The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Friday, June 5, 2020
Morning 74 Degrees, Wind SE at 11 to 12 Mph, Humidity 62%, sunny.
Afternoon 101 Degrees, Wind SE at 20 to 27 Mph, Humidity 27%, sunny.
Yesterday and today I can feel my energy coming back a little more, and doing more. Yesterday we moved the portable air conditioner inside from the shed where it was sleeping all winter. I got the hand truck from the work shop to roll the air conditioner to Buster’s door and used it to lift it into Buster. I had made a new wood plate to fit the exhaust hose to and put the hot air outside of Buster. Today I had to trim the opening for the hose to snap into place. I and l taped the hose to the upper and lower fittings, so they wont work them selves off the hose. We have it running now.
Another thing about my energy level is the door on the car. When getting in the car there are two detents to keep the door open. The second one full wide open, if I got into the car seat and tried to pull the door closed I could not, I did not have the energy to bring the door closed . If the door was only half way open detent while sitting on the seat I could manage that. I got in the habit of holding the wide open door, handle while starting to sit down and pulling it closed to the other stop and then closing the door.
Now I cam close the wide open door while sitting on the seat in the car.
Friday, June 5, 2020
Thursday, June 4, 2020
June 4
The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Saturday, May 30, 2020
Morning 63 Degrees, Wind SE at 8 to 10 Mph, Humidity 52%, sunny.
My lovely wife and I took a drive out to Queen for a bite to eat and a drive thru the mountains. It was 89 degrees and little breeze in Carlsbad as we left there and 82 degrees in Queen at 5,823 foot level and a pretty strong cool breeze.
The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Thursday, June 4, 2020
Morning 71 Degrees, Wind SE at 7 to 8 Mph, Humidity 63%, sunny.
Well we did it, I went into the store (Walmart in Carlsbad, NM) for the first time since March 3 and that time I used a cart to get around the store. I did not have the energy to walk without sitting down every couple of minutes. Today we walked right in no line, I did not go to many departments but my lovely wife went to a few more departments than me. Restaurants are starting to open we were able to eat at a BBQ restaurant (sit down inside) for the first time since the closure back in March.
Next Thursday we need to be in Roswell for the doctor to check my arm vane and artery that he moved closer together for a port connection. He will do a sonogram to check and measure the size of the vane. The vane needs to be .6 center meters to put in he port for dialysis
Morning 63 Degrees, Wind SE at 8 to 10 Mph, Humidity 52%, sunny.
My lovely wife and I took a drive out to Queen for a bite to eat and a drive thru the mountains. It was 89 degrees and little breeze in Carlsbad as we left there and 82 degrees in Queen at 5,823 foot level and a pretty strong cool breeze.
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| Up and Down around the curves |
Morning 71 Degrees, Wind SE at 7 to 8 Mph, Humidity 63%, sunny.
Well we did it, I went into the store (Walmart in Carlsbad, NM) for the first time since March 3 and that time I used a cart to get around the store. I did not have the energy to walk without sitting down every couple of minutes. Today we walked right in no line, I did not go to many departments but my lovely wife went to a few more departments than me. Restaurants are starting to open we were able to eat at a BBQ restaurant (sit down inside) for the first time since the closure back in March.
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| My right arm where the doctor was working inside |
Next Thursday we need to be in Roswell for the doctor to check my arm vane and artery that he moved closer together for a port connection. He will do a sonogram to check and measure the size of the vane. The vane needs to be .6 center meters to put in he port for dialysis
Friday, May 29, 2020
May 2020
Revised 5/30
Morning 57 Degrees, Wind S at 6 to 7 Mph, Humidity 31%, sunny.
Well yesterday I went to the Cardiologist for an INR check (blood thickness ). The meter failed (again) so today I visited the Carlsbad Hospital for a blood draw. The same thing happened at the beginning of the month. The last time the INR was 1.9 (at Carlsbad Hospital) the doctor want it at 2.0 to 3.0 for me. It had dropped down since April (INR 2.2) the end of the month I had an operation on my arm in anticipation of a port being put in there. Before the operation the surgeon had me stop taking the Warfarin for four days. Now it is taking time to get the INR re-balanced.
