Update on My Heart and Health

Yesterday I finally had the appointment with my new cardiologist Michael Smith.  He was quite engaging and very interested in hearing about Lake Almanor as it is an area he wants to visit so I gave him quite a spiel on that.  He told me he was sorry I had to sell my home there before I left.

Anyway end result is that the report given me from Utah was not accurate he said.  The echo actually was the same result as before but they interpreted it wrong.  He said I still have severe aorta valve stenosis and am eligible for the TAVR anytime I want it.  However, the procedure is determined more by symptoms I am having than the actual reality of the severity.  So I need to report if shortness of breath gets worse or I have any other symptoms.  

I should exercise more and keep up the walking and good eating and care, etc.

He was most impressed by the lowering of my cholesterol so I explained about Dr. Serry explaining why I should try it and my internist talking me into at least 3 months.  I have always had a bad reaction to statins and since it did not help John I have not wanted to take them.  However, rosuvastatin has not caused any side affects and has really lowered my cholesterol!!!   So, been on it since fall 2020.  Feeling good!

Also numbness of hands at night is not poor circulation, from nerve damage like carpal tunnel.  Need to check.

Follow Up June 2.  I did see my Primary and she had me wear wrist braces to sleep at night to prevent my hands from going numb and voila, no more numb hands.  She also approved me for physical therapy and possible surgery on my carpal tunnel hands and made an appointment for the evaluation on June 16 at Torrey Pines Scripps.

Follow Up June 15,  Monday a scheduler from Torrey Pines called and said since I lived in Carlsbad wouldn't I rather have my appointment in Encinitas.  I said I had figured Encinitas did not have the therapist and so I was sent to Torrey Pines.  No, she said they did and I could call the number which she gave me and get scheduled.  Since I was looking at more than one appointment I agreed to do it.

However, when I talked to Encinitas scheduler it was made clear to me that they were short on therapists and had intentionally sent me to Torrey Pines and since I had cancelled the appointment they could not help me get it back.  (The scheduler had put on the form I had wished to cancel the appointment and as if she had nothing to do with it.) When I explained to her what happened she said she would have her boss call me.  I actually got two calls of apology and explanation but they were so short I would have to go back and reschedule.  We are talking another two weeks, month?

So next day the Torrey Pines therapist wrote on my Scripps Internet Chart and said she was sorry I had cancelled but if I still needed help she was there, just not for awhile.  I sent an explanation back and then I decided I did not want to be traveling by Uber for my appointments all the way to Torrey Pines while Linda was gone after the last experience I had with that so I wrote back and said I would just handle my problem with my braces etc and not do activities which caused pain.  After all it is not as if I have a job on the line or anything.   I do not have to correct carpal tunnel surgery at 90 years of age.  I just avoid things and handle the problem.

But what this Torrey Pines Scheduler did to me by phoning me and having me reschedule without direction from anyone because she assumed she knew what she was doing is one practice I drummed over and over to my loan processing assistants...NEVER ASSUME.  Too often an assistant does not want to appear that she does not know everything so she gives out erroneous information and it causes problems for everyone as it did this week.  Never Assume you know, IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, SAY YOU WILL GET THE CORRECT ANSWER AND CALL THEM BACK AND/OR NEVER CALL AND DIRECT A CLIENT UNLESS YOU HAVE ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT YOU ARE TELLING THEM.

Janet as a Swedish Grandma

Meagan created this at the Family Center at Temple Square.  That really is my face! 

 

Charli and Harper

Charli and Harper recently had birthdays in May and June and I sent them some little workbooks and Amy sent pictures back showing that they were using them!!

Charli used to color with me in my Happy Color in my tablet when she was just a baby.  She enjoyed it almost as much as I did.

Such a lovely home they have in West Virginia.

Harper working with her Dad.

One of the books was listed very Clever Children.  I thought Charli fit the bill.

Good Map of Carlsbad Waters End!!!!

This is a good map of where I am presently living with my daughter Linda and her husband Gary.  It is a gated community just up from the Carlsbad Beach.  They can walk to the beach.  I cannot walk that far anymore and would be much to slow, even if I could go all that way.  So I do not beach anymore but it is a lovely place to live with very lovely people to speak to and watch at the park.  Directly across from my windows is the park where basketball, racket ball, swimming and playing on slides and things takes place. It is a great place to walk my dog and just enjoy the whole scene.  I am enjoying it very much and the weather is marvelous even though cloudy, gloomy certain times of the year.

Linda Discovers This Chocolate Cake!!!

Tastes like a decadent chocolate cake....sooo good and without all the things I do not have a tolerance for anymore.   

