Life Experience: Things Happen

Sunday, July 2

For July 1 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.29. Events: 2 H, 12 RERA. Time on 6 hrs 56 min with (max = 8 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 90, no events <88% with overall avg., 93.4%. Pulse avg. 51.6, low 49. Spurious at beginning lowered the average.

I cancelled the Emeritus meeting next week, Tuesday, 7/11. Everyone has responded.

I finished and sent the rest of July music pdfs for use this week, Thurs.

Monday, July 3

For July 2 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.80. Events: 1 CSR, 5H, 2 PP, 7 RERA. Time on 6 hrs 15 min with (max = 17 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 88, no events <88% with overall avg., 93.3%. Pulse avg. 52.1, low 50.

John worked a lot outside and I worked inside.

For lunch, we had the rest of the omelet from yesterday and I had banana & pineapple.

For dinner, John made a casserole with leftover chicken, salmon, cod, our own yellow squash & onion, yams, mushrooms over brown rice.

I cut John’s hair late afternoon. It was a long process because his hair was so long it heated up my clippers 3 times, causing me to pause for it to cool. We need to do it more often. I have marked 3 weeks away on my calendar (July 24) for a check to cut John’s hair.

Tuesday, July 4th CELEBRATION

For July 3 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.85. Events: 6 H, 1 PP, 18 RERA. Time on 7 hrs 6 min with (max = 9 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 92, no events <88% with overall avg., 94.2%. Pulse avg. 51.5, low 50.

First, I worked on my needs for medical vs. dietary intakes. That took all day. Sent off my final copy tonight to Audra.

I finally finished processing photographs and videos taken at the Early Stars and Stripes party, June 30. I’m currently at 7:20 sending it to the weTransfer site to go to the AAC staff. It was 77 mG and took <20 minutes to upload. Will be faster coming down. You previously saw 2 photos taken of our group performing. Those were the only ones published in the blog. Fireworks upset our dog. A neighbor started fireworks tonight at 9:20. It is not allowed in our county - Banned because of winds and fire danger. John fixed us a late dinner of leftovers, fish, asparagus, brown rice, and chicken.

Wednesday, July 5

For July 4 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.59. Events: 4 H, 15 RERA. Time on 6 hrs 45 min with (max = 9 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 92, NO events <88% with overall avg., 93.2%. Pulse avg. 51.5, low 49.

I just found rash under my skin top of legs. I have big welt-type things UNDER my skin at the top of my legs. The rash is definitely under my skin, and not exposed on the surface.

I found out after a week of way too much pineapple, that I am allergic to it.  I have researched it and found that those on blood thinner and/or some antibiotics cause that interaction with adding a lot of Pineapple.  I’m not on any antibiotics now. I quit eating any of it. It was packaged fresh cleaned and sliced, from Costco.  No more for me.  The “rash” place does not itch or burn.  Very weird.

I made tuna fish salad for taking to the food bank music & lunch, but I added tomatoes because I’m not eating any more pineapple. I have had a few fresh chunks with every meal for a week. See the photo below and read the caption:Collage of rash – left without flash —– right with flash

Here’s what John found on the web about possible interactions with Coumadin, the blood thinner I’m on. I have been on that drug since 2010, without any such signs, so I narrowed it to pineapple and several sites report a possible rash.

I’m not allowed to send this image via NextMD site, to Lacey & Cody, Triage nurses, about excessive pineapple intake interactions with meds. I have printed the photo of my “rash” and will send it with this explanation. I talked twice with Cody and Lacey, who are nurses at the Kittitas Valley Hospital, Cle Elum, WA clinic, where my PCP is. They did find this particular report online, after I reported it by phone. I will mail a separate copy to my cardiologist for my file.

Interactions between Coumadin & Pineapple (best information we could find online):
The bromelain in pineapple could potentially interact with certain medications. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends consulting your physician before eating pineapple or taking bromelain supplements if you are currently taking antibiotics, anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, blood thinners, insomnia drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants. Alcohol and certain herbs, such as valerian root or kava, might also interact with bromelain.

I stopped eating pineapple when I saw the rash.

Food bank and SAIL. I picked up Gloria today, we went to sing at the food bank, and after eating and visiting, we went to SAIL.
I’m finishing printing Gerald’s and my songs for July to take tomorrow to Rehab. I created one more for an extra for non-note readers.

