One ill Bill

This was a good day.  Only a little Dilantin on my schedule — till Thursday.  Hope that will take caare of the down side. The week starts off easy.  Monday just have to wait for the telephone guy to come out and repair.  Phone is messed up.  Tuesday and Friday occupational therapy–mainly eye exercises.  Thursday have a Dr appointment.

I have never thought that I had many friends, certainly not the kind that you are.  Many of you knew me better than I ever thought.  Thank you 

In 1969, Washington state public schools still began on the day after Labor Day. They still do. I arrived at the opening day gathering late, but was surprised to see two young women emerge from a car with Illinois plates and a Chicago city vehicle sticker. I caught up with them, but they informed me that they were late for an important meeting and had no time to talk. A bit disappointing.

Well, very soon one of the women, a Chicago native named Thelma was sitting at the same faculty table. She was a new elementary teacher where I was to be the new elementary counselor in the same school. And this woman was Thelma who you know as my wife.

Those of you who know more than I do about Dilantin realize that rather than being taken off the drug in one day, it will actually be gradually over the next two weeks.

I am feeling substantially better and hope it continues. . . .

- Bill

Dr. stopped in. With the consultation if surgeon in Iowa City, I am going to be entirely taken off Dilantin today. This move expects that my energy will be better, my balance could improve and the side effects of D would disappear. Both T & I are glad. Also, I can have a vodka when I get home. Alleluia! – Bill

May the sofa rise
to meet you,
May the TV shine warm
upon your face,
And may fluffed cushions
always be at your back.

— Snoopy learned that from an Irish setter.
…………………………………………..

I am feeling more myself and am hopeful of emerging from rehab ready to enjoy September. Then will have time to email you personally as well as I can. Thanks. -Bill

Sorry, I didn’t blog on Monday.  Between taking my meds and taking my therapy in Speech and Occupational I am somewhat worn down.  But, maybe it’s just my brain acting up.

I tried today to go to the beginnings of the BLOG and looked at the introduction and the comments that went with it,  And there was a comment from a student I had in the early 60s at De LaSalle.  He would be in the graduating class of 1965.  Squirt guns or not, that was a tremendous group of young men.  It is a compliment to be remembered as a “good” teacher.

Speech Therapy (ST) and Occupation Therapy (OT) came today as well as a friend of mine came at Noon time and brought lunch from KFC.  And after dinner used the treadmill for 6 minutes at 1 mile per hr.  So it turned out to be a busy day but a good busy day.  Also used the VEST for the first time on my own today.  That is supposed to sheer the mucous from the walls of your lungs.  I think it can be compared to Popeye and his spinach breaks.  In any case, it is a break for Thelma who has been on a schedule to pound on my chest manually daily.

In terms of time and therapy, te emphasis this week had been on evaluation. . . so my 2 weeks may just be starting along with my homeboundedness.

I am certainly happy to be at home, but strangely enough, it is a lbit more lonely.  I  just had so many more people around me all day.  It just is a new horarium to get used to.  New schedules are always that way, I guess.

Till tomorrow, Just Plain Bill, but NOT the Barber of Hartville.

As dictated by Bill…

Thelma and I went up to Iowa City for an appointment with my pulmonologist today. This has been my pulmonologist since my winter problems. The idea was to get his opinion on my lungs at this point. He was pretty satisfied, but concerned that the blood gas test was not as good as before the surgery. We go back in three months. This man is excellent and really has seemed to find the root of my pulmonary problems. He does not think all of it is simply smoking related. There is no doubt that the condition he was able to put me in prior to the surgery is what helped me survive the surgery. He was especially gracious today and made me feel he was happy to have helped make the difference when I told him how I feel.

I had company today when a former student dropped by. After all the events of the day I am feeling tired tonight.

Well, it’s Tuesday.  Yesterday seemed long.  Occupational therapist, Speech pathologist, and Home nurse were all here.  Then physical therapist today. And I am homebound.  So, besides not being able to drive, I can’e leave the house.  All, of course, better than the alternative.  Physical therapist coming today.

Bottom line:  My bed better than hospital bed.