A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2005 Tomorrow's Appointment

Say a prayer, ladies, because tomorrow is my big cardiology appointment in Portland. We have to be there by 10 for the initial testing and then the doc will see us after.

He asked me to bring Maxi to this one because he wants to show the kid a plastic scale model of the heart that has detachable rubber vessels so he can learn about my grafts and later stents. We are all inclined to feel that Maxi handles stress much better when he has good information, so the doctor wants to help with that. Plus, to assist Maxi in getting ready for what lies before us.

He will also probably adjust some of the heart meds I'm on and we'll set up the schedule for the next angioplasty.

One of you asked in a PM if that is when they open vessels with a tiny balloon? The answer is: when they do that, it is called balloon angioplasty.

I get what is known as angioplasty with stent placement. Stents are tiny little things that look just like a Slinky toy. Once placed in a narrowed part of the vessel, it expands and later gets incorporated into the vessel wall, sort of like a rib cage, to keep the vessel open.

I have four stents in place already, two of which are experimental. After the surgeon placed the first two, I quipped to my priest "Fr. Sam, we forgot to ask Dr. Welch something very important! We forgot to ask if it is safe for me to go outside during electrical storms!" So then he wanted to know if I was picking up radio stations from Boston with bad music? Of course he wanted to know that.

The two experimental stents cost ten times more than the traditional ones because they contain a chemotherapy drug also. It is thought that if this chemo drug can keep cancer cells from growing, maybe it can keep artery cells from growing also? So I agreed to the experiment as part of a national test and so far, mine have done very well, out-performing the two traditional ones in effectiveness. They have to be quite effective before anyone agrees to their widespread use because they are $10,000 each.

So....say a little prayer for the kid and I that the doc gets solid information from the testing and that Maxi understands what is being said and that we come up with a good plan for the next procedure, okay?

Thanks!

Merme

Merme,
I was going to take off Jenn's second posting,
but I think I'll leave it,
you'll need all of those Angels You and Maxi can get!!

I'll be sending some of those along with this
as well, we'll be thinking of you and Maxi all day!


When will you be home to let us all know you are doing okay????

Weezie

Weezie, we will be home late in the day and I will probably be able to post something around dinner time, Eastern o'clock.

Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers and all those angels galore!

Merme

Many, many prayers for you and Maxi both--that everything is okay, and that the doctors come up with a good plan!

I am so glad you have found a doctor who will sit down and explain a cardiac procedure at an age appropriate level for Maxi. and ((hug)) from all of us for taking such good care of his mom!

Catlover

Prayers to you and Maxi, Merme!
Keep up the good spirits!

Merme, my thoughts & prayers are with you & Maxi. Hope you are up to posting later. {{{Merme}}}}

Meg

My prayers and thoughts are with you, also, Merme! I am praying that you have a speedy recovery, too.



Dianna

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Hi everyone ~

I am home again and plan on going to bed soon for some much needed rest.

The appointment went well at the cardiologists today and I'm really glad Maxi had a chance to speak with the doctor. As it turned out, what the kid really wanted to know is if my heart would just stop one night while I was sleeping. I knew he's been concerned about that possibility since my quadruple bypass, particularly since we live alone together, and most nights he gets up to check on me. So Dr. Welch was able to speak to him reassuringly on that topic.

We didn't schedule the angioplasty date yet because he decided I need another procedure first. I am not looking forward to it because it takes four hours and is very difficult for me to endure. His staff will call me in the next day or so to let me know when it's been scheduled...he was hoping for a day next week.

I'm getting a bit anxious about arranging for Maxi's care throughout the next phase of things because we haven't been able to contact his dad for the past month. He might be out of state visiting his family again; he might just not be returning his messages...there is no way to know. Without Edward's ability to take Maxi as needed, it gets really difficult.

All for now.
Merme

I'm sorry you are having to deal with the stress of worrying about Maxi's care right now. Is there no trusted friend's or family living close to you? I know how stressful that must be. Be assured, though, that God will find a way.

Hugs!