 

Cute Great Grandchildren

Tanner and Cohen visit Rowan and have fun on the new slide!!

I baked a gluten free pineapple upside cake with all the fresh pineapple that Linda left.

I finally finished this difficult little wooden puzzle Maria gave me, it was hard!!!

But so much fun, lost a piece in tv room or my bedroom!

Sadie Has Rabies and Two Other Shots

For the Record

Sadie had her 3 yr Rabies Shot, one Year Bordetella and one Year DHPP today at the Oceanside Humane Society.  Will need to go there one year for new shots, also she got her l year license.  Can do walk-in or make appointment.  572 Airport Rd., Oceanside, CA  619 299 7012.   So much cheaper than going to the  Vet.

                         

Sadie loves her bed and for some reason she often hangs her head all the way down to the floor.  I have not figured out the reason for that at all.  This picture does not show the nice white shag rug we now have which she loves to lay on also.

The sign behind her bed was made by a friend at Lake Almanor and hung from my address sign on Mountain Ridge.  The Great Escape was not describing my cabin but was describing the fact we had escaped from the city of San Diego, where we could not afford to live anymore anyway,  and were now living in beautiful Northern California top of the mountains by a gorgeous big lake!

Updating My Room

While I was alone for a week I took down my puzzle table and there was a ridge on the rug which I could not straighten out.  I was reminded of when I had my white shag rug at the cabin.  I had bought it because "I did not want to die before experiencing living with a white shag rug (which seemed very luxurious to me."  So I had replaced the round rug in Lake Almanor with a white shag rug and we loved it.

So I decided I needed the white shag rug in my bedroom here, and voila, Costco did not have it,  but Amazon had it to me in a day.  It is ivory, not white,  but we (Sadie and I ) love it.

I also upgraded my Roku, which I used to have two, now one is with Kelsi.  I was amazed at all the enhancements plus one I really love is earphones to attach to my remote so I can watch and no one is disturbed by the noise!!!!!!  Also I have my own moving fish aquarium that is beautiful to watch whenever there is a delay in what I am deciding to watch!

 

Kham And His Big Life

Kham has a most interesting life.  His Dad has this awesome job as manager of a park on an island near Washington State and Kham loves the truck and other interesting things his Dad uses on his job.

 Bahia and Kham with matching aprons working in the kitchen.  So cute.

Kham has an interesting life with his mother, too as she is a Nanny to a family and he gets to go with her, plus it looks like he is getting apt in the kitchen as well!  Love those Valko curls.

Mother's Day 2023

It was a little strange to spend Mother's Day alone at Linda's House but James came over later and I had planned ahead and had a wonderful Shrimp Salad prepared and a favorite kind of day planned.

I dressed in my purple velvet lounging pajamas.  And I had already separated the puzzle pieces of a water painting puzzle I had borrowed from Stephanie's daughter Raquel and I had already started putting it together on my puzzle board but it was hard and I needed more space to spread it out.  

So it was spread all over Linda's kitchen table and I am ready to go.  When James came over I had made good progress but I still could not finish before the day was over.  Finished a couple days later.  It was a very fun puzzle and I enjoyed listening to Paul Anka music all day long!!!!  One of many days I have been alone for Mother's Day but received phone calls, emails and pictures!!!

Picture of Linda.  Gary and Linda were hiking at Zion this week.

Pictures from Maria and Johnny.  They were hiking with Mike and his girlfriend in the Ramona area.

Picture of Cohen and Rowan, stars of Mother's Day in Las Vegas.

Picture of Calvin from West Virginia, star of Mother's Day there.

The finished puzzle.

Kelsi goes to Prom with Mason

Evidently Mason and Kelsi used to be a "thing" when they were younger but now they are just friends (what they tell me) but he took her to the Prom and he will soon be off on his mission.  Kelsi just turned 17.  Cute boy and girl though.

 

Early Mother's Day

Both Linda and Maria have their children to visit on Mother's Day so we had an early one but forgot to take a picture!!!

Linda and I met Maria for lunch at Chipotle and then saw the movie "Love Again".  It was a sweet romance with Priyanka Chopra as the star and appearances from Celine Dion plus her great music.  The show was a little slow for the girls but I loved it.  

I always love getting together with my daughters!!!!

Maria gave me this puzzle which is all made of wood with intricate cuts and then designs on top but it is less than a foot in size all around so it will be a challenge to put together but fun.  I love the puzzles Maria finds for me.

Rowan Finn Torsak Turns One!

 We miss seeing this little guy, but hard to believe he is one already.  Living in Las Vegas now.

