Reducing Soap Scum

Try a bit of vinegar in the rinse cycle to reduce the soapy residue.

Who wants a soapy towel after their shower?!

My Kids are Coming to Get Me!!!

I can see my kids driving up to the Vera Smith Pavilian to pick me up!
The doctor says my hemoglobin is up to a 8.2... I can go home and the troops have arrived to take me away!
There is always hope, but don't think I didn't pray too!!!

The View From My Window...

For winter in Joliet, it wasn't bad!

Time Never Seems to Change...

My room was like something out of the "Twilight Zone".

As though maybe it was a room that had been locked long ago at 2:47...

Or like the song "Grandfather's Clock":

"... The clock stopped never to go again when the old man died".

Hmmmm... Regardless, it was eerie!

Knitting While I Wait

Yes, we all know I'm addicted to knitting, so what else would I take to keep busy.

As soon as I felt well enough to sit up and knit, they discharged me!

LOL!!!

Quaint Bathroom...

The bathroom was quaint.

At first I thought it was really cute, but, after a while, it seemed rather SMALL!

And I had to wait till the night shift came in to be offered wash cloths, towels, bath soap, etc...

That's Breakfast?!

I guess I was spoiled by St. Joe's food the last time I was in the hospital. As I told my eight year old son, "you cook way better than they do".

Upscale Televisions~ Pampering!

After 4 hours in the ER, I finally got a room.

The first thing I noticed was this TV.

It was so big I could see the picture clearly!

Build a Better Hospital Bed

The person who finally designs a comfortable, cost-effective hospital bed will make a fortune and be appreciated by millions!

The Best Spot in the E.R.

I was fortunate and was placed in a room across from the nurses station. This spot was ideal as my nurse passed my room regularly and I could hear all their discussions (good & bad).
I found out that my hemoglobin had dropped to a 6.3 by the time the ER tested me!

Gotta Have a Sense of Humor!

Don't go to the hospital and leave your sense of humor at home. As the next blogs will tell you, humor is critical to survive any hospital visit!

Still at Emergency Room

OK, so the kids drop me off at the ER and head off to work.
I walk in and get in line to check in... Yes, get in line!
The girl signing people in, Melissa, had obviously taken classes in being rude and pushy. She was NOT happy that the doctor had told me to check in through the ER!
But, the triage nurse was great... Very soft spoken and kind. I thanked her for being so nice.

When Things Go Wrong

Today the most awesome nurse, Kathleen, called from the Will County Health Department with my test results. My hemoglobin was 8.3, so I would need to see the doctor tomorrow morning followed by a visit to Silver Cross Hospital Emergency Room for a blood transfusion.
So I talked to my kids about scheduling and began to make lists of what I'd need to pack.
Then, shortly after, Kathleen called again to say she'd misread the lab~ the 8.3 was my white count. My hemoglobin was 6.7, but should be 11.0! She wanted me to go straight to Silver Cross for a transfusion!!!

As The Temperatures Drop

As I sit in front of my fire and watch the temperatures drop outside, I wonder how many of us will actually survive this next ice age?
How many people are stocked up on groceries? Seeds to grow more?
How many have developed the personal expertise to grow their food indoors?
How many have installed a heat source independant of the utilities?
As time grows shorter and the seasons change more dramatically, I wonder how many of us will still be alive?
Will you survive?
Will your family?

Tuna Surprise Breakfast Bake

This morning I gave our Saturday breakfast ritual a new twist!
First, oil the pan with olive oil.
Second, pour in 6 beaten eggs.
Third, stir in 1 small can tuna in oil and 1 can mixed vegetables, drained.
Fourth, bake at 350 degrees about a half hour or until done.
Quick, easy, healthy and yummy!