When I went to bed last night, it was 18F; when I got up, rather late, it was 12F. There were a few snow flurries, but from what I can see and read about, there are not many icy roads. The power is staying up, so we’re cosy in our home.
While being weather-shut in, so to speak, my wife and I are planning what vines we are going to plant to take advantage of our new trellis system in the backyard. We’ve decided to plant some purple wisteria and vining roses as a starting point. We’re trying to source such plants now.
I inserted the weather forecast for the near future for where we live so you can see that starting next Monday, I will be moving the few tomatoes and zucks plants that I started indoors to their summer resting places. Starting Saturday and probably into Sunday I will be working on finishing the trellis system. Yesterday when it was brisk outside I heated our single garage where my saws are set up and made as many 45 angle cuts in the lattice strips for the trellis so I’m ready to buggie when the weather breaks.
Stay warm if you’re in a temperature warp like we are here in North Texas.
As I sit here in Pecan Plantation on this crisp February morning, I can’t help but feel a sense of renewal wash over me. The Daffodils, those bright harbingers of spring, have begun to bloom. Their cheerful yellow petals push through the earth, a vibrant reminder that life continues to unfold, even in the most challenging times.
Having served in Vietnam, I carry memories that are both heavy and profound. The experiences I lived through, particularly my exposure to Agent Orange, have shaped my journey in ways I never anticipated. Today, I find myself on peritoneal dialysis, navigating the complexities that come with it. Yet, each morning, I wake to the promise of a new day, much like those Daffodils awakening from their winter slumber.
Seeing these flowers bloom inspires me to reflect on resilience and hope. Just as the Daffodils bravely emerge despite the cold and dark months, we too have the strength to rise above our circumstances. Each blossom is a testament to the power of nature to heal and rejuvenate. It reminds me that beauty can flourish even in the face of adversity.
In my journey, I find parallels with the Daffodils. They remind me that, much like our lives, growth often follows struggle. The process of blooming is not instantaneous; it requires patience and perseverance. There are days when I feel weighed down by my health struggles, but then I step outside and see those flowers, and I am reminded that life is a cycle of challenges and triumphs.
As we move into spring, I encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the small joys around us. Whether it’s the first bloom of your garden or a simple moment of connection with a loved one, these are the things that lift our spirits. Let’s draw inspiration from nature’s resilience and allow it to motivate us in our own lives.
Today, as I watch the Daffodils sway gently in the breeze, I am filled with gratitude for the moments of beauty that punctuate our lives. They serve as a reminder that hope is always within reach, and with it, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead.
So, let us embrace the blooms, both in nature and in our hearts, and carry that spirit of renewal forward into our lives. Together, we can cultivate a garden of resilience and hope, one bloom at a time. God knows in the times I have been facing, I certainly needed to see the first blooms of Spring today. I hope that readers of this blog are so lucky!
I was aided and abetted in writing the above by Poe in response to the following Prompt: “I am a Vietnam vet on peritoneal dialysis as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. Today is Feb 18, 2025. We live in Pecan Plantation and this morning I noticed our Daffodils are starting to bloom. Write a blog along the lines of drawing inspiration from this.”
Every morning, as part of our dialysis routine, we must enter several biometrics into the Liberty Cycler dialysis machine. These include blood pressure, pulse rate, and glucose level. These readings, along with a host of associated data, are sent up into a cloud via a modem attached to the Cycler, where they are available to your dialysis team for review.
Yesterday morning my recorded pulse rate was 53 which caused my dialysis nurse alarm. She called and reported the same to the doctor/nephrologist, who directed that my cardiologist be made aware. Here we go in this circle again. So I did call the NP who is the gatekeeper to the actual cardiologist and reported stopping metropol etc which she said she would report to the cardiologist. We’ll see how all of this turns out once again. Patient in the middle one more time.
I have mentioned from time to time that we are working on building a trellis system across our backyard. As I rest (which I spend lots of time doing!) it is a good time to look at my navel and cogitate what it all means. I have concluded that it is way too easy to get all wrapped up, or tangled in the requirements of dialysis, and for me, all the other defrugalities that are complacent with it. So in this regard, come hell or high water, this Spring I’m going to continue to push through physical and mental barriers. I have lots more to accomplish before I punch out.
I promised a video update on the trellis progress which is depicted below:
As I write this, am doing my nightly static fill. Had a great day. Cold here in N Texas – 21F this AM, but still a doable do if you dress for it. Picked up the remaining calculated fence flats needed for the trellis project we’re working on. Spent the rest of my working day ripping slats making template spacers, and final prep of one of four sections for slats. I’m ready to go into production Saturday when our son and GD are going to lend a hand. Life is still good.
Since I stopped taking the heart/ BP related drug, metropol, I am feeling much better. In fact, today I felt the best in months and accomplished tons. Started off with supply delivery. I did receive four boxes of cassettes with the former 20 foot supply and drain leads which is a silent win for many patients. Also went up to son’s digs and borrowed a 10 inch table saw. Have 85 cedar fence slats in our truck to rip in thirds for the diagonal lattice boards. It’s predicted to be in 60s Saturday so you know what I’ll be doing then. Also recycled about a month’s worth of dialysis recyclables. Lastly, fixed a program problem on son’s tablet and took him out for authentic Mexican lunch. Life is good.
I watched the Super Bowl with my family yesterday. Our son came early, about 1400, and we worked on installing the stingers for the trellis we are constructing across the long back flower bed for our property. It was in the forties temp-wise, but we worked awhile then went inside to warm up. We completed the job just in time to cook kabobs on the grill for SB treats and watch the game, if you can even call the disaster that. We have 40-8-foot and 45-6-foot cedar fence slats on the back of our truck waiting for the weather to break so I can rip them into thirds for the trellis slats. I’ll install these at a 45-degree angle to finish off the trellis.
We have had a love-hate relationship with the drug Metropol that two doctors insist I take, my cardiologist and nephrologist. The cardiologist’s position is that it is good for my heart and my nephrologist for control of blood pressure. They both blow off the fact that it is driving my pulse through the floor to the point I have passed out and is not doing all that much for my blood pressure. After my last fainting spell a couple of days ago where I was sitting in my chair watching TV and slid out to the floor partially on top of our golden retriever, my wife and I together decided I’m not taking the meds anymore.
Visit with cardiologist went as expected. Normal bios plus ekg all ok. New prescription is old script – 1/2 25 mg metropol iff systolic bp => 115 AND pulse => 60 else nada. Told to lean on kidney dr to either increase hydrochlorizide or prescribed alternatives. We’ll see what happens after my dialysis team meeting next week.
Went to dialysis labs yesterday morning and brought up that pulse running low. Their solution – see my cardiologist. But this is a dual problem. Cardiologist has me on meds to slow heart rate while kidney people employing same med to control blood pressure. Cardiologist instructs me to back off or not to take med if low pulse rate while kidney people advocate even higher dosage to alleviate elevated BP. As the patient, I’m in the middle. So I’ll drive to Ft Worth to see the nurse practicener, but know the outcome. Screwed up my plans big time.
