Saturday night — whoopee, late out with the weekly blog on 1/24/15
Sunday, Jan 25
I did not feel rested from my “sleep” last night. So, I got up at 8:00, and went back to bed until 9:30.
CPAP report. Reported figures. 8 hrs 17 min with AHI = 0.60
5 H events. No major leaks, max was 23 L/min, but the mask was problematic and perhaps causing some of the parameter increases by adjusting it. However, this is still considered “pretty darned good” by the software ‘SleepyHead’. Considering I have so many days with AHI=0.00, that message amuses me.
Weather was strange here today, but according to photos from elsewhere in the valley, it was a gorgeous spring-like day. We had only a short time of blue skies visible and sunshine. Most of the time it was overcast, gray, and threatening. That is unusual weather for us. We usually are above the valley fog/smog.
Lunch today was good and different: mushroom/cheddar cheese grilled cheese sandwich on French bread and sliced large Honeycrisp apple slices, with cashews on the side.
Happiness, however, to report. Johnny is back (acting a little tentative) but apparently okay. Doesn’t seem very hungry and didn’t eat, but went into the “cat house” — so at least he’s protected, has water, a place to lie down, and a little heat. Although it is 44 outside right now, just at dark.
I did manage to get a load of dishes cleaned, and prepare food for the outside (& inside) cats, but my feet are still cold, so I plan to wrap them in a blanket…and continue with computer chores.
I spent a couple more hours today helping a friend with a document she’s writing, and needs another set of eyes to enable condensing to fewer words.
Now I have another draft to try to go through before I hit the hay. But we still have to eat dinner.
Staying home tomorrow to catch up.
Monday, Jan 26
CPAP report. Reported figures. 7 hrs 11 min with AHI = 0.42
No major mask leaks (max=12 L/min)
I had a phone call this morning, that the medical test charge I mentioned in last week’s blog was an error on “someone’s” part. Even more interestingly, it was reported as having been drawn (the fasting blood draw), in the Cle Elum Lab (30 miles away). We always have our lab work here in Ellensburg, at the hospital.
Interesting lunch: tiny chicken tacos with salsa & large Honeycrisp sliced apples. The little tacos (2 bites each) are from a box John bought so he could have something to eat quickly – they go in the microwave. He did add a small bit of tomato and cheddar cheese.
I have been inundated with work since hearing from the “chairman” of the Intuit company that the Turbo Tax software I bought is not the right one. I have used the Deluxe version for many years, but this year they removed several necessary forms we use, without telling anyone. There was a big outcry from consumers after November when released, but I didn’t learn of it until too late. They will give me a $25 refund, but I have to return the Deluxe version I have used for many years and buy the more expensive Premier. They should pay me $100 for having wasted my time.
~ I must complete my 2014 taxes and submit the request for refund no later than April 20 to get it. So, all my efforts in my “spare” time MUST be directed at finishing taxes, and the time-consuming entry of all deductible items into my computer Excel spreadsheet, so I can total and have copies to fill in the places on the forms.
~ First, I had to call Costco to see if they would allow me to trade in what I bought, and still get the coupon $15 off value. They won’t. However, I can return it next week for a refund.
~ Then John found a Forbes article on line about the situation. I read it and followed the link to get a 50% off, if I buy before midnight tonight $45, so I have to close this note and do that.
~ I almost did not open the “chairman’s” email thinking it was an ad for one I already bought last week. Glad John also searched for me, because the letter email did NOT tell me about the offer that expires tonight. Now, I have to get to work. Fast.
John found an old package of Stroganoff (capital S, ’cause it is a family name) mix and without any sour cream in the larder, or any closer than 12 miles away, he managed a very respectable meal.
Tuesday, Jan 27
CPAP report. Reported figures. 9 hrs 20 min with AHI = 0.11
Events, 1 H. No major leaks, max 7 L/min.
I went for a fasting blood draw today and got my hair cut at Celia’s just after lunch, about 1:15.
Very sad news about Johnny (Cash-ew) our cat. Photo is from when we captured the cats and after their return from the vets.