Dianna

Merme,
Glad to hear you're home!!!

Yes, it's good to let the wee~one's in on some
of the basic's... prepare them and help them and
they feel better knowing what's what and that seems to help them cope a bit better....

Please keep us posted as your appointments go!!!


Weezie

Merme, how wonderful to have a Doctor that will inform Maxi.....what a difference that will make to him. I wish I were closer and could be of some help to you with Maxi's care...but I can certainly pray that things fall into place! Get plenty of rest...and hug that boy for me.

I wish I'd seen this yesterday. You remain in my prayers, Merme, but I'll stop and say a special one for you now.

Since several of you commented on how nice it is that the doctor was willing and able to chat with Maxi, I wanted to say this: we have been remarkably fortunate to have acquired the medical team that we have, really fortunate.

There are so many specialists on my team that it would be easy to end up feeling like all that mattered was a foot, a kidney or a heart. But I can't express clearly enough to you how very much the docs, the nurses, technicians and secretaries have proved again and again that they care about US not as isolated body parts or systems, but as people. Over the years, they've gotten involved in our story and consider themselves our friends. There have been so many blessings along the way.

Most of these people met me while I was pregnant with Maxi and so they feel some ownership toward him, like he belongs to them as well, and they take an interest in his life.

This is a great comfort to me, more than I can even say, especially considering that Maxi has had to spend so much of his life in medical situations....riding the ambulance with me, nights spent in ER's, days and days in doctor offices and up at the hospital. Since this is the way it has had to be for him, I think it is good that he feels at home with these people and circumstances. It's good that everyone knows him by name and takes the time to interact with him, you know?

Merme

The special cardiac diagnostic procedure has been scheduled for this Wednesday from 11:30 to 3:30. Maxi's dad will meet him off the school bus and provide his care until I return later in the day. This test is rather daunting, so please tuck me up safely in your prayers that day. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Merme

I certainly will.

Cindy

Hi Merme,
You definitly have my prayers- will be thinking of you all day..... good thing Dad came back in time to do the day care thing for Maxi...
my dd is going to the Dr the same afternoon - she is hoping it starts her labor - so do keep us informed as you can and take it as easy as you can ---
Nana

*Nana,
I was thinking along those same lines too,
although, I think he should make it an over
night sleep over for Maxi,
so Merme has a wee~bit of time
for herself....after a long day like that!!!

****Merme,
You'll be in our thoughts and prayers too as well.
All day......
And sending some right now,

Weezie

Oh, Maxi's dad really can't take him for an overnight stay during the school week because he lives in another town at a distance from our town and has no vehicle to get the kid back here for school the next day. That's why he tries to take him on weekends and when the kids are off, as he will do next week. In the past when I've had to be in the hospital for just a day or two, Edward has come here to stay so he can get the kid on the bus in the morning.

But tomorrow he'll come down by the scanty public transit service and will probably walk Maxi to a local restaurant for dinner and fool around with him out in the snow. By the time they get back, I should be ok enough to manage from there and Edward's girlfriend will borrow her mom's car to drive down and fetch Edward.

Maxi is a good kid and old enough to be a bit independent from me, doing much self-care on his own. When he was younger and needed lots of hands-on care, it was harder. My bedroom is connected to the central part of the apt and doesn't have a door so if I am laying down, the kid and I can chat back and forth as he goes about his routine. He is a wee bit on'ry though, and likes to steal my wheelchair to take it on a spin around the place, giggling at how he masterminded the "theft".

We make out alright, not to worry!

So as of this morning, in preparation for the test, I can't have caffine in any form, not even decaf drinks....A perfect topic of lament for the Coffeehouse thread....

Merme

Hi Merme,
Sounds like you have it all under control... I can just see Maxi wheeling around in your chair-- Been on call here today- dd says she is feeling lots of pressure- and low backpain- nothing in waves though- so am praying for you both today--- and will keep you and Maxi in my thoughts - we are getting snow here today now-- sticking to the ground now- and I have built a fire to keep warm----not to cold yet but it is dropping steadily......

