Results of Bill's Latest Doctor's Visit

Good news, Bill doesn't have an infection in his legs. 

That was the good news. Also good news was that we were able to get into the VA system after having called yesterday.  In the past, our wait would have been a good two to four weeks, if that.
Now we have instructions to call a Nurse number. I explained Bill's situation to the nurse yesterday and she put us on what is called a "Rapid Response Team."  It worked.

We had an appointment at 8:00 am this morning at the VA Outpatient clinic. They couldn't take us. Too busy.  They asked if we could stay until 9:30 am, in case that person didn't show up.  We stayed another hour and a half. The patient showed up who had the 9:30 am appointment. 

They asked us if we could come back at 1:00 pm.  Well, we could. Bill had to get his leg looked after. 

We drove the twelve miles back home. 

We returned at 12:30 am. We always show up early for our appointments.

The doctor saw us at 1:15 pm.  She looked at Bill's legs and determined that he had chronic swelling of his legs.  Her advice was to keep his legs raised as much as possible. I asked why his legs were so red and swollen. She said probably the after effects of the IV Bill received during his endoscopy last week. She gave us a prescription to help remove the water accumulated in Bill's legs.

She took a look at the gash in Bill's right leg. She and the nurse cleaned the wound and applied a gauze bandage. 

Thank goodness we got this resolved. We were both concerned that Bill had a serious infection.  

Another day in the life folks.

More Doctors' Visits

Bill's legs, look better than they actually look in person

Bill and I just returned from the Georgetown VA Outpatient Clinic.  We had a Rapid Access appointment this morning to check why Bill's lower legs are red and purple and swollen. 

Bill sustained a deep gash on his left leg after his endoscopy procedure on July 17th. The hospital said they "didn't do it" but I suspect otherwise. How can I prove it? 

We were hoping the wound would heal it self but alas, it is still draining and Bill's leg looks terrible.

Bill says his leg doesn't hurt (unlike mine which are hurting right now and most of the day) but his legs look terrible. 

As you know Bill's medical care is total VA and you all know how burdensome that can be. But I have to give the VA credit for allowing us to see someone about Bill's condition today.

This morning we had an appointment at 8:30 am. The nurse saw us but Bill's doctor was unable to see us this morning. The nurse asked us if we could stay around until 9:30 in case the doctor's appointment didn't show up.  Alas, the 9:30 appointment showed up.

She then asked us if we could come back today at 1:00 pm.  Of course we can, Bill's legs have to be looked after.  I'm relieved that someone is looking at Bill's legs.  I'm also relieved that we could get in so soon at the VA Outpatient clinic. This is something that wasn't possible just a few months ago.  Dare I say it?  I think Trump is the difference. All I know is that before Trump it would have been months before we could see anyone at the VA.  Now it's one day, even though our appointment has been delayed a few hours. At least someone is seeing us and they seem to care.

And yes, I have another day lost doing my caregiver duties. I got to work tomorrow at the hotel, yet again filling in for a co-worker.  Then my regular shift on Thursday. Maybe I'll be lucky and have the weekend off from caregiver duties and hotel front desk duties.  That would be nice to have some time to myself.  And folks, if you're wondering why I'm not making my regular visits to my favorite blogs, this is why. 

As the new description on my blog says, we're at this time of our life when we're facing multiple medical challenges. 

Again, bring up Bette:

Free Grocery Winner!

My "win" this morning. I'll take it!

This morning as I was checking at our favorite local supermarket, my bill came up zero.

The elderly lady was a new checker. She thought she made a mistake. I had already inserted my credit card in the chip receiving device, waiting to see the "OK" I could touch screen.  

She called the manager, thinking he had done something wrong. The manager came and looked at the above screed and said "Oh, there is nothing wrong.  You won free groceries today."  

Hey, I'm a winner!  How about that?  

Always nice to win.


During the unexpected mini celebration of my win I noticed the customer behind me.  His downcast fast said it all.  I said to him "You missed it by one."  He looked up at me and said "Hey, that's the story of my life."  

My happy win this morning reminds me of this Spy TV joke that ran a few years ago.


Only difference is that I didn't win a million dollars and my win wasn't a joke. But to the guy behind me this morning, he wasn't happy. But I am! Wha a nice way to start the day.

One More Doctors' Appointment - Today

Bill after his endoscopy - "Get me out of here!"

Well, Bill's endoscopy went well. 

Thank goodness!

Bill's doctor (who is fabulous) stuck a tube with a camera down his throat and checked his healing ulcers. The good news is that Bill's ulcers are healing well.  

Thank goodness!

Today I take Bill for his last visit to his eye doctor who performed his cataract surgery. Today Bill gets his prescription for new glasses. 

Thank goodness!

Finally, Bill can now take his eye test at the Delaware DMV so he can get his license back.

And oh, one more thing, remember how I said I was look at a doctor free month for August?  Dash that reality. My cardiologist scheduled an ultra sound for next month.  That's where they grease up your stomach (cold grease by the way) and take a picture of the goings on down there. 

And, I have my annual dermatology appointment next month, which I had forgotten.  I have a few spots on my skin that my dermatologist has to check out. 

And the beat goes on.

Ready For a Week of Medical Appointments

We're ready for a week of medical appointments. 

Tomorrow at 2:30 PM (the latest time change after four previous time changes) Bill is scheduled for an endoscopy at our local hospital.  This a result of Bill's medical emergency last November 29th when I found him lying at the bottom of the cellar stairs coughing up blood from his ruptured ulcers.
Bill will be put under anesthesia for this procedure and you can be sure I'll stick around the hospital waiting room until he recovers.  I don't want a repeat of the last time he came out of anesthesia (from his cataract surgery) and I wasn't around. Remember that story? I went to do some errands, waiting for a call to come and pick him up, a call I never got because my iPhone message box was full. God, I don't want a repeat of that goof on my part.