Wrist bands (or bracelets), more than I want to count, I have had since December. I was reminded of this when I went for the blood draw yesterday. Once I signed the papers, that is another story, they put another wrist band on my arm. Now I sit down in the lobby and wait a short time to get called. A door opens on the same side of the registration office I get called in. The person asks me my date of birth does the blood draw, I am done I leave, no one has looked at the wrist band? Why the wrist band. At the hospitals in Roswell and El Paso they scan the the wrist band be fore they do anything.
Actually I spent more time in the lobby and at the check in office signing papers, ten pages with signature or initials and I told her there is no changes in my insurance, I was in there earlier this month. Nope they want hard proof, cards or no service.
The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Saturday, May 23, 2020
Morning 60 Degrees, Wind SW at 6 to 7 Mph, Humidity 23%, sunny.
Took a trip to Roswell. We wanted to try a Whataburger. With all our time in Texas we never went to one. We had to order from the drive thru only and eat in the car. We found a shady spot to eat right there in the parking lot. Ordering from those menu boards is not my favorite thing to do. So these is the ordering spot and then the pick up and pay window. When we got to the window and double checked the ordered items before paying, it was wrong, that’s why I would rather go inside to order at the counter. So we pulled over to the side and waited for our order to be brought out side to us.
The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Monday, May 25, 2020
Morning 61 Degrees, Wind N at 13 to 18 Mph, Humidity 65%, cloudy.
I called the Cardiologist office because I have not heard from about my INR level from the blood draw on Thursday, because I have not heard any thing yet. They called back myloverly wife’s phone. My INR is 2.5 at the half way of the range (2 - 3).
The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Thursday, May 28, 2020
Morning 62 Degrees, Wind NE at 8 to 9 Mph, Humidity 48%, sunny.
I have had to put air in the right front tire a few times recently. It has been turning on the low pressure light. The light turns on below thirty pounds of air pressure. It has been showing twenty-eight pounds of pressure, when I start the car in the morning. So today we went to Discount Tire in Roswell. We got there about ten forty five and they checked the tire wear ant it was ready to be changed. He checked inside and had replacement tires for both front tires. We had those installed in 2015. We had to wait about an hour and a half for them to the job.
Revised
Wile waiting we went to a couple of other stores and got something else to eat then returned about twelve-ten. I had not even turned off the car an a tech was in the parking area looking for our car. He had me drive into an open work bay. we waited right there in the car must be a new procedure because of the virus. we were out in fifteen minutes two new balanced tires.
Sunday, May 17, 2020
May
May 2, 2020
Well it is going to be a process to get a port in my arm. We saw the doctor on April twenty third I had a sonogram of my arm, the first step. Looking for where vanes and arteries are located and there size. After that I went to the hospital for blood work and an EKG.
On April thirtieth the doctor (at Lovelace hospital in Roswell) went into my arm and moved a vane and a artery closer together. The vane needs to grow in size it is at point four center meters an needs to be point six center meters in size for the port.
I go to the doctor in two weeks for a checkup and probably another sonogram.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Took a ride out to Queen, NM (south west of us about 48 miles on Queen highway off of US 285 about seven miles south of Lakewood) and then out to Dog Canyon National Park. Queen is at 5800+ feet and had a bite to eat. Then back to US 285 and we went south to Carlsbad to get gasoline ($ 1.63 a galion). As we were pulling out of the parking lot saw a sign for Dog canyon and decided we ride down there and see what is going on there (18+ miles more out to there Dog Canyon National Park). This is right on the Texas boarder, CLOSED right at the state line.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Went to the doctor for a post operation checkup, everything went well only need to exercise my hand more. Next doctor visit is in four weeks. He said it’s looking good. He only checked the incision and for blood flow.
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Sunday, April 26, 2020
April up date
The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Sunday, April 26, 2020
Morning 63 Degrees, Wind SE at 7 to 8 Mph, Humidity 35%, sunny.
April up date
Stay at home, yes I have been doing that. I only go out to the doctor for INR check (blood thickness) and Dialysis. My lovely wife does all the shopping and visits her friends in Artesia while I in Dialysis. I go three days a week to Dialysis, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That is going well once a month they pull blood samples checking certain things for how I am doing, good. They also check my weight going in and out each visit with a target weight (water removal).
