A Room With a View

After spending three days in the Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville New York, looking out over the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, I can safely say that I am glad to be home and I am well rested. I had a bit of a wake up call on Monday, and can only admit that I am torn about the decisions I have had to make this week, but quite sure that I have made the right ones. As you may have read previously, I had injured my rib last week. The circumstances of the injury are boring and embarassing so we won't go into them, plus for those of you who follow the blog, they are redundant. Anyway, after a week of excruciating pain and the realization that I really should get checked out by a professional, not to mention get some effective pain meds. My rib was sore, and Tylenol was not cutting it at all. After seeing the Nurse Practioner, whom I like very much and trust implicitly, I was sitting in the chair while she wrote up a prescription for some pain meds. I was so close to a clean getaway when all of a sudden,I fainted. I am not a fainter, and truth be told,I don't hold much respect for fainters. It's a prejudice I never realized I held until I was the one coming to and saying "what happened?" Well, that little faint bought me a ticket to the E.R. Go to the head of the line. Passing all the waiting ER patients, I was whisked right into a bay and plugged up to an IV, heart monitor, and pressure sensor. Effectively, I was in. This was not my plan, but I didn't have much choice. My blood pressure was too low, I was anemic, Type 1 Diabetic and Cardiac patient with two heart stents. I was not going home. This is the constant source of my reluctance to go to the Doctor or ER whever I am in need of urgent medical care (reference smashed shin in May) Whatever I actually go there for becomes secondary when they hear my medical history. It's a golden ticket to a room on the third floor. Damn! So, long story short, I have a few medical issues that will need me to re-focus my attentions on taking care of me. Better control with my diabetes, not working to the point of exhaustion and listening more closely to the signs of my body saying "slow down! We can't keep up!" This is very hard for me to do. My passion is the theatre, and it takes alot of time and energy to be the one calling the shots and making it happen. I love this job. But I don't love it as much as me or my family, and I need to make sure that I am giving myself the important benefit of our situation. We are here in Caroga lake because I needed to slow down. And apparently, I need to slow down more. I thought I had, but I guess it was not slow enough. I was so close to a clean getaway at the Doctors, but I think it was a divine intervention that just changed that situation very quickly and efficiently. Home-No. Hospital?-Yes. Oh well. So I am here and very grateful to have another chance to get it right. I guess we keep learning don't we? We will learn until we get it right. And what do you think they sent me home with? Tylenol.

Summer on its way!

As I sit here looking out the new supersized window in the living room, overseeing our pasture and side yard, I am again struck by how blessed we are to be living in this beautiful and peaceful environment. I work in the city of Gloversville, which is a city by any standards. The fact that I can drive the eight miles and be in the country, far away from everyone and everything, is such a bonus to me. I am in my glory. We have a busy weekend ahead of us, but it is not at OUR theatre. It is at another theatre that is in Johnstown, and I am thoroughly looking forward to seeing our friends in a production of Moon Over Buffalo. This is theatre of the best kind, because the scenery, the take at the door, the logistics of putting on a very ambitious production are NOT MY PROBLEM! I am able to go and enjoy the show for all it is worth. And then go home. These moments remind me why I love theatre so much. Sometimes, it is hard to remember. Allison rejoiced at her last day of school yesterday, and we rejoiced right along with her. The stress of the morning bus routine is put on hold for two solid months. There will be no idling bus outside the house, wondering whether she will be making it or not. As you can see, today I am appreciating the little things. There are still exams next week, but classes are over. I am now officially the parent of a High School Junior. My baby is growing up too fast! Sorry Allie. You will always be my baby, as will the rest of our grown up children. All our babies. Speaking of, Nicole and Mike are barreling down on August, when Michael Jr. will be arriving. We are excited. The summer activities are still being planned, and our schedule is still in progress, but it feels as though this year is going by way too fast. I think I might have missed spring. But things are happening, which is always good. Progress. The Amish are out in full force, setting up their booths and selling their baked goods in town. I love passing the horse and buggy as we drive to school (the bus has been missed a few times the past week-we have been driving-as I said, stress!) But passing the Amish on the way down the mountain is perfectly lovely in the morning. It puts everything in perspective. Slow down and smell the pastures! I have been looking back at the blogs of the past two years (two years! I can't believe it) and I am struck by all the things that we have done - I had forgotten some. Blogging is a wonderful way to keep the moments of your life alive. Things that may be minor enough to forget, return as a fond and funny memory. I was never a fan of a journal, because really, writing to yourself seemed kind of redundant. But knowing someone will be reading your blog keeps your thoughts and your choices somewhat open and honest. That's the idea anyway. For instance, Allison and I had a discussion last night about how to share the circumstances of my cracked rib. She felt that lying about it was perfectly acceptable, because the truth of it was so embarassing that it was not to be shared. I, however, have a different approach. I choose to see the humor in it, and hope that someone else will too. Right before they cart me off to the old folks home. As you may be aware, our living room was being renovated and worked on for the past few weeks. During this process, we were essentially living in the bedroom because all the living room "stuff" had been moved into the kitchen, which meant there was no place to sit down. The floors were being plywooded and the recliner had been set down on an uneven section of the floor. At some point on Sunday, being totally exhausted from the activities of Relay for Life on Friday and the Theatre's fundraising auction on Saturday, I moved the drop cloth off the recliner and was reading. That was all I COULD do, I was plum tuckered out. So parking my butt into the recliner was an OK option. At one point, I got hungry for a snack, and decided to get out of the chair and go get something to eat. Unfortunately, due to the uneven placement of the recliner, the mechanics of the foot rest would not allow it to fold back into the upright position, and so I began to rock back and forth. Apparently, I rocked a little too hard because I felt a sharp stabbling pain in my right rib, the spot that I had cracked a few years back chasing Daphne on the New York State Thruway (that's another story for another day). I guess the healed rib re-cracked itself, and I have been in acute pain ever since. Allison has determined that the facts of this injury (following close on the heels of my Alice in Wonderland cracked shin) indicate that I am a bumbling idiot and should be lied about in order to protect my rapidly deteriorating reputation. As what? A graceful member of society? Honey, that boat has sailed. We all know that I am somewhat of a klutz, and I blame it simply on moving too fast. I should slow down. Maybe I'll sit in the recliner for awhile.

It's Been a While

Hey Gang.....It's been a while since Jen or I posted....Just so much going on here in Caroga Lake. Where to start? No pictures since we seem to have missed placed our camera. Looks like it's time to pick up a new one since it's been missing for a few weeks now. It is time anyhow since we have had it for a while and it was starting to act up. Weather has been cooler and rainy here. Jen & I have been over working at the Glove Theatre , I have had a Break as I have been working Nights the last few weeks with a security company, a little extra money always helps us retired people. Most of my Co-workers are retired cops and I am having a good time as we speak the same language, cops speak and think a little different then others....Just the way it is! Ali is just about done with school and looking forward to not getting up so early for the Bus or her ride from a friend that passes our house a little later then the bus. Nicole & Mike soon with be delivering our Grandson , Michael, in August. We don't get to see then often enough & miss them. Jackie and Jessie are still having a great time in Mineola. Brian is expecting any day now to be called to a police job , Walter seems to be enjoying his Job on a tug boat in Ny harbor. That's about it for now.....Talk to you soon Til Next time Gang.......Jerry