I sent him a little wooden stacking toy, hope he gets it, he is celebrating in Park City.

Jacob Wins a Surf Contest

But woe he tied with another dude for first and they had to draw for the trophies and so he ended up with a 2nd Place Trophy.  But he is first in our World!!!!

With him are two of his friends, brother Jimmy, sister Kelsi, Dad James and Uncle Chase with two of Chase's children.

Five Trophy winners that day.

 

Eyes are Good! And Cholesterol Under Control

I saw a Scripps Ophthalmologist  and the news was all good.  The Fuchs Dystrophy on the left eye is growing so slow he thinks that I will die before it really chooses to bother me.  Also my glasses still have a great prescription and I do not need to change them for now.  He says  especially if the prism is working so well because that is hard to achieve.   He says when my eyes are irritated it is eyestrain and not the Fuchs causing the problem.

Last year I saw a Ear, Nose and Throat and he started me on the generic version of Flonase which I use every night and I never have a stuffed nose anymore.  That was the greatest appointment outcome because I had been sent for sleep apnea problems and because I could not breathe they said I had it and was going to have to wear those horrible things at night and then I suggested the ENT idea and my primary said definitely and it worked!!! ENT prescribes Flonase and no sleep apnea!!!  No sleep apnea at all and I have been so grateful for that.

Also after all the blood work numbers came back the Dr told me my cholesterol was under control and so is my blood pressure and sucrose. Yea!!!  Also my weight.  I do need to exercise more though.  Longer walks will do.

The Lyft, Uber Dilemma

Today my appointment with Mohs Surgery Doc was at Shiley Pavillion on Torrey Pines.  Linda and James were both going to be out of town and my insurance provides rides so I called for an Uber.

All worked fine until we got there and driver wanted to drop me three buildings and a parking lot from where I was going.  I finally got him to take me back to Shiley and he said he would pick me up at same place.

Ha!  At 11:45 I was told my driver was on the way and then he had arrived.  Problem is it was Marcos and not Carlos and he had same problem as morning driver and had instructions to pick me up at wrong place.

I talked with Scan Transportation and she proceeded to keep me on line while we went through three or four Uber drivers who all had same problem and could not find me.  I was now very tired and frustrated.

She was stoic and could not understand the problem but extremely sympathetic and determined to get me picked up.  Finally Samy, a Lyft Driver was called and I said the magic words that told him where I was at.  I said, closer to the Torrey Pines Golf Course, and he came right to me.  

By now I was frantic and had James and Mary ready to come pick me up ( he was back from SL) if this one did not find me but he did.  It was almost 1:30 before I got home.  What an experience.

However, I did find out why there was a problem.  The Lyft driver, a little younger than Meagan, said the data that Scan sent to them showed the big area of all the Scripps buildings but not the numbers except for the main building which is 10666...I was at Shiley 10820.  He said the data would point to a place a little north or south of the main building but unless someone gave them more of a clue they could not see addresses, etc.  He said he would have known instantly if I had said next to the big hotel by the golf course.

Meantime, the lady from Scan thought it was Uber and Lyft data that was bad and she said we will never know what the problem is unless you get to ride back with one of them, weird right?  Is this Scan driver stuff new or just a problem here where there are so many buildings in a row???

UPDATE:  When I wrote a letter to Scan and explained the problem they treated it as a grievance letter from me, apologized, and never learned a thing from it.  So I am never using their transportation again.

 

It Is a Good Day!!!

I met my new Primary Doctor on March 14th and what a dynamo!!!  In two days she had all tests I needed, additional appointments needed with any and all doctors ordered. 

I am working with a dermatologist on eczema etc.  Having mohl surgery on hand scheduled, addressed all other itching problems.

Have medication for edema she saw immediately and medicine caused additional itching on lower legs but all well and have lost at least 10 lbs or more.

Have appointment with opthomologist so will be getting new glasses and hopefully help on the Fuchs Dystrophy.

Have the new lower dentures and will work with them and eventually have a permanent set that I will actually be able to chew only end of year.  Some sensitivity issues but working on them.

Had chest exrays because of edema and no pneumonia type stuff but need to get all fluid out.  There has been additional heart enlargement, etc.  Working on this.

Blood tests came back and have a few high numbers on creatine and urea but liver does not look too bad and phosphorous and calcium are under control.  Have new info to work with to keep balanced and prevent more damage.  All other numbers look good.  Cholesterol lowest in 60 years since began monitoring.

Have not experience anymore shortness of breath, no aching in legs.  I got very stiff and sore when I was energetically doing over an above on collage, puzzles, sorting of records, pictures etc.  But it is all done and I am feeling great.