I went to a doctor in Roswell last week for a vane mapping to have a port installed. This is going to be a procedure not an operation as the vanes in the arm are not as large as my chest like I have now. There is a good sport for this to be done. This will be done on the thirtieth of April. Then time for the vane to grow in size before it can be used.
My energy level has been increasing a little each day the improvement is small each day but the important thing iis improvement is better than not. Walking is still in need of improvement as my balance is a little off. I wobble when I move my head too quickly. Also part of my improvement is my appetite is not close to normal.
Morning 63 Degrees, Wind SE at 7 to 8 Mph, Humidity 35%, sunny.
Stay at home, yes I have been doing that. I only go out to the doctor for INR check (blood thickness) and Dialysis. My lovely wife does all the shopping and visits her friends in Artesia while I in Dialysis. I go three days a week to Dialysis, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. That is going well once a month they pull blood samples checking certain things for how I am doing, good. They also check my weight going in and out each visit with a target weight (water removal).
I went to a doctor in Roswell last week for a vane mapping to have a port installed. This is going to be a procedure not an operation as the vanes in the arm are not as large as my chest like I have now. There is a good sport for this to be done. This will be done on the thirtieth of April. Then time for the vane to grow in size before it can be used.
My energy level has been increasing a little each day the improvement is small each day but the important thing iis improvement is better than not. Walking is still in need of improvement as my balance is a little off. I wobble when I move my head too quickly. Also part of my improvement is my appetite is not close to normal.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
The Rest of March
The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Saturday, April 4, 2020
Morning 40 Degrees, Wind E at 6 to 7 Mph, Humidity 74%, sunny.
Well I am doing better, with Dialysis. Energy level is better but my ankles are a little weak and there is some dizziness, especially when I move my head too quickly. Before leaving the hospital I had three visits to Dialysis. And the next day Friday had Dialysis in Artesia and every Monday Wednesday and Friday since. In Artesia the first Friday had to be there two o’clock and hour early to do paper work. Since then about noon. On March 16 we also went to Carlsbad to get our INR (blood thickness) checked. We are trying to maintain 2.5 but we were 3.9. while I was in the hospital they had a hard time controlling that level because the doctors each wanted a different level. The surgeon wanted it 1.0 and other doctors wanted 3.0. so it was important to get to Carlsbad Cardiologist and have the INR checked.
We did that again on the twenty third with an INR of 2.6 (good) and again on the thirtieth (2.5) yea. We next go on April thirteenth. On March twenty sixth we went to Roswell as the surgeon wanted me in for a post operation visit (good).
This port I have on my left chest they now want to put another port on a arm (left or right ?). I have noticed other people at the April 4, 2020 center have ports on their arm. I don’t know another two operations, one to put in the arm port and another one to take out the one on my chest?
My energy level was very one when I went to the Renal Medicine doctor on the sixth of March. I was able to barely stand and walk a few steps. Coming out of the hospital on the twelfth of March the difference was my feet hurt and ankles were weak. Everyday since my energy level has gotten better by a small amount.
So my weight, since December I have lost weight (water removed by Dialysis). While I was in the hospital in El Paso, Texas I lost seven pounds. But then I gained fourteen pounds in February and until I went into the hospital in Roswell. Coming out of the hospital (Eastern New Mexico Medical Center) I had lost fourteen pounds while there mostly water, by Dialysis. Going to Dialysis in Artesia the rest of the month I lost another twenty pounds. That comes to since December until today I lost thirty three pounds.
It is a lot of running around with Dialysis in Artesia and the Cardiologist in Carlsbad and the Renal Medicine in Roswell. Its twenty miles to Dialysis in Artesia and twenty three miles to Carlsbad and sixty miles to the surgeon and the Renal Medicine in Roswell, New Mexico.
We got the bill for our flight to El Paso, they charged $74,999 to medicare. Medicare paid them $4,997 and our insurance paid another $624 dollars. I have been getting bills (co pays) for doctors $ 10 dollars Anesthesia to $ 175 for my cataract surgeon.