Just wanted you to know that I will be thinking and praying about your procedure today, Merme. I am glad that Maxi's care is all taken care of so that you will not have to worry about that while you are worrying about having the procedure done. Have you heard anything else about the "prize" you won and worked out Maxi's care for then?



Dianna

Thank you so for all your prayers and kind thoughts....I think it made all the difference for me today.

I did MUCH better today during the procedure than I ever have before and in fact, I actually fell asleep twice during the part where I typically have a panic attack! So clearly, your good will made a big difference.

My priest picked me up by 4:00 and since I'd had no food or coffee since yesterday, I quipped that I was about ready to start eating coffee grinds from the can. He laughed, then went to a deli and bought me a sandwich and some really most excellent coffee. I managed to eat half of the sandwich and drank the coffee and felt a bit stronger and better off for having had it.

Edward and his 3 yr old son were here with Maxi when I got back. They all went to the store for fixings for dinner while I went to bed. Edward cooked and fed the kids while I slept and so I was able to get a good rest knowing Maxi was having some attention given to him and his needs met.

Merme

Merme,
Goooooooood to hear Maxi had dad there and let you rest a wee~bit!!!
Making sure one has a wee~bit of rest helps immensely when recooporating....
More likely to get a more rerestfull sleep
knowing your wee~one is OKAY!!!

Good to hear you're okay, and your procedure
was easier than normal....That's half the battle.

Keep us posted with your test results.

Weezie

So glad to hear it went well today...sorry I missed the post yesterday..didn't get to stop by the forum, but we have you on the ladies prayer list at the church so your covered! And, yes, it DOES make a great difference when you know are in your friends thoughts and prayers...here's praying for some wonderful test results!

wonderful! continued prayers that things keep looking up.

Hi Merme,

Sorry I have not seen this thread before, we have been away, then busy with "stuff".

I am still pretty new here, but I love plants and gardening, along with animals and kiddos.

You sound like a very special soul and I wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you and your son and praying for good things.

Be gentle with yourself~

I am so happy things went well for you, Merme. Please be sure to post and let us know how the results went. We are still praying for you!

Dianna

Hi ~

The cardiologist called today and he does want to go ahead and do the angioplasty. His scheduler will call me tomorrow and tell me when. Early in the week I will go to his office to see his assistant and get the labs and consent forms done to help move the process along.

Meantime, he wants me to rest as much as possible and go to the ER if the chest pain gets too bad.

I am hoping there won't be any scheduling delays that would prevent me from having the angio while Maxi is away next week. Otherwise, it is too complicated arranging for his overnight care....

Merme

Dear Merme,
I'm glad you're getting this taken care of. You've got a lot of friends here, and we'll all be mentally holding your hand all the way!

Hi everybody ~

After a bit of wrangling with uninformed secretaries (which felt rather like talking to 19 people 25 times to no avail!) I finally found out that the angioplasty is scheduled for next Wednesday, the 23rd. And, since it is such a quick process, I should be home again on Thursday.

Today a girlfriend came over to help me clean house and we each took one corner that needed work and got it conquered! Three loads of laundry and one nap, and dinner in the oven later, I feel like a very virtuous woman indeed.

Maxi is supposed to be going with his dad in the morning, but a snow storm is rolling in at the moment so he might be delayed leaving until Sunday, depending on how much snowfall we get.

He's an agreeable kid, and always just goes with the plan of the moment, so he won't mind the delay too much, if there is one.

When he came home from school today, I pointed out how I'd cleaned up all his mess around his play area and told him "Don't put anything on the floor, Maxi!" Looking at me with some surprise but oh so ready to tease mom a bit, he asked in the voice of utter innocence "Not even my feet?" He got tickled and wrestled for that one, I guarantee you. What a jokester.

Merme

Ah, what a blessing it is to have a wonderful child!
We'll be with you in our thoughts next Wednesday.

Just keep thinking of those spring flowers on their way. Soon the weather will be mild and you can sit in the sunshine and breathe the sweet, fresh air again.

