Friday morning, I woke up with vertigo. It was a mild case that came and went, but it whacked me nonetheless. My wife gave me the medication for vertigo recommended by both my GP and urologist, and I was able to solider on.
Friday evening, I had problems setting up the cycler. It would not recognize the bag on the heater tray regardless of what we did. I ended up shutting down and replacing the cassette which cleared the problem. First time in over 800 dialysis sessions that I’ve experienced a faulty cassette. Be advised it could happen to you.
Dialysis is, at this stage, over two years in, merely an inconvenience. Yes, I have to take sit-down breaks, but who at 86 doesn’t?
Today I vacuumed and cleaned our BMW’S dash area with a detailing brush. I then cranked up our truck and went up to our local greenhouse. There, I bought 18 3 cube bags of mulch, 20 bags of compost/manure, and six tomato plants.
Upon arrival home, I switched vehicles to our X5 and accompanied my wife to Krogers, where we dropped over $400 and didn’t buy any meat. Oh, there was a lunch enroute.
Had about half an hour to catch up on the news before starting my evening dialysis routine. Crank up the Cycler, take a shower, take care of the catheter area, take care of the latest cancer removal area, and lastly, apply the chemical cancer treatment to the back of my head.
I’m currently doing a 2l static fill, then supper, then a little Acorn tv, then to bed in the 2100 timeframe where I’ll hookup to the Cycler for the night, arise about 8 or later, rinse and repeat.
Yesterday, my wife was vacuuming our golden retriever on our back patio. Goldens tend to shed quite a bit, make that gobs, and vacuuming is a way to prevent an abundance of dog hair everywhere inside the house. This is especially important for those of us on dialysis. I was struck and very impressed by his demeanor during this process. Most/many dogs are utterly afraid of vacuum cleaners and fight and/or are dubious of any grooming. Not Dickens as you can view in the video below. He just laid back and essentially went to sleep. Perhaps we should take direction from him and not sweat the stuff in life that we can’t change but just have to endure – like dialysis for instance.
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.”