He died today at a young age. I hate having to write this, as I’m having a tough time with it, but I’m sure it’s worse for John, whose yard assistant buddy, he was, and he found him in the old barn, screaming and writhing in pain. He walked a step or two and fell sideways. We don’t know what happened, but he wasn’t eating right when he came back 2 nights ago, after missing dinner 2 nights (very unlike him). At evening feedings, he would rub into John’s arm and accept petting, while John put cat food in the dishes, around the Hay Mow, in their “stations,” where he feeds the ferals. None of the other cats have allowed us to touch them. Johnny followed him all over the yard as he did chores, particularly garden ones, talking the entire time. His presence will be missed.
When I returned from getting my haircut, John was still burying Johnny. I told John it must be awful, considering how it was affecting me, with only hearing the story and not haven’t to deal with it. He said, “Yes, it is very tough.” Before he buried him, he checked him all over. Nothing was apparently wrong–not a hair out of place, no wound or infection. So, it must have been something internal. So sad.
His sister, Woody, is already missing him. They were usually a pair. Tonight, Woody was the only one for dinner. Neither of the other two – Sue, the mom, and Lemon, he who appeared — came to the table.
Got all my data tonight for the past two nights into SleepyHead and SpO2 Review. Took my blood pressure morning and evening and need to record on Excel.
Tonight’s paper had John’s Letter to the Editor:
John came in to tell me the sunset was beautiful, so I stepped out the back door and took a couple of photos. Here’s our choice {click to enlarge}.
Wednesday, Jan 28
CPAP report. Reported figures. 7 hrs 35 min with AHI = 0.00
No major leaks, max 8 L/min.
My day started with sleeping late and then trying to get a lot of email stuff done before leaving for the day. I made it to the Food Bank, and dropped off 6 partial rolls of toilet paper (from buildings; see last week) and a bag of canned goods. While there, I dropped by the bread room and picked up a package of 6 Ciabatta rolls (Italian for slipper; white, big holes, shaped like a slipper) that are sort of flat and square (what’s with this?) and another of whole-wheat hamburger rolls. We had 4 people singing and playing for the crowd today, with much good participation and appreciation. It was fun.
The food served today was not really to my liking, but no complaints for free food in “payment” for our entertaining. Pasta (I’m not a pasta person), vegetable mix to put on top of the pasta, but most of it was collard greens (cannot have with heart meds), some peppers, and a few carrots sliced into circles (colorful ones). I never saw a purple carrot before, and I think that’s what it was; also white (maybe parsnips?), orange, brown, and lavender. I was told by people at my table that carrots came in many colors. So I checked and found these pictures on line.
I was happy to be able to visit with our bass fiddle player, her husband, and new baby, Lev, only a month old. Then off for my exercise class at the Senior Center.
I left right at the end and rushed up to CWU to attend Noella Wyatt’s retirement party, after her 37 years of service. I have known her in several capacities since 1988, when I arrived here. Her department (Sociology), where she’s been for awhile as department secretary, had a nice open house from 2:00 to 4:00. It was fun seeing her and having some punch and a small piece of chocolate-layered cake, but it was also cool visiting with many people I hadn’t seen in years, and with others I just saw recently.
While I was gone, John spread straw on dog-paths of our backyard to keep the dogs and him from tracking in so much dirt. Now instead of carrying in dirt they all will come in with straw attached. That’s a little easier to deal with. You can see trimmed raspberries (red) in the photo I took of his work below. Our yellow raspberries are out front.
Thursday, Jan 29
CPAP report. Reported figures. 7 hrs 44 min with AHI = 0.13
1H event, No major leaks, max 6 L/min
We telephoned John’s sister Peggy to wish her a happy birthday. It is cold back east and about Sunday there is supposed to be snow.
After a small sandwich for lunch, we drove off to town for me to play music. I ate the other half when I got back. Cheddar cheese & ham on one of the Ciabatta rolls.
