I got the perfect report today – my scans were all clean! Even one that he mentioned 6 months ago about some little “bubbles” are also gone. Wow!
I am going back to Mayo again this Thursday to another specialist. The very long incision from last November’s surgery has now developed a hernia. Sigh.
I got to Rochester by 8:15 this morning – construction on the Mayo Campus is beyond description. I decided to give my normal routine a try – one left, one right and into the valet parking! Yes!!!
I didn’t get home till 6 pm and the dogs nearly attacked me – they missed me for sure. So we went to the hayfield to play and Hazel’s clean little body lasted about 30 hours.
Then I picked up my daily allotment of black walnuts.
I introduced you to Lorraine this morning but forgot the picture – here is 96 year old Lorraine, Deb’s sister and Deb.
I’m writing my card tonight!
Good Night!!
So glad you had a good report at your Doctor appointment. I have a couple walnut trees as well, I always crawl around on the ground to pick them up!
Lori – I tried that, too, but I have two knee replacements. When that hurt I got a small quilt to kneel on. I should have gotten my knee pads!
Hooray for the good news on your scans!! That is the happy news I wanted to hear today.
Seeing your walnuts reminded me of a story about my Iowa grandmother that I love. When she grew older and had to come up with some “work arounds” to figure out how to get things done in new ways, she used to put the walnuts on the floor of her garage on top of newspapers and drive her car over them in order to get the “skins” off of them and crack them. (I’ll bet a lot of people didn’t know they had that thick coating on them.)
Beth – how ingenious is that?? Such a long two step process to harvest those nuts / I don’t even really like them so don’t feel bad giving them to the squirrels!! I, too, am always trying to think of new and easier ways to care for the farm – like your grandmother!
You know, Mary, I don’t know if she really liked them or not. (I would have to ask the cousins who lived closer by.) But she was so frugal, she was going to make use of it rather than let it sit on the ground and rot. I tell you, I call on that a grit and ingenuity more and more, the older I get.
Beth – sounds like that era, doesn’t it? Even if I hate it, I’m going to make use of it. I’m glad I don’t subscribe to that sentiment. Ha!
Great news on your checkup! Whoo Hoo! I’m sorry to read of the hernia, but today most of them are done and you go home, I shall pray that is the plan for yours. My card will go in the mail by the weekend. My new sewing space has no design wall so I lay things out on the floor, not sure I will be crawling on the floor. I admire the fact that at 90+ Lorraine is able to crawl on the floor to work on her quilts. You go lady!!
Kim – I told her that in my card, too!
Mary, it’s good to hear that your scans were fantastic. Now, on to the next part…the hernia. I hope that goes well for you, too.
Congrats Mary on goid report!
I’ll add my “Hurray” for a good report. Note to Lorraine going out tomorrow. Safe travels to tomorrow’s appointment. HOT week in Arizona with morning lows in the high 80s to 90s. I guess that means it’s time to sew!
Jan
Clearly, we all are so thankful that your reports are clear! That is truly wonderful news. A hernia can be mended, many other things cannot! Take care and realize just how many people love and care about you!
It seems like old age equals various problems. I tried to be careful about helping Frank, but about a year before he died, they discovered I had a hernia. It was out patient remote robotic surgery with very little pain. No meds needed. About 2 years later I discovered a bump about the size of a shooter marble! It was during the pandemic. I called the doctor on Monday and they did the same surgery going thru the same holes as before on Friday. Again, I had almost no pain, no meds!! They said the 2nd hernia was there when they did the 1st one, they just didn’t know it. I didn’t shovel snow for awhile.
My knees have complained for years when the little nerves get caught between a rock and a hard place. So, I lay my quilt blocks on the top of my queen sized bed , plus I don’t have a lot of open floor space. Frank thought he could walk all over my blocks and that called for murder in my mind. The lesser of 2 evils?
As for road construction. Out here wherever you want to go in the spring-late fall — you can’t get there from here!!
Good luck for tomorrow. We’ll all be thinking about you.
Betty – your notes are priceless!! That’s what I’m hoping for my hernia repair – Hank’s mom has already volunteered to drive me. I cant wait to get it fixed because I think it’s hard to breathe. My dr. Explained to me that I have a wide hernia versus a narrow hernia meaning the narrow hernia can get caught in the break of the abdominal wall strangling it and causing big problems. Mine is a large opening so it’s not pinched but I can’t believe how my belly is bulging and it’s hard as a rock! I am not in pain but I’m very uncomfortable. Thanks for your info – I don’t know much about hernias. And yes, murder would be in line if someone walked on my blocks on the floor.
