Update #2 from NC

 Today’s picture:

Below Granson Luke , Jenna and Palmer on her first BD.  We missed the big BD party for Palmer but they brought us some food from the party (Enough for a few days for us), when they came to visit Grandma Sherry on our return to NC

Now for today:

Sherry saw her Doctor here in NC today. Nothing major to tell except the blood pressure remains toooooo high. It actually was near 200/80 at the Dr. office. Sherry does have hwa is referred to as the “White Coat Syndrome”, meaning the appointment time raises her Blood pressure.

The Dr. has referred her to a Cardiologist here, no appointment yet.

Her Dr. did increase one med, from once a day to to twice. We are anxious to talk to the cardiologist of ccourse.I am doing m best to pet my sweetheart, but it sorta makes here feel, how do I say it? Feel bad to be served a little. She is used to be the one serving.

I am forcing her to eat my cooking and do my normal job of washing dishing.

WE are living in the motor home, it makes sense to us.

I have washed the house and the outside buildings including the I room efficiency. I have repaired two water leaks caused by the winter freezes up here. That was a mess.

I am staying busy waiting for the recommendations of a cardiologist (of course we both are). The best report is that Sherry is showing VERY LITTLE results of the stroke. She is coming back strong with her voice and speech. She held her own in conversations with her Dr.

Continued prayers appreciated.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

April update

 

Back at the hospital above  Sherry and Dr. & Nurse.

WE made the trip from Florida to NC.  Sherry lay on the couch a lot of the trip ad we made it a  2  day trip this time.  Traffic was terrible the first day.  On our trip north we pass over  the bay area of Jacksonville, FL. Normally it is bustling.   It was DEAD. not one ship being off loaded. and very few Hugh containers on the piers.   Gonna be some empty shelves in stores soon.

On a normal day, there are two container ships being unloaded and a couple anchored awaiting their turn. There were NONE waiting.

'that is just an observation. 

The Interstate 95 was stop and go, so we opted to take local roads thru the country on our last day.  That was a great idea. Not only NO traffic on US15, but some great country scenery. 

I am correcting every other word it seems. I am beat,  Sherry is also.  we made it to NC.  She s a stickler  for appropriate flowers on her parents graves.  So we did that today.  She is BEAT.

She is a stickler for times and meds.  Her evening meds she takes exactly at 9PM I woke her to take them, but she is back to sleep .  I know an hour or so won't matter, but she will be upset at herself later.  But I am glad she is resting.

She tried to contact her Dr.  but could not until Monday  Her Blood Pressure top number still stays near 150 and that ain't good.   But the  doctors in Florida were concerned about the pulse rate.  IT IS doing great around 60.

Thanks for your concern and prayers.  Positive thoughts are also very much appreciated.

You guys are good for my insides, THANKS!

Nite Shipslog

PS Gas prices in Florida were $4 and above.  GA & SC  $3.60-$3.90.  Trip usually about $210 was closer to $300.  OUCH

ONE more Update

We are in the RV in son Mark's yard.  We plan to head north and take two day to reach our home base in Belmont, NC. Will depart in the next few days.  Sherry is doing well, I haven't noticed a speech problem in a couple days. She is still weak.

Just a note about the Waterman Hospital in Tavares.   I do not know much about hospitals, but I would bet this one is at the top of the list of good ones.  Everyone was supportive friendly and courteous. They went above and beyond in the caring.

Dr. Panara celebrating at Sherry's going home. He said, when asked, but my bread is better! ;-)

Two ladies who prepped her for a procedure became like sisters to her with words of encouragement, most of them scriptures.

Anyway I cannot say enough good about the Doctors, staff, cleaning crew and Mess Hall workers.  Sherry was given a choice of 2 or 3 meals before each meal time.  Their motto is something like this:  "We continue where Jesus left off".

I did write the Admin wit our thanks.

Be back in a  few days....

Nite Shipslog

Quick update

 

We ae out of the hospital. She is worn out. Still not out of the woods. we will hve to monitor the results a cay or so before making the decision to head back North.

She did have a stroke, it was minor compared to what it could have been. It has effected her voice / speech some. (But still had a great KISS!). Problem is the rapid heartbeat and blood pressure.)

Of course valve replacement, several types of pace makers, etc. DRs say main problem is A-fib.  they were hesitant to do a procedure that required days,weeks of follow up since we were heading north soon.