My grandmother, born in 1898, always insisted that people could never really recover from any illness without plenty of fresh air and sunshine. In her era, patients were bundled up against any chill and sat outside each day.

Myth or not, I always feel like I need clean air and sunshine too when I've been sick so no matter what, I try to at least spend some time with my chair parked at the top of my ramp where the sun shines the brightest through the midday. It not only makes me feel strong and well, but it also soothes my soul somehow.

Thank you, Bess, for the reminder that spring will be soon.

Merme

I agree with you (and your grandmother) I absolutely thrive in the sunshine...it is life to me. Even if I can't get outside, I have to raise a window or open every blind to let the sun in. I am so glad you have a place to go out and sit. Hope you are having a really great day today Merme!

Don't let go of my hand, Miss Bess, I'm feeling a bit scared about going up to the hospital tomorrow. I usually don't get too anxious about these things, so I'm not sure why I am this time, but I am. Maybe I'm just so tired? Maybe I'm just being a big baby? I dunno.

Either way, hang on to me Ladies, and I'll be back to chat with all of you soon.



Merme

Merme... trust me....there is a LONG chain of Garden Helper hands hanging on to you.

Catlover

Hi everyone ~

Just to let you know that the angioplasty has been postponed until Friday. I hated to hear that news this morning, but I understand my physicians reasoning.

My two cardiologists, Dr. Welch and Dr. Burkey, work as a team. Dr. Burkey does all the angio procedures and Dr. Welch does everything else. When I saw Dr. Welch last time he decided I needed this next angio but Dr. Burkey had to go out of town for an extended period. Dr. Welch doesn't think I should wait until his return, so he's arranged for another angio man to take my case.

However, the geography of my heart is very complex with all the changes they've made over the last four years and doctors who are unfamiliar with it have a hard time even reading the scans. So Dr. Welch decided he wants to be in the angio lab during the procedure so he can advise and explain me to the new guy, and to act as backup for any decisions the new doc might be inclined to make. He doesn't want anything overlooked or missed just because it is so complicated in there. So we wait til Friday.

The chest pain in bad today, so I'm off to bed. It is important for me to "lie low" until we can get the angio finished. Another 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected in tonight, so it is a good time to snuggle in anyway.

Thank you all so much for your interest and support. It means the world to me.

Merme

I am sorry to hear of the delay Merme..but am THANKFUL that they are being thourough (even if it means waiting a couple of days) Stay in bed and cuddle up with a few good garden magazines and dream away about spring! Happy thoughts!!!! We are with you all the way!!!

Merme,
I had been wondering about you and your procedure...
Well, one day repreeve...
But good that your one doc wants the other up to speed....
It's good to hear of them taking some extra steps.

Oh, and definately let them all know you keep us posted here,
and we know all about your proceedures and escolades!!!
*They stay on their toes more that way*
But yours sounds like an ok guy!!!

Can I ask if you are on something called CoQ10?
Or if your doctor has heard of it,
and if you could have some to try????

I will give you a link or two to be able to read up on it...

1st article on CoQ10
2nd article on CoQ10

3rd / Lot\'s of good reading on this one, on other stuff too.

Let me know what the doc tells you!!!
Would love to know his thoughts on it for you!!!

Weezie

How are you feeling today, Merme? Was sorry to read that you weren't up to snuff yesterday. Be sure to get plenty of rest before Friday. We are continuing our prayers for you.



Dianna

Please take it easy and get as much rest as you can

I thought of you often while Missy was in the hospital having all those heart tests done.

G~Mom

Better to postpone it until everything's right.

Take it easy, dear Merme. Give that Maxi an extra hug for us, too.

still praying for you and maxi

So tomorrow morning I'm heading up to Portland for the angioplasty which isn't scheduled until 1 PM, though it might be a bit later.