I think my hormones are balanced for the first time in ages and without the patch, etc.  Living here and eating the right foods has made a big difference in my life.  What we eat is what it is all about...stay away from processed and fast food, eat clean.  Listen to my body and what it can tolerate.  With all my allergies and etc. it has been a learning process since Hurricane Katrina ruined my digestive system but I have always had allergies and such.  My skin is better than every, wish I had this skin in my teen age years. 

Yes, I do get tired but I take a nap!!!  I was having night sweats and found it was the throw I was wrapping myself in to stay warm.  All well, there.

Anyway after the Echo results come back I am sure we will discuss more but I am thrilled to be working with such a competent doctor.  She is East Indian as is Dr. Serry.  Only 37, 1 and 4 yr old, only here 6 months, hating living in Palm Springs, love it here.  She is a Family doctor, not internist but very sharp and aggressive.  Her husband also works at same clinic I think.

I can't see my new cardiologist till May 23 when it will be 3 yrs since Dr. Grey, I am hoping to have no more to do with him or Stinnis, we will see!!!

Because of all the changes to my eating and etc for many different reasons I am no dairy, no gluten, drink almond milk and use coconut yogurt and ice creams, etc. Ckd changed some eating, no chewing teeth changed some.  The lisinopril has blood pressure under control and rosuvastatin doing it's job.  

I need to work on my specific exercise and walking but I am very active and energetic doing things inside!!!  Last night I was even dancing, hope that will be a part of my life again.  My weight stays under 130-135.  

I take care of all monetary, etc and health care issues and appointments etc,  Linda drives me to Dr Appts and see I have shopping needs, etc.  So much I can order from Amazon, I try to be quite self- sufficient.

Dr. Nathwani is going to be a great doctor to work with, so happy I was inspired to call and change  Scripps offices.  Linda and James both go to same Scripps Clinic and have same cardiologist. 

Tanner and Kelly's Families Come for a Few Days

Cohen or Coco became acquainted with new people and soon lost his shyness of them.  He is the baby of Tanner and Marissa and was l year old in early January.  He loves walking but is not saying too much yet!

Linda had the Hardys come for dinner and Molly took pictures since I did not.

Lea and Kelsie are always chatting and fun.

 

Molly did pretty good getting everyone in picture but where was Collin? 

 Something funny I did not know about until later was Linda filming me getting excited sharing how Bahia had made this wonderful reel of Kham and how the pictures on the video of Kham doing things on the beach matched the actions of the song being sung about going to the ocean.  

I thought it was miraculous while they had missed catching that, so I was excited as I explained to them how it was done and they could learn to do it too.!!!!  Linda then attached the excited video of me to the song "Put a Woman in Charge" and put it on her Facebook account.  It was the first reel she ever made and it was good except I looked like a crazy lady with funny hair in the back as it is here.  Have to see it to believe it.

Poor Molly who was doing such a good job with the boys Coco and Roro did not get her picture here.

 

Here is a picture of Molly taking care of Ro and Co at the same time.  She was very helpful and always happy and taking such good care of herself.  Already in the 3rd grade!

Kelly or Linda caught the picture of me rocking Roro the following day when Kelly and Collin were getting ready to leave.  I told Gary I could rock the baby and so I settled in the chair and he brought him to me.  I was showing him musical reels and he soon fell asleep.  My arm is too weak or he is too heavy for me to hold him well so I snug him against my body and hold him that way. 

I love these rocking pictures with Ro.  That is how we got acquainted in November is I got the new recliner, glider, rocker and Kelly would bring him in to learn to rock with me and I would sing and rock and show him books and he loved the rocking.  So fun for me.

Before he left this time I went over to give him a hug and I not only got the hug but a slobbery lick on the nose, too, which is pretty near an expression of love, I choose to think.

...............................

Linda got some good pictures of Coco and Roro learning to play together.  She also got a video of them taking a wooden toy away from each other and just keeping their eyes on each other while they took it and then lost it to the other, waiting to see what reaction they would get.  Neither cried or got upset but you could definitely see a little older boy glee in Coco's eyes when he was the victor and got to keep the toy and Roro just looked a little bewildered as to what had happened.  You can see in the picture below the wooden toy Coco ended being the victor of taking away from Roro, who is only 8 months old.

 

Another funny thing that happened with Coco is that after the Torsak's had left and Tanner and Marissa also left for an errand and Gary was busy Coco ended up being in the kitchen area with just Linda and I.    Of course, he is familiar with her, but they live in Las Vegas and Coco does not see her often.   He just barely met me.  He is not used to being without his mother but handled it really well.