Tuesday I have a six month followup appointment with my cardiologist. I have an extra heartbeat. We're monitoring it. I've already undergone all the test (treadmill and ultra sound) and I know what condition I'm in. My extra heartbeat is a result of a defective valve that is wearing out after seventy-five years of constant beating. I'm taking medication to lower my cholesterol but other than that, I'm not doing anything special about my extra heartbeat. I'm certainly not having a valve replacement, pig or otherwise. When my time comes, I'm ready.  Hopefully it will be quick and painless and not a stroke that paralyzes me and leaves me brain dead.  Not nice things to think about but all possibilities. When I go I want to go like my cousin Randy, I go to sleep one night and don't wake up the next morning.

Thursday we have our final appointment with Bill's cataract surgery eye doctor. We have two more days of eye drops to add to Bill's eye, which Bill is eagerly looking forward to ending. Thank goodness he only has two eyes. At this appointment Bill's doctor will check to make sure Bill eye is healed completely then give him an eye exam so Bill can get glasses. Once Bill gets the glasses he can retake his eye exam at the Delaware DMV and hopefully get his driver's license back. Bill lost his license last June because he didn't pass the eye test.

After these doctors' appointments this week we're looking at the WHOLE month of August without ANY appointments. Hard to believe a whole month without any appointments.  I doubt if we can get through the whole month without some kind of medical situation.  I'll believe it when we actually go through the whole month of August like normal people. That would be nice.

Medical Appointments Last Minute Changes, Incredible!

Bill is scheduled for an endoscopy. Originally the date was next Wednesday, July 19th at 8:00 am.


Last week I got a call changing the date to Monday, July 17th 8:30 am. 

These were messages left for me on my voicemail. 

I was to receive a call telling me of the exact time to be at the surgery center. I didn't get that call. I called this morning and there was confusion as to if I'm to be there on Wednesday or Monday.

I got a call later this morning stating the time WAS  Monday at 8:30 am. 

So when I took my daily afternoon nap, I turned off my iPhone, secure in the knowledge that this was a settled time. And oh by the way, I'm scheduled to work at the hotel next Monday on the 17th at 3 pm. So the 8:30 am time works for me.

But not so fast Fredo.

Fredo Corleone

I wake up from my nap today at 4:57 am and see I have a message to "call immediately doctor's office for an important message."

I call but of course I'm too late because their office is closed. I leave a message with their answering service and also with the doctor, who is very nice by the way.

Then while I'm outside in this brutal, oppressive, heat and humidity collecting Japanese beetles I get a call on my iPhone. Now the time has changed to 9:45 am.  Uh, okay. I can still manage that.  

Then I get a call from the doctor. He doesn't know about the time changes. Now I feel guilty for bothering him with something that is clearly a function of his staff. He probably thought Bill was having a swallowing problem. Well, one good thing, I now know I can get hold of the doctor.  That's good to know.  As I said earlier in this post, I like this doctor. 

Now get this.  I get ANOHTER call from the scheduling staff.  They want to change Bill's procedure to 2:30 pm.  Man oh man.  Can you say "Keystone Kops"? 

Not only are all these changes very disruptive and chaotic, Bill has an anxiety problem. Bill doesn't like change.  This is another responsibility I have as Bill's caregiver. I have to keep things as calm as possible. Good thing I'm here to take the flak. Bill would just cancel the appointments altogether. In fact that's what he wanted to do.  But I don't want to see Bill sprawled out on the floor in a pool of blood like I did last November 29th when his ulcer's ruptured and he had to be taken to the emergency room at the local hospital.

Now just to add icing to the cake I have an appointment next Tuesday with my cardiologist.  And Bill has an appointment next Thursday with his eye doctor as the final follow-up for his cataract surgery.  

I tell you folks, it's a challenge being old and keeping it together.  I'm just glad I'm here so I can take care of these things for Bill. If I wasn't here I don't know how these things would be handled. Bill can't keep these things straight. And to be very frank, I'm starting to have a hard time keeping everything straight and organized myself. 

If I ever reach Bill's age (88, which I seriously doubt) I wonder who will watch out for me. Yes, I wonder. Well, I can't worry about that now.

Now if this heat and humidity will just break. I feel like having a big piece of chocolate fudge cake.

Another Day, Another Doctor's Visit

Today we visited the Georgetown VA Outpatient Clinic for Bill's dermatology appointment. He has a growth on his right arm and some suspicious spots on his face. "Lois" took pictures and will send them to the Wilmington VAMC for their dermatology department to examine. 

Another day, another doctor's appointment.

I used to tease my Mother years ago when her weekly schedule revolved around doctors' appointment. I remember what she told me:
"You just wait, you'll get your turn."  

Well, my turn has come as well as Bill's turn.

Next Monday Bill is scheduled for an endoscopy by his gastroenterologist. That means he undergoes anesthesia . . . . again. 

Tuesday I have my once postponed appointment with my cardiologist. My previous appointment I had to cancel because it conflicted with one of Bill's doctors' appointments.  

Thursday we see Bill's eye doctor for he final followup to Bill's cataract surgery and eye examination for his new glasses. 

Now, I've checked the calendar for the rest of the month and I don't see any doctors' appointments. And get this, I checked next month, August, and there is NOTHING.  Hard to believe. Wouldn't it be great if we could go one whole month without any doctors' appointments. Here's hoping.