General Chit-Chat Part 2! Showing 1,951-2,000 of 2,680

[B the BookAddict]

Greg, I often wondered where you were and thought perhaps work had just got too busy to give you much free time. I am shocked and saddened by the news of your partner's stroke. What a dreadful time that must have been for you both. The early worry not knowing how he would recover would have been such a strain. I am so pleased to hear that after a few hiccups, albeit awful hiccups, and a lot of hard work, he has regained his mobility and motor functions. I am happy that he has had you by his side through this ordeal. I guess nothing tests a relationship like a stroke.

So happy to hear from you.

[Greg]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Greg, I often wondered where you were and thought perhaps work had just got too busy to give you much free time. I am shocked and saddened by the news of your partner's stroke. What a dreadful time..."

Thanks so much Bette!

Yes, it was pretty terrible. There were some medical errors at the hospital, and it hit a certain point where they still didn't know whether it was an ischemic stroke or a bleeder because they he was still in line for the MRI. And they asked him to decide whether to take a strong blood thinner via IV (I can't remember the name) that might reduce the severity of damage to the brain. If the stroke was ischemic, it might help. If it was a bleeder, it would certainly be fatal. And when they asked him he looked at me, I will never forget that look . . . trust, fear, confusion, there was so much in it. He was completely paralyzed on the right side at that point, and after we chose to put him on the thinners we just had to wait to see whether he would make it. The danger reduced after each 8 hour period he made it through, and the clock didn't seem to move at all in ICU - it just went on and on.

I was practically living at the hospital the first month, and every night when I finally left, I would drive through the 24 hour Taco Bell drive through window after midnight and wolf down and entire "Mexican Pizza" and "Burrito Supreme" in my car. The "Mexican Pizza" has the most calories of every item on the Taco Bell menu, and that really tells you something! But man it tastes good, and eating is my vice when things get bad. I laughed at myself about it - you have to laugh at yourself a little bit in these sorts of circumstances I think, but it was really hard to break myself of the habit later, believe me. I forced myself to stop my Taco Bell trips once he got into the acute rehab wing because I didn't want to end up in another bed at the hospital. Once the coronavirus gets under control, I need to spend a lot of time on the treadmill at the gym to make up for those months, that's for sure! :)

He still can't move the wrist or fingers, and his arm use is limited, but bit by bit things are improving! He was finally able to wiggle his pinky toe on the foot just two weeks ago, and it has been months and months. I am so grateful that things are getting better, and I'm also grateful that he's had a great and hopeful attitude throughout. Things could be so much harder! If I was to be stuck on a desert island, I couldn't wish for a better companion.

Anyway, how are things in Australia? Hopefully the virus is less widespread there? Though I did hear you had some horrible fires there not long ago, but those at least are under control now I think.

This is the nefarious "Mexican Pizza" from Taco Bell in case anyone is wondering who lives outside of the US:

[Ruth]

Hi Greg glad you are back and sorry to hear about your partner. I hope things continue to get better for you guys. I have to say that pizza looks wicked awesome lol. What is on it?

[Greg]

Ruth wrote: "Hi Greg glad you are back and sorry to hear about your partner. I hope things continue to get better for you guys. I have to say that pizza looks wicked awesome lol. What is on it?"

Thanks Ruth, and ha ha, yes, I think it is invented by the devil, it tastes too good! A massive amount of cheese, refried beans, ground beef, and sour cream on a huge fried tortilla with some diced tomatoes on top. Nothing healthy about it! :)

[Ruth]

Nope nothing healthy about that but I bet it tastes great.

[B the BookAddict]

Greg, I can't imagine being asked to make a choice like that. Terrifying.

The bushfires in my country were catastrophic. As of 9 March 2020, the fires burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 million acres; destroyed over 5,900 buildings (including 2,779 homes) and killed at least 34 people. An estimated one billion animals have been killed and some endangered species may be driven to extinction.

It was one of the worst fear that I have ever lived thru; a time of such acute sadness for our country. It will take years for people and wildlife to recover, some wildlife species may never.

[Greg]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Greg, I can't imagine being asked to make a choice like that. Terrifying.

The bushfires in my country were catastrophic. As of 9 March 2020, the fires burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares (46 ..."

Wow Bette!!, the fires were even worse than I knew of!

I didn't watch any news from the middle of last year until recently; so I have been out of the loop on much that has been going on. But a friend had mentioned the fires to me, and I was thinking of you and hoping you were safe. I had no idea they were so drastically extensive!

Just as when I heard that the coronavirus was really bad in Italy, I was thinking of Laura, dely, and Marina.

Hopefully the universe will grant us a couple good years after everything settles down. I think it might be time to balance the scales.