Thursday, July 6

For July 5 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.56. Events: 1 CSR, 3 H, 2 PP, 20 RERA. Time on 5 hrs 22 min with (max = 14 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 89, no events <88% with overall avg., 93.8%. Pulse avg. 51.5, low 49.

Alarming message about a business closing that we have used for 17 years for our computer needs. They even built John’s current computer, when the new HP he ordered and was delivered several years ago, did not work. The best thing is our blog location will not change, and will still be at rocknponderosa.com . However, at the end of the year we lose the email connection, associated with the business at nancyh@ellensburg.com, we have used since 1995. That email is our only contact for medical emergencies and many businesses, and the only email John reads daily. In fact, he read the message at 5:05 a.m. this morning, as he was getting ready to leave at 5:30 a.m. to pick up our friend, Kristin, who is signed up for the WTA trail party today way west of Leavenworth, at Heybrook Lookout Trail, off Hwy 2 about 30 miles west of Stevens Pass. That announcement necessitated starting to make arrangements to change the address there. The biggest thing to do is figure an address for people to use to mail important messages (as all our medical notification, and tons of business announcements such as insurance, banks, list serves, and many others who use the old one to be assured John will see the email. I’m working on making a new account so that I can send a message to all people in the address book for nancyh@ellensburg.com and inform them to change to an another NEW ACCOUNT (as yet not determined).

I got a WeTransfer site set up for the pictures and videos from June 23, at AAC, the Senior Prom I reported in here, already. It was a long time coming, because of all the work needed after that Friday. The staff had taken many other photos and videos on my camera that I needed to transfer to the staff members; finally, that chore was done today.

Playing at the Rehab today. I’m sorry to say the temperature high today will be 99°. The best part of the day there was getting to meet the two girls, Maryna and Nastya, who are staying with Charlie and Helga for 5 weeks (from Belarus) to participate in the Children of Chernobyl support program.

Belarusian student poses for a photo with her Kittitas Valley host “dad,” Charles Firkins, during a summer trip to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park at Vantage. Photograph published in the Daily Record in 2008.

Text below and photo above is in a Daily Record News article in 2008.

The local home stays have been ongoing since 1995 when the Ellensburg chapter of the nonprofit Children of Chernobyl began. Since then, 150 youngsters and their chaperones have come to the valley. The local families say the Belarusian children, usually students aged in their teens, go back to their eastern European country with much more than better health; they leave having made lasting friendships and memories of the American people.
“We treat the students like they are family and shower them with love, hugs, a bed, food and anything necessary for a happy home,” said Charles and Helga Firkins, a local family that’s hosted >20 Belarusian kids since 2000. “We have had the opportunity to go to Belarus once to meet with their families; it was as if we had known them all of our lives,” the Firkins said. “There is no language or social barrier. These students are such good ambassadors of their beloved Belarus.”

Lingering effects
The world’s worst The nuclear reactor accident in 1986 in the neighboring republic of Ukraine spread radioactivity into parts of Belarus and throughout Eastern and Western Europe. Although the children coming to the United States through the Children of Chernobyl (CofC) program were born after the accident, lingering effects of the disaster continue to affect some of the living environment in Belarus and can depress residents’ health and youngsters’ development. Cecelia “Cec” Calhoun, head of the Ellensburg CofC chapter and president of the national CofC U.S. Alliance, said giving the kids a healthy respite in the Ellensburg area to strengthen their bodies in an environment of clean air, land, and food continues to be the group’s primary goal.

Yet the local chapter in 2000 added educational and cultural enrichment activities to the kids’ visit. Calhoun founded the national alliance organization in 1997. She believes the local program has been successful because of wide, continuing community support and local families having a heart to meet the mission of CofC: To offer care, compassion, relief and hope to those in the Chernobyl region, especially the children.

Medical help
Local health-care professionals annually give the CofC kids free checkups to assess any medical-related concerns from living in Belarusian territories affected by the accident, Calhoun said. Older CofC youth also are invited to participate in an enrichment program that showcases local government, business, educational and cultural activities and practices. They also take part in Business Week at Central Washington University and learn about U.S. free enterprise. The CofC kids also learn about the values behind volunteering to better one’s community and the wide-range of charity work in the Kittitas Valley. Example, Charlie brought this year’s pair to our music playing at the Rehab today.