He started walking from one room to another saying, "Ma, Ma, Ma, where's Da?"  Linda picked him up and made him feel comfortable but I thought it was amazing he did not start to pucker or cry at being deserted.

I was telling Marissa about it when they returned and she could not believe it because he had never called her Ma or anything before!!!!  Linda said he didn't need to call her anything because she was always there and his needs are met so says nothing except "Where's Da?"  It was so cute.

Health Update

Since I have taken away all dairy from everything I eat I have little processed food left or freezer dinners.  All frozen sugary and high carb treats with milk etc are gone.  Got rid of anything with cheese.  No broth or creamy stuff in soups etc.

I am feeling better all ready but I cannot let down my guard about what I eat.

I also eliminated this past month allergy meds except for Flonase at night.  I stopped lexapro.  I use oxybutynin only when going out.  I try to monitor water etc. 

On Feb 22 I spent 3 hrs at Dentist and removed 6 teeth, was on codeine and amoxicillin and will receive partial on March 22.

Harry Passes Away

Harry Math Becker, age 91 of Gaylord, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2023, with his family at his side.

Harry was a loving and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, who lived a full and adventurous life.

Born April 27, 1931, in Glendive, Montana, to Henry Bernard and Amelia Josephine (Strohmayer) Becker, he spent his early childhood years on their family dairy farm. At age five, his family moved to Whitefish, Montana, where he spent most of his childhood hunting with his favorite uncles, teaching tricks to his horse, and joking and playing tricks on his younger sister, Henrietta.

At 14, Harry worked for his Uncle Roman for two summers as the youngest member of his combining crew harvesting crops from North Dakota to New Mexico. This crew was a 500-person team the US government chose to serve as the Harvest Brigade to provide food for the Allied troops and civilians during WWII. Harry finished his last two years of high school in Glendive, MT, where he found life-long friends. He excelled at playing basketball, track, baseball, and football, and helped Dawson High School win back-to-back state titles in football. He continued playing football at North Dakota State College of Science. In 1991, Harry was inducted into NDSCS's Hall of Fame for his outstanding athletic abilities and achievements during his time playing football for them.

Harry received his associate degree from NDSCS and promptly got a job working for Shell back in his hometown of Glendive. Due to his strong will, perseverance, and the disciplined principle of working hard, Harry quickly rose through the ranks at Shell. In 1962, Harry was reassigned to take over one of the offshore oil rigs off the coast of Santa Barbara, CA, making him the youngest offshore drilling foreman at the time. Harry helped to develop/employ underwater diving and drilling techniques/devices. In 1974 Harry was transferred to Gaylord to supervise Shell’s operations in the growing Niagaran trend. He retired from Shell in 1987, then promptly went to work with Ward Lake Energy to develop the shallow Antrim formation. He has been honored for lifetime achievements in oil and gas through the American Petroleum Institute and the Michigan Desk & Derrick Club.

In 1958, Harry fell in love and married Shirley Jean LaPage, and they have shared the following 64 years together. Throughout life's joys and sorrows, pains and pleasures, they have loved and supported each other, and through their actions have created a beautiful, warm, and tight-knit family.

Harry loved his children and grandchildren and has been there for all their sporting events, joys and heartbreaks, graduations, birthdays, weddings, and other major life events. He's the loudest cheerleader any of his kids or grandkids could ask for, and he loved telling stories of his life and giving memorable life lessons. He was community-minded, participating on many boards.

Harry is survived by his wife, Shirley; two sons, Ronald (Roberta) and David (Joan); five grandchildren, Travis (Alix), Clay (Sheldan), CiCi, Ronni (Tanner), and Rena; one great-grandson, Benji Harry Becker; half-brother, Michael “Mel” Norgaard; and brother-in-law Richard Dietz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Henrietta Becker Dietz; and his sister-in-law, Maxine Norgaard.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home in Gaylord.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord starting at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to Mass at the cathedral beginning at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials donations may be made to either St. Mary Athletic Association at 321 N. Otsego Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735 or Gaylord High Athletic Association at 90 Livingston Blvd., Gaylord, MI 49735-9387

Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.

Posted online on March 01, 2023

Harry was my high school and college boyfriend.  We almost married but parted ways and I went to California to teach school and did not see him till the 2000 Dawson County High School Reunion.

See 50th Reunion in Glendive on the right side of my blog for pictures.

Day in the Life of a 90 Year Old

I made a reel of this with the music of "Forever Young" sung by Rod Stewart.