[Nichole]

Greg, I am sorry about your partner. Thank goodness he's pulling through. Please take it easy. I miss you also.

[Greg]

Nichole wrote: "Greg, I am sorry about your partner. Thank goodness he's pulling through. Please take it easy. I miss you also."

Thanks Nichole! :)

[Ruth]

Today was my Mom's birthday she is 90 yrs old and remarkably still symptom free. There are 15 residents on her unit who have tested positive and also 8 staff members. My sister had one of the CNA's bring her in chocolate cake and one of the nurses took her picture. She looked like she was enjoying it. I feel bad that none of us were able to be there to help her celebrate but I am so thankful that she has remained symptom free.

[Greg]

Ruth wrote: "Today was my Mom's birthday she is 90 yrs old and remarkably still symptom free. There are 15 residents on her unit who have tested positive and also 8 staff members. My sister had one of the CNA's..."

Thank goodness Ruth! I am so, so glad! Is she in an outer facing room I wonder, where you could at least wave in at her through the window? A friend of mine was doing that when her mother was in a similar situation.

I know it must be really hard to be on the outside sitting and waiting. I'll be praying for her to keep doing well.

[Petra]

Happy Birthday to your Mom, Ruth! I'm glad that she enjoyed a piece of chocolate cake. So sorry that you and the family couldn't be there with her.
I'm very happy to hear that she remains symptom free.
Hang in there, Ruth. As Greg suggested, maybe a window visit would be possible?

[Ruth]

Yeah, I don't think I could do that. It is not allowed where I work and I don't want to risk bringing anything back to my residents. We have no cases where I work and would like to keep it that way for as long as possible. My sister sent me photos and I got to talk to her on the phone.

[Greg]

Ruth wrote: "Yeah, I don't think I could do that. It is not allowed where I work and I don't want to risk bringing anything back to my residents. We have no cases where I work and would like to keep it that way..."

For sure you should do what you think is safe Ruth. It's really good that there are no cases at your work yet!

[Ruth]

Yes we have been very fortunate that none of our residents have gotten this virus yet. We are doing everything possible to keep them safe.

[LauraT]

Karin wrote: "Sadly, I saw this too late. I hope it went well! I can't find any video there now."

Greg wrote: "I watched and liked the video Laura!"

Thanks Greg!
And for those who missed it but are still intertested you can find it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWmj-...

[LauraT]

Greg wrote: "Hello everyone, I have not been around on any social media for a long time as my partner had a severe stroke last year. It was touch and go for a while, and he was completely paralyzed on the right..."

So glad to hear things are getting a bit better after all this terrible period! Hope you'll find some solice here with us!

[Greg]

LauraT wrote: "Greg wrote: "Hello everyone, I have not been around on any social media for a long time as my partner had a severe stroke last year. It was touch and go for a while, and he was completely paralyzed..."

Thanks Laura. :)

[dely]

@Greg, I was wondering too where you were. Though I can't manage to be as active as in the past, I always try to check at least this discussion when I have some free time, but often I don't have time to reply/write something. I'm really sorry for what you and your partner had to go through and I hope that now things will only improve. You both had really a very hard time to deal with.
And yay to junk food if it helps to stay up with the mood or may help in any other way :D

[Greg]

dely wrote: "@Greg, I was wondering too where you were. Though I can't manage to be as active as in the past, I always try to check at least this discussion when I have some free time, but often I don't have ti..."

Thanks dely!

[Karin]

LauraT wrote: "Karin wrote: "Sadly, I saw this too late. I hope it went well! I can't find any video there now."

Greg wrote: "I watched and liked the video Laura!"

Thanks Greg!
And for those who missed it but a..."


Thank you, it's quite good! I had my son listen as well and he agreed--he has the most well trained ear for this sort of thing at the moment since he does massive amounts of listening during his spare time as a trumpet performance major. He never likes videos, but if I can find my password to my virtually never used google account, I will like it.

[LauraT]

Thanks Karin! Spread it as much as you can!

[Leslie]

Ruth wrote: "Today was my Mom's birthday she is 90 yrs old and remarkably still symptom free. There are 15 residents on her unit who have tested positive and also 8 staff members. My sister had one of the CNA's..."

It's sad that you couldn't be with her but I'm glad to hear she remains symptom free.

[Karin]

LauraT wrote: "Thanks Karin! Spread it as much as you can!"

I put it on FB, but not many of my FB friends watch that sort of thing since so many get posted, but hopefully some will :)

[Greg]

Karin wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Thanks Karin! Spread it as much as you can!"

I put it on FB, but not many of my FB friends watch that sort of thing since so many get posted, but hopefully some will :)"

That's great Karin! :)

[LauraT]

Karin wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Thanks Karin! Spread it as much as you can!"