My doc called this afternoon because we were having a bit of trouble figuring out about my lack of food from midnight tonight until after the angio. My insulin pump is programmed to run its basic dose that keeps my sugars level while I'm not eating and I tell it to give me extra when I do eat. But for some reason, all this week my sugars have been running too low and it seems as though every time I turn around I'm having to eat at least 15g carbs to keep steady. I'm scheduled to see the endocrinology team on Monday so we can fine tune the settings, but we are all a bit concerned about 6 am. If I wake up to a low sugar, I will have to at least drink an Ensure to stabilize myself, but that will mess up the angio time schedule. So we agreed to turn my pump down at midnight and hopefully it will all be just right and I won't wake up with blood sugars sky high or too low... His plan is once I'm in the hospital, he'll hook up a D5 solution to my IV line and that'll feed me glucose through all the hours of no food. It's just the hours ahead of time that have me a bit nervous.

The last time I had a significantly low blood sugar, I went into cardiac arrest and it took Rescue 45 minutes to get me up and going again on my own. I hate running this close to my limits, not wanting to fall into the danger zone especially not when I'm by myself with Maxi away. So I plan to eat a good sized bedtime snack just before midnight, dial down the pump and say my prayers. Good plan, that.

So I'll post something probably late afternoon Saturday once I am home again and let you all know how well things turned out!

Also, I've heard that Maxi's dad has been in a VERY bad mood and the little boys aren't having a good time. But Maxi did have the chance to go to the Planetarium this afternoon with his school counselor and he said he had so much fun. I know he is looking forward to coming home on Sunday and returning to all his friends on Monday.

Merme

We will also be saying prayers for you Merme. Crossing everything that it all goes well. Maxi will get by fine, concentrate on yourself, if you are well, then Maxi will be to.

Doreen.

yep, more prayers...

And more prayers. You will certainly be in all of our thoughts tonight AND tomorrow! Get some good rest tonight.

Dianna

and give Maxi a big garden helper hug for being such a brave little guy!
Catlover

Thinking and Praying for you here all day, Merme!

Here's some places to go to for some inspirational words....

The Stepping Stones

Joy Comes the Morning

GOD\'S Rainbow

Whispering Hope

Keep the Faith!!!


Weezie

How's Merme doing????????????????

Oh Merme????
Everything go okay!!!???!!!???

Weezie

Oh where is our Merme???? Should we be worried .....yet?????

Merme...you were supposed to be home by now...please check in and let us know how you are!!

Hugs,Kisses and all that good stuff

I am going to call her tomorrow if she doesn't post by...noon.

Guess I will have to head towards Maine if we dont hear from her in the next day or so!!!!!!!!

ALRIGHTIE MERME, WHERE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE??????

Weezie

weezie...I called, and got the answering machine.
I left a message and my #...maybe she'll call.

Cindy

OH, that's good to know,
I had just emailed Mel to see if she'd
heard anything.....

How close of a drive time is Mel to Merme????

Weezie

only been here a little while but my heart goes out to Merme and her son. I was thinking Portland Maine is not that big and I would guess there is only one hospitol doing that involved of a heart proceedure. We do have the names of two of her Doctos, Welsh and Burkey I think. Maybe some one could do a search of some sort. Sure does make for a lot of worry to have such a good person that sick.

With all the privacy laws concerning patients rights, etc., I doubt if you'd be able to come up with anything.

You know, I saw Mel on here right before I posted that I had called Merme!
Then she was gone.
I'm thinking she's an hour or so from Merme, but not sure about that.

Cindy

I saw her too, thought I'd catch her,
but with that 5 minute delay
I missed her too!!!

Weezie

Hi Ladies ~

Did not mean to alarm anyone, but I am still in the hospital and this is the first chance I've had to access the computer.

The procedure on Friday went ok except that the doctor found a bad blockage that scared him pretty badly as it is tight in the intersection between a native vessel and a graft. A very tough spot to work in. The blockage closes off that area by 80%, so they want to open it up again but he wasn't sure of the best approach considering the risks involved. So....they sent me off to recovery and four cardiologists had a powwow to decide what's best to do.

Tomorrow morning (Monday) around 9 am, I will be going back to the angio lab and they will work on this blockage with balloon angioplasty and stent placement. Two other large vessels are closed 100% and can't be fixed, so it is important that they get this Right Coronary Artery as open as possible.