Hi Mary! I’m beyond thrilled that your scans came back clean!! Yay! Sorry about the hernia though.
good news.. yeah!!
hazel not staying clean,, oh well. we all knew it wouldn’t last. a girl’s got to play!
What IS the chartreuse big leaved plant? i definitely “need” one of those!
Kit – the big chartreuse plant was a Walmart plant that just said philodendron – what? I’m going to use my plant identifier and I’ll let you know. It adds such nice color, doesn’t it?
Your good Mayo report is such a blessing. Now for an easy fix for your hernia. Praying for a speedy healing.
We’ve been plagued with terrible smoky air from Canada for over a week now. Most days have been in the unhealthy for ALL category. The air quality has improved somewhat today. Rain forecast for later in the week so, hopefully the air will clear. Finally getting beans and cucumbers in the garden with tomatoes coming soon.
I sent you a picture of a homespun quilt top I just finished. Now some much needed housecleaning.
I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow regarding your doctor appointment . Take care.
Connie – I gotta look for your picture! I must have missed it – thanks for being on the ball!
Connie – got it this morning – I’ll post tonight – great use of homespuns!
Thanks! It as a fun, fast quilt to make.
So glad you got good news from Mayo! Sorry about the hernia, hopefully that will be an easy repair. Love the beautiful tree skirt in the picture of Lorraine. Hope you have a safe trip Thursday back to Mayo.
Debra – I also noticed the tree skirt – so much work in it but so beautiful!
Happy to hear the good medical report news
What outstanding news, Mary! After all of the storms and not-so-nice events, it’s a real treat to hear good reports! I hope that your hernia is easily mended. Most of my babies had to be surgically delivered, which left me with very weak abdominal muscles { they weren’t that great to begin with 🙂 🙂 } and I had to have two hernia repairs. The first was tiny and not really too worrisome, but the second was big enough to catch my insides and cause trouble. It was a quick out-patient surgery involving a small incision and a mesh of some sort. I really am held together with baling wire and screening and didn’t even get a nice flat tummy out of the whole thing.
Susan – thanks for all that info!!! Hopefully it will be outpatient.
So happy for you. Clean scans – what could be better. Great news.
So happy for you Mary, great news. Sorry about the hernia. So funny about the 30 hr clean time for Hazel. When I give Eddy a bath and when the neighbours give their dog max a bath we always say to each other-they aren’t allow to play for 2 days-just give us 2 days of clean dog. Still packing, not much more to do. It’s raining today which is good for the plants. I could, if I put my mind to it finish packing today. I hope I can put my mind to it. lol. The movers come in Aug 14th so we are down to the wire. I still haven’t sent you pics of my Eddy and his friend Max. I will also send pics of my “grand-dogs” too. Once all the packing is done I will have time. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Teresa – oh, so much work packing! I think I’d rather clean my yard over and over than pack up all my belongings – it would be impossible. Yup, the 2 day rule sounds good to me – I was so tired last night I let her go to bed dirty – and she slept in MY bed all night – even closer to me early this morning when we had thunder! Ha!
Mary—happy to see your good news report from Mayo! Prayers for the next trip tomorrow. Made one batch of relish yesterday…we love it so am doing one more batch today to have enough to share! Easy but messy work..HA!
Nancy – I could eat that relish straight out of the jar with a spoon! Haha!!
I could also..delicious! Glad you shared your recipe…it is labeled as yours now!!
Congratulations Mary on clean scans!🎉👏 So sorry about the hernia – keep us posted!
Laughed so hard over Hazel’s 30 hr cleanness 🤣
Thank you, Mary for starting the card shower… I will, now, tell Mom to expect to be getting some cards in her box. It’s been a surprise, til now. I will report back when it stops “raining ” cards and notes on her. Thanks, everyone!
I’m thankful, also, for your good reports at Mayo. My husband just had a hernia repaired. Took a bit of healing time.( he is a male, though…) but is all better now.
Deb – was his hernia repair outpatient? How long do you think it will take ME to recover? Be honest.
He was in the hospital overnight simply because the surgery was performed late into the evening . Recovery was slow, no lifting over 10 lbs for several weeks. He milked it for two months.🤭
i love that you all look the same. no douby you are related!! very cute.
husbands and hernia surgery.. lol. yup, that’s how i felt after my c sections. suck it up buttercup!