I put it on FB, but not many of my FB friends watch that sort of thing since so many get posted, but hopefully some will :)"

Thanks anyway; one more is always one more!!! And remember to call me if you manage to come to Italy. I'll be glad to show you around

[Karin]

LauraT wrote: "Karin wrote: "LauraT wrote: "Thanks Karin! Spread it as much as you can!"

I put it on FB, but not many of my FB friends watch that sort of thing since so many get posted, but hopefully some will :..."

That would be great :), but it's not likely with my income (but I won't say never--what if my son ends up working there? Not likely, but one can't tell with musicians).

[Ruth]

Thanks Leslie. We got our tests done today at my nursing home. they are testing all the residents and staff. They said it will be 3-5 days before we get the results.

[LauraT]

You never know Karin!

[LauraT]

Ruth wrote: "Thanks Leslie. We got our tests done today at my nursing home. they are testing all the residents and staff. They said it will be 3-5 days before we get the results."

Fingers crossed

[Ruth]

Thanks Laura

[Greg]

Ruth wrote: "Thanks Leslie. We got our tests done today at my nursing home. they are testing all the residents and staff. They said it will be 3-5 days before we get the results."

Hope it all goes well Ruth. Hope your mother too is continuing to hang in there!

[Ruth]

thanks Greg. My Mother is doing fine, still no symptoms. she had lab work done and everything looks pretty good. she is at her baseline and walking around. They even managed to get her to wear a mask when she is out of her room and I'm amazed that she is leaving it on.

[Karin]

LauraT wrote: "You never know Karin!"

True. I was adamant that I would never move permanently to the USA if I married an American, but then I fell in love, he didn't want to move to Canada and had good reasons, so here I am!

[Esther]

Nancy from NJ wrote: "I have had several people I know that had both hip replacement and knee surgery. Many of my friends recuperated in rehab centers, then came home a began physical therapy. Our friend just broke his ..."

My Mum had both her knees done (separately) when she was in her late 70s. They had her out of bed the next day and walking up stairs within a week.
She had hers done due to wear&tear but going by the experience of other friends I think the recovery is harder if the reason for the op was a due to a break.

[Esther]

Greg wrote: "Hello everyone, I have not been around on any social media for a long time as my partner had a severe stroke last year. It was touch and go for a while, and he was completely paralyzed on the right..."

Oh Greg, How awful.
My best wishes for your partner's recovery. At least working from home is making it a bit easier for you to cope.

[Esther]

Ruth wrote: "Today was my Mom's birthday she is 90 yrs old and remarkably still symptom free. There are 15 residents on her unit who have tested positive and also 8 staff members. My sister had one of the CNA's..."

Happy Birthday to your Mum, Ruth!!
I am glad she enjoyed her cake and I think being symptom free must be one of the best gifts to her and you all.

[Greg]

Esther wrote: "Oh Greg, How awful.
My best wishes for your partner's recovery. At least working from home is making it a bit easier for you to cope...."

Thanks Esther!

[Ruth]

Thanks Esther

[Stephen]

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms 💕

[Nancy from NJ]

From me too to the women who have the hardest job and also to dads.

[Greg]

Yes, Happy Mother's Day everyone!

[Ruth]

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.
We got our tests results back and all the staff and all the residents tested negative at my nursing home. So relieved.

[Esther]

Ruth wrote: "I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.
We got our tests results back and all the staff and all the residents tested negative at my nursing home. So relieved."

Good news!!!

[Greg]

Ruth wrote: "I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.
We got our tests results back and all the staff and all the residents tested negative at my nursing home. So relieved."

Wonderful!! :)

[Nancy from NJ]

How wonderful for all of you.

I had an off day yesterday. Our kids cane by but we couldn’t hug or kiss . And I really missed my mom who has been gone 27 years.

[Karin]

Ruth wrote: "I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.
We got our tests results back and all the staff and all the residents tested negative at my nursing home. So relieved."

That's wonderful news :)

[Nichole]

Ruth wrote: "I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.
We got our tests results back and all the staff and all the residents tested negative at my nursing home. So relieved."

Wonderful news, Ruth.

[Ruth]

Thanks everyone. We are all relieved and hopefully we can continue to protect our residents.

[Alannah]

Ruth wrote: "Thanks everyone. We are all relieved and hopefully we can continue to protect our residents."

I'm glad to hear, I wish you all the best of the luck.
I don't if it's the same where you are but they have finally started to count care home deaths of COVID 19 in the overall total, apparently the number now matches the number of deaths in hospitals.
I now take back my earlier comment about wishing my granny was in a care home for some company. I'm glad she is where she is, at least she's safe, for now.