Also, I am in Maine Medical Center, Portland. If you visit their web site, you will see a place where you can send emails to patients. If you email me before 11 AM, the volunteers print it out and deliver it to my room on the same day. Anything after 11 gets delivered the next day. You only need to know my name, no room # required. So if you want to email me directly, it is Mary-Ellen Salunek.

I saw Maxi briefly yesterday and he is doing well and sporting a new haircut. He will miss some school because of the delay in getting me home again, but that's ok.

Thanks for all of your continued prayers! And I will find a way to keep you updated as I can!!



Love,
Merme

Well, it's about time, there girlie!!!
You were makin' us a ball of nerves here!!! and Waiting

Weezie

Merme, I am so glad you could get to a computer and tell us something!
When you get home there is a strange
I'm praying that everything goes fine for you.
Cindy

Email Merme

Took me awhile to get to this page, so I thought I'd just put a link to it here. Now we don't even have to leave this topic to email you, Merme!


Cindy

Oh Cindy Friend...you will have another jewel in your crown! Thank you for posting the site to e-mail Merme. I am sure that the volunteers will crack up when they see the e-mails from all over the world checking on our Merme! But, they will know that she is loved and what a relief it was to have a report! I was starting to sweat a little not knowing!
So, here's MORE prayers for Merme's procedure tomorrow for Cindy friend tracking down the site!

Sorry, I haven't been here much ! I miss this. I'm about 1 - 1 1/2 hours away, but the hospital is about 45 min. away. It's Maine's best hospital and it sounds like Merme's docs are good. Get well soon , Merme!

My message has been sent...those poor little volunteers...they are going to be running their "fannies" off delivering her emails

G~Mom

Merme!

Cricket

So today I got a little flipped out. Ok, ok, I admit it, I got a big bunch of flipped out. I wanted to sign out of the hospital, go the heck home and forget about all this mess.

So I cried some, wheeled around the hallways some, tried to read some (darn boring books in this place!), slept some, and thought about all you guys some. Finally, I called my priest and told him what was up.

Fr. Sam always seems to know exactly what to say to me in precisely the right tone of voice. Don't know how he does that, exactly, but he does. So he agreed that yup, I really could go home. I could do that. But then he very sensibly and very gently got me making a list of all the benefits if I stayed and went through with tomorrow's procedure.

After the procedure, the chest pain will go away.
After the procedure, I'll get to be with Maxi again, more like a real mom.
After the procedure, I'll be able to have the new leg made and will probably be up and walking around by early April pain free.
After the procedure, I'll be able to return to church in a few weeks nd hang out with all my friends.....

Then he reminded me that since I'm scheduled to go down so early, really by the time I wake up wake up, it will all be over. And he will be waiting for me on the other side. And Edward will bring Maxi too after school.

So I've re-read all your kind posts and somehow have found my courage again. Thanks, guys!

This procedure requires me to lay flat for 10 hours afterwards without raising my head or moving my arms and legs, so I'm guessing I won't be able to post anything else until late Monday night...maybe after 10 PM or so.... and I really can't wait to tell y'all how well everything went!



Merme

Merme...
We are with you!

Okay Merme, By the time you see this you will be fine and better than ever.....you take care and do what they tell you, sounds like Fa Sam know exactly what you need and when- with all the prayers winging their way to you I know you will be fine and all the wonderful things will happen for you.Hope you got the email at the hospital- explains why I haven't been around a lot - my daughter had her baby boy a month early... he is little but doing well- so is dd and family- the 2 yr old just thinks he can pick up the baby any time he wants so we have to really watch him.... little Nicoli has red/blond hair too--- another red head in the family....
Lots of prayers for you- may have been busy but not to busy to send them out for you and Maxi...

Prayers are still be said for you, Merme!

Dianna

Thank you so much, Cindy, for posting that link to Merme's hospital email. I sent her a little note to let her know I was thinking of her. Hopefully we'll hear something in the next few days.