Artesia hospital emergency room charged $ 10,639 medicare paid $ 539 and insurance paid $ 67 and I paid a co pay of $ 93 dollars. Roswell Lovelace hospital for cataract surgery charged $ 13,608 and paid $1,403 insurence paid $ 175 and I paid $ 175. There was a repeat for the right eye.
Corona virus, I have not gone into a store since March second actually it was the low energy that kept me out for the first few times but since coming out of Eastern New Mexico Medical Center I am high risk for catching Corona virus. My lovely wife is doing all our shopping, mostly while I in Dialysis. We hace also stopped in Albertsons in Carlsbad but I waited in the car. I also waited in the car on March fourth, Low energy. On the twenty sixth we stopped at the Walmart in Roswell and I stayed in the car also. Actually I have had no contact with other people going into the post office is the only thing I have done other than walking around our motorhome Buster.
The Dialysis center has all patients wear face masks while there, the workers there all are wearing face masks also all the time.
Morning 40 Degrees, Wind E at 6 to 7 Mph, Humidity 74%, sunny.
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| Me in Dialysis I wear the visor to block out the lights |
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| Dialysis Machine |
My energy level was very one when I went to the Renal Medicine doctor on the sixth of March. I was able to barely stand and walk a few steps. Coming out of the hospital on the twelfth of March the difference was my feet hurt and ankles were weak. Everyday since my energy level has gotten better by a small amount.
So my weight, since December I have lost weight (water removed by Dialysis). While I was in the hospital in El Paso, Texas I lost seven pounds. But then I gained fourteen pounds in February and until I went into the hospital in Roswell. Coming out of the hospital (Eastern New Mexico Medical Center) I had lost fourteen pounds while there mostly water, by Dialysis. Going to Dialysis in Artesia the rest of the month I lost another twenty pounds. That comes to since December until today I lost thirty three pounds.
It is a lot of running around with Dialysis in Artesia and the Cardiologist in Carlsbad and the Renal Medicine in Roswell. Its twenty miles to Dialysis in Artesia and twenty three miles to Carlsbad and sixty miles to the surgeon and the Renal Medicine in Roswell, New Mexico.
We got the bill for our flight to El Paso, they charged $74,999 to medicare. Medicare paid them $4,997 and our insurance paid another $624 dollars. I have been getting bills (co pays) for doctors $ 10 dollars Anesthesia to $ 175 for my cataract surgeon.
Artesia hospital emergency room charged $ 10,639 medicare paid $ 539 and insurance paid $ 67 and I paid a co pay of $ 93 dollars. Roswell Lovelace hospital for cataract surgery charged $ 13,608 and paid $1,403 insurence paid $ 175 and I paid $ 175. There was a repeat for the right eye.
Corona virus, I have not gone into a store since March second actually it was the low energy that kept me out for the first few times but since coming out of Eastern New Mexico Medical Center I am high risk for catching Corona virus. My lovely wife is doing all our shopping, mostly while I in Dialysis. We hace also stopped in Albertsons in Carlsbad but I waited in the car. I also waited in the car on March fourth, Low energy. On the twenty sixth we stopped at the Walmart in Roswell and I stayed in the car also. Actually I have had no contact with other people going into the post office is the only thing I have done other than walking around our motorhome Buster.
The Dialysis center has all patients wear face masks while there, the workers there all are wearing face masks also all the time.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
2020 March update
The SKP Ranch Lakewood, NM - Saturday, March 14, 2020
Morning 60 Degrees, Wind WNW at 7 to 8 Mph, Humidity 49%, sunny.
Afternoon 72 Degrees, Wind SSE at 13 to 17 Mph, Humidity 38%, sunny.
2020 March update
Well last month was mostly going to the doctors office (Cardiologist in Carlsbad) to check my blood thickness level, for the pacemaker. Tests (blood thickness level) International Normalized Ratio (INR) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot. Well the level started off low then went too high doing weekly tests. Then I got two weeks the same number, in range, thank goodness. I did this by adjusting the warfarin medication and watching my vitamin K intake (eating only foods low in vitamin K). Vitamin K intake is and the food item to watch and learn what I can eat and what to avoid.