Wonderful news, Mary! So glad you received a good report! I’m anxious to hear what the Dr says about your hernia. You’ve made great progress with the cleanup! I have to chuckle at Hazel & Keeper. They both are living their best lives with you, Mary! I’m sure you get tired of the almost daily baths, but they’re so cute together! Monday I stopped in at the SPCA where I adopted Boots from to drop off some food for puppies. They’ve been swamped with puppies lately. They were thrilled to see a recent picture of Boots! He must have made quite an impression for them to remember him with the hundreds of dogs that come through there! This is the SPCA for greater Cincinnati, but there are many other shelters in the surrounding areas. The drop in temperature has been wonderful, but we’re headed back to the 90’s again. Such a hot summer, but I’ll take this over winter any day! Just have to pick my times for a walk with Boots when it’s cooler. When it’s hot it’s time to stay in & sew. I’m working on a QOV quilt that has to be done in 2.5 wks! I’ll get a card in the mail to Lorraine today. I’m so impressed that she can get down on her knees to lay out a quilt! I use my dinning room table, but I don’t do large quilts anymore, usually throw to twin size. Praying for another good report tomorrow for you!
Alice – I, too, am so impressed with Lorraine! Hard works means a long productive life – in my opinion! Here’s a hug for Boots! ()
Mary, the only quilt I tried to pin base on the carpet had a large tuck on the back. That’s when I started using my dining room table & have not had that happen since. I agree that hard work means a long productive life. The men & women in my family have all been hard workers. And I did give Boots a hug from Aunt Mary!😊
Great news, Mary! Sorry about the hernia and hope it can be repaired without too much ado. We just got back from spending a week with our kids in Duluth and talk about road construction! They were working on I-35 when we were there last summer and it’s still in process—and even though it’s “almost done” it’s a mess. Very confusing. We stayed in a Vrbo rental apartment in Superior, Wisconsin which was very nice and a couple of blocks from the bridge to Duluth, so very convenient. We had a great time! So beautiful “up north”. Our kids love it and plan to stay after Abe finishes his PhD in geology at UMD so I imagine we’ll be spending a lot more time there.
Sue – if I recall, there’s a great antique mall on Main Street. I can even remember what I bought there. Except for the long winters, I’d love living in Duluth!
That was a long day at Mayo! I’m glad you got good news on your scans. Hopefully the hernia will be easily fixed.
Hello to our new friend, Lorraine. The Christmas photo is beautiful!
Mary I think your yard is a work of art ! And I am so glad your visit to Mayo went well.
Mary, so glad you are getting a good report from the Mayo Clinic. That sure is a lot of driving for one week. Sorry about the hernia. Another surgery?
Amazing story about Lorraine. What a trooper!! I’m glad she is still quilting!! Sending card today.
Congratulations Mary on your clean scans! It was maddening when your original surgery was delayed but apparently the docs knew what they were doing. Mayo under construction reminds me of UofM, when we first went in preparation for Don’s heart transplant U of M was huge but then he was the first surgical patient at the new cardiac hospital after it’s dedication. Now they are preparing to open a 10 story in patient hospital because all the other mega structures don’t have room for the demands!
I have an idea – dye Hazels hair blackish brown then she won’t look so bad after all her digging! Why do we have white farm dogs?? I’ve had three over the years and the constant baths are tiring!
Blessings to one and all.
Linda, the drawback to dyeing Hazel’s hair would be that Mary couldn’t find her when she’s digging deep in some hole! That white butt is often the only clue.
Linda – did I just forget Don had a heart transplant? OMG – when was this? Were we “friends” then? I was lucky parking at Mayo yesterday and tomorrow is at St. Mary’s which isn’t under construction. Whew!
That’s absolutely Fantastic news! So happy for you Mary! It’s wonderful to come home to such a warm welcome from your pets, that’s the best!
What a lovely picture of Deb’s family.
Glad this visit went smoothly even if construction makes it challenging. We’re hoping tomorrows appointment goes as good and your health concern can be addressed.
Simple things like our yards bring us home bodies such pleasure. I know.
Yay for a clean report!!! As for the construction- we have a saying here in Wisconsin,” we have two seasons, Winter and Road Construction.”
Elizabeth – you’re 100% correct!