Hi all ~

They let me up a little sooner than expected and so I couldn't wait to come out to the solarium and post a note to you guys!

Merme

That is so sweet!

So glad to hear you are doing so well, Merme.
Now, ain't ya glad you didn't leave?
Cindy

Way to go, Merme!

You'll be home pain-free before you know it. Keep on getting better!

Cricket

I am so glad that Dr. Burkey was able to be in there for you. I know that it was a relief to you with all the problems that you have been having. At least you knew that he was very familiar with your heart and the special circumstances with it.

We are all still praying for you and wishing you a speedy recovery. You will be home with Maxi in no time at all.

Dianna

Yes, Merme, glad to hear all is going
well for you!!!!
Sent another message to your hospitol...
That is so neat to be able to do that!
What a nice hospitol!!!
And doctor...

Keep getting better and rest up!!!

Weezie

way to go, so glad you did and are doing well

Merme,
So very glad it all went well for you and to be pain free is such a wonderful thing I am sure... hope you are able to get home on time but staying put will be good if the snow is flying- wish I could send you our weather- in the 50's this week- hard to believe last yr this time we had 2 ft of snow.... shhh could still happen.....
So glad Maxi will have a suprise basket too- so very nice of your friends at the hospital- and so glad your Dr could make it- all things happen for reasons- delay just long enough for him to make it and you to do so wonderfully------ so happy for you.....
Take care and hope you are home soon- will send you pics of the new little one - he is a doll and so very little....

Nana's11,
I forgot, I wanted also to CONGRATULATE you
on your new Grand~Wee~One there!!!
What a blessing those little one's are,
aren't they!!!!

Enjoy your time with them, they grow sooooooo fast!

Weezie

Thanks Weezie,
Yes we do enjoy our grands- he is number 13 for us- really need to change my name here.... my sons g/f is also expecting- twin boys- they may be born soon he just called and said she is having contractions again- has been in hosptital for awhile now- she is only in her 28th week so we are hoping they can stop it again- though the Dr think babies are fine- just little- 2 lbs apiece right now--- hope she can hold on a little longer too- longer the better I think...
say a little prayer for us if you will - need all we can get for them.
Thanks Nana (soon to be 15)

Ok, ok, so I was laying in bed minding my own business, having a touch of the "blues" because the doc said I can't go home until tomorrow, Wednesday. So then a volunteer came waltzing in with yet another HUGE STACK of emails from all of you!!! You guys are the best!

The dye that is used during angioplasty with stent placement can be tough for my kidneys to process and eliminate, so unfortunately all the numbers that indicate how well I'm unloading the stuff keep rising, so my docs are a wee bit scared. Hopefully, tomorrow we'll see the numbers falling and then everyone will be happy and I'll be dancing in the streets on my way back to the beach.

Big snows, big winds meantime and I am 9 stories up watching the show. Interesting!

Love,
Merme

GREAT NEWS the test result numbers have come down nicely just as they should and I am cleared to go home today -- just as soon as we can arrange a ride.

I sat up most of the night by the window overlooking the city toward the west, watching the second night of the storm. What a wondrous looking world the snow makes, doesn't it?

So now I'm off for breakfast, and real clothes and shoes and TTFN to all my pals at the hospital. Can't wait to meet up with all of you from my own little borrowed-from-Maxi desk at home! It's seems like there is lots to catch up on that I missed while I've been away! Anybody in a really gabby mood today?!


Merme

Merme,
I'm always in a mood,
it's time that gets the best of me...

Goooooooooood news that you're coming home.
It's always nice to be back in your own
sheets and pillows!!!

We got alot of snow here, shoveled a bunch of times and then went out at 8:00pm and snowblowed
both driveways....
We looked out the windows this morning and looked
at each other and said we have to do that all over again tonight, lot's of snow over night, and more called for today...

Let us know when you get home, safe and sound!!!

Weezie

Merme,
I am so happy you get to go home today- hope the snow doesn't make it hard for you to get there ....know you will feel so much better at home....