After Rehab I went for medications for John and me, and by Kittitas Medical Supply for my “free” CPAP supplies, including a new mask, tubing, filters, every 4 months, but also this time they added a new receptacle for the water to control humidity in the machine. That’s the first time since 2014 that tank was offered. I also dropped off the borrowed “velvet” pants from Joanie, which I wore to attend the Senior Prom (written up in last week’s blog).
Anne missed tambourine playing today to paint a picture at a class offered free at the senior center. She chose her subject, the Lighthouse on Fire Island (NY), where she visits every year. Rendition of lighthouse on Fire Island, New York, painted 7/5/17 by Anne Engels.

The Lighthouse is on the south side of the peninsula east of New York City, where Anne’s friend loans her and her son, Glenn (my friend and former student), the use of a cabin for a week. She used to have the light shining into and around her bedroom window as a child.

Friday, July 6

For July 5 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.00. Events: only 13 RERA. Time on 5 hrs 20 min with (max = 10 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 91, no events <88% with overall avg., 94.3%. Pulse avg. 52.5, low 46.

I wrote a progress report to nutritionist, Audra.

Ate early breakfast John fixed: yams, ham leftovers with omelet.

I transcribed all BP stored pm the unit since 6/27 off my BP’s history, before I lose it. I need to stay current with recording daily updates.

I wrote a note to send Megan and Lauren while they’re still reading their emails at the AAC. I charged my camera’s battery to take photos of today’s event.  I took along my tuna fish salad for lunch to go with what they had for lunch.

The AAC event was held today in honor of the gals, and saying goodbye to our AmeriCorps crew at the senior center for the past year: Megan Willwerth from Pennsylvania and Lauren Healey from New Jersey.Megan, Nancy, LaurenMy lunch (above photo taken before I added the fruit pieces from the dessert table) was meatless burritos ( I skipped the dough encasing, but had a lot of lettuce and sides of niblet corn, guacamole, black beans, yellow & red pepper slices (I think I read I’m supposed to avoid those (maybe because they are nightshades?); I ate a small serving of the peppers.  The peppers were cooked with onions.  Nice complement to my tuna fish.  I did not have the dessert cake and chocolate fondue, ate none of the pineapple chucks meant for dunking in the fondue, but on my plate, I put bananas, apple pieces, and salsa on my green salad. NO sour cream !  I also skipped the Quinoa. 

We had a guest choir, called “Black and Silver.”  I photographed them and made short videos of parts of their song presentation.

First, is their picture:

Collage left side of group & right side of music group, Black Silver

Then, the links to 3 of their singing are given: I have more that I videod, but did not send to YouTube, if someone gives me the email address for the group leader I can send those, but it will take me awhile to upload them.

Black & Silver Singers: The Lord’s Prayer, July 6, 2017 Ellensburg Adult Activity Center

Following is a link to Fred Newschwander, DVM solo, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, with Black & Silver Singers, July 6, 2017 Ellensburg Adult Activity Center

And finally, a small part (first verse) of the song, Take My Hand Precious Lord by the Black & Silver Singers.

Next is a collage photo of the certificates given to each of the AmeriCorps folks:

Collage of awards given to each of the AmeriCorps volunteers

I stayed around the AAC to take more pictures of people with the 2 gals.

Before leaving home this morning, I had put together a master for the tail end of the playlist July after 1-14 and a master for making copies of the full list for a few players.

After the party ended, I went and Xeroxed 24 more copies of the music (for our other music group on Thursdays and 3rd Saturdays)), the Kittitas Valley Fiddlers & Friends, and for our audiences.  

Saturday, July 8

For July 7 CPAP. Reported figures. AHI=0.63. Events: 4 H, 2 PP, 16 RERA. Time on 6 hrs 21 min with (max = 19 L/min). Oximetry: SpO2 low 89, no events <88% with overall avg., 94.7%. Pulse avg. 51.7, low 50.

John fixed brunch (a leftover omelet piece, fruit cocktail, and ham). He left for town about 12:45 for bananas for me and gasoline for his trip to Mt. Rainier tomorrow. When he returned, he picked some cherries to be cooled for us.

Tonight dinner: BBQ chicken, yams, mushrooms, cauliflower, tomatoes.

John moved this text and photos to the WordPress site for me to proof while he is away, Sunday.

He went to bed early to get up at 4:00 to leave by 5:00 a.m.

Hope your week was fine.
Nancy and John
Still on the Naneum Fan