Any way they  released her, now the weight is on our shoulders whether to take the trip home with a chance of a hospital stop may be required,

Thanks for the support and prayers. Love you guys,  we are all beat. Imma say if a long hospital stay does not kill you, you are tough. ;-)

NIte Shipslog

Just now....Things funny and those you do not expect.

 

Today’s stuff:

Friend Don just turned 89 years old. His Great Grand daughter, 6 years old, came to see him. It was her birthday too. Don asked her “Ava, how old do you think I am?”

Looking at him for a few seconds she said, “Fifty thousand!”

WE cracked up when we heard that. Remember the program, “Kids say the darnedest things?”

Things funny help you in life. But those unexpected things, the BUMPS in the road? Not so much.

This was Sherry’s 2 or 3^rd day in the hospital. Her Blood pressure got too high. They have ran a lot of tests. Good Doctors. I am home gathering some things to take back to the hospital. I thought I would explain that I will not be aboard the Blog for awhile.

She is I in good spirits. Most tests showed nothing, but some with questions. Still awaiting the doctor’s recommendations.

I am not thinking very well, but thought I would ask for prayers of you that pray and Positive thoughts for those who don’t. I am NOT thinking of losing her! But I can use the prayers and support. Jack Jr. drove down from NC and Mark is here, so She has some good support here.

Love you guys. Will try to keep you up to date.

Nite Shipslog

Monday Heroes and In-laws.

 ABOUT yesterday...Note push mower: For high grass there was some adjustment for high grass but very little.  Most of us cutting 6" grass had to push forward 3' then pull it back and go again, many time it took 3 times to get it down, BUT it was done no matter how high the weeds....And then goats, like Victor, we used goats in GITMO around where ammo was stored. Less dangerous!

Picture of the day:

Actual picture of USMC landing on Iwo Jima, WWII

Today’s stuff:  Now....

There have been a lot of mother-in-law jokes, I even used some. Friend Victor stays in trouble over in the UK about where his MIL parks her broom. BUT ME? I had the best, Susie Hawes Harris, she was one sweet woman. However, Sherry embarrassed me once while we were parked in front of their house. She was smooching me so heavily that her mother came out in her night gown to tell SHERRY to ‘Sit up in that car!’

That is my version of the TRUTH!

Many of us men migrate to the family of our wives. I certainly did. Sherry’s family was very dear to me. I have many heroes, most military. Sherry and I grew up during WWII and our brothers served in that war. Both were in the Pacific. My brother, Junior, was a ‘decorated’ gunner on a Destroyer Escort ship.

Junior,  101 yr old this year... Wish he was still here... Picture is Just before leaving Shelby NC to serve on the Ship below, the USS Baron

Sherry’s Brother Lefty Harris (100 yrs old ) was a decorated US Marine. He was wounded during the USMC landing on Iwo Jima.

Sherry, Lefty and Johnny, just after the war.

I have mentioned Sherry’s brother (Passed but 93 yrs this yr), Vernon Gomez; he too was a hero of mine, serving at least two tours in Vietnam.

                Above is Vernon and his wife Janet.

I am reluctant to list friends, cousins, nephews, uncles who served, I might miss one. They too, are my heroes.

I brought that up mainly because in the last few days

Becky, one of Lefty’s daughters, called Sherry to verify that had lefty lived, he would be 100 yrs old now? Sherry who knows every birthday of everyone in our families, living or dead. Yes, Sherry said Lefty was born March 1926 making him a 100 this month.

WE all trained, simulated being ordered ashore or dropped in a combat zone. Some, reading here, actually were there, I was fortunate and never saw combat.

With their background, veterans, think of those military standing ready near Iran today. Most are on ships awaiting orders. WE, out of harm’s way, feel for the anxiety of WAITING! I admire every man and woman in uniform now. There was a time seeing a uniform brought automatic, RESPECT.

During my time, a man in uniform could stand on the road with a thumb out and be picked up immediately. Most of us did that at one time or the other in 50s & 60s.

Nite Shipslog

PS: When I visit VA hospitals and see the VETS who lost sight, limbs and many with shattered nerves. I am thankful for their service and realize how blessed to have served in three branches and still be walking around. 

Sunday.... ..... If you are still here…..