I will be here most of today I think- one of Carrie's boys has the flu though so they may need me to watch the others if they have to take him to the Dr today--- he was really miserable yesterday- so hoping he feels better today... not good with the new little one but can't be helped --just good ole life happening.

Merme, so glad its good news.
When you get home, just switch on the computer, then you will really know you are home.
Doreen

Been wondering all day if you got to make it home yet or not???
How's the weather????

How you feelin'!!!

Weezie

Hi Weezie ~

I made it home okay earlier this morning and am so glad, so glad! to be home again. I posted a new thread "Hi Honey" to say I was back. I even tried phoning Cindy Who Who because I got such a kick out of the message she left me on the answering machine...what a terrific accent that lady has got!!

So of course I over did it all day and I'm sore and tired tonight. They warned me to take it slow because both femoral arteries have to heal from the puncture incisions and of course the stent also has to heal, but I was excited to be home and forgot the rules. Yipes.

Maxi will be home in a few minutes and I can't wait to see the kid. Edward's girlfriend is picking up dinner on the way so I won't have to cook.

There was a pile of mail waiting for my return and I learned that my appeal hearing for the home health services is scheduled for March 8th and I'm glad it is coming up soon. My lawyer is out of town until March 7th, so I'm hoping one of his partners will step in to get up to speed on the case ahead of time.

Gosh, it is good to be home. And if anyone sees Miss Bess of The Piedmont, tell her there is Earl Grey in my cup tonight.



Merme

ME? ? ? ? ?
No, no, no!
It's all the rest of ya'll that have an "accent"!

You have a slight accent, Jiffy sounded just fine to me, Bill and Cricket have a little bit of an "accent" thing going on there, and Melcon has a major accent! (You can tell SHE ain't from around here!)

Cindy

WHAT !!!! Na ah, no I don't , do I ? I have to say I was enchanted with your southern drawl when we chatted , I was shocked because all this time I hadn't been reading your posts with a Southern accent, but now I do! Duh ! Merme doesn't have a Mainer accent, she has a nice broadcaster voice. Hey Merme ,ever think of doing a radio show??

You know, that's very true! That's actually the first thing I thought today when she left the message on my answering machine. It was like "Whoa! Nice voice Merme's got goin' on there!"

What a nice way to put it! "Southern Draaaaawl"!
Are my posts any better when you read them with a southern accent?
(This is cracking me up!)

Gee... I might be able to make a little extra money by selling my phone number to the "curious" on the forum who want to hear me talk now!


Cindy (Ellie Mae)

I don't know about Bill, but no one has ever told me I have an accent, eh! (except when I unconsciously pick up on other people's speech patterns - honestly, I'm not mimicking you if we spend more than 5 min chatting! )

Like a 900 number?

Evening Merme,
Later for you but maybe your will see this in the morning.... so glad you made it home- and do hope you rest up now--- no overdoing it though I know how hard it must be not to when you feel so much better.... Hi to Maxi too...... now take care and rest up!
love ya Nana

It's not really an "accent" so to speak.
Can't quite put my finger on it...
I guess ya'll just talk normal, and it's different to me 'cause I have this "drawl" I'm sorta used to hearing all the time!

I'd call Merme right now if I knew she wasn't laying down or something. Just so we could listen to each other "talk"!

Okay, I just have to chime in here on the accent thing...(which is totally off the subject here)
I ALWAYS get "accused" of having an accent...but it really hit me hard when my former last name was Bell and when I would tell people they would write BALE.....that's pretty crazy!!!!!!! Guess I do kinda have that DDRRAAAWWWWWWWL........

I must be the only one that talks normal
around here!!!! :p

I hafta ad~mit though,
when aahhhhhhhh git `round them
Southerner'ssssssss, I do start drawwwwwlin'
like `em though!


Weezie

Don't worry, Vanessa! Merme will love this when she sees it!

And Weezie...
What is the deal with people picking up the southern drawl like you said? Sometimes I catch myself doing that!

Man, you guys would crack up if you heard Lola's southern drawl!