We only had a handful of residents and visitors for our audience. Our honky-tonk piano player was too sick to come join us from his room there. We only had 4 others there, and a few people walked through (visitors) while we were there, one a 99-yr old man, who drove himself there, came to visit one of the ladies in the audience. The facility is down on residents now to only 17. I need to find out their capacity but think it is at least twice that. We had more players than we did audience (at least seated the whole time). Anne-tambourine, Ellen-clarinet, Keith-trumpet, Nancy-fiddle, Evelyn-banjo, Maury, Sandy, Manord, Charlie, & Gerald – all guitars off different sorts.
John went for gasoline ($1.71/gal) and for some shopping. Most interesting was replacing a calculator (just a simple one) for less than $6.00, because the 4 key started not functioning on one we have had since Idaho (with reverse Polish logic). John thinks he will put a big drop of Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) on that key and tap it a few times. He has been getting by the few times that he needed to use it by keying in 3.999999 or calculating it via 5 – 1. Both a pain, but either works. Now, with a new one, he can experiment.
We came home to find a bale of grass hay our broker delivered for John to check with the horses, before we buy many tons of it. John fed it tonight, beside some of our older–so he’ll check in the morning to see if they ate it.
Nice thing about buying hay from him is he delivers it and stacks it directly into our barn. Last time we got just under 20 tons and stacked about 8 high, it filled one side. A “hay elevator” carries it from the back of the truck right to where you want the bale. The photo (web source) below shows the beginning on the ground but we don’t need to do that.
Three of the ferals back for dinner tonight: Sue, Woody, and Lemon. Rascal stayed inside. For our own dinner we had cheeseburgers with onions, a fresh orange, and a baked potato turned to fried slices because we forgot to get butter when in town today.
Friday, Jan 30
CPAP report. Reported figures. 6 hrs 5 min with AHI = 0.16
Events, 1H. No major leaks, max 10 L/min
Went to the Sportza Palooza at 11:30-1:15 p.m. and then at 1:30, I had SAIL class (exercise). The party was a light lunch (not real light: buffalo wings, deviled eggs, tuna and chicken casseroles, veggies, chips with a hot spicy cheese dip, potato chips made from sweet potatoes, cream puffs, cupcakes frosted in Seattle colors). This was scheduled before Super Bowl Sunday, and attendees brought comfort food to share (I took zucchini bread made with pineapple). We were encouraged to dress in the colors of our favorite sports team and wear associated regalia. Seahawk colors are navy blue, white, light blue, and bright green. I wore my bright green pants, a shirt with yellow blue and green lines, and a lightweight dark blue, light blue & white sweater. I took my camera along and had a staff member not in the picture take my photo. Oh, and atop my head, I wore my Seahawks baseball hat. It is a much older one than are sold now, so I received many comments. I doubt I paid more than a quarter, if that.
In the photo note the number 12, and it is also on the partially hidden banner in the next photo. Seattle is famous for its loud fans –
aka the 12 man. {click for story}
This was out in the parking lot beside the Seahawks commemorative truck, with us all giving a GO HAWKS cheer.
Chicken and apple crisp veggie for dinner.
Saturday, Jan 31
no CPAP report; went without last night, and will again tonight, to create a comparison for showing my cardiologist, Feb 3.
We stayed home today and worked on inside and outside chores and the day slipped away too fast. Of course, it didn’t help that I slept in later this morning than usual. Our neighbors set off some fireworks. Wonder if they were preparing for the Super Bowl. Can you believe the price of tickets? My friend told me they cost from $8500 – $20,000. His grandson works for the Mariners, so I suppose he has access to the correct information.
Mid-day, we had leftover chicken from last night. I made my piece into chicken salad, with blue cheese dressing in place of the mayonnaise, added some cheddar bites, and a hard-boiled egg with a little relish. I will have enough for my lunch tomorrow. John can have a meatloaf sandwich because for tonight’s dinner, John made meat loaf, and we had the rest of the apple crisp veggies. I had plum preserves on mine both nights, made from plums we gave to friends.
Hope your week was fine.
Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan