Daily Update, July 10, 2024

    On Wednesday, I called the nursing company's secretary to check about something. It's good to know how to proceed. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I was late again; the mission took a while. She was sitting up and alert when I went in. She stayed alert, looking at all the pictures with apparent interest, especially the baby pictures. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I finished her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Next, I continued _The Happy Book: Babies_. Then I read a story and seven poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_, leaving a long story in between them for a different day. I ended with the 10th of July's story, "The Shy Ostrich," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my arm resistance exercises and my leg exercises after dinner. Then I did my arm swinging exercises during a lull in the game while I was playing with Kitten in the evening. After we finished, I did 6 1/2 minutes of salsa dancing with only a pretty short break in the middle. I didn't feel up to more salsa dancing, so I did my standing arm weight training next. 

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. Then I had lunch, with more Cross stich world and reading a comic over and after lunch. After that, I finished writing up Tuesday's daily update. Then I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I found Pierogies, who was finishing up the later long, large-group event. We teamed up when it was done. Dennis came into the game and said hi just as we were getting together. He joined u, and we three ran one mission of mine which ran a little late, but we were all happy to have had the chance to team up and play together. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercise, I started writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. Kitten responded! They hadn't before dinner. We got together and started a mission of mine. After the first battle, we paused for a long talk that I needed. Then we resumed the mission and did a few to several more missions. I also said goodnight to Nox. We didn't get to talk except to say goodnight, but we talked a little then. After Kitten and I parted, I exercised. After the exercise, I went back and forth between writing this up and making notes in it and doing paperwork in City of Heroes: Homecoming until I left for bed. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 9, 2024

    On Tuesday, things were pretty quiet. After some of my recent medical appointments, I'll take quiet happily. {Smile}

   I did wake up feeling more rested than I have been for at least a couple of days. Sleeping in the corset must have been more comfortable than sleeping without it. I'm so relived, because I have been tired. I would like more rest. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I was pretty much on time for me. Shew as resting but roused when i spoke with her. She kept going back to resting but opened her eyes and looked at the pictures when prompted to, even when they didn't have babies in them. She particularly fond of the baby pictures. She answered me at times, too. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. After that, I started _The Happy Book: Babies_. Next, I read four poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished off with the 8th of July's story, "The Circus Clown," and the 9th of July's Story, "The Enchanted Mill," both from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner, and my arm swinging exercises and arm resistance exercises after dinner. then I did one of my standing arm weight training exercises during a lull in the role-playing. After I was done with City of Heroes: Homecoming, I did 13 1/2 of my fourteen walking exercises in two sets. I just could not do a second repetition of the last one. I was too tired, and it was too late to rest first. I think this is my best exercise day since the root canal and a half. {Smile}

   After breakfast I read articles and played Cross Stitch World until lunch. Then I played more Cross Stitch World before writing up my daily update. Then I played more Cross Stitch World and read some comics before I cleaned myself up. After that, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started chatting with Pierogies, who wanted to learn how to do a pair of high-level taskforces that are often done together. I recruited for them, and we ran the first one. By then it was time to read to Mom. Somehow enough of the rest needed to leave, too, the team just broke up. {Smile}

   After dinner, I exercised, and began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I chatted with Ulty and my new friend. I joined them in casual role-playing that lasted most of the evening. Even after they and most of the others left, one other and I kept talking. I said goodnight to Nox; we missed talking again. I also read comics when the roleplaying got slow enough eventually the last one and I teamed up for a couple of missions. When that and a little paperwork was done, I did my exercises/ Then I wrote a little more of this and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 8, 2024

    On Monday, I phoned Safeway pharmacy to order a refill. {Smile}

   Then I phoned my podiatrist. The gal suggested an appointment to get the nail looked at, and probably removed. I'd rather not remove the nail, but it's got a fungus that's still under it, so... we'll see what can be done. {smile}

   I also phoned the surgery's nurse. The first time, I left a message. The second time, I got her. We learned that the hospital will call me about scheduling a CT scan when they have confirmed things with my insurance, which hasn't called them back about this yet. I also asked about a binder for sleeping at night. She recommended trying the same one I'm using in the daytime first. If it really doesn't work, I can get another then. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that, but not much. I was a little late because of the game again. She seemed to be asleep when I went in, but opened her eyes when the nurse spoke to her and kept them open looking around at things even when there weren't many pictures. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. but I wasn't very far when the nurse interrupted me, saying he was sorry, but he needed to take care of Mom, and no, it couldn't wait. I asked about continuing later, but he thought it would be best to read more the next day. {smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises, my standing arm weight training exercises, and my leg exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then late in the night, after I cleaned myself up after everything else that I did in the evening, I did my arm swinging exercises and my sitting arm weight training exercises, with a small break int eh middle of the sitting arm weight training exercises. {Smile}

   After breakfast, around the phone calls, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. After lunch, I read some comics and web fiction. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I did a little paperwork, but mainly I found Dennis. We teamed up, and Azurette and Michiel joined us to do a story arc Dennis had. Pierogies joined us for in the first mission or two. It ran a little into time to read to Mom, but the last mission was short, so I stuck it out. I didn't get the hoped-for badge, though Dennis did; it was his story arc, so he should. He said we could try again a different way some other time. {Smile}

   Between reading to Mom and dinner, I began writing this up, as well as doing the exercises, because it took the nurse a while to help Mom. then after dinner, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles before I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I found Pierogies, who invited me to do a mission with him. We ran it. Then he left for bed, happily tired. Next, I did some paperwork Then I played on a character who's been stuck in the tutorial, waiting for me to get her out of it. That night I got her out of it. I also chatted with Nox and Kitten on the chat server. Then I cleaned myself up. After that, I did more exercises. I also wrote a little of this and made more notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 7, 2024

    After breakfast, I contacted Uber, and a fellow who lives around here came and got me, as he often does, especially on Sunday. Church was nice. I even arrived during the announcements before the service proper, despite calling Uber later than I like to. We had lunch on the lanai in back of the church, as usual. I did enjoy the conversations. {Smile}

   Auntie Barbara took me home and came in to visit with Mom. We sang over ten songs, including three verses of This Old man at the end, and sure enough, Mom sang right along with us, and Auntie Barbara was the one who stopped there, not Mom. I think adding a song to our regulars is huge this late in dementia. I'd discovered she still knew it because a couple of the books I read to her includes it, and I usually sing it, not just say it. She tends to join in. {SMILE}

   I ate breakfast and dinner with Mom and read to her before that. I was a little late because of the game, but she was up when I went in again today and looked on with interest the whole time, even when I didn't have pictures. She looked at all the pictures I showed her, too, especially the ones of babies.  She usually said she liked it when I asked. First, I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Then I finished _The Picture Book of Babies_. Mom looked steadily at each baby today again. After that, I read two stories from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished off with the 7th of July's poem, "Breakfast Time!" from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises while waiting for Uber to come pick me up. then I did my arm swinging exercises after dinner. I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm weight training exercises - both sitting and standing - with only a fairly short break after my bath. I don't think I'm ready to do more, and it's getting late anyway. {Smile}

   After Auntie Barbara left, I ordered another binder/corset. then I played Cross stitch World and read a web novel. Eventually I got around to writing up Saturday's daily update. After that, I hopped into city of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Ulty, Pierogies and Michiel, and Dennis. I eventually teamed up with Michiel and helped him with a mission. Pierogies joined us. We rushed the end because it was time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I played Cross Stitch World, read web comics, and exercised. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I teamed up with Dennis and Kitten. We did a mission of Dennis's. Then we fought a giant monster. Pierogies and someone else tried to join us, but I didn't realize I was leading the team, so I didn't invite them until afterwards. They didn't get credit for getting the giant monster, though we really looked for another. The person I don't know ended up leaving for bed. Then the four of us did one mission of mine before Dennis and Pierogies left for bed. I also talked with Nox on the chat world. When Dennis and Pierogies left, I switched to a new story arc, and Kitten and I did three of the four missions. Then I talked with Kitten before I cleaned myself up. After that I exercised. Then I cancelled the binder/corset order I made this afternoon, and ordered the one the surgeon recommended in hopes it would be more comfortable for longtime wear. Afterwards, I wrote a little more of this and made notes in it for the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 6, 2024

    On Saturday, the binder came - that's the medically approved corset. I tried it on. It was a bit fussy fitting at first, but I'm already getting better. It helps if I hold things in - as I'm getting better at - and if I don't have as much agas as I did. {rueful look}

   I'm surprised how comfortable it is, and it's really helping my posture... so much, I had to raise my computer screen over an inch. Even when I take it off, my muscles want to stand/sit up straighter, and pull that tummy in more. I've been wearing it since I got it, except at night. Our nurse agrees I'm not supposed to sleep in it. {Smile} 

   I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was up when I went in today and looked on with interest the whole time. She looked at all the pictures, especially the ones of babies.  She usually said she liked it when I asked. I began my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Next, I continued _The Picture Book of Babies_. Mom looked steadily at each baby today. Then I read a story and two longer poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished off with the 6th of July's story, "On the Beach," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm swinging exercises after dinner. then I did my arm resistance exercises when I thought I was having a lull in the game while teaming with Kitten. When I found out a short power failure and longer internet failure were the culprit, I did my head exercises. Then, after a longer break than I meant to take, I did my standing arm weight training exercises. that left me a bit tired, but I managed to fit in one of my four sitting arm weight training exercises after a short break. No more, since I was more tired, and it was late. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I read several articles and played some Cross stitch World before I finished my daily update before a late lunch. Then I played more Cross stitch world before the package came in the mail. After trying it on, I cleaned myself up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: homecoming late. I said hi to Michiel, and we talked a lot, catching up with each other since we hadn't seen each other for a while. Then we teamed up and started a mission. Pierogies joined us and we finished that mission. We were getting ready to start another when I realized that it was time to read to mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and exercise, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I chatted with Ulty. Then Dennis said hi, and we got into a taskforce led by Azurette, who was having trouble getting enough folks to join. We ran it, and Azurette left afterwards. Dennis and I did a couple of missions with me on a different character. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server a little. Then Dennis left, and I said hi to my new friend, who was just finishing up a role-playing session with Ulty. We teamed up after Ulty left and did a mission, and Kitten joined us. Then my new friend left, being more tired than she realized. Kitten and I did another couple of missions. Then Kitten went quiet. That turned out to be a short power failure, and a longer internet outage. So, I did some hunts by myself, and exercised. Afterwards, I wrote more of this, and made notes to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 5, 2024

    On Friday, the housekeeper came, and our house is much better for her attentions. {Smile}

   I ate lunch and dinner with Mom and read to her before dinner. She was up when I went in today but rested while I read. She did open her eyes to look at pictures, though sometimes she needed a reminder.  However, she was quick to answer when I asked if she was liking it. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Then I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. After that, I started _The Picture Book of Babies_. Mom enjoyed that so much, she kept her eyes open for the first few pages. then I read a story and two longer poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 5th of July's story, "My Fish," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and dinner. Then I did my arm resistance exercises after dinner. Later I slipped in my arm swinging exercises while teaming with kitten, between missions. I hoped to do one more, but it got too late before I could. {resigned smile}

   I watched videos on YouTube from breakfast to just before lunch with Mom. Then I watched more videos and played Cross Stitch World after lunch. Eventually I got around to finishing writing Thursday's daily update. then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, I joined Kitten and Pierogies in the mission we failed to finish twice. With a yet-lower difficulty and none of us dropping out this time, we actually finished a while before I like to read to Mom. So, the three of us talked until I left to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner and a little exercise, I checked a video and read a few comics. Then I started writing this up and making notes in it. Next, I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I started with paperwork and talked at length with Ulty and my new friend while doing it. I asked about getting together when the paperwork was done, but they were doing private role-playing that my characters wouldn't fit into again. So instead, I joined a high-level trial. I chatted with Nox on the chat server a little. Then Dennis said hi near the end of the trial. When the t4rial was properly done, Dennis and I teamed up, and finished a story arc of his that we've been working on. While Dennis was settling down for the night, Kitten said hi. We teamed up and I settled on doing a few missions one of my characters had. It was near the end of those missions that I took a little break for another set of exercises. When we were done, I wrote a little more of this, and made notes in it, too. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 4, 2024

    Happy Fourth of July! If you celebrate it, of course. If not, I hope you had a nice day. {SMILE}

   Yes, this is about Thursday. I got a phone call from Helping Hands Hale's secretary, jut checking up on me. I asked about the surgeon's diagnosis which she and I heard on Tuesday, and she clarified a few things. She also sent me a term or two to search for to look into this, which I really appreciate. {Smile}

   Between reading to Mom and dinner, I had a long phone call with our former nurse. It took a while to catch up on each others' lives, since it had been a while. {Smile}

   In the evening, I got a phone call from Auntie Barbara. I tw as good to talk with her. We caught up, too. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was up when I went in today, and even answered a few times. He looked at the pictures, especially the ones of babies. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Then I remembered I hadn't read July 3rd's scripture and thoughts about it, so I read that next. Next, I finished _Picture Book: Babies_, which has facts about babies along with pictures of them. Not as much was left as I thought, so I backed up and read some I'd read recently. Mom seemed to enjoy it, especially since she got to look at more babies. After that, I read a story and two longer poems from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 3rd of July's story, "Peace and Quiet, and the Fourth of July's story, "Kind Katy," both from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my head exercises between reading to Mom and the nurse's phone call. That left me tired enough, i didn't try more just yet. {SMILE}

   Over and after breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World while thinking about the recent medical appointments, and what I learned in them. Then I had lunch. Next, I played more Cross Stitch World, and read web fiction while doing more thinking. After that, I finished Wednesday's daily update. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and did some paperwork and solo play. I started chatting with Pierogies during the solo play. Then we got together so he could show off new costumes. That took me up to time to read to Mom. {Smile}

   After dinner, I began writing this up. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming and began playing solo again. I'm just not the player I usually am, so I'm mainly playing with understanding friends. My new friend said hi. I said hi to Dennis. Dennis and I teamed up, and did a few missions together, and talked. I also chatted with Nox in the chat server. I went back to soloing after Dennis left for bed. I chatted with Mysty in the game for a while. I also chatted with Azurette in the game, but Azurette wasn't interested in playing with me when I'm as distracted as I have been. I chatted a little with Kitten in the game, too. Then I made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 3, 2024

    On Wednesday, I contacted Uber in the middle of the afternoon. A fellow came and took me to the endodontist who shares an office with my dentist. He did a full root canal on the forward tooth, and around half a root canal on the back tooth. He stopped when he did because it was time to go home. I admit I was quite exhausted, and more thana bit hungry, since it was almost dinner time. I contacted Uber almost two and a half hours after my appointment time. Another fellow came and took me home. {worn Smile}

   When I got home, it was too late to read to Mom. Though I did eat dinner with her. Dinner was late, too, but not badly late. 

   I didn't even try to do any exercise the day I did a root canal. I figured that exhausted me enough. {rueful smile}

   Over and after breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World and read articles. Then I had lunch. Afterwards, I wrote up Tuesday's daily update. I think I played some more Cross Stitch World before the endodontist. It's fairly soothing when I'm under stress, and it lets me think about things while I play. Between the endodontist and the news from the surgeon about my stomach the day before, I'm not surprised I played a lot Wednesday. {smile}

   After dinner, I chatted with Kitten on chat world. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I worked on getting one of the new low-level characters out of the tutorial. After the tutorial proper, I worked on a badge you can get in it and have trouble getting elsewhere. Someone else was working on it, and we teamed up. It turned out to be a friend who goes by Heat Transfer. We got our badges, then finished their tutorial. We stayed teamed up when we left the tutorial. They recruited for a low-level trial. Not quite realizing that's what they were doing, I missed the beginning of it, but they invited me to join part way through. I'm afraid I messed up one badge, not realizing how close we were. However, I got it the second times, since we ran it three times. I also chatted with Nox on the chat server, and Divi in the game. Heat Transfer left after the trial, and I ran around on the same character, setting things up for the future. then a friend in a dragon-themed supergroup a couple of my characters are in invited me to join them in a high-level team. I switched characters and ran it until it broke up. By then, I was pretty tired. I did some paperwork and made notes in this to write from the next day. I wrote none of this properly, which is unusual, but so was the day. {smile}

Daily Update, July 2, 2024

    On Tuesday, the secretary from the nursing company came and took me to a complex across the street from the hospital, then went to park her car next door. I went inside, looked at the directory, and didn't see surgery anywhere. So I called the number surgery had called me from last week. They said I had the wrong building, and it go to the one on the right. I found the correct building. Then I looked around just finishing walking form parking her car in the lot next door. {Smile}

   We went up together, and I filled out forms as well as I could She offered to have me dictate, but that was harder than writing it down myself. then they called me in, and I saw the Resident who's shadowing the surgeon first. He examined me, then the surgeon came in. He's the same surgeon who operated on my boil when I was in the hospital at the beginning of the pandemic (for a truly gross boil, not covid). They started explaining things. Apparently, the mesh is holding; that's not what's failing. The thing I feel near the surface is a knot from the old surgery that can be cut off if necessary. The problem is that my abdominal muscles have separated and are pulling apart. The surgery to fix that is too big for me be a candidate for it. However, there are other ways to help my condition, including weight loss and an "abdominal binder," which is a kind of corset that's medically approved for certain conditions, including mine. I'm to work on both. {sigh}

   After that, we went back to the car, which is pretty far away if you go around a bunch of construction. She took me home, and we filled in Mom's and my main nurse. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was resting when I went in today, but responded when I spoke to her a few times, and opened her eyes to look at the pictures, especially the ones of babies. I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it first. Next, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. After that, I continued _Picture Book: Babies_, which has facts about babies along with pictures of them. Then I read two stories from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I ended with the 2nd of July's story, "The Lazy Weasels," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises and my arm swinging exercises between reading to Mom and eating dinner. Then I did six and a half minutes of salsa dancing after starting to write this and make notes in it after playing City of Heroes: Homecoming this evening. That's twice as much as last night. Then I did seven and a half of my fourteen walking exercises after I cleaned myself up. That's slightly over twice as much as last night, too. {SMILE}

   Over and after breakfast I played Cross Stitch World and read web fiction. After the trip to the surgery consultation, I played more Cross Stitch World, and read comics and web fiction while I thought a lot about what was said in the surgery consult. It's truly a lot of process. I don't think I'm done with that yet. I finally got around to writing up Monday's daily update so I could hop into City of Heroes: Homecoming with a clear conscience. I'm afraid this required a nudge from Pierogies reminding me that he and Kitten were waiting to try again with the mission that stumped us the day before. It was better at a slightly lower difficulty, even when Kitten fell asleep. Still, it was a big map, as pierogies pointed out when he got tired, and decided to leave before we were done. He wants to try again another day. Then I did some paperwork and talked with Dennis when he said hi. I'm afraid it was too close to time to read to Mom to start something new. {smile}

   After dinner, I hopped back into City of Heroes: Homecoming. I hoped to find Dennis, but he wasn't there. Instead, I teamed with Azurette, and chatted with Pierogies. After a couple of missions, Azurette left. Then I talked with Ulty and my new friend while doing paperwork and soloing. while that was going on, Divi said hi, and we chatted, too. Then Dennis came on, and we teamed up for a few missions. He helped me finish a story arc before leaving again. I also said goodnight to Nox, having missed talking again. Then I did some paperwork and began writing this. Next, I did my salsa dancing. then I clean myself up. After that, I did a majority of my walking exercises. Then I played Cross Stitch World and made notes in this to write from the next day. {Smile}

Daily Update, July 1, 2024

    On Monday, the secretary from the nursing company came to visit. We talked at some length, preparing for the surgery consult the next day. {Smile}

   I ate dinner with Mom and read to her before that. She was awake when I went in today, thought it was late because of City of Heroes running late. She looked at what I showed her, especially the baby pictures. She does love baby pictures. She responded once near the end, too. First, I started my reading with scripture and thoughts about it. After that, I continued her niece's long family Christmas letter from 2022. Then I continued _Picture Book: Babies_, which has facts about babies along with pictures of them. Next, I read two stories from _365 Animal Stories and Rhymes_. I finished with the 1sth of July's story, "The Page Boy," from _366 Stories for Bedtime_. {Smile}

   I did my arm resistance exercises after dinner. Then I tried salsa dancing and got through the first piece. I had me panting for a moment, so I stopped, but it got me almost three and one quarter minutes. later, I did my arm swinging exercises, and almost three full walking exercises before got so dizzy I had to steady myself against the wall. Then I stopped and tried eating something. I'm afraid it was too late to do more after that... but I got a tiny bit of salsa dancing in. {Smile}

   After breakfast, I played Cross Stitch World, and maybe read some articles, too. Then came the visit from the secretary. After she left, I had lunch. Them I wrote up Sunday's daily update and played more Cross Stitch World and read comics before going into City of Heroes: Homecoming. There, Pierogies got me into the later long, large-group event, where he showed me a special role that I didn't realize folks did in it. Afterwards, Kitten joined us for a couple of villain missions. The last mission went too long, making me late to read to Mom. They eventually broke up so I could read and talked of trying again tomorrow or sometime. {Smile}

   After dinner, I started writing this. Then I hopped into City of Heroes: Homecoming, where I caught up on paperwork until Dr. Faustus said hi. We teamed up and ran his mission. Then he helped me finish a story arc before he left. After that I went around on the character by myself, getting more contacts started, and doing a few hunts. I said goodnight to Nox, having missed a chance to talk again. Then I stopped for salsa dancing. Next, I cleaned myself up before doing more exercise. I also played Cross Stitch World, read an article and some comics, and made notes in this. {Smile}