 Picture of the day:

Today’s stuff:

Things have a way of changing in this life. Standards,

 guidelines, morals, mowers and even house styles. I

 have heard the term “They moved the goal post!” I

 think I understand that.

I saw a big truck yesterday, front raised high. When I was 16 I would have thought that is the coolest thing ever. Now? It looked stupid and the COST came to mind, who can afford that and still buy groceries?

AS a kid pushing a lawn mower (no motor!), I got paid 50 cents to mow a small yard. Today the cost can be $100 and the guy is using a $5000 zero turn mower.

We had a little (comeuppance) experience with buying a used mower awhile back. I wanted a zero turn mower. They look cool when ‘someone else’ is driving. WE finally

 agreed on the price $2000. Sherry got out the check book. “I do not take checks, we can use ‘zorrow’, zelle’ (or something like that) or cash.”

I said, ok I will go to the bank and get cash. (I was in another town it was 3PM). “Our banks close at 2 o’clock every day.” he said. It was past that time. He agreed to hold it until the next day when we could arrange payment.

Truth is, I could not believe ANY bank closing at that time during the week. So we drove by a bank and I checked the time. Sure enough, closing daily 2PM. As I said, things change.

Now to the mower. I can usually adapt to mechanics or physical actions, BUT A ZERO TURN MOWER IS CRAZY TO DRIVE. First notice, there is NO steering wheel, just two handles Left and Right. I am finally getting it a little, in the meantime I have cut down two Azalea bushes I planted 25 years ago when I built that house. LOL

Things change since I cut grass with a $20 push mower.

Nite Shipslog

PS: I have only paid to have a lawn cut when someone needed the money. I need the exercise and yes I am cheap. ALSO I have never paid that kind of money for a mower, but I did not want to buy another standard riding mower, the zero turn looked COOL! ??!!??  LOL

Saturday The country of Iran.

 Picture of the day:

This is a fair shot of Tehran, greater Tehran is over 13 million citizens:

Today’s stuff just facts and statistics:

In reference to the Mediterranean area of the world.

 Sherry has been to Jordan and Israel; not far

 from Iran. I was in France, Spain, Crete, Turkey,

 Greece, Italy and Sicily other countries of the

 Mediterranean. Together Sherry & I made Germany,

 Belgium  and Switzerland.

Since this undeclared war with Iran,

 I had assumed it was about the size of Maine

 and also sort of a backward country.

However this is IRAN also:

I prefer to know something of the areas our military is

 sent to. You can be very surprised when your mind is

 not broad enough. As a Marine with NATO forces I

 spent a few weeks in the back country of Turkey. My

 impressions: it was a backward country, I was 17

 years old. I was shocked later when I saw Istanbul,

 it’s size and how modern it was. I was overwhelmed.

I am interested in Iran. Hey, it is 2 ½ times the size

 of Texas. 

dark green is Iran size it covers most of our Mid West

Does that surprise you? It did me. There are

 5 other cities over a million in population one of them

 over 3 million. Iran population approx 86 million.

Their army? Quads force, 90,000 elite troops. Special

 Forces 125,000 troops. Combat ready army? 600,000

 That is a total of 815,000 troops.

This is not a backwards country. Now I am told this is NOT Vietnam! and it is not.  BUT who knows?

Look back at the Vietnam statistics:

North Vietnam had an army of approx 480,000 . The

 French fought there for about 8 years lost 55,000

 French soldiers and pulled out without winning. USA

 followed them. After nine combat years we pulled out

 without winning, losing 58000+ good men and women.

I pray that this ‘WAR’ has been thought thru and has

 an objective for an ending.  I am praying we do not go

 Boots on the ground.

Nite Shipslog

PS:

This is not an obsession with me, But I read

 where our president said that  the USA will

 flatten Iran if they do not surrender

 unconditionally. WE have had too many WARS

 that brought the USA NOTHING but PAIN!

Now Iran is 2.5 times the size of Texas, FOR

 EXAMPLE Just THINK how hard it would be to 'wipe

 out' a country that size. count the cost in soldiers,

 missiles and  bombs at 1-2 million  dollars a minute.

 But wait, it will

 be faster with nuclear weapons. Are they there

 already, you can bet you bippy they are.  Every

 carrier and sub of the USA carries them I and many

 sailors have loaded them aboard. 

Our president just said this week, quote " I can

 end this war in  2  seconds." That is a REAL

 scary  option.