July 28, 2023

This is a good quote for today since I’ve started getting nervous about my upcoming surgery even though I’m very much looking forward to having it done. But I’m thankful for some encouragement from a friend who has been through it already. She gave me some good tips for recovery and eased my mind a bit.

July 24, 2023

I got a call from my surgeon’s office today giving me some the pre-op instructions like stop taking my Tamoxifen a week before. I’m glad they called because I saw an orthopedic specialist this morning who doesn’t believe my swollen hand is from tennis elbow. He’s not entirely sure what’s causing it, just that he thinks the tendons along the top are inflamed. He prescribed an oral steroid to help with it, but my surgeon’s nurse said it’s also something I can’t take. In fact, she even said they’d cancel the surgery if I had. That was close!

And apparently, my CT scan hasn’t been read it because it’s not a high priority given that it doesn’t typically show a good or bad result. The nurse said it’s usually used to inform the doctor for the surgery, but if anything else showed up as an issue, they would call me right away. Then she answered all my questions and encouraged me to call if I have any more.

I also had what is probably my final massage before my surgery. I always leave there feeling so much better, but I’m really hoping I won’t need to go back, at least not for a medical massage. Maybe I can go once later just for relaxation.

I’m super thankful I got the call from my surgeon’s office when I did today because I would have been sooooo upset if my stupid hand screwed up my surgery. I’ll revisit the issue later. I’m also thankful for a good final massage, and that all my lingering appointments are now done.

July 23, 2023

I spent the morning working in our bedroom, hoping to get some wallpaper up. Unfortunately, after getting the first strip on the wall, I had an uneasy feeling I misread the square footage. After the second strip, I knew and immediately ordered a second roll. Grrr. I hate wallpapering and now I’ll have to do it another weekend. Thankfully, though, I should get the new roll by Friday, and thankfully, I like the change to plaid.

That awful moment when you realize you didn’t order enough wallpaper.
I’m just gonna focus on this corner for a week.

July 22, 2023

I still haven’t heard any results of my CT scan, which makes me nervous. At the same time, I’m hoping that no news is good news. Hopefully it means that nothing urgent was visible, so I got put into the “not urgent” pile.

Still, to keep me occupied, I did some cleaning around the house and then worked on the new drapes I’m making for our bedroom. I’m not done, but I’m about halfway there. Of course, in between I spent a bunch of time outside with the pups. Potty training a puppy is time consuming, so I’m thankful the weather was pretty decent today. I’m also thankful for a big discount on some solar lanterns that I put on our deck. I love good atmosphere.

July 21, 2023

It’s Friday! I had to take an early afternoon meeting, but it was still a short work day. It was also really nice outside, so we spent a lot of time in the backyard with the pups. Barley is getting a little more perky and less grumpy towards Cooper every day. They even stayed side by side went we went for a walk. I’m thankful for that.

July 20, 2023

I’m thankful today that it’s almost the end of the week, that Patrick got more painting done without hurting himself on a ladder, that our concrete work should be scheduled soon, and that Cooper doesn’t fuss in his cage so we can actually sleep.

July 19, 2023

I’m thankful today my pre-op appointment went well. I’m all cleared for surgery, but even better, I liked the nurse practitioner I saw. She was really personable and helpful. I ended up adding her as my primary care physician.

I’m also thankful that Barley is warming up a little bit more every day to Cooper. We aren’t forcing it, but he seems a little more curious about him. And he’s not going the opposite direction every time Cooper walks towards him.

And Cooper is getting acclimated. He’s slightly better at listening and stopping when we say no to things. And he makes no fuss at going into his cage at bedtime or when we have to leave the house briefly. We need to work on the puppy stuff like jumping on people or grabbing everything he sees, especially if it’s fuzzy or moving. My feet seem especially interesting. Since he’s 6 months old, I know that won’t last a lot longer, so we just need to take it a day at a time.