This past Friday, I had my monthly dialysis team meeting. Nothing astray to report – leaving my BP meds alone and admonished me to up my protein ontake.
Saturday, my wife and I drove down to a little out of the way nursery where we ended up buying $157.00 worth of plants. They did have tomato plants so I filled out what is needed to complete our tomato’s bed. Video to flow. Also bought three vining clematis plants fir the new trellis. Had two lettuce plants , but Golden Retriever ate them. Go figure.
I’m at dermatologist where he just cut out another cancer spot on my left temple. It is a Moh’s surgery, so I have to wait until the stuff removed is deemed clear of cancer cells before buttoning up the area.
Yesterday, our lawn crew moved ten sprinkler heads that were alongside the driveway where they were prone to being ran over by cars to the center of the respective beds. They also put down all the mulch we had.
The Dallas NBC news just reported that we should have no more freezing weather this spring, so the tomatoes and zucchini plants we have already planted should be good to go. They are doing nicely, BTW.
I’m in a procedure room waiting for results. Was told need to use chemical salve on a couple of places behind both ears. Looks like a good time and place for a nap! Later – ZZZZ
Been extremely busy in the yard with the more moderate temperatures here in N Texas. Yesterday I planted outside five tomatoes and six zucchini plants which at first blush are doing fine. I also planted five flourabund roses which required large holes for the roots. While I was resting I cut down four trash trees to open up space for the two apple and two peach trees that are enroute.
So what’s the point? For me, that dialysis does not HAVE to slow you down. With proper prior planning and grit you can still get things done.
By the way, a local recent college grad, sport management degree, is between jobs and placed an additional looking for dog walking jobs. We took her offer and now Dickens is being walked for an hour MWF. Life is indeed good!
I’ve been busy working on the trellis in our backyard. See below for what it looks like in a finished form. Yes, 86-year-old dialysis patients can achieve goals involving work.
As I have previously blogged about, we now have a two-year-old, 86-pound Golden Retriever as a central part of our household. He is worth his weight in gold as a pal and companion to both of us in this time of heart and dialysis perturbations. My wife tells me that when I leave, he (Dickens), lays down by the back door where I exited until my return. At breakfast, he lies on the floor beside me, ever so gently touching, until I finish breakfast. When I’m setting up the Liberty Cycler for my night’s dialysis treatment, he sits by the bed across from the machine until I have completed the setup. At night when we are watching TV, he often places himself equal distance between my wife and I while stretched out to his almost six-foot length. As I write this he initially supervised my setting up to write the blog and often ensconces himself in the footwell of our antique roll-top desk behind me. He is physically and emotionally supportive for both me and my wife – and anyone entering our home. He has no enemies, human or animal.
I recently ran across the poem below, which is applicable to how Dickens behaves:
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.
