyzed'. What? I couldn't hold a pencil or a paint brush. Hospice care is dedicated to keeping the patient comfortable and I was not comfortable! I was assigned to the care of a physical therapist and she saw me 2-3 times a week, always trying different exercises. The weeks went by and I saw different kinds of therapists; vocational, speech, I even had a shower 'lady' that helped with my showers. Still Therese, my 'hand' therapist kept me working on that frozen hand. And I began to improve mentally as well as physically. 

I improved so much that they took me off of Hospice care and assigned me to Palliative care. I had to agree that I was in better shape than I was at the first of the year.

Here I am on the last day of my 82 year. I am just back from a visit to the ENT doctor where I had a few capillaries cauterized so I can avoid the nose bleeds that have been plaguing me. Today was also time for my regularly scheduled visit from my regular RN. She checked my vital signs and all were good. She also arranged for a return trip for my last physical therapist to

start coming regularly. She also brought me a new catheter (for my birthday?) as she does every 3 weeks. 

I am still doing my exercises daily (most days) but I haven't done any walking up and down the block as the heat makes it harder to stay focused. I also did some searching on Amazon for some books on Senior Exercises and Balance. I use the Kindle Unlimited program and I can keep the 4 books I found for quite a long time.

I think this 83rd year will see me much improved and looking forward to the 84th year.

Exercise...Oh no!

For some unknown reason (Lazy?) I stopped creating new posts for the blog. Okay, I am back for at least one new post. 

I just walked in the door a moment ago, tired out after a one mile walk. Now I am looking at my weights and stretching bands and contemplating using them for additional exercise. That is something I have been doing for the past 2-3 months. So why am I hesitant to start another round of exercise?

I suppose it's because it seems so futile. I have gained a little strength in my arms and legs but my balance has not benefited from the exercise. I am still shaky. It's worse in the evening hours and I just about fell last night in the bathroom. That's bad as the floor is hard, very hard tile and a fall would probably land me in the hospital. 

My oldest daughter saw me a few days ago and sent me a message...she thought I looked great...it was a nice sentiment, but was it truthful? It seems as if every day brings me a new ailment, a new pain. I have peripheral Neuropathy and I can't feel the bottom of my feet so that balance is difficult. I have a Foley catheter in place and it will always be there. Irritating me until the end of my life. Though my Home Health nurse comes to change the catheter every  three weeks, I am only free of the thing for a few minutes while she prepares to insert the new one. My original diagnosis of COPD has not changed and the nurse always reports that my lungs sound clear, yet, in the evenings I develop a rough cough and bring up lots of phlegm. 

My cat, Boo the wonder cat, is in failing health. She is close to twenty years old so it is not unexpected. She just left my lap, despite her weakness she loves to climb up and into my lap. The rest of her day is spent sleeping nearby. She has just two teeth, so soft food is now on her diet. She never seems to be in pain, so that's a relief.

Our granddaughter just revealed that she made the U.S team of women's wheelchair basketball. She is also on the U.S team for water-skiing. The basketball team is going to Thailand to compete while the water ski events are being held in Elk Grove CA. That's not as exotic as Thailand.

More later...