I had a appointment scheduled the last day of February with the Renal (Kidney) doctor that was cancelled because the doctor in Roswell (we were already there), had a family emergency. That visit was rescheduled for week later. That appointment sent me to the hospital in Roswell for the start of dialysis. This requires an implant of a device to do the dialysis (an operation). They tried in the emergency room but is did not work so it was done in the operating room the next day. Latter that day the first dialysis was done for two and one half hours. On Monday and Tuesday three hours of dialysis and Thursday. During this week they wee also trying to keep my INR level stable in range requiring transfusions of iron (two times) and Heparin (four times). The heparin was a slow and the iron was a fast transfusion.
After the dialysis on Thursday there was a scramble of things getting ready for discharge from the hospital but we “got er done”. On our drive home we went past the pharmacy to pick up a subscription. Nice to be home .
Well after going to the Cardiologist in Carlsbad on Wednesday my energy level was low so going to Walmart was out for me. My lovely wife went while stayed in the car as I just did not do the walking around and we were having some “weather”. We did not go anywhere on Thursday and my energy was so low that on Friday I needed to have help to get to the doctors. Bob and Maryland drove us to Roswell, thank you. After I was in the hospital my lovely wife took them to lunch there and they drove her home. While home my lovely wife prepped the cat for our stay in Roswell and packed things to bring with her for us while in the hospital. My lovely wife sleep in the chair with me. We ended up in a semi privet room with another man who was discharged Saturday morning while I was in surgery. Coming back from dialysis on Tuesday they had put another man in the other bed in our room. Them we changed rooms right a way, better. We now had a view of the hospital front and parking lot, privet. dialysis my loverly wife was able to shop in Roswell while I was getting dialysis. Now it’s a matte of schedules, dialysis and doctors.
Morning 60 Degrees, Wind WNW at 7 to 8 Mph, Humidity 49%, sunny.
Afternoon 72 Degrees, Wind SSE at 13 to 17 Mph, Humidity 38%, sunny.
Well last month was mostly going to the doctors office (Cardiologist in Carlsbad) to check my blood thickness level, for the pacemaker. Tests (blood thickness level) International Normalized Ratio (INR) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot. Well the level started off low then went too high doing weekly tests. Then I got two weeks the same number, in range, thank goodness. I did this by adjusting the warfarin medication and watching my vitamin K intake (eating only foods low in vitamin K). Vitamin K intake is and the food item to watch and learn what I can eat and what to avoid.
I had a appointment scheduled the last day of February with the Renal (Kidney) doctor that was cancelled because the doctor in Roswell (we were already there), had a family emergency. That visit was rescheduled for week later. That appointment sent me to the hospital in Roswell for the start of dialysis. This requires an implant of a device to do the dialysis (an operation). They tried in the emergency room but is did not work so it was done in the operating room the next day. Latter that day the first dialysis was done for two and one half hours. On Monday and Tuesday three hours of dialysis and Thursday. During this week they wee also trying to keep my INR level stable in range requiring transfusions of iron (two times) and Heparin (four times). The heparin was a slow and the iron was a fast transfusion.
After the dialysis on Thursday there was a scramble of things getting ready for discharge from the hospital but we “got er done”. On our drive home we went past the pharmacy to pick up a subscription. Nice to be home .
Well after going to the Cardiologist in Carlsbad on Wednesday my energy level was low so going to Walmart was out for me. My lovely wife went while stayed in the car as I just did not do the walking around and we were having some “weather”. We did not go anywhere on Thursday and my energy was so low that on Friday I needed to have help to get to the doctors. Bob and Maryland drove us to Roswell, thank you. After I was in the hospital my lovely wife took them to lunch there and they drove her home. While home my lovely wife prepped the cat for our stay in Roswell and packed things to bring with her for us while in the hospital. My lovely wife sleep in the chair with me. We ended up in a semi privet room with another man who was discharged Saturday morning while I was in surgery. Coming back from dialysis on Tuesday they had put another man in the other bed in our room. Them we changed rooms right a way, better. We now had a view of the hospital front and parking lot, privet. dialysis my loverly wife was able to shop in Roswell while I was getting dialysis. Now it’s a matte of schedules, dialysis and doctors.
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