Mary — thankful your report was good! That is wonderful news and an answer to prayers. I’m finding the older I’m getting, the more stressful drives like yours to Mayo weighs on me……. this getting older is definitely not for the weak of heart! LOL
Lynette – yesterday’s drive was horrible plus I couldn’t have anything to eat or drink except clear liquids. On the way home I had McDonalds snack pack meal which was not good. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Did you at least get a Happy Meal toy? My dh is having his 2nd or 3rd or ?? childhood and totally LOVES those silly Happy Meal toys they have right now with all of the miniature McD things. We were walking out of one restaurant, and a man called out across the room. He said, “I’m SURE that Happy Meal is for a small child, right?” Then the men both burst out laughing. The man said that he collects the toys, and he would be happy to trade if we had a toy that he didn’t. They are all crazy!
Glad you got good news at Mayo. Makes the hassle of dealing with the construction worthwhile. Hope your next appointment goes well too. Hazel just cracks me up! You could write a book on her.
Mary…..Great news!!! And on another subject…. Just a quick note… I boil walnut outsides… not the shells but the green covering …… boiled in water until water is brown…. it makes a great dye for fabric when you are trying to make it look “aged”. (I hope you understand what I am saying.)
Beth – I do understand – it still sounds like a lot of work to me. I would like the “look” however. How is Jeff?
Mary so glad your report from the doctor was good and your drive and parking went well. Hope the same news for you on Thursday. Your plants look lovely and healthy. Keeper and Hazel look like there having fun. Yesterday was a day of rest, went to Costco in Iowa City and then to Red Lobster for lunch with my sister and her husband. That was after 3 days of morning weeding and burning all the brush from the storms in June and July. Hard to believe we had 3 days of cooler temperatures and low winds. Not much sewing going on but that’s ok.
Oh, my word, Rita! Around here, Costco is most definitely not part of a day of rest 🙂
After fighting through the traffic to get to the parking lot, walking about 40,000 steps to the door, waiting in line to show the ID card, pushing a heavy shopping cart around the store at least 5 times, unloading–reloading–unloading, and then putting everything away … it’s a full-body workout! We upgraded our Sams’ Club membership because they deliver for free 🙂 🙂 🙂 I get to skip everything except the putting away part — although I wasn’t quick enough one time, and the resident deer stole our bag of apples! She didn’t touch the lettuce, but those apples were a snatch-and-grab gone-in-a-flash!
Great news on your report but crummy about the hernia. I LOVE valet parking one less concern I have. People who haven’t tried it are really missing out out. Do the deer eat the walnuts? Do you have many deer around? I don’t think you have mentioned any.
Her card is on its way. I used to feel sorry for the ladies who had to stand for communion and now I just nudge my way into their line. Bless their hearts
Angie – nothing can get into my 7 acres – it has a 6’ Chain link fence all the way around which is dug 12” into the ground as well so nothing can burrow under. With a busy state highway bordering the north side of my property, the fence was the only way I could live here comfortably.
Great news on your report, but I am concerned that your hernia might have been caused by all your heavy outdoor work. Does the Dr. know all that you do on the farm?
I have already sent my card and letter to Lorraine. Although she is a year older than I am, our lives seem so similar, even down to the fact that both our husbands had dementia. One other difference- she gets on her knees to lay out quilt blocks on the floor; I have to sit on my tush, my knees don’t like me kneeling on them anymore. Getting down is easy, but I need a bit of help from a chair or coffee table so I can get upright after my time on the floor. I think she and I have both been blessed to live this long and that God has kept us healthy enough to be able to do what we both love – make quilts. Smoke here in Co. is pretty heavy today from the fires in Utah and Wyoming. A heavy outdoor haze made it seem a little eerie all day. A good day to stay indoors and sew. Jeanne in Co.
Jeanne – I need a chair or coffee table to get up, too!! My hernia problem is common and it would have gradually started last winter when I wasn’t working hard. But I did wonder about the same thing – Dr. Robinson doubted it. I would have felt very guilty.
You are in excellent health for your age – I hope I am, too, at age 96!!
Wonderful news! I think Rochester streets are always under construction.
SO happy for you, Mary. Congrats on a perfect report.
Love your stone chicken. Or would she be terra cotta?
Sue – the huge chicken is actually cast iron!! Very heavy and she lives in that spot year round. She is inherited from Country Threads
So thankful for your safe travels and good medical report, Mary!💙
Wonderful news Mary, after such an exhausting day I hope you get